bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered arachidonic acid metabolism via COX‐1 and COX‐2 contributes to the endothelial dysfunction of penile arteries from obese Zucker rats
Authors: Sánchez A , Contreras C , Villalba N , Martínez P , Martínez AC , Bríones A , Salaíces M , García‐Sacristán A , Hernández M , Prieto D 
Published: January 2010

Background and purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism via cyclooxygenase (COX) in the endothelial dysfunction of penile arteries from pre‐diabetic, obese Zucker rats (OZR).Experimental approach: Penile arteries from OZR and from lean Zucker rats (LZR) were mounted in microvascular myographs to assess vascular function and COX expression was determined by immunohistochemistry.Key results: Acetylcholine (ACh) and AA elicited relaxations that were impaired in arteries from OZR. Inhibition of both COX‐1 and COX‐2 reduced the relaxant effects of ACh and AA in LZR but not in OZR. Inhibitors of COX‐1 and of the TXA2/PGH2(TP) receptor enhanced the relaxations induced by AA in both LZR and OZR, whereas COX‐2 inhibition enhanced these responses only in OZR. TP receptor blockade did not restore ACh relaxant responses in arteries from OZR. Inhibition of COX‐1 increased basal tension in OZR and this contraction was blunted by TP receptor blockade. The vasoconstrictor responses to noradrenaline were augmented by indomethacin and by COX‐2 inhibition in LZR but not in OZR. Immunohistochemical staining showed that both COX‐1 and COX‐2 are expressed in the endothelium of penile arteries from both LZR and OZR.Conclusions and implications: Vasoactive prostanoids were formed via constitutively active COX‐1 and COX‐2 pathways in normal rat penile arteries. Under conditions of insulin resistance, the release and/or effects of vasodilator prostanoids were impaired, contributing to the blunted endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation and to the enhanced vasoconstriction.
Improved mouse models for the study of treatment modalities for immune‐mediated platelet destruction
Authors: Katsman Yulia , Foo Alison H. , Leontyev Danila , Branch Donald R. 
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND: We found when using a mouse model of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) that platelet (PLT) nadir could not be maintained in the face of daily PLT antibody, making interpretation of treatment modalities difficult. This finding was documented to be at least in part due to increased thrombopoiesis as a result of a compensated thrombocytolytic state. Thus, it was important to develop an improved mouse model of human ITP so as to maintain PLT nadir over time.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To maintain PLT nadir, we have developed two mouse models. One model uses single‐dose sublethal total body gamma irradiation (TBI) in combination with daily low‐dose PLT antibody administration while the second model uses escalation of the dose of PLT antibody over time. Both models maintain PLT nadir and allow for the study of treatment modalities without interference by marrow compensation.RESULTS: Surprisingly, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) shows no efficacy when using the TBI combination model but works well using the dose‐escalation mouse model. In contrast, anti‐TER‐119 shows efficacy using either mouse model. Our results indicate that the mechanism of action of IVIG requires a functional marrow and/or involves a radiosensitive regulatory cell. However, IVIG works using the dose‐escalation model without TBI and the increase in PLT counts correlates directly with reticulated PLTs suggesting that the IVIG mechanism involves effects on megakaryopoiesis/thrombopoiesis.CONCLUSIONS: These mouse models should be useful for investigators wishing to maintain PLT nadir over prolonged periods of time for the study of mechanism and efficacy of various treatments for ITP.
Human herpesvirus 8 genomes and seroprevalence in United States blood donors
Authors: Qu Lirong , Jenkins Frank , Triulzi Darrell J. 
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) is a gamma‐herpesvirus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma. The prevalence of HHV‐8 genomes in US blood donors has not been systemically studied.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A sensitive and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to detect HHV‐8 DNA from purified CD19+ B lymphocytes from randomly selected US whole blood donors. Cellular target for the GAPDH gene was used to quantify cell‐equivalent DNA. HHV‐8 PCR was run in duplicate for each donor specimen along with an HHV‐8 genomic copy standard. HHV‐8 antibodies were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay.RESULTS: Specimens were obtained from 962 blood donors. DNA from more than 3 × 105 B‐cell equivalents were obtained from 684 donors. No HHV‐8 DNA was detected from any of the blood donor specimens. For the 684 donors, HHV‐8 genomes were not detected in the DNA equivalent of 3 × 105 to 6 × 105 CD19+ B cells with real‐time PCR, which has a detection limit of eight copies (95% confidence interval, 0‐3/684). Negative results from the remaining 220 donors were potentially confounded by insufficient input DNA into the PCR procedures. Antibodies to HHV‐8 were detected in 7.3% (70/962) of the donors. HHV‐8 genomes were not detected from 40 of 70 HHV‐8–seropositive donor B‐cell DNA samples.CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the prevalence of detectable HHV‐8 genomes in healthy blood donors is very low.
Feasibility study of a screening assay that identifies the abnormal prion protein PrPTSE in plasma: initial results with 20,000 samples
Authors: Guntz Philippe , Walter Christine , Schosseler Patricia , Morel Pascal , Coste Joliette , Cazenave Jean‐Pierre 
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND: It is likely that transmission of variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (vCJD) occurs by transfusion and that the candidate infectious agent (PrPTSE) is present in small concentrations in the blood of infected donors in the asymptomatic phase of the disease. A new blood screening assay has been developed to detect PrPTSE in citrated plasma samples.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three regional Blood Transfusion Establishments (ETS) in France (ETS Alsace, ETS Bourgogne Franche‐Comté, and ETS Pyrénées‐Méditerranée) will screen 60,000 plasma samples (20,000 in each ETS) over a time period of approximately 9 to 12 months.RESULTS: Results provided in this report are those of the first testing site in Strasbourg, Alsace. The preliminary results have demonstrated an initial specificity of 97.60%. Upon repeat testing the specificity rate achieved 99.90% (20 repeat‐positive samples). Based on the known epidemiology of vCJD in France, it is likely that the repeat‐reactive samples are not true‐positives.CONCLUSION: The screening assay was studied in terms of specificity and practicality and was found to be suitable for use in routine testing of blood donations. However, throughput must be enhanced by automation of the assay, and traceability would be improved if automated systems were used to distribute and identify samples.
High antibody level: an accurate serologic marker of viremia in asymptomatic people with hepatitis C infection
Authors: Contreras Ana M. , Ochoa‐Jiménez Rodolfo J. , Celis Alfredo , Méndez Claudia , Olivares Laura , Rebolledo Claudia E. , Hernandez‐Lugo Isabel , Aguirre‐Zavala Ana I. , Jiménez‐Méndez Ricardo , Chung Raymond T. 
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:The screening and diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is initiated by testing for antibody to HCV (anti‐HCV). A positive anti‐HCV test in blood donors represents ongoing infection in only a variable proportion of individuals. Because a high anti‐HCV level has been associated with viremia, a study was conducted to determine whether a high antibody level is an accurate serologic marker for viremia in asymptomatic anti‐HCV–positive persons.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:In a diagnostic test study, we included 856 anti‐HCV–positive blood donors in a blood bank at Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, between 2002 and 2007. A third‐generation amplified chemiluminescence assay (ChLIA HCV) was used to detect anti‐HCV. A positive result of the qualitative nucleic acid test (HCV RNA) was considered the gold standard for viremia.RESULTS:By receiver operating characteristic analysis, the signal‐to‐cutoff (S/CO) ratio of 20 or more was chosen as optimal to identify viremia and so was defined as high anti‐HCV level. There was a significant difference in the proportion of viremia between subjects with high antibody level and those with lower levels (93.7% vs. 1.8%, respectively; p < 0.001). A high antibody level showed a sensitivity for viremia of 96.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.8%‐98.1%), a specificity of 96.6%(95% CI, 94.8%‐97.8%), and a likelihood ratio of 28.6 (95% CI, 18.4%‐44.6%).CONCLUSION:A high antibody level (S/CO ratio ≥20 by ChLIA HCV) clearly divides the viremic from the nonviremic blood donors and functions as an accurate serologic marker to guide the use of routine HCV RNA testing to confirm hepatitis C infection.
DIIIa and DIII Type 5 are encoded by the same allele and are associated with altered RHCE*ce alleles: clinical implications
Authors: Westhoff Connie M. , Vege Sunitha , Halter‐Hipsky Christine , Whorley Trina , Hue‐Roye Kim , Lomas‐Francis Christine , Reid Marion E. 
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND: The partial D phenotype DIIIa was originally reported to be associated with 455A>C in Exon 3, 602C>G in Exon 4, and 667T>G in Exon 5. Other alleles with these changes were subsequently identified and designated DIII Types 5, 6, and 7, as they had additional alterations. The observation that DNA samples associated with the DIIIa phenotype had more changes than those originally reported motivated us to reanalyze the DIIIa probands (BP and DJ) from the original study. We also studied additional DIIIa samples to clarify the RHD background and establish the associated RHCE.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Hemagglutination testing was performed by standard methods. RHD and RHCE were analyzed by combinations of polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism, exon‐specific sequencing, cloning, or direct sequencing of Rh‐cDNAs.RESULTS: The RHD alleles from BP, DJ, and 58 additional DIIIa samples had the three reported nucleotide changes as well as 186G>T, 410C>T, and 819G>A. The DIIIa allele was associated with several altered RHCE*ce‐alleles, the prominent one being ceS (48C, 733G, 1006T).CONCLUSION: The DIIIa phenotype is associated with six RHD changes, five of which encode amino acid changes, and partial DIIIa and DIII Type 5 are encoded by the same RHD allele. In all samples, RHD*DIIIa was inherited with altered RHCE*ce. Patients with partial DIIIa are at risk for production of alloanti‐D, but they are also at risk for alloanti‐e, ‐c, or antibodies to high‐prevalence Rh antigens if there is no conventional RHCE*ce in trans. Among 39 patients studied, 16 had alloanti‐D and 27 had alloanti‐e or anti‐hrB.
Women's Livelihoods, Global Markets and Citizenship
Authors: Thekkudan Julie , Tandon Rajesh 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe underlying assumption of the economic integration epitomised by globalisation was that it would lead to greater economic participation and an enhancement of livelihood opportunities, which in turn would have positive impacts on citizens and their practice of citizenship. This integration would open new spaces and create new mechanisms for interaction between various actors in governance processes. Economic participation in the global economy manifests in two principal ways: the export of local products for global marketing through multinational corporations (MNCs), or the local marketing of goods that are globally produced by MNCs. Both models have the potential to increase livelihood opportunities for the poor and those hitherto excluded from the market. If the second model is followed, what avenues for market integration might create more sustainable livelihoods for rural women? Can this model provide a sustainable source of income for such women? As rural women are integrated into global markets, what are the implications for their identities? Do they see themselves as an integral part of the global marketplace, with important links to the global economy? Or do they continue to maintain local, regional or maybe national identities? When these women claim rights, to whom do they turn? Do they ask governments to mediate on their behalf? Do they consider the medium of their integration, the MNCs, as their obligator? What kinds of organising efforts evolve for such claim‐making purposes? This paper attempts to answer these questions through an analysis of Project Shakti, an initiative of Hindustan Unilever Limited, promoted by the Indian government.
University Natural History Museums: The Public Education Mission
Authors: Macfadden Bruce J. , Camp Betty Dunckel 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTUniversity‐based natural history museums are specialized cultural institutions that serve diverse constituencies. On one hand, these museums promote scientific research and collections through the work of curators and students and must advance the universities' missions. On the other hand, they must provide exhibition and public programs for the local community, or if they are a state museum, serve the citizens of the entire state through these activities. The challenge for university‐based natural history museums is to achieve a balance among their activities and services, given available resources. In the twenty‐first century, university natural history museums must further adapt by promoting social awareness of topics such as biodiversity and fostering learning in informal and formal settings. The Florida Museum of Natural History, an official State museum located at the University of Florida, is a prime example of a comprehensive university museum with a broad spectrum of programs that promote and enhance learning activities.
Coming of Age: A National Study of Adult Museum Programs
Authors: Sachatello‐Sawyer Bonnie , Fellenz Robert 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThe Education Department at the Museum of the Rockies and the Kellogg Center for Adult Learning Research at Montana State University conducted a national study of adult museum programs from 1996–1999. A total of 508 adult program participants, 75 instructors, and 143 planners of adult programs in museums were interviewed either via telephone or in person. The study sought to answer three questions: (1) From participants' perspectives, what constitutes an excellent museum program for adults? (2) What teaching strategies are employed in successful and innovative museum programs? and (3) Does the informal learning environment of a museum offer anything unique to the adult learning experience? This research effort is one example of how university museums advance our understanding of informal education theory and its application to practice.
Categorizing Urban Tasks: Functions of Museums In the Post‐Industrial City
Authors: Kirchberg Volker 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThis article is a result of a comprehensive and international literature review of corresponding sociological and urban studies publications on functions of museums in a city. A two‐dimensional taxonomy of functions is presented. In the first dimension, cities are considered in physical space (here labeled as Firstspace), mental space (Secondspace), and political space (Thirdspace). In the second dimension, museum functions are dichotomized in manifest functions that are intended and openly propagated, and latent functions that are hidden from the public and often unintended. This article will list examples for museum functions in First‐, Second‐, and Thirdspace from Europe and America. Museums shape cities, and are themselves shaped by cities in multiple ways.
CULTURE and culture at the Royal Ontario Museum: Anthropology Meets Marketing, Part 1
Authors: McCracken Grant 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThe museum in the contemporary era imports from the nineteenth century a venerable idea: that the first responsibility of a public art museum is to enlighten and improve its visitors, morally, socially, and politically. Yet visitors often seem to have arrived from another planet, bringing with them their own cultural meanings and agendas. A series of two articles presents ethnographic data, anthropological analysis, and a marketing perspective to suggest why the visitors' points of view may seem vertiginously strange to museum personnel. This article, Part One, characterizes the conflict between host and guest as the outcome of two competing models of culture: “preferment” and “transformation.” In a subsequent issue ofCurator, Part Two will examine the influence of consumer culture on these models, and offer strategies for rapprochement.
Museums and Indigenous People in Australia: A Review of Previous Possessions, New Obligations: Policies for Museums in Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Authors: Sullivan Tim , Kelly Lynda , Gordon Phil 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTPrevious Possessions, New Obligations was launched by Museums Australia Inc. in 1993, the International Year for the World's Indigenous People, as a policy framework to guide the development of relationships between museums in Australia and Indigenous Australians. The policy was based on consultation with Indigenous people to develop protocols, policies and procedures for more sensitive collection management and for including Indigenous people in research and public programs; and to address issues of governance. It expressed the values that would underpin new relationships between museums in Australia and Indigenous Australians.An evaluation of the policy was conducted in 2000 in a collaboration between the Australian Museum Audience Research Centre, Sydney, and Museums Australia Inc., Canberra. The evaluation found that the policy had substantially met its goals, particularly in establishing the primary rights of Indigenous people to control their cultural material in museum collections. However, a range of substantially new issues emerged which require new policy responses and initiatives.
Gaining Visitor Consent for Research II: Improving the Posted‐Sign Method
Authors: Gutwill Joshua P. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTOne method for studying visitors in museums is to audiotape their conversations while videotaping their behavior. Many researchers inform visitors of such recordings by posting signs in the areas under scrutiny. An earlier study tested the assumption that visitors notice, read, and understand such posted signs (Gutwill 2003). Interviews revealed that 75 percent of visitors leaving a recording area had read and understood the signs. The current article describes our attempt to increase this percentage by placing additional signs on the exhibit elements being used, as well as on the camera itself. Interviews of 200 adult visitors found that 99 percent of them knew they had been recorded. We provide details of the improved method for posting signs to inform visitors of recordings.
Interpreting Apartheid: Visitors' Perceptions of the District Six Museum
Authors: Ballantyne Roy 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper builds on and extends the conceptualization of “hot” interpretation (Ballantyne and Uzzell 1993) by presenting empirical data regarding visitors' perceptions of the District Six Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. The study examines visitors' reasons for visiting, expectations of the visit, responses to the visit, and suggestions for change, in relation to the differing needs of previous residents, local and international visitors. Results of the study are discussed in terms of the need to facilitate connections between interpretive content and visitors' previous experiences and knowledge. The paper considers issues of hot interpretation when a community museum increasingly attracts national and international visitors.
Curatorship as Social Practice
Authors: Kreps Christina 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThis article examines changes that have been taking place in the museum world over the past several decades—changes that have been transforming the social practice of curatorship in museums. We are seeing the emergence of more holistic, integrated and culturally relative approaches to curatorial work that acknowledge the relationships among objects, people, and society, and explore these relationships in social and cultural contexts. Through cross‐cultural comparison, curating can be seen as a form of social practice linked to specific kinds of relationships between people and objects as well as to wider social structures and contexts. This approach allows us to transcend debates over whether or not museums and curatorial work should be either object‐ or people‐focused. One approach cannot be separated from the other.
Strategies for the Curiosity‐Driven Museum Visitor
Authors: Rounds Jay 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTTracking studies show that museum visitors typically view only 20 to 40 percent of an exhibition. Current literature states that this partial use sub‐optimizes the educational benefit gained by the visitor, and that skilled visitors view an exhibition comprehensively and systematically. Contrary to that viewpoint, this paper argues that partial use of exhibitions is an intelligent and effective strategy for the visitor whose goal is to have curiosity piqued and satisfied. By using analytical approaches derived from “optimal foraging theory” in ecology, this paper demonstrates that the curiosity‐driven visitor seeks to maximize the Total Interest Value of his or her museum visit. Such visitors use a set of simple heuristics to find and focus attention only on exhibit elements with high interest value and low search costs. Their selective use of exhibit elements results in greater achievement of their own goals than would be gained by using the exhibition comprehensively.
The Making of “America on the Move” at the National Museum of American History
Authors: Lubar Steven 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis case study examines the curatorial challenges of producing a very large exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History from 1999 to 2003. This is an insider's look at how a cross‐functional exhibition team worked to produce a compelling new exhibition. Among the issues addressed are: development of a theme; choice and use of artifacts; presentation organization and techniques; issues of truth, authenticity and accuracy in history exhibitions; and practical issues of exhibition team organization and contract management.
Robert Kidston (1852–1924): biography of a Scottish palaeobotanist
Authors: Thomson Christine A. , Wilkinson Ian P. 
Published: January 2010

Synopsis
This brief biography summarizes the life of Scots-born Robert Kidston (1852–1924), who was arguably the best and most influential palaeobotanist of his day. In over 180 scientific papers he laid the foundations for a modern understanding of the taxonomy and palaeobiology of Devonian and Carboniferous plants. His expertise was critical to the research and curation of the Geological Survey and British Museum (Natural History) and excavations of Glasgow's Fossil Grove introduced the great Carboniferous forests into the public imagination. Despite their age, his meticulously documented collections of slides (deposited in the Botany collection University of Glasgow) and hand specimens and notebooks (deposited in the collections of the British Geological Survey, Nottingham) provide a wealth of important scientific data with modern applications in plant taxonomy, biostratigraphy and palaeoclimatic reconstruction.