bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment and Characterization of an Ovarian Yolk Sac Tumor Cell Line Reveals Possible Involvement of Nkx2.5 in Tumor Development
Authors: Shibata Kiyosumi , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Yamamoto Eiko , Terauchi Mikio , Ino Kazuhiko , Nawa Akihiro , Kikkawa Fumitaka
Published: June 2008

Objective: Ovarian yolk sac tumor (YST) is rare and highly malignant. Up to the present, there have been no cell lines of human ovarian YST constructed and, therefore, no studies on their cell function. The purpose of this study was to establish a human ovarian YST cell line to be able to identify a target for novel molecular-based therapy. Methods: A 28-year-old woman underwent right salpingo-oophorectomy for right ovarian YST. YST cell lines (NOY1 and NOY2) were established from surgical specimens, and NOY1 cells were characterized. We also transfected them with small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides specific for human Nkx2.5 and investigated cell proliferation compared to control siRNA-transfected cells. Results: The cell lines were successfully maintained both in culture and in nude mice. Histological examination showed that xenografted tumors were composed of cells in solid and glandular patterns of YST. These cells were positively immunostained for AFP. Nkx2.5 siRNA-transfected NOY1 cell viability decreased by 50% compared to that of control-siRNA-transfected cells. Conclusions: This is the first report of a cell line established from human YST. Analysis of this new cell line suggested that Nkx2.5 can be a new molecular target in the treatment of ovarian YST.
A Novel Application of Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Level of Epstein Barr Virus DNA in the Diagnosis of Leptomeningeal Metastasis from Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Ada T.W. , Ma Brigette B.Y. , Teo Peter M.L. , Chan Anthony T.C.
Published: June 2008

Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic in Southeast Asia, and the plasma level of EBV DNA is a highly sensitive marker of disease recurrence following radiotherapy. Leptomeningeal recurrence from NPC is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose; only 4 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of leptomeningeal recurrence in NPC that was diagnosed using imaging and plasma and cerebrospinal fluid EBV DNA assays, followed by a review of the literature.
A Randomised Study of Two Doses of Biosynthetic Human Growth Hormone on Final Height of Pubertal Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Coelho R. , Brook C.G.D. , Preece M.A. , Stanhope R.G. , Dattani M.T. , Hindmarsh P.C.
Published: June 2008

Aims: To determine the effectiveness of different doses of r-hGH therapy during puberty in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Methods: Randomized controlled trial of different doses of r-hGH therapy administered during puberty in 49 children with GHD. The patients were allocated randomly using a random number table to one of two groups: group 1 (15 IU/m2/week) or group 2 (30 IU/m2/week). Patients were included if they had received r-hGH daily at a dose of 15 IU/m2/week (0.7 mg/m2/day) for at least 1 year before randomization. Results: Height increase standard deviation scores (SDS) were similar between the two groups (group 1: 1.1; group 2: 1.2; p = 0.81). Conclusion: A higher dose of r-hGH administered during puberty does not appear to have a significant effect on final height of children with GH deficiency. Altering pubertal tempo or intensifying prepubertal r-hGH therapy may be a more promising approach to improving final height in children with GH deficiency.
Effect of Risedronate on Bone Mass, Remodelling and Biomechanical Strength in Orchidectomized Rats
Authors: Díaz-Curiel M. , de la Piedra C. , Romero F.I. , Montero M. , Gómez S. , Lefort M. , Carrascal M.T. , Phipps R.J.
Published: June 2008

Background: The ability of risedronate to prevent and/or treat orchidectomy-induced osteoporosis in male rats was studied. Methods: Ninety-five 10-week-old male Wistar rats were sham-operated or orchidectomized. Prevention study: Sham: sham-operated rats; ORX: orchidectomized rats; ORX + RSD: orchidectomized rats, treated for 6 weeks with risedronate. Animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after surgery. Treatment study: Sham1 and ORX1: sham and orchidectomized rats sacrificed 3 months after orchidectomy; Sham2, ORX2 and ORX2 + RSD: sham-operated, and orchidectomized rats treated with placebo or risedronate for 6 weeks starting 3 months after orchidectomy, and then sacrificed. Risedronate (0.5 mg/kg/day) and placebo (saline) were administered via oral gavage. After sacrifice, bone mineral density by DEXA, bone volume (BV/TV), osteocalcin (BGP), and serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CTX) were measured. Femur low-rate torsion testing was performed. Results:Orchidectomy produced an increase in bone remodelling with loss of BV/TV, without effects on torsional strength. Risedronate treatment partially prevented these effects. In the treatment study, risedronate reduced bone remodelling and restored BV/TV to levels higher than those of the sham group, improving biomechanical parameters. Conclusions: These results suggest that risedronate could be used as a prevention or treatment of male osteoporosis due to hypogonadism.
Thyroid Abnormalities among First-Degree Relatives of Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Ultrasound Survey
Authors: Adibi Atoosa , Haghighi Mahshid , Hosseini Seyed Reza , Hashemipour Mahin , Amini Massoud , Hovsepian Silva
Published: June 2008

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is caused by thyroid dysgenesis and dyshormonogenesis. Evidence suggests the presence of genetic factors in both types of pathogenesis. We investigated whether an increased incidence of thyroid abnormalities could be shown by ultrasonography among first-degree relatives of children with CH. Material and Methods: In this case-control study the presence of both developmental and non-developmental thyroid abnormalities was studied among first-degree relatives of CH patients and healthy children. Assessments included neck ultrasonography and thyroid function tests. The data obtained from parents, siblings and children were compared in the case and control groups. Results: In the case group, 92 patients, 172 parents and 57 siblings, and in the control group, 82 healthy children, 160 parents and 39 siblings were studied. Thyroid developmental abnormalities were more prevalent among parents (3.5 vs. 0%, p = 0.03) and siblings (10.5 vs. 0, p = 0.01) of CH patients than the control group. Non-developmental abnormalities were not significantly different between the case and control groups (17 vs. 13%, p = 0.3). Conclusion: Thyroid developmental abnormalities were more prevalent among parents and siblings of CH patients than the control group, confirming the familial component of this entity.
Local Body Composition Is Associated with Gender Differences of Bone Development at the Forearm in Puberty
Authors: Fricke Oliver , Sumnik Zdenek , Tutlewski Baerbel , Stabrey Angelika , Remer Thomas , Schoenau Eckhard
Published: June 2008

Background/Aims: The present analyses intend to clarify if gender and puberty modify the relationship between bone development (modeling and remodeling) and fat mass at the forearm. Methods: Data were collected from participants (139 males, 157 females, age = 5–19 years) of the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed study in a cross-sectional investigation. The main outcome measures were total and trabecular bone mineral density (BMDtot and BMDtrab), strength strain index (SSI) and parameters associated with modeling (cortical area, CA; periosteal circumference, CP) and remodeling (cortical bone mineral density, BMDcort, endosteal circumference, CE) were analyzed in their relationship to cross-sectional fat (FA) and muscle area (MA) at the forearm. Results: BMDtot was correlated with FA in pubertal males (r = –0.25). BMDtrab was contrarily predicted by FA in pubertal males and females (r = –0.28 vs. 0.31). FA was correlated with BMDcort (r = –0.32) and CE (r = 0.26) in pubertal females. MA was positively correlated with CA, CP and SSI. Conclusions: Modeling and bone strength were primarily predicted by MA. Markers of remodeling were positively correlated with FA in pubertal females, but not in prepubertal individuals and pubertal males. Therefore, gender and puberty modify the relationship between FA and bone development.
NELL2, a Neuron-Specific EGF-Like Protein, Is Selectively Expressed in Glutamatergic Neurons and Contributes to the Glutamatergic Control of GnRH Neurons at Puberty
Authors: Ha Chang Man , Choi Jungil , Choi Eun Jung , Costa Maria E. , Lee Byung Ju , Ojeda Sergio R.
Published: June 2008

NELL2, a protein containing EGF-like repeats, is almost exclusively expressed in the nervous system. In the mammalian brain, NELL2 expression is mostly neuronal. NELL2 was previously found to be a secreted protein that functions during embryonic development as a neuronal differentiation and survival factor. We now show that the Nell2 gene is selectively expressed in the two major subtypes of glutamatergic neurons described in the postnatal brain: those containing the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and those expressing vesicular glutamate transporter 2. No Nell2 mRNA is detected in GABAergic neurons. Likewise, GnRH neurons are devoid of NELL2. During prepubertal development of the female rat, Nell2 mRNA abundance increases selectively in the medial basal hypothalamus, reaching maximal values at the end of the juvenile period, to decline at the time of puberty to intermediate levels. Similar, but less pronounced changes are observed in the preoptic area, but they are absent in the cerebral cortex. A well-established glutamatergic function in the neuroendocrine brain is to enhance release of GnRH, the neurohormone controlling sexual development and the time of puberty. In vivo disruption of NELL2 synthesis via intraventricular administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides reduced GnRH release from the medial basal hypothalamus and delayed the initiation of female puberty. These results identify NELL2 as a new component of glutamatergic neurons and provide evidence for its physiological involvement in a major, glutamate-dependent, process of neuroendocrine regulation.
Factors Predicting Bacterial Involvement in Severe Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Nseir Saad , Cavestri Béatrice , di Pompeo Christophe , Diarra Maimouna , Brisson Hélène , Lemyze Malcolm , Roussel-Delvallez Micheline , Durocher Alain
Published: June 2008

Background: Strategies aiming at reducing antibiotic use are required in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although antibiotic treatment is recommended in patients with severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a bacterial etiology is found in only a half of these patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine factors predicting bacterial isolation in severe acute exacerbations of COPD. Methods: All patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation were included in this prospective observational cohort study. At ICU admission, information on endotracheal aspirate purulence and hyperthermia was collected. In all patients, Gram stain and quantitative endotracheal aspirate culture (positive at 106 cfu/ml) were performed. In addition, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin (PCT) levels were measured. Results: Ninety-eight severe acute exacerbations of COPD requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation were studied. Forty-nine bacteria were isolated at significant threshold in 40 exacerbations. Streptococcus pneumoniae (16%), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (16%) and Hemophilus influenzae (14%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria. PCT >0.5 ng/ml and positive Gram stain of endotracheal aspirate were independently associated with bacterial isolation in severe acute exacerbation of COPD. Positive Gram stain and PCT >0.5 ng/ml had a negative predictive value >95%. Similar results were found after excluding patients with prior antibiotic treatment. Conclusion: Positive Gram stain of endotracheal aspirate and PCT >0.5 ng/ml are independently associated with bacterial isolation in severe acute exacerbation of COPD. These results could be helpful for future interventional studies aiming at reducing antibiotic use in these patients.
WNK Kinases, Renal Ion Transport and Hypertension
Authors: San-Cristobal Pedro , de los Heros Paola , Ponce-Coria José , Moreno Erika , Gamba Gerardo
Published: June 2008

Two members of a recently discovered family of protein kinases are the cause of an inherited disease known as pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII). These patients exhibit arterial hypertension together with hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. This is a mirror image of Gitelman disease that is due to inactivating mutations of the SLC12A3 gene that encodes the thiazide-sensitive Na+:Cl– cotransporter. The uncovered genes causing PHAII encode for serine/threonine kinases known as WNK1 and WNK4. Physiological and biochemical studies have revealed that WNK1 and WNK4 modulate the activity of several transport pathways of the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron, thus increasing our understanding of how diverse renal ion transport proteins are coordinated to regulate normal blood pressure levels. Observations discussed in the present work place WNK1 and WNK4 as genes involved in the genesis of essential hypertension and as potential targets for the development of antihypertensive drugs.
Stratification of Sphingosine Kinase-1 Expression and Activity in Rat Kidney
Authors: Facchinetti Maria M. , Leocata Nieto Francisco , Márquez Maria G. , Sterin-Speziale Norma
Published: June 2008

Sphingosine-1-phosphate, the product of sphingosine kinase (SK) activity, is a sphingolipid metabolite that regulates cell growth, survival and migration. It is also known to affect diuresis, natriuresis and renovascular contraction in rats, although the mechanisms through which it affects these processes are not known. No previous report has addressed the differences among the kidney zones regarding endogenous SK expression and activity. Therefore, we examined SK1 distribution and activity in the various kidney zones: cortex, medulla and papilla. We found that SK1 expression does not correlate with enzyme activity. Study of the expression showed that the enzyme is highly expressed in cortex, followed by medulla and papilla. However, medulla had the highest enzyme activity. In all kidney zones, SK1 expression was mainly cytosolic. Regarding enzyme activity, whereas we found no difference between cytosol, membrane and nucleus in renal medulla, the membrane-bound enzyme presented the highest activity in cortex and papilla. SK1 distribution observed by immunohistochemical staining showed higher expression in cortical proximal convoluted epithelial cells. In medulla, immunostaining was observed as patches of staining, whereas in papilla, positive immunostaining was exclusively restricted to collecting duct cells. We also evaluated the effects of bradykinin and angiotensin II on SK1 activity.
ECSM2, An Endothelial Specific Filamin A Binding Protein That Mediates Chemotaxis
Authors: Armstrong Laura-Jane , Heath Victoria L. , Sanderson Sharon , Kaur Sukhbir , Beesley James F.J. , Herbert John M.J. , Legg John A. , Poulsom Richard , Bicknell Roy
Published: June 2008

Objective—

We aimed to characterize the expression and function of a novel transcript that bioinformatics analysis predicted to be endothelial specific, called endothelial-specific molecule-2 (ECSM2).

Methods and Results—

A full-length cDNA was isolated and predicted ECSM2 to be a putative 205–amino acid transmembrane protein that bears no homology to any known protein. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis in vitro and in situ hybridization analysis in vivo confirmed ECSM2 expression to be exclusively endothelial, and localization to the plasma membrane was shown. Knockdown of ECSM2 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells using siRNA resulted in both reduced chemotaxis and impaired tube formation on matrigel, a solubilized basement membrane, both processes involved in angiogenesis. A yeast 2 hybrid analysis using the ECSM2 intracellular domain identified filamin A as an interacting protein. This interaction was confirmed by precipitation of filamin-A from endothelial cell lysates by a GST-tagged intracellular domain of ECSM2.

Conclusion—

This study is the first to characterize a novel cell surface protein ECSM2 that regulates endothelial chemotaxis and tube formation, and interacts with filamin A. These studies implicate a role for ECSM2 in angiogenesis via modulation of the actin cytoskeleton.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Expression During Murine Embryogenesis
Authors: Teichert Anouk-Martine , Scott Jeremy A. , Robb G. Brett , Zhou Yu-Qing , Zhu Su-Ning , Lem Melissa , Keightley Angela , Steer Brent M. , Schuh Andre C. , Adamson S. Lee , Cybulsky Myron I. , Marsden Philip A.
Published: June 2008

To elucidate the role of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-derived NO during mammalian embryogenesis, we assessed the expression of the eNOS gene during development. Using transgenic eNOS promoter/reporter mice (with β-galactosidase and green fluorescent protein reporters), in situ cRNA hybridization, and immunohistochemistry to assess transcription, steady-state mRNA levels, and protein expression, respectively, we noted that eNOS expression in the developing cardiovascular system was highly restricted to endothelial cells of medium- and large-sized arteries and the endocardium. The onset of transcription of the native eNOS gene and reporters coincided with the establishment of robust, unidirectional blood flow at embryonic day 9.5, as assessed by Doppler ultrasound biomicroscopy. Interestingly, reporter transgene expression and native eNOS mRNA were also observed in discrete regions of the developing skeletal musculature and the apical ectodermal ridge of developing limbs, suggesting a role for eNOS-derived NO in limb development. In vitro studies of promoter/reporter constructs indicated that similar eNOS promoter regions operate in both embryonic skeletal muscle and vascular endothelial cells. In summary, transcriptional activity of the eNOS gene in the murine circulatory system occurred following the establishment of embryonic blood flow. Thus, the eNOS gene is a late-onset gene in endothelial ontogeny.
Semantic Role Labeling: An Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Màrquez Lluís , Carreras Xavier , Litkowski Kenneth C. , Stevenson Suzanne
Published: June 2008

Semantic role labeling, the computational identification and labeling of arguments in text, has become a leading task in computational linguistics today. Although the issues for this task have been studied for decades, the availability of large resources and the development of statistical machine learning methods have heightened the amount of effort in this field. This special issue presents selected and representative work in the field. This overview describes linguistic background of the problem, the movement from linguistic theories to computational practice, the major resources that are being used, an overview of steps taken in computational systems, and a description of the key issues and results in semantic role labeling (as revealed in several international evaluations). We assess weaknesses in semantic role labeling and identify important challenges facing the field. Overall, the opportunities and the potential for useful further research in semantic role labeling are considerable.
Towards Robust Semantic Role Labeling
Authors: Pradhan Sameer S. , Ward Wayne , Martin James H.
Published: June 2008

Most semantic role labeling (SRL) research has been focused on training and evaluating on the same corpus. This strategy, although appropriate for initiating research, can lead to overtraining to the particular corpus. This article describes the operation of assert, a state-of-the art SRL system, and analyzes the robustness of the system when trained on one genre of data and used to label a different genre. As a starting point, results are first presented for training and testing the system on the PropBank corpus, which is annotated Wall Street Journal (WSJ) data. Experiments are then presented to evaluate the portability of the system to another source of data. These experiments are based on comparisons of performance using PropBanked WSJ data and PropBanked Brown Corpus data. The results indicate that whereas syntactic parses and argument identification transfer relatively well to a new corpus, argument classification does not. An analysis of the reasons for this is presented and these generally point to the nature of the more lexical/semantic features dominating the classification task where more general structural features are dominant in the argument identification task.
Local Search with Quadratic Approximations into Memetic Algorithms for Optimization with Multiple Criteria
Authors: Wanner Elizabeth F. , Guimarães Frederico G. , Takahashi Ricardo H. C. , Fleming Peter J.
Published: June 2008

This paper proposes a local search optimizer that, employed as an additional operator in multiobjective evolutionary techniques, can help to find more precise estimates of the Pareto-optimal surface with a smaller cost of function evaluation. The new operator employs quadratic approximations of the objective functions and constraints, which are built using only the function samples already produced by the usual evolutionary algorithm function evaluations. The local search phase consists of solving the auxiliary multiobjective quadratic optimization problem defined from the quadratic approximations, scalarized via a goal attainment formulation using an LMI solver. As the determination of the new approximated solutions is performed without the need of any additional function evaluation, the proposed methodology is suitable for costly black-box optimization problems.
Multiobjective Immune Algorithm with Nondominated Neighbor-Based Selection
Authors: Gong Maoguo , Jiao Licheng , Du Haifeng , Bo Liefeng
Published: June 2008

Nondominated Neighbor Immune Algorithm (NNIA) is proposed for multiobjective optimization by using a novel nondominated neighbor-based selection technique, an immune inspired operator, two heuristic search operators, and elitism. The unique selection technique of NNIA only selects minority isolated nondominated individuals in the population. The selected individuals are then cloned proportionally to their crowding-distance values before heuristic search. By using the nondominated neighbor-based selection and proportional cloning, NNIA pays more attention to the less-crowded regions of the current trade-off front. We compare NNIA with NSGA-II, SPEA2, PESA-II, and MISA in solving five DTLZ problems, five ZDT problems, and three low-dimensional problems. The statistical analysis based on three performance metrics including the coverage of two sets, the convergence metric, and the spacing, show that the unique selection method is effective, and NNIA is an effective algorithm for solving multiobjective optimization problems. The empirical study on NNIA's scalability with respect to the number of objectives shows that the new algorithm scales well along the number of objectives.
Inter-Hierarchical Commissions in a Bornean Plural Society
Authors: Brown D.E.
Published: June 2008

This paper has three aims: 1) to present and discuss data on a social position of a type which Gluckman labelled "inter-hierarchical" (1968), 2) to explore - in light of the data presented-the relationship between the concepts of office and commission (Smith 1966: 124-5; 1968: 195-6), and 3) to suggest some of the concomitants of the difference between offices and commissions. The inter-hierarchical position which is to be examined is that of the "land chiefs" in Brunei.
Message Becomes Incarnate in Song: Church Hymns in the Diocese of Kenge
Authors: Müller Alfons
Published: June 2008

As one cannot dance without music, so there is no music without dancing - so goes the popular thinking in Zaire. The Zairean Catholics have shown in the past admirable patience to imported European melodies and imposed language structures and their songs, robbed of their natural rhythm, were stilled until vernacular liturgy was approved in 1965. There is now music in the land, rich in the variety of various African traditions. The Catholic Church in Zaire is at last able to express itself in its own culture, and the Christian message becomes incarnate in songs and hymns.
On the Possibility of a Creative and Inspiring Pluralism of Religions
Authors: Steenbrink Karel
Published: June 2008

Pluralism of religions is not a timeless phenomenon. Religion itself has changed and developed in the history of mankind. As shown by Wilfred Cantwell Smith in his book on The Meaning and End of Religion, varieties of religious experiences and pluralism of religions also are restyled and remodeled according to time and place. In this communication I want to elaborate on this theme in a double way. First I want to make some remarks about pluralism of religions from personal experiences in Indonesia and the Netherlands, especially in encounters with Muslims. In the second part I want to draw some conclusions on the topic from a broader historical perspective, viewing pluralism as a universally changing and fluctuating fact. In the first part some general problems of interreligious dialogue are described ending up in a rather pessimistic estimation of the possibilities of this dialogue, with further goals than peaceful coexistence. In the second part I hope to show the inevitability of this dialogue. In my conclusion I will try to delineate a way out of this dilemma with the perspective of a creative and inspiring pluralism.
Ludwig Nommensen Studies - a Review
Authors: Schreiner Lothar
Published: June 2008

This paper addresses a chapter of Third World church history and the need for an ecumenical perspective in the study of church history. Ludwig I. Nommensen is a part of the history of the church in Indonesia. He - like other Western missionaries - has identified himself with the Batak people of Sumatra in unfailing dedication. His life and work in Sumatra have been of great impact. In the memory of Indonesian Christians he lives on as the venerated "apostle of the Batak." In Europe, the region of his origin, however, his legacy has as yet to be interpreted more widely. Nommensen, the Westerner, has lived "solidarity as a missionary principle." In this approach to the mission of the church he has built a bridge between Christians in Indonesia and in Europe. Moreover, in the encounter between European and Indonesian cultures and religions, Nommensen's ideas and the Batak Christianity can contribute to a relevant partnership of churches, and to a renewed understanding of the apostolate of the church.
God or Mammon: Biblical Perspecttves On Economies in Conflict
Authors: Wright Christopher J. H.
Published: June 2008

As a preparatory paper for the IAMS conference, this article makes no claim to explore in depth all the rich resources that the OT contributes to Christian reflection on economic issues or indeed to mission in general, but merely sets out to map the territory that calls for further exploration at the consilltation. Accordingly, there will be little attempt at exegesis of texts, but simply a listing of what seems to me to be the most relevant material.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Diastasis Recti
Authors: McPhail Ian
Published: June 2008

Midline abdominal incisional hernias are common following open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. These may be caused by the weakness of connective tissue. This study sought to determine the prevalence of diastasis recti among unoperated Caucasian males with abdominal aortic aneurysm compared to a control group with atherosclerotic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. Forty-two consecutive white males referred for evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 18) or peripheral arterial disease (n = 24) were examined by a single examiner at the Mayo Clinic. Both groups were similar in terms of age and smoking history, 2 major risk factors for both abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Abdominal aortic aneurysm patients ranged in age from 59 to 89 (mean, 73.2) years. Seventeen of 18 (94.4%) had a history of smoking. Peripheral arterial disease patients ranged in age from 52 to 93 (mean, 70.8) years. Twenty-one of 24 (87.5%) had a history of smoking. Diastasis recti were present in 12 of 18 (66.7%) subjects with abdominal aortic aneurysm versus 4 of 24 (16.7%) subjects with peripheral arterial disease ( P = .001, 2-tailed Fisher exact test). Diastasis recti are significantly more common in males with abdominal aortic aneurysm than peripheral arterial disease and may provide an important clue to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm in those at risk.
Social work and world poverty
Authors: Jordan Bill
Published: June 2008

English

This article examines social work's role in relation to the losers in the global process of economic restructuring. It analyses the implications for practice of the very different fates of the least advantaged people in several world regions, and the relevance of new approaches to capa city-building, social capital and well-being for social work with those living in poverty.

French

Cet article examine le rôle du travail social à l'égard des perdants dans le processus mondial de restructuration de l'économie. Il analyse des destins trés différents de personnes les moins avantagées dans plusieurs régions du monde, la pertinence de nouvelles approches telles que construction de capacités, capital social et bien être, et les implications pour la pratique du travail social à l'égard de ceux qui vivent dans la pauvreté.

Spanish

Este artículo examina el papel del trabajo social en relación a aquellos a quienes toca perder en el proceso de reestructuración económica global. Se analizan las implicaciones para la práctica dadas las diferentes consecuencias que tienen respecto a los más desaventajados en diversas regiones del mundo. También se analizan las diferentes maneras de abordar el fomento de capacidades, el capital social, y el bienestar para quienes viven en la pobreza.
Neo-liberalism
Authors: Strier Roni , Surkis Tami , Biran Dorit
Published: June 2008

English

Neo-liberalism has become the pillar of post-industrial social thought. One of the critics of neo-liberalism refers to the discursive nature of its assumptions. This article examines the validity of these assumptions by means of an explo rative study that analyzed the views of families living in poverty in Jerusalem, Israel.

French

Le néo-libéralisme est devenu le pilier de la pensée post-industrielle. Une des critiques contre le néo-libéralisme se référe à la nature discursive de ses suppositions. Cet article examine la validité de ces hypothéses au moyen d'une étude exploratoire qui a analysé les vues de familles vivant dans la pauvreté à Jérusalem, Israël.

Spanish

El neo-liberalismo se ha convertido en el pilar del pensamiento social postindustrial. Una de las críticas en contra del neo-liberalismo se refiere a la naturaleza discursiva de sus presupuestos conceptuales. Este artículo examina la validez de esos presupuestos a través de una exploración que analiza los puntos de vista de familias que viven en la pobreza, en Jerusalén (Israel).
Engaging the poor to challenge corrupt governance
Authors: Lough Benjamin J.
Published: June 2008

English

This article summarizes four popular anti-corruption approaches, including universal legal reform, public-sector reform, social action and democratic participation. It specifically addresses how social workers can engage the poor in challenging corrupt practices, and cites examples where practitioners have been successful at implementing these strategies.

French

Cet article récapitule quatre approches populaires anti-corruption incluant une réforme légale universelle, une réforme du secteur public, l'action sociale et la participation démocratique. Il s'intéresse spécifiquement à savoir comment les assistants sociaux peuvent encourager les pauvres à défier les pratiques corrompues et cite des exemples dans lesquels les praticiens ont été couronnés de succés pour mettre en oeuvre ces stratégies.

Spanish

Se resumen cuatro abordamientos populares contra la corrupción: reforma legal universal; reforma del sector público; acción social; participación democrática. Se expone cómo los trabajadores sociales pueden activar a los pobres para la lucha contra la corrupción, y da ejemplos en los que la implementación de tales prácticas se vio coronada por el éxito.
Performing the Hidden Injuries of Class in Coal-Mining Heritage
Authors: Dicks Bella
Published: June 2008

Industrial heritage deals directly with working-class experience in a very public forum, but has not really been analysed in relation to class issues. This article discusses the case of ex-workers re-employed as heritage guides to tell the story of their own lives at a living history coalmining-museum, exploring the nature of the performances/representations of class that are produced. Heritage performance is caught up in a double bind that is familiar to other kinds of working-class representation: a continual equivocation between foregrounding dignity and autonomy on the one hand, and acknowledging subjugation and defeat on the other.This tension is played out, though differently, both in the guides' past occupations and their present ones.The article examines the public narratives they produce for visitors in the here and now as well as locating these in an understanding of their current positions as tour guide employees and their living through of their memories and identities as mineworkers.
The Social Construction of Sleep and Work in the British Print News Media
Authors: Boden Sharon , Williams Simon J. , Seale Clive , Lowe Pam , Steinberg Deborah Lynn
Published: June 2008

This article presents a sociological study of sleep issues in the British print news media, with particular focus on the relationship between sleep, work and the changing demands of `flexible capitalism'. Drawing on over 1000 newspaper articles from 1984 to 2005, we explore how and why sleep is framed or constructed in terms of continuity and change (in British working life and work cultures) and, equally, viewed as a neglected component of our social lives which is too easily sacrificed to the demands of the 24/7 society, long hours culture and the struggle to create a harmonious work-life balance. This is particularly the case for certain British work cultures in which sleep has conflicting and contrasting associations. Finally, we reflect on the broader class-based discourses and debates that arise from certain workers having their sleep patterns increasingly scrutinized and regulated, and the role of the media in any ensuing sleep/work `crisis'.
Sovereignty and the UFO
Authors: Wendt Alexander , Duvall Raymond
Published: June 2008

Modern sovereignty is anthropocentric, constituted and organized by reference to human beings alone. Although a metaphysical assumption, anthropocentrism is of immense practical import, enabling modern states to command loyalty and resources from their subjects in pursuit of political projects. It has limits, however, which are brought clearly into view by the authoritative taboo on taking UFOs seriously. UFOs have never been systematically investigated by science or the state, because it is assumed to be known that none are extraterrestrial. Yet in fact this is not known, which makes the UFO taboo puzzling given the ET possibility. Drawing on the work of Giorgio Agamben, Michel Foucault, and Jacques Derrida, the puzzle is explained by the functional imperatives of anthropocentric sovereignty, which cannot decide a UFO exception to anthropocentrism while preserving the ability to make such a decision. The UFO can be “known” only by not asking what it is.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Enhancement in Self-Recognition
Authors: Epley Nicholas , Whitchurch Erin
Published: June 2008

People's inferences about their own traits and abilities are often enhancing. A series of experiments suggests that this enhancement extends to more automatic and perceptual judgments as well, such that people recognize their own faces as being more physically attractive than they actually are. In each experiment, participants' faces were made more or less attractive using a morphing procedure. Participants were more likely to recognize an attractively enhanced version of their own face out of a lineup as their own, and they identified an attractively enhanced version of their face more quickly in a lineup of distracter faces. This enhancement bias occurred for both one's own face and a friend's face but not for a relative stranger's face. Such enhancement was correlated with implicit measures of self-worth but not with explicit measures, consistent with this variety of enhancement being a relatively automatic rather than deliberative process.
Evidence for Positive Mood Buffering Among College Student Drinkers
Authors: Mohr Cynthia D. , Brannan Debi , Mohr Josh , Armeli Stephen , Tennen Howard
Published: June 2008

Positive experiences play an important role in buffering the effects of negative experiences. Although this process can play out in a myriad of contexts, the college context is one of particular importance because of significant concerns about student stress levels and alcohol abuse. Building on evidence that at least some students drink in response to negative experiences, we considered the possibility that positive moods would moderate college student negative mood—drinking relationships. Using a Web-based daily process study of 118 (57% women) undergraduate student drinkers, the authors reveal that positive moods indeed buffer the effects of negative moods on student drinking, depending on the mood and drinking context. Furthermore, the buffering of ashamed mood appears to explain the buffering of other negative moods. Implications of these findings are considered in terms of the relationship between negative self-awareness and drinking to cope.
Social informatics and sociotechnical research — a view from the UK
Authors: Davenport Elisabeth
Published: June 2008

This paper explores the connections between two historical lines of research: social informatics in the United States, and sociotechnical studies in the United Kingdom. The author discusses samples of work from three long established UK research sites, at Manchester, Edinburgh and the London School of Economics, to give the reader a sense of sociotechnical work at different historical periods. Though the US and UK traditions share a common interest in the production of technology, and work with complementary concepts and methods, formal links between the two have not been strong for much of the historical period under review. However, there are signs of fusion in the work of a current generation of researchers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The time of hybridity
Authors: Drichel Simone
Published: June 2008

Homi Bhabha's idea of hybridity is one of postcolonialism's most keenly debated — and most widely misunderstood — concepts. My article provides some elucidation in the increasingly reductive debates over hybridity in postcolonial studies, suggesting that what is commonly overlooked in these debates is hybridity's complex relationship to temporality. I suggest that this relationship is not given the credit it deserves often enough, resulting in skewed discussions of hybridity as simply (and mistakenly) another form of syncretism. In focusing on the `time of hybridity' in the context of a bicultural politics in Aotearoa/New Zealand, I draw renewed attention to hybridity's investment in temporality as that which both enables a postcolonial politics and shifts these politics into the realm of (Levinasian) ethics, creating an as yet largely unexplored phenomenon which Leela Gandhi has referred to, in a fortuitous phrase, as an `ethics of hybridity'.
Levinas, Habermas and modernity
Authors: Smith Nicholas H.
Published: June 2008

This article examines Levinas as if he were a participant in what Habermas has called `the philosophical discourse of modernity'. It begins by comparing Levinas' and Habermas' articulations of the philosophical problems of modernity. It then turns to how certain key motifs in Levinas' later work give philosophical expression to the needs of the times as Levinas diagnoses them. In particular it examines how Levinas interweaves a modern, post-ontological conception of `the religious' or `the sacred' into his account of subjectivity. Finally, the article looks at some problems that arise for Levinas once his position in the philosophical discourse on modernity is made explicit.
Associations Between Interpersonal Relationships in Organized Leisure Activities and Youth Adjustment
Authors: Denault Anne-Sophie , Poulin François
Published: June 2008

This study examined (a) the unique contribution of mothers' involvement in their children's organized activity, fathers' involvement in the activity, social integration in the activity peer group, and social support from the activity leader on youth adjustment and (b) the moderating effects of youths' gender and prior adjustment on these associations. The dimensions of adjustment included academic achievement, problem behaviors, depressive symptoms, and persistence of participation. Study participants were 115 youths (59% girls; X = 13.39). Participation in organized activities and the interpersonal relationships within these activities were assessed in the 7th grade. The dimensions of adjustment were measured both in Grades 6 and 7. Altogether, the findings revealed few main effects of the activity-related interpersonal relationships on youth adjustment. Rather, the results highlighted that boys and youths with prior difficulties were especially sensitive to the interpersonal components of their activity participation.
Health Utility Bias: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analytic Evaluation
Authors: Doctor Jason N. , Bleichrodt Han , Lin H. Jill
Published: June 2008

Background. A common assertion is that rating scale (RS) values are lower than both standard gamble (SG) and time tradeoff (TTO) values. However, differences among these methods may be due to method specific bias. Although SG and TTOs suffer systematic bias, RS responses are known to depend on the range and frequency of other health states being evaluated. Over many diverse studies this effect is predicted to diminish. Thus, a systematic review and data synthesis of RS-TTO and RS-SG difference scores may better reveal persistent dissimilarities. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to establish through systematic review and meta-analysis the net effect of biases that endure over many studies of utilities. Methods. A total of 2206 RS and TTO and 1318 RS and SG respondents in 27 studies of utilities participated. MEDLINE was searched for data from 1976 to 2004, complemented by a hand search of full-length articles and conference abstracts for 9 journals known to publish utility studies, as well as review of results and additional recommendations by 5 outside experts in the field. Two investigators abstracted the articles. We contacted the investigators of the original if required information was not available. Results. No significant effect for RS and TTO difference scores was observed: effect size (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 0.04 (−0.02, 0.09). In contrast, RS scores were significantly lower than SG scores: effect size (95% CI ) =−0.23 (−0.28, −0.19). Correcting SG scores for 3 known biases (loss aversion, framing, and probability weighting) eliminated differences between RS and SG scores: effect size (95% CI ) = 0.01 (−0.03, 0.05). Systematic bias in the RS method may exist but be heretofore unknown. Bias correction formulas were applied to mean not individual utilities. Conclusions. The results of this study do not support the common view that RS values are lower than TTO values, may suggest that TTO biases largely cancel, and support the validity of formulas for correcting SG bias.
Effect of Guidelines on Primary Care Physician Use of PSA Screening: Results from the Community Tracking Study Physician Survey
Authors: Guerra Carmen E. , Gimotty Phyllis A. , Shea Judy A. , Pagán José A. , Schwartz J. Sanford , Armstrong Katrina
Published: June 2008

Background. Little is known about the effect of guidelines that recommend shared decision making on physician practice patterns. The objective of this study was to determine the association between physicians' perceived effect of guidelines on clinical practice and self-reported prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening patterns. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of 3914 primary care physicians participating in the 1998— 1999 Community Tracking Study Physician Survey. Responses to a case vignette that asked physicians what proportion of asymptomatic 60-year-old white men they would screen with a PSA were divided into 3 distinct groups: consistent PSA screeners (screen all), variable screeners (screen 1%— 99%), and consistent nonscreeners (screen none). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between PSA screening patterns and physician-reported effect of guidelines (no effect v. any magnitude effect). Results. Only 27% of physicians were variable PSA screeners; the rest were consistent screeners (60%) and consistent nonscreeners (13%). Only 8% of physicians perceived guidelines to have no effect on their practice. After adjustment for demographic and practice characteristics, variable screeners were more likely to report any magnitude effect of guidelines on their practice when compared with physicians in the other 2 groups (adjusted odds ratio= 1.73; 95% confidence interval=1:25−2:38;P=0:001 ). Conclusions. Physicians who perceive an effect of guidelines on their practice are almost twice as likely to exhibit screening PSA practice variability, whereas physicians who do not perceive an effect of guidelines on their practice are more likely to be consistent PSA screeners or consistent PSA nonscreeners.
A Procedure for Determining Whether a Simple Combination of Diagnostic Tests May Be Noninferior to the Theoretical Optimum Combination
Authors: Jin Hua , Lu Ying
Published: June 2008

Diagnosis accuracy can be improved by combining several complementary diagnostic tests. The likelihood ratio (LR) function is the optimal combination because it achieves the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Derivation and interpretation of the LR function, however, can be complicated. Linear discriminant/logistic functions are simple but may not be optimal. In this article, the authors propose a statistical framework to determine when such linear combinations are noninferior alternatives to the LR function. They propose a nonparametric procedure to calculate LR functions and estimate the optimal area under the curve (AUC). The authors then define noninferiority of a simpler combination to the LR function with regard to the AUC of ROC curves. A bootstrap procedure is proposed to test the noninferiority. Monte Carlo simulation experiments are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed methods. Data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures are used to demonstrate the procedure.