bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eugenic utopias/dystopias, reprogenetics, and community genetics
Authors: Raz Aviad E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe impetus for this review is the intriguing realisation that eugenics, viewed as dystopian and authoritarian in most of the 20th century, is in the process of being reinterpreted today – in the context of reproductive genetics – as utopian and liberal. This review offers an analytical framework for mapping the growing literature on this subject in order to provide a summary for both teaching and research in medical sociology. Recent works are subsumed and explored in three areas: historical criticism of the ‘old eugenics’; the continuation of this stream in the form of criticism of reprogenetics as a new, ‘backdoor’ eugenic regime of bio‐governmentality – an area which also includes the application of Foucauldian and feminist perspectives; and the recent enthusiasm regarding ‘liberal eugenics,’ claiming that reprogenetic decisions should be left to individual consumers thus enhancing their options in the health market. The review concludes by discussing and illustrating potential research directions in this field, with a focus on the social and ethical aspects of ‘community genetics’ and its emerging networks of individuals genetically at risk.
Combination therapy with Coenzyme Q10 and creatine produces additive neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Diseases
Authors: Yang Lichuan , Calingasan Noel Y. , Wille Elizabeth J. , Cormier Kerry , Smith Karen , Ferrante Robert J. , Flint Beal M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and creatine are promising agents for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases via their effects on improving mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics and their properties as antioxidants. We examined whether a combination of CoQ10 with creatine can exert additive neuroprotective effects in a MPTP mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, a 3‐NP rat model of Huntington’s disease (HD) and the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD. The combination of the two agents produced additive neuroprotective effects against dopamine depletion in the striatum and loss of tyrosine hydroxylase neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) following chronic subcutaneous administration of MPTP. The combination treatment resulted in significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and pathologic α‐synuclein accumulation in the SNpc neurons of the MPTP‐treated mice. We also observed additive neuroprotective effects in reducing striatal lesion volumes produced by chronic subcutaneous administration of 3‐NP to rats. The combination treatment showed significant effects on blocking 3‐NP‐induced impairment of glutathione homeostasis and reducing lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidative damage in the striatum. Lastly, the combination of CoQ10 and creatine produced additive neuroprotective effects on improving motor performance and extending survival in the transgenic R6/2 HD mice. These findings suggest that combination therapy using CoQ10 and creatine may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and HD.
The Changing Relationship between Māori and Environmentalists in 1970s and 1980s New Zealand
Authors: Mills Keri 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThroughout most of New Zealand history there has been little interaction between the Māori protest movement and the environmental movement. This began to change during the 1970s and early 1980s, when environmentalists and Māori worked together to protest over government mismanagement of culturally valuable areas. This period of co‐operation was short lived, the relationship becoming more complicated and politically tense from the late 80s onwards. This paper briefly surveys the literature on the histories and interests of the New Zealand environmental movement and the Māori protest movement, and discusses the changing relationship in this light.
Physician and Patient Satisfaction with the New AMS 700 Momentary Squeeze Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
Authors: Knoll L. Dean , Henry Gerard , Culkin Daniel , Ohl Dana A. , Otheguy Juan , Shabsigh Ridwan , Wilson Steven K. , Delk II John 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
A single-armed, prospective, multicenter study evaluated the redesigned American Medical Systems (AMS) 700 Momentary Squeeze (MS) pump inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) with enhanced features for ease of implantation and patient manipulation. The device incorporates design changes to all components: pump, cylinders, rear-tip extenders, and reservoir.

Aim
To assess physician and patient satisfaction with the new AMS 700 MS pump.

Methods
Patients were selected from the existing population experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) without previous prosthetic implantation.

Main Outcome Measures
Survey questionnaires were used to capture physician feedback on ease of implantation and patient education. Patient satisfaction with the device and existence of autoinflation were assayed.

Results
Sixty-nine patients were implanted at seven U.S. sites. Mean age was 60.1 ± 9.6 years. History of ED was &gt;5 years in 34 (44.7%) patients. Main ED etiology was organic, nonspecific (32%). Eighty-four percent of the physicians felt proximal cylinder insertion was easier because of the smaller angle of cylinder input tubing and narrower base diameter. The new pump was felt easier to implant than the previous model by 57% of the physicians. The patients found the manipulation of the pump simple at device activation, with 96% easily locating the inflation bulb and 94% deflating the device with one push of the deflation button. Reviews were mixed among physicians concerning ease of training compared with the Tactile pump. Patient training was easier in 71%, harder in 21%, and same in 8%. Nevertheless, 67% of the patients were trained in 6 minutes or less. At 6 months, 77% of the patients were very satisfied, 9% somewhat satisfied, and 14% dissatisfied. Autoinflation occurred in two patients (3%).

Conclusion
The new AMS 700 MS IPP seems a distinct improvement over previous devices with most physicians feeling implantation and patient instruction were easier. The device also satisfied 86% of the users and virtually eliminated autoinflation.
The Characterization and Geographical Distribution of the Genes Responsible for Vernalization Requirement in Chinese Bread Wheat
Authors: Sun Qing‐Ming , Zhou Rong‐Hua , Gao Li‐Feng , Zhao Guang‐Yao , Jia Ji‐Zeng 
Published: March 2009

Abstract The frequency and distribution of the major vernalization requirement genes and their effects on growth habits were studied. Of the 551 bread wheat genotypes tested, seven allelic combinations of the three Vrn‐1 genes were found to be responsible for the spring habit, three for the facultative habit and one for the winter habit. The three Vrn‐1 genes behaved additively with the dominant allele of Vrn‐A1 exerting the strongest effect. The allele combinations of the facultative genotypes and the discovery of spring genotypes with “winter” allele of Vrn‐1 implied the presence of as yet unidentified alleles/genes for vernalization response. The dominant alleles of the three Vrn‐1 genes were found in all ten ecological regions where wheat is cultivated in China, with Vrn‐D1 as the most common allele in nine and Vrn‐A1 in one. The combination of vrn‐A1vrn‐B1Vrn‐D1 was the predominant genotype in seven of the regions. Compared with landraces, improved varieties contain a higher proportion of the spring type. This was attributed by a higher frequency of the dominant Vrn‐A1 and Vrn‐B1 alleles in the latter. Correlations between Vrn‐1 allelic constitutions and heading date, spike length, plant type as well as cold tolerance were established.
In Vitro Sunscreen Transmittance Measurement with Concomitant Evaluation of Photostability: Evolution of a Method
Authors: Sayre Robert M. , Dowdy John C. , Stanfield Joseph W. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe recent paper by Miura et al. (Photochem. Photobiol. 84[6], 1569–1575) offers a re‐examination of extant in vitro methods for dynamically measuring sunscreen photodegradation under continuous irradiation in situ. We commend the authors’ efforts toward developing an improved system for accurate in vitro sunscreen assessment. This work describes an alternate derivative apparatus incorporating an improved detector which may prove an exceptionally valuable contribution toward that goal. Unfortunately their report suffers from insufficient detail in instrumentation description and lacks requisite calibration procedures. Their utilization of a solar simulator filtered for conventional in vivo sun protection factor (SPF) testing poses transmittance measurement limitations at short wavelengths that are not adequately addressed and is also deficient, relative to sunlight, in longer UVA wavelengths shown to contribute to sunscreen photoinstability. We concur that the in vitro sunscreen testing should utilize continuous or multiple irradiation doses and should ideally use the same 2 mg cm−2 product application amount as does the human SPF test. We encourage their proposal that methodology, which simultaneously measures sunscreen spectral transmittance and photodegradation under continuous irradiation to an accumulated erythemic endpoint, as we previously described, be developed into a consensus test standard.
Lens autofluorescence is not increased at high altitude
Authors: Kessel Line , Kofoed Peter Kristian , Zubieta‐Calleja Gustavo , Larsen Michael 
Published: March 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  To study the relation between ambient environmental ultraviolet radiation exposure and lens fluorescence.Methods:  Non‐invasive lens fluorometry measurements were compared in healthy Bolivian and Danish subjects. Background ultraviolet radiation was 4.5 times higher in Bolivia than in Denmark.Results:  No significant differences in lens fluorescence or transmittance were found between Bolivian and Danish volunteers.Conclusion:  Age‐corrected lens fluorescence and transmittance were comparable for healthy participants living at high altitude near the equator and healthy volunteers living at sea level at 55° northern latitude. These results suggest that lens ageing, as assessed by lens autofluorometry, is independent of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Alpha‐tocopherol and ginger are protective on Cyclophosphamide‐induced gonadal toxicity in adult male albino rats
Authors: Sabik Laila M.E. , Abd El‐Rahman Sahar S. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT Background and aim: The ameliorative effect of alpha‐tocopherol (vitamin E) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) on cyclophosphamide‐induced gonadal toxicity are studied in adult male rats. Methods: Forty‐four adult male albino rats were used in this study in four groups. Group I served as normal control, groups II–IV received cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally at a daily dose of 20 mg per kg body weight for 7 days but group III and IV received supplementary vitamin E and ginger respectively for two weeks starting one week before the start of the cyclophosphamide. Results: The sperm counts of the normal (I), cyclophosphamide treated group alone (II), cyclophosphamide with vitamin E (III) and with ginger (IV) showed 23.5, 8.5, 14.2, 18.1 (× 106 per cubic milimeter) and abnormal morphology was most frequently found in group II (16.2%) followed by groups III (6.3%), IV (5.9%) and I (2.2%). Testosterone level, malondialdehyde enzyme activity, and red cell catalase and superoxide dismutase activities also correlated well with the morphological parameters. Incidence of apoptosis and the number of TUNEL‐stained cells as well as pathological findings in reproductive organs also correlated with these parameters. Conclusion: Both vitamin E and ginger have protective effect from the cyclophosphamide‐induced gonadal toxicity. The mechanism is largely unknown but empirical supplementation of vitamin E and ginger would be recommended before and during cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.
Therapeutic potential and related signal pathway of adipose‐derived stem cell transplantation for rat liver injury
Authors: Liang Liang , Ma Tao , Chen Wei , Hu Jinling , Bai Xueli , Li Junjian , Liang Tingbo 
Published: March 2009

Aim:  Liver transplantation is the only currently effective therapy for end‐stage chronic liver disease and severe acute liver failure, but its use is limited by high cost and a shortage of allografts. Here we explored the effectiveness of transplanting adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) into rats with experimentally induced liver injury.Methods:  ADSCs obtained from rats were hepatogenic induced in vitro with MAPK pathways inhibitors preconditioning. In vivo, ADSCs were transplanted into rats via different routes and serum liver function markers from post‐operative rats were tested.Results:  When grown in adipogenic induction medium, ADSCs were able to differentiate into adipocytes. In hepatogenic induction medium, ADSCs were able to differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells, with appropriate changes in morphology and appropriately elevated expression of hepatocyte‐specific markers. ERK1/2 phosphorylation activity was also significantly upregulated during the hepatogenic differentiation process, and was blocked by the ERK/MAPK pathway‐specific inhibitor PD98059. In a rat liver injury model, intravenously injected ADSCs successfully engrafted into recipient livers. We found that injection via the hepatic portal vein was more efficient than via the dorsal vein of the penis. ADSC transplantation into damaged livers significantly decreased the level of serum liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and improved serum albumin level. Both the number of engrafted cells and the improvement of liver function reached a peak two weeks after transplantation.Conclusion:  Transplanted ADSCs appear to be therapeutically effective in the rat liver injury model, which may ultimately provide a therapeutic alternative to liver transplantation in human patients.
Identification of apolipoprotein A‐I in the α‐globulin fraction of avian plasma
Authors: Roman Yannick , Bed'Hom Bertrand , Guillot Alain , Levrier Julie , Chaste‐Duvernoy Daniel , Bomsel‐Demontoy Marie‐Claude , Jalme Michel Saint 
Published: March 2009

Background: Plasma protein electrophoresis is frequently used in birds as a tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. Identification of proteins in individual peaks can help improve our understanding of changes in protein concentration in physiologic and pathologic conditions.Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the presence and identity the protein(s) in the prominent α‐globulin peak of orange‐winged parrots (Amazona amazonica), black kites (Milvus migrans), and rock pigeons (Columba livia).Methods: Heparinized plasma samples were obtained from 12 birds of each species. Agarose gel electrophoresis and total protein concentration were determined using standard techniques. One plasma sample from each species was then electrophoresed using high‐resolution agarose gels to isolate the α‐globulin band. Gel strips were digested in trypsin and peptides were extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. De novo sequencing was used to identify the protein based on homology scoring against a protein database.Results: Electrophoresis verified the presence of a single prominent α‐globulin peak, usually in the α1‐region, that had a median concentration of 9.4 g/L (range, 2.1–11.7 g/L, 21.6% of total protein) in parrots, 12.2 g/L (10.4–13.2 g/L, 35.9%) in kites, and 10.7 g/L (9.0–11.5 g/L, 40.0%) in pigeons. Mass spectrometry and sequencing analysis unequivocally identified the protein as a mature circulating form of apolipoprotein A‐I (apo A‐I) in all 3 species.Conclusions: Apo A‐I accounts for the prominent α‐globulin peak and comprises a major proportion of total protein concentration in diverse avian species. As a high‐density lipoprotein and negative acute phase protein with a pivotal role in cholesterol homeostasis, further study is warranted to determine the significance of changes in apo A‐I concentration in avian electrophoretograms.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Burkholderia glumae
BGR1
Authors: Lim JaeYun , Lee Tae-Ho , Nahm Baek Hie , Choi Yang Do , Kim Minkyun , Hwang Ingyu 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Burkholderia glumae
is the causative agent of grain and seedling rot in rice and of bacterial wilt in many field crops. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
B. glumae
BGR1 isolated from a diseased rice panicle in Korea.
Genomic Instability in Regions Adjacent to a Highly ConservedpchProphage inEscherichia coliO157:H7 Generates Diversity in Expression Patterns of the LEE Pathogenicity Island
Authors: Yang Zhijie , Kim Jaehyoung , Zhang Chaomei , Zhang Min , Nietfeldt Joeseph , Southward Carolyn M. , Surette Michael G. , Kachman Stephen D. , Benson Andrew K. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThe LEE pathogenicity island has been acquired on multiple occasions within the different lineages of enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli. In each lineage, LEE expression is regulated by complex networks of pathways, including core pathways shared by all lineages and lineage-specific pathways. Within the O157:H7 lineage of enterohemorrhagicE. coli, strain-to-strain variation in LEE expression has been observed, implying that expression patterns can diversify even within highly related subpopulations. Using comparative genomics ofE. coliO157:H7 subpopulations, we have identified one source of strain-level variation affecting LEE expression. The variation occurs in prophage-dense regions of the genome that lie immediately adjacent to the late regions of thepchprophage carryingpchA, pchB, pchC, and a newly identifiedpchgene,pchX. Genomic segments extending from the holin S region to thepchA, pchB, pchC, andpchXgenes of their respective prophage are highly conserved but are nonetheless embedded within adjacent genomic segments that are extraordinarily variable, termedpchadjacent genomic regions (pchAGR). Despite the remarkable degree of variation, the pattern of variation inpchAGR is highly correlated with the distribution of phylogenetic markers on the backbone of the genome. Quantitative analysis of transcription from theLEE1promoter further revealed that variation in thepchAGR has substantial effects on absolute levels and patterns of LEE1 transcription. Variation in thepchAGR therefore serves as a mechanism to diversify LEE expression patterns, and the lineage-specific pattern ofpchAGR variation could ultimately influence ecological or virulence characteristics of subpopulations within each lineage.
Eglon als ,,Kälbermann"? Exegetische Beobachtungen zu Jdc 3:12-30
Authors: Neef Heinz-Dieter 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis essay argues against the idea that King Eglon in Judges 3:12-30 should be understood in a negative light in the sense of a ,,Kälbermann". Such an interpretation is inherent neither in the king's name nor in the story itself. The story of Ehud and Eglon is fundamentally a hero saga, which portrays the successful assassination of the overpowering king of the Moabites, Eglon, by the seemingly powerless and chanceless Judge Ehud. The story leaves Yahweh unnamed, but behind the allusion to the miracle that no evidence of the murder was left behind, lies a hidden allusion to the works of Yahweh for the sake of Ehud and Israel.
Masoretic and Rabbinic Lights on the Word Ruth 3:15
Authors: Martín-Contreras Elvira 
Published: March 2009

AbstractA new definition concerning the morphological analysis of in Ruth 3:15 is made taking into the account the rabbinic and masoretic evidence. This suggestion is based on relevant information on the spelling and gender of the word, that has been ignored in the explanation commonly given to it. According to the evidence, the word should be connected to the root and understood as feminine, in spite of its masculine form.
What Belongs in a Fictional World?
Authors: Weisberg Deena Skolnick , Goodstein Joshua 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
How do readers create representations of fictional worlds from texts? We hypothesize that readers use the real world as a starting point and investigate how much and which types of real-world information is imported into a given fictional world. We presented subjects (N=52) with three stories and asked them to judge whether real world facts held true in the story world. Subjects' responses indicated that they imported many facts into fiction, though what exactly is imported depends on two main variables: (1) the distance that a narrative world lies from reality and (2) the types of fact being imported. Facts that are true of the real world are more likely to be imported into worlds that are more similar to the real world, and facts that are more central to the representation of the real world are more likely to be imported overall. These results indicate that subjects make nuanced inferences when creating fictional worlds, basing their representations both on how different a story world is from the real world and on what they know to be causally central to the real world.
NGFFFamide and echinotocin: structurally unrelated myoactive neuropeptides derived from neurophysin-containing precursors in sea urchins
Authors: Elphick Maurice R. , Rowe Matthew L. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe myoactive neuropeptide NGIWYamide was originally isolated from the holothurian (sea cucumber) Apostichopus japonicus but there is evidence that NGIWYamide-like peptides also occur in other echinoderms. Here we report the discovery of a gene in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus that encodes two copies of an NGIWYamide-like peptide:Asn-Gly-Phe-Phe-Phe-(NH2) or NGFFFamide. Interestingly, the C-terminal region of the NGFFFamide precursor shares sequence similarity with neurophysins, carrier proteins hitherto uniquely associated with precursors of vasopressin/oxytocin-like neuropeptides. Thus, the NGFFFamide precursor is the first neurophysin-containing neuropeptide precursor to be discovered that does not contain a vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide. However, it remains to be determined whether neurophysin acts as a carrier protein for NGFFFamide. The S. purpuratus genome also contains a gene encoding a precursor comprising a neurophysin polypeptide and `echinotocin' (CFISNCPKGamide)– the first vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide to be identified in an echinoderm. Therefore, in S. purpuratus there are two genes encoding precursors that have a neurophysin domain but which encode neuropeptides that are structurally unrelated. Furthermore, both NGFFFamide and echinotocin cause contraction of tube foot and oesophagus preparations from the sea urchin Echinus esculentus, consistent with the myoactivity of NGIWYamide in sea cucumbers and the myoactivity of vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptides in other animal phyla. Presumably the NGFFFamide precursor acquired its neurophysin domain following partial or complete duplication of a gene encoding a vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide, but it remains to be determined when in evolutionary history this occurred.