Científics universals, III. 'Científicos universales, III'.

Resumen basado en el autor en catalán

Hayek, Hicks e a ascensão do walrasianismo

O artigo discute a origem e a evolução dos conceitos de equilíbrio e tempo que Hicks utilizou para interpretar a Teoria Geral de Keynes. O trabalho está organizado em duas partes. Na primeira, analisaram-se os trabalhos de Hayek. Examinaram-se sua concepção de equilíbrio intertemporal e projeto de desenvolver uma teoria dos ciclos. Por último, discutiram-se a implementação desse projeto e seus problemas. Na segunda parte, foi examinado como Hicks, ao refletir sobre os problemas da teoria de Hayek, desenvolveu seus próprios conceitos de equilíbrio e tempo.

Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, intraindividual crossover comparison of gadobenate dimeglumine and gadopentetate dimeglumine for Breast MR imaging (DETECT Trial)

To intraindividually compare 0.1 mmol/kg doses of gadobenate dimeglumine and gadopentetate dimeglumine for contrast material-enhanced breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging by using a prospective, multicenter double-blind, randomized protocol.

Molecular analysis of HER2 signaling in human breast cancer by functional protein pathway activation mapping

Targeting of the HER2 protein in human breast cancer represents a major advance in oncology but relies on measurements of total HER2 protein and not HER2 signaling network activation. We used reverse-phase protein microarrays (RPMA) to measure total and phosphorylated HER2 in the context of HER family signaling to understand correlations between phosphorylated and total levels of HER2 and downstream signaling activity.

Evidence of prognostic relevant expression profiles of heat-shock proteins and glucose-regulated proteins in oesophageal adenocarcinomas

A high percentage of oesophageal adenocarcinomas show an aggressive clinical behaviour with a significant resistance to chemotherapy. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) and glucose-regulated proteins (GRPs) are molecular chaperones that play an important role in tumour biology. Recently, novel therapeutic approaches targeting HSP90/GRP94 have been introduced for treating cancer. We performed a comprehensive investigation of HSP and GRP expression including HSP27, phosphorylated (p)-HSP27((Ser15)), p-HSP27((Ser78)), p-HSP27((Ser82)), HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, GRP78 and GRP94 in 92 primary resected oesophageal adenocarcinomas by using reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR). Results were correlated with pathologic features and survival. HSP/GRP protein and mRNA expression was detected in all tumours at various levels. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering showed two distinct groups of tumours with specific protein expression patterns: The hallmark of the first group was a high expression of p-HSP27((Ser15, Ser78, Ser82)) and low expression of GRP78, GRP94 and HSP60. The second group showed the inverse pattern with low p-HSP27 and high GRP78, GRP94 and HSP60 expression. The clinical outcome for patients from the first group was significantly improved compared to patients from the second group, both in univariate analysis (p = 0.015) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.029). Interestingly, these two groups could not be distinguished by immunohistochemistry or qPCR analysis. In summary, two distinct and prognostic relevant HSP/GRP protein expression patterns in adenocarcinomas of the oesophagus were detected by RPPA. Our approach may be helpful for identifying candidates for specific HSP/GRP-targeted therapies.

Nitric oxide down-regulates the expression of the catalytic NADPH oxidase subunit Nox1 in rat renal mesangial cells

Glomerular mesangial cells can produce high amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we analyzed the impact of NO on the ROS-generating system, particularly on the NADPH oxidase Nox1. Nox1 mRNA and protein levels were markedly decreased by treatment of mesangial cells with the NO-releasing compound DETA-NO in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. By altering the cGMP signaling system with different inhibitors or activators, we revealed that the effect of NO on Nox1 expression is at least in part mediated by cGMP. Analysis of a reporter construct comprising the 2547 bp of the nox1 promoter region revealed that a stimulatory effect of IL-1beta on nox1 transcription is counteracted by an inhibitory effect of IL-1beta-evoked endogenous NO formation. Moreover, pretreatment of mesangial cells with DETA-NO attenuated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB or serum stimulated production of superoxide as assessed by real-time EPR spectroscopy and dichlorofluorescein formation. Transfection of mesangial cells with siRNAs directed against Nox1 and Nox4 revealed that inhibition of Nox1, but not Nox4 expression, is responsible for the reduced ROS formation by NO. Obviously, there exists a fine-tuned crosstalk between NO and ROS generating systems in the course of inflammatory diseases.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension - assessment by magnetic resonance imaging

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a severe disease that has been ignored for a long time. However, with the development of improved therapeutic modalities, cardiologists and thoracic surgeons have shown increasing interest in the diagnostic work-up of this entity. The diagnosis and management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension require a multidisciplinary approach involving the specialties of pulmonary medicine, cardiology, radiology, anesthesiology and thoracic surgery. With this approach, pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) can be performed with an acceptable mortality rate. This review article describes the developments in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques for the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Techniques include contrast-enhanced MR angiography (ce-MRA), MR perfusion imaging, phase-contrast imaging of the great vessels, cine imaging of the heart and combined perfusion-ventilation MR imaging with hyperpolarized noble gases. It is anticipated that MR imaging will play a central role in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of patients with CTEPH.

Rechtshilfe in Zivilsachen: ausgewählte Auszüge aus der neuen Wegleitung des Bundesamtes für Justiz

Die vorliegenden Beiträge in deutscher und französischer Sprache befassen sich mit Aspekten der Rechtshilfe in internationalen Zivil- und Handelsprozessen. Zur Zustellung von gerichtlichen und aussergerichtlichen Urkunden sowie zur rechtshilfeweisen Beweiserhebung (z. B. Einvernahme mittels Videokonferenz) äussern sich Dr. Alexander Markus sowie Dr. Danielle Gauthey Ladner. Dabei wird insbesondere auf die neue Wegleitung des Bundesamtes für Justiz zu den verschiedenen Haager Übereinkommen eingegangen. Alexander Hilfiker erläutert die Möglichkeiten der Internet-Recherche. Die menschlich vielfach schwierigen Probleme der Kindesentführungen behandeln David Urwyler, Sonja Hauser und Hervé Boéchat. Auf aktuelle Fragen der Anerkennung und Vollstreckung von Zivilurteilen gehen Dr. Samuel Baumgartner und Jean-Marc Wichser ein. Das Thema Vollstreckung von ausländischen Konkurserkenntnissen ist Gegenstand der Beiträge von Prof. Dr. Karl Spühler und von Prof. Dr. Sylvain Marchand.

Moses und Jesus, oder über das intellektuelle und moralische Verhältniss der Juden und Christen : eine historisch-politische Abhandlung

von Friedrich Buchholz