bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apolipoprotein E ε4 Allele Is Unrelated to Cognitive or Functional Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease: Retrospective and Prospective Analysis
Authors: Kleiman Timothy , Zdanys Kristina , Black Benjamin , Rightmer Tracy , Grey Monique , Garman Katherine , MacAvoy Martha , Gelernter Joel , van Dyck Christopher
Published: May 2006

Objective: The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Ε4 allele is a well-documented genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Its role, if any, in the progression of cognitive and functional impairment in AD has been the subject of discrepant reports in the literature. This study aimed to determine whether ApoE Ε4 dose is related to the progression of cognitive and functional decline in AD patients by combined retrospective and prospective analyses. Methods: A sample of 366 AD patients was genotyped for ApoE. Subjects received tests of cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE; Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale, ADAS-Cog) and daily function (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, IADL; Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living, ADCS-ADL) at baseline and at multiple subsequent time points during their participation in a variety of research protocols. In retrospective analyses, scores on baseline cognitive and functional measures were compared cross-sectionally among genotype groups, controlling for duration of symptoms. In prospective analyses, longitudinal rates of change for each measure were computed by linear regression and compared across genotype groups. Results: No association was observed between ApoE Ε4 dose and any of the retrospective or prospective measures of cognitive or functional decline in this AD patient sample. Conclusions: Although ApoE Ε4 increases the risk for AD and decreases the age of disease onset in population studies, it did not significantly influence the rate of disease progression in cognitive or functional domains in our sample.
Effects of Growth Hormone Substitution Therapy on Cognitive Functioning in Growth Hormone Deficient Patients: A Functional MRI Study
Authors: Arwert Lucia I. , Veltman Dick J. , Deijen Jan Berend , van Dam P. Sytze , Drent Madeleine L.
Published: May 2006

Patients with childhood-onset growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) show impairments in mood and cognitive functioning which may resolve following GH substitution. Brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during performance of a memory task was used to assess the cerebral activity of such patients. Thirteen childhood-onset GHD patients (mean age 27.3 ± 6.9 years) were included in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The effects of 6 months of GH replacement or placebo therapy were studied using neuropsychological tests and fMRI. One patient was excluded from the study due to noncompliance with the protocol. Six months of GH substitution in these GHD patients resulted in improved memory functioning, both for long-term and working memory. fMRI showed activations during the working memory task in prefrontal, parietal, motor, and occipital cortices, as well as in the right thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex. Decreased activation in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex was observed after GH treatment as compared with placebo treatment, indicating decreased effort and more efficient recruitment of the neural system involved. It can be concluded that GH treatment for 6 months improved the long-term as well as the working memory in patients with GHD, and this was associated with decreased brain activation in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. GH substitution in GHD patients is beneficial for cognitive functioning, the effects of which can be visualized by means of neuroimaging.
Opinions on Cochlear Implant Use in Senior MED-EL Patients
Authors: Anderson Ilona , D’Haese Patrick S.C. , Pitterl Markus
Published: May 2006

This study assessed the subjective benefits of cochlear implants in senior patients wearing a MED-EL device. Data was compared with previous studies to assess the influence of recent speech-coding strategies and behind-the-ear speech processors; users of the behind-the-ear device and the body-worn device were also compared. An adaptation of the Nucleus 22-channel survey was sent to 141 cochlear implant users. The survey assesses perception of the device, communication benefits, handling the device and quality of life. Ninety-five surveys were returned. Results demonstrate that advanced technology provides greater benefit now than 9–13 years ago, notably: improved listening across noise, better understanding on the telephone and better speech perception. Users of the behind-the-ear device did not report more difficulties than body-worn device users but demonstrated better performance. Results show a positive outcome for cochlear implantation in a MED-EL seniors group.
Angiogenic Murine Endothelial Progenitor Cells Are Derived From a Myeloid Bone Marrow Fraction and Can Be Identified by Endothelial NO Synthase Expression
Authors: Loomans C.J.M. , Wan H. , de Crom R. , van Haperen R. , de Boer H.C. , Leenen P.J.M. , Drexhage H.A. , Rabelink T.J. , van Zonneveld A.J. , Staal F.J.T.
Published: May 2006

Objective—Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to postnatal neovascularization and are therefore of great interest for autologous cell therapies to treat ischemic vascular disease. However, the origin and functional properties of these EPCs are still in debate.

Methods and Results—Here, ex vivo expanded murine EPCs were characterized in terms of phenotype, lineage potential, differentiation from bone marrow (BM) precursors, and their functional properties using endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)–green fluorescent protein transgenic mice. Despite high phenotypic overlap with macrophages and dendritic cells, EPCs displayed unique eNOS expression, endothelial lineage potential in colony assays, and angiogenic characteristics, but also immunologic properties such as interleukin-12p70 production and low levels of T-cell stimulation. The majority of EPCs developed from an immature, CD31+Ly6C+myeloid progenitor fraction in the BM. Addition of myeloid growth factors such as macrophage–colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and granulocyte/macrophage (GM)-CSF stimulated the expansion of spleen-derived EPCs but not BM-derived EPCs.

Conclusion—The close relationship between EPCs and other myeloid lineages may add to the complexity of using them in cell therapy. Our mouse model could be a highly useful tool to characterize EPCs functionally and phenotypically, to explore the origin and optimize the isolation of EPC fractions for therapeutic neovascularization.
Quality of Hospital and Outpatient Care After Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Scholte op Reimer Wilma J.M. , Dippel Diederik W.J. , Franke Cees L. , Oostenbrugge Robert J. van , de Jong Gosse , Hoeks Sanne , Simoons Maarten L.
Published: May 2006

Background and Purpose—

Limited data are available on management of outpatients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and on clinicians’ reasons for withholding procedures recommended by guidelines. We assessed to what extent guidelines are appropriately applied after ischemic stroke or TIA, in admitted patients as well as outpatients.

Methods—

A survey was conducted in 11 centers in the Netherlands, which prospectively enrolled 579 admitted patients and 393 outpatients. Data were collected by trained research assistants. Duplicate assessment in 10% of patients showed good agreement with neurologists (median κ=0.86). Treating neurologists were asked to provide arguments for withholding recommended procedures in eligible patients.

Results—

Recommended acute procedures were provided in the majority of admitted patients, but less often in outpatients: brain imaging (98% and 93%, respectively), 12-lead ECG (96% and 81%), laboratory tests (97% and 86%), aspirin within 48 hours (90% and 68% of eligible patients). Secondary preventive measures were not always taken in both eligible inpatients and eligible outpatients: carotid endarterectomy (provided in 31% and 30% of patients), antiplatelet agents (93% and 90%), oral anticoagulants (60% and 48%), antihypertensive agents (57% and 44%), and cholesterol-lowering therapy (71% and 52%). Reasons for withholding recommended procedures were plausible for almost all admitted patients, but were unclear in the majority of outpatients.

Conclusions—

Compared with other national stroke surveys, we found high-quality acute care in admitted ischemic stroke patients, whereas secondary prevention was comparably poor. Although the majority of our centers have rapid-access TIA clinics, there is still substantial potential to improve quality of stroke care in outpatients.
Stable Stroke Incidence Rates but Improved Case-Fatality in Dijon, France, From 1985 to 2004
Authors: Benatru Isabelle , Rouaud Olivier , Durier Jérôme , Contegal Fabienne , Couvreur Grégory , Bejot Yannick , Osseby Guy Victor , Ben Salem Douraïeb , Ricolfi Frédéric , Moreau Thibault , Giroud Maurice
Published: May 2006

Background and Purpose—

With the progress in stroke prevention, it is important to evaluate the epidemiological trends of strokes over a long period and from a nonselected population-based perspective.

Methods—

We estimated changes in incidence, case-fatality rates, severity, risk factors and prestroke use of preventive treatments for first-ever strokes, from a continuous 20-year well-defined population-based registry, from 1985 to 2004.

Results—

We recorded 3142 ischemic strokes, 341 primary cerebral hemorrhages and 74 subarachnoid hemorrhages. During the 20-year study, the age at first stroke onset increased by 5 years in men and 8 years in women. Comparing the 1985 to 1989 and the 2000 to 2004 periods, age- and sex-standardized incidences of first-ever strokes were stable except for lacunar strokes whose incidence significantly increased (
P
=0.01) and for cardioembolic stroke whose incidence significantly decreased (
P
=0.01). Twenty-eight-day case-fatality rates decreased significantly mainly for lacunar strokes (
P
=0.05) and for primary cerebral hemorrhages (
P
=0.03). The proportion of hypercholesterolemia and diabetes significantly increased (
P
<0.01). In contrast, the proportion of myocardial infarction significantly decreased (
P
=0.02). Prestroke antiplatelets and anticoagulants treatment significantly increased (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

The age- and sex-standardized incidences of first strokes in Dijon have been stable over the past 20 years and were associated with an increase in age at stroke onset, a decrease in case-fatality rates, and an increased use of antiplatelet treatments.
Refraction of Surface Gravity Waves by Shear Waves
Authors: Henderson Stephen M. , Guza R. T. , Elgar Steve , Herbers T. H. C.
Published: May 2006

Previous field observations indicate that the directional spread of swell-frequency (nominally 0.1 Hz) surface gravity waves increases during shoreward propagation across the surf zone. This directional broadening contrasts with the narrowing observed seaward of the surf zone and predicted by Snell’s law for bathymetric refraction. Field-observed broadening was predicted by a new model for refraction of swell by lower-frequency (nominally 0.01 Hz) current and elevation fluctuations. The observations and the model suggest that refraction by the cross-shore currents of energetic shear waves contributed substantially to the observed broadening.
Impact of Atmospheric Intraseasonal Oscillations on the Indian Ocean Dipole during the 1990s*
Authors: Han Weiqing , Shinoda Toshiaki , Fu Lee-Lueng , McCreary Julian P.
Published: May 2006

Effects of atmospheric intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) on the Indian Ocean zonal dipole mode (IOZDM) are investigated by analyzing available observations and a suite of solutions to an ocean general circulation model, namely, the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Data and model solutions for the period 1991–2000 are analyzed, a period that includes two strong IOZDM events, during 1994 and 1997, and a weak one, in 1991. Both the data analysis and model results suggest that atmospheric ISOs play a significant role in causing irregularity of the two strong IOZDM events and the premature termination of the weak one. Of particular interest is a basinwide, wind-driven oceanic resonance with a period near 90 days, involving the propagation of equatorial Kelvin and first-meridional-mode Rossby waves across the basin. Before the onset of the strong 1997 dipole, wind variability had significant power near 90 days, and the resonance was strongly excited. Associated with the resonance was a deepened thermocline in the eastern basin during August and early September, which reduced the upwelling in the eastern antinode region of the IOZDM, thereby delaying the reversal of the equatorial zonal SST gradient—an important indicator of a strong IOZDM—by over a month. A similar deepened thermocline in the eastern basin also contributed to the premature termination of the weak 1991 dipole. During the 1994 IOZDM, the winds had little power near 90 days, and the resonant mode was not prominent. The ISOs influenced the IOZDM through both surface fluxes and thermocline variability. They enhanced warming in the western antinode region during October, the peak phase of the IOZDM, intensifying its strength. During November, strong winds significantly cooled the western and central basin through upwelling and surface fluxes, cooling SST there and contributing to the early and quick termination of the 1994 event.
Taiwan and the South China Sea in Sino-ASEAN Relations—An Overview
Authors: Venkataraman M.
Published: May 2006

The issue of the ‘one-China’ policy as well as the dispute over conflicting claims of ownership of the South China Sea islands has had a mixed effect on the relations between China and ASEAN. Profound changes in the political and economic system of China and its consequent impact on Taiwan–China relations as well as the institutionalisation of security related issues in Sino-ASEAN relations has generated various opinions among scholars and policy makers regarding the eventual outcome of the China-Taiwan problem. The mid-1990s saw some belligerent moves on the part of China both in the Taiwan straits and in the South China Sea islands. These unresolved issues are of continuing concern for neighbouring countries especially those part of the ASEAN with regard to peaceful and cordial relations between the ASEAN states and China. This article aims to explore these complex issues by tracing the background of China's attitude towards Taiwan both during Mao's rule as well as in the post-Mao period, as well as its impact on the ASEAN-China relations. This is done in the backdrop of the events in the Taiwan straits and the subsequent elections in Taiwan and of the seemingly unsettled problem regarding the issue of sovereignty over the South China Sea islands.
China's Position on International Terrorism
Authors: Panda Jagannath Prasad
Published: May 2006

The literature on terrorism appears to be burdened by a continuing and often acrimonious debate over its definition and nature. The 9/11 incident demonstrates that terrorism in today's world tends to be multi-faceted. All states use force or at least accept the use of force as legitimate in international relations. As such, the use of force per se cannot be the decisive factor in any study of terrorism. A better way might be to look into the actual practice or position of various states in generally accepted cases involving terrorism. The purpose of this short paper is to try and understand what the position of the Chinese Government is on the issue of international terrorism and how through official papers, releases and writings they endorse it. This is important and even necessary because just as there are elements of subjectivity, predilections, particularity, etc., international practices also contribute towards the formulations of a definite understanding of terrorism.
Bryan Wilson’s Contributions to the Study of Secularization
Authors: Dobbelaere Karel
Published: May 2006

English

For Bryan Wilson, secularization refers to the fact that religion has lost influence at the societal, the institutional and the individual level. For him, individual secularization is about the loss of authority of the Churches to define what people should believe, practise and accept as moral principles guiding their lives. In other words, individual piety may still persist, however, if it develops independently of religious authorities, then it is an indication of individual secularization. Wilson has furthermore stressed the consequences of the process of societalization in modern societies and on this basis he formulated his thesis that secularization is linked to the decline of community and is a concomitant of societalization. It is also typical of Wilson that he uses the Catholic Church as his reference to evaluate institutional secularization. Finally, in Wilson ’s work a moral evaluation is present: since a society, even a modern one, cannot survive on procedural values alone, it needs substantive values as well. Consequently, he asked: which institution will socialize the new generations in such values now that religion has lost its impact and the educational system has taken on the characteristics of modern society itself?

French

Pour Bryan Wilson, la sécularisation se réfère au fait que la religion a perdu son influence aux niveaux sociétal, institutionnel et individuel. Selon lui, la sécularisation individuelle résulte de la perte d'autorité des Eglises qui ne peuvent plus définir ce que les personnes doivent croire, pratiquer et accepter comme principes moraux pour guider leur vie. En d'autres termes, la piété individuelle peut encore persister. Mais si elle se développe indépendamment des autorités religieuses, il s'agit alors d'un indicateur de la sécularisation individuelle. Par ailleurs, Wilson a insisté sur les conséquences du processus de sociétalisation dans les sociétés modernes et, sur cette base, il a développé la thèse selon laquelle la sécularisation est liée au déclin de la communauté et coïncide avec la sociétalisation. De manière caractéristique, Wilson a pris pour exemple l'Eglise catholique afin d'évaluer la sécularisation institutionnelle. Pour finir, les travaux de Wilson contiennent une évaluation d'ordre moral: une société, même moderne, ne peut survivre uniquement grâce à des valeurs pratiques et bureaucratiques, elle a également besoin de valeurs substantives. En conséquence, quelle institution, se demandait-il, va socialiser les nouvelles générations à ces valeurs, à présent que la religion a perdu son impact et que le système éducatif a lui-même épousé les caractéristiques de la société moderne?
Modernité tardive, religion et mutation du public et du privé (à partir de l ’exemple français)
Authors: Baubérot Jean
Published: May 2006

English

The author examines the privatization of religion in France and emphasizes its relationship with the expansion of the private sphere in general. The use of an approach based on historical sociology reveals three typical periods: the rise of modernity, triumphant modernity and late modernity. The distinguishing characteristics of this last typical period include the shift of responsibility from institutions to individuals and the privatization and individualization of religion. Actors must now construct their identity by themselves. The claims that are made for the recognition of identity are probably associated with these social changes, reflecting the many intrusions of aspects of the public sphere into what used to be considered private. This softening of the notion of the separation between the public and the private is linked to the loss of the utopian ideals associated with the secularization that is entrenched in modern societies.

French

En prenant pour exemple le cas français, l'auteur analyse le processus de privatisation de la religion, en soulignant son interaction avec l'élargissement de la sphère privée en général. Une démarche de sociologie historique permet de repérer trois périodes typiques: la modernité ascendante, la modernité hégémonique et la modernité tardive. Cette dernière période type est marquée par un déplacement de la responsabilité de l'institution vers l'individu, et par une privatisation et une subjectivisation du religieux. Les acteurs doivent alors eux-mêmes construire leur identité. Les revendications identitaires sont sans doute un miroir grossissant de ces mutations sociales et correspondent aux multiples intrusions d'éléments de la sphère publique dans ce qui était considéré comme privé. L'euphémisation de la représentation sociale d'une séparation du public et du privé se trouve liée à la désutopisation d'une sécularisation devenue établie dans les sociétés modernes.
The Search for Privacy and the Return of a Grand Narrative: Religion in a Post-Communist Society
Authors: Agadjanian Alexander
Published: May 2006

English

The author analyses major trends in the recent religious history of Russia by drawing upon one particular episode-a controversial art exhibit accused in court of being sacrilegious. Religion (most importantly, Russian Orthodoxy) has been increasingly active in the public square in the post-Communist context which was favourable, though often selectively, to religion. A sharp opposition has revived between secular liberal and religious discourses where religion is thematized as a grand narrative representing national values. Yet another trend, which is in line with late modern religious patterns found in Western Europe, consists of the emergence of a highly privatized, individual, diffused religiosity. This mixed picture questions established notions of private and public religion and reveals new modes of interaction between secular and religious forces in the 21st century.

French

L'auteur analyse les tendances majeures de l'histoire récente religieuse russe à partir d'un cas particulier, une exposition artistique controversée, accusée d'être sacrilège et poursuivie en justice. La religion (l'orthodoxie russe principalement) devient de plus en plus active au sein de la sphère publique dans un contexte post-communiste favorable - bien que souvent de manière sélective - à la religion. A été ranimée une nette opposition entre discours séculiers libéraux et discours religieux, au sein desquels la religion est un thème narratif utilisé pour incarner les valeurs nationales. Par ailleurs, une autre tendance, en affinité avec les modèles religieux modernes que l'on trouve en Europe occidentale, concerne l'émergence d'une religiosité individuelle diffuse, hautement privatisée. Cette image plurielle interroge les notions établies de religion publique et de religion privée, et révèle de nouveaux modes d'interaction entre le séculier et le religieux dans le 21ème siècle.
Peur et religion: de la violence d’Etat à la violence privatisée
Authors: Corten André
Published: May 2006

English

Where violence is monopolized by the state, the social construction of fear often takes the form of the fear of God. Civil society and the fear of God have been subtly interwoven for a long time in Europe and North America. The “democratic transition” has taken the shape in several countries of Latin America of growing civil violence. This violence is no longer openly monitored by the state and seems to arise from unbridled individualism reinforced by neoliberalism. Street gangs and mafia networks are clear signs of this privatized violence. The fear of being killed is also experienced as the danger of falling into a state of indifference towards being a killer oneself; and this gives rise to feelings that verge on a state of “conversion”. These new social constructions of fear help to explain the success of Pentecostalism and, more broadly, of charismatic movements.

French

Là où la violence est monopolisée par l'Etat, la construction sociale de la peur prend souvent la forme de la crainte de Dieu. En Europe et en Amérique du Nord, de subtiles complémentarités se sont longtemps tissées entre société civile et crainte de Dieu. La 'transition démocratique' en Amérique latine s'est concrétisée dans de nombreux pays par un accroissement de la violence civile. Cette violence n'est plus ouvertement contrôlée par l'Etat et semble relever d'un individualisme débridé, renforcé par le néo-libéralisme. Les gangs de rue et les connexions mafieuses sont une manifestation de cette violence privatisée. La peur d'être tué se vit en même temps comme péril de tomber dans une indifférence à tuer soi-même et mobilise l'émotion vers un état de 'conversion'. Ce nouvel imaginaire social de la peur rend en partie compte du succès du pentecôtisme et plus largement des mouvements charismatiques.
Espace ouvert, identités plurielles: les recompositions contemporaines du croire
Authors: Michel Patrick
Published: May 2006

English

If we consider identity, relations to space and religion as well as the connections between these three things, it is clear that a stable centre serving as a trusted point of reference for everyone has disappeared. This realization is supported by the reiterations of this centre that are brought about precisely by its inability to inspire trust. The problem is no longer to draw maps in space of some lower-level sets organized around a central point of reference, which appears to be absolute, as an arrangement that would be likely to lend substance to their insular character. In these subsets, reference to centrality and construction of homogeneity used to be joined together in order to mark the boundaries where territoriality and identity coincided. Although identity still partially overlaps with territory, it is no longer subsumed by it and is therefore no longer exhausted in the fiction of a coincidence. This is the perspective from which the author explores three hypotheses about religion as space, resource and language.

French

Lorsque l'on considère l'identité, la relation à l'espace et la religion, ainsi que les liens qu'elles tissent entre elles, le constat de la disparition d'une centralité stable comme référence globalement crédible doit être fait. Ce constat est renforcé par les réitérations de cette centralité suscitées précisément par l'incapacité dans laquelle elle se trouve de faire croire en elle. Le problème n'est plus dès lors de cartographier, dans l'espace, des sous-ensembles organisés autour d'une référence centrale, présentée comme absolue, en un agencement susceptible d'accréditer leur caractère insulaire. Dans ces sous-ensembles, référence à la centralité et construction de l'homogénéité se conjuguaient pour tracer les frontières d'une coïncidence entre territorialité et identité. Or, si cette dernière continue à être liée à un territoire, elle ne se laisse plus récapituler par lui, ne s'épuise donc plus dans la fiction d'une coïncidence. C'est dans cette perspective que sont explorées ici trois hypothèses, oË le religieux intervient comme espace, comme ressource et comme langage.
The labour of love
Authors: Shah Alpa
Published: May 2006

Seasonal casual labour migration in India has conventionally been understood as the result of extreme poverty whereby villagers are forced to become migrants for the dry six months to subsist or merely survive. This article draws on fieldwork in a village in Jharkhand and a brick kiln in West Bengal to argue that migrants do not understand their movement in economic terms alone. Many see the brick kilns as a temporary space of freedom to escape problems back home, explore a new country, gain independence from parents or live out prohibited amorous relationships. It is suggested that Jharkhandi activists and policy-makers' construction of such migration as a ‘problem’ is as much about their vision of how the new tribal state ought to be as about exploitation. Migration to the kilns is seen by them as a threat to the purity and regulation of the social and sexual tribal citizen. This moralising perspective creates a climate that, paradoxically, encourages many young people to flee to the brick kilns where they can live ‘freely’. In this way, the new puritanism at home helps to reproduce the conditions for capitalist exploitation and the extraction of surplus value.
An evaluation of service provision for short-term and remand prisoners with drug problems
Authors: Burke Lol , Mair George , Ragonese Ester
Published: May 2006

The authors discuss the background and potential policy implications of a research project evaluating community support services for released prisoners with drug problems. They argue that while short-term and remand prisoners pose particular problems, success with these groups in terms of dealing with their drug misuse would offer clear benefits both to the community and to individual prisoners themselves. Other problems, such as the complexities associated with partnership working and the difficulties of bridging the prison/community divide are explored.
The Prolific and other Priority Offender initiative in practice
Authors: Cinamon Kate , Hoskins Jonathan
Published: May 2006

This practice note focuses on the multi-agency work that is being carried out as part of the Prolific and other Priority Offender (PPO) scheme in the London Borough of Southwark. It includes details about the criteria used to refer offenders to the scheme and also highlights the innovative activities being used to encourage PPOs to comply with their orders and licences. The role of the different agencies in working towards reducing re-offending for those PPOs not subject to statutory supervision is also highlighted. Two case studies are used to illustrate the importance of the intensive supervision and increased monitoring of the offenders.
The Library and Information Economy in Turkmenistan
Authors: Richardson John V.
Published: May 2006

A report on the current national, university, and school libraries situation in Turkmenistan, covering the social, political, economic, and technological constraints in the development of its information economy. This account includes details of the 2000 national information policy law and the off-the-cuff Presidential remarks of April 2005 as well as several recommendations for improving the state of affairs.
Aspects of Fatherhood in Thirteenth-Century Encyclopedias
Authors: Grace Philip
Published: May 2006

This article examines the treatment of fatherhood in works by influential mendicant encyclopedists writing between 1240 and 1260: Liber de Natura Rerum by Thomas of Cantimpré, De Proprietatibus Rerum by Bartholomaeus Anglicus, and Speculum Maius by Vincent of Beauvais. The study examines sections on anatomy, the ages of man, family relations, and the theology of marriage. The article argues that the anatomical concept of heat functioned as a metaphor for masculinity, strength, and intelligence, and linked together such aspects of fatherhood as the father’s formative role in conception and the responsibility to instill virtue in and provide for the child, as well as broader concepts of household management and political government.
Bigamy in the Northern Alberta Judicial District, 1886–1969: A Socially Constructed Crime that Failed to Impose Gender Barriers
Authors: Méthot Mélanie
Published: May 2006

Bigamy is still a criminal offense under the Canadian Criminal Code, one which is liable to up to five years imprisonment. Although modern social values and a certain relaxation of specific gender expectations make it easier for women to commit bigamy, in the popular imagination bigamy is a masculine crime. A close analysis of the Criminal Code and its application reflect differentiation of roles based on gender—that is, gender socialization. Yet evidence from the Edmonton judicial district between 1886 and 1969 shows that both men and women engaged in the crime. Indeed, considering the historical context, women committed bigamy at a higher rate that one would normally expect.
The Thalamic Intergeniculate Leaflet Mediates Locomotor Activity-Induced Reversal of Phenotype in Photoperiod Nonresponsive Siberian Hamsters
Authors: Freeman David A. , Teubner Brett J. W. , Goldman Bruce D.
Published: May 2006

The role of the intergeniculate leaflet of the thalamus (IGL) in photoperiod responsiveness was examined in a laboratory-selected line of photoperiod nonresponsive (NR) Siberian hamsters. NR hamsters fail to exhibit typical winter-type responses (i.e., gonadal regression and development of winter-type pelage) when exposed to short day lengths (e.g., 10 h of light/day). Earlier studies revealed that NR hamsters will exhibit winter-type responses when exposed to short photoperiod if they are given free access to a running wheel. The present study tested the hypothesis that this locomotor activity-induced reversal of phenotype is dependent on the IGL. Male NR hamsters underwent destruction of the IGL prior to being housed in short day lengths in cages equipped with running wheels. Activity rhythms were monitored for 8 weeks, after which time pelage response and paired testes weights were obtained. In contrast to sham-operated NR animals given access to running wheels, IGL-ablated animals showed no increase in the duration of nocturnal running wheel activity and became active later in the night than sham-lesioned animals. Lesioned animals also failed to exhibit the typical short photoperiod-induced gonadal regression and pelage molt. The results implicate the IGL in the mechanism by which running wheel activity can influence photoperiodic responses.
Genetic Evidence for a Neurovestibular Influence on the Mammalian Circadian Pacemaker
Authors: Fuller Patrick M. , Fuller Charles A.
Published: May 2006

The mammalian circadian timing system (CTS) exerts endogenous temporal control over virtually every biochemical, physiological, and neurobiological process. Recent studies have suggested an interrelationship between the neurovestibular system, specifically the macular otoconial gravity receptors, and the CTS. To test for a functional relationship between these 2 seemingly disparate neuronal systems, the authors performed a study to evaluate the influence of the vestibular system on 3 fundamental properties of the CTS: entrainment, photic modulation, and period. The present study used a nonrecombinant mutant mouse, the head-tilt mouse (abbr. het), which lacks otoconia and hence gravity reception, to evaluate CTS function in mice lacking vestibular inputs. Circadian rhythms of body temperature (Tb) and locomotor activity (ACT) were recorded continuously by biotelemetry in het mice as well as wild-type (PWT) controls during exposure to 4 photic regimens: 12:12 LD, DD (0 μmoles s-1 m-2), constant bright light (LLB; 0.5 μmoles s-1 m-2), and constant dim light (LLD; 0.02 μmoles s-1 m-2). In DD, the circadian period of the Tb and ACT rhythms was significantly longer ( p < 0.001) in het than in PWT mice. In addition, the circadian period of Tb and ACT was significantly longer ( p < 0.01) in LLB than in DD for both the het and PWT groups, although increasing ambient illuminance (i.e., DD to LLB) had a significantly greater ( p < 0.01) period-lengthening effect in the PWT group than in the het group. The results of the present study demonstrate for the first time that the vestibular macular gravity receptors influence 2 fundamental properties of the mammalian CTS: (1) the intrinsic circadian pacemaker period and (2) the period-altering response to changes in tonic light intensity. The results of the present study thus provide the first neurobehavioral evidence for a vestibular-circadian interrelationship as well as suggest a novel mechanism underlying the signaling of activity-based nonphotic stimuli to the CTS.
Two Circadian Timing Circuits in Neurospora crassa Cells Share Components and Regulate Distinct Rhythmic Processes
Authors: de Paula Renato M. , Lewis Zachary A. , Greene Andrew V. , Seo Kyung Suk , Morgan Louis W. , Vitalini Michael W. , Bennett Lindsay , Gomer Richard H. , Bell-Pedersen Deborah
Published: May 2006

In Neurospora crassa, FRQ, WC-1, and WC-2 proteins comprise the core circadian FRQ-based oscillator that is directly responsive to light and drives daily rhythms in spore development and gene expression. However, physiological and biochemical studies have demonstrated the existence of additional oscillators in the cell that function in the absence of FRQ (collectively termed FRQ-less oscillators [FLOs]). Whether or not these represent temperature-compensated, entrainable circadian oscillators is not known. The authors previously identified an evening-peaking gene, W06H2 (now called clock-controlled gene 16 [ ccg-16]), which is expressed with a robust daily rhythm in cells that lack FRQ protein, suggesting that ccg-16 is regulated by a FLO. In this study, the authors provide evidence that the FLO driving ccg-16 rhythmicity is a circadian oscillator. They find that ccg-16 rhythms are generated by a temperature-responsive, temperature-compensated circadian FLO that, similar to the FRQ-based oscillator, requires functional WC-1 and WC-2 proteins for activity. They also find that FRQ is not essential for rhythmic WC-1 protein levels, raising the possibility that this WCFLO is involved in the generation of WC-1 rhythms. The results are consistent with the presence of 2 circadian oscillators within Neurospora cells, which the authors speculate may interact with each other through the shared WC proteins.
William James on divine intimacy: psychical research, cosmological realism and a circumscribed re-reading of The Varieties of Religious Experience
Authors: Gitre Edward J. K.
Published: May 2006

William James’s interest in psychical phenomena spanned his entire career as a scholar, yet is has been largely neglected. Few if any have adequately incorporated this quirky side of James into their critical studies of his scholarly contributions, not only in religious studies but also in philosophy and psychology. Psychical research was nevertheless very much part of James’s intellectual endeavors and, as this article shall argue, sheds light on an evolving, complex, and contradictory Jamesian cosmological realism. I will contextual James’s widely discussed Varieties of Religious Experience, relying on his voluminous correspondence, and will explore various articulations of pragmatism, vis-à-vis James, John Dewey, Hilary Putnam, and Richard Rorty, particularly as those articulations apply to scholarship in religious studies and as they shed light on a Jamesian cosmology. I will then conclude with a discussion of psychical research as it relates to epistemology and the (scientific) study of that cosmos.
Viability of Providing HIV/AIDS Care in Public Sector
Authors: Thimothy Rakkee , Kumar Ajith , Rajan S. Irudaya
Published: May 2006

As majority of HIV infection occurs among the productive age groups, the impact on the affected families is devastating especially among low socio-economic category. The treatment facilities available to infected being very meagre in India, the present article evaluates the option of providing care in the existing public sector, by drawing a case study on one of the leading medical college from Kerala, India. This study is more appropriate and relevant, with the recent central and state governments proposal to provide universal ART to the HIV infected individuals.
New Measure of Hospital Maintenance
Authors: Abásolo Antonio Fernández
Published: May 2006

Today new ways of managing are changing hospital-maintenance services. Maintenance and Engineering in health institutions have become activities that must be managed and not just generate a cost supported by the organisation. So the actual model is being trans-formed to an integral system included in the structure of hospital-strategies using the ‘Balanced Scorecard’.
Autologous graft-versus-host disease–like syndrome after an alemtuzumab-containing conditioning regimen and autologous stem cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Zenz Thorsten , Ritgen Matthias , Dreger Peter , Kröber Alexander , Barth Thomas F. , Schlenk Richard , Böttcher Sebastian , Hallek Michael J. , Kneba Michael , Bunjes Donald , Döhner Hartmut , Stilgenbauer Stephan
Published: May 2006

A high incidence of autologous graft-versus-host-disease (auto-GVHD) was observed after an alemtuzumab-containing conditioning regimen and autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Skin rash developed in almost all surviving patients (87%). In 7 patients (58%), a diagnosis of auto-GVHD was made (compared with 0% after TBI/Cy; P = .01). All patients with auto-GVHD required immunosuppression, and 3 of 7 were hospitalized because of GVHD. The median duration of GVHD was 517 days (range, 60-867 days). Auto-GVHD was associated with an abnormally high CD4/CD8 ratio because of severe depletion of CD8+ T cells, pointing to a potential pathomechanism. High non–relapse-related mortality led to the discontinuation of the trial. Current results do not support the use of high-dose alemtuzumab combined with total body irradiation (TBI) and autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). However, the addition of alemtuzumab led to improved disease control at the molecular level. Longer follow-up will show whether the GVHD-like syndrome may contribute to prolonged minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity.
Aggresome induction by proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and α-tubulin hyperacetylation by tubulin deacetylase (TDAC) inhibitor LBH589 are synergistic in myeloma cells
Authors: Catley Laurence , Weisberg Ellen , Kiziltepe Tanyel , Tai Yu-Tzu , Hideshima Teru , Neri Paola , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Atadja Peter , Chauhan Dharminder , Munshi Nikhil C. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: May 2006

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have shown cytotoxicity as single agents in preclinical studies for multiple myeloma (MM) cells. LBH589 is a novel hydroxamic acid derivative that at low nanomolar concentrations induces apoptosis in MM cells resistant to conventional therapies via caspase activation and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Significant synergistic cytotoxicity was observed with LBH589 in combination with bortezomib against MM cells that were sensitive and resistant to dexamethasone (Dex), as well as primary patient MM cells. LBH589 at low nanomolar concentrations also induced α-tubulin hyperacetylation. Aggresome formation was observed in the presence of bortezomib, and the combination of LBH589 plus bortezomib induced the formation of abnormal bundles of hyeracetylated α-tubulin but with diminished aggresome size and apoptotic nuclei. These data confirm the potential clinical benefit of combining HDAC inhibitors with proteasome inhibitors, and provide insight into the mechanisms of synergistic anti-MM activity of bortezomib in combination with LBH589.
Angiogenesis in Interstitial Lung Diseases: a pathogenetic hallmark or a bystander?
Authors: Tzouvelekis Argyris , Anevlavis Stavros , Bouros Demosthenes
Published: May 2006

The past ten years parallels have been drawn between the biology of cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. The unremitting recruitment and maintenance of the altered fibroblast phenotype with generation and proliferation of immortal myofibroblasts is reminiscent with the transformation of cancer cells. A hallmark of tumorigenesis is the production of new blood vessels to facilitate tumor growth and mediate organ-specific metastases. On the other hand several chronic fibroproliferative disorders including fibrotic lung diseases are associated with aberrant angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation is under strict regulation determined by a dual, yet opposing balance of angiogenic and angiostatic factors that promote or inhibit neovascularization, respectively. While numerous studies have examined so far the interplay between aberrant vascular and matrix remodeling the relative role of angiogenesis in the initiation and/or progression of the fibrotic cascade still remains elusive and controversial. The current article reviews data concerning the pathogenetic role of angiogenesis in the most prevalent and studied members of ILD disease-group such as IIPs and sarcoidosis, presents some of the future perspectives and formulates questions for potential further research.
The use of concept maps during knowledge elicitation in ontology development processes – the nutrigenomics use case
Authors: Castro Alexander Garcia , Rocca-Serra Philippe , Stevens Robert , Taylor Chris , Nashar Karim , Ragan Mark A , Sansone Susanna-Assunta
Published: May 2006

Background

Incorporation of ontologies into annotations has enabled 'semantic integration' of complex data, making explicit the knowledge within a certain field. One of the major bottlenecks in developing bio-ontologies is the lack of a unified methodology. Different methodologies have been proposed for different scenarios, but there is no agreed-upon standard methodology for building ontologies. The involvement of geographically distributed domain experts, the need for domain experts to lead the design process, the application of the ontologies and the life cycles of bio-ontologies are amongst the features not considered by previously proposed methodologies.

Results

Here, we present a methodology for developing ontologies within the biological domain. We describe our scenario, competency questions, results and milestones for each methodological stage. We introduce the use of concept maps during knowledge acquisition phases as a feasible transition between domain expert and knowledge engineer.

Conclusion

The contributions of this paper are the thorough description of the steps we suggest when building an ontology, example use of concept maps, consideration of applicability to the development of lower-level ontologies and application to decentralised environments. We have found that within our scenario conceptual maps played an important role in the development process.
In vitroculture of embryonic mouse intestinal epithelium: cell differentiation and introduction of reporter genes
Authors: Quinlan Jonathan M , Yu Wei-Yuan , Hornsey Mark A , Tosh David , Slack Jonathan MW
Published: May 2006

Background

Study of the normal development of the intestinal epithelium has been hampered by a lack of suitable model systems, in particular ones that enable the introduction of exogenous genes. Production of such a system would advance our understanding of normal epithelial development and help to shed light on the pathogenesis of intestinal neoplasia. The criteria for a reliable culture system include the ability to perform real time observations and manipulations in vitro, the preparation of wholemounts for immunostaining and the potential for introducing genes.

Results

The new culture system involves growing mouse embryo intestinal explants on fibronectin-coated coverslips in basal Eagle's medium+20% fetal bovine serum. Initially the cultures maintain expression of the intestinal transcription factor Cdx2 together with columnar epithelial (cytokeratin 8) and mesenchymal (smooth muscle actin) markers. Over a few days of culture, differentiation markers appear characteristic of absorptive epithelium (sucrase-isomaltase), goblet cells (Periodic Acid Schiff positive), enteroendocrine cells (chromogranin A) and Paneth cells (lysozyme).

Three different approaches were tested to express genes in the developing cultures: transfection, electroporation and adenoviral infection. All could introduce genes into the mesenchyme, but only to a small extent into the epithelium.

However the efficiency of adenovirus infection can be greatly improved by a limited enzyme digestion, which makes accessible the lateral faces of cells bearing the Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor. This enables reliable delivery of genes into epithelial cells.

Conclusion

We describe a new in vitro culture system for the small intestine of the mouse embryo that recapitulates its normal development. The system both provides a model for studying normal development of the intestinal epithelium and also allows for the manipulation of gene expression. The explants can be cultured for up to two weeks, they form the full repertoire of intestinal epithelial cell types (enterocytes, goblet cells, Paneth cells and enteroendocrine cells) and the method for gene introduction into the epithelium is efficient and reliable.