bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Christians and Jews: Competitive Siblings or the Israel of God?
Authors: McDade John 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDabru Emet, the important statement by Jewish scholars on the religious significance of Christianity and the Jewish relation to the Church, stimulated an articulate debate among Jews: Jon Levenson fears that the anodyne character of Dabru Emet lacks a conceptually coherent pluralism and commits Jews to positions which alter the fundamental character of Judaism. Does dialogical engagement with another tradition substantially modify the features of a religion? The Christian theologian Paul van Buren outlines three stages in the relationship of the two faiths which seem to lead to radical revision, certainly of Christianity. Van Buren's approach raises the question of the weighting accorded to different ‘moments’ in the dynamic of revelation springing from Israel. If Christianity is ‘reconfigured Judaism’, and the relation to Judaism is at the heart of Christian identity, then the two traditions exercise a conjoined, single mission on behalf of the truth of God. Israel according to the flesh and the community of reconfigured Israel are two communities, focused upon different but inseparable moments in ‘the design of the Lord of the covenant’, which might be designated as ‘the Israel of God’.
Theological Issues in Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Authors: Hewer Chris 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn initial analysis of the theological aspects of Christian-Muslim relations. After setting the historical scene, the following theological issues are briefly explored: consequences of two faiths worshipping God, prophethood of Muhammed, status of the Qur'an, Jesus as “Son of God”, a Qur'anic Christology, “People of the Book” vs. “People of the Incarnate Revelation”, the divine/human relationship in heaven, salvation and original sin, free-will and predeterminism, unicity of God vs. Trinity, Unitarians as “true Christians”, death and resurrection vs. “undead ascension”, and has the magisterium of the Church distorted the true message of Jesus? Three dimensions of the issues are covered: Content: what are the theological issues? Method: how do we handle the issues? Consequences: what difference might that make for Christian theological reflection? The challenge is to develop a methodology that moves beyond polemic or apologetics, that recognises the limitations of understanding and that returns theological discourse to the realm of faith and accountability before God.
Predictors and correlates of edentulism in the healthy old people in Edinburgh (HOPE) study
Authors: Starr John M. , Hall Roanna J. , Macintyre Sally , Deary Ian J. , Whalley Lawrence J. 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  To determine the extent to which correlates of edentulism are explained by an association between tooth loss and cognitive ability.Methods:  Participants in the Healthy Old People in Edinburgh (HOPE) study aged 70 or more at baseline were assessed and health, cognitive, socio‐economic and socio‐environmental data collected on four consecutive occasions. It was noted whether the participant had any retained teeth and if not, the age when the last tooth was lost. Prior determinants of edentulism were investigated with binary logistic regression models. At the 9‐year follow‐up, associations with edentulism were examined using general linear models with edentulism as an independent factor.Results:  201 participants were adequately tested, of whom 104 (51.7%) were edentulous. A logistic regression model that considered age, sex, education, social class, deprivation index of residence, objective distance from dentist, participant’s estimate of distance from dentist and NART‐estimated IQ (NARTIQ) found age (p = 0.032), occupational class (p = 0.019) and NARTIQ (p = 0.027) as significant predictors of edentulism. Cox’s proportional hazards modelling found only NARTIQ (p = 0.050) to be correlated. Being edentulous was associated with poorer respiratory function but not hand grip strength (p = 0.23). Edentulous participants had lower self esteem scores (p = 0.020) and poorer dietary assessment scores (p = 0.028). Being edentulous was also associated with significantly lower mean scores on all cognitive testing, although these associations became non‐significant after adjustment for NARTIQ and age.Conclusions:  In healthy older people, edentulism is associated with relative impairment of cognitive ability, although this association is explained by the fact that lower original intelligence predisposes to edentulism and poorer performance on cognitive tests in old age. Once original intelligence is adjusted for, tooth loss is not related to cognitive ability. Tooth loss is, however, associated with poorer status across a wide range of health measures: physical health, nutrition, disability and self‐esteem. Establishing the degree to which these health outcomes are causally related to edentulism could usefully be factored into cost–benefit analyses of programmes designed to prevent tooth loss.
The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction in Young Korean Women: An Internet-Based Survey
Authors: Song Sang Hoon , Jeon Hyewon , Kim Soo Woong , Paick Jae-Seung , Son Hwancheol 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
In Korea, although male sexual problems have been relatively well addressed, few surveys have been conducted on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in the general population. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and identified the risk factors of sexual dysfunction in young Korean women.

Aim
To evaluate the prevalence and to identify the risk factors of FSD in young Korean women.

Methods
A total of 47,000 women were initially approached. All received an e-mail requesting that they participate in a Web-based survey. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire requesting detailed medical and sexual histories, which included the questions contained in the Korean version of the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures
The prevalence of FSD in young Korean women in the different age groups and risk factors for developing FSD.

Results
A total of 504 women of average age 28.5 years (18–52 years) were evaluated during this survey. Setting the cutoff score for FSD using a receiver operating characteristic curve of our data as 25.0 points, 43.1% of women under 40 years old reported FSD. FSD was detected as a desire problem in 44.0% of women, an arousal problem in 49.0%, a lubrication problem in 37.0%, an orgasm problem in 32.0%, a satisfaction problem in 37.0%, and a pain problem in 34.6%. Risk factors for FSD as determined by logistic regression analysis were increasing age, a low frequency of sex, depression, a sexually abused history, and voiding dysfunction.

Conclusions
The prevalence of FSD in Korean young women was common and comparable to those reported worldwide.
Does Circumcision Make a Difference to the Sexual Experience of Gay Men? Findings from the Health in Men (HIM) Cohort
Authors: Mao Limin , Templeton David J. , Crawford June , Imrie John , Prestage Garrett P. , Grulich Andrew E. , Donovan Basil , Kaldor John M. , Kippax Susan C. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The relevance of circumcision in preventing male-to-male sexual transmission of HIV is poorly understood, in particular because any potential beneficial effect could be diminished by the impact of circumcision on sexual behavior.

Aim
We examined the impact of circumcision on sexual experience.

Methods
Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed on data from 1,426 HIV-negative homosexually active men.

Main Outcome Measures
We compared the sexual behaviors and preferences of circumcised with uncircumcised men, and men who were circumcised at infancy with those who were circumcised after infancy.

Results
Overall, 66% of men (N = 939) in the cohort were circumcised. After adjusting for age and ethnicity, we found no differences between circumcised and uncircumcised men in any insertive or receptive anal intercourse, difficulty using condoms, or sexual difficulties (e.g., loss of libido). Among the circumcised men, we compared those circumcised at infancy (N = 854) with those circumcised after infancy (N = 81). The majority cited phimosis (i.e., an inability to fully retract the foreskin) and parents' decision as the main reasons for circumcision after infancy. After adjusting for age and ethnicity, the men circumcised after infancy were more likely to practice any receptive anal sex (88% vs. 75%, P &lt; 0.05) and to experience erection difficulties (52% vs. 47%, P &lt; 0.05), but less likely to practice any insertive anal sex (79% vs. 87%, P &lt; 0.05) and to experience premature ejaculation (15% vs. 23%, P &lt; 0.05) than those circumcised at infancy.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that overall circumcision status does not affect the HIV-negative gay men's anal sexual behaviors, experience of condom use, or likelihood of sexual difficulties. However, there is some suggestion of differences in sexual practices and preferences among circumcised gay men depending on the age at circumcision. In particular, gay men circumcised later are more likely to engage in and prefer receptive anal intercourse.
Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and aortic remodelling in NO‐deficient hypertensive rats: effect of l‐arginine and spironolactone
Authors: Paulis L. , Matuskova J. , Adamcova M. , Pelouch V. , Simko J. , Krajcirovicova K. , Potacova A. , Hulin I. , Janega P. , Pechanova O. , Simko F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: We investigated, whether the substrate for nitric oxide (NO) formation –l‐arginine – and the aldosterone receptor antagonist – spironolactone – are able to reverse alterations of the left ventricle (LV) and aorta inNω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME)‐induced hypertension.Methods: Six groups of male adult Wistar rats were investigated: controls after 4 and 7 weeks of experiment, rats treated withl‐NAME for 4 weeks and three recovery groups: spontaneous‐reversion (4 weeksl‐NAME + 3 weeks placebo), spironolactone‐induced reversion (4 weeksl‐NAME + 3 weeks spironolactone) andl‐arginine‐induced reversion (4 weeksl‐NAME+ 3 weeksl‐arginine). Blood pressure was measured by tail‐cuff plethysmography. Relative weight of the LV, myocardial fibrosis (based upon histomorphometry and hydroxyproline determination) and conjugated dienes in the LV and aortic cross‐sectional area, inner diameter and wall thickness were determined. NO‐synthase activity was investigated in the LV and aorta.Results: l‐NAME administration induced hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), LV fibrosis, aortic thickening and diminution of NO‐synthase activity in the LV and aorta. Reduction in blood pressure and regression of LVH were observed in all recovery groups, yet reduction in LV fibrosis and aortic thickening were not. NO‐synthase activity was restored only in thel‐arginine and spironolactone group.Conclusion: In our study, the reversion of hypertension and LVH was not dependent on the restoration of NO‐synthase activity. Moreover, LV fibrosis and aortic remodelling seem to be more resistant to conditions resulting in regression of LVH. Preserved level of fibrosis in the initial period of LVH regression might result in loss of structural homogeneity and possible functional alterations of the LV.
Factors explaining the abundance of rodents in the city of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, as revealed by field and household surveys
Authors: PROMKERD Prasartthong , KHOPRASERT Yuvaluk , VIRATHAVONE Phongthep , THOUMMABOUTH Manivone , SIRISAK Ouane , JÄKEL Thomas 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA field and a household survey, the latter of which included inspections and interviews with the residents of a total of 1370 properties, were conducted in 2004 in 30 villages of the city of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, in order to assess the degree of rodent infestation and to identify potential factors influencing infestations. Roof rats, Rattus rattus, and the Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans, were the only rodents found in the city, and trapping results showed a clear dominance of roof rats (80–90% of all individuals). Measurements of rodent activity using tracking patches correlated positively with the trapping data, and revealed a significantly higher degree of rat infestation during the rainy season (September) than during the dry season (November). If households in the vicinity of the sampling locations were considered, villagers' accounts of indoor rodent infestations recorded during the household survey correlated positively with measurements of rodent activity. At least every second household reported indoor infestations. Using explorative statistical analyses (classification trees, factor analysis) we checked the predictive or explanatory value of up to 28 variables assessed during household inspections for villagers' observations on rodent infestation as the dependent variable. Trophic factors such as exposed food (indoors) and garbage (outdoors), and structural features such as open ceilings (indoors) and rat harborage in gardens (outdoors) ranked highest as explanatory variables. Assessment of a small sample of roof rat droppings collected inside houses revealed the presence of the potential disease agents Salmonella javiana, Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia duodenalis and the parasitic nematode Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica). These results underline the need for an appropriate rodent management strategy for the city, whereby simple sanitation and rodent‐proofing measures could be cheap means of reducing rat infestation rates.
Understanding and managing sanitary risks due to rodent zoonoses in an African city: beyond the Boston Model
Authors: TAYLOR Peter J. , ARNTZEN Lorraine , HAYTER Mel , ILES Malcolm , FREAN John , BELMAIN Steven 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe Boston Model describes a successful rodent management plan that succeeded in a first‐world city in the USA. In third‐world cities, which often contain informal shack settlements, it is debatable whether the Boston Model would apply. In Durban, a major harbor city of three million people on the east coast of South Africa, we investigated the sanitary risks due to rodents in both formal (residential and commercial) and informal (shacks) sectors, and we evaluated the relative merits of different management interventions suggested by the Boston Model. Blood and tissue samples of six species (Rattus norvegicus, R. tanezumi, R. rattus, Mus musculus, Mastomys natalensis, Tatera brantsi) from 262 live‐trapped rodents from 54 localities were tested for antibodies or DNA for plague (n= 193: antibody test), leptospirosis (n= 221 for antibody test; n= 69 for polymerase chain reaction test for DNA) and toxoplasmosis (n= 217: antibody test). We conducted a socioeconomic survey of 90 household to determine environmental and socioeconomic disease risk factors in the shack settlement of Cato Crest. No rodents were seropositive for plague, but nine Norway rats, R. norvegicus (4.1% of the sample tested) were seropositive for toxoplasmosis, and 22 R. norvegicus (10.0% of sample tested) were seropositive for leptospirosis. Disease endemic areas were concentrated in Cato Crest and the commercial district of Durban. Serology tests of humans living in Cato Crest (n= 219) showed 0% exposure to plague, 23% to leptospirosis and 35% to toxoplasmosis. Compared with shack‐dwellers, the residents of brick houses had slightly lower levels of exposure to leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis. Based on our results, environmental hygiene and rodent‐trapping campaigns were launched in Cato Crest. The initiative owes much of its current success to implementation of the principles inherent in the Boston Model, even though certain elements were lacking.
Specialist predator in a multi‐species prey community: boreal voles and weasels
Authors: SUNDELL Janne , YLÖNEN Hannu 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDissimilar vulnerabilities of different prey types and preferences of predators are factors likely to contribute to community dynamics. This may happen via differential individual properties of prey animals (e.g. vigilance, escape) or via habitat effects making hunting by a predator easier and more rewarding in some habitats, or both. Furthermore, community dynamics may be influenced by predator mediated apparent competition, in which an increase in one prey type has negative effects on another prey type indirectly via the shared predator. We summarize the current knowledge from the field in a model predator‐prey system consisting of sympatric boreal vole species and their common specialist predator and review field studies using predator manipulation and studies on the responses of individuals in the laboratory and in outdoor enclosures. The vole species studied represent different prey types that are thought to have different vulnerabilities. Our observations on the main resident specialist predator, the least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis L.), show that it hunts according to prey availability and suitability of the hunting habitat. Prey voles respond to the presence of the predator behaviorally in various ways to avoid predation. We conclude that even if the least weasel is a specialized predator of small rodents it acts like a generalist predator within the small rodent guild and may facilitate the coexistence of prey species via predator switching. This may lead to interspecific synchrony between prey populations, which has often been observed. We suggest that the processes determining the community impact of predator‐prey interactions are driven by the behavioral arms race between the predator and the prey, together with the habitat‐dependent density of prey and net gain for the predator.
Tumor Necrosis Factor α is Reparative via TNFR1 in the Hippocampus and via TNFR2 in the Striatum after Virus‐Induced Encephalitis
Authors: Rodriguez Moses , Zoecklein Laurie , Papke Louisa , Gamez Jeff , Denic Aleksandar , Macura Slobodan , Howe Charles 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDifferentiating between injurious and reparative factors facilitates appropriate therapeutic intervention. We evaluated the role of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in parenchymal brain pathology resolution following virus‐induced encephalitis from a picornavirus, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). We infected the following animals with TMEV for 7 to 270 days: B6/129 TNF−/− mice (without TNFα expression), B6/129 TNFR1−/− mice (without TNFα receptor 1 expression), and B6/129 TNFR2−/− mice (without TNFα receptor 2 expression). Normal TNFα‐expressing controls were TMEV‐infected B6, 129/J, B6/129F1 and B6/129F2 mice. Whereas all strains developed inflammation and neuronal injury in the hippocampus and striatum 7 to 21 days postinfection (dpi), the control mice resolved the pathology by 45 to 90 dpi. However, parenchymal hippocampal and striatal injury persisted in B6/129 TNF−/− mice following infection. Treating virus‐infected mice with active recombinant mouse TNFα resulted in less hippocampal and striatal pathology, whereas TNFα‐neutralizing treatment worsened pathology. T1 “black holes” appeared on MRI during early infection in the hippocampus and striatum in all mice but persisted only in TNF−/− mice. TNFR1 mediated hippocampal pathology resolution whereas TNFR2 mediated striatal healing. These findings indicate the role of TNFα in resolution of sublethal hippocampal and striatal injury.
Antagonism of the Chemokine Receptors CXCR3 and CXCR4 Reduces the Pathology of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Kohler Rachel E. , Comerford Iain , Townley Scott , Haylock‐Jacobs Sarah , Clark‐Lewis Ian , McColl Shaun R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractChemokines regulate lymphocyte trafficking under physiologic and pathologic conditions. In this study, we have investigated the role of CXCR3 and CXCR4 in the activation of T lymphocytes and their migration to the central nervous system (CNS) using novel mutant chemokines to antagonize CXCR3 and CXCR4 specifically. A series of truncation mutants of CXCL11, which has the highest affinity for CXCR3, were synthesized, and an antagonist, CXCL11(4–79), was obtained. CXCL11(4–79) strongly inhibited the migration of activated mouse T cells in response to all three high‐affinity CXCR3 ligands, CXCL9, 10 and 11. CXCL12(P2G2), while exhibiting minimal agonistic activity, potently inhibited the migration of activated mouse T cells in response to CXCL12. Interfering with the action of CXCR3 and CXCR4 with these synthetic receptor antagonists inhibited experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis and reduced the accumulation of CD4+ T cells in the CNS. Further investigation demonstrated that CXCL12(P2G2) inhibited the sensitization phase, whereas CXCL11(4–79) inhibited the effector phase of the immune response. Our data suggest that simultaneous targeting of CXCR4 and CXCR3 may be of benefit in the treatment of the CNS autoimmune disease.
Immunohistochemical Analysis Supports a Role for INI1/SMARCB1 in Hereditary Forms of Schwannomas, but Not in Solitary, Sporadic Schwannomas
Authors: Patil Sushama , Perry Arie , MacCollin Mia , Dong Shumin , Betensky Rebecca A. , Yeh Tu‐Hsueh , Gutmann David H. , Stemmer‐Rachamimov Anat O. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe INI1/SMARCB1 protein product (INI1), a component of a transcription complex, was recently implicated in the pathogenesis of schwannomas in two members of a single family with familial schwannomatosis. Tumors were found to have both constitutional and somatic mutations of the SMARCB1 gene and showed a mosaic pattern of loss of INI1 expression by immunohistochemistry, suggesting a tumor composition of mixed null and haploinsufficient cells. To determine if this finding could be extended to all tumors arising in familial schwannomatosis, and how it compares with other multiple schwannoma syndromes [sporadic schwannomatosis and neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2)] as well as to sporadic, solitary schwannomas, we performed an immunohistochemistry analysis on 45 schwannomas from patients with multiple schwannoma syndromes and on 38 solitary, sporadic schwannomas from non‐syndromic patients. A mosaic pattern of INI1 expression was seen in 93% of tumors from familial schwannomatosis patients, 55% of tumors from sporadic schwannomatosis, 83% of NF2‐associated tumors and only 5% of solitary, sporadic schwannomas. These results confirm a role for INI1/SMARCB1 in multiple schwannoma syndromes and suggest that a different pathway of tumorigenesis occurs in solitary, sporadic tumors.
Melatonin Attenuates Hypoxia‐Induced Ultrastructural Changes and Increased Vascular Permeability in the Developing Hippocampus
Authors: Kaur Charanjit , Sivakumar Viswanathan , Lu Jia , Tang Feng Ru , Ling Eng Ang 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHypoxic injury in the perinatal period may be involved in damaging the developing hippocampus. The damage may be mediated by excess production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO). We examined the hippocampus of neonatal Wistar rats subjected to hypoxia for VEGF and NO production. The mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor‐1α, endothelial, neuronal, inducible nitric oxide synthase and VEGF was found to be up‐regulated significantly after the hypoxic exposure. Tissue VEGF concentration and NO production were also increased. By electron microscopy, swollen dendrites, vacuolated axons and hypertrophic astrocyte end feet associated with blood vessels were observed in hypoxic animals. In hypoxic rats, the passage of rhodamine isothiocyanate (RhIC) and horseradish peroxidase, administered intraperitoneally or intravenously, was observed through vascular walls. Furthermore, immunoglobulin G was localized in the neuropil and neurons. We suggest that increased VEGF and NO production in hypoxia had resulted in increased vascular permeability, leading to structural alteration of the dendrites and axons. Melatonin administration reduced VEGF and NO levels as well as leakage of RhIC, suggesting that it has a therapeutic potential in reducing hypoxia‐associated damage in the developing hippocampus.