bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contemplation, Charity and Creation ex nihilo in Dante's Commedia
Authors: Montemaggi Vittorio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this article I reflect on the importance of creation ex nihilo for our understanding of Dante's Commedia. I do so, in particular, by reflecting on the inextricable relationship existing in Dante's poem between creation ex nihilo, contemplation and charity. More specifically, I attempt to outline an understanding of how Dante's idea of the relationship between these three can be seen to underlie the very structure and narrative form of the Commedia. Through reflection on the relationship between contemplation, charity, and creation ex nihilo, I suggest, form and content might be seen, from a theological point of view, to be perfectly at one. Underlying these reflections are also some broader questions. What is the Commedia ultimately about? What is Dante's final end in writing his poem? What bearing does this have on our understanding of the form of Dante's text as a narrative poem? And what, in turn, are the broader theological implications of all this?
Luther's Topology: Creatio Ex Nihilo and the Cultivation of the Concept of Place in Martin Luther's theology
Authors: Mackenzie Jon 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis article contends that, although Luther does develop a fascinating concept of the human subject within his writings, he does not make this subjectivity methodologically basic. Instead, Luther locates human subjectivity within a more fundamental framework of “place”—a concept he develops over a span of thirty years, maturing from its earliest appearances, as a corollary of the theologia crucis, into a more expansive framework for his later thinking. After briefly sketching the concept of place within Luther's theology through to its apex—the Genesisvorlesung delivered in the final ten years of Luther's life—the subsequent prominence of the doctrine of creation, particularly the language of creatio ex nihilo, is examined with a view to showing how Luther's theology might be re‐placed more constructively within contemporary thinking.
pamela masik and the forgotten exhibition: Controversy and Cancellation at the Museum of Anthropology
Authors: Pinto Meg 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper examines the exhibition process behind Pamela Masik's The Forgotten at the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology. Set to open in February 2011, the exhibition featured 69 portraits of missing and murdered women from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Masik's work is highly controversial, and the museum chose not to proceed with the exhibition after local Aboriginal activists from the Women's Memorial March intercepted the curatorial process. I argue that the way the museum staff negotiated the collaborative process reflects a contact zone mentality that has been deeply internalized in museums. This normalization of conflict poses the risk of negatively affecting relationships with communities and ought to be rethought by those in the field. [missing women, Downtown Eastside Vancouver, contact zones, controversy, colonialism, Women's Memorial March, Pamela Masik]
Analysis of cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase 1 in photoperiod‐influenced responses to ozone using Arabidopsis knockout mutants
Authors: DGHIM ATA ALLAH , MHAMDI AMNA , VAULTIER MARIE‐NOËLLE , HASENFRATZ‐SAUDER MARIE‐PAULE , LE THIEC DIDIER , DIZENGREMEL PIERRE , NOCTOR GRAHAM , JOLIVET YVES 
Published: March 2013

AbstractOxidative stress caused by ozone (O3) affects plant development, but the roles of specific redox‐homeostatic enzymes in O3 responses are still unclear. While growth day length may affect oxidative stress outcomes, the potential influence of day length context on equal‐time exposures to O3 is not known. In Arabidopsis Col‐0, day length affected the outcome of O3 exposure. In short‐days (SD), few lesions were elicited by treatments that caused extensive lesions in long days (LD). Lesion formation was not associated with significant perturbation of glutathione, ascorbate, NADP(H) or NAD(H). To investigate roles of two genes potentially underpinning this redox stability, O3 responses of mutants for cytosolic NADP‐isocitrate dehydrogenase (icdh) and glutathione reductase 1 (gr1) were analysed. Loss of ICDH function did not affect O3‐induced lesions, but slightly increased glutathione oxidation, induction of other cytosolic NADPH‐producing enzymes and pathogenesis‐related gene 1 (PR1). In gr1, O3‐triggered lesions, salicylic acid accumulation, and induction of PR1 were all decreased relative to Col‐0 despite enhanced accumulation of glutathione. Thus, even at identical irradiance and equal‐time exposures, day length strongly influences phenotypes triggered by oxidants of atmospheric origin, while in addition to its antioxidant function, the GR‐glutathione system seems to play novel signalling roles during O3 exposure.
Assessment of Extent of Apoptosis and DNA Defragmentation in Chilled Semen of Stallions During the Breeding Season
Authors: Krakowski L , Obara J , Wąchocka A , Piech T , Bartoszek P , Kostro K , Tatara MR 
Published: March 2013

ContentsThe objective of the study was to assess apoptosis and DNA defragmentation in equine semen diluted and chilled to +4°C. Semen was collected from nine fertile stallions, including four Arabian thoroughbreds and five coldbloods. Examinations were carried out immediately after semen collection (0) and at five storage times (24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h). The basic semen evaluation was performed in terms of volume, sperm concentration, viable sperm percentage, progressive motility and morphology. Using flow cytometry, DNA defragmentation and cell membrane integrity of spermatozoa were determined. The results of basic tests did not demonstrate significant differences amongst stallions, except for progressive sperm motility, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the semen of Arabian stallions. In the semen of the same stallions, a significant decrease in the percentage of alive spermatozoa was observed at 72, 96 and 120 h of storage, whereas a significant increase in the number of spermatozoa with DNA defragmentation was found after 24 h storage. In the semen of coldblood stallions, significantly reduced live spermatozoa percentage was observed at 96 and 120 h, while increased DNA defragmentation was observed at 48 h. These findings demonstrated that the semen of Arabian stallions chilled to +4°C retained original characteristics until 24 h of storage, whereas in coldbloods, these were preserved up to 48 h of storage.
Limiting the ACA's Threats to Small Group Health Insurance Markets
Authors: Monahan Amy B. , Schwarcz Daniel 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe identify three threats to small group health insurance markets that may result from the 2014 implementation of certain provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). First, small employers with predominantly low‐income employees may tend to opt out of small group markets because their employees will be better off with subsidized individual coverage. Second, small employers with employees of heterogeneous income levels will have strong incentives to offer coverage that is either “unaffordable” or fails to provide “minimum value” in order to preserve the availability of government subsidies for their low‐income employees. Finally, small employers that continue to offer group plans will face increased incentives to self‐insure those plans, further contracting small group markets and subjecting them to adverse selection. Collectively, these forces may destabilize small group markets and increase the ACA's fiscal cost. We therefore conclude by offering various reforms aimed at offsetting these risks and preserving the viability of small group markets.
Social Integration and Suicide‐Related Ideation from a Social Network Perspective: A Longitudinal Study among Inner‐City African Americans
Authors: Janet Kuramoto S. , Wilcox Holly C. , Latkin Carl A. 
Published: March 2013

Social network density, as measured by the extent to which network members know each other, was examined to determine whether it is associated with suicide‐related ideation and plan approximately 3 years later. Eight hundred and nineteen African Americans were interviewed at Wave 1 (1997–1999) and Wave 4 (2001–2003) of the Self‐Help In Eliminating Life‐Threatening Diseases (SHIELD) study, a HIV preventive intervention study in Baltimore, MD. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to compare risks of suicide‐related ideation and plan at Wave 4 by Wave 1 density. Even after adjusting for baseline sociodemographic characteristics and depressive symptoms, individuals with a lower level of density were three times more likely to report suicide‐related ideation and plan in the past year at Wave 4. The findings reinforce the importance of social integration among inner‐city African Americans from a social network perspective. Future research should examine the mechanisms associated with this relationship and other social network constructs.
Transepidermal water loss in erythrodermic patients of various aetiologies
Authors: Mohd Noor Noorlaily , Hussein Suraiya H. 
Published: March 2013

Background/purposeDespite its severity not much work has been done to explore the barrier function in patients with erythroderma. This study compares TEWL between skin of healthy subjects and erythrodermic patients of various aetiologies and at different sites. We also assess TEWL between patients with acute and chronic erythroderma.MethodsTwenty‐five erythrodermic patients and 26 age, race and sex‐matched healthy controls were recruited. TEWL measurements were performed at five sites; right cheek, left volar forearm, abdomen, upper back and right calf using Tewameter TM 210.ResultsTEWL in erythrodermic patients were significantly higher than healthy individuals at all the sites (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in TEWL between different anatomical sites in controls (P < 0.001) but not in patients. The highest TEWL for the patient and control groups were that of the abdomen and the right cheek respectively. Acute erythrodermic patients (n = 9) seemed to have a higher TEWL than chronic erythrodermic patients (n = 16) although the differences were not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in TEWL among erythrodermic patients of various aetiologies.ConclusionErythrodermic skin regardless of aetiology has much higher TEWL compared to normal skin. Differences in TEWL among various anatomical sites observed in normal skin were not seen in erythroderma.
Preemptive treatment with voriconazole in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Neoh C.F. , Snell G.I. , Levvey B. , Kotsimbos T. , Morrissey C.O. , Slavin M.A. , Stewart K. , Kong D.C.M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundInvasive fungal infection (IFI) is associated with high mortality in lung transplant (LTx) recipients. Data for voriconazole use in preemptive treatment remain scant.MethodA single‐center, retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of voriconazole preemptive treatment for post‐LTx colonization.ResultsWe reviewed 62 adult LTx patients, who received their first course of voriconazole prophylaxis (i.e., as preemptive treatment) between July 2003 and June 2010. Outcomes were determined at 6 and 12 months after commencing therapy. Aspergillus fumigatus (75.8%) was the most common colonizing isolate. Median duration of voriconazole prophylaxis was 85 days. At 6 months, 1 LTx patient (1.6%) had IFI, 47 (75.8%) cleared their colonizing isolate, 3 (4.8%) had persistent colonization, 7 (11.3%) had recurrent colonization, 1 (1.6%) had new colonization, 2 (3.2%) had aspergilloma, and 1 (1.6%) was clinically unstable with no culture results. Sixteen (25.8%) had died by 12 months. Ten (16.1%) had likely drug‐related hepatotoxicity. LTx patients with diabetes mellitus within 30 days before commencing prophylaxis were at higher risk of recurrent Aspergillus colonization at 6 months (P = 0.030). Chronic rejection within 30 days before prophylaxis was associated with 12‐month mortality (P = 0.007).ConclusionsVoriconazole preemptive treatment resulted in low incidence of IFI and IFI‐related mortality.
Intramuscular glargine with or without concurrent subcutaneous administration for treatment of feline diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Marshall Rhett D. , Rand Jacquie S. , Gunew Marcus N. , Menrath Victor H. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo describe treatment response and outcome in 15 cats with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) initially stabilized with glargine administered intramuscularly (IM) with or without subcutaneous (SC) glargine.Materials and MethodsFifteen cats diagnosed with DKA were initially administered IM glargine (1–2 U) and in most cats (12/15 cats) this was combined with SC glargine (1–3 U). This was followed by intermittent IM glargine as required at intervals of 2 or more hours (range 2–22 h) and SC glargine (1–2 U) every 12 hours.Key FindingsAll 15 cats survived and were discharged from hospital (median 4 d; range 2–5 d) and one‐third (5/15) of cats subsequently achieved remission (median time 20 d; range 15–29 d). Complications included hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia, which were likely the result of DKA therapy rather than glargine treatment specifically.SignificanceThis study demonstrates that glargine administered IM is an effective treatment for DKA in cats, and may provide an alternative to regular insulin. The same vial used for initial treatment of DKA can then be used for subsequent management with SC glargine injections. Future prospective randomized controlled trials evaluating clinical outcomes in cats with DKA using different types and routes of administration of insulin are warranted. A prospective randomized controlled trial is required to compare outcomes for IM and IV administration of glargine and regular insulin in DKA cats with or without SC glargine.
Effect of a sustained reduction in plasma free fatty acid concentration on insulin signalling and inflammation in skeletal muscle from human subjects
Authors: Liang Hanyu , Tantiwong Puntip , Sriwijitkamol Apiradee , Shanmugasundaram Karthigayan , Mohan Sumathy , Espinoza Sara , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Dubé John J. , Musi Nicolas 
Published: March 2013

Key points
Reducing free fatty acids in the circulation gives protection against muscle insulin resistance.
In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which free fatty acid reduction improves muscle insulin sensitivity.
The antilipolytic drug acipimox reduced the plasma concentration of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in insulin‐resistant (obese and type 2 diabetic) subjects.
The reduction in plasma free fatty acid concentration caused by acipimox led to an improvement in local inflammation and insulin signalling in skeletal muscle.
The improvements in local inflammation and insulin signalling were more pronounced in obese type 2 diabetic subjects than obese non‐diabetic individuals, suggesting that diabetic subjects are more susceptible to the toxic effect of circulating free fatty acids.
Abstract  Free fatty acids (FFAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Reducing plasma FFA concentration in obese and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects improves insulin sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanism by which FFA reduction improves insulin sensitivity in human subjects is not fully understood. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that pharmacological FFA reduction enhances insulin action by reducing local (muscle) inflammation, leading to improved insulin signalling. Insulin‐stimulated total glucose disposal (TGD), plasma FFA species, muscle insulin signalling, IκBα protein, c‐Jun phosphorylation, inflammatory gene (toll‐like receptor 4 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1) expression, and ceramide and diacylglycerol (DAG) content were measured in muscle from a group of obese and T2DM subjects before and after administration of the antilipolytic drug acipimox for 7 days, and the results were compared to lean individuals. We found that obese and T2DM subjects had elevated saturated and unsaturated FFAs in plasma, and acipimox reduced all FFA species. Acipimox‐induced reductions in plasma FFAs improved TGD and insulin signalling in obese and T2DM subjects. Acipimox increased IκBα protein (an indication of decreased IκB kinase–nuclear factor κB signalling) in both obese and T2DM subjects, but did not affect c‐Jun phosphorylation in any group. Acipimox also decreased inflammatory gene expression, although this reduction only occurred in T2DM subjects. Ceramide and DAG content did not change. To summarize, pharmacological FFA reduction improves insulin signalling in muscle from insulin‐resistant subjects. This beneficial effect on insulin action could be related to a decrease in local inflammation. Notably, the improvements in insulin action were more pronounced in T2DM, indicating that these subjects are more susceptible to the toxic effect of FFAs.
Role of microprojections in myoendothelial feedback – a theoretical study
Authors: Nagaraja Sridevi , Kapela Adam , Tran Cam H. , Welsh Donald G. , Tsoukias Nikolaos M. 
Published: March 2013

Key points
Endothelial microprojections (MPs) are cellular extensions of endothelial cells (ECs) that may be involved in regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) constriction in blood vessels.
We developed computational models to investigate the role of MPs in generating EC feedback during SMC stimulation. The models account for the geometry of MPs and heterogeneous distribution of membrane channels and receptors in an EC.
Simulations show that SMC stimulation causes calcium release in and around EC MPs that activates hyperpolarizing currents in ECs and moderates SMC constriction.
The results help us better understand the mechanisms that regulate blood flow and pressure.
Abstract  We investigated the role of myoendothelial projections (MPs) in endothelial cell (EC) feedback response to smooth muscle cell (SMC) stimulation using mathematical modelling. A previously developed compartmental EC–SMC model is modified to include MPs as subcellular compartments in the EC. The model is further extended into a 2D continuum model using a finite element method (FEM) approach and electron microscopy images to account for MP geometry. The EC and SMC are coupled via non‐selective myoendothelial gap junctions (MEGJs) which are located on MPs and allow exchange of Ca2+, K+, Na+ and Cl− ions and inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate (IP3). Models take into consideration recent evidence for co‐localization of intermediate‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channels (IKCa) and IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) in the MPs. SMC stimulation causes an IP3‐mediated Ca2+ transient in the MPs with limited global spread in the bulk EC. A hyperpolarizing feedback generated by the localized IKCa channels is transmitted to the SMC via MEGJs. MEGJ resistance (Rgj) and the density of IKCa and IP3R in the projection influence the extent of EC response to SMC stimulation. The predicted Ca2+ transients depend also on the volume and geometry of the MP. We conclude that in the myoendothelial feedback response to SMC stimulation, MPs are required to amplify the SMC initiated signal. Simulations suggest that the signal is mediated by IP3 rather than Ca2+ diffusion and that a localized rather than a global EC Ca2+ mobilization is more likely following SMC stimulation.
Staphylococcus aureus Extracellular Vesicles Carry Biologically Active β-Lactamase
Authors: Lee Jaewook , Lee Eun-Young , Kim Si-Hyun , Kim Dae-Kyum , Park Kyong-Su , Kim Kwang Pyo , Kim Yoon-Keun , Roh Tae-Young , Gho Yong Song 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Gram-positive bacteria naturally produce extracellular vesicles. However, little is known regarding the functions of Gram-positive bacterial extracellular vesicles, especially in the bacterial community. Here, we investigated the role of
Staphylococcus aureus
extracellular vesicles in interbacterial communication to cope with antibiotic stress. We found that
S. aureus
liberated BlaZ, a β-lactamase protein, via extracellular vesicles. These extracellular vesicles enabled other ampicillin-susceptible Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria to survive in the presence of ampicillin. However,
S. aureus
extracellular vesicles did not mediate the survival of tetracycline-, chloramphenicol-, or kanamycin-susceptible bacteria. Moreover,
S. aureus
extracellular vesicles did not contain the
blaZ
gene. In addition, the heat-treated
S. aureus
extracellular vesicles did not mediate the survival of ampicillin-susceptible bacteria. The β-lactamase activities of
S. aureus
soluble and extracellular vesicle-associated BlaZ were similar, but only the extracellular vesicle-associated BlaZ was resistant to protease digestion, which suggests that the enzymatic activity of BlaZ in extracellular vesicles is largely protected by the vesicle structure. Our observations provide evidence of the important role of
S. aureus
extracellular vesicles in antibiotic resistance, which allows the polymicrobial community to continue to evolve and prosper against antibiotics.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is the Focus of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactant Toxicity to Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Authors: Inácio Ângela S. , Costa Gabriel N. , Domingues Neuza S. , Santos Maria S. , Moreno António J. M. , Vaz Winchil L. C. , Vieira Otília V. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Surfactants have long been known to have microbicidal action and have been extensively used as antiseptics and disinfectants for a variety of general hygiene and clinical purposes. Among surfactants, quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) are known to be the most useful antiseptics and disinfectants. However, our previous toxicological studies showed that QAC are also the most toxic surfactants for mammalian cells. An understanding of the mechanisms that underlie QAC toxicity is a crucial first step in their rational use and in the design and development of more effective and safer molecules. We show that QAC-induced toxicity is mediated primarily through mitochondrial dysfunction in mammalian columnar epithelial cell cultures
in vitro
. Toxic effects begin at sublethal concentrations and are characterized by mitochondrial fragmentation accompanied by decreased cellular energy charge. At very low concentrations, several QAC act on mitochondrial bioenergetics through a common mechanism of action, primarily by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration initiated at complex I and, to a lesser extent, by slowing down coupled ADP phosphorylation. The result is a reduction of cellular energy charge which, when reduced below 50% of its original value, induces apoptosis. The lethal effects are shown to be primarily a result of this process. At higher doses (closer to the critical micellar concentration), QAC induce the complete breakdown of cellular energy charge and necrotic cell death.