bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
State Denunciation of Crime
Authors: Bennett Christopher 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn this paper I am concerned with a problem for communicative theories of punishment. On such theories, punishment is justified at least in part as the authoritative censure or condemnation of crime. But is this compatible with a broadly liberal political outlook? For while liberalism is generally thought to take only a very limited interest in its citizens’ attitudes (seeing moral opinion as a matter of legitimate debate), the idea of state denunciation of crime seems precisely to be focused on the attitudes expressed in action. In this paper I analyse the elements of the communicative theory of punishment, assessing the extent to which they can be considered anti-liberal. I argue that, understood in a certain way, the communicative theory, though in some sense communitarian, is compatible with at least one central and attractive non-perfectionist strand in liberalism.
Effect of Framing Factor on Clear Wall R-value for Wood and Steel Framed Walls
Authors: Syed Azam Mohiuddin , Kośny Jan 
Published: October 2006

In the current practice of testing and theoretical analysis of building envelope assemblies, the amount of structural members incorporated into the total wall area is commonly called a framing factor. It used to be expressed as a percent of the total wall area. Traditionally, for wood-framed walls, the framing factor has been considered to be between 10 and 14%. According to the report prepared in 2002 by Enermodal Engineering for California Energy Commission, there is 27% framing in current residential walls in California. A similar study performed by the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers in 2003 has concluded an average 25% of framing factor for all US residential buildings. In order to incorporate this finding into theoretical and experimental procedures of heat transfer analysis, representative geometries for wood and steel-framed walls need to be redefined. In this article, R-values for various percentages of framing according to different methods of calculation are examined. Also, thermal effects of various configurations of installation, structural components in wood and steel-framed walls with studs installed at 16 in. on-center (for 27% of framing) are analyzed numerically using a 3D heat conduction code. In addition, consequences of installation imperfections in cavity insulation are analyzed from a thermal perspective. The performed numerical study demonstrated significant sensitivity of some residential walls for insulation installation imperfections.
Down-regulation of RXRα expression is essential for neutrophil development from granulocyte/monocyte progenitors
Authors: Taschner Sabine , Koesters Christina , Platzer Barbara , Jörgl Almut , Ellmeier Wilfried , Benesch Thomas , Strobl Herbert 
Published: October 2006

AbstractNeutrophil granulocytes (Gs) represent highly abundant and short-lived leukocytes that are constantly regenerated from a small pool of myeloid committed progenitors. Nuclear receptor (NR) family members are ligand-activated transcription factors that play key roles in cellular proliferation and differentiation processes including myelopoiesis. Retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα) represents the predominant NR types I and II homo- and heterodimerization partner in myeloid cells. Here we show that human myeloid progenitors express RXRα protein at sustained high levels during macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)–induced monopoiesis. In sharp contrast, RXRα is down-regulated during G-CSF–dependent late-stage neutrophil differentiation from myeloid progenitors. Down-regulation of RXRα is critically required for neutrophil development since ectopic RXRα inhibited granulopoiesis by impairing proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, ectopic RXRα was sufficient to redirect G-CSF–dependent granulocyte differentiation to the monocyte lineage and to promote M-CSF–induced monopoiesis. Functional genetic interference with RXRα signaling in hematopoietic progenitor/stem cells using a dominant-negative RXRα promoted the generation of late-stage granulocytes in human cultures in vitro and in reconstituted mice in vivo. Therefore, our data suggest that RXRα down-regulation is a critical requirement for the generation of neutrophil granulocytes.
Adaptive evolution of the spike gene of SARS coronavirus: changes in positively selected sites in different epidemic groups
Authors: Zhang Chi-Yu , Wei Ji-Fu , He Shao-Heng 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundIt is believed that animal-to-human transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) is the cause of the SARS outbreak worldwide. The spike (S) protein is one of the best characterized proteins of SARS-CoV, which plays a key role in SARS-CoV overcoming species barrier and accomplishing interspecies transmission from animals to humans, suggesting that it may be the major target of selective pressure. However, the process of adaptive evolution of S protein and the exact positively selected sites associated with this process remain unknown.ResultsBy investigating the adaptive evolution of S protein, we identified twelve amino acid sites (75, 239, 244, 311, 479, 609, 613, 743, 765, 778, 1148, and 1163) in the S protein under positive selective pressure. Based on phylogenetic tree and epidemiological investigation, SARS outbreak was divided into three epidemic groups: 02–04 interspecies, 03-early-mid, and 03-late epidemic groups in the present study. Positive selection was detected in the first two groups, which represent the course of SARS-CoV interspecies transmission and of viral adaptation to human host, respectively. In contrast, purifying selection was detected in 03-late group. These indicate that S protein experiences variable positive selective pressures before reaching stabilization. A total of 25 sites in 02–04 interspecies epidemic group and 16 sites in 03-early-mid epidemic group were identified under positive selection. The identified sites were different between these two groups except for site 239, which suggests that positively selected sites are changeable between groups. Moreover, it was showed that a larger proportion (24%) of positively selected sites was located in receptor-binding domain (RBD) than in heptad repeat (HR)1-HR2 region in 02–04 interspecies epidemic group (p = 0.0208), and a greater percentage (25%) of these sites occurred in HR1–HR2 region than in RBD in 03-early-mid epidemic group (p = 0.0721). These suggest that functionally different domains of S protein may not experience same positive selection in each epidemic group. In addition, three specific replacements (F360S, T487S and L665S) were only found between 03-human SARS-CoVs and strains from 02–04 interspecies epidemic group, which reveals that selective sweep may also force the evolution of S genes before the jump of SARS-CoVs into human hosts. Since certain residues at these positively selected sites are associated with receptor recognition and/or membrane fusion, they are likely to be the crucial residues for animal-to-human transmission of SARS-CoVs, and subsequent adaptation to human hosts.ConclusionThe variation of positive selective pressures and positively selected sites are likely to contribute to the adaptive evolution of S protein from animals to humans.
Elevated serum triglycerides is the strongest single indicator for the presence of metabolic syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kompoti Maria , Mariolis Anargiros , Alevizos Alevizos , Kyriazis Ioannis , Protopsaltis Ioannis , Dimou Eleni , Lentzas Ioannis , Levisianou Dimitrios , Gova Afroditi , Melidonis Andreas 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Patients with diabetes already fulfill one diagnostic criterion for MS according to the existing classifications. Our aim was to identify one single clinical parameter, which could effectively predict the presence of MS in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods
We studied all patients with type 2 diabetes who attended our Diabetes Outpatient Clinic during a three-month period. Waist circumference, blood pressure and serum lipids were measured. Establishment of MS diagnosis was based a) on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria and b) on International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied in order to identify the clinical parameter with the highest predictive capability for MS. Among the 500 participating patients (231 males, 269 females), MS was diagnosed in 364 patients (72.8%) according to the NCEP ATP III criteria and in 408 patients (81.6%) according to the IDF criteria.

Results
For the NCEP ATP III classification, serum triglycerides (in the overall population), waist and HDL (in female population) demonstrated the highest predictive capability for MS (AUCs:0.786, 0.805 and 0.801, respectively). For the IDF classification, no single parameter reached an AUC > 0.800 in the overall population. In females, HDL displayed a satisfactory predictive capability for MS with an AUC which was significantly higher than the one in males (0.785 vs. 0.676, respectively, p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Elevated serum triglycerides strongly indicate the presence of MS in patients with type 2 diabetes. In female patients with type 2 diabetes, central obesity was the second stronger predictor of MS besides hypertriglyceridemia.
Migrating leukocytes are the source of Peroxiredoxin V during inflammation in the airways
Authors: Krutilina Raisa I , Kropotov Andrei V , Leutenegger Christian , Serikov Vladimir B 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
We characterized changes in expression of the antioxidant protein Peroxiredoxin V (PRXV) during airway inflammation.

Methods
Studies in anesthetized rats and mice; PRXV expression determined by Western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry; PRXV m-RNA expression determined by Taq-Man RT-PCR.

Results
Bacterial lung inflammation did not change expression of PRXV in murine epithelia but produced massive influx of leukocytes highly expressing PRXV. Endotoxin and f-MLP induced leukocyte migration in rat trachea but did not change mRNA levels and PRXV protein expression in tracheal epithelial cells. In primary airway cell culture (cow), alveolar epithelial cells A549, or co-culture of A549 with murine macrophages RAW264.7, exposure to live bacteria increased expression of PRXV, which required serum. PRXV was secreted in vitro by epithelial and immune cells.

Conclusion
Inflammation increased expression of PRXV in airways by at least 2 mechanisms: cell population shift by massive influx of leukocytes expressing PRXV, and moderate post-transcriptional up-regulation of PRXV in epithelial cells.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism and the Presence of Kidney Stones Are Associated with Different Haplotypes of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor
Authors: Scillitani Alfredo , Guarnieri Vito , Battista Claudia , De Geronimo Simona , Muscarella Lucia Anna , Chiodini Iacopo , Cignarelli Mauro , Minisola Salvatore , Bertoldo Francesco , Francucci Cristiano M. , Malavolta Nazzarena , Piovesan Alessandro , Mascia Maria Lucia , Muscarella Silvana , Hendy Geoffrey N. , D’Agruma Leonardo , Cole David E. C. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Introduction: Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the calcium-sensing receptor gene (CASR) encoding the missense substitutions A986S, R990G, and Q1011E have been associated with normal variation in extracellular calcium homeostasis, both individually and in haplotype combination. The aim of this study was to examine haplotype associations in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).
Patients and Methods: Patients with sporadic PHPT (n = 237) were recruited from endocrine clinics and healthy controls (n = 433) from a blood donor clinic, and levels of serum calcium, albumin, and PTH were measured. In PHPT patients, urinary calcium/creatinine clearances and bone mineral density at spine and femoral neck were measured and the presence of kidney stones and vertebral fractures identified. The CASR single-nucleotide polymorphisms were haplotyped by allele-specific sequencing.
Results: Four haplotypes (ARQ, SRQ, AGQ, and ARE) of eight were observed, in keeping with significant linkage disequilibrium, but haplotype frequencies did not show significant Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium. The SRQ haplotype was more common in PHPT (125 of 474 alleles) than in controls (170 of 866 alleles, P = 0.006) and showed a significant (P = 0.006) gene-dosage effect. There was no significant association between haplotype and bone mineral density or fractures, but association with kidney stones was significant (P = 0.0007). In the stone-forming subgroup, the SRQ haplotype was underrepresented and AGQ overrepresented. Patients bearing the AGQ haplotype had an odds ratio of 3.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.30–11.3) for presentation with renal stones compared with the rest.
Conclusion: Our data indicate that the CASR SRQ haplotype is significantly associated with PHPT in our population. Within the PHPT patient population, the AGQ haplotype is significantly associated with kidney stones.
A Common Polymorphism in the Mineralocorticoid Receptor Modulates Stress Responsiveness
Authors: DeRijk Roel H. , Wüst Stefan , Meijer Onno C. , Zennaro Maria-Christina , Federenko Ilona S. , Hellhammer Dirk H. , Giacchetti Gilberta , Vreugdenhil Erno , Zitman Frans G. , de Kloet E. Ronald 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Context: Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) mediate the action of aldosterone on sodium resorption in kidney tubular cells, but in brain they respond to the glucocorticoid cortisol in stress regulation and cognitive processes.
Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the role of the MR gene variant I180V in the neuroendocrine response to a psychosocial stressor and in electrolyte regulation.
Design: Associations between the MRI180V and outcome variables in a healthy cohort subjected to psychosocial challenge (Trier Social Stress Test) and in a mild hypertensive cohort exposed to acute salt loading (Weinberger’s test) were investigated. In vitro transactivational assays were applied to compare the effects of cortisol and aldosterone on the MRI180V.
Results: Carriers of the MR180V allele showed higher saliva (P &lt; 0.01), plasma cortisol (P &lt; 0.01), and heart rate responses (P &lt; 0.05) to the Trier Social Stress Test than noncarriers (MR180I). After 3 d of a normal salt diet and the Weinberger’s test, no association was found with urinary sodium excretion, plasma aldosterone, and plasma renin activity or with changes in blood pressure, aldosterone, and renin responses. In vitro testing of the MR180V allele revealed a mild loss of function using cortisol as a ligand, compared with the MR180I allele. Significantly higher doses of cortisol were needed for half-maximal induction on the TAT-1 (P &lt; 0.002), TAT-3 (P &lt; 0.03), or mouse mammary tumor virus (P &lt; 0.02) promoters, whereas maximal induction was not different. These differences were not observed using aldosterone as a ligand.
Conclusion: The findings reveal that cortisol and heart rate responses to a psychosocial stressor are enhanced in carriers of the MR180V variant.
Pulsatile Secretion of Growth Hormone (GH) Persists during Continuous Stimulation by CJC-1295, a Long-Acting GH-Releasing Hormone Analog
Authors: Ionescu Madalina , Frohman Lawrence A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractContext: Pulsatile GH secretion is considered important for many of the hormone’s physiological effects. Short-term GHRH infusions enhance GH pulsatility and increase IGF-I, but the short GHRH half-life limits its therapeutic use. A synthetic GHRH analog (CJC-1295) that binds permanently to endogenous albumin after injection (half-life = 8 d) stimulates GH and IGF-I secretion in several animal species and in normal human subjects and enhances growth in rats.Objective: Our objective was to assess GH pulsatility after a single injection of CJC-1295 and determine which GH secretion parameters correlated to the increase in IGF-I production.Methods: GH pulsatility was assessed by 20-min blood sampling during an overnight 12-h period in healthy 20- to 40-yr-old men before and 1 wk after injection of either 60 or 90 μg/kg CJC-1295.Results: GH secretion was increased after CJC-1295 administration with preserved pulsatility. The frequency and magnitude of GH secretory pulses were unaltered. However, basal (trough) GH levels were markedly increased (7.5-fold; P &lt; 0.0001) and contributed to an overall increase in GH secretion (mean GH levels, 46%; P &lt; 0.01) and IGF-I levels (45%; P &lt; 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the responses to the two drug doses. The IGF-I increases did not correlate with any parameters of GH secretion.Conclusions: CJC-1295 increased trough and mean GH secretion and IGF-I production with preserved GH pulsatility. The marked enhancement of trough GH levels by continuous GHRH stimulation implicates the importance of this effect on increasing IGF-I. Long-acting GHRH preparations may have clinical utility in patients with intact pituitary GH secretory capability.
Deficient immunity in head and neck cancer due to excessive monocyte production of prostaglandins
Authors: Berlinger Norman T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMonocytes from patients with head and neck cancer produce excessive PGE2 which seems to be associated with decreased lymphoproliferation in vitro. This may be n pathological exaggeration of a normal homeostatic mechanism. It is speculated that a stimulus for excessive PGE2 production could be immune complexes. Although PGE2 suppresses many important immune processes relevant for neoplasia, it can also have complex and diverse effects on tumor cells. Caution should be exercised with human trials of prostaglandin synthctase inhibitors such as indomethacin.
M-Like K+Currents in Type I Hair Cells and Calyx Afferent Endings of the Developing Rat Utricle
Authors: Hurley Karen M. , Gaboyard Sophie , Zhong Meng , Price Steven D. , Wooltorton Julian R. A. , Lysakowski Anna , Eatock Ruth Anne 
Published: October 2006

Type I vestibular hair cells have large K+currents that, like neuronal M currents, activate negative to resting potential and are modulatable. In rodents, these currents are acquired postnatally. In perforated-patch recordings from rat utricular hair cells, immature hair cells [younger than postnatal day 7 (P7)] had a steady-state K+conductance (g−30) with a half-activation voltage (V1/2) of −30 mV. The size and activation range did not change in maturing type II cells, but, by P16, type I cells had added a K conductance that was on average fourfold larger and activated much more negatively. This conductance may comprise two components:g−60(V1/2of −60 mV) andg−80(V1/2of −80 mV).g−80washed out during ruptured patch recordings and was blocked by a protein kinase inhibitor.M currents can include contributions from KCNQ and ether-a-go-go-related (erg) channels. KCNQ and erg channel blockers both affected the K+currents of type I cells, with KCNQ blockers being more potent at younger than P7 and erg blockers more potent at older than P16. Single-cell reverse transcription-PCR and immunocytochemistry showed expression of KCNQ and erg subunits. We propose that KCNQ channels contribute tog−30andg−60and erg subunits contribute tog−80.Type I hair cells are contacted by calyceal afferent endings. Recordings from dissociated calyces and afferent endings revealed large K+conductances, including a KCNQ conductance. Calyx endings were strongly labeled by KCNQ4 and erg1 antisera. Thus, both hair cells and calyx endings have large M-like K+conductances with the potential to control the gain of transmission.
Privacy Protection Versus Cluster Detection in Spatial Epidemiology
Authors: Olson Karen L. , Grannis Shaun J. , Mandl Kenneth D. 
Published: October 2006

Objectives. Patient data that includes precise locations can reveal patients’ identities, whereas data aggregated into administrative regions may preserve privacy and confidentiality. We investigated the effect of varying degrees of address precision (exact latitude and longitude vs the center points of zip code or census tracts) on detection of spatial clusters of cases.Methods. We simulated disease outbreaks by adding supplementary spatially clustered emergency department visits to authentic hospital emergency department syndromic surveillance data. We identified clusters with a spatial scan statistic and evaluated detection rate and accuracy.Results. More clusters were identified, and clusters were more accurately detected, when exact locations were used. That is, these clusters contained at least half of the simulated points and involved few additional emergency department visits. These results were especially apparent when the synthetic clustered points crossed administrative boundaries and fell into multiple zip code or census tracts.Conclusions. The spatial cluster detection algorithm performed better when addresses were analyzed as exact locations than when they were analyzed as center points of zip code or census tracts, particularly when the clustered points crossed administrative boundaries. Use of precise addresses offers improved performance, but this practice must be weighed against privacy concerns in the establishment of public health data exchange policies.
Effects of Sex Work on the Prevalence of Syphilis Among Injection Drug Users in 3 Russian Cities
Authors: Platt Lucy , Rhodes Tim , Judd Ali , Koshkina Evgeniya , Maksimova Svetlana , Latishevskaya Natalia , Renton Adrian , McDonald Tamara , Parry John V. 
Published: October 2006

Objectives. We examined risk factors for syphilis infection among injection drug users in 3 Russian Federation cities, focusing particular attention on the potential roles of gender and sex work. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of injection drug users in Moscow, Volgograd, and Barnaul, collecting behavioral data and testing for antibodies to Treponema pallidum. Associations between presence of antibodies to T pallidum and covariates were explored. Results. Overall, the prevalence of antibodies to T pallidum was 11% (95% confidence interval=9.7%, 13.1%). Syphilis was associated with involvement in sex work and with gender in Moscow and Barnaul but not in Volgograd. Female injection drug users not involved in sex work were more likely than men to be younger and to have recently begun to inject; female injection drug users involved in sex work were more likely than those not involved in sex work to inject daily. Conclusions. Syphilis transmission dynamics varied by region. Sex work can increase syphilis risk among injection drug users, potentially feeding the momentum of sexually transmitted HIV and syphilis among noninjectors. Targeted interventions are needed to reduce both sexual and injection risk behaviors among injection drug users.
Ashkenazi Jews and Breast Cancer: The Consequences of Linking Ethnic Identity to Genetic Disease
Authors: Brandt-Rauf Sherry I. , Raveis Victoria H. , Drummond Nathan F. , Conte Jill A. , Rothman Sheila M. 
Published: October 2006

We explored the advantages and disadvantages of using ethnic categories in genetic research. With the discovery that certain breast cancer gene mutations appeared to be more prevalent in Ashkenazi Jews, breast cancer researchers moved their focus from high-risk families to ethnicity. The concept of Ashkenazi Jews as genetically unique, a legacy of Tay–Sachs disease research and a particular reading of history, shaped this new approach even as methodological imprecision and new genetic and historical research challenged it. Our findings cast doubt on the accuracy and desirability of linking ethnic groups to genetic disease. Such linkages exaggerate genetic differences among ethnic groups and lead to unequal access to testing and therapy.