bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Replication and the Experimental Ethnography of Science
Authors: Tweney Ryan 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe present paper attempts to define an experimental ethnography as an approach to the understanding of scientific thinking. Such an ethnography relies upon the replication of contemporary and historical scientific practices as a means of capturing the cultural and cognitive meanings of the practices in question. The approach is contrasted to the typical kind of laboratory experiment in psychology, and it is argued that replications of scientific practices can reveal dimensions of the microstructure of science and of its context that otherwise may remain invisible. An extended example is presented, based upon replications of the experimental procedures used by Michael Faraday (1791-1867) in 1856 during his examination of the optical properties of gold.
SEXUAL UNION AND SEXUAL OFFENCES IN JUBILEES
Authors: Rothstein David 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn two recent articles A. Shemesh has argued that the Qumran community viewed the act of sexual intercourse alone as affecting the marital bond. The present paper demonstrates that Jubilees, in its reformulation of the biblical narrative, maintains a position very similar, and possibly identical, to that proposed by Shemesh. On this fundamentally ontological view, the physical union itself is determinative in connection with both permitted and proscribed unions, as reflected in several aspects of Jubilees' narrative.
Terrestrial locomotion in the white stork (Ciconia ciconia): spatio-temporal gait characteristics
Authors: van Coppenolle Isabel , Aerts Peter 
Published: November 2004

AbstractSlender legged stilt birds give the impression of striding more gracefully and more slowly than other bipeds when moving over ground, a behavioural characteristic often thought to be linked to the challenges imposed by walking on tendril stilts. To test the significance of this impression, video sequences (50 Hz) of free ranging storks were digitised and analysed. Spatio-temporal gait characteristics (stride length, step length, stride frequency, duty factor, swing phase duration) were determined and compared with those of other bird species and humans, taking account of speed of locomotion, leg length and body mass. Storks increase their speed mainly by increasing stride frequency, and to a lesser extent by taking longer strides. Step length is nearly independent of speed. As a result, the duty factor decreases when walking faster, becoming somewhat smaller than 0.5 m only at higher speeds. At speeds below 1.3 m/s swing phase duration decreases with increased walking velocity; at higher speeds swing phase duration remains nearly constant. In general, spatio-temporal gait characteristics do not differ in their dimensionless form from those of other bipeds. However, storks definitely walk much slower than would be expected from their size (leg length and mass). This suggests that these slender legged stilt birds, although walking dynamically similarly to other bipeds, do limit their walking speed, probably to avoid excessive musculo-skeletal stresses.
Family physicians' perspectives on practice guidelines related to cancer control
Authors: Zitzelsberger Louise , Grunfeld Eva , Graham Ian D 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
Family physicians (FPs) play an important role in cancer control. While FPs' attitudes towards, and use of guidelines in general have been explored, no study has looked at the needs of FPs with respect to guidelines for the continuum of cancer control. The objective of this study was to understand which guideline topics FPs consider important.

Methods
Five group interviews were conducted by telephone with FPs from across Ontario, Canada. Transcripts were analyzed inductively. Content analysis identified emergent themes. Themes are illustrated by representative quotes taken from the transcripts.

Results
The main areas where FPs felt guidelines were needed most included screening – a traditional area of responsibility for FPs – and treatment and follow-up – areas where they felt they lacked the knowledge to best support patients. Confusion over best practice when faced with conflicting guidelines varied according to disease site. FPs defined good guideline formats; the most often cited forms of presentation were tear-off sheets to use interactively with patients, or a binder. Computer-based dissemination was acknowledged as the best way of widely distributing material that needs frequent updates. However, until computer use is a common aspect of practice, mail was considered the most viable method of dissemination. Guidelines designed for use by patients were supported by FPs.

Conclusions
Preferred guideline topics, format, dissemination methods and role of patient guidelines identified by FPs in this study reflect the nature of their practice situations. Guideline developers and those supporting use of evidence-based guidelines (e.g., Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control) have a responsibility to ensure that FPs are provided with the resources they identify as important, and to provide them in a format that will best support their use.
G-protein inwardly rectifying potassium channel 1 (GIRK 1) gene expression correlates with tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Takanami Iwao , Inoue Yoshimasa , Gika Masatoshi 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
G-protein inwardly rectifying potassium channel 1 (GIRK1) is thought to play a role in cell proliferation in cancer, and GIRK1 gene expression level may define a more aggressive phenotype. We detected GIRK1 expression in tissue specimens from patients with non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and assessed their clinical characteristics.

Methods
Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses, we quantified the expression of GIRK1 in 72 patients with NSCLCs to investigate the relationship between GIRK1 expression and clinicopathologic factors and prognosis.

Results
In 72 NSCLC patients, 50 (69%) samples were evaluated as having high GIRK1 gene expression, and 22 (31%) were evaluated as having low GIRK1 gene expression. GIRK1 gene expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, stage (p = 0.0194 for lymph node metastasis; p = 0.0207 for stage). The overall and stage I survival rates for patients with high GIRK1 gene expressed tumors was significantly worse than for those individuals whose tumors had low GIRK1 expression (p = 0.0004 for the overall group; p = 0.0376 for stage I).

Conclusions
These data indicate that GIRK1 may contribute to tumor progression and GIRK1 gene expression can serve as a useful prognostic marker in the overall and stage I NSCLCs.
Factors involved in nurses' responses to burnout: a grounded theory study
Authors: Rafii Forough , Oskouie Fatemeh , Nikravesh Mansoure 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
Intense and long-standing problems in burn centers in Tehran have led nurses to burnout. This phenomenon has provoked serious responses and has put the nurses, patients and the organization under pressure. The challenge for managers and nurse executives is to understand the factors which would reduce or increase the nurses' responses to burnout and develop delivery systems that promote positive adaptation and facilitate quality care. This study, as a part of more extensive research, aims to explore and describe the nurses' perceptions of the factors affecting their responses to burnout.

Methods
Grounded theory was used as the method. Thirty- eight participants were recruited. Data were generated by unstructured interviews and 21 sessions of participant observations. Constant comparison was used for data analysis.

Results
Nurses' and patients' personal characteristics and social support influenced nurses' responses to burnout. Personal characteristics of the nurses and patients, especially when interacting, had a more powerful effect. They altered emotional, attitudinal, behavioral and organizational responses to burnout and determined the kind of caring behavior. Social support had a palliative effect and altered emotional responses and some aspects of attitudinal responses.

Conclusions
The powerful effect of positive personal characteristics and its sensitivity to long standing and intense organizational pressures suggests approaches to executing stress reduction programs and refreshing the nurses' morale by giving more importance to ethical aspects of caring. Moreover, regarding palliative effect of social support and its importance for the nurses' wellbeing, nurse executives are responsible for promoting a work environment that supports nurses and motivates them.
Antigenized antibodies expressing Vβ8.2 TCR peptides immunize against rat experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
Authors: Musselli Cristina , Daverio-Zanetti Svetlana , Zanetti Maurizio 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
Immunity against the T cell receptor (TCR) is considered to play a central role in the regulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model system of autoimmune disease characterized by a restricted usage of TCR genes. Methods of specific vaccination against the TCR of pathogenetic T cells have included attenuated T cells and synthetic peptides from the sequence of the TCR. These approaches have led to the concept that anti-idiotypic immunity against antigenic sites of the TCR, which are a key regulatory element in this disease.

Methods
The present study in the Lewis rat used a conventional idiotypic immunization based on antigenized antibodies expressing selected peptide sequences of the Vβ8.2 TCR (93ASSDSSNTE101 and 39DMGHGLRLIHYSYDVNSTEKG59).

Results
The study demonstrates that vaccination with antigenized antibodies markedly attenuates, and in some instances, prevents clinical EAE induced with the encephalitogenic peptide 68GSLPQKSQRSQDENPVVHF88 in complete Freunds' adjuvant (CFA). Antigenized antibodies induced an anti-idiotypic response against the Vβ8.2 TCR, which was detected by ELISA and flowcytometry. No evidence was obtained of a T cell response against the corresponding Vβ8.2 TCR peptides.

Conclusions
The results indicate that antigenized antibodies expressing conformationally-constrained TCR peptides are a simple means to induce humoral anti-idiotypic immunity against the TCR and to vaccinate against EAE. The study also suggests the possibility to target idiotypic determinants of TCR borne on pathogenetic T cells to vaccinate against disease.
Targeting β-cell cyclic 3′5′adenosine monophosphate for the development of novel drugs for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. A review
Authors: Furman Brian , Pyne Nigel , Flatt Peter , O'Harte Finbarr 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Cyclic 3′5′AMP is an important physiological amplifier of glucose-induced insulin secretion by the pancreatic islet β-cell, where it is formed by the activity of adenylyl cyclase, especially in response to the incretin hormones GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide). These hormones are secreted from the small intestine during and following a meal, and are important in producing a full insulin secretory response to nutrient stimuli. Cyclic AMP influences many steps involved in glucose-induced insulin secretion and may be important in regulating pancreatic islet β-cell differentiation, growth and survival. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) itself is rapidly degraded in the pancreatic islet β-cell by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes. This review discusses the possibility of targeting cAMP mechanisms in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, in which insulin release in response to glucose is impaired. This could be achieved by the use of GLP-1 or GIP to elevate cAMP in the pancreatic islet β-cell. However, these peptides are normally rapidly degraded by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV). Thus longer-acting analogues of GLP-1 and GIP, resistant to enzymic degradation, and orally active inhibitors of DPP IV have also been developed, and these agents were found to improve metabolic control in experimentally diabetic animals and in patients with type 2 diabetes. The use of selective inhibitors of type 3 phosphodiesterase (PDE3B), which is probably the important pancreatic islet β-cell PDE isoform, would require their targeting to the islet β-cell, because inhibition of PDE3B in adipocytes and hepatocytes would induce insulin resistance.
Emblica officinalis reverses thioacetamide-induced oxidative stress and early promotional events of primary hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Sultana Sarwat , Ahmed Salahuddin , Sharma Sonia , Jahangir Tamanna 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Emblica officinalis is widely used in Indian medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In the present study, it was found that fruits of E. officinalis inhibit thioacetamide-induced oxidative stress and hyper-proliferation in rat liver. The administration of a single necrotic dose of thioacetamide (6.6 mM kg−1) resulted in a significant (P&lt; 0.001) increase in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels compared with saline-treated control values. Thioacetamide caused hepatic glutathione (GSH) depletion and a concomitant increase in malanodialdehyde (MDA) content. It also resulted in an increase (P&lt; 0.001) in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (P&lt; 0.001). Hepatic ornithine decarboxylase activity and thymidine incorporation in DNA were increased by thioacetamide administration. Prophylactic treatment with E. officinalis for 7 consecutive days before thioacetamide administration inhibited SGOT, SGPT and GGT release in serum compared with treated control values. It also modulated the hepatic GSH content and MDA formation. The plant extract caused a marked reduction in levels of GSH content and simultaneous inhibition of MDA formation. E. officinalis also caused a reduction in the activity of GST, GR and G6PD. GPx activity was increased after treatment with the plant extract at doses of 100 mg kg−1 and 200 mg kg−1. Prophylactic treatment with the plant caused a significant down-regulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity (P&lt; 0.001) and profound inhibition in the rate of DNA synthesis (P&lt; 0.001). In conclusion, the acute effects of thioacetamide in rat liver can be prevented by pre-treatment with E. officinalis extract.
Carbonyl reduction of naltrexone and dolasetron by oxidoreductases isolated from human liver cytosol
Authors: Breyer-Pfaff U , Nill K 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
The opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone and the antiemetic 5-HT3 receptor antagonist dolasetron are ketonic drugs that are efficiently reduced to their corresponding alcohols in-vivo. These experiments aimed at characterizing the role in these reactions of individual oxidoreductases present in human liver cytosol. Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) and carbonyl reductase (CR, EC 1.1.1.184) purified from human liver cytosol were incubated with varying substrate concentrations and 6β-naltrexol or reduced dolasetron were analysed by HPLC. AKR1C1, AKR1C2, and AKR1C4 were able to reduce both substrates. On the basis of kcat/Km values, AKR1C4 was nearly 1000-fold more efficient in reducing naltrexone than was AKR1C1, while AKR1C2 was of intermediate efficiency. Substrate inhibition was observed on incubating AKR1C2 or AKR1C4 with naltrexone. In contrast, dolasetron was also a substrate of CR. AKR1C1 and AKR1C4 were the most efficient enzymes in producing reduced dolasetron. We concluded that the efficient reduction of naltrexone by AKR1C4 probably causes the high 6β-naltrexol/naltrexone ratio in man. The rapid disappearance from human plasma of dolasetron given intravenously and its virtual absence after oral dosage are explained by its liability to reduction by several enzymes, including CR which shows widespread expression in human tissues.
Effects of oral administration of extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) on brain serotonin transporter, serotonin uptake and behaviour in mice
Authors: Hirano Kazufumi , Kato Yasuhiro , Uchida Shinya , Sugimoto Yumi , Yamada Jun , Umegaki Keizo , Yamada Shizuo 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
The pharmacological effects of extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) were characterized in-vitro and ex-vivo, in relation to its behavioural effects. In in-vitro experiments, St John's wort inhibited brain synaptosomal [3H]serotonin uptake in mice with little effect on specific [3H]paroxetine binding. For selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the IC50 value for [3H]serotonin uptake (molar concentration of unlabelled drug necessary to displace 50% of specific uptake) correlated well with the inhibition constant Ki value for [3H]paroxetine binding in mouse brain. Oral administration of St John's wort (900 mg kg−1), paroxetine (1 mg kg−1) and sertraline (10 mg kg−1) brought about significant increases in the Km value for [3H]serotonin uptake into brain synaptosomes 4 h later, and only SSRIs suppressed specific [3H]paroxetine binding in mouse brain. St John's wort and SSRIs significantly inhibited marble-burying behaviour in mice and the time-course of attenuation of this behaviour by St John's wort was similar to that of [3H]serotonin uptake inhibition. In the forced swimming test, St John's wort, but not SSRIs, suppressed the immobility time of mice after oral administration. These results provide the first in-vivo evidence to suggest that the mode of antidepressant action of St John's wort differs from that of SSRIs. Thus, this study may have a significant impact on phytotherapy with St John's wort.
Plasma concentrations of tumour dimeric pyruvate kinase are increased in patients with chronic cardiac failure
Authors: McDowell G , Gupta S , Dellerba M , Coppinger T , Levy RD , Keevil BG 
Published: November 2004

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of chronic cardiac failure (CCF) on circulating plasma concentrations of tumour metabolic marker dimeric pyruvate kinase type M2 (M2-PK). Methods: Fifty patients with clinically stable CCF were studied. Patients with a history of past or ongoing malignancy were excluded. Dimeric M2-PK was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in EDTA plasma. Results: Dimeric M2-PK concentration increased significantly ( P = 0.005) with increasing clinical severity of CCF as assessed by the New York Heart Association classification grade. Conclusions: Chronic cardiac failure results in an increased circulating plasma concentration of M2-PK, probably related to increased glycolytic flux. The physiological significance of the results is at present unclear but may relate to maintaining a balance between energy production and the supply of glycolytic intermediates to maintain synthetic processes. The results of this investigation will also have significance in the clinical interpretation of M2-PK concentrations.
Haptoglobin phenotype as a predictive factor of mortality in diabetic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Burbea Zvi , Nakhoul Farid , Zoabi Roaa , Hochberg Irit , Levy Nina S , Benchetrit Sidney , Weissgarten Joshua , Tovbin David , Knecht Aaron , Iaina Adrian , Herman Michal , Kristal Batya , Levy Andrew P 
Published: November 2004

Introduction: The mortality rate in diabetic dialysis patients (DDPs) is over 15% per year, with the cause of death most often attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) or bacterial infection (sepsis). Identification of genetic markers predictive of early mortality would be useful in the evaluation of therapies for the reduction of mortality rate in this population. Haptoglobin (Hp) is a polymorphic protein which appears to confer differential susceptibility to bacterial infection and CVD. We therefore proposed that Hp phenotype can predict mortality in DDPs. Methods: We tested this hypothesis prospectively in a longitudinal study of 392 dialysis patients from eight medical centres in Israel. Hp was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Patients were followed for all-cause mortality over a 3-year period. Results: We found that Hp phenotype was a significant predictor of mortality in DDPs stratified by age. In diabetic individuals over 60 years of age there was a decrease in mortality associated with the Hp 1-1 phenotype ( P = 0.03). However, in younger DDPs the Hp 2-2 phenotype was associated with a decreased mortality rate ( P = 0.003). Conclusion: Hp phenotype may be useful in the risk stratification algorithm and management of DDPs.
Wegener’s granulomatosis and subglottic stenosis: management of the airway
Authors: Alaani A. , Hogg R.P. , Drake Lee A.B. 
Published: November 2004

Wegener’s granulomatosis is a multisystemic disease characterized by foci of necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma formation. Subglottic stenosis may occur either asa presenting feature or a late-stage manifestation of the disease, but will occur in approximately 10–20 per cent of cases.We present a series of seven cases of Wegener’s granulomatosis with subglottic stenosis and discuss our management of this condition. Where there is active disease, tracheostomy is the first-line surgical treatment of respiratory obstruction, as an adjunct to full medical therapy.More aggressive or elaborate surgical treatments should be reserved for non-active cases in which patients have not required medical treatment for one year.
Pancuronium Bromide (Pavulon) Isolation and Identification in Aged Autopsy Tissues and Fluids
Authors: Andresen BD , Alcaraz A , Grant PM 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
The isolation and detection of pancuronium bromide was developed for aged autopsy samples to identify and confirm this compound in questioned tissue samples. A novel protocol was optimized for the isolation of the target drug in highly decomposed tissues. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges containing styrene-divinylbenzene were investigated. This polymer retained quaternary drugs and facilitated sequential elution upon washing with commonly available solvents. The semi-purified SPE samples were prescreened by pyrolysis GC-MS. A candidate specimen was then confirmed by microbore high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray-ionization/mass spectrometry (µHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The developed procedures provided a qualitative or semiquantitative (at best) basis for the investigation of difficult cases involving overdoses of polar drugs.
The Application of Pancuronium Bromide (Pavulon) Forensic Analyses to Tissue Samples from an “Angel of Death” Investigtion
Authors: Andresen BD , Alcaraz AM , Grant PM 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
The case report of a serial killer who worked at several hospitals as a respiratory therapist is presented. The suspect was initially labeled a benevolent Angel of Death who ended the suffering of elderly patients through mercy killing. However, his subsequently declared motive for homicide was very different from other similar cases in medical settings. The application of new analysis techniques for the detection of pancuronium bromide in a series of aged exhumation tissues gave positive results and led to the resultant conviction of the therapist.