bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is homeopathy possible?
Authors: Milgrom Lionel R 
Published: August 2006

As a therapeutic intervention, homeopathy is the target of increased scepticism because in the main, its remedies are diluted and succussed (potentized) out of material existence. This puts homeopathy seemingly at odds with the paradigm of conventional science, in particular, that atoms and molecules are the fundamental building blocks of all matter. Accordingly, homeopathy cannot work, so that any reported beneficial effects must, at best, be due to the placebo effect. The purpose of this article is to challenge that conclusion and to suggest that there may well be conventional science-based explanations of how homeopathy could be possible. Homeopathy’s key principles are first described. Then the double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT), the chief means by which homeopathic remedies and prescribing are tested, is shown to be based on a linear reductionism that is too blunt an instrument with which to test the efficacy of complex interventions such as homeopathy. The memory of water hypothesis, as a mechanism for how potentized remedies might work, is reviewed, along with some evidence for its existence. A possible rationale for the water memory effect is proposed in terms of a dynamic ‘ordering’ of water’s constantly switching network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, induced by the manufacturing process of homeopathic remedies. This could lead to a long-range molecular ‘coherence’ between trillions of mobile water molecules. However, the water memory effect is an essentially pharmacological explanation of homeopathy’s putative efficacy. It is pointed out that healing also entails an interaction between consenting beings. From this point of view, an explanation of any therapeutic procedure should include an attempt to describe the nature of the patient-practitioner interaction. From this perspective, a quantum theoretical treatment of the therapeutic process, involving a form of macro-entanglement between patient, practitioner and remedy (PPR), is advanced as another possible explanation of the homeopathy’s efficacy. This shows that the reason double-blind RCTs deliver at best only equivocal results on homeopathy’s efficacy is because it effectively breaks the PPR entangled state. A comparison is made between the entanglement-breaking effect of double-blind RCTs and the wave-function ‘collapsing’ effect of observation in orthodox quantum theory. The article concludes by suggesting that the memory of water and PPR entanglement are not competing but most likely complementary hypotheses, and that both are probably required in order to provide a complete description of the homeopathic process. While awaiting experimental evidence of these hypotheses, it is suggested that observations of clinical outcomes would be superior to RCTs for further testing homeopathy’s efficacy.
Constructing Immigrants
Authors: Park Yoosun 
Published: August 2006

Summary: This study analyzes the representations of immigrants found in three US social work periodicals published between 1882 and 1952. Beginning from Foucault’s notion of the ‘history of the present’, an approach to history which examines the past in order to illuminate a present-day problematic, and using textual analysis techniques provided by Jacques Derrida, this work of historical discourse analysis traces the discursive constructions of identity through which immigrants were problematized as particular kinds of subjects in social work discourse. Findings: The immigrant objects of social work attention - subjects subjugated through the discourse of problematization - were discursive inventions. But the differential valuations which constructed individual immigrants or whole ‘races’ of immigrants as ‘desirable’ or ‘undesirable’ were consequential markers invoking vastly unequal material consequences for those so categorized. Social workers, as significant producers of discourses of immigrants, had and do have a much greater range of influence and responsibility than that with which we were and still are wont to credit ourselves. Application: In making visible the discursive practices of the past, this paper seeks to clarify the task of present-day social workers: to uncover the margins and the limits of the discourses that construct our troubled times.
Against Confidentiality?
Authors: Clark Chris 
Published: August 2006

Summary: This paper presents a critique of the ethic of confidentiality in the personal service professions. Drawing on research in social work, medicine, psychiatry and related fields, on philosophical professional ethics and on current thinking in law, it argues that the idea of ‘confidentiality’ conflates a number of ends that are frequently in tension or incompatible. These comprise personal privacy, the safety of vulnerable individuals and the wider third party or public interest. Findings: Professionals and the interested public should not be misled by the traditional idea of confidentiality as constituting in itself a cardinal principle of professional ethics. Nevertheless, difficult conflicts of interests will still arise. It is suggested that liberal rights theory, the source of standard professional ethical codes, is inadequate to resolve these conflicts. Professional ethics needs to be complemented by a more communitarian view of private and public interests. Applications: Good practice should focus on achieving the best balance of personal privacy, the safety of vulnerable individuals and the protection of the wider public in the context of a view of society devoted to the realization of the communal good as much as to the defence of individual interests.
Identity Politics in Multiprofessional Teams
Authors: Payne Malcolm 
Published: August 2006

Summary: Post-modern and social construction views of identity creation applied to social work multiprofessional teams are exemplified by palliative care social work. They provide complex understandings that allow for ambiguities in identity creation. Findings: A personal and social self interacting create identity, emerging from social relations. Professional identity thus emerges from the interaction between personal identity and collective professional identities. Ascription of social and professional identities by powerful social groups is resisted, but identities emerge in identity politics among professional groups in social situations. In a client-worker-agency interaction cycle, multiprofessional interactions in communities of practice lead individual professionals to negotiate knowledge to form specialized roles such as palliative care social work. These then influence wider professional identities. Applications: Rather than seeking to maintain established professional identities, workers may more effectively develop their professional identity by negotiating knowledge and demonstrating practice in multiprofessional teams.
Deficient expression of NCR in NK cells from acute myeloid leukemia: evolution during leukemia treatment and impact of leukemia cells in NCRdull phenotype induction
Authors: Fauriat Cyril , Just-Landi Sylvaine , Mallet Françoise , Arnoulet Christine , Sainty Danielle , Olive Daniel , Costello Regis T. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells play an important role in tumor-cell clearance, particularly against leukemia, as shown by killer cell inhibitory receptor (KIR)–mismatched allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Analysis of in vitro IL-2–expanded NK cells from patients with myelocytic/monocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML-NK cells) has revealed poor cytolytic functions because of deficient expression of pivotal activation molecules—the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) NKp30, NKp44, and NKp46. To exclude the possibility that this observation was caused by the in vitro amplification of a small NCRdull population, we analyzed the AML-NK phenotype directly, without any in vitro expansion. We first confirmed that the NCRdull phenotype was not an in vitro artifact. Moreover, analysis of a large population of AML patients allowed us to demonstrate that phenotype was not restricted to a French-American-British (FAB) subtype and was not associated with a particular cytogenetic abnormality. Our longitudinal study of AML patients showed that the NCRdull phenotype was acquired during leukemia development because we observed its complete (for NKp46) or partial (for NKp30) reversibility in patients achieving complete remission (CR). Reversibility of the NCRdull phenotype after CR suggested that leukemia cells might be involved in NCR down-regulation. In agreement with this hypothesis, direct contact between leukemic blasts and NK cells (but not leukemia-cell supernatants) induced loss or decrease in NKp30 and NKp46 expression while impeding NKp44 induction by IL-2. We excluded the major implication of TGF-β in NCR down-regulation. Although the clinical antitumor value of NK cells is clearly demonstrated in allogeneic stem cell transplantation, the role of NK cells in autologous transplantation is not proved. Interestingly, we observed a correlation between the NCRdull phenotype and poor survival in AML patients, suggesting that NK-deficient activation caused by NCR down-regulation could play a role in patient outcome. The prognostic value of NCR expression is discussed, and pathophysiologic implication of the NCR phenotype will be further investigated in a larger study.
Prognostic significance of early vaso-occlusive complications in children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Quinn Charles T. , Shull Elizabeth P. , Ahmad Naveed , Lee Nancy J. , Rogers Zora R. , Buchanan George R. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Sickle cell anemia (SS) is highly phenotypically variable, and early predictors of outcome could guide clinical care. To determine whether early vaso-occlusive complications predicted subsequent adverse outcomes in the Dallas Newborn Cohort, we studied all members with SS or sickle-β0-thalassemia who presented in their first year of life and had 5 years or more of follow-up. We defined 3 potential early predictors: hospitalizations in the first 3 years of life for (1) painful events other than dactylitis, (2) dactylitis, and (3) acute chest syndrome (ACS). We studied the associations of these predictors with the following late adverse outcomes (occurring after the third birthday): death, first overt stroke, use of disease-modifying therapy, and hospitalizations for pain events and ACS. None of the early events predicted death or stroke. Early pain and ACS both predicted a modest, temporary increase in the number of later painful episodes, but early ACS strongly increased the odds of more frequent ACS throughout childhood. Dactylitis had limited utility as a predictor. Although we still lack a useful prognostic framework for young children with SS, those who experience early ACS might be candidates for higher risk interventions to mitigate or cure their disease.
Prophylactic transfer of CD8-depleted donor lymphocytes after T-cell–depleted reduced-intensity transplantation
Authors: Meyer Ralf G. , Britten Cedrik M. , Wehler Daniela , Bender Klaus , Hess Georg , Konur Abdo , Hartwig Udo F. , Wehler Thomas C. , Ullmann Andrew J. , Gentilini Chiara , Uharek Lutz , Huber Christoph , Kolbe Karin , Herr Wolfgang 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) regimens incorporating the lymphocytotoxic CD52 antibody alemtuzumab demonstrate efficient engraftment and reduced graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). However, these protocols substantially impair posttransplantation antiviral and antitumor immunity. To accelerate immune reconstitution after alemtuzumab-based reduced-intensity SCT, we administered prophylactic CD8-depleted donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) starting on days 60 and 120 after transplantation. DLIs were processed in an immunomagnetic good manufacturing practice depletion procedure resulting in a 2.5- to 6-log reduction in CD8 T cells. Of 23 high-risk patients with hematologic malignancies, 11 received a total of 21 CD8-depleted DLIs. Five patients developed transient grade I acute GVHD following transfer. Only 2 patients with HLA-C–mismatched donors showed grade II and III acute GVHD and subsequently progressed to limited chronic GVHD. Following DLIs, 4 patients with declining hematopoietic donor chimerism converted to full chimeras. A 2.1-fold median increase of circulating CD4 T cells was observed within 2 weeks after infusion. Non-DLI patients did not show a comparable rise in CD4 counts. Four patients demonstrated enhanced frequencies of cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells following transfer. Our results suggest that prophylactic CD8-depleted DLIs accelerate immune reconstitution after lymphodepleted HLA-matched SCT and carry a low risk of inducing severe GVHD.
Maturation and enucleation of primitive erythroblasts during mouse embryogenesis is accompanied by changes in cell-surface antigen expression
Authors: Fraser Stuart T. , Isern Joan , Baron Margaret H. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPrimitive erythroblasts (EryPs) are the first hematopoietic cell type to form during mammalian embryogenesis and emerge within the blood islands of the yolk sac. Large, nucleated EryPs begin to circulate around midgestation, when connections between yolk sac and embryonic vasculature mature. Two to 3 days later, small cells of the definitive erythroid lineage (EryD) begin to differentiate within the fetal liver and rapidly outnumber EryPs in the circulation. The development and maturation of EryPs remain poorly defined. Our analysis of embryonic blood at different stages reveals a stepwise developmental progression within the EryP lineage from E9.5 to E12.5. Thereafter, EryDs are also present in the bloodstream, and the 2 lineages are not easily distinguished. We have generated a transgenic mouse line in which the human ϵ-globin gene promoter drives expression of green fluorescent protein exclusively within the EryP lineage. Here, we have used this line to characterize changes in cell morphology and surface-marker expression as EryPs mature and to track EryP numbers and enucleation throughout gestation. This study identifies previously unrecognized synchronous developmental stages leading to the maturation of EryPs in the mouse embryo. Unexpectedly, we find that EryPs are a stable cell population that persists through the end of gestation.
Human galectin-1, -2, and -4 induce surface exposure of phosphatidylserine in activated human neutrophils but not in activated T cells
Authors: Stowell Sean R. , Karmakar Sougata , Stowell Caleb J. , Dias-Baruffi Marcelo , McEver Rodger P. , Cummings Richard D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCellular turnover is associated with exposure of surface phosphatidylserine (PS) in apoptotic cells, leading to their phagocytic recognition and removal. But recent studies indicate that surface PS exposure is not always associated with apoptosis. Here we show that several members of the human galectin family of glycan binding proteins (galectins-1, -2, and -4) induce PS exposure in a carbohydrate-dependent fashion in activated, but not resting, human neutrophils and in several leukocyte cell lines. PS exposure is not associated with apoptosis in activated neutrophils. The exposure of PS in cell lines treated with these galectins is sustained and does not affect cell viability. Unexpectedly, these galectins bind well to activated T lymphocytes, but do not induce either PS exposure or apoptosis, indicating that galectin's effects are cell specific. These results suggest novel immunoregulatory contribution of galectins in regulating leukocyte turnover independently of apoptosis.
Modification of antigen-encoding RNA increases stability, translational efficacy, and T-cell stimulatory capacity of dendritic cells
Authors: Holtkamp Silke , Kreiter Sebastian , Selmi Abderraouf , Simon Petra , Koslowski Michael , Huber Christoph , Türeci Özlem , Sahin Ugur 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAdoptive transfer of dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with in vitro–transcribed, RNA-encoding, tumor-associated antigens has recently entered clinical testing as a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy. However, pharmacokinetic exploration of RNA as a potential drug compound and a key aspect of clinical development is still pending. While investigating the impact of different structural modifications of RNA molecules on the kinetics of the encoded protein in DCs, we identified components located 3′ of the coding region that contributed to a higher transcript stability and translational efficiency. With the use of quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and eGFP variants to measure transcript amounts and protein yield, we showed that a poly(A) tail measuring 120 nucleotides compared with a shorter one, an unmasked poly(A) tail with a free 3′ end rather than one extended with unrelated nucleotides, and 2 sequential β-globin 3′ untranslated regions cloned head to tail between the coding region and the poly(A) tail each independently enhanced RNA stability and translational efficiency. Consecutively, the density of antigen-specific peptide/MHC complexes on the transfected cells and their potency to stimulate and expand antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were also increased. In summary, our data provide a strategy for optimizing RNA-transfected DC vaccines and a basis for defining release criteria for such vaccine preparations.
Polymerization of fibrin: direct observation and quantification of individual B:b knob-hole interactions
Authors: Litvinov Rustem I. , Gorkun Oleg V. , Galanakis Dennis K. , Yakovlev Sergiy , Medved Leonid , Shuman Henry , Weisel John W. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe polymerization of fibrin occurs primarily through interactions between N-terminal A- and B-knobs, which are exposed by the cleavage of fibrinopeptides A and B, respectively, and between corresponding a- and b-holes in the γ- and β-modules. Of the potential knob-hole interactions—A:a, B:b, A:b, and B:a—the first has been shown to be critical for fibrin formation, but the roles of the others have remained elusive. Using laser tweezers–based force spectroscopy, we observed and quantified individual B:b and A:b interactions. Both desA-fibrin with exposed A-knobs and desB-fibrin bearing B-knobs interacted with fragment D from the γD364H fibrinogen containing b-holes but no functional a-holes. The strength of single B:b interactions was found to be 15 to 20 pN, approximately 6-fold weaker than A:a interactions. B:b binding was abrogated by B-knob mimetic peptide, the (β15-66)2 fragment containing 2 B-knobs, and a monoclonal antibody against the β15-21 sequence. The interaction of desB-fibrin with fragment D containing a- and b-holes produced the same forces that were insensitive to A-knob mimetic peptide, suggesting that B:a interactions were absent. These results directly demonstrate for the first time B:b binding mediated by natural B-knobs exposed in a fibrin monomer.
Wnt expression is not correlated with β-catenin dysregulation in Dupuytren's Disease
Authors: O'Gorman David B , Wu Yan , Seney Shannon , Zhu Rebecca D , Gan Bing Siang 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackgroundDupuytren's contracture or disease (DD) is a fibro-proliferative disease of the hand that results in finger flexion contractures. Increased cellular β-catenin levels have been identified as characteristic of this disease. As Wnts are the most widely recognized upstream regulators of cellular β-catenin accumulation, we have examined Wnt gene expression in surgical specimens and in DD-derived primary cell cultures grown in two-dimensional monolayer culture or in three-dimensional FPCL collagen lattice cultures.ResultsThe Wnt expression profile of patient-matched DD and unaffected control palmar fascia tissue was determined by a variety of complimentary methods; Affymetrix Microarray analysis, specific Wnt and degenerative primer-based Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR, and Real Time PCR. Microarray analysis identified 13 Wnts associated with DD and control tissues. Degenerate Wnt RT-PCR analysis identified Wnts 10b and 11, and to a lesser extent 5a and 9a, as the major Wnt family members expressed in our patient samples. Competitive RT-PCR analysis identified significant differences between the levels of expression of Wnts 9a, 10b and 11 in tissue samples and in primary cell cultures grown as monolayer or in FPCL, where the mRNA levels in tissue > FPCL cultures > monolayer cultures. Real Time PCR data confirmed the down-regulation of Wnt 11 mRNA in DD while Wnt 10b, the most frequently isolated Wnt in DD and control palmar fascia, displayed widely variable expression between the methods of analysis.ConclusionThese data indicate that changes in Wnt expressionper seare unlikely to be the cause of the observed dysregulation of β-catenin expression in DD.
Microarray data on gene modulation by HIV-1 in immune cells: 2000–2006
Authors: Giri Malavika S , Nebozhyn Michael , Showe Louise , Montaner Luis J 
Published: August 2006

AbstractHere, we review 34 HIV microarray studies in human immune cells over the period of 2000–March 2006 with emphasis on analytical approaches used and conceptual advances on HIV modulation of target cells (CD4 T cell, macrophage) and nontargets such as NK cell, B cell, and dendritic cell subsets. Results to date address advances on gene modulation associated with immune dysregulation, susceptibility to apoptosis, virus replication, and viral persistence following in vitro or in vivo infection/exposure to HIV-1 virus or HIV-1 accessory proteins. In addition to gene modulation associated with known functional correlates of HIV infection and replication (e.g., T cell apoptosis), microarray data have yielded novel, potential mechanisms of HIV-mediated pathogenesis such as modulation of cholesterol biosynthetic genes in CD4 T cells (relevant to virus replication and infectivity) and modulation of proteasomes and histone deacetylases in chronically infected cell lines (relevant to virus latency). Intrinsic challenges in summarizing gene modulation studies remain in development of sound approaches for comparing data obtained using different platforms and analytical tools, deriving unifying concepts to distil the large volumes of data collected, and the necessity to impose a focus for validation on a small fraction of genes. Notwithstanding these challenges, the field overall continues to demonstrate progress in expanding the pool of target genes validated to date in in vitro and in vivo datasets and understanding the functional correlates of gene modulation to HIV-1 pathogenesis in vivo.
A dominant role for FcγRII in antibody-enhanced dengue virus infection of human mast cells and associated CCL5 release
Authors: Brown Michael G , King Christine A , Sherren Christine , Marshall Jean S , Anderson Robert 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Dengue virus is a major mosquito-borne human pathogen with four known serotypes. The presence of antidengue virus antibodies in the serum of individuals prior to dengue virus infection is believed to be an important risk factor for severe dengue virus disease as a result of the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement operating on Fc receptor (FcR)-bearing cells. In addition to blood monocytes, mast cells are susceptible to antibody-enhanced dengue virus infection, producing a number of inflammatory mediators including IL-1, IL-6, and CCL5. Using the human mast cell-like lines KU812 and HMC-1 as well as primary cultures of human cord blood-derived mast cells (CBMC), we aimed to identify the participating FcRs in antibody-enhanced mast cell dengue virus infection, as FcRs represent a potential site for therapeutic intervention. CBMC expressed significant levels of FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII, and mast cell-like HMC-1 and KU812 cells expressed predominantly FcγRII. All four serotypes of dengue virus showed antibody-enhanced binding to KU812 cells. Specific FcγRII blockade with mAb IV.3 was found to significantly abrogate dengue virus binding to KU812 cells and CBMC in the presence of dengue-specific antibody. Dengue virus infection and the production of CCL5 by KU812 cells were also inhibited by FcγRII blockade.