bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Akt kinase activation in a PTEN deficient canine osteosarcoma cell line
Authors: Dervisis N. G. , Kitchell B. E. 
Published: August 2004

Introduction:  Osteosarcoma is a devastating disease in both human and veterinary medicine. The dog has been recognized as an important model system for the study of this disease, with a high incidence of tumor development noted annually. The cure rates in veterinary oncology are between 20 and 30% of patients seen. Akt is a serine/threonine kinase that primarily protects the cell from apoptosis and may prompt proliferation and growth. Akt activation involves sequential phosphorylation of threonine at position 308 (T308) and serine at position 473 (S473). While for the T308 phosphorylation responsible is PDK1 kinase, for S473 phosphorylation no definitive mechanism has yet been identified. The tumor suppressor PTEN, which has been reported to be absent in canine osteosarcoma, negatively regulates Akt. In our study we evaluated the Akt activation sequence in response to serum deprivation.Methods:  “Buck,” an immortalized PTEN deficient canine OSA cell line established and characterized in our laboratory was used. Buck cells were grown in the absence of fetal bovine serum for 8, 24, and 48 hours. Activity of Akt was assayed directly by a method described by Kang et al. The phosphorylation status of Akt at T308 and S473, together with serine at position 241 (S241) of PDK1 was assessed by immunoblotting.Results:  We noted marked decrease of the Akt kinase activity with the nadir at the 24‐hour time point and subsequent increase of Akt activity at the 48‐hour time point. Decoupling of the two Akt phosphorylation sites at the 24, and 48‐hour time points was observed (p < 0.01). The phosphorylation status of T308 declined steadily throughout the experiment. The phosphorylation status of S473 declined until the 24‐hour time point, and then increased in parallel with the results noted in the kinase activity assay. Phosphorylation of PDK1 S241 was examined and found to decrease at 24 hours, with subsequent increase after 48 hours of serum starvation, in parallel with the phosphorylation pattern of Akt S473 (p < 0.01).Conclusions:  We report parallel patterns of PDK1 S241 and Akt S473 phosphorylation in the absence of growth factors. PDK1 activity is not assessed directly, but its phosphorylation status indicates that more PDK1 is in an activated from at the 48‐hour time point than at 24 hours. The increase of Akt activity and S473 phosphorylation at the 48‐hour time point is presumably a response to the apoptogenic conditions of the serum free medium. The same response of PDK1 may indicate the presence of a regulatory autophosphorylation mechanism that members of the AGC kinase family share. Surprisingly, the increased amount of activated PDK1 does not correlate with the phosphorylation pattern of Akt T308, and could be attributed to cytoplasmic sequestration of PDK1.
Clonality and clinical behavior of canine indolent lymphoma
Authors: Valli V. E. , Vernau W. , DeLorimier L. P. , Ehrhart E. J. , Chladny J. , Graham P. S. 
Published: August 2004

Introduction:  Canine lymphomas with a follicular architecture are biologically indolent and include follicular (FL), mantle cell (MCL), marginal zone (MZL) and T‐zone (TZL) types. They are under recognized and have long survival regardless of treatment.Methods:  70 cases of canine lymphoma with fading follicular hyperplasia (FFH) received1 over 1996 to present were reviewed. Diagnoses were determined by consensus of three pathologists1,2 on phenotyped tissues. Clonality for B and T‐cell receptor genes was determined on DNA from paraffin blocks via PCR on 53 of 70 cases2.Results:  Of the total of 70 cases 52 were of B‐cell type (MZL 44, FL 4, MCL 3, MALT 1) and 9 were of T‐cell type (TZL). 9 cases of benign hyperplasia were included to assist in defining the histologic boundaries of neoplasia. Case presentation included splenic 16, and nodal 54. For 44 cases called MZL on histologic criteria, DNA was available on 33 of which 26 (78.8%) were clonal for B‐cell rearranged gene including 5 also clonal for T‐cell receptor, one clonal for T‐cell only and 6 cases negative for both and considered benign. For TZL, DNA was available on 6 of 9 cases of which 3 were clonal for T‐cell receptor, 1 for B‐cell, 1 for both and 2 polyclonal for both.Conclusions:  An Ohio review of 380 cases of canine nodal lymphoma found 29% of cases to be of indolent type as described here and thus a very significant part of the patient population. Seven of 10 cases of MZL treated at Illinois with follow‐up died of other causes than lymphoma at an average of 18.8 months after diagnosis. One of the other three was lost to follow‐up, one was euthanized at owners’ choice at 9.5 m. after diagnosis still in good health and the other was terminated 3 m after diagnosis with concurrent lung carcinoma.
A comprehensive assessment program to improve blood‐administering practices using the FOCUS–PDCA model
Authors: Saxena Sunita , Ramer Lois , Shulman Ira A. 
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND:  The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires that hospitals have a planned approach to systematically collect data on processes related to the use, ordering, and administering of blood components. This study describes how a comprehensive blood‐administering assessment program and the FOCUS‐PDCA approach improved overall blood‐administering practices.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Nurses were trained to observe blood issuance, blood administering, and patient monitoring steps, and to audit patient's charts to measure compliance with blood‐ordering procedures. The observations were recorded on a standardized scannable form, which allowed automatic entry of recorded data directly into a computer database.RESULTS:  A total of 982 assessments were completed during the 51‐month study period. Documentation of informed consent improved from 80 percent to 100 percent. Compliance with a California law that requires patients to receive information on the risks, benefits, and alternatives to transfusion rose from 30 percent to 100 percent. Physicians’ compliance in specifying the rate of blood administration improved from 30 percent to 100 percent, and verification of information on the patient's identification band with the patient's self‐identification rose from 50 percent to 100 percent. For all other blood‐administering steps, compliance remained high throughout the study period. For the past 9 months, 100‐percent compliance has been maintained for all transfusion processes, and during this period no mistransfusions or blood administration near‐misses have been reported.CONCLUSION:  The blood‐administering assessment program described above has improved transfusion practice, reduced the number of near‐miss events, and may have prevented mistransfusions.
Hepatitis C seroprevalence in accepted versus deferred blood‐donor candidates evaluated by medical history and self‐exclusion form
Authors: López Rafael Antonio Marín y , Romero‐Estrella Sagrario , Infante‐Ramírez Lilia , Méndez‐Aquino Jorge Saúl , Berrón‐Ruiz Patricia , Morales‐Alfaro Norma Angélica , Vivar Raúl , Carrada Etelvina , Rivera‐Rendón María del Refugio , Sánchez‐Guerrero Sergio Arturo 
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a viral pandemic that is five times as widespread as human immunodeficiency virus. Blood transfusion posed a major risk of HCV infection in developed countries before 1990, but the introduction of improved blood‐screening measures has decreased the risk of transfusion‐associated HCV infection, which may now be even lower since the introduction of screening of pooled samples by nucleic acid testing (NAT). Unfortunately, NAT is not affordable in most developing countries. The goal of this work is to assess the usefulness of both screening measures, the medical history, and the self‐exclusion form to distinguish between high‐risk and low‐risk populations of HCV‐carrier blood‐donor candidates in Mexico.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  From February 2002 to April 2003, 4174 consecutive candidates were enrolled in a prospective, nonrandomized and comparative study. In total, 4158 candidates were included in the analysis and divided in two groups: Group A consisted of 3101 accepted donors and Group B consisted of 1057 deferred donors according to a complete medical history and self‐exclusion form. The only exclusion criteria was the lack of a signed consent form to enter the study. All candidates from both groups underwent anti‐HCV detection by third‐generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Those who had either a positive or gray‐zone signal‐to‐cutoff ratio underwent polymerase chain reaction and a second EIA test. If the second EIA test resulted in either a positive or gray‐zone signal‐to‐cutoff ratio, a recombinant immunoblot assay test was performed. The chi‐square test was used for statistical analysis, and a p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS:  Anti‐HCV prevalence by the EIA method was as follows: 0.61 percent for Group A and 1.32 percent for Group B (p = 0.0243); whereas with recombinant immunoblot assay the prevalence was 0.19 percent for Group A and 0.47 percent for Group B (p = 0.1265). When we analyzed the polymerase chain reaction test results, the prevalence in Group A was 0.10 percent (95% confidence interval, 0.089‐0.110) and in Group B was 0.47 percent (95% confidence interval, 0.439‐0.500) (p = 0.0159).CONCLUSIONS:  The medical history of blood donors in conjunction with serologic screening tests helps to improve blood transfusion safety. This measure is recommended in blood banks of those countries where NAT is still unaffordable.
RhD variants in Caucasians: consequences for checking clinically relevant alleles
Authors: Ansart‐Pirenne Hélène , Asso‐Bonnet Marianne , Pennec Pierre‐Yves Le , Roussel Michèle , Patereau Claude , Noizat‐Pirenne France 
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND:  Weak D type carriers cannot be immunized against D except when antigen density is below 400 antigens per RBC, whereas partial D carriers can produce anti‐D.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A total of 168 blood samples from Caucasian individuals were studied because of weak D expression and/or anti‐D production. Serologic analysis and molecular analysis were performed.RESULTS:  In total, 70 partial D and 62 weak D were identified. Among weak D samples, 30 weak D Type 1 and 21 weak D Type 2 alleles were found. Five new alleles were characterized carrying 399G > T, 680T > C, 833G > A, 851C > T, and 1015G > A, respectively. According to previous studies, antigen density was up to 500 for weak D Type 1 and 2, except when there was a dCe haplotype in trans. Antigen density was below 400 antigens per red blood cell for the new variants and most other weak D variants.CONCLUSION:  These results provide molecular characterization of five new D variants. They also suggest that it would be advantageous to develop in routine laboratories weak D Type 1 and 2 genotyping for serologically depressed D antigen. It will help to avoid wasting of D– red blood cell units because carriers may safely receive D+ units.
The “Shadow‐of‐Death” and Its Implications in Four Families, Each with a Hospitalized Schizophrenic Member
Authors: WELLDON RONALD M. C. 
Published: August 2004

This paper summarizes the salient points from tape recordings of conjoint sessions with four families, each with a hospitalized schizophrenic member carrying a poor prognosis. As the sessions progressed, a profound and overwhelming sense of frustration, foreboding, doom and despair emerged, as if the family were attempting to preserve what seemed destined to die.Each family as a whole was involved in what can best be described as a vicious circle of displaced and distorted mourning for a dead family member. This had deep and unresolved emotional significance for one or other parent. This same parent was also more obviously involved with the schizophrenic child, whose own symbolic family role included both being protected from anything in life carrying the possibility of death and distracting others from the source of this “shadow‐of‐death.”
Living Space in an Urban Ghetto
Authors: SCHEFLEN ALBERT E. 
Published: August 2004

In this paper I will outline the idea of human territoriality and then describe some territorial arrangements and behaviors in the households we have studied.The environment of people is prestructured socially and temporally. For two years our research team has been studying the prestructured living spaces and the territorial behavior of urban people in a central Bronx ghetto. We have conducted interviews in about 1800 households, photographically surveyed space layouts in 35, and videotaped space usage and territorial behavior intensively in six. In the main, our data is about Puerto Ricans and Afro‐Americans; we have a little data about Italian‐Americans, but the Jewish and old British American families have moved out of the East Tremont area.
Immunohistochemical assessment of extracellular matrix components in syndrome and non‐syndrome odontogenic keratocysts
Authors: Amorim RFB , Godoy GP , Galvão HC , Souza LB , Freitas RA 
Published: August 2004

Objective:  Investigate the immunohistochemical distribution of fibronectin, tenascin, laminin and collagen IV in syndrome (SOKC) and non‐syndrome odontogenic keratocysts (NSOKC).Materials and methods:  Ten cases of SOKC and five of NSOKC were selected and streptoavidin‐biotin technique was applied. The specimens were analyzed taking into account the following evaluation parameters: presence, continuity and thickness in the basement membrane and intensity, distribution and association with inflammatory cells in the cyst wall.Results:  Differences could be detected regarding tenascin, fibronectin and collagen IV between the SOKC and NSOKC. Tenascin was present in all cases along the basement membrane in SOKC and in five cases of NSOKC predominated negative areas. Furthermore, tenascin distribution was focal in the cyst wall in SOKC whereas in NSOKC it was diffuse. Concerning fibronectin, it was detected as a discontinuous band when present in SOCK and as a continuous band in NSOKC. Collagen IV was not present in the majority of the cases in SOKC. Negative areas for laminin predominated in the basement membrane in both groups.Conclusions:  These findings show differences between the immunohistochemical expression of tenascin, fibronectin and collagen IV which might indicate a more aggressive biological behavior of SOKC as compared with NSOKC.
Effect of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse on dental plaque accumulation and gingival health
Authors: Madléna M , Dombi C , Gintner Z , Bánóczy J 
Published: August 2004

Objective:  The aim was to investigate the influence of amine fluoride (AmF)/stannous fluoride (SnF2) containing toothpaste and mouthrinse on plaque accumulation and gingival health of young adults after 4 weeks use.Subject and methods:  Forty‐two young adults (mean age: 28.33 ± 7.19 years) were examined for the Plaque Index (PI; Silness and Löe, 1964) and Gingival Index (GI; Löe and Silness, 1963) scores, and divided randomly into two groups. Both groups used AmF/SnF2 containing toothpaste twice a day for 3 min toothbrushing, and one group after toothbrushing rinsed with AmF/SnF2 containing mouthrinse for 30 s. After 4 weeks the probands were re‐examined.Results:  Statistically significant decrease in dental plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) index values were found at the end of the study. The reduction of PI and GI values was significant in all groups but it was higher in the combined (toothpaste + mouthrinsing) group, than using toothpaste only.Conclusion:  The regular combined use of AmF/SnF2 toothpaste and mouthrinse was more effective in the reduction of plaque accumulation and maintenance of gingival health than the toothpaste alone.
Expression of integrin subunits α2, α3, α5, αv, β1, β3 and β4 in different histological types of ameloblastoma compared with dental germ, dental lamina and adult lining epithelium
Authors: Modolo F , Martins MT , Loducca SVL , De Araújo VC 
Published: August 2004

Objective:  To analyze integrin expression and distribution in different histological types of ameloblastoma, compared with dental germ, dental lamina and adult lining epithelium.Materials and methods:  Three‐micrometer sections from paraffin‐embedded specimens were evaluated employing a streptavidin–biotin immunohistochemical method and anti‐integrin α2, α3, α5, αv, β1, β3 and β4 antibodies.Results:  All integrins were present in all specimens, exhibiting different patterns. In follicular ameloblastoma, the integrin staining was stronger in the periphery while integrin α2 was not present in the central cells. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma showed a similar pattern, with positive staining for integrins α3, α5, αv, β1 and β4 in the metaplastic cells. In the unicystic, integrin staining was uniform except for integrins α5 and β3 which showed weaker staining in the upper layers. In the plexiform ameloblastoma, dental germ and lamina integrin staining was uniform. In the adult lining epithelium, staining for integrins α2, α5 and β4 was confined to the basal layer, while integrins αv and β3 were present in the basal and parabasal, with integrins α3 and β1 in the upper layers.Conclusion:  Acanthomatous, follicular and unicystic ameloblastomas showed integrin staining patterns similar to the adult lining epithelium while the plexiform ameloblastoma was similar to the dental germ and lamina.
Whose Swadeshi? Contending Nationalisms among Indian Christians
Authors: Tharamangalam Joseph 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe current resurgence of Hindu fundamentalism in India is broadly situated in the search for a pan-Indian Hindu identity, and in the assertion of a pan-Indian "Hindutva" (Hindu-ness) that is claimed to be the true heritage of Indians. This discourse inevitably involves the demarcation of the "Hindu" from the "other" — minorities defined as less Indian, if not foreign. Historical grievances are constructed against them and used to justify attacks on them. These "others", however, have their own discourses, their own constructions of identities, and their own articulations of historical grievances; and these are not necessarily defensive, or reactions to the Hindu fundamentalist discourse. This paper discusses the nationalist discourse of Indian Christians during the anti-colonial struggles and in the post-colonial era; an era that contained not only a rejection of Western colonial domination, but also a critique of Western hegemony over Christianity itself. Included in this discourse are the celebration of indigenous Christian traditions on the one hand, and the "Inculturation" (or simply, Indianization) of Christianity in such areas as the liturgy and even theology. Ironically, however, this process, spearheaded by the "upper caste" Christian elite, led to an oppositional discourse of the subaltern "lower caste" Christians, who resent what they see as "Sanskritization" or even "Brahminization". They have attempted to formulate their own forms of inculturation, including a sophisticated Dalit Theology. This paper examines the dialectic of these discourses, situating these in their specific historical, local-global contexts.
Religion across Borders: Transnational Religious Ties
Authors: Ebaugh Helen Rose 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe fact that recent immigrants to the United States continue to participate in the daily life of the society from which they emigrate is true for religious identities and behaviours as well as in political, economic and family life. This paper describes transnational religious ties between immigrants in six American religious congregations; and family, friends and co-religionists in the home country. In addition to monetary exchanges that benefit religious purposes, there are also exchanges of norms, practices, and social capital. The varied pathways whereby remittances are exchanged are also described. The religious exchanges between home and host countries impact global religious systems.
Subaltern Studies 1 and Collective Memories in Piana degli Albanesi: Methodological Reflections on a Historiographical Encounter
Authors: Fracchia Joseph 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe following essay is a set of reflections prompted by my encounter with the writings of several Subaltern Studies authors during the period in which I was working on collective memories in the Siculo-Albanian village, Piana degli Albanesi. My encounter with Subaltern Studies, though limited, has been richly suggestive in providing new ways of thinking about collective memories, and perhaps also in rethinking a major point of theoretical contention within Subaltern Studies itself. This essay will address both of these issues. It is organized around two problem complexes emerging from the historiographical affinities between Subaltern Studies and Pianese peasants, both immediately pertinent to the study of collective memory: the delineation of collectives and the class framework of experience; and (subaltern) bodies as sites of memory. Encounters, however, are seldom one-way streets. Woven into my analysis of collectives and their memories is a comment on, possibly a contribution to, the theoretical debate that resulted in an abrupt shift in the intellectual history of Subaltern Studies from its initial focus on reconstructing forms of peasant consciousness to its later concern with deconstructing discourses.
POSIDONIAN THOUGHTS—ANCIENT AND MODERN
Authors: Bloch René 
Published: August 2004

AbstractStrabo's history of Judaism (Geography 16.2.35ff.), which is most probably copied from Posidonius, focuses less on the past which is idealized than on the present which is criticized—as is common in descriptions of a "golden age" which later deteriorates. The Posidonian thought that the Jewish religion declined made its way into Tacitus' mostly hostile ethnography of Judaism. Modern scholars, especially in the 19th century, when commenting on Posidonius and Tacitus sympathized from a quite different perspective with that very idea of a Jewish decline.
Gravity Reduces the Tibia When Using a Tibial Guide that Targets the Intercondylar Roof
Authors: Howell Stephen M. , Lawhorn Keith W. 
Published: August 2004

Background Reduction of the tibia relative to the femur with the knee in maximum extension is required to correctly position the tibial tunnel in the sagittal plane when using a guide that targets the intercondylar roof. The authors found no studies that determined (1) whether gravity reduces the tibia and (2) whether roof impingement is prevented without a roofplasty and without positioning the tibial tunnel too posteriorly. Methods The position of the tibia relative to the femur was measured from a lateral radiograph of the treated knee in maximum extension with and without the tibial guide and of the contralateral normal knee in extension in single-leg stance (control). Results The position of the tibia with and without the tibial guide was not different (P = .33, not significant) and was only 0.7 mm more posterior than the control knee (P = .0075). A roofplasty was not required, and the clearance was 2 mm or less. Conclusion Gravity reduces the tibia on the femur when using a guide that targets the intercondylar roof. The use of a tibial guide that targets the intercondylar roof prevents roof impingement without a roofplasty and without positioning the tibial tunnel too posteriorly.