bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Boundaries of Anthropology: Empirics and Ontological Relativism in a Field Experience with Anomalous Luminous Entities in Argentina
Authors: ESCOLAR DIEGO 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYExperiences that do not fit within the perspective of what is “real” for anthropologists are systematically excluded from ethnographic analysis, in spite of the teachings of relativism. Even so, I approach the following event as an ethnographic report. It happened on February 21, 1998, when I was on a research field trip with Huarpe native muleteers in Argentina. During that trip I experienced certain prolonged interactions with anomalous luminous entities. In this article we face the radical problem of ontological relativism and how it is concerned with the definition of ethnographic objectivity as well as the consequences for the boundaries of anthropology.
The Language of Calling and Assignation in Academic Anthropological Careers: 1950–90
Authors: LOEWEN GREGORY V. 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYOver a ten‐year period, some 40 anthropologists were studied with regard to their sense of vocation in their disciplinary careers. Through interview and other qualitative methods, anthropologists in three countries and from two generations revealed their sources of purpose and passion. The goal of this study was to explicate the nature of their choice of profession, specifically, anthropology as a scientific and intellectual assignation. Why this career, and why these persons, how have they inherited and reproduced, or altered, the discipline and what are the implications for academic professionalization in general, were some of the salient questions involved? Meaning was accrued to life by both being outside of the normative definitions of professional career as well as being marginal to the intellectual discourse and academic community. It was also found that anthropologists' lives often mimicked their ideas of the lives of those they studied in non‐Western contexts.
Tasting Earth: Healing, Resistance Knowledge, and the Challenge to Dominion
Authors: MARSHALL WENDE ELIZABETH 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYThis article explores an indigenous Hawaiian perspective on health that accords nature the status of healing agent. It reemerged in the Native Hawaiian decolonization struggle of the 1990s where it provided an explicit critique of Western sociocultural and political–economic forces, particularly of the effects these had on the bodies and souls of the colonized and neocolonized Hawaiians. This understanding of healing derives from the ancestors of present‐day indigenous Hawaiians, as well as from the enduring ways of knowing and being that survives the onslaught of colonial power. Lying at the core of such understandings—expressed through the Polynesian principle of mana—are ideas about the interdependency between human beings and the earth. Thus, this article asks, how does mana become a basis for resistance? Can it be best understood by contrast to the Judeo‐Christian‐Islamic theology of dominion? While mana stresses interconnectedness with, love for, and dependence on nature, the biblical text (of Genesis 1:28) posits, in contrast, the separateness from and dominance over nature—a theology at the root of the 20th century, which this article concludes amounts to a politics of human dispossession and environmental degradation.
Development of ethical practices and social responsibility in dental education at the university of Chile: student and faculty perceptions
Authors: Alcota M. , Ruiz de Gauna P. , González F. E. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe authors argue that dental curricula in Latin America are noted for providing highly technical and individualistic training that may fail to address society's problems or instil in the dentist the idea that he/she has a social responsibility to contribute to his/her community.ObjectivesThis study's main objectives were to determine whether the curriculum and the faculty teaching practices of the School of Dentistry at the University of Chile contribute to its students' commitment to ethical and social responsibility.MethodsThis was a qualitative study that investigated the perceptions of sixteen subjects (eight students and eight faculty members). Data were collected in thorough deep interviews. The interview process model conceptualised and organised the information into sets of dimensions and categories. The dimensions studied were ethical commitment and social responsibility. The categories assessed within ethical commitment were honesty, tolerance, responsibility and respect. In the social responsibility dimension, the categories were solidarity, teamwork and concern for and communication with the patient. Analysis of the textual data was performed using a method of content analysis based upon constructed qualitative matrices.ResultsOur results show that students and scholars alike realise that ethical commitment and a sense of social responsibility are not promoted in the curriculum. They do, however, recognise the importance of these qualities in dental practitioners.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the current curriculum and teaching practices used in our School of Dentistry need to be reviewed and that programmes promoting professionals' commitment to their role in society need to be implemented.
Bortezomib/dexamethasone followed by autologous stem cell transplantation as front line treatment for light‐chain deposition disease
Authors: Tovar Natalia , Cibeira Ma Teresa , Rosiñol Laura , Solé Manel , de Larrea Carlos Fernández , Escoda Lourdes , Rovira Montserrat , Bladé Joan 
Published: June 2012

AbstractLimited data has been published on the treatment results in patients with light‐chain deposition disease (LCDD). Whenever possible, high‐dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been the first treatment option, achieving somehow better results than conventional therapy. However, and based on the promising results obtained by treating patients with light‐chain amyloidosis with bortezomib/dexamethasone, new treatment options appear in LCDD. Herein, we describe three patients with LCDD treated with bortezomib/dexamethasone followed by high‐dose melphalan and autologous transplantation. We believe that this new approach should be the treatment of choice in this disease. In addition, those patients achieving hematologic complete response after ASCT could benefit from a kidney transplant if the renal impairment requiring dialysis persists.
Artificial membranes as models in penetration investigations
Authors: Krulikowska M. , Arct J. , Lucova M. , Cetner B. , Majewski S. 
Published: June 2012

Background/aimsIn vitro methods used in the research of transepidermal transport of active substances generally rely on the penetration rate of test compounds through standard membranes. Models typically used in penetration experiments are specially prepared human or animal skin samples or synthetic membranes.The objective of this study was to establish if the test results for an artificial liposome membrane can be extrapolated to determine the actual bioavailability of active substances.MethodsTests were conducted in a side‐by‐side diffusion cell. As model membranes, a liquid‐crystal lipid membrane (LM), phospholipid membrane (PM) and pig skin sample were used. The test compounds were eight synthetic dyes used in hair colouring products.Results/ConclusionResearch findings reveal that membranes composed of lipids, identical to those present in the epidermis and forming analogical liquid‐crystal structures provide a close approximation of the actual bioavailability of active substances (correlation between the results obtained for pig skin and LM was significant: R = 0.95 and R = 0.93 in the presence of a 1% Sodium dodecyl sulphate in donor system). Unlike biological membranes, intercellular cement does not contain phospholipids. The observed correlation between penetration coefficients through the PM and pig skin was not significant (R = 0.82). The experiments confirm that the PM constitutes a less credible model for the studies of transepidermal transport in real life conditions.
The first measurement of temperature standard deviation along the line of sight in galaxy clusters
Authors: Prokhorov D. A. , Colafrancesco S. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Clusters of galaxies are mainly formed by merging of smaller structures, according to the standard cosmological scenario. If the mass of a substructure is ≳10 per cent of that of a galaxy cluster, the temperature distribution of the intracluster medium (ICM) in a merging cluster becomes inhomogeneous. Various methods have been used to derive the two-dimensional projected temperature distribution of the ICM. However, methods for studying temperature distribution along the line of sight through the cluster were absent. In this Letter, we present the first measurement of the temperature standard deviation along the line of sight, using as a reference case the multifrequency Sunyaev—Zel'dovich measurements of the Bullet Cluster. We find that the value of the temperature standard deviation is high and equals to (10.6 ± 3.8) keV in the Bullet Cluster. This result shows that the temperature distribution in the Bullet Cluster is strongly inhomogeneous along the line of sight and provides a new method for studying galaxy clusters in depth.
An Isoquinoline Alkaloid, Berberine, Can Inhibit Fungal Alpha Amylase: Enzyme Kinetic and Molecular Modeling Studies
Authors: Tintu Ignatius , Dileep Kalarickal V , Augustine Anu , Sadasivan Chittalakkottu 
Published: June 2012

Aspergillus flavus is a commonly found fungal pathogen, which produces aflatoxins, highly toxic and hepatocarcinogenic natural compounds. Inhibition of fungal alpha amylase activity has been found to limit the ability of the fungus to produce aflatoxins. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid commonly found in many medicinal plants, was identified to inhibit the growth of A. flavus. The amount of berberine required to inhibit the fungal mycelial growth was determined. The compound was also found to inhibit the alpha amylase from the A. flavus. The binding affinity of the compound toward alpha amylase and the enzyme inhibitory activity have been determined by enzyme kinetic studies and Isothermal Titration Calorimetric analysis. Molecular modeling and docking studies were carried out to understand the enzyme–ligand interactions.
Alteration in TRPV1 and Muscarinic (M3) receptor expression and function in idiopathic overactive bladder urothelial cells
Authors: Birder L. A. , Wolf‐Johnston A. S. , Sun Y. , Chai T. C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimTo examine function of both cholinergic (muscarinic) and TRPV1 receptors in human bladder urothelial (HBUC) from non‐neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) patients as compared to control subjects.MethodsPrimary HBUC cultures were derived from cystoscopic biopsies from OAB and control subjects. Muscarinic and TRPV1 function was assessed by acetylcholine (5 μm) or capsaicin (0.5 μm) evoked ATP release, measured by luciferase assay. Overall, expression of TRPV1 and muscarinic M3 receptors in bladder urothelial cells was accomplished using western immunoblotting.ResultsOur findings revealed that the response to acetylcholine in OAB HBUC cultures (which was blocked by the nonselective muscarinic antagonist, atropine methyl nitrate or AMN) was not significantly different than from controls. The acetylcholine M3 receptor was slightly decreased as compared to control. In contrast, OAB HBUC cultures exhibited a capsaicin hypersensitivity and augmented release of ATP (3.2 fold higher), which was blocked by the antagonist capsazepine. The increase in capsaicin sensitivity correlated with increased urothelial TRPV1 expression.ConclusionThough characterized in a small number of subjects, augmented release of urothelial‐derived transmitters such as ATP could ‘amplify’ signalling between and within urothelial cells and nearby afferent nerves.
FKBP12.6 overexpression does not protect against remodelling after myocardial infarction
Authors: Bito Virginie , Biesmans Liesbeth , Gellen Barnabas , Antoons Gudrun , Macquaide Niall , Rouet‐Benzineb Patricia , Pezet Mylène , Mercadier Jean‐Jacques , Sipido Karin R. 
Published: June 2012

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?There is a lot of controversy about the potential benefit of targeting the ryanodine receptor (RyR) to reduce cardiac remodelling. In the present study, we use a mouse model with conditional FKBP 12.6 overexpression and we examine post‐myocardial infarction (MI) remodelling. In our study, we show that reduction of RyR open probability by this approach is insufficient to prevent and reduce post‐MI remodelling.
What is the main finding and its importance?Conditional and cardiospecific overexpression of FKBP12.6 reduces open probability of RyR, with maintained normal baseline function and morphology.Reduction of RyR open probability by this approach is insufficient to prevent and reduce post‐MI remodelling.Additional pathways may need to be targeted to prevent post‐MI remodelling.
Reducing the open probability of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) has been proposed to have beneficial effects in heart failure. We investigated whether conditional FKBP12.6 overexpression at the time of myocardial infarction (MI) could improve cardiac remodelling and cell Ca2+ handling. Wild‐type (WT) mice and mice overexpressing FKBP12.6 (Tg) were studied on average 7.5 ± 0.2 weeks after MI and compared with sham‐operated mice for in vivo, myocyte function and remodelling. At baseline, unloaded cell shortening in Tg was not different from WT. The [Ca2+]i transient amplitude was similar, but sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content was larger in Tg, suggesting reduced fractional release. Spontaneous spark frequency was similar despite the increased SR Ca2+ content, consistent with a reduced RyR channel open probability in Tg. After MI, left ventricular dilatation and myocyte hypertrophy were present in both groups, but more pronounced in Tg. Cell shortening amplitude was unchanged with MI in WT, but increased with MI in Tg. The amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient was not affected by MI in either genotype, but time to peak was increased; this was most pronounced in Tg. The SR Ca2+ content and Na+— Ca2+ exchanger function were not affected by MI. Spontaneous spark frequency was increased significantly after MI in Tg, and larger than in WT (at 4 Hz, 2.6 ± 0.4 sparks (100 μm)−1 s−1 in Tg MI versus 1.6 ± 0.2 sparks (100 μm)−1 s−1 in WT MI; P < 0.05). We conclude that FKPB12.6 overexpression can effectively reduce RyR open probability with maintained cardiomyocyte contraction. However, this approach appears insufficient to prevent and reduce post‐MI remodelling, indicating that additional pathways may need to be targeted.
A role for ATP in bronchoconstriction‐induced activation of guinea pig vagal intrapulmonary C‐fibres
Authors: Weigand Letitia A. , Ford Anthony P. , Undem Bradley J. 
Published: June 2012

Key points
Activation of bronchopulmonary C‐fibres can lead to parasympathetic reflex bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion, as well as sensations of dyspnea and urge‐to‐cough.
We show here that a subset of bronchopulmonary C‐fibres innervating the airways is stimulated when airways are exposed to either histamine or methacholine.
We provide evidence that supports the hypothesis that the C‐fibre activation is secondary to bronchoconstriction and the consequential release of ATP. It is the released ATP that then stimulates the C‐fibres.
This provides a mechanism by which bronchoconstriction itself can lead to certain sensations, as well as parasympathetic reflexes. Dysregulation of this process could contribute to symptoms of airway inflammatory diseases
Abstract  Activation of vagal afferent sensory C‐fibres in the lungs leads to reflex responses that produce many of the symptoms associated with airway allergy. There are two subtypes of respiratory C‐fibres whose cell bodies reside within two distinct ganglia, the nodose and jugular, and whose properties allow for differing responses to stimuli. We here used extracellular recording of action potentials in an ex vivo isolated, perfused lung‐nerve preparation to study the electrical activity of nodose C‐fibres in response to bronchoconstriction. We found that treatment with both histamine and methacholine caused strong increases in tracheal perfusion pressure that were accompanied by action potential discharge in nodose, but not in jugular C‐fibres. Both the increase in tracheal perfusion pressure and action potential discharge in response to histamine were significantly reduced by functionally antagonizing the smooth muscle contraction with isoproterenol, or by blocking myosin light chain kinase with ML‐7. We further found that pretreatment with AF‐353 or 2’,3’‐O‐(2,4,6‐Trinitrophenyl)‐adenosine‐5’‐triphosphate (TNP‐ATP), structurally distinct P2X3 and P2X2/3 purinoceptor antagonists, blocked the bronchoconstriction‐induced nodose C‐fibre discharge. Likewise, treatment with the ATPase apyrase, in the presence of the adenosine A1 and A2 receptor antagonists 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) and SCH 58261, blocked the C‐fibre response to histamine, without inhibiting the bronchoconstriction. These results suggest that ATP released within the tissues in response to bronchoconstriction plays a pivotal role in the mechanical activation of nodose C‐fibres.
Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus epidermidis Clinical Isolates from U.S. Hospitals
Authors: Mendes Rodrigo E. , Deshpande Lalitagauri M. , Costello Andrew J. , Farrell David J. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

The epidemiology of
Staphylococcus epidermidis
in U.S. hospitals remains limited. This study aimed to address the genetic backgrounds of linezolid-susceptible and -resistant
S. epidermidis
strains (isolated in 2010), including
cfr
-carrying strains. In addition, the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and linezolid resistance mechanisms among clonal lineages were assessed. A total of 71
S. epidermidis
isolates were selected, and linezolid-resistant strains were screened for
cfr
and mutations in 23S rRNA, L3, and L4. All isolates were subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and the results were analyzed by eBURST. Overall, 27 sequence types (STs) were detected, and ST5 (21.1%) and ST2 (16.9%) predominated. The majority (62/71; 87.3%) of STs belonged to clonal complex 2 (CC2), which was mostly comprised of subclusters CC2-II (41/62; 66.1%) and CC2-I (21/62; 33.9%). Other STs were grouped within CC23 or CC32 or were singletons. CC2-I strains were more likely to display a methicillin (95.2% versus 33.3 to 70.7%), a linezolid (47.6% versus 0.0 to 7.3%), or a multidrug (81.0% versus 33.3 to 36.6%) resistance phenotype. Among linezolid-resistant isolates,
cfr
was noted only within CC2 strains, and it was detected equally in the CC2-I (3/10; 30.0%) and CC2-II (1/3; 33.3%) subclusters. 23S rRNA mutations (G2576 [seven strains] and C2534 [one strain]) were observed only among CC2-I (8/10; 80.0%) isolates. Strains showing a G2576 alteration also had M156 (7/7; 100.0%) and/or H146 (6/7; 85.7%) L3 modifications. This study provides an overview of the
S. epidermidis
clonal distribution and reports higher resistance rates among CC2-I strains. The results show that
cfr
may be acquired and expressed by both CC2 main subclusters, while 23S rRNA mutations appeared more often within CC2-I strains. Interestingly, these 23S rRNA mutants also had L3 alterations, which may act synergistically or in a compensatory manner to minimize the fitness cost while providing survival advantages under selective pressure.
AbaR4-Type Resistance Island Including the
bla
OXA-23
Gene in Acinetobacter nosocomialis Isolates
Authors: Kim Dae Hun , Choi Ji Young , Jung Sook-In , Thamlikitkul Visanu , Song Jae-Hoon , Ko Kwan Soo 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

This study reports for the first time the AbaR4-type resistance island with the
bla
OXA-23
gene in two carbapenem-resistant
A. nosocomialis
isolates from South Korea and Thailand.
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Inhibits Gamma Interferon-Induced Signaling in Bovine Monocytes: Insights into the Cellular Mechanisms of Johne's Disease
Authors: Arsenault Ryan J. , Li Yue , Bell Kelli , Doig Kimberley , Potter Andrew , Griebel Philip J. , Kusalik Anthony , Napper Scott 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisis the causative agent of Johne's disease in cattle and may have implications for human health. Establishment of chronic infection byM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisdepends on its subversion of host immune responses. This includes blocking the ability of infected macrophages to be activated by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) for clearance of this intracellular pathogen. To define the mechanism by whichM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosissubverts this critical host cell function, patterns of signal transduction to IFN-γ stimulation of uninfected andM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-infected bovine monocytes were determined through bovine-specific peptide arrays for kinome analysis. Pathway analysis of the kinome data indicated activation of the JAK-STAT pathway, a hallmark of IFN-γ signaling, in uninfected monocytes. In contrast, IFN-γ stimulation ofM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-infected monocytes failed to induce patterns of peptide phosphorylation consistent with JAK-STAT activation. The inability of IFN-γ to induce differential phosphorylation of peptides corresponding to early JAK-STAT intermediates in infected monocytes indicates thatM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisblocks responsiveness at, or near, the IFN-γ receptor. Consistent with this hypothesis, increased expression of negative regulators of the IFN-γ receptors SOCS1 and SOCS3 as well as decreased expression of IFN-γ receptor chains 1 and 2 is observed inM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-infected monocytes. These patterns of expression are functionally consistent with the kinome data and offer a mechanistic explanation for this criticalM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisbehavior. Understanding this mechanism may contribute to the rational design of more effective vaccines and/or therapeutics for Johne's disease.
Distinct Intensity of Host-Pathogen Interactions in Chlamydia psittaci- and Chlamydia abortus-Infected Chicken Embryos
Authors: Braukmann Maria , Sachse Konrad , Jacobsen Ilse D. , Westermann Martin , Menge Christian , Saluz Hans-Peter , Berndt Angela 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Factors and mechanisms determining the differences in virulence and host specificity between the zoonotic agents
Chlamydia psittaci
and
Chlamydia abortus
are still largely unknown. In the present study, two strains were compared for their invasiveness, virulence, and capability of eliciting an immune response in chicken embryos. On breeding day 10, embryonated chicken eggs were inoculated with 5 × 10
4
inclusion-forming units. As shown by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR,
C. psittaci
displayed a significantly better capability of disseminating in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and internal organs than
C. abortus
. The higher infectious potential of
C. psittaci
in birds was underlined by significantly higher mRNA expression rates of essential chlamydial genes, such as
incA
,
groEL
(in CAM, liver, and spleen),
cpaf
, and
ftsW
(in CAM). Although the immune responses to both pathogens were similar,
C. psittaci
elicited higher macrophage numbers and a stronger expression of a subset of immune-related proteins. The data imply that invasiveness of
Chlamydia
spp. and propagation in the host are not solely dependent on the level of host immune response but, even to a greater extent, on the expression of bacterial factors related to virulence. The fact that
C. psittaci
has coped far better than
C. abortus
with the avian embryo's response by upregulating essential genes may be a key to understanding the mechanisms underlying host adaptation and etiopathology.