bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Training and other predictors of personal protective equipment use in Australian grain farmers using pesticides
Authors: MacFarlane E , Chapman A , Benke G , Meaklim J , Sim M , McNeil J 
Published: August 2007

Objectives:To investigate patterns of use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce pesticide exposure in a sample of Australian farmers and also to assess the influence of possible predictive factors.Methods:A cross-sectional survey of 1102 farmers recruited through the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) was conducted. A written questionnaire was filled out by participants at VFF meetings attended by a visiting research assistant. Participants answered questions about frequency of pesticide use and PPE items they usually used when doing two different pesticide-related tasks, mixing and application, of each of four classes of pesticides. They also answered questions about personal characteristics, farm characteristics, farming activities, career and health.Results:Nearly all surveyed farmers had ever used pesticides, and over 87% had used Herbicides or Animal Health Products in the previous 12 months. Non-use of PPE was frequently reported, with up to 10–40% of farmers routinely using no PPE at all when using pesticides. Across all pesticide classes, PPE use was higher for pesticide mixing than for application. In multivariate analyses PPE use appeared to be most strongly associated with younger age and farm chemical training.Conclusions:PPE use across all pesticide classes was poor, indicating the possibility of clinically significant pesticide exposure in many farmers. Given that PPE use was found to be associated with farm chemical training, the authors suggest that training is likely to be an important intervention for reducing farmers’ pesticide exposure. Poor uptake of farm chemical training by farmers and the aging farming workforce are causes for concern in the light of these findings.
Down-Regulation of Placenta Growth Factor by Promoter Hypermethylation in Human Lung and Colon Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Lei , Jain Rakesh K. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Two recent clinical trials have shown that the placenta growth factor (PlGF) is up-regulated after bevacizumab treatment in colorectal cancer and after SU11248 treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The regulation of expression for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been well documented in human tumors; however, the data for PlGF are lacking. We investigated the epigenetic regulation of PlGF and correlated the results with clinicopathologic features. We used plgf promoter analysis, cDNA microarray, immunohistochemistry, and Northern blot analysis to determine the expression level of PlGF in 22 human lung carcinoma and 11 colorectal tumors and in 12 cell lines. Sodium bisulfite modification of genomic DNA followed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and sequencing were used to determine the methylation status of the PlGF promoter. Treatments with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A (TSA) were used to reactivate PlGF expression. Significance analysis showed that PlGF expression level was low in human lung and colorectal tumor tissues and in cell lines. PlGF gene promoter was hypermethylated. Treatment with the demethylating agent 5-Aza-dC restored PlGF transcript expression in the lung and colon carcinoma cell lines. By combining the results from cDNA microarray, immunohistochemistry, and MSP, we report, for the first time, that the PlGF gene promoter is methylated, and methylation may be one of the mechanisms that contributes to the low PlGF expression level in human lung and colorectal tumor tissues and cell lines. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(9):873–80)
Wwox Suppresses Prostate Cancer Cell Growth through Modulation of ErbB2-Mediated Androgen Receptor Signaling
Authors: Qin Haiyan R. , Iliopoulos Dimitrios , Nakamura Tatsuya , Costinean Stefan , Volinia Stefano , Druck Teresa , Sun Jin , Okumura Hiroshi , Huebner Kay 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
The expression of the WWOX tumor suppressor gene is lost or reduced in a large fraction of various cancers, including prostate cancer. We previously reported that Wwox overexpression induced apoptosis and suppressed prostate cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. In this study, pathways through which Wwox contributes to control of prostate cancer cell growth have been investigated. We found that Wwox interacts with Ap2γ and prevents it from entering the nucleus to bind the ERBB2 promoter region to activate transcription of ERBB2, a mediator of androgen receptor activity and prostate cancer cell growth at limiting androgen concentration. Ectopic expression of Wwox reduced ErbB2 protein expression in vitro and expression of Wwox protein inversely correlated with expression of ErbB2 protein in prostate cancer tissues. Furthermore, Wwox suppressed Ap2γ/ErbB2–induced prostate cancer cell growth and suppressed prostate-specific antigen secretion through interaction with Ap2γ and down-modulation of ErbB2, an effect that required functional androgen receptor. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(9):957–65)
A New Test of Convergence Theory
Authors: Marsh Robert 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA classic version of convergence theory was proposed by Marion Levy (1966) as part of his theory of modernization: if and as the level of modernization increases (defined as a higher ratio of reliance upon inanimate energy and tools, relative to animate energy), the level of structural uniformity among relatively modernized societies continually increases. This hypothesis that there is more uniformity among modernized than among non-modernized societies is tested here with cross-national data from 148 non-modernized and 52 modernized societies. Using the coefficient of variation (V) as the measure of convergence, I analyze a wide range of variables: level of economic development, capitalist market economy, demographic variables, technology, the state and political democracy, cognitive modernization, health, income inequality and poverty, gender particularism-universalism, and information and communications. I find that the modernized societies do show more convergence (lower V scores) than the non-modernized societies on 49 of the 51 variables tested. Among the 21 societies that were already modernized in 1965, as they became more modernized during the period from1965 to the present, they also became more convergent on 32 of the 45 variables analyzed. Thus, variation in social structure is greater among less modernized than among more modernized societies, and this has implications for theories of globalization.
Convergence Pressures and Responses: Recent Social Insurance Development in Modern Welfare States
Authors: Nelson Kenneth , Montanari Ingalill , Palme Joakim 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPressures from global market forces along with austerity and retrenchment have generated predictions of converging welfare state institutions. The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of social insurance programs among 18 of the economically most advanced democracies during 1980–2000. Have social insurance rights converged and have changes been of such a character that we can discern converging trends of social insurance models? The results indicate convergence in the replacement rates, coverage and employer financing of social insurance benefits up to 1980, after which these signs of convergence tend to disappear or transform into divergence. Rather than countries becoming reclassified, changes implemented in social insurance rights appear to have strengthened the distinctive characteristics of social insurance models identified.
Promoting Democracy: The Challenge of Creating a Civil Society
Authors: Lovell David 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPerhaps the most notable feature of "democracy" today is its almost universal acceptance as the only legitimate form of government. Most examples of open dissent against this view are so patently self-interested as to command little respect. Yet however attractive it may be, the development of modern democracy has been largely an incremental product of Europe and its colonial diaspora, which embody quite specific cultural and social assumptions. Now these states have become dedicated to democracy's extension around the world. This paper examines the nature and success of these attempts to extend democracy. It asks, in particular, whether the culture of a robust civil society on which democracy relies can be successfully exported and what challenges it faces from more traditional social relationships.
Democracy, Economic Crisis, and Market Oriented Reforms
Authors: Kalinowski Thomas 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this paper I analyze the nexus between economic crises, market oriented reforms, and democratization in Indonesia and Korea since the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis. I provide some support for the hypothesis that democracies are better able to survive economic crises than authoritarian regimes. In both countries democratization facilitated a crisis resolution strategy based on market oriented reforms. However, I assert that in the long run the social consequences of market-oriented reforms tend to undermine democratization partly because both are so closely linked and the majority of the population sees them as one. This process does not necessarily destroy democracies but it leaves them more vulnerable to possible external shocks in the future.
A Forgotten Minority: The Afro-Sri Lankans
Authors: de Silva Jayasuriya Shihan 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper seeks to understand why people of African descent in Sri Lanka have a low profile. Drawing attention to cultural retentions and transformations, it examines the process of their assimilation within post-independent Sri Lanka. It argues that the fate of today's Afro-Sri Lankans was shaped during the British era. The prestige of Afro-Sri Lankans rested on their military abilities. Turning to their contemporary status, it appears that their considerable talents as musicians and dancers have not been adequately recognised and nurtured. These internationally marketable assets need to be supported through aid.
Service to God, Service to Master/Client: African Indian Military Contribution in Karnataka
Authors: Obeng Pashington 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis essay examines how African Indians (Abyssinians, Habshis, Siddis) from medieval times to the present have played significant political and military roles to forge sovereignties in the land area currently covered by the State of Karnataka, South India. I provide a brief history of the military activities of African Indians in the Indian subcontinent to foreground how the Africans deployed the unstable political climate in the Deccan, ethnicization of military culture, religious filiation, and force of personality to assert influence over communities that settled in areas bounded by present-day Karnataka.
African Bedouin in Palestine
Authors: Beckerleg Susan 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe changing ethnic identity and origins of people of Bedouin and African origin living in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip are explored in this paper. For thousands of years, and into the twentieth century, slaves were captured in Africa and transported to Arabia. Negev Bedouin in Palestine owned slaves, many of whom were of African origin. When Israel was created in 1948 some of these people of African origin became refugees in Gaza, while others remained in the Negev and became Israeli citizens. With ethnic identity a key factor in claims and counter claims to land in Palestine/Israel, African slave origins are not stressed. The terminology of ethnicity and identity used by people of African origin and other Palestinians is explored, and reveals a consciousness of difference and rejection of the label abed or slave/black person.
Dynamics of Ethnic Identity Among the Siddis of Hyderabad
Authors: Minda Yimene Ababu 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe existing commercial contact between India and Africa since prehistoric times grew substantially since the rise of Islam in the 7th century, leaped to its climax during the middle ages and continued until the second half of the 20th century. This commercial relationship involved the trade in humans from Africa to Asia. Many African war captives were sold as slaves in India to serve as domestics and infantries among the aristocracy of rising Islamic kingdoms while some emigrated by free will and settled in India engaging in various occupations. Descendants of African slaves and immigrants, who are locally known as Siddis, presently live in various geographical pockets of India forming their own ethnic enclaves amidst their host societies. The main Siddi communities in India are located in Gujarat, Hyderabad, Karnataka, in the Bombay region and along the western coast, including Goa. The Siddis of Hyderabad, like the other Siddi communities are changing fast, yielding to modern demands and trends. National and global pressures strongly militate against their tradition and change in their identity has been inevitable. As a result of their intermarriage with other ethnic communities and adoption of either Indian or Arab identities, today's Siddis have little resemblance to their predecessors. This study shows that the Siddis are moving in divergent directions of assimilation. Many Moslem Siddis are assimilating into the Yemeni Arab community of Hyderabad while Christian Siddis identify themselves with the Indian Christian population. Moslem and Christian Siddis are accused by each other as being pro-Pakistan Islamic radicals and 'Hindu nationalism' adherents respectively. The Siddis, although historically constituted a single ethnic community, are in the process of a significant identity change by joining two ideologically differing groups.
Introduction Out Of Africa? 2
Authors: Palmié Stephan 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe introduction to this second special issue aims to probe the epistemological conditions of possibility of African Americanist anthropology. In particular, it highlights the problematic of definitions of units of analysis in the comparative logic on which this particular field of inquiry has long been based. Given the conceptual instability of the categories 'Africa' and 'America' discussed in the previous number of this special double issue, attention is given to how scholars variously became implicated in the creation of 'African horizons', and to potential ways in which past approaches might not only be opened up to 'symmetrical analyses', but in fact transcended.
Treating Medieval Plague: The Wonderful Virtues of Theriac
Authors: Fabbri Christiane Nockels 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper examines one of the most popular remedies in medieval plague medicine, namely theriac, and explores possible reasons for its remarkable continuity in the late medieval and early modern medical tradition. Theriac, reputed as a universal antidote since ancient times, was a complex compound, composed of multiple ingredients, difficult to prepare, and subject to strict manufacturing and commercial controls. The paper centers on the therapeutic applications of theriac and on its relative pharmacologic efficacy in treating the symptoms of plague. The consistent use of theriac in plague medicine attests not only to the conservatism of medieval medical practice, but also to an underlying solidly founded rationale that combined humoral doctrine, empiric observation, and pharmacologic effect.
Philosophers and Physicians on the Scientific Validity of Latin Physiognomy, 1200-1500
Authors: Ziegler Joseph 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe article surveys and contextualizes the main arguments among philosophers and academic physicians surrounding the status of physiognomy as a valid science from the thirteenth to the early sixteenth centuries. It suggests that despite constant doubts, learned Latin physiognomy in the later Middle Ages was recognized by natural philosophers (William of Spain, Jean Buridan, William of Mirica) and academic physicians (Rolandus Scriptor, Michele Savonarola, Bartolomeo della Rocca [Cocles]) as a body of knowledge rooted in a sound theoretical basis. Physiognomy was characterized by stability and certainty. As a demonstrative science it was expected to provide rational explanation for every bodily sign. In this respect, learned physiognomy in the Middle Ages was dramatically different from its classical sources, from Islamic and possibly from early-modern physiognomy as well.
The association of ICAM-1 Exon 6 (E469K) but not of ICAM-1 Exon 4 (G241R) and PECAM-1 Exon 3 (L125V) polymorphisms with the development of differentiation syndrome in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Dore Adriana I , Santana-Lemos Barbara A A , Coser Virginia M , Santos Flávia L S , Dalmazzo Leandro F , Lima Ana S G , Jacomo Rafael H , Elias Jorge , Falcão Roberto Passetto , Pereira Waldir V , Rego Eduardo M 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe use of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is the basis of treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and represents the paradigm of differentiation therapy. In general, ATRA is well-tolerated but may be associated with a potentially lethal side-effect, referred to as retinoic acid or differentiation syndrome (DS). The cellular and molecular mechanisms of DS are poorly understood and involve changes in the adhesive qualities and cytokine secretion of leukemic cells during ATRA-induced differentiation. As leukocyte extravasation is a key event in DS pathogenesis, we analyzed the association between the polymorphisms at Exon 4 (G241R) and Exon 6 (E469K) of ICAM-1 and Exon 3 (L125V) of PECAM-1 genes with DS development in APL patients treated with ATRA and anthracyclines. DS was diagnosed in 23/127 (18.1%) APL patients at an average of 11.5 days after the start of ATRA. All patients presented respiratory distress associated with increased ground-glass opacity in chest radiographies. Other accompanying symptoms were: fever not attributable to infection (65.2%), generalized edema (37.5%), weight gain (37.5%), and impairment of renal function (8.6%). We detected an association between development of DS and the AA genotype at Codon 469 of ICAM-1 (odds ratio of 3.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.2–10.2). Conversely, no significant association was detected between G241R or L125V polymorphisms at Exon 4 of ICAM-1 and Exon 3 of PECAM-1, respectively. Our results suggest that susceptibility to DS in APL patients may be influenced by genetic variation in adhesion molecule loci.
A hCXCR1 transgenic mouse model containing a conditional color-switching system for imaging of hCXCL8/IL-8 functions in vivo
Authors: Zheng Lei , Njauw Ching-ni , Martins-Green Manuela 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTo address the functions of human CXCL8 (hCXCL8)/IL-8 through hCXCR1 in vivo, we have developed a humanized, transgenic mouse for hCXCR1. This mouse line is versatile and allows for a variety of functional analyses using bioimaging, including Cre/loxP-mediated, tissue-specific hCXCR1 expression in a spatiotemporal manner; a color-switching mechanism, which uses spectrum-complementary, genetically encoded green and red fluorescence markers to label the hCXCR1-expressing cells [enhanced GFP (eGFP)] against the background [monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP)]; a bioluminescent marker, which is present in the hCXCR1-expressing cells; and an exogenous cell surface marker (eGFP moiety) in the hCXCR1-expressing cells, which facilitates identification, isolation, and targeting of these cells. The established, transgenic founder line RCLG3A (TG+) expresses only mRFP and does so ubiquitously. When the RCLG3A mice are crossed with the tamoxifen-inducible, whole-tissue Cre mice (ROSA26-Cre/Esr+/−), administration of tamoxifen induces whole-body hCXCR1 expression and color-switching. When RCLG3A mice are crossed with thymocyte-specific Cre mice (Lck-Cre+/+), the hCXCR1 expression and color-switching are restricted in a lineage-specific manner. This mouse line can be used to understand the functions of hCXCL-8 in vivo. In addition, our approach and vectors can be used to establish other tissue-specific, transgenic mice in conjunction with multifunctional cell markers, which facilitate cell imaging, tracing, and manipulation in vivo.
Inhibition of HIV replication by the plasminogen activator is dependent on vitronectin-mediated cell adhesion
Authors: Elia Chiara , Cassol Edana , Sidenius Nicolai , Blasi Francesco , Castagna Antonella , Poli Guido , Alfano Massimo 
Published: August 2007

AbstractUrokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), an inducer of macrophage adhesion, inhibits HIV-1 expression in PMA-stimulated, chronically infected U1 cells. We investigated whether uPA-dependent cell adhesion played a role in uPA-dependent inhibition of HIV-1 replication in these cells. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were generated from monocytes of HIV-infected individuals or from cells of seronegative donors infected acutely in vitro. U1 cells were stimulated in the presence or absence of uPA in standard tissue culture (TC) plates, allowing firm cell adhesion or ultra-low adhesion (ULA) plates. Moreover, U1 cells were also maintained in the presence or absence of vitronectin (VN)-containing sera or serum from VN−/− mice. Virus production was evaluated by RT activity in culture supernatants, whereas cell adhesion was by crystal violet staining and optical microscopy. uPA inhibited HIV replication in MDM and PMA-stimulated U1 cells in TC plates but not in ULA plates. uPA failed to inhibit HIV expression in U1 cells stimulated with IL-6, which induces virus expression but not cell adhesion in TC plates. VN, known to bind to the uPA/uPA receptor complex, was crucial for these adhesion-dependent, inhibitory effects of uPA on HIV expression, in that they were not observed in TC plates in the presence of VN−/− mouse serum. HIV production in control cell cultures was increased significantly in ULA versus TC plates, indicating that macrophage cell adhesion per se curtails HIV replication. In conclusion, uPA inhibits HIV-1 replication in macrophages via up-regulation of cell adhesion to the substrate mediated by VN.
Hepatitis C virus core protein up-regulates anergy-related genes and a new set of genes, which affects T cell homeostasis
Authors: Domínguez-Villar M , Muñoz-Suano A , Anaya-Baz B , Aguilar S , Novalbos J P , Giron J A , Rodríguez-Iglesias M , Garcia-Cozar F 
Published: August 2007

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the main cause for chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma. Virally induced immune dysfunction has been called as the cause for viral persistence. Previous results demonstrate that CD4 Jurkat cells stably expressing the HCV core protein show an increased activation of NFAT transcription factor and an impaired IL-2 promoter activity, affecting intracellular signaling pathways in a manner that mimics clonal anergy. We had shown previously that NFAT activates a transcriptional program, ensuing in immunological tolerance. In the present work, we have engineered lentiviral vectors expressing the HCV core to analyze the events, which unfold in the initial phase of HCV core-induced anergy. We show that genes initially described to be up-regulated by ionomycin-induced anergy in mice are also up-regulated in humans, not only by ionomycin but also by HCV core expression. We also show that HCV core is sufficient to cause NFAT nuclear translocation and a slow-down in cell-cycle progression, and using whole genome microarrays, we identify novel genes up-regulated in Jurkat cells expressing HCV core. The relevance of our results is highlighted by the presence of HCV in CD4 T cells from HCV chronically infected patients.