bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Downward trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight in the setting of 12-year school- and community-based programmes
Authors: Romon Monique , Lommez Agnes , Tafflet Muriel , Basdevant Arnaud , Oppert Jean Michel , Bresson Jean Louis , Ducimetière Pierre , Charles Marie Aline , Borys Jean Michel 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveA school-based nutrition information programme was initiated in 1992 in two towns in northern France (Fleurbaix and Laventie, FL) and was followed by a number of community-based interventions. We took the opportunity to measure the outcomes in terms of childhood obesity and overweight over the next 12 years.DesignRepeated, cross-sectional, school-based survey. For the school years beginning in 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the height and weight of all 5- to 12-year-old children attending school were measured in FL. In 2004, the same assessments were made in two comparison towns with similar socio-economic characteristics but no intervention.SettingFleurbaix and Laventie (intervention towns), Bois-Grenier and Violaines (comparison towns), northern France.SubjectsIn 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively 515, 592 and 633 children were measured in FL (participation rate of 95–98 % of all eligible individuals); in the comparison towns, 349 children were measured in the 2004 school year (98 % of the towns’ school population).ResultsAfter an initial increase, trends in mean BMI and prevalence of overweight started to reverse. Compared with 2002, the age-adjusted OR for overweight in FL was significantly lower in 2003 and 2004 (but for girls only). In the 2004 school year, the overweight prevalence was significantly lower in FL (8·8 %) than in the comparison towns (17·8 %, P < 0·0001).ConclusionThese data suggest that, over a long period of time, interventions targeting a variety of population groups can have synergistic effects on overweight prevalence. This gives hope that it is possible to reverse trends towards increasing overweight by actions at the community level.
‘The Law of Laws’ – Overcoming Pluralism
Authors: WTE  , LB  
Published: December 2008

‘The Law of Laws’ – Overcoming PluralismEditorials in this journal are meant not to comment on acts or events, even if these take the form of judicial rulings or legislative acts. They are meant to point at the events' potential for constitutional scholarship; to indicate and propose new lines of research. The Kadi judgments of the Court of Justice's two instances, discussed in this issue by Stefan Griller, offer such an occasion. They point at the problem of relationships between legal orders. Can these best be understood under the now familiar palliative terms of ‘dialogue’ and ‘accommodation’? There is both reason and reward in looking for a keener articulation of the relationships. That is the contention of this editorial.
Silence in the Sewing Chamber:
Le Roman de Silence
Authors: Tolmie Jane 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Following on from Howard Bloch's investigation of a ‘refusal of univocal meaning’ in the thirteenth-century
Roman de Silence
, this article examines the poem as inviting critics to investigate the collapse of binary systems such as male/female, in/out, language/silence, learned/natural, reward/punishment, innocent/guilty. Moving away from Bloch's focus on poetic language, this article examines the poem's systematic conflation of a woman's life with images of death and captivity. The action of the poem, and the characters within the poem, draw our attention to issues of gender performance in such a manner as to render it impossible for the poem's conservative ending to unsay or undo (to silence) the main body of the romance.
Sexualité douteuse et bestialité trompeuse dans
Bisclavret
de Marie de France
Authors: Bibring Tovi 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

L'image qu'un loup vorace suscite dans l'imaginaire médiéval renvoie à une sexualité doublement douteuse. La bête sauvage matérialise le désir aberré, discourtois, et déréglé, d'une part de l'animal et d'autre part de la personne qui la regarde. Dans le premier cas, la forme animalière d'un être humain (récit de métamorphose) ou la personnification d'un animal (fable), représenteraient une personnalité dévergondée. L'animalité aurait un terrain commun avec la lèpre, vue comme une maladie sexuelle. Dans le second cas, par une lecture moins symbolique et plus psychologique, la rencontre ou la connaissance d'un loup extérioriseraient les désirs cachés, non apprivoisés et non avoués surgissant lors d'une expérience narcissique spontanée. Le loup-garou n'existerait pas vraiment, il serait le reflet (le
signifiant
) de la personne en face de lui. Ces deux associations au loup expliquent la motivation des actions de l'épouse du baron Bisclavret dans la première partie du lai de Marie de France. Ayant peur de partager la couche d'un monstre mais en même temps de se voir elle-même monstrueuse, elle s'empare de ses vêtements laissés lors de la transformation, espérant ainsi l'éliminer à tout jamais. Cependant, et ceci constitue le second point de ma réflexion, la bestialité de Bisclavret est trompeuse. Contrairement à l'image populaire du loup, la forme animalière représente ici plutôt une lutte idéologique, pas uniquement celle du désir d'appartenance à la cour féodale comme il a été souvent dit, mais aussi celle qui existe, chez un être, entre l'âme et le corps.
Jacques Roubaud and the Ethics of Artifice
Authors: James Alison 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Jacques Roubaud's multivolume prose cycle ‘
Le grand incendie de Londres
’ (1989–) has variously been termed a novel, a self-portrait, an autobiography, and a work of
autofiction
. Several factors contribute to this generic uncertainty: a long-standing suspicion, shared by critics and writers, of autobiography; Roubaud's status as a member of the Oulipo, a group associated with formal artifice rather than referential writing; and Roubaud's own equivocating or cryptic statements about ‘
Le grand incendie de Londres
’. Nevertheless, to label this complex work a fiction is to obscure its deep concern with the relationship between form and authenticity. This article argues that Roubaud's explicitly stated principle of truth-telling (
véridicité
) generates a complex and paradoxical strategy, based on a form of sincerity that foregrounds itself as artifice and constraint. Framed in mathematical, philosophical and rhetorical terms, Roubaud's theoretical pronouncements do not necessarily amount to a coherent conception of truth. However, they successfully provide the basis for a new type of autobiographical contract and for the creation of original narrative forms. Rhetorical artifice and Oulipian constraints provide the conditions for Roubaud's investigation of memory and his ethical engagement with the reader.
Salammbô
, la Bible et la matière du monde
Authors: Bouvier Agnès 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

La Bible est l'une des sources majeures de
Salammbô
. Pas n'importe quelle Bible: celle de Samuel Cahen (parue de 1831 à 1851). En quoi la Bible de Cahen peut-elle servir pour écrire Carthage? D'abord, parce que cette nouvelle traduction est une véritable encyclopédie du monde antique où tous les savoirs contemporains sont convoqués. Ensuite, parce qu'une traduction littérale de l'hébreu est une promesse d'accès à la langue de Carthage. Qu'est-ce que le punique en effet? Une branche de la famille des langues sémitiques, si proche de l'hébreu que tous les savants consultés par Flaubert affirment la quasi-identité des deux langues. Or, Cahen restitue l'hébreu dans sa matérialité, dans sa capacité à dire la matière, à faire adhérer les mots et les choses. Les notes de lecture de Flaubert sur la Bible de Cahen en vue de
Salammbô
montrent une attention passionnée pour les versets qui, rendant le texte à la matière, le rendent aussi à sa plus grande étrangeté: Carthage réinventée par Flaubert exprimera l'altérité absolue, en même temps que le vertige de l'appropriation de la substance du monde.
Extrusion and Characterization of Starch Films
Authors: Pushpadass Heartwin A. , Marx David B. , Wehling Randy L. , Hanna Milford A. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTStarch plasticized with water, glycerol, and stearic acid was extruded and sheeted into films 0.4–0.6 mm thick. The ingredients were extruded in a conical twin‐screw extruder at a temperature profile of 50–120–120–120°C and a screw speed of 45 rpm. The effects of glycerol, water, and stearic acid on selected physical and functional properties of the films were studied. The tensile strength, tensile strain at break, and Young's modulus were 0.23–2.91 MPa, 45.79–90.83%, and 2.89–37.94 MPa, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms exhibited two glass transitions and multiple melting endotherms, including that of amylose‐lipid complexes formed during extrusion. The enthalpy of gelatinization of starch in the extruded films was 0.7–4.1 J/g and was dependent largely on the plasticizer content. Fourier‐transform infrared spectra revealed significant interactions between the starch and plasticizer but the peaks shifted to higher wave numbers with increasing glycerol content. During extrusion in the presence of glycerol, the A‐type crystalline structure of starch was transformed to B‐type. It also was observed that the Vh crystallinity increased with increase in glycerol content due to tight packing of starch chains. The water vapor permeabilities of the starch films were 12.3–19.9 g·mm/hr·m2·kPa.
Polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid liposome induces human hepatoma cells apoptosis which correlates to the up‐regulation of RIG‐I like receptors
Authors: Peng Shuo , Geng Jianlin , Sun Rui , Tian Zhigang , Wei Haiming 
Published: December 2008

Toll‐like receptor 3 and RIG‐I like receptors (RLRs; MDA5, RIG‐I) are involved in cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. However, the toll‐like receptor 3‐related apoptotic pathway is insensitive to direct polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (dsRNA analog) stimulation in hepatoma cells. To determine whether the strategy of transferring polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid into cells (polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid‐liposome) could induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells through cytoplasm receptors, we examined the responses of innate immune receptors RLRs and toll‐like receptor 3 in response to different stimulation. We found that the apoptosis could exclusively be detected under polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid‐liposome stimulation, which involved the activation of the caspase pathway. Besides, the expression of RIG‐I, MDA5, IFNβ and interferon‐stimulated gene 15 was increased significantly at an early stage. Moreover, the growth inhibition of polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid‐liposome was confirmed in a mouse model. Taken together, these results suggest polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid‐liposome could be used as a potential apoptotic agent in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and imply a potential therapeutic strategy. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 529–536)
The alcohol industry and trade agreements: a preliminary assessment
Authors: Zeigler Donald W. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAims To review trade agreements, their relation to alcohol control policy and examine the role of the alcohol industry in supporting and attempting to influence trade policy.Methods Review of peer review, public health advocacy literature (both pro and con on free trade), business, press and government documents on trade agreements, assess current and potential challenges by trade agreements to alcohol control policy and investigate the means and extent of industry influence in trade agreements.Findings ‘Free’ trade agreements reduce trade barriers, increase competition, lower prices and promote alcohol consumption. However, international treaties, negotiated by free trade experts in close consultation with corporate lobbyists and without significant, if any, public health input, governments and corporations contain significant provisions that will result in increased alcohol consumption and may challenge public health measures of other nations as constraints on trade. Conversely, alcohol control measures seek to reduce access and consumption, raise prices and restrict advertising and product promotion. The prospect is for increased alcohol consumption and concomitant problems throughout the world.Conclusions Trade agreements challenge effective alcohol control policies. The alcohol industry seeks to influence agreements and can be expected to work through trade agreements to reduce tariffs, increase market access and seek to restrict effective domestic regulations. Further research is needed on the impact of trade agreements and the ongoing role of the industry. Advocates must recognize the inherent conflicts between unbridled free trade and public health, work to exclude alcohol from trade agreements, counter industry influence and protect alcohol control policies.
Litigation and alcohol policy: lessons from the US Tobacco Wars
Authors: Mosher James F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAims  This paper explores the role of litigation in preventing alcohol‐related harms, identifying lessons from the use of litigation in tobacco control policy in the United States. It analyzes the key components of litigation in an international context, provides a case study of its potential use in addressing the marketing of alcopops to youth and offers recommendations for pursuing litigation strategies in future alcohol policy efforts.Methods  The paper's analyses are based on both original and secondary legal research. State and federal case law and secondary sources are reviewed in assessing lessons learned from tobacco litigation in the United States and the potential role of litigation in alcohol policy, both in the United States and internationally. Assessment of alcohol litigation cases and state and federal laws and regulations provides the foundation for the alcopops case study.Findings  The tobacco litigation experience demonstrates that litigation is a powerful tool in addressing aggressive marketing by purveyors of addictive products such as alcohol.Conclusions  To be effective at both national and international levels, litigation should encompass a broad array of legal tactics designed to identify and restrict unfair, deceptive and misleading alcohol marketing tactics and should be utilized in conjunction with complementary prevention strategies. Research conducted on the impact of alcohol marketing on youth alcohol consumption and problems is needed to support potential litigation claims. Developing litigation expertise within the alcohol policy field and building collaboration with litigation specialists in tobacco control should also be considered a high priority.
Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) –572C→G promoter polymorphism is associated with type 2 diabetes risk in Koreans
Authors: Koh Soo Jeong , Jang Yangsoo , Hyun Yae Jung , Park Ju Yeon , Song Young Duk , Shin Kyung‐Kyun , Chae Jey Sook , Kim Byung‐Keuk , Ordovas Jose M. , Lee Jong Ho 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Objective  Increased levels of inflammatory markers, such as interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), are associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We investigated the association of IL‐6 gene polymorphisms with T2DM and circulating levels of IL‐6 in Koreans.
Subjects  A total of 1477 subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 476 T2DM patients were included.
Measurements  We examined IL‐6 –174G→C, –572C→G, –597G→A and –1363G→T promoter region polymorphisms. The main outcome measures were the odds ratio (OR) on T2DM risk and serum concentrations of IL‐6 and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP).
Results  Homozygosity for the rare G allele IL‐6 –572C→G was associated with a higher risk of T2DM [OR 1·69 (95%CI 1·11–2·58), P = 0·015]. Serum IL‐6 concentrations were associated with the IL‐6 –572C→G genotype in control subjects (G/G: 2·33 ± 0·41: C/G: 1·53 ± 0·09: C/C: 1·72 ± 0·08 ng/l, P = 0·023). Also in the control group, subjects homozygous for the rare G allele showed significantly higher concentrations of hs‐CRP than C/C and C/G carriers (G/G: 13·6 ± 2·9: C/G: 9·2 ± 0·6: C/C: 7·8 ± 0·4 mg/l, P = 0·003). The C‐allele at the IL‐6 –174 SNP was very rare (< 0·01) and –597G→A and –1363G→T were monomorphic in this population.
Conclusions  Our data demonstrate that the IL‐6 –572G/G genotype is associated with higher serum IL‐6 and hs‐CRP concentrations and with increased risk for T2DM.
Vitamin D, PTH and calcium levels in pregnant women and their neonates
Authors: Bowyer Lucy , Catling‐Paull Christine , Diamond Terrence , Homer Caroline , Davis Gregory , Craig Maria E. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryObjectives  To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their neonates and to examine factors associated with vitamin D deficiency.Design and patients  Population‐based study of pregnant women and their neonates from South‐eastern Sydney, Australia.Measurements  Serum 25 hydroxy‐vitamin D (25‐OHD), PTH, calcium, albumin, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were measured in women at 23–32 weeks gestation and on cord blood at delivery. Maternal skin phototype was recorded using the Fitzpatrick scale.Results  Vitamin D deficiency (defined as 25‐OHD ≤ 25 nmol/l) was found in 144 of 971 (15%) women and 98 of 901 (11%) neonates. Median 25‐OHD was 52 nmol/l (range 17–174) in mothers and 60 nmol/l (17–245) in neonates. Maternal 25‐OHD levels varied by season, with lowest levels in late winter/early spring (P < 0·001). Factors associated with maternal vitamin D deficiency in multiple logistic regression were (OR, 95% CI): maternal birthplace outside Australia: 2·2 (1·4–3·5, P = 0·001), dark skin phototype: 2·7 (1·6–4·5, P < 0·001), wearing a veil: 21·7 (11·7–40·3, P < 0·001) and younger maternal age: 0·93 (0·89–0·97, P = 0·001). Maternal vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of neonatal vitamin D deficiency (OR 17·2, 95% CI 8·8–34·3) and birth weight was lower among infants of deficient vs. sufficient mothers: mean (SD) 3245 g (545) vs. 3453 g (555), P < 0·001.Conclusions  Vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant women; immigrant, veiled and dark skinned women are at greatest risk. Maternal vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of neonatal vitamin D deficiency and lower birth weight.
Interleukin‐4 suppresses the cytotoxic potential of in vitro generated, adaptive regulatory CD4+ T cells by down‐regulation of granzyme B
Authors: Bratke Kai , Goettsching Hilke , Kuepper Michael , Geyer Simone , Luttmann Werner , Virchow J. Christian 
Published: December 2008

SummaryRegulatory CD4+ T cells (Tregs) control immune responses using secretion of anti‐inflammatory cytokines and/or cytotoxic mechanisms and play a central role in the outcomes of several immune pathologies. Previous studies suggest an impaired function of Tregs in allergy, especially during allergen seasons, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Therefore, we analysed the impact of the T helper type 2 cytokine interleukin (IL)‐4 on in vitro generated adaptive Tregs (aTregs), which have been reported to use the granzyme B (GrB)/perforin pathway to kill autologous immune cells. aTregs were generated by co‐ligation of CD3 and CD46 on CD4+ T lymphocytes and granzyme expression was analysed using flow cytometry. To quantify GrB and perforin expression as well as IL‐10 secretion in response to IL‐4, specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were performed in cell lysates and/or culture supernatants. Using a flow cytometry‐based cytotoxicity assay the impact of IL‐4 on the cytotoxic potential of aTregs was investigated. While IL‐4 did not affect IL‐10 secretion and perforin expression in aTregs, a significant suppression of GrB synthesis was detected in the presence of IL‐4. In addition, IL‐4‐mediated suppression of GrB led to impaired cytotoxicity of aTregs against K562 target cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that IL‐4 might play a role in impaired aTreg function in allergy.
Evolution of the opossum major histocompatibility complex: evidence for diverse alternative splice patterns and low polymorphism among class I genes
Authors: Baker Michelle L. , Melman Sandra D. , Huntley James , Miller Robert D. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe opossum major histocompatibility complex (MHC) shares a similar organization with that of non‐mammals while containing a diverse set of class I genes more like that of eutherian (placental) mammals. There are 11 class I loci in the opossum MHC region, seven of which are known to be transcribed. The previously described Monodelphis domestica (Modo)‐UA1 and Modo‐UG display characteristics consistent with their being classical and non‐classical class I genes, respectively. Here we describe the characteristics of the remaining five transcribed class I loci (Modo‐UE, ‐UK, ‐UI, ‐UJ and ‐UM). All five genes have peptide‐binding grooves with low or no polymorphism, contain unpaired cysteines with the potential to produce homodimer formation and display genomic organizational features that would be unusual for classical class I loci. In addition, Modo‐UJ and ‐UM were expressed in alternatively spliced mRNA forms, including a potentially soluble isoform of Modo‐UJ. Thus, the MHC region of the opossum contains a single class I gene that is clearly classical and six other class I genes each with its own unique characteristics that probably perform roles other than or in addition to antigen presentation.
Effect of bone morphogenetic protein‐6 on macrophages
Authors: Hong Jun Hyuk , Lee Geun Taek , Lee Jae Ho , Kwon Seok Joo , Park Seok Hee , Kim Seong Jin , Kim Isaac Yi 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β superfamily which regulates bone formation, haematopoiesis and development. While TGF‐β is known to be a negative regulator of the immune system, the effect of BMPs on the immune system is largely unknown. Herein, the effect of BMP‐6 on the innate immune system was investigated using the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264·7. BMP‐6 altered cellular morphology, inhibited cellular proliferation, increased the fraction of subG1 phase cells, and decreased the fraction of cells in the S and G2M phases, without changing the percentage of apoptotic cells. In addition, BMP‐6 induced expression of pro‐inflammatory inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis demonstrated the expression of all three known type II BMP receptors [BMP‐RII, activin (Act)‐RIIA and Act‐RIIB] and two of the three known type I receptors [activin receptor‐like kinase 2 (ALK2) and ALK3]. Over‐expression as well as knock‐down studies using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) demonstrated that BMP‐RII, ALK2 and ALK3 are the functional BMP‐6 receptors in macrophages. Finally, the effect of BMP‐6 was confirmed in murine peritoneal macrophages and the THP‐1 human monocyte cell line. Taken together, these results demonstrate that BMP‐6 regulates the proliferation and gene expression profile of macrophages.