bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drainage rearrangement by river capture, beheading and diversion
Authors: Bishop Paul
Published: November 2007

Drainage rearrangement, involving stream piracy (capture), drainage diversion and/or beheading, may be significant for sediment budgets (including sediment provenance) and biotic distributions, as well as for its more usually considered role in landscape evolution. The processes involved in drainage rearrangement are not as self-evident as its abundant literature indicates. This is especially the case with the commonly invoked stream capture. The key process in stream capture, namely, drainage head retreat, is difficult to envisage as a normal part of drainage net evolution, especially in the light of recent findings on drainage hollow evolution. Stream capture may therefore be a relatively rare event in drainage net evolution. This, and uncertainties with interpretations of supposed elbows of capture, mean that stream capture should not be routinely invoked in interpretations of long-term drainage evolution. Further uncertainties associated with the maintenance of drainage lines during the erosion of significant crustal sections, especially in faulted and folded terrains, diminish the likelihood of many supposed examples of stream capture. It is more likely that examples of drainage rearrangement attributed to stream capture were generated by drainage diversion, but even this may involve special conditions.
The parameterization of surface albedo for sea ice and its snow cover
Authors: Barry Roger G.
Published: November 2007

The factors determining the albedo of sea ice and its snow cover, including spectral characteristics, are reviewed. The thickness, properties and fractional cover of snow are of general importance. During freeze-up, ice thickness is a major determinant and, in summer, the extent and depth of melt ponds. The effects of sky conditions and surface impurities are also examined. In situ and remote-sensing data to validate theoretical and model results are discussed. The current parameterizations adopted in atmospheric GCMs are compared and new directions described.
Amaurosis fugax, Crohn's Disease and the Anticardiolipin Antibody
Authors: Greenfield S.M. , Teare J.P. , Whitehead M.W. , Thompson R.P.H.
Published: November 2007

Crohn's disease is associated with a hypercoagulable state due to platelet or clotting abnormalities which may be responsible for the thromboembolic episodes seen in this condition. We report the occurrence of anticardiolipin antibodies in a patient with Crohn's disease who presented with Amaurosis fugax and suggest that these antibodies may be a further cause of the hypercoagulable state of Crohn's disease in some patients.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Morand E.F. , Miller M.H. , Whittingham S. , Littlejohn G.O.
Published: November 2007

To study the effect of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) on the expression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and on the measurement of disease activity, we performed a cross-sectional study of subjects with SLE. Eighty-seven subjects were studied and 22 (25.3%), all female, had FS (Yunus' criteria). Disease activity and organ system involvement were assessed using the systemic lupus activity measure (SLAM) and using 10 cm visual analogue scales (VAS) completed by both physician and patient. No significant difference between FS and non-FS groups in the objective measurement of disease activity was present, median (range) SLAM scores being 5 (0-18) and 6 (0-24), respectively (NS). Similarly, expression of SLE, as measured by the prevalence of specific organ system involvement, was similar in the two groups. In contrast the prevalence of glucocorticoid use, antibodies to DSDNA and fulfilling four ACR criteria was higher in the non-FS group. The rating of SLE disease activity was affected by concomitant FS. Physician and patient disease activity VAS correlated significantly with SLAM scores in non-FS subjects (P < 0.001, Spearman analysis), whereas in FS subjects, neither physician nor patient VAS correlated with SLAM scores. We conclude that FS is prevalent in individuals with SLE and does not affect disease expression but may interfere with the rating of disease activity.
In vitro type-1 and type-2 cytokine production in systemic lupus erythematosus: lack of relationship with clinical disease activity
Authors: Barcellini W. , Rizzardi GP , Borghi MO , Nicoletti F. , Fain C. , Del Papa N. , Meroni PL
Published: November 2007

Objective: to investigate the relationship between disease activity and in vitro cytokine, soluble(s)CD23 and polyclonal and anti-DNA antibody production by PBMC from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: cytokines, sCD23 and immunoglobulins were estimated by ELISA in unstimulated and polyclonal mitogen-stimulated culture supernatants.

Results: PHA-induced IL-2 and IFN-y production were decreased, whereas spontaneous and PHA-induced IL-6 and IL-10 production were increased in cultures of SLE lympho cytes. Conversely, spontaneous and PHA-stimulated IL-4 and sCD23 production was com parable between patients and controls. Finally, we found an increase in in vitro spontaneous polyclonal and anti-DNA IgG secretion.

Conclusions: We demonstrated an expanded type-2 cytokine profile with no correlation with parameters of disease activity.
Late development of anti-La/SS-B antibodies in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome and high titer anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies
Authors: Satoh M. , Hamilton KJ , Langdon JJ , Akizuki M. , Yamagata H. , Nakayama S. , Reeves WH , Homma M.
Published: November 2007

The frequent coexistence of anti-Ro and anti-La autoantibodies is well described, however, there is little evidence of sequential development of these two autoantibodies. We report a case of typical Sjogren's syndrome with high titer anti-Ro antibodies, who subsequently developed anti-La antibodies later in the course. This case suggests that the anti-La anti bodies may actually follow the anti-Ro antibodies in some cases as hypothesized in the concept of linked set of autoantibodies, analogous to development of anti-Sm in certain anti-nRNP antibody positive SLE patients and animal models.
Methotrexate use in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kipen Y. , Littlejohn GO , Morand EF
Published: November 2007

Low dose pulse oral methotrexate (MTX) is a well established treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, and short term open studies have suggested beneficial effects of MTX in SLE. This study was designed to investigate MTX treatment maintenance rates in SLE using life table analysis, and to determine whether MTX use was associated with a dose reduction of concomitant steroid therapy.

All SLE patients managed by physicians affiliated with a single centre were studied cross- sectionally. Information regarding disease variables and drug use were ascertained by interview and chart review. Drug therapy data including dates of treatment and indications for treatment were analysed using Kaplan-Keier life table methods.

Among 101 subjects with SLE, 25 MTX treatment episodes were observed in 24 subjects. The period studied totalled 19 766 patient-days, with a median (range) duration of observed MTX treatment of 14.4 (5.1-41.6) months. The median (range) initial and peak MTX doses with 7.5 (2.5- 10)mg/wk and 10 (7.5-15)mg/week respectively. The principal indication for commencing methotrexate therapy was arthritis. Only two subjects terminated treatment for toxicity, with the most common reason for termination being remission. The cumulative probability of continuing treatment was 68% at 12 months and 61 % at 24 months, or 75% and 71 % respectively if cessations for remission were excluded. The median (interquartile range) monthly steroid intake during MTX therapy [279.4 (193.4-492.9) mg] was somewhat lower than during the 6 months prior to [298.1 (237.9-531.4)428.8) mg] MTX therapy, but this difference was not significant. A total of 36% of subjects reduced their steroid dose during MTX therapy, but this reduction was not significant.

Treatment of SLE with MTX, predominantly for arthritis, was well tolerated over prolonged periods of observation. Toxicity of sufficient severity to lead to treatment termination was uncommon. A subset of subjects were able to reduce steroid intake during MTX therapy, but no overall reduction in steroid dose was observed.
Hepatic necrosis and haemorrhage in pregnant patients with antiphospholipid antibodies
Authors: Amant F. , Spitz B. , Arnout J. , Van Assche FA
Published: November 2007

Two case reports of pregnant patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) are presented. Attention is mainly drawn to the hepatic necrosis and the underlying pathophysiology.
Immunogenic properties of synthetic fragments of Sm-D protein in normal and lupus mice
Authors: Winska-Wiloch H. , Muller S. , Katz DR , Wilkinson L. , Hutchings PR , Isenberg DA
Published: November 2007

Antibodies against the Sm antigen are characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They are found in 20-30% of SLE patients and it has been shown previously that up to 70% of SLE sera react with synthetic fragments 1-20 and 44-67 of the Sm-D polypeptide. To determine whether injections of these peptides might be pathogenic both were administered intraperitoneally into normal mouse strains BALB/c (H-2d), B10/brown (H-2k) and C57BL/6 (H-2b) and an autoimmune strain MRL/1pr (H-2k). IgG antibodies against peptide 1-20 were detected by ELISA in the sera of BALB/c and MRL/1pr mice but not in the sera of B10/brown and C57BL/6 mice. IgG antibodies against peptide 44-67 were found in the sera of BALB/c, B10/brown and MRL/1pr mice but not in the sera of C57BL/6 mice. Neither fragment induced a response against the whole Sm-D antigen as detected by Western blotting. Reactivity to synthetic fragments from other nuclear antigens was however detected in the sera of MRL/1pr mice, especially in those mice injected with Sm-D peptide 44-67 emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. Following immunization with Sm-D peptides, antibodies to ssDNA or dsDNA were not detected in the sera of BALB/c, B10/brown and C57BL/6 mice and in the MRL/1pr mice the naturally occurring production of these antibodies was not enhanced. No difference in IgG deposition in the renal glomeruli of the mice injected with the peptides compared with the control groups was observed. These results suggest that the humoral response to the Sm-D fragment is, at least partially, controlled by the MHC haplotype of the recipient mice, is related to dose and type of immunogen, and is also influenced by the presence of Freund's adjuvant. It is evident that although the sera of many SLE patients recognize either or both the 1-20 and 44-67 peptides, these peptides when injected into MRL/1pr mice are not directly pathogenic.
Guilt and Nursing Practice: Implications for Nurse Education and the Climate of Care
Authors: Pask Elizabeth J.
Published: November 2007

This paper considers the influence of guilt within nursing practice. The author draws on her experience as a nurse tutor to show how guilt has implications for the well-being of both nurses and patients. It is suggested that nurses' experience of guilt, and the fear that they may be considered guilty, are indicative of a moral climate that rests predominantly upon rules. While rules fulfil a requirement for professional and organizational accountability, they need not be perceived as statements about the trustworthiness of nurses, or as a disciplinary threat. Nurses need to feel trusted to bring judgement to their practice.
Nursing Ethics and Codes of Professional Conduct
Authors: Hussey Trevor
Published: November 2007

Nurses, like many other professional and semiprofessional groups, have a code of con duct. This raises important philosophical questions about the point of including nursing ethics in nursing education and about the content and methods of such teaching. This paper identifies seven functions that might be fulfilled by professional codes; it discusses the philosophical issues these raise and the implications for teaching professional ethics. It is argued that, far from codes rendering the teaching of ethics unnecessary, they pro vide additional reasons for its inclusion. An enhanced ability to make moral decisions helps to overcome the shortcomings of the codes, enables a profession to be autonomous in the development of its code, enables individuals to be authentic moral agents, and is essential in matters concerning the disciplinary function of the codes. The role of emo tions, feelings and attitudes in ethics also presents philosophical problems that moral edu cation can help to resolve.
The Ethical Arguments Concerning the Artificial Ventilation of Patients With Motor Neurone Disease
Authors: Kent Michele Anne
Published: November 2007

This paper focuses on the ethical dilemmas created by advanced technology that would allow patients with motor neurone disease to be sustained by artificial ventilation. The author attempts to support the patient's right to informed choice, arguing from the perspective of autonomy as a first order principle. The counter arguments of caregiver burden and financial restraints are analysed. In the UK, where active euthanasia is not legalized, the dilemma of commencing ventilation is seen to be outweighed by the problems of withdrawing this treatment. The lack of accurate data and protocols that would clarify the current situation is emphasized and the conclusion takes the form of a recommendation for further research.
Islamic Attitudes to Disasters in the Middle Ages: A Comparison of Earthquakes and Plagues
Authors: Akasoy Anna
Published: November 2007

By comparing two natural disasters, earthquakes and epidemics, in particular the plague, this article tries to reconstruct general features of debates around disasters in medieval Islam. It points out several similarities such as the function as a punishment and warning in the early Islamic tradition, the apocalyptic dimension and the status of victims of both disasters as martyrs and comparisons with the problem of flight and desertion. Furthermore, there are conflicts between Islamic religion and Greek science, but in both cases the debates took place in separate bodies of literature. Apart from these common features there are also differences which can be partly explained by the natures of the phenomena and partly by specific developments in the debates around them.
Inverse Dynamics Based Tuning of a Fuzzy Logic Controller for a Single-Link Flexible Manipulator
Authors: Renno Jamil M.
Published: November 2007

Since its introduction to engineering applications, fuzzy logic has attracted many researchers because of its simplicity and robustness. Experience with a system is translated into heuristic rules which can be used to control that system. This article proposes a novel method for a generalized inverse dynamics based fuzzy logic controller (FLC) of a single-link flexible manipulator. The deflection of the flexible link was modeled using the assumed modes method. The control action is distributed between two FLCs: A joint angle controller and a tip controller. Each controller produces a torque value. The torque values are summed, and the resulting control action is used to drive the manipulator. A novel method for varying the ranges of the variables of the two controllers as a function of the motion parameters and the inverse dynamics of the system is presented. The relative shapes and distribution of the fuzzy membership sets (with respect to each other) are kept fixed. Simulation results show that joint trajectory tracking is accomplished, and that the residual vibration of the flexible link is suppressed.
Numerical Analysis of a Rub-impact Rotor-bearing System with Mass Unbalance
Authors: Xiaoyao Shen  , Jiuhong Jia  , Mein Zhao
Published: November 2007

In this article, vibration characteristics of a rub-impact rotor-bearing system excited by mass unbalance (including mass eccentricity and initial permanent deflection) are investigated. The nonlinear oil-film forces from the journal bearing are determined using the short bearing theory. The rubbing model used consists of the radial elastic impact and the tangential Coulomb friction. Through numerical calculation, the rotational speeds, mass eccentricities, initial permanent deflection lengths and angles between the mass eccentricity direction and the rotor initial permanent deflection direction are used as control parameters, investigating their effect on the rub-impact rotor-bearing system, with the help of bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré maps, spectrum plots and orbit maps. Complicated motions, including periodic, quasi-periodic, and even chaotic vibrations are observed. Results show that both of these kinds of mass unbalance [cj]including angles between them have great, but different, influence on the dynamic characteristics of the rub-impact rotor-bearing system. The results can be used to diagnose rub-impact faults and fluid-induced instability in this kind of rotor system, and this study may contribute to furthering understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of a rub-impact rotor-bearing system with mass unbalance.
My Dinner With Lord Esqy
Authors: Richardson Laurel
Published: November 2007

This article is an ethnographic account of my dinner with royalty, university administrators, faculty, and my husband following my Distinguished Miegunyah Lecture at the University of Melbourne. The account displays the intersection of social class hierarchies with university ones and explores cultural differences regarding disabilities, alcohol consumption, political conversation, and love.
Working Our Hyphens
Authors: Wagle Tina , Cantaffa David T.
Published: November 2007

Through the work of Michelle Fine and others, researchers are encouraged to examine the processes of qualitative research in a manner that attends to the lived experiences of those who participate in a given research project. The authors explore identity relations in qualitative research, specifically asking how their research projects are situated within the context of their identities, how their identities have shifted throughout their research processes in relation to the identities of the participants, and, ultimately, how and why this matters to their projects in terms of connections with and access to research sites and participants. As individual researchers, the authors have been guided by their own questions and have focused on seemingly distinct research spaces. Rather than remain in isolation, they have chosen to merge their research for this exploration as a means of encouraging each other to raise questions about identity that may not have been raised otherwise.
Unlocking the geographies of the Mind Gym
Authors: Smith Adrian
Published: November 2007

This article engages with a number of literatures regarding ethnography as a tool for researching management training, considered as a key component of `new capitalism'. Put briefly, new capitalism as an object of academic inquiry, as well as an emergent epistemology within management training literature, seeks to embed the economic within a series of discursive and embodied practices, such that money systems, labour regulations and so on are exposed as fully relational, and hence contingent and changeable phenomena. Thus far, however, micro-scale academic analyses of the economic have lagged behind studies of broader scale relations and practices that seek to outline an emerging, self-reflexive epoch within capitalism. This article attempts to use ethnography to attune this literature to the micro-spatialities of new capitalism, illuminated by fieldwork with the Mind Gym.
Restructuring the Satellite Television Industry in Japan
Authors: Kwak Ki-Sung
Published: November 2007

This article reviews recent developments in the restructuring of the satellite television industry in Japan, focusing on the degree to which new entrants and existing players have participated in its infrastructure. It shows that the Japanese government's position toward satellite television has changed from “protecting and promoting NHK's interests” as noted in the case of Broadcasting Satellite analog service to “balancing the development of all satellite services.” It argues that the commercial terrestrial broadcasters' less enthusiastic attitude toward satellite television and the lack of clarity (in platform operations) in regulation have largely contributed to the stagnation of satellite television in Japan.
A comparison of methods for fixed effects meta-analysis of individual patient data with time to event outcomes
Authors: Tudur Smith Catrin , Williamson Paula Ruth
Published: November 2007

Background Alternative methods for individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of time-to-event outcomes have been established and utilized in practice. The most common approach is a stratified log-rank analysis. The IPD approach is considered to be the gold standard approach for meta-analysis and is becoming increasingly more popular but the performance of different methods has not been studied previously.

Purpose To compare commonly used methods for fixed effects meta-analysis of individual patient time-to-event data.

Methods The stratified log-rank analysis, an inverse variance weighted average of Cox model estimates, and the stratified Cox regression model are compared. First, a theoretical comparison of approaches is undertaken. Second, the bias and coverage are assessed for the pooled hazard ratio using simulated data under commonly encountered meta-analysis conditions. Finally, a comparison is presented using empirical data from four separate systematic reviews of anti-epileptic drug trials where IPD are available for two time-to-event outcomes.

Results For hazard ratio close to 1 with minimal heterogeneity between trials, theoretical results suggest similar results should be expected from all the three methods. Results for empirical and simulated data are in keeping with the theoretical results and show all the three methods perform well under these conditions. When there is no heterogeneity and the proportional hazards assumption holds, the stratified Cox model and inverse variance weighted average produce similar estimates of the pooled treatment effect and are to be preferred to the stratified log-rank analysis when the underlying treatment effect is large. Coverage values diminish for all the three methods and are below 95% for low or moderate heterogeneity. The low coverage values highlight the need for models that appropriately account for or explore the between trial variation.

Limitations Until larger simulations can be undertaken, conclusions based on the simulated and empirical data should only be applied to small meta-analyses of four or five trials.

Conclusions These investigations suggest that under normal conditions all three methods provide similar results. For moderate heterogeneity coverage for all the three fixed effects models depreciates. Clinical Trials 2007; 4: 621—630. http://ctj.sagepub.com
The biographical impact of teenage and adolescent cancer
Authors: Grinyer Anne
Published: November 2007

Objectives: This paper offers an overview of the findings of research into the experience of having cancer in adolescence and young adulthood, the aims of which were to understand how age and life stage affect the illness experience and impact upon biographies and life trajectories.

Methods: The data were gathered primarily through the use of in-depth qualitative interviews with adolescents and young adults with cancer, but also through the submission of a small number of written narratives.

Results: Acute and life-threatening illness at a transitional life stage on the threshold of adulthood can have a long-term, and therefore chronic, effect on the life trajectories and biographies of young adult cancer patients. Many aspects of the participants' lives were affected, including education, careers, life plans, friendship networks, appearance, sexuality and fertility. The economic effects could also be far-reaching and contribute to a loss of independence, which is very fragile in this age-group.

Conclusions: While recognizing the potentially devastating impact of cancer at any age, the research findings suggest a distinct effect in adolescence and young adulthood resulting from a disrupted biography at a critical transitional moment in the life trajectory that can have a chronic effect after the acute stage of the illness is passed. An age-appropriate approach to the care of young people with cancer that takes into account the distinct effects of life stage in this age-group can mitigate the negative impact on life trajectories and maximize the chances of adherence and a return to normal life after recovery.
Early postinduction intensification therapy improves survival for children and adolescents with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Seibel Nita L. , Steinherz Peter G. , Sather Harland N. , Nachman James B. , DeLaat Cynthia , Ettinger Lawrence J. , Freyer David R. , Mattano Leonard A. , Hastings Caroline A. , Rubin Charles M. , Bertolone Kathy , Franklin Janet L. , Heerema Nyla A. , Mitchell Torrey L. , Pyesmany Allan F. , La Mei K. , Edens Cheryl , Gaynon Paul S.
Published: November 2007

Longer and more intensive postinduction intensification (PII) improved the outcome of children and adolescents with “higher risk” acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and a slow marrow response to induction therapy. In the Children's Cancer Group study (CCG-1961), we tested longer versus more intensive PII, using a 2 × 2 factorial design for children with higher risk ALL and a rapid marrow response to induction therapy. Between November 1996 and May 2002, 2078 children and adolescents with newly diagnosed ALL (1 to 9 years old with white blood count 50 000/ or more, or 10 years of age or older with any white blood count) were enrolled. After induction, 1299 patients with marrow blasts less than or equal to 25% on day 7 of induction (rapid early responders) were randomized to standard or longer duration (n = 651 + 648) and standard or increased intensity (n = 649 + 650) PII. Stronger intensity PII improved event-free survival (81% vs 72%, P < .001) and survival (89% vs 83%, P = .003) at 5 years. Differences were most apparent after 2 years from diagnosis. Longer duration PII provided no benefit. Stronger intensity but not prolonged duration PII improved outcome for patients with higher-risk ALL. This study is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00002812.
Permissive roles of hematopoietin and cytokine tyrosine kinase receptors in early T-cell development
Authors: Jensen Christina T. , Böiers Charlotta , Kharazi Shabnam , Lübking Anna , Rydén Tobias , Sigvardsson Mikael , Sitnicka Ewa , Jacobsen Sten Eirik W.
Published: November 2007

Although several cytokines have been demonstrated to be critical regulators of development of multiple blood cell lineages, it remains disputed to what degree they act through instructive or permissive mechanisms. Signaling through the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor and the hematopoietin IL-7 receptor α (IL-7Rα) has been demonstrated to be of critical importance for sustained thymopoiesis. Signaling triggered by IL-7 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is dependent on IL-7Rα, and both ligands have been implicated in T-cell development. However, we demonstrate that, whereas thymopoiesis is abolished in adult mice doubly deficient in IL-7 and FLT3 ligand (FLT3L), TSLP does not play a key role in IL-7–independent or FLT3L-independent T lymphopoiesis. Furthermore, whereas previous studies implicated that the role of other cytokine tyrosine kinase receptors in T lymphopoiesis might not involve permissive actions, we demonstrate that ectopic expression of BCL2 is sufficient not only to partially correct the T-cell phenotype of Flt3l−/− mice but also to rescue the virtually complete loss of all discernable stages of early T lymphopoiesis in Flt3l−/−Il7r−/− mice. These findings implicate a permissive role of cytokine receptors of the hematopoietin and tyrosine kinase families in early T lymphopoiesis.
Characterization of the innate immune response to chronic aspiration in a novel rodent model
Authors: Appel James Z , Lee Sean M , Hartwig Matthew G , Li Bin , Hsieh Chong-Chao , Cantu Edward , Yoon Yonghan , Lin Shu S , Parker William , Davis R Duane
Published: November 2007

Background

Although chronic aspiration has been associated with several pulmonary diseases, the inflammatory response has not been characterized. A novel rodent model of chronic aspiration was therefore developed in order to investigate the resulting innate immune response in the lung.

Methods

Gastric fluid or normal saline was instilled into the left lung of rats (n = 48) weekly for 4, 8, 12, or 16 weeks (n = 6 each group). Thereafter, bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were collected and cellular phenotypes and cytokine concentrations of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta were determined.

Results

Following the administration of gastric fluid but not normal saline, histologic specimens exhibited prominent evidence of giant cells, fibrosis, lymphocytic bronchiolitis, and obliterative bronchiolitis. Bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from the left (treated) lungs exhibited consistently higher macrophages and T cells with an increased CD4:CD8 T cell ratio after treatment with gastric fluid compared to normal saline. The concentrations of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were increased in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens following gastric fluid aspiration compared to normal saline.

Conclusion

This represents the first description of the pulmonary inflammatory response that results from chronic aspiration. Repetitive aspiration events can initiate an inflammatory response consisting of macrophages and T cells that is associated with increased TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2 and fibrosis in the lung. Combined with the observation of gastric fluid-induced lymphocyitic bronchiolitis and obliterative bronchiolitis, these findings further support an association between chronic aspiration and pulmonary diseases, such as obliterative bronchiolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma.
Differential gene expression profile in pig adipose tissue treated with/without clenbuterol
Authors: Zhang Jin , He Qiang , Liu Qiu Y , Guo Wei , Deng Xue M , Zhang Wei W , Hu Xiao X , Li Ning
Published: November 2007

Background

Clenbuterol, a beta-agonist, can dramatically reduce pig adipose accumulation at high dosages. However, it has been banned in pig production because people who eat pig products treated with clenbuterol can be poisoned by the clenbuterol residues. To understand the molecular mechanism for this fat reduction, cDNA microarray, real-time PCR, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectra were used to study the differential gene expression profiles of pig adipose tissues treated with/without clenbuterol. The objective of this research is to identify novel genes and physiological pathways that potentially facilitate clenbuterol induced reduction of adipose accumulation.

Results

Clenbuterol was found to improve the lean meat percentage about 10 percent (P < 0.05). The adipose cells became smaller and the muscle fibers became thicker with the administration of clenbuterol. The mRNA abundance levels of 82 genes (ESTs) were found to be statistically differentially expressed based on the Student t-test (P < 0.05) in the microarray analyses which contained 3358 genes (ESTs). These 82 genes (ESTs) were divided into four groups according to their Gene Ontology Biological Process descriptions. 16 genes were cellular metabolism related genes (including five related to lipid metabolism such as apolipoprotein D and apolipoprotein R), 10 were signal transduction related genes, 45 were expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and 11 others were of various categories. Eleven of the 82 genes (ESTs) were chosen for real-time PCR analysis, with eight genes showing similar induction magnitude as that seen in the microarray data. Apolipoprotein R was also found to be up-regulated by the proteomic analysis.

Conclusion

Pig fat accumulation was reduced dramatically with clenbuterol treatment. Histological sections and global evaluation of gene expression after administration of clenbuterol in pigs identified profound changes in adipose cells. With clenbuterol stimulation, adipose cell volumes decreased and their gene expression profile changed, which indicate some metabolism processes have been also altered. Although the biological functions of the differentially expressed genes are not completely known, higher expressions of these molecules in adipose tissue might contribute to the reduction of fat accumulation. Among these genes, five lipid metabolism related genes were of special interest for further study, including apoD and apoR. The apoR expression was increased at both the RNA and protein levels. The apoR may be one of the critical molecules through which clenbuterol reduces fat accumulation.
Chondromyxoid fibroma of rib with a novel chromosomal translocation: a report of four additional cases at unusual sites
Authors: Armah Henry B , McGough Richard L , Goodman Mark A , Gollin Susanne M , Surti Urvashi , Parwani Anil V , Rao Uma NM
Published: November 2007

Background

Chondromyxoid fibromas (CMFs) are rare benign chondroid/myxoid matrix-producing tumors that occur in metaphyses of long tubular bones, and very rarely in small bones of hands and feet. Flat bone involvement is even more uncommon. Prior cytogenetic analyses have identified complex abnormalities involving chromosome 6 in the majority of cases.

Methods

A search for CMF over an 8-year period (1999–2006) from the surgical pathology files of our institution yielded 16 cases. Four cases occurred in relatively unusual regions, three from the small bones of distal extremities and one from the rib. The rib lesion wassubmitted forroutinecytogenetic analysis.

Results

Radiographic studies revealed that all four lesions were well-defined expansile radiolucent lesions which expanded the bony cortices with lobulated margins, sclerotic rim, septation, and no calcification. Morphologically, all four lesions showed typical features of CMF and had low proliferative index with Ki-67. Cytogenetic analysis on the rib lesion revealed a novel chromosomal translocation, t(1;5)(p13;p13). None of the four patients had a recurrence after a mean duration of follow-up of 24 months.

Conclusion

CMF originating in unusual locations should be distinguished from chondrosarcomas, especially on small biopsies, and should be included in the differential diagnosis. As previously noted in the literature, the cells can be positive for actin but unlike conventional chondroid neoplasms can be negative for S-100. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a novel chromosomal translocation, t(1;5)(p13;p13) in CMF.
Gene regulatory networks in lactation: identification of global principles using bioinformatics
Authors: Lemay Danielle G , Neville Margaret C , Rudolph Michael C , Pollard Katherine S , German J Bruce
Published: November 2007

Background

The molecular events underlying mammary development during pregnancy, lactation, and involution are incompletely understood.

Results

Mammary gland microarray data, cellular localization data, protein-protein interactions, and literature-mined genes were integrated and analyzed using statistics, principal component analysis, gene ontology analysis, pathway analysis, and network analysis to identify global biological principles that govern molecular events during pregnancy, lactation, and involution.

Conclusion

Several key principles were derived: (1) nearly a third of the transcriptome fluctuates to build, run, and disassemble the lactation apparatus; (2) genes encoding the secretory machinery are transcribed prior to lactation; (3) the diversity of the endogenous portion of the milk proteome is derived from fewer than 100 transcripts; (4) while some genes are differentially transcribed near the onset of lactation, the lactation switch is primarily post-transcriptionally mediated; (5) the secretion of materials during lactation occurs not by up-regulation of novel genomic functions, but by widespread transcriptional suppression of functions such as protein degradation and cell-environment communication; (6) the involution switch is primarily transcriptionally mediated; and (7) during early involution, the transcriptional state is partially reverted to the pre-lactation state. A new hypothesis for secretory diminution is suggested – milk production gradually declines because the secretory machinery is not transcriptionally replenished. A comprehensive network of protein interactions during lactation is assembled and new regulatory gene targets are identified. Less than one fifth of the transcriptionally regulated nodes in this lactation network have been previously explored in the context of lactation. Implications for future research in mammary and cancer biology are discussed.
Caveolin-1 Down-Regulation Inhibits Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor Signal Transduction in H9C2 Rat Cardiomyoblasts
Authors: Salani Barbara , Briatore Lucia , Garibaldi Silvano , Cordera Renzo , Maggi Davide
Published: November 2007

Caveolin (Cav)-1, the major caveolar protein, directly interacts with IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) and its intracellular substrates. To determine the role of Cav-1 in IGF-IR signaling, we transfected H9C2 cells with small interfering RNA specific for Cav-1-siRNA. The selective down-regulation of Cav-1 (90%) was associated with a smaller reduction of Cav-2, whereas Cav-3 expression was unaffected. A significant reduction of IGF-IR tyrosine phosphorylation in Cav-1-siRNA H9C2 cells was found compared with H9C2 control cells (Ctr-siRNA). The reduced IGF-IR autophosphorylation resulted in a decrease of insulin receptor substrate-1, Shc, and Akt activation. In addition, in Cav-1-siRNA H9C2 cells, IGF-I did not prevent apoptosis, suggesting that Cav-1 is required to mediate the antiapoptotic effect of IGF-I in cardiomyoblasts. The down-regulation of Cav-1 decreased IGF-IR activation and affected the ability of IGF-I to prevent apoptosis after serum withdrawal also in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These results demonstrate that: 1) Cav-1 down-regulation negatively affects IGF-IR tyrosine phosphorylation; 2) this effect causes a reduced activation of insulin receptor substrate-1, Shc, and Akt; and 3) Cav-1 is involved in IGF-IR antiapoptotic signaling after serum deprivation.
Opposite Regulation of Transforming Growth Factors-β2 and -β3 Expression in the Human Endometrium
Authors: Gaide Chevronnay Héloïse P. , Cornet Patricia B. , Delvaux Denis , Lemoine Pascale , Courtoy Pierre J. , Henriet Patrick , Marbaix Etienne
Published: November 2007

TGF-βs have been reported to mediate the repression by progesterone of several matrix metalloproteinases in the human endometrium, thereby preventing menstrual breakdown. Because of conflicting reports on the expression profiles, source, and regulation of the TGF-β system in this tissue, we investigated by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA the expression of the three TGF-βs (total and mature forms) and their two receptors throughout the menstrual cycle, and their regulation by ovarian steroids in cultured explants including their microdissected epithelial and stromal compartments. Regulation by cAMP and MAPK was further investigated. This comprehensive study on a large collection of endometrial samples evidenced a differential regulation of TGF-β isoforms expression, both in vivo and in explant culture. In vivo, TGF-β2 increased by about 5-fold at the mid-late secretory phase then declined after menstruation; TGF-β3 increased at menstruation and remained high during the proliferative phase; TGF-β1 was maximal at menstruation. In explants cultured without ovarian steroids both TGF-β2 and -β3 were preferentially expressed in the stroma. Ovarian steroids strongly repressed both TGF-β2 and -β3 in stroma but only TGF-β2 in glands. cAMP prevented inhibition by ovarian steroids of TGF-β2 but not -β3. In presence of ovarian steroids, MAPK inhibitors (p38 and ERK pathways) stimulated TGF-β3 but inhibited TGF-β2 expression. In conclusion, TGF-β2 and -β3 are differentially expressed during the menstrual cycle and regulated by progesterone in epithelial vs stromal cells. The opposite regulation of TGF-β2 and -β3 by cAMP and MAPK could account for their distinct expression in vivo.
Tailoring Liquid-crystalline Supramolecular Structures by Ionic Interactions
Authors: Noguchi Takao , Kishikawa Keiki , Kohmoto Shigeo
Published: November 2007

The binary ionic liquid crystal composed of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (1) and 3,4-dioctyloxybenzoic acid (2) was investigated. The type of the mesophases with the highest thermal stability was found to be specific to the 1–2 molar ratios; 1:2 for the smectic A phase and 1:4 for the hexagonal columnar phase.
Solvatochromic Luminescence Based on the Excimer Formation of Bipyridine Platinum(II) Complexes with Linear Alkyl Chains
Authors: Kato Masako , Shishido Yasuko , Ishida Yukiko , Kishi Shinobu
Published: November 2007

Luminescent mononuclear bipyridine platinum(II) complexes bearing linear alkyl chains, [Pt(CN)2(dCnbpy)] (n=9 and 11) have been prepared and characterized. These complexes are soluble in various organic solvents and exhibit remarkable solvent dependence and concentration dependence of the luminescence at room temperature. Such solvatochromic luminescence is attributed to the formation of the excimer of the platinum complexes.
Policy and Politics in Belgian Cities
Authors: Aiken Michael , Depré Roger
Published: November 2007

Patterns of public policies as reflected by the expenditure of local governments of 196 Belgian cities are examined in the context of five hypotheses explaining variations in expenditure patterns. The role a city plays in the urban system of the nation-state, as reflected by the index of ecological centrality, is found to have the most pervasive effect on various types of expenditures. Population stagnation of cities, the explanation of which is essentially political, is also found to be an important factor affecting most types of expenditures, although it is in reality a surrogate for region. Socialist-controlled cities are found to spend more on social welfare expenditures than Catholic-controlled cities, but the effect of the ideological orientation of the dominant party in local politics is restricted to these kinds of expenditures. Finally, the degree of political competitiveness is found to have little or no effect on expenditures once other factors are controlled. The importance of politics in the explanation of public policies in cities is reassessed in the light of these findings.
Parliamentary Select Committees: some case studies in contingent influence
Authors: Hawes Derek
Published: November 2007

The system of departmentally-related select committees which was introduced in the House of Commons in 1979 has, in the decade of its existence, seen committee activity grow significantly, both in the public consciousness and in the influence which backbenchers exert over government policy.

However, attempts to measure influence, whether through quantitative or qualitative approaches, inevitably meet problems with those outcomes which are unacknowledged or delayed, unanticipated or simply unannounced; identifying modifications of policy where the ability to trace origins back to a committee report are minimal, can rely heavily on the intuitive and interpretive insights of those directly involved. In this paper an attempt is made to examine examples of policy recommendations made in select committee reports which were initially rejected by government but produced subsequent policy change, and others where the very fact of a committee investigation appears to stimulate action or change difficult to establish through formal measuring techniques.
Treatment with an inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase activity reduces preterm birth and impedes cervical resistance to stretch in pregnant rats
Authors: Wentz Melissa J , Shi Shao-Qing , Shi Leili , Salama Salama A , Harirah Hassan M , Fouad Hala , Garfield Robert E , Al-Hendy Ayman
Published: November 2007

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme catalyzes the methylation of the 2- or 4-hydroxyestrogens to 2- or 4-methoxyestrogens. Both the hydroxyestrogens and methoxyestrogens have been shown to block or enhance the effects of estrogen respectively. Our objective was to investigate the potential role of COMT in parturition and cervical ripening using a rat model. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect and localize the COMT protein in rat uterine tissues during pregnancy. We measured the longitudinal changes in urinary 2-hydroxyestrogen before, during, and after pregnancy in rats. Animal studies were conducted to determine the effect of treatment with a selective COMT inhibitor on (1) mifepristone-induced preterm birth and (2) cervical resistance to stretch in pregnant rats. The intensity of staining for the COMT protein differed within the luminal epithelium, uterine gland epithelium, endometrium, and myometrium during pregnancy. Levels of staining for the COMT protein in rat myometrium were highest on day 1 and lowest on days 8 and 13, but high levels returned by days 16 and 19 of pregnancy. The levels of urinary 2-hydroxyestrogen gradually increased in the first 2 weeks of pregnancy, peaked from days 16 to 18 of pregnancy, and then gradually returned to pre-pregnancy levels after delivery. The percentage of pups retained in the uterus of pregnant rats treated with both mifepristone and COMT inhibitor (48 ± 15%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) when compared with the value of pregnant rats treated with mifepristone alone (12 ± 4%). The resistance to stretch was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in cervical tissues from the pregnant rats treated with COMT inhibitor (0.28) when compared with cervical tissues taken from rats treated with vehicle control (0.18). Modulation of COMT activity may play a role in the regulation of myometrial contractility and cervical ripening during pregnancy.
Coma With Diffuse White Matter Hemorrhages in Juvenile Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Authors: Mahmud Farid H. , Ramsay David A. , Levin Simon D. , Singh Ram N. , Kotylak Trevor , Fraser Douglas D.
Published: November 2007

Cerebral edema is the most common neurologic complication of diabetic ketoacidosis in children. A minority of young patients with intracerebral crises in diabetic ketoacidosis present with cerebrovascular accidents. We report 2 adolescent patients with diabetic ketoacidosis who presented with coma and diffuse white matter hemorrhages in the absence of either cerebral edema or cerebrovascular accidents. These 2 cases illustrate a novel clinical and neuropathologic description of diffuse white matter hemorrhages, possibly related to a cytotoxic process as the underlying mechanism. These case descriptions emphasize that pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis and coma can present with pathology not related to either cerebral edema or cerebrovascular accidents.