bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chlamydial LPS and high-sensitivity CRP levels in serum are associated with an elevated body mass index in patients with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Lajunen Taina , Vikatmaa Pirkka , Bloigu Aini , Ikonen Tuija , Lepäntalo Mauri , Pussinen Pirkko J. , Saikku Pekka , Leinonen Maija 
Published: November 2008

Objective: Seropositivity for Chlamydia pneumoniae has been associated with an elevated body mass index (BMI). Our aim was to study if serum chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS), C. pneumoniae antibodies and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels are associated with BMI Patients and Methods : The study population consisted of 174 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm or occlusive aortic disease. Information on BMI, diabetes, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and statin medication was available. Serum C. pneumoniae IgG and IgA antibodies, cLPS, hsCRP and total endotoxin activity (totLPS) were measured. Results: BMI correlated with cLPS ( r = 0.197; P < 0.01) and with hsCRP (ρ = 0.195; P < 0.01); in addition, there was a positive correlation between cLPS and hsCRP (ρ = 0.499; P < 0.01). A trend of an increasing proportion of C. pneumoniae IgG positivity (titre ≥ 64; P = 0.018) and higher serum cLPS ( P = 0.01) and hsCRP ( P = 0.01) concentrations was observed across the BMI groups (BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m2, BMI = 25.0—29.9 kg/m2, and BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2). Among the three BMI groups, 24.6%, 38.8%, and 48.3% were C. pneumoniae IgG-positive and the median (IQR) cLPS concentrations (ng/ml) of the groups were: 92.6 (50.8—167.0), 128.9 (76.4—163.9), and 146.4 (105.8—175.8), respectively. The median (IQR) hsCRP (mg/l) concentrations of the groups were: 1.70 (0.70—3.05) 1.70 (0.80—5.20), and 3.40 (1.45—8.55), respectively. These associations remained statistically significant in a multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Elevated serum cLPS levels were associated with an elevated BMI. This is a novel finding and it strengthens the link between chlamydial infection and obesity. A lack of association between totLPS and BMI suggests that the association between infection and an elevated BMI may be specific to certain pathogens.
Vorsicht,heiß! Eine interdisziplinäre Instant-Verständigung über Schönheit und Ästhetik Beware, hot! An interdisciplinary »instant conversation« on beauty and aesthetics
Authors: Burmester Michael , Kaiser Karin 
Published: November 2008

Zusammenfassung
Missverständnisse und Perspektivwechsel begleiten die interdisziplinäre Beschäftigung von Usability Professionals und DesignerInnen mit der Ästhetik.Wir inszenieren daher ein Pausen-Gespräch, das versucht, einige dieser Missverständnisse aufzuklären und die unterschiedlichen Perspektiven deutlich zu machen. Dabei trifft das Gestalten von Artefakten auf deren Evaluation, die Ästhetik als die Wissenschaft vom sinnlich Wahrnehmbaren auf das Interesse am Nutzerurteil im Sinne von »schön oder hässlich«, holistische Modelle begegnen reduktionistischen. »Etwas schön machen« löst keine Designaufgabe – dennoch sind Ästhetik und Schönheit für Nutzererleben und Produkt essentiell.
Von der Immaterialisation des Materiellen zur Materialisation im Immateriellen From the immaterialization of the material to materialization in the immaterial
Authors: Platz Axel 
Published: November 2008

Zusammenfassung
Bevor der Bildschirm zum Inbegriff des User Interface wurde, als es noch vielfältig Bedienfelder mit mechanischen Bedienelementen gab, war deren Gestaltung geprägt vom Bestreben, sie ihrer Plastizität zu berauben und in die Fläche zu bannen, ja die ganze Bedieneinheit in radikaler Reduktion zu entmaterialisieren und so die Vision der Bedienoberfläche real werden zu lassen. Seit aber diese absolute Flächigkeit in der Glasscheibe des Monitors endlich gegeben ist, frönen die graphischen Oberflächen der tiefenräumlichen Illusion und imitieren mechanische Bedienelemente aller Art. Die Kunst der Gestaltung reduziert sich auf die Kunstfertigkeit der Darstellung – das Design ist zu sehr mit sich selbst befasst, als dass noch eine Symbiose mit Usability gelingen kann.
SOME RELATION BETWEEN OUR HEALTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Walker Watson Frank 
Published: November 2008

“It is not too much to say that an adequate solution of the housing question is the foundation of all social progress. Health, and housing, are indissolubly connected. If this country is to be the country which we desire, a great offensive must be taken against disease and crime, and the first point at which the attack must be delivered is the ugly, unhealthy, overcrowded house, in the mean street, which we all of us know too well. “If a healthy race is to be reared it can be reared only in healthy homes. If infant mortality is to be reduced, and tuberculosis to be stamped out, the first essential is the improvement of housing conditions; if drink and crime are to be successfully combated, sanitary houses must be provided. If `unrest' is to be converted to contentment, the provisions of good housing may prove one of the most potent agencies in that conversion.”
Glacier surface-area changes in Sagarmatha national park, Nepal, in the second half of the 20th century, by comparison of historical maps
Authors: Salerno Franco , Buraschi Elisa , Bruccoleri Gabriele , Tartari Gianni , Smiraglia Claudio 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe investigate variations in the surface area of glaciers in Sagarmatha national park, Nepal, during the second half of the 20th century through comparison of a map applicable to the late 1950s with the official map of Nepal in the early 1990s. The comparison reveals a slight overall decrease in glacier area (by 4.9%, from 403.9 to 384.6 km2), a result which, though potentially subject to errors arising from cartographic interpretation, is in line with the area reductions found by other studies of Asian glaciers. We find that the areas of some individual glaciers, the largest situated at higher altitudes, increased during the study period. This was most apparent for the glaciers oriented to the south, with the increase occurring mainly in the glacier accumulation zones while the fronts tended to recede. Meanwhile, the smaller glaciers, situated lower and on steep basins, experienced a reduction. For the smaller glaciers, the sections most affected by change were the accumulation zones, and these glaciers showed a tendency for the front to advance. In this region there is a lack of climate data for high altitudes. Nevertheless, observations from stations situated around the park suggest that, alongside temperature variations which are often considered the primary factor eliciting glacier response, changes in precipitation play a significant role.
Quantitative determination of β,β‐dimethylacrylshikonin (DASK) in rat whole blood by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with pre‐column derivation and its pharmacokinetic application
Authors: Tian Huifang , Sun Dongxiao , Dou Guifang , Yuan Dan , Meng Zhiyun 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of β,β‐dimethylacrylshikonin (DASK) in rat whole blood. DASK was pretreated using pre‐column derivatization with 2‐mercaptoethanol followed by liquid–liquid extraction with cyclohexane. Detection was performed on Thermo Finnigan TSQ Quantum triple quadrupole mass spectrometer by selected reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization source. The linear range for the determination of DASK spiked in rat whole blood (0.25 mL) was 3–3000 ng/mL. The accuracy was within 9%. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were no more than 16.1 and 13.3%, respectively. The validated LC‐MS/MS method was successfully applied to the preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats. After DASK administration (60 mg/kg, p.o.) in rats, pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained, where the area under the drug concentration–time curve was 2393.7 ± 224.4 ng h/mL and the elimination half‐life was 27.6 ± 5.3 h. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanism of 3‐nitropropionic acid‐induced membrane permeability transition of isolated mitochondria and its suppression by L‐carnitine
Authors: Nishimura Makoto , Okimura Yuya , Fujita Hirofumi , Yano Hiromi , Lee Jintae , Suzaki Etsuko , Inoue Masayasu , Utsumi Kozo , Sasaki Junzo 
Published: November 2008

Abstract3‐Nitropropionic acid (3NP) functions as an irreversible inhibitor of succinic acid dehydrogenase (complex II) and induces neuronal disorders in rats similar to those in patients with Huntington's disease. It is well known that L‐carnitine (LC), a carrier of long chain fatty acid into the mitochondrial matrix, attenuates the neuronal degeneration in 3NP‐treated rats. From these findings it has been suggested that 3NP induces certain neuronal cell death through mitochondrial dysfunction and that LC preserves the neurons against the dysfunction of mitochondria caused by 3NP. However, the detailed mechanism of cell death by 3NP and the protective actions of LC against the mitochondrial dysfunction have not been fully elucidated yet. Thus, we studied the molecular mechanism of the effects of 3NP and LC on isolated rat liver mitochondria. 3NP inhibited succinate respiration and the decreased respiratory control ratio of isolated mitochondria without affecting oxidative phosphorylation. 3NP induced a membrane permeability transition (MPT), which plays an important role in the mechanism of apoptotic cell death. 3NP stimulated Ca2+ release from mitochondria, decreased membrane potential, induced mitochondrial swelling, and stimulated cytochrome c release from mitochondria. 3NP‐induced swelling was suppressed by bovine serum albumin, inhibitors of phospholipase A2 and by an inhibitor of classic MPT, cyclosporin A. Furthermore, LC suppressed the changes brought about by 3NP in mitochondrial functions in the presence of ATP. These results suggest that MPT underlies the mechanism of 3NP‐induced cell death, and that LC attenuates mitochondrial MPT by decreasing long chain fatty acids generated by phospholipase A2. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developmental expression of Rab11, a small GTP‐binding protein in Drosophila epithelia
Authors: Sasikumar Satish , Roy Jagat Kumar 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIntracellular membrane trafficking regulates a wide variety of developmental processes, including cell and tissue morphogenesis. Here we report developmental expression of Drosophila Rab11, a small GTP‐binding protein, required for both endocytic recycling and exocytosis. Rab11 is expressed in the epithelial cell types of diverse lineages at all developmental stages, beginning from the cellular blastoderm in early embryos to adult primordia and adult tissues, like the columnar epithelia lining male ejaculatory bulb. A robust expression of Rab11 is seen both in the amnioserosa and in the lateral epidermis during embryonic dorsal closure, a morphogenetic event that involves spreading and fusion of the contra‐lateral sides of epidermis. Rab11 mutant embryos fail to display the characteristic morphological changes in these two epithelial tissues during dorsal closure, providing a strong basis to dissect the role of Rab11 in coordinated epithelial sheet movements. genesis 47:32–39, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Availability of autoantigenic epitopes controls phenotype, severity, and penetrance in TCR Tg autoimmune gastritis
Authors: Levin Ditza , DiPaolo Richard J. , Brinster Carine , Revilleza Maria Jamela R. , Boyd Lisa F. , Teyton Luc , Natarajan Kannan , Mage Michael G. , Shevach Ethan M. , Margulies David H. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe examined TCR:MHC/peptide interactions and in vivo epitope availability to explore the Th1‐ or Th2‐like phenotype of autoimmune disease in two TCR Tg mouse models of autoimmune gastritis (AIG). The TCR of strains A23 and A51 recognize distinct IAd‐restricted peptides from the gastric parietal cell H/K‐ATPase. Both peptides form extremely stable MHC/peptide (MHC/p) complexes. All A23 animals develop a Th1‐like aggressive, inflammatory AIG early in life, while A51 mice develop indolent Th2‐like AIG at 6–8 wk with incomplete penetrance. A51 T cells were more sensitive than A23 to low doses of soluble antigen and to MHC/p complexes. Staining with IAd/peptide tetramers was only detectable on previously activated T cells from A51. Thus, despite inducing a milder AIG, the A51 TCR displays a higher avidity for its cognate IAd/peptide. Nonetheless, in vivo proliferation of adoptively transferred A51 CFSE‐labeled T cells in the gastric lymph node was relatively poor compared with A23 T cells. Also, DC from WT gastric lymph node, presenting processed antigen available in vivo, stimulated proliferation of A23 T cells better than A51. Thus, the autoimmune potential of these TCR in their respective Tg lines is strongly influenced by the availability of the peptide epitope, rather than by differential avidity for their respective MHC/p complexes.
Cover Picture: Eur. J. Immunol. 12/08
Authors: Allam Ramanjaneyulu , Pawar Rahul D. , Kulkarni Onkar P. , Hornung Veit , Hartmann Gunter , Segerer Stephan , Akira Shizuo , Endres Stefan , Anders Hans‐Joachim 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe cover image depicts IgG immunostaining in kidney glomerulus of MRLlpr/lpr mice. Immunostaining for total IgG was performed on paraffin‐embedded renal sections and image was captured using a fluorescence microscope at an original magnification of × 400. The image was taken from the article by Allam et al. (pp. 3487–3498) in which the authors demonstrate that although both 3P‐RNA and non‐CpG DNA aggravate experimental lupus in nephritic MRLlpr/lpr mice, these ligands aggravate autoimmunity via distinct pathways.
Reactivity versus Stability of Oxiranes under Palladium‐Catalyzed Reductive Conditions
Authors: Thiery Emilie , Le Bras Jean , Muzart Jacques 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis review highlights the different selectivities and efficiencies of the Pd‐catalyzed reductive procedures that have been applied to substrates containing an epoxide ring. The proposed mechanisms are also described with, in some cases, personal comments. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Confronting colonial legacies—lessons from human development in Ghana and Kenya, 1880–2000
Authors: Moradi Alexander 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA growing body of scholarly research locates the roots of Africa's poverty in its colonial past. However, studies avoid tracing Africa's development over the full course of history. In this paper, I quantify the changes in well‐being of the African population in Ghana and Kenya, at the regional level, during the years 1880‐2000. By using body stature as a measure of nutritional status I overcome the scarcity and unreliability of historical data. The two countries had a much more diverse development under colonial times than commonly assumed, with phases of substantial progress (which was also unevenly distributed between the regions). Based on these new findings I confront the existing colonial legacy literature and point to possible lessons that can be drawn from human development over the last 120 years. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late Quaternary vegetation and fire history in the northernmost Nothofagus forest region: Mallín Vaca Lauquen, Neuquén Province, Argentina
Authors: Markgraf Vera , Whitlock Cathy , Anderson R. Scott , García Adriana 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe last 16 000 cal. a of vegetation, fire and limnological history are described from the steppe‐forest ecotone in the northernmost Nothofagus forest region east of the Andes (Mallín Vaca Lauquen, Neuquén Province, Argentina, latitude 36° 51.336′ S, longitude 71° 02.538′ W). Between 16 000 and 14 800 cal. a BP, scrub steppe with substantial open ground expanded in formerly glaciated valleys, whereas Nothofagus–Prumnopitys andina woodland covered mountain slopes. The site was a relatively deep and unproductive small lake at this time. After 14 800 cal. a BP, both steppe and woodland vegetation became denser, indicating increased moisture and temperatures, although not to present levels. The lake was still relatively deep and dystrophic, but became more alkaline by 10 000 cal. a BP. Between 8900 and 5500 cal. a BP, conditions were markedly drier than before; a Cyperaceae marsh developed and disturbance taxa increased. After 5500 cal. a BP, moisture increased but varied greatly, as evidenced by fluctuating water levels and high fire activity from 5500 to 4400 cal. a BP and from 2300 to 1000 cal. a BP. Human activity, in terms of forest clearance and livestock grazing, is documented in the uppermost levels. The evidence of high environmental variability in the middle and late Holocene is consistent with the onset or strengthening of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, but differences in the timing of fire activity among sites on the west and east sides of the Andes suggest that fuel conditions were important in determining the local occurrence of fire. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheological Behaviors in the Regimes from Dilute to Concentrated in Cellulose Solutions Dissolved at Low Temperature
Authors: Lue Ang , Zhang Lina 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCellulose was dissolved rapidly in 9.5 wt.‐% NaOH/4.5 wt.‐% thiourea aqueous solution pre‐cooled to −5 °C to prepare cellulose solution with different concentrations. The rheological properties of the cellulose solutions in wide concentration regimes from dilute (0.008 wt.‐%) to concentrated (4.0 wt.‐%) at 25 °C were investigated. On the basis of data from the steady‐shear flow test, the critical overlap (c*), the entanglement (ce) and the gel (cg) concentrations of the cellulose solution at 25 °C were determined, respectively, to be 0.10 wt.‐%, 0.53 wt.‐% and 2.50 wt.‐%, in accordance with the results of storage modulus (G′) versus c by dynamic test. Moreover, the Cox‐Merz deviation at relatively low concentrations was in good agreement with the micro‐gel particles in dilute regime. As the cellulose concentration increased, a homogeneous 3‐dimensional network formed in the cellulose solution in the concentrated regime, and further increasing of the concentration led to micro‐phase separation as determined by the time‐temperature superposition (tTS). So far, this complex cellulose solution has been successfully described by the concentration regime theory for the first time, and the relatively molecular morphologies in each regime have been determined, providing useful information for the applications of the cellulose solution systems.magnified image
Enhanced delineation of white matter structures of the fixed mouse brain using Gd‐DTPA in microscopic MRI
Authors: Kim Sungheon , Pickup Stephen , Hsu Oliver , Poptani Harish 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gadolinium (III) diethyltriaminepenta‐acetic acid (Gd‐DTPA) mixed with a fixative on the image contrast between the white and gray matter of the perfusion‐fixed mouse brain. A series of microscopic MRI (µMRI) studies using different concentrations of Gd‐DTPA were performed at multiple time points to determine the optimal Gd‐DTPA concentration and fixation time necessary to maximize the contrast‐to‐noise ratio between the white and gray matter with relatively short scan time using a three‐dimensional gradient‐echo pulse sequence. On the basis of the experimental results, high‐resolution (39 µm isotropic) images with excellent contrast‐to‐noise ratio (∼50) were acquired in less than 2 h of scan time after the specimen had been soaked in 10 mM Gd‐DTPA for 4 days. Excellent correlation was noted between µMRI and histology in that the µMRI clearly depicted brain regions that were also observed by the Kluver–Barrera stain. The enhanced contrast between the white and gray matter obtained by the proposed µMRI method may facilitate the development of µMRI‐based morphological phenotyping methods for mouse models of neurological disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The management of climate change through prescribed Savanna burning: Emerging contributions of indigenous people in Northern Australia
Authors: Whitehead Peter J. , Purdon Paul , Russell‐Smith Jeremy , Cooke Peter M. , Sutton Stephen 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAustralia has committed to substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) achieved through a national emissions trading system, raising important issues for relatively undeveloped regions of Northern Australia and, in particular, Indigenous lands. Can mostly Indigenous and socio‐economically disadvantaged people living in such regions develop institutions to contribute significantly to the mitigation of GHGE, yet pursue regional development? Will national policies adequately recognise the special needs and potential contributions of such communities? These questions and the challenges inherent in them are addressed in this article with reference to a significant initiative involving the community management of landscape fire to reduce annual GHGE from savanna burning. This initiative appears to offer potential for engagement with global carbon markets, but it will need local, national and international support, along with appropriate changes in attitudes and legal arrangements, to ensure an equitable distribution of tangible rewards, while protecting the cultural and related benefits of customary fire use. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The clean development mechanism in China and India: A comparative institutional analysis
Authors: Ganapati Sukumar , Liu Liguang 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe clean development mechanism (CDM) is a project‐based instrument that allows developed countries to receive credits toward meeting their obligatory targets under the Kyoto Protocol by investing in emission reduction projects in developing countries. This article provides a comparative institutional analysis of the CDM in China and India. It focuses on each country's ‘designated national authority’ (DNA), which is the national agency to approve CDM projects. Three dimensions of the DNAs are considered: their structures, their policies and the CDM project market. Although the DNAs in both China and India have their strengths and weaknesses, China's approach in particular has some positive lessons for other DNAs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emergency cerclage in cases of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome with a short cervix at the time of surgery and relationship to perinatal outcome
Authors: Salomon L. J. , Nasr B. , Nizard J. , Bernard J. P. , Essaoui M. , Bussieres L. , Ville Y. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of emergency cerclage on perinatal outcome in cases presenting with cervical length less than fifth centile at the time of laser surgery.Population and MethodsObservational study of severe twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) cases diagnosed before 26 weeks of gestation and treated by fetoscopic selective laser coagulation (FSLC). Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length prior to treatment identified cases with cervical length less than fifth centile (15 mm). Expectant management was followed in these cases prior to 2004, and a McDonald suture was performed immediately after laser surgery from 2004 onwards. Outcome was compared in patients with and without cerclage.ResultsCervical length was a strong predictor for gestational age (GA) at delivery (p = 0.005). Mean GA at laser therapy was comparable [22.4 ( ± 2.1) and 22.1 ( ± 2) in patients with (n = 9) and without cerclage (n = 5), respectively, (p = 0.8)], whereas mean (SD) GA at delivery was 30.5 ( ± 4.3) and 23.1 ( ± 2.6) weeks in patients with and without cerclage, respectively, (p = 0.004). There were 16 (89%) and 4 (40%) surviving twins in cases with and without cerclage, respectively (p = 0.01).ConclusionsIn TTTS treated by laser, cervical length before treatment is significantly associated with GA at delivery. In cases with cervix < 15 mm, emergency cerclage may prolong the pregnancy and allow for better outcome. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.