bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women and the World of Dog Rescue: A Case Study of the State of Michigan
Authors: Markovits Andrei , Queen Robin 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn the wake of the considerable cultural changes and societal shifts that the United States and all advanced industrial democracies have experienced since the late 1960s and early 1970s, one can also observe a dramatic change in how humans in these societies have come to relate to nonhuman animals, dogs in particular. One of the new institutions created by this change in attitude and behavior toward dogs is the canine rescue organization, examples of which have arisen all over the United States beginning in the 1980s. While the growing scholarship on the changed dimension of the human-animal relationship attests to its social, political, and intellectual salience to our contemporary world, the work presented here constitutes the first academic research on the particularly important institution of dog rescue. This paper presents some key findings from a survey of canine rescue workers in the state of Michigan, with a concentration on the dynamics of gender within canine rescue work.
Delimiting Religion
Authors: Martin Craig 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe problem of the definition of religion sparks perennial discussion; unfortunately much of the debate over the use of the word produces more confusion than understanding—some scholars suggest that religion cannot be defined and others suggest that all definitions are inadequate to religion. Through a consideration of the nature of language and Gary Lease's claim that "there is no religion," this essay attempts to clear away some of the incoherencies and to set out what we can and cannot say about the delimitation of the category "religion."
Enemy Brothers: Gary Lease and the Scholarship of Religion
Authors: Rein Nathan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGary Lease, a controversial figure in the study of religion, was best known throughout his long career for his uncompromising antipathy towards theologically and phenomenologically-oriented approaches to the field. Lease developed his analytic perspective on religion around a set of broad, global assumptions about human nature, the mind, and society. These assumptions lie at the root of those provocative positions which have come to characterize Lease's work. This paper argues that those assumptions, which center primarily on his understanding of human thought as sharply and inescapably limited by biological, cognitive, and historical constraints, form the basis for a distinctive and robust framework for the study of religion. This framework posits, among other things, a fundamentally agonistic relationship between the religion and the study of religion.
Observation of Interference Patterns in Reconstructed Digital Holograms of Atmospheric Ice Crystals
Authors: Raupach Sebastian M. F. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
The observation of interference patterns in reconstructed digital holograms of natural ice crystals is reported. It is suggested that an investigation of the interference fringes’ origin will yield a new application of holography in atmospheric sciences by revealing information on otherwise hardly accessible properties of the crystals.
Review: Adiponectin for prediction of cardiovascular risk?
Authors: Karastergiou Kalypso , Mohamed-Ali Vidya , Jahangiri Marjan , Kaski Juan-Carlos 
Published: August 2009

Adiponectin is an endogenous insulin-sensitising and anti-inflammatory hormone, released by the adipose tissue. Because of its in vitro effects on endothelial cells, macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, adiponectin is thought to have anti-atherogenic properties. Moreover, findings from the Health Professionals Follow-up Studies and other cohort studies, mainly in male populations, suggest that adiponectin may be an independent predictor for cardiovascular risk. This, however, was not confirmed by subsequent studies that included female subjects, different ethnicities and patients with established coronary artery disease. The present article briefly summarises recent findings regarding the potential role of adiponectin as a predictor of risk and its biological role. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2009;9: 150—154
The Protective Effect of Oxygenated Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) on Intestinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury (I/R) in Rabbits
Authors: Ntinas Achilleas , Iliadis Stavros , Alvanou Achparaki Athanasia , Vrochides Dionisios , Pitoulias Georgios , Papageorgiou Georgios , Spyridis Charalambos , Papadimitriou Dimitrios , Karamanos Dimitrios , Gerasimidis Thomas 
Published: August 2009

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intraluminal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) on small intestine’s viability in an experimental model of acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided in four groups: sham-operated controls (group A), acute I/R (group B), acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before ischemia (group C), and acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before reperfusion (group D). Malondialdehyde (MDA) tissue levels and d-lactate blood samples were taken. All tissue sections were examined under light microscope. Results: Mean MDA levels in group A: 1.79 ± 0.97 at 0 min, 2.25 ± 1.76 at 120 min and 3.70 ± 1.76 nmols/g at 180 min. Group B: 2.60 ± 0.58 at 0 min, 4.20 ± 0.58 at 120 min and 5.48 ± 2.01 at 180 min. Group C: 1.54 ± 0.85 at 0 min, 1.14 ± 0.37 at 120 min and 0.59 ± 0.35 at 180 min. Group D: 2.12 ± 0.62 at 0 min, 3.97 ± 0.70 at 120 min and 2.32 ± 0.37 at 180 min (p < 0.05). Mean d-lactate levels in group A: at 0 min 36.45 ± 1.99, at 120 min 39.10 ± 2.37 and at 180 min 40.05 ± 2.13 mg/dl. Group B: 61.23 ± 11.03 at 0 min, 74.84 ± 10.70 at 120 min and 89.90 ± 9.29 at 180 min. Group C: at 0 min 51.05 ± 10.36, at 120 min 56.07 ± 11.27 and at 180 min 57.20 ± 11.19. Group D: 64.36 ± 5.26 at 0 min, 72.55 ± 7.19 at 120 min and 77.02 ± 9.41 at 180 min (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis indicated a significant improvement in the groups of oxygenated PFCs compared with I/R group. Conclusion: Intraluminal administration of oxygenated PFCs seems that protect the intestine from the I/R injury.
Debating the appropriateness and effectiveness of regulation as a mechanism to manage and control the risk to health from tattooing and body piercing activities
Authors: Chalmers Claire 
Published: August 2009

here is currently an overwhelming trend towards the implementation of more stringent measures to govern tattooing and body piercing practices, with state-controlled regulation being targeted most frequently as the current strategy of choice. The aim of this type of regulation within the tattooing and body piercing industry is predominantly to introduce consistent controls, which can then assist in the management and reduction of associated risk to health from such activities. This third of three articles on the topical issue of tattooing and body piercing considers the appropriateness and effectiveness of state controlled regulation as a mechanism for implementing these tighter controls, and ultimately for managing and reducing the associated risk to health from tattooing and body piercing.
CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells confer long-term regulation of factor VIII–specific immune responses in plasmid-mediated gene therapy–treated hemophilia mice
Authors: Miao Carol H. , Harmeling Benjamin R. , Ziegler Steven F. , Yen Benjamin C. , Torgerson Troy , Chen Liping , Yau Roger J. , Peng Baowei , Thompson Arthur R. , Ochs Hans D. , Rawlings David J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGene transfer of a factor VIII (FVIII) plasmid into hemophilia A (HemA) mice achieved supraphysiologic FVIII expression, but triggered production of high-titer FVIII-specific antibodies and loss of functional FVIII activity. To test whether FVIII-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) can modulate immune responses against FVIII, we developed a HemA mouse model in which all T cells overexpressed Foxp3 (HemA/Foxp3-Tg). FVIII plasmid therapy did not induce antibody production in HemA/Foxp3-Tg mice. CD4+Foxp3+ T cells isolated from plasmid-treated HemA/Foxp3-Tg mice significantly suppressed proliferation of FVIII-stimulated CD4+ effector T cells. The percentage of CD4+ T cells expressing CD25, glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 increased significantly in spleen and peripheral blood for 9 weeks. Mice receiving adoptively transferred Tregs from FVIII-exposed HemA/Foxp3-Tg mice produced significantly reduced antibody titers compared with controls after initial challenge with FVIII plasmid and second challenge 16 weeks after first plasmid treatment. Adoptively transferred Tregs engrafted and distributed at 2% to 4% in the Treg compartment of blood, lymph nodes, and spleens of the recipient mice and induced activation of endogenous Tregs; the engraftment decreased to negligible levels over 8 to 12 weeks. Antigen-specific Tregs can provide long-lasting protection against immune responses in vivo and limit recall responses induced by a second challenge via infectious tolerance.
Role of the ArcAB two-component system in the resistance of Escherichia colito reactive oxygen stress
Authors: Loui Cindy , Chang Alexander C , Lu Sangwei 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
The global regulatory system ArcAB controls the anaerobic growth of E. coli, however, its role in aerobic conditions is not well characterized. We have previously reported that ArcA was necessary for Salmonella to resist reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aerobic conditions.

Results
To investigate the mechanism of ROS resistance mediated by ArcAB, we generated deletion mutants of ArcA and ArcB in E. coli. Our results demonstrated that both ArcA and ArcB were necessary for resistance to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a type of ROS, and their function in this resistance was independent from H2O2 scavenge. Mutagenesis analysis of ArcA indicated that ROS resistance was mediated through a distinct signaling pathway from that used in anaerobic conditions. An abundant protein flagellin was elevated at both the protein and mRNA levels in the ΔarcA mutant as compared to the wild type E. coli, and deletion of flagellin restored the resistance of the ΔarcA mutant to H2O2. The resistance of the ΔarcA mutant E. coli to H2O2 can also be restored by amino acid supplementation, suggesting that a deficiency in amino acid and/or protein synthesis in the mutant contributed to its susceptibility to H2O2, which is consistent with the notion that protein synthesis is necessary for ROS resistance.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that in addition to its role as a global regulator for anaerobic growth of bacteria, ArcAB system is also important for bacterial resistance to ROS in aerobic conditions, possibly through its influence on bacterial metabolism, especially amino acid and/or protein assimilation and synthesis.
Molecular detection of rifampin and isoniazid resistance to guide chronic TB patient management in Burkina Faso
Authors: Miotto Paolo , Saleri Nuccia , Dembelé Mathurin , Ouedraogo Martial , Badoum Gisèle , Pinsi Gabriele , Migliori Giovanni B , Matteelli Alberto , Cirillo Daniela M 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is considered a real threat to the achievement of TB control. Testing of mycobacterial culture and testing of drug susceptibility (DST) capacity are limited in resource-poor countries, therefore inadequate treatment may occur, favouring resistance development. We evaluated the molecular assay GenoType® MTBDRplus (Hain Lifescience, Germany) in order to detect DR-TB directly in clinical specimens as a means of providing a more accurate management of chronic TB patients in Burkina Faso, a country with a high TB-HIV co-infection prevalence.

Methods
Samples were collected in Burkina Faso where culture and DST are not currently available, and where chronic cases are therefore classified and treated based on clinical evaluation and sputum-smear microscopy results. One hundred and eight chronic TB patients (sputum smear-positive, after completing a re-treatment regimen for pulmonary TB under directly observed therapy) were enrolled in the study from December 2006 to October 2008. Two early morning sputum samples were collected from each patient, immediately frozen, and shipped to Italy in dry ice. Samples were decontaminated, processed for smear microscopy and DNA extraction. Culture was attempted on MGIT960 (Becton Dickinson, Cockeysville, USA) and decontaminated specimens were analyzed for the presence of mutations conferring resistance to rifampin and isoniazid by the molecular assay GenoType® MTBDRplus.

Results
We obtained a valid molecular test result in 60/61 smear-positive and 47/47 smear-negative patients.
Among 108 chronic TB cases we identified patients who (i) harboured rifampin- and isoniazid-susceptible strains (n 24), (ii) were negative for MTB complex DNA (n 24), and (iii) had non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections (n 13). The most represented mutation conferring rifampin-resistance was the D516V substitution in the hotspot region of the rpoB gene (43.8% of cases). Other mutations recognized were the H526D (15.6%), the H526Y (15.6%), and the S531L (9.4%).
All isoniazid-resistant cases (n 36) identified by the molecular assay were carrying a S315T substitution in the katG gene. In 41.7% of cases, a mutation affecting the promoter region of the inhA gene was also detected.

Conclusion
The GenoType® MTBDRplus assay performed directly on sputum specimens improves the management of chronic TB cases allowing more appropriate anti-TB regimens.
Localization of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport proteins PfMRP1, PfMRP2, and PfMDR5 at the Plasmodium falciparum plasma membrane
Authors: Kavishe Reginald A , van den Heuvel Jeroen MW , van de Vegte-Bolmer Marga , Luty Adrian JF , Russel Frans GM , Koenderink Jan B 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe spread of drug resistance has been a major obstacle to the control of malaria. The mechanisms underlying drug resistance in malaria seem to be complex and multigenic. The current literature on multiple drug resistance against anti-malarials has documented PfMDR1, an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein, as an important determinant of resistance. In thePlasmodium falciparumgenome, there are several ABC transporters some of which could be putative drug transporting proteins. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance, characterization of these transporters is essential. The aim of this study was to characterize and localize putative ABC transporters.MethodsIn the plasmoDB database, 16 members of theP. falciparumABC family can be identified, 11 of which are putative transport proteins. A phylogenetic analysis of the aligned NBDs of the PfABC genes was performed. Antibodies against PfMRP1 (PfABCC1), PfMRP2 (PfABCC2), and PfMDR5 (PfABCB5) were generated, affinity purified and used in immunocytochemistry to localize the proteins in the asexual stages of the parasite.ResultsThe ABC family members ofP. falciparumwere categorized into subfamilies. The ABC B subfamily was the largest and contained seven members. Other family members that could be involved in drug transport are PfABCC1, PfABCC2, PfABCG1, and PfABCI3. The expression and localization of three ABC transport proteins was determined. PfMRP1, PfMRP2, and PfMDR5 are localized to the plasma membrane in all asexual stages of the parasite.ConclusionIn conclusion, 11 of the 16 ABC proteins in theP. falciparumgenome are putative transport proteins, some of which might be involved in drug resistance. Moreover, it was demonstrated that three of these proteins are expressed on the parasite's plasma membrane.
Proteomic profiling of L-cysteine induced selenite resistance in Enterobacter sp. YSU
Authors: Jasenec Ashley , Barasa Nathaniel , Kulkarni Samatha , Shaik Nabeel , Moparthi Swarnalatha , Konda Venkataramana , Caguiat Jonathan 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background

Enterobacter sp. YSU is resistant to several different heavy metal salts, including selenite. A previous study using M-9 minimal medium showed that when the selenite concentration was 100,000 times higher than the sulfate concentration, selenite entered Escherichia coli cells using two pathways: a specific and a non-specific pathway. In the specific pathway, selenite entered the cells through a yet to be characterized channel dedicated for selenite. In the non-specific pathway, selenite entered the cells through a sulfate permease channel. Addition of L-cystine, an L-cysteine dimer, appeared to indirectly decrease selenite import into the cell through the non-specific pathway. However, it did not affect the level of selenite transport into the cell through the specific pathway.

Results
Growth curves using M-9 minimal medium containing 40 mM selenite and 1 mM sulfate showed that Enterobacter sp. YSU grew when L-cysteine was present but died when it was absent. Differential protein expression analysis by two dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that CysK was present in cultures containing selenite and lacking L-cysteine but absent in cultures containing both selenite and L-cysteine. Additional RT-PCR studies demonstrated that transcripts for the sulfate permease genes, cysA, cysT and cysW, were down-regulated in the presence of L-cysteine.

Conclusion
L-cysteine appeared to confer selenite resistance upon Enterobacter sp. YSU by decreasing the level of selenite transport into the cell through the non-specific pathway.
Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the clinical course of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: prognostic markers with pathogenetic relevance
Authors: Dal-Bo Michele , Bertoni Francesco , Forconi Francesco , Zucchetto Antonella , Bomben Riccardo , Marasca Roberto , Deaglio Silvia , Laurenti Luca , Efremov Dimitar G , Gaidano Gianluca , Del Poeta Giovanni , Gattei Valter 
Published: August 2009

AbstractB-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most frequent leukemia in the Western world, is characterized by extremely variable clinical courses with survivals ranging from 1 to more than 15 years. The pathogenetic factors playing a key role in defining the biological features of CLL cells, hence eventually influencing the clinical aggressiveness of the disease, are here divided into "intrinsic factors", mainly genomic alterations of CLL cells, and "extrinsic factors", responsible for direct microenvironmental interactions of CLL cells; the latter group includes interactions of CLL cells occurring via the surface B cell receptor (BCR) and dependent to specific molecular features of the BCR itself and/or to the presence of the BCR-associated molecule ZAP-70, or via other non-BCR-dependent interactions, e.g. specific receptor/ligand interactions, such as CD38/CD31 or CD49d/VCAM-1. A putative final model, discussing the pathogenesis and the clinicobiological features of CLL in relationship of these factors, is also provided.
Breast cancer humoral immune response: involvement of Lewis y through the detection of circulating immune complexes and association with Mucin 1 (MUC1)
Authors: Larrain Marina Isla , Demichelis Sandra , Crespo Marina , Lacunza Ezequiel , Barbera Alberto , Cretón Aldo , Terrier Francisco , Segal-Eiras Amada , Croce María Virginia 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackgroundIn cancer patients, MUC1 glycoprotein may carry Lewis y which could be involved in immune response. Purposes: 1- to evaluate the presence of Lewis y and MUC1 in circulating immune complexes (Lewis y/CIC and MUC1/CIC, respectively) and their correlation; 2- to analyze the possible presence of Lewis y in carbohydrate chains of tumoral MUC1 glycoprotein and 3- to correlate serum and tissue parameters considered.MethodsPretreatment serum and tissue breast samples from 76 adenocarcinoma, 34 benign and 36 normal specimens were analyzed. Anti-MUC1 and anti-Lewis y MAbs were employed. To detect Lewis y/CIC and MUC1/CIC, ELISA tests were developed; serum samples containing MUC1 were previously selected by Cancer Associated Serum Antigen (CASA). Immunoprecipitation (IP) was performed in 9 malignant, benign and normal samples and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Lewis y and MUC1 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Statistical analysis was performed employing principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA, Tukey HSD, Chi square test and classical correlation (p < 0.05).ResultsBy ELISA, Lewis y/IgM/CIC levels showed statistically significant differences between breast cancer versus benign and normal samples; mean ± SD values expressed in OD units were: 0.525 ± 0.304; 0.968 ± 0.482 and 0.928 ± 0.447, for breast cancer, benign disease and normal samples, respectively, p < 0.05. Lewis y/IgG/CIC did not show any statistically significant difference. MUC1/IgM/CIC correlated with Lewis y/IgM/CIC. By CASA, 9 samples with MUC1 values above the cut off were selected and IP was performed, followed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot; bands at 200 kDa were obtained with each MAb in all the samples. By IHC, with C14 MAb, 47.5%, 31% and 35% of malignant, benign and normal samples, respectively, showed positive reaction while all the samples were positive with anti-MUC1 MAb; in both cases, with a different pattern of expression between malignant and non malignant samples.ConclusionOur findings support that in breast cancer there was a limited humoral immune response through Lewis y/IgM/CIC levels detection which correlated with MUC1/IgM/CIC. We also found that Lewis y might be part of circulating MUC1 glycoform structure and also that Lewis y/CIC did not correlate with Lewis y expression.
The adhesive delivery system of viscous capture threads spun by orb-weaving spiders
Authors: Opell Brent D. , Hendricks Mary L. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARY
The sticky viscous capture threads in araneoid orb-webs are responsible for retaining insects that strike these webs. We used features of 16 species'threads and the stickiness that they expressed on contact plates of four widths to model their adhesive delivery systems. Our results confirm that droplets at the edges of thread contact contribute the greatest adhesion, with each successively interior droplet contributing only 0.70 as much adhesion. Thus, regardless of the size and spacing of a thread's large primary droplets,little adhesion accrues beyond a span of 20 droplets. From this pattern we computed effective droplet number (EDN), an index that describes the total droplet equivalents that contribute to the stickiness of thread spans. EDN makes the greatest positive contribution to thread stickiness, followed by an index of the shape and size of primary droplets, and the volume of small secondary droplets. The proportion of water in droplets makes the single greatest negative contribution to thread stickiness, followed by a thread's extensibility, and the area of flattened droplets. Although highly significant, this six-variable model failed to convincingly describe the stickiness of six species, a problem resolved when species were assigned to three groups and a separate model was constructed for each. These models place different weights on the variables and, in some cases, reverse or exclude the contribution of a variable. Differences in threads may adapt them to particular habitats, web architectures or prey types, or they may be shaped by a species' phylogeny or metabolic capabilities.