bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of apoptosis in chondrocytes by tumor necrosis factor‐alpha
Authors: Aizawa T. , Kon T. , Einhorn T. A. , Gerstenfeld L. C. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractTumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) induces apoptosis in a number of cell types and plays an essential role in bone remodeling, both stimulating the proliferation of osteoblasts and activating osteoclasts. During endochondral ossification, apoptosis of chondrocytes occurs concurrently with new bone formation and the resorption and replacement of mineralized cartilage with woven bone. In the present study, the role of TNF‐α in promoting chondrocyte apoptosis was examined. Chondrocyte cell populations, enriched in either hypertrophic or non‐hypertrophic cells, were isolated from the cephalic and caudal portions of 17‐day chick embryo sterna, respectively, and treated in vitro with 0.1–10 nM recombinant human TNF‐α. As a positive control, apoptosis was also induced by Fas receptor antibody binding. Dye exclusion assays of the live/dead ratios of cells showed that TNF‐α caused a dose‐dependent 1.5‐ and 2.0‐fold increase in the number of dead cells in both hypertrophic and non‐hypertrophic chondrocytes. Induction of apoptosis was independently assayed by measurement of interleukin‐1β‐converting enzyme (ICE) activity, and analyzed by a semi‐quantitative determination of DNA fragmentation. When compared to untreated cells, these analyses also showed dose‐dependent increases in TNF‐α induced apoptosis in both chondrocyte populations, with increases in the levels of ICE activity for all doses of TNF‐α (from ∼5 to ∼20 fold). Osteoblasts, however, were not affected by treatment with TNF‐α or by Fas antibody/protein G induction. Immunostaining of chondrocytes for Fas receptor and caspase‐2 protein expression showed that most of the chondrocytes expressed these two markers of apoptosis after treatment with TNF‐α. Although cell killing and ICE induction were higher in the more hypertrophic cells, TNF‐α induced apoptosis in both hypertrophic and non‐hypertrophic chondrocyte populations. These results demonstrate that apoptosis may be induced in both hypertrophic and non‐hypertrophic chondrocytes through both Fas and TNF‐α receptor mediated signaling, and suggest that chondrocytes are more sensitive to apoptotic effects of TNF‐α within the skeletal lineage than are osteoblasts. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Punlished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Altering ligament water content affects ligament pre‐stress and creep behavior
Authors: Thornton G. M. , Shrive N. G. , Frank C. B. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe water content of a ligament can be altered by injury and surgical intervention in vivo, and inadvertently or purposely during in vitro tests. We investigated how altering the water content of the rabbit medial collateral ligament (MCL) affected its resulting creep behaviour (defined as an increase in strain from sequential cyclic and static creep tests). The water content of normal MCLs (n = 4) was compared to that of MCLs soaked for 1 h in a sucrose solution (n = 4) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS; n = 8). Sucrose exposure decreased hydration and PBS exposure increased hydration. In addition, soaking in PBS caused a shift in ‘ligament zerO’ (the position where there was 0.1 N of tension on the ligament). Following the same single solution treatment, additional MCLs were creep tested at 4.1 MPa using a load based on the ligament cross‐sectional area measured before solution treatment: sucrose (n = 4), PBS new ‘ligament zerO’ (n = 5), and PBS old ‘ligament zerO’ (n = 6). Normal MCLs were also tested at 4.1 MPa (n = 7) in a humidity chamber that maintained normal ligament water content. Additional MCLs were treated with both solutions in series (n = 12) to examine the reversibility of the mechanical changes caused by single solution treatment. This was the first investigation to show that ligament creep behaviour was clearly affected by the initial state of hydration: creep decreased with decreased hydration and creep increased with increased hydration. Another unique finding was that ligaments with increased hydration had decreased ligament functional length and increased ligament pre‐stress. The creep behaviour of these ligaments was decreased if they were loaded from the pre‐stressed state compared to the unloaded state. These results suggest that maintenance of physiological water content is important for in vitro mechanical testing of ligaments and controlling the low‐load stress state of ligaments in situ. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Punlished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Differentiation/regeneration of oligodendrocytes entails the assembly of a cell‐associated matrix
Authors: Szuchet Sara , Watanabe Ken , Yamaguchi Yu 
Published: July 2002

AbstractOligodendrocytes assemble and maintain CNS myelin. We have shown that adhesion of ovine oligodendrocytes to the substratum, GRASP — a novel, horse serum heparin‐binding glycoprotein — initiates their myelinogenic phenotype. Synthesis and vectorial transport to the plasma membrane of heparan sulfate proteoglycans is one of the many events that ensue upon adhesion. Proteoglycans play key roles in defining the line of communication between cells and their microenvironment. The nature of their association with cells varies. Often, proteoglycans are part of a complex extracellular network that either surrounds cells or is restricted to smaller areas of their surface. Such extracellular matrices form an integral part of the machinery that regulates cell function. As part of an effort to delineate the events and identify the molecules involved in the adhesion‐induced‐regeneration and possibly in differentiation of OLGs, we have undertaken to define the full repertoire of OLG proteoglycans. Oligodendrocytes express surface‐associated proteoglycans and also secrete them to the medium. However, we observed a clear distinction between secreted and surface‐associated proteoglycans in terms of types, temporal regulation and spacial distribution. Oligodendrocytes secrete chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and keratan sulfate proteoglycans but have only heparan sulfate proteoglycans associated with their surface. Secreted proteoglycans are temporally modulated but adhesion‐independent, whereas surface‐associated proteoglycans are adhesion‐induced. Herein, we present the biochemical characterization of oligodendrocyte proteoglycans. We report that a significant fraction of the surface‐associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans are assembled into a cell‐associated matrix. This finding is important. First, it reveals a closer parallel than hitherto documented with events that signal Schwann cell myelination. Second, it implicates HSPGs in the establishment of OLG differentiated phenotype. Third, it brings OLGs in tune with other cell types where the ECM (broadly defined) is critical for the orchestration of cues that generate tissue‐specific gene expression and phenotypes.
Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic evidence for differences in myelination of GABAergic and cholinergic septohippocampal fibres
Authors: Gärtner Ulrich , Härtig Wolfgang , Brauer Kurt , Brückner Gert , Arendt Thomas 
Published: July 2002

AbstractIt is known that the rat septohippocampal projection is realised at least by GABAergic, parvalbumin containing and cholinergic fibres. The GABAergic component originates from fast‐firing and fast‐conducting neurons, whereas the cholinergic component represents the slow‐firing, slow‐conducting type. The present immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic study shows that the vast majority of parvalbumin‐immunoreactive, GABAergic axons are surrounded by enormously thick myelin sheaths, but choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive axons were rarely found to be myelinated. In addition, cholinergic fibres show considerably smaller diameters. Accordingly, our results are correlated with the well‐known differences in conduction velocities between the GABAergic and cholinergic fibres of the septohippocampal pathway, which depend on myelination and axon calibre.
Ultrastructure of developing substantia nigra in humans
Authors: Sailaja K. , Gopinath G. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractElectron microscopy of the maturing neurons and developing and maturing synapses in the substantia nigra of 14 human embryos/foetuses of 8–24 weeks of gestation are reported. At 8 weeks, cells were immature with very little cytoplasm and cellular organelles. Contact sites of processes appeared more electron dense than the other areas. At 12 weeks, many of the cells had acquired more cytoplasm and cellular organelles and could be identified as neurons. Asymmetric synapses with clear, round synaptic vesicles also were identifiable at this age. Such synapses, first to appear in the developing substantia nigra, are reported to be formed by recurrent collateral nigro‐striatal fibres. Substance P fibres from the striatum also are contributing to this type of synapse. At 15–16 weeks, not only was the number of such synapses increased, but many appeared morphologically mature. Symmetric synapses having clear round vesicles along with a few dense core vesicles also appeared at this stage, suggesting striatal input. By 24 weeks of gestation, most of the neurons had cytological features comparable to that of the mature neurons. There was an increase in the total number of synapses and the individual variety from 15 to 24 weeks of gestation. The present study indicates that synaptogenesis starts at 8 weeks and continues beyond 24 weeks of gestation.
Cost-effectiveness of mirtazapine compared to amitriptyline and fluoxetine in the treatment of moderate and severe depression in Austria
Authors: Brown M.C.J. , Nimmerrichter A.A. , Guest J.F. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThis study estimated the cost-effectiveness of mirtazapine, compared to amitriptyline and fluoxetine, in the management of moderate and severe depression in Austria, as well as the costs related to the discontinuation of antidepressant treatment from the perspective of the Austrian Sick Funds (Gebietskrankenkassen).The economic analyses were based on a meta-analysis of four randomised clinical trials comparing mirtazapine with amitriptyline, and on a six week comparative trial of mirtazapine and fluoxetine which was extrapolated to six months using assumptions derived from the literature. Decision models of the treatment paths and associated resource use attributable to managing moderate and severe depression in Austria were developed from clinical trial data, information on Austrian clinical practice obtained from interviews with an Austrian Delphi panel (comprising psychiatrists and GPs), and from published literature. The models were used to estimate the expected costs to the Gebietskrankenkassen of managing a patient with moderate or severe depression, and the indirect cost per patient to Austrian society due to lost productivity.The expected cost to the Gebietskrankenkassen of healthcare resource use attributable to managing a patient suffering from moderate or severe depression who discontinues antidepressant treatment was estimated to be ATS 4,088 over five months, of which hospitalisations accounted for nearly 69% of the cost.Using mirtazapine instead of amitriptyline for 28 weeks increases the proportion of successfully treated patients by 21% (from 19.2 to 23.2%), and reduces the expected cost to the Gebietskrankenkassen by ATS 1,112 per patient (from ATS 31,411 to ATS 30,299). Patients treated with mirtazapine and amitriptyline for 28 weeks are expected to miss 4.76 and 5.01 weeks of work respectively, due to their depression. Hence, the expected indirect cost to Austrian society over this period was estimated to be ATS 58,787 and ATS 61,851 per patient respectively.Using mirtazapine instead of fluoxetine for six months increases the proportion of successfully treated patients by 22% (from 15.6 to 19.1%), albeit for a negligible additional cost to the Gebietskrankenkassen of ATS 408 per patient (from ATS 29,205 to ATS 29,613). Patients treated with mirtazapine and fluoxetine for six months are expected to miss 4.53 weeks of work, due to their depression. Hence, the expected indirect cost to Austrian society due to lost productivity was estimated to be ATS 55,900 per patient with either antidepressant.In conclusion, this study suggests that despite the differences in acquisition costs, mirtazapine is a cost-effective antidepressant compared to amitriptyline and fluoxetine, supporting the adoption of this treatment in the management of moderate and severe depression in Austria.
The fixed payment financing decision
Authors: Kang Sungjune , Long Michael S 
Published: July 2002

AbstractWe first investigate the factors influencing the industrial firm's decision to use fixed payment financing or regular debt plus leasing. We find that the level of fixed financing is positively related to the portion of fixed assets in the firm and negatively related to profitability, risk, and the levels of both advertising and R&D expenditures. We then focus on the more interesting issue of why firms lease instead of use regular borrowing. Using additional variables along with the residuals from the initial regression, the firm's tax position, agency costs, and bankruptcy costs, and asymmetric information are significant factors in predicting leasing levels as others have found. We also find that firms that use more fixed form financing than predicted also use lower portions of leasing. This is consistent with leasing and regular debt being substitutes. In quartile splits on total leverage, firms with high levels of regular debt also have higher levels of leasing, which is consistent with Ang and Peterson's [J. Finance 39 (1984) 1055.] earlier empirical study on lease financing levels. Our results are robust regardless of how leasing is measured. We consider operating leases, capital leases, and all leases. For regular debt, we considered both all debt and funded debt. These values are scaled by the market value of total assets.
Charges for Maternity Services: Associations With Provider Type and Payer Source in a University Teaching Hospital
Authors: Carr Catherine A. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTObjectives: Considerable evidence exists that payer status influences the type and cost of services provided. If payer status influences care, consumers may receive differential care secondary to presence and type of payer. This study examines the effect of payer status on certified nurse‐midwives (CNMs) and obstetricians (OBs), correcting for methodologic problems that have been noted in previous studies.Methods/findings: Participants were 715 low‐risk pregnant women seen in the CNM or OB practice in a university hospital service. All billed charges from the initial prenatal visit through two months postpartum were compared by payer. Charges by provider were also examined to determine the presence of differential payer effect. Unexpectedly, charges by payer did not show significant variance, nor did payer differently affect providers. Charges by provider type varied significantly, with CNMs having lower mean charges than OBs.Conclusions: Differences in practice by payer source were not found for either provider group. This may reflect a lack of financial incentives to alter practice based on the payer, the homogeneity of the participants, or the large number of payers. The findings indicate that provider decision‐making styles are likely due to non‐payer factors in a system that lacks clear incentives to alter care patterns.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY SETTING
Authors: Burgin Karen , Felter‐Wernsdorfer Rebecca , Nass Jaime , Smith Jan Weingrad 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTThis article explores the experience of midwifery students who provided gynecologic and/or antepartum/postpartum care to women in the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, a maximum‐security facility for women in New York State. Care was provided for periods of time ranging from 2–4 months. During their clinical placement, students observed that additional primary care and health education issues fell within the scope of their clinical and teaching capabilities.
The American College of Nurse‐Midwives’Domestic Violence Education Project: Evaluation and Results
Authors: Paluzzi Pat , Gaffikin Lynne , Nanda Joy 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTFrom October 1994 through September 1998, the American College of Nurse Midwives conducted a nationwide Domestic Violence Education Project. The project aimed to encourage universal screening for domestic violence among all women being seen for care. A four‐pronged set of objectives was used, including policy, basic education, continuing education, and advocacy/activism. A description of the project and the results of the project evaluation, including replicable features, are presented. Process and outcome evaluations were performed using both quantitative and qualitative data. Surveys, interviews, and site visits formed the basis for the evaluation of the policy reform, education program, and advocacy components. Pretests and posttests of training participants formed the basis of the evaluation of the continuing education component. All project objectives were met. Policy reform occurred as expected. Changes were noted in education programs in both didactic content and clinical exposure. Changes in clinical behavior as assessed by the pretests and posttests look promising, although numbers of respondents at 12 and 24 months after training are small. Participants reported an increase in advocacy and activism. The Domestic Violence Education Project seems to be a successful and somewhat replicable model for changing attitudes about a health topic (among providers) with possible implications for clinical practice.
Henry Chakava: an annotated bibliography
Authors: Zell Hans M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractHenry Miyinzi Chakava (26 April 1946–8 March 2024), often described as ‘the godfather of book publishing in Africa’, started his early career at the Kenyan branch of Heinemann Educational Books, later to become the indigenously-owned East African Educational Publishers in Nairobi. He was Kenya’s first African book editor in 1972, at a time when there were still few books or educational materials published in African languages, and he devoted much his life to preserving and boosting the region’s languages. He was also a courageous and highly enterprising publisher who has made a massive and lasting contribution to indigenous publishing and the book trade in Africa. Henry Chakava has written extensively, perceptively, and eloquently on many topics as they relate to publishing and the book world in Africa, as is reflected in this annotated bibliography. Also included are a number of profiles, interviews, and obituaries.
The data myth: interrogating the evidence base for evidence-based peacebuilding
Authors: Mac Ginty Roger , Firchow Pamina 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This article interrogates three claims made in relation to the use of data in relation to peace. That more data, faster data, and impartial data will lead to better policy and practice outcomes. Taken together, this data myth relies on a lack of curiosity about the provenance of data and the infrastructure that produces it and asserts its legitimacy. Our discussion is concerned with issues of power, inclusion, and exclusion, and particularly how knowledge hierarchies attend to the collection and use of data in relation to conflict-affected contexts. We therefore question the axiomatic nature of these data myth claims and argue that the structure and dynamics of peacebuilding actors perpetuate the myth. We advocate a fuller reflection of the data wave that has overtaken us and echo calls for an ethics of numbers. In other words, this article is concerned with the evidence base for evidence-based peacebuilding. Mindful of the policy implications of our concerns, the article puts forward five tenets of good practice in relation to data and the peacebuilding sector. The concluding discussion further considers the policy implications of the data myth in relation to peace, and particularly, the consequences of casting peace and conflict as technical issues that can be “solved” without recourse to human and political factors.
Discrete-to-continuum limits of optimal transport with linear growth on periodic graphs
Authors: Portinale Lorenzo , Quattrocchi Filippo 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
We prove discrete-to-continuum convergence for dynamical optimal transport on

$\mathbb{Z}^d$

-periodic graphs with cost functional having linear growth at infinity. This result provides an answer to a problem left open by Gladbach, Kopfer, Maas, and Portinale (Calc Var Partial Differential Equations 62(5), 2023), where the convergence behaviour of discrete boundary-value dynamical transport problems is proved under the stronger assumption of superlinear growth. Our result extends the known literature to some important classes of examples, such as scaling limits of

$1$

-Wasserstein transport problems. Similarly to what happens in the quadratic case, the geometry of the graph plays a crucial role in the structure of the limit cost function, as we discuss in the final part of this work, which includes some visual representations.
Viktimisierung und Vorurteile
Authors: Albrecht Joëlle , Schwarz Linda , Pickel Gert , Schnyder Nina 
Published: December 2024

Zusammenfassung: Theoretischer Hintergrund: Etwa jede dritte Person in der Schweiz berichtete von Diskriminierungs- oder Gewalterfahrungen in den letzten fünf Jahren. Empirische Befunde deuten darauf hin, dass Viktimisierungserfahrungen sowohl mit weniger Empathie als auch mit weniger prosozialem Verhalten einhergehen. Noch nicht erforscht wurden bislang Auswirkungen von Viktimisierungserfahrungen auf feindselige Einstellungen. Fragestellung: Um diese Forschungslücke zu schließen, wurde in der Schweiz der Einfluss von Diskriminierungs-/Gewalterfahrungen auf feindselige Einstellungen gegenüber jüdischen, muslimischen und Schwarzen Personen untersucht. Methode: Es wurden die Daten „Zusammenleben in der Schweiz (ZidS) 2022“ des Bundesamts für Statistik verwendet, die Antworten von 2 908 zufällig ausgewählten Personen der 15- bis 88-jährigen Schweizer Wohnbevölkerung enthalten. Der Einfluss von Diskriminierungs-/Gewalterfahrungen auf Feindseligkeit wurde mit Regressionsmodellen analysiert. Ergebnisse: Personen mit einer Diskriminierungs- oder Gewalterfahrung wiesen eine stärker ausgeprägte Feindseligkeit auf. Dies zeigte sich bei allen Regressionsmodellen, einzig gegenüber Jüdinnen und Juden ergab sich kein signifikanter Einfluss von Diskriminierungserfahrungen. Schlussfolgerungen: Möglicherweise verstärken Viktimisierungserfahrungen feindselige Einstellungen gegenüber anderen Gruppen. Insofern könnte Prävention dabei unterstützen, intergruppale Feindseligkeit zu reduzieren.