bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiculturalism and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Authors: Uberoi Varun
Published: October 2008

Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states: ‘This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians’, and we know surprisingly little about why the Canadian Federal Government agreed to insert it in the Charter and how this occurred. In this article I will use new historical evidence to explain both these things and I proceed in three stages. Firstly, I explain why the Canadian Federal Government agreed to include what became Section 27 in the Canadian Charter. Secondly, I explain how it was actually included. I then conclude the article by explaining why the evidence in it not only explains why and how Section 27 was included in the Charter; it also increases the possibility that a largely unsubstantiated claim made by certain prominent scholars is true. The claim is that the Canadian Federal Government's policy of multiculturalism was used to shape the Canadian national identity.
Child dialect acquisition: New perspectives on parent/peer influence1
Authors: Stanford James N.
Published: October 2008

Regardless of the variability and complexity in the linguistic environment around them, children begin constructing stable linguistic identities at a young age. Prior research has effectively modeled child dialect acquisition in terms of parent influence versus peer influence, and peer influence has often been shown to be the key determiner. The present study takes the next step by showing that the parent/peer group contrast in prior studies should be viewed as a special case of a more general pattern: children learn and construct dialect identity as a process of group distinction. Using data the author collected among exogamous Sui clans in rural southwest China, the present study shows how diverse cultures can lend new perspectives to the issue of parent/peer influence; Sui children's linguistic worlds are not divided along parent/peer lines but rather along clan lines, yet a similar process of group distinction occurs.
Language ideologies in interviews: A conversation analysis approach1
Authors: Laihonen Petteri
Published: October 2008

This study aims to combine tools from the fields of Language Ideologies and Conversation Analysis, despite their differences, in an analysis of metalinguistic discourse in research interviews. The goal is to show what Conversation Analysis can offer the study of language ideologies. To this end, the study investigates how interaction shapes and (re)constructs explicit descriptions, statements, evaluations, etc. of language. Single‐case analyses of phenomena typically of interest in the field of Language Ideologies are performed to shed light on how talk about language is constructed and shaped in research interviews carried out in the Rumanian Banat. The analysis of language ideologies, such as ‘language standards’, is thus connected to the analysis of interactional structures, such as repair. In general, the analyses show how talk about language is produced and designed for the turn‐by‐turn structures of interaction. The analyses also highlight the intersubjective character of talk about language.
Siblings’ Understanding of Learning Disability: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Hames Annette
Published: October 2008

Background  There is very little research on how and when siblings understand that they have a brother or sister with a learning disability. Research regarding young children’s understanding of intelligence, suggests that they may not develop a clear understanding of ability until about 7 years of age.

Method  Through interviewing parents and then siblings, this study followed a group of young siblings for 12 years, from when they were pre‐verbal, until they were aged 12–14 years.

Results  Siblings developed an early understanding of learning disability and had clear ideas about the future for them and for their brothers and sisters.

Conclusion  Through their personal experiences, siblings are able to develop early understanding of the abstract concept of learning disability, are able to distinguish between disability and illness, and are able to think about the long‐term implications of learning disability both for themselves and for their brothers and sisters.
Antepartum and postpartum exposure to maternal depression: different effects on different adolescent outcomes
Authors: Hay Dale F. , Pawlby Susan , Waters Cerith S. , Sharp Deborah
Published: October 2008

Background:  Postpartum depression (PPD) is considered a major public health problem that conveys risk to mothers and offspring. Yet PPD typically occurs in the context of a lifelong episodic illness, and its putative effects might derive from the child’s exposure to other episodes, in pregnancy or later childhood. The aim of the study is to test two hypotheses: (1) that the effects of PPD on adolescent outcomes are partly explained by antepartum depression (APD) and (2) that the effects of APD and PPD are both explained by later exposure to the mother’s depression.

Method:  A random sample of 178 antenatal patients was drawn from two general medical practices in South London; 171 gave birth to live infants, and 150 (88%) were assessed at 3 months post partum, with 121 of their offspring (81%) assessed for emotional disorders (ED), disruptive behaviour disorders (DBD) and IQ, at 11 and 16 years of age.

Results:  When APD and subsequent episodes of depression were taken into account, PPD had a significant effect on adolescent IQ, especially for boys, but did not predict psychopathology. ED and DBD in adolescence were predicted by the extent of exposure to maternal depression after 3 months post partum; a significant effect of APD on ED in girls was accounted for by later exposure to the mother’s illness. Mothers’ symptoms of anxiety, smoking and alcohol use in pregnancy did not predict adolescent outcomes, once maternal depression was taken into account.

Conclusions:  Some effects attributed to mothers’ mental health problems in pregnancy or post partum may be mediated by cumulative exposure to maternal illness, probably reflecting genetic influence and gene–environment correlation. However, PPD has a direct effect on cognition. Clinicians should endeavour to identify women with depression in pregnancy (31% of this sample) and help them to manage their lifelong illness.
The dopamine receptor D4 7‐repeat allele and prenatal smoking in ADHD‐affected children and their unaffected siblings: no gene–environment interaction
Authors: Altink Marieke E. , Arias‐Vásquez Alejandro , Franke Barbara , Slaats –Willemse Dorine I.E. , Buschgens Cathelijne J.M. , Rommelse Nanda N.J. , Fliers Ellen A. , Anney Richard , Brookes Keeley‐Joanne , Chen Wai , Gill Michael , Mulligan Aisling , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund , Thompson Margaret , Sergeant Joseph A. , Faraone Stephen V. , Asherson Philip , Buitelaar Jan K.
Published: October 2008

Background: The dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) 7‐repeat allele and maternal smoking during pregnancy are both considered as risk factors in the aetiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but few studies have been conducted on their interactive effects in causing ADHD. The purpose of this study is to examine the gene by environment (G×E) interaction of theDRD47‐repeat allele and smoking during pregnancy on ADHD and oppositional behavior in families from the International Multicenter ADHD Genetics project; and further, to test the hypothesis that the direction of effect of theDRD47‐repeat allele differs between ADHD affected and unaffected children.

Methods: Linear mixed models were used to assess main and interactive effects of theDRD47‐repeat allele and smoking during pregnancy in 539 ADHD‐affected children and their 407 unaffected siblings, aged 6–17 years.

Results: There was some evidence pointing to differential effects of theDRD47‐repeat allele on ADHD and oppositional symptoms in the affected (fewer symptoms) and unaffected children (increasing ADHD symptoms of teacher ratings). Affected children were more often exposed to prenatal smoking than unaffected children. There were limited main effects of prenatal smoking on severity of symptoms. Given the number of tests performed, no indication was found for G×E interactions.

Conclusion: Despite the large sample size, no G×E interactions were found. The impact of theDRD47‐repeat allele might differ, depending on affected status and rater. This finding is discussed in terms of differences in the activity of the dopaminergic system and of different genes involved in rater‐specific behaviors.
The association of maternal chronic hypertension with perinatal death in male and female offspring: a record linkage study of 866 188 women
Authors: Zetterström K , Lindeberg SN , Haglund B , Hanson U
Published: October 2008

Objective  The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference, by gender, in perinatal mortality in chronically hypertensive women compared with normotensive women.

Design  Population‐based prospective cohort study.

Setting  Sweden.

Population  A total of 866 188 women with singleton pregnancies registered in the Swedish Medical Birth Registry 1992–2004, of which 4749 were diagnosed with chronic hypertension.

Methods  Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. In a first step, we adjusted for maternal characteristics and in a second step for mild and severe pre‐eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placental abruption and small for gestational age. An effect modification by gender was included in the model.

Main outcome measures  Odds ratios (OR) for intrauterine death, neonatal death and post‐neonatal death with respect to gender of offspring.

Results  The unadjusted OR of intrauterine death was 4.12 (95% CI: 2.84–5.96) and 1.29 (95% CI: 0.67–2.48) for male and female offspring, respectively, and of neonatal death, it was 3.45 (95% CI: 2.13–5.59) and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.08–4.35) for male and female offspring, respectively. After multivariate analysis, the OR of intrauterine death was 3.07 (95% CI: 2.12–4.46) and neonatal death was 2.99 (95% CI: 1.84–4.85) for male offspring. For female offspring, the OR of intrauterine death was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.51–1.89) and neonatal death was 1.88 (95% CI: 0.93–3.79).

Conclusion  Mothers with chronic hypertension have an increased risk of perinatal mortality of their male offspring.
Can excess maternal mortality among women of foreign nationality be explained by suboptimal obstetric care?
Authors: Philibert M , Deneux‐Tharaux C , Bouvier‐Colle M‐H
Published: October 2008

Objectives  To test the hypothesis that the risk of postpartum maternal death in France remains significantly higher for women of foreign nationality after individual characteristics are taken into account and to examine whether the quality of care received by the women who died differs according to nationality.

Design  A national case–control study.

Setting  Metropolitan France.

Population  A total of 267 women who died of maternal death from 1996 to 2001 as cases and a representative sample (n = 13 186) of women who gave birth in 1998 as controls.

Methods  Crude and adjusted odd ratios were calculated with multivariate logistic regression, and the quality of care for cases was compared according to nationality with chi‐square tests or Fisher’s exact tests.

Main outcome measures  Odd ratio for postpartum maternal death associated with nationality and quality of care.

Results  After taking individual characteristics into account, the risk of postpartum maternal death was twice as high for foreign women. The odds ratio was 5.5 (95% CI: 3.3–9.0) for women from sub‐Saharan Africa and 3.3 (95% CI: 1.7–6.5) for those from Asia, North and South America. There was no significant excess risk of postpartum maternal death for the other European and North Africa women. The risk of dying from hypertensive disorder or infection was four times higher for foreign women. Among women who died, care was more often considered not optimal for foreign women (78 versus 57%).

Conclusions  The excess risk of postpartum maternal death persisted for foreign women after individual characteristics were taken into account and was especially important for some nationalities and for some causes of death, primarily hypertensive disorders. These results point to an immediate need to pay special attention to early enrolment in prenatal care, screening and prenatal management of hypertension, especially in women of sub‐Saharan African nationality.
Endometriosis and its coexistence with irritable bowel syndrome and pelvic inflammatory disease: findings from a national case–control study—Part 2
Authors: Seaman HE , Ballard KD , Wright JT , De Vries CS
Published: October 2008

Objective  To investigate whether the increased chances of having a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women with endometriosis is due to misdiagnosis or co‐morbidity.

Design  A case–control study of women aged 15–55 years with endometriosis and matched controls.

Setting  Data from the UK’s General Practice Research Database for the years 1992–2001.

Sample  A total of 5540 women aged 15–55 years, diagnosed with endometriosis, each matched to four controls without endometriosis. The index date was defined as the date of diagnosis.

Methods  Data were analysed to determine whether women with endometriosis were more likely to receive a diagnosis of PIDor IBS than women without endometriosis. Odds ratios were calculated for endometriosis associated with IBS and PID before and after the index date.

Main outcome measures  Diagnosis of IBS or PID before and after the index date.

Results  Compared with the controls, women with endometriosis were 3.5 times more likely to have received a diagnosis of IBS (OR 3.5 [95% CI: 3.1–3.9]). Even after women had been diagnosed with endometriosis, they were still two and a half times more likely to receive a new diagnosis of IBS when compared with the controls (OR 2.5 [95% CI: 2.2–2.8]). Similarly, women with endometriosis were more likely than those without endometriosis to have been treated for PID both before (OR 5.9 [95% CI: 5.1–6.9]) and after (OR 3.8 [95% CI: 3.1–4.6]) being diagnosed with endometriosis.

Conclusions  Women with endometriosis are more likely to be diagnosed with IBS and PID than controls, even after a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis has been reached.
Influence of mode of delivery on neonatal mortality in the second twin, at and before term
Authors: Herbst A , Källén K
Published: October 2008

Design  To study the association between mode of delivery and neonatal mortality in second twins. To study the association between caesarean delivery and mortality with minimum bias of the indication for the operation, we wanted to compare the outcome of second twins delivered by caesarean due to breech presentation of the sibling with vaginally delivered second twins in uncomplicated pregnancies.

Setting  Sweden, 1980–2004

Population  Twins born during 1980–2004 were identified from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. Twin pairs delivered by caesarean due to breech presentation of the first twin, and vaginally delivered twins with the first twin in cephalic presentation were included. Pregnancies with antepartum complications were excluded.

Methods  Odds ratios and 95% CI were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses, adjusting for year of birth, maternal age, parity and gestational age.

Main outcome measures  Neonatal mortality.

Results  Compared with second‐born twins delivered vaginally, second‐born twins delivered by caesarean (for breech presentation of the sibling) had a lower risk of neonatal death (adjusted OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.19–0.83). The decreased risk after caesarean delivery was significant for births before 34 weeks (2.1 versus 9.0%; adjusted OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.17–0.95). After 34 weeks, neonatal mortality was low in both groups (0.1 and 0.2%, respectively), and the difference was not statistically significant (adjusted OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.10–1.79).

Conclusions  Neonatal mortality is lower for the second twin after caesarean delivery at birth before 34 weeks. At term, mortality is low irrespective of delivery mode.
Urinary symptoms and quality of life in women following urogenital fistula repair: a long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Dolan LM , Dixon WE , Hilton P
Published: October 2008

Using the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptom questionnaire, we have investigated urinary and sexual symptoms and quality of life in a group of 31 women 50 months (median) after successful repair of urogenital fistula. All had undergone urodynamic investigation prior to their repair surgery, and only 36% had normal findings. Almost all women reported one or more symptoms, and for 65%, these caused at least ‘a bit of a problem’, although 87% said that their urinary symptoms had little or no impact on their quality of life. Symptoms were similar in urethrovaginal and vesicovaginal fistulae and were not significantly associated with prior functional abnormality.
Retracted: Differential effects of 24‐hydroxycholesterol and 27‐hydroxycholesterol on tyrosine hydroxylase and α‐synuclein in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Rantham Prabhakara Jaya Prasanthi , Feist Gwen , Thomasson Sarah , Thompson Alex , Schommer Eric , Ghribi Othman
Published: October 2008

Evidence suggests that environmental and dietary factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). High dietary intake of cholesterol is such a factor that has been shown to increase or decrease the risk of PD. However, because circulating cholesterol does not cross the blood–brain barrier, the mechanisms linking dietary cholesterol to the pathogenesis of PD remain to be understood. In contrast to cholesterol, the oxidized cholesterol metabolites (oxysterols), 24S‐hydroxycholesterol (24‐OHC) and 27‐hydroxycholesterol (27‐OHC), can cross the blood–brain barrier and may place the brain at risk of degeneration. In this study, we incubated the human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells for 24 h with 24‐OHC, 27‐OHC, or a mixture of 24‐OHC plus 27‐OHC, and have determined effects on tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate‐limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis) levels, α‐synuclein levels, and apoptosis. We demonstrate that while 24‐OHC increases the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase, 27‐OHC increases levels of α‐synuclein, and induces apoptosis. Our findings show for the first time that oxysterols trigger changes in levels of proteins that are associated with the pathogenesis of PD. As steady state levels of 24‐OHC and 27‐OHC are tightly regulated in the brain, disturbances in these levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of PD.
Secretory vesicle rebound hyperacidification and increased quantal size resulting from prolonged methamphetamine exposure
Authors: Markov Dmitriy , Mosharov Eugene V. , Setlik Wanda , Gershon Michael D. , Sulzer David
Published: October 2008

Acute exposure to amphetamines (AMPHs) collapses secretory vesicle pH gradients, which increases cytosolic catecholamine levels while decreasing the quantal size of catecholamine release during fusion events. AMPH and methamphetamine (METH), however, are retained in tissues over long durations. We used optical and electron microscopic probes to measure the effects of long‐term METH exposure on secretory vesicle pH, and amperometry and intracellular patch electrochemistry to observe the effects on neurosecretion and cytosolic catecholamines in cultured rat chromaffin cells. In contrast to acute METH effects, exposure to the drug for 6–48 h at 10 μM and higher concentrations produced a concentration‐dependent rebound hyperacidification of secretory vesicles. At 5–10 μM levels, prolonged METH increased the quantal size and reinstated exocytotic catecholamine release, although very high (> 100 μM) levels of the drug, while continuing to produce rebound hyperacidification, did not increase quantal size. Secretory vesicle rebound hyperacidification was temperature dependent with optimal response at ∼37°C, was not blocked by the transcription inhibitor, puromycin, and appears to be a general compensatory response to prolonged exposure with membranophilic weak bases, including AMPHs, methylphenidate, cocaine, and ammonia. Thus, under some conditions of prolonged exposure, AMPHs and other weak bases can enhance, rather than deplete, the vesicular release of catecholamines via a compensatory response resulting in vesicle acidification.
A long‐term study (1949–2005) of experimental introductions to an island; freshwater amphipods (Crustacea) in the Isle of Man (British Isles)
Authors: MacNeil Calum , Dick Jaimie T. A. , Gell Fiona R. , Selman Richard , Lenartowicz Paul , Hynes H. B. Noel
Published: October 2008

Aim  Using data from field introduction experiments with Gammarus spp. conducted in the rivers of a small island, commencing in 1949, with resampling in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and finally in 2005, we aimed to examine the long‐term interaction of the native freshwater amphipod Gammarus duebeni celticus with the introduced G. pulex. Using physico‐chemical data from a 2005 island‐wide survey, we also aimed to find what environmental factors could influence the distribution of the two species.

Location  The Isle of Man, British Isles.

Methods  We used species distribution data from 10 river sites from a field introduction study in 1949–69, resampling of these sites in 1974/5, 1988, 1995 and 2005. We sampled a further 82 sites in 2005, where physico‐chemical characteristics of each site were obtained. ANOVA was used to ascertain significant differences in environmental variables between native and introduced amphipod assemblages. Multiple discriminant analysis was used to relate Gammarus distribution to environmental gradients in rivers.

Results  Field introductions of G. pulex into previously G. d. celticus dominated sites failed, despite the large propagule pressure in terms of numbers of individuals released and repeated introductions. The island‐wide survey revealed that G. d. celticus was found in areas of higher water quality than G. pulex. Sites where the two species co‐occurred also tended to be of lower water quality than native only sites. Continuing metal pollution from past mining activity may be a major factor excluding all amphipods from many rivers. The North American amphipod Crangonyx pseudogracilis, which was first discovered on the Isle of Man in one river site in 1995, was found in a further five sites.

Main conclusions  This ecological experiment, through long‐term monitoring, thus continues to elucidate factors influencing the distributions of introduced and native species. Under some physicochemical regimes, G. d. celticus is able to withstand its usual displacement by G. pulex, whereas increased river pollution could promote replacement of the native by the introduced species.
Suicide in Older Adults in Long‐Term Care: 1990 to 2005
Authors: Mezuk Briana , Prescott Marta R. , Tardiff Kenneth , Vlahov David , Galea Sandro
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics associated with suicide in older persons residing in long‐term care (LTC) facilities, to compare the characteristics of suicide cases in LTC with those of cases in the community, and to evaluate trends in suicide in these settings over the past 15 years.

SETTING: The New York City (NYC) Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

PARTICIPANTS: Suicide deaths in NYC from 1990 to 2005.

MEASUREMENTS: Location and method of suicide death reported by OCME.

METHODS: Suicides in older persons in LTC and community‐dwelling older adults were compared in terms of demographic characteristics and method used. Trends in suicide rate ratios (RRs) were examined using zero‐inflated Poisson regression.

RESULTS: Over the study period, there were 1,771 suicides among NYC residents aged 60 and older: 47 in LTC and 1,724 in the community. Cases in LTC tended to be older (P<.02) but did not differ from community cases in terms of race or sex. Suicides in LTC were significantly less likely (RR=0.05, P<.002) to be due to firearms and 2.49 times as likely to be due to a long fall (P<.002) as community cases. Over the 15‐year period, there was a significant decrease in the relative rate of suicide in community‐dwelling adults (RR=0.97, P<.001) but no change in residents of LTC (RR=1.05, P<.17).

CONCLUSIONS: Suicide risk in community‐dwelling older adults has declined over the past 15 years but has not changed in LTC facilities. This suggests that prevention efforts may not be reaching this population effectively.
Exercise Training and Plasma C‐Reactive Protein and Interleukin‐6 in Elderly People
Authors: Nicklas Barbara J. , Hsu Fang‐Chi , Brinkley Tina J. , Church Timothy , Goodpaster Bret H. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Pahor Marco
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of a long‐term exercise intervention on two prominent biomarkers of inflammation (C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)) in elderly men and women.

DESIGN: Single‐blind, randomized, controlled trial: The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Trial.

SETTING: The Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas; Stanford University, Stanford, California; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Wake Forest University, Winston‐Salem, North Carolina.

PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred twenty‐four elderly (aged 70–89), nondisabled, community‐dwelling men and women at risk for physical disability.

INTERVENTION: A 12‐month moderate‐intensity physical activity (PA) intervention and a successful aging (SA) health education intervention.

MEASUREMENTS: CRP and IL‐6.

RESULTS: After adjustment for baseline IL‐6, sex, clinic site, diabetes mellitus, treatment group, visit, and group‐by‐visit interaction, the PA intervention resulted in a lower (P=.02) IL‐6 concentration than the SA intervention. Adjusted mean IL‐6 at month 12 was 8.5% (0.21 pg/mL) higher in the SA than the PA group. There were no significant differences in CRP between the groups at 12 months (P=.09). Marginally significant interaction effects of the PA intervention according to baseline functional status (P=.05) and IL‐6 (above vs below the median; P=.06) were observed. There was a greater effect of the PA intervention on participants with lower functional status and those with a higher baseline IL‐6.

CONCLUSION: Greater PA results in lower systemic concentrations of IL‐6 in elderly individuals, and this benefit is most pronounced in individuals at the greatest risk for disability and subsequent loss of independence.
Death Certificate Inaccuracy and Underreporting of Injury in Elderly People
Authors: Betz Marian E. , Kelly Sean P. , Fisher Jonathan
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether resident physicians (MDs) could complete a death certificate for elderly patients with injury‐related fatalities and whether their abilities were related to training or other factors.

SETTING: A large tertiary teaching hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred thirty‐six MDs.

DESIGN: Through an anonymous Web‐based test, MDs were questioned regarding prior training and experience in completion of death certificates. The MDs read a case of an elderly patient who died from intracranial bleeding after a fall and then completed a test death certificate. Whether proper completion was associated with MD characteristics such as year of residency, self‐assessment, or previous death certificate experience was examined.

RESULTS: Almost two‐thirds (63.6%) of MDs completed the test. Of participants, 52% (95% confidence interval (CI)=46–59%) filled out the death certificate with the correct primary cause of death and 10% (95% CI=6–14%) listed the three major contributing causes of death. Only 35% (95% CI=28–41%) correctly reported injury as a contributing cause of death, but 51% of the participants reported a high level of confidence in their ability to complete a death certificate accurately.

CONCLUSION: Accurate completion of the sample death certificate and identification of injury was low, and MDs overrated their abilities. Death certificates completed by MDs may not be accurate and may underestimate the contribution of injury to elderly mortality.
Adolescents' Time Use and Academic Achievement: A Test of the Reproduction and Mobility Models*
Authors: Dumais Susan A.
Published: October 2008

Objectives. Following up on Bourdieu's (1973) model of reproduction and DiMaggio's (1982) model of mobility, I determine whether there are socioeconomic differences in the academic benefits provided by adolescents' use of free time.

Methods. I analyze the associations that students' uses of time have with mathematics achievement test scores and grade point averages, using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 and OLS regression models.

Results. Time spent on school‐sponsored activities is associated with improved math test scores, while time spent on social activities is negatively associated with them. School activities are more beneficial for students in the bottom SES quartile than in the top two SES quartiles.

Conclusions. Limited support is found for the mobility model; however, lower‐SES students are more likely to engage in activities such as television watching and videogame playing that are associated with lower test scores and grades, and higher‐SES students are more likely to participate in beneficial school‐sponsored activities.
State Income Inequality and Presidential Election Turnout and Outcomes*
Authors: Galbraith James K. , Hale J. Travis
Published: October 2008

Objective. This study examines the links among income inequality, voter turnout, and electoral choice at the state level in recent presidential elections.

Methods. We introduce two new state‐level ecological data sets, estimated annual Gini coefficients of income inequality from 1969 to 2004 and a measure of income segregation across Census tracts within states in 1999. We test for associations among inequality, turnout, and party preference with cross‐sectional, fixed‐effects, and multilevel analyses.

Results. The cross‐sectional effect of inequality on voter turnout and electoral choice is ambiguous. However, a fixed‐effects analysis links higher income inequality to lower voter turnout and also to a stronger Democratic vote. Multilevel results indicate that higher levels of economic segregation likewise are associated with depressed turnout, after controlling for individual voter characteristics and for state‐level income.
Women Running for Judge: The Impact of Sex on Candidate Success in State Intermediate Appellate Court Elections*
Authors: Frederick Brian , Streb Matthew J.
Published: October 2008

Objective.This article will examine whether candidate sex impacts electoral outcomes in judicial elections.

Methods.We examine the success of male and female candidates in contested, nonretention elections for state intermediate appellate courts (IACs) from 2000–2006 using OLS and logistic regression analysis.

Results.We find that there is no systematic bias against women candidates in IAC races over this period. In fact, there is some evidence that women may actually perform slightly better than men.

Conclusions.Contrary to the claims of some scholars, these results suggest judicial elections do not hinder diversity on the state appellate bench.
Democracy, Participation, and Life Satisfaction*
Authors: Owen Ann L. , Videras Julio , Willemsen Christina
Published: October 2008

Objectives.We examine whether democracy, political participation, and differing systems of democracy influence individual levels of subjective well‐being.

Methods.We use individual data on life satisfaction and characteristics related to satisfaction for approximately 46 countries. We estimate ordered probit models with country and time dummy variables and cluster‐adjusted robust standard errors.

Results.Democracy is positively correlated with individual levels of well‐being. The opportunity to participate in the political process and whether the democracy is parliamentary or presidential are related to individual well‐being.

Conclusions.Democratic institutions influence subjective well‐being. The well‐being of individuals with minority political views decreases in parliamentary systems.
Intra‐Household Specialization in Housework in the United States and Denmark*
Authors: Bonke Jens , Deding Mette , Lausten Mette , Stratton Leslie S.
Published: October 2008

Objective. Focusing on housework activities, we hypothesize that the degree of specialization is influenced by economic notions of efficiency, as well as by time constraints and egalitarian values.

Methods. Employing time‐use data on U.S. and Danish couples, we construct a composite index measure of intra‐household specialization. We analyze the comparability of reported time use and our specialization index using different types of data, and then model specialization using a multivariate two‐limit Tobit.

Results. We find evidence that Danish households specialize less than U.S. households and that children, particularly preschool‐aged children, are associated with significantly increased specialization in the United States but not in Denmark.

Conclusions. We postulate that the more egalitarian social structure in Scandinavia is a driving force behind the lower rate of specialization observed in Denmark. Further, we believe the subsidized child‐care services provided by the Danish welfare system reduce the impact children have on specialization in ordinary housework tasks.
Regulatory roles for histone deacetylation in IL‐1β‐induced nitric oxide release in pancreatic β‐cells
Authors: Susick L. , Veluthakal R. , Suresh M. V. , Hadden T. , Kowluru A.
Published: October 2008

Histone (de)acetylases control gene transcription via modification of the chromatin structure. Herein, we investigated potential roles for histone deacetylation (or hypoacetylation) in interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) release in insulin‐secreting INS 832/13 (INS) cells. Western blot analysis suggested localization of members of Class 1 and Class 2 families of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in these cells. Trichostatin A (TSA), a known inhibitor of HDACs, markedly reduced IL‐1β‐mediated iNOS expression and NO release from these cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. TSA also promoted hyperacetylation of histone H4 under conditions in which it inhibited IL‐1β‐mediated effects on isolated β cells. Rottlerin, a known inhibitor of protein kinase Cδ, also increased histone H4 acetylation, and inhibited IL‐1β‐induced iNOS expression and NO release in these cells. It appears that the putative mechanism underlying the stimulatory effects of rottlerin on acetylation status of histone H4 are distinct from the HDAC inhibitory property of TSA, since rottlerin failed to inhibit HDAC activity in nuclear extracts isolated from INS cells. These data are suggestive of potential regulatory effects of rottlerin at the level of increasing the histone acetyltransferase activity in these cells. Together our studies present the first evidence to suggest a PKCδ‐mediated signalling step, which promotes hypoacetylation of candidate histones culminating in IL‐1β‐induced metabolic dysfunction of the isolated β cell.
NFκB mediates IL‐1β‐induced down‐regulation of TβRII through the modulation of Sp3 expression
Authors: Baugé C. , Beauchef G. , Leclercq S. , Kim S. J. , Pujol J. P. , Galéra P. , Boumédiene K.
Published: October 2008

We previously showed that interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) down‐regulation of type II TGFβ receptor (TβRII) involves NFκB pathway and requires de novo synthesis of a yet unknown protein. Here, we demonstrate that this effect is mediated through Sp1 site located at position ‐25 of human TβRII promoter. Inhibition of transcription factors binding (decoy oligonucleotides or mithramycin) abolished IL‐1β effect. EMSA and ChIP revealed that this treatment induced Sp3 binding to cis‐sequence whereby IL‐1β exerts its transcriptional effects whereas it decreased that of Sp1. Moreover, although the cytokine did not modulate Sp1 expression, it increased that of Sp3 via NFκB pathway. Experiments of gain and loss of function clearly showed that Sp3 inhibited TβRII expression whereas its silencing abolished IL‐1β effect. In addition, both Sp1 and Sp3 were found to interact with NFκB, which therefore may indirectly interact with TβRII pro moter. Altogether, these data suggest that IL‐1β decreases TβRII expression by inducing Sp3 via NFκB and its binding on core promote at the expense of Sp1, which could explain the loss of cell responsiveness in certain conditions. These findings bring new insights in the knowledge of the interference between two antagonistic transduction pathways involved in multiple physiopathological processes.
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III secretion system plays a dual role in the regulation of caspase‐1 mediated IL‐1β maturation
Authors: Galle M. , Schotte P. , Haegman M. , Wullaert A. , Yang H. J. , Jin S. , Beyaert R.
Published: October 2008

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that forms a serious problem for immunocompromised patients and also the leading cause of mortality in cystic fibrosis. The overall importance of a functional Type III secretion system (T3SS) in P. aeru inosa virulence has been well established, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Using in vitro infected macrophages as w as a murine model of acute lung infection, we show that the Caspase‐1 mediated maturation and secretion of IL‐1β needs a translocation competent T3SS and Flagellin, but not the Type III effector proteins ExoS, ExoT and ExoY. However, ExoS was found to negative regulate the P. aeruginosa induced IL‐1β maturation by a mechanism that is dependent on its ADP ribosyltransferase activity. Moreov ExoS deficiency also switched the mode of macrophage death from apoptosis to pro‐inflammatory pyroptosis. Altogether, these da demonstrate a dual role for the P. aeruginosa T3SS in the regulation of Caspase‐1 mediated IL‐1β production and provide new insigh into the mechanisms of immune evasion by this pathogen.
Neural stem cells improve neuronal survival in cultured postmortem brain tissue from aged and Alzheimer patients
Authors: Wu L. , Sluiter A. A. , Guo Ho‐fu , Balesar R. A. , Swaab D. F. , Zhou Jiang‐Ning , Verwer R. W. H.
Published: October 2008

Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive and incurable and are becoming ever more prevalent. To study whether neural stem cell can reactivate or rescue functions of impaired neurons in the human aging and neurodegenerating brain, we co‐cultured postmortem slices from Alzheimer patients and control participants with rat embryonic day 14 (E14) neural stem cells. Viability staining based on the exclusion of ethidium bromide by intact plasma membranes showed that there were strikingly more viable cells and fewer dead cells in slices co‐cultured with neural stem cells than in untreated slices. The presence of Alzheimer pathology in the brain slices did not influence this effect, although the slices from Alzheimer patients, in general, contained fewer viable cells. Co‐culturing with rat E14 fibroblasts did not improve the viability of neurons in the human brain slices. Since the human slices and neural stem cells were separated by a membrane during co‐culturing our data show for the first time that neural stem cells release diffusible factors that may improve the survival of aged and degenerating neurons in human brains.
Cell‐to‐cell cross‐talk between mesenchymal stem cells and cardiomyocytes in co‐culture
Authors: Plotnikov E. Y. , Khryapenkova T. G. , Vasileva A. K. , Marey M. V. , Galkina S. I. , Isaev N. K. , Sheval E. V. , Polyakov V. Y. , Sukhikh G. T. , Zorov D. B.
Published: October 2008

The goals of the study were: (1) to explore the communication between human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and rat cardiac myocytes resulting in differentiation of the stem cells and, (2) to evaluate the role of mitochondria in it. Light and fluorescence microscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy revealed that after co‐cultivation, cells formed intercellular contacts and transient exchange with cytosolic elements could be observed. The transport of cytosolic entity had no specific direction. Noticeably, mitochondria also could be transferred to the recipient cells in a unidirectional fashion (towards cardiomyocytes only). Transmission electron microscopy revealed significant variability in both the diameter of intercellular contacting tubes and their shape. Inside of these nanotubes mitochondria‐resembling structures were identified. Moreover, after co‐cultivation with cardiomyocytes, expression of human‐specific myosin was revealed in MSC. Thus, we speculate that: (1) transport of intracellular elements to MSC possibly can determine the direction of their differentiation and, (2) mitochondria may be involved in the mechanism of the stem cell differentiation. It looks plausible that mitochondrial transfer to recipient cardiomyocytes may be involved in the mechanism of failed myocardium repair after stem cells transplantation.
Nitric oxide decreases the excitability of interstitial cells of Cajal through activation of the BK channel
Authors: Zhu Yaohui , Huizinga Jan D.
Published: October 2008

Nitrergic nerves are structurally and functionally associated with ICC. To further understand mechanisms of communication, the hypothesis was investigated that NO might affect large conductance K channels. To that end, we searched for IbTX‐sensitive currents in ICC obtained through explant cultures from the mouse small intestine and studied effects of the NOS inhibitor omega N‐nitro‐L‐arginine (LNNA) and the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). IbTX‐sensitive currents acquired in the whole‐cell configuration through nystatin perforated patches exhibited high noise levels but relatively low amplitude, whereas currents obtained in the conventional whole‐cell configuration exhibited less noise and higher amplitudes; depolarization from −80 to + 40 mV evoked 357 ± 159 pA current in the nystatin perforated patch configuration and 1075 ± 597 pA using the conventional whole‐cell configuration. Immunohistochemistry showed that ICC associated with ganglia and Auerbach's plexus nerve fibers were immunoreactive to BK antibodies. The IbTX‐sensitive currents were increased by SNP and inhibited by LNNA. BK blockers suppressed spontaneous transit outward currents in ICC. After block of BK currents, or before these currents became prominent, calcium currents were activated by depolarization in the same cells. Their peak amplitude occurred at −25 mV and the currents were increased with increasing extracellular calcium and inhibited by cobalt. The hypothesis is warranted that nitrergic innervation inhibits ICC excitability in part through activation of BK channels. In addition, NO is an intracellular regulator of ICC excitability.
Identification by a differential proteomic approach of the induced stress and redox proteins by resveratrol in the normal and diabetic rat heart
Authors: Dekkers D. H. W. , Bezstarosti K. , Gurusamy N. , Luijk K. , Verhoeven A. J. M. , Rijkers E. ‐J. , Demmers J. A. , Lamers J. M. J. , Maulik N. , Das D. K.
Published: October 2008

A recent study showed cardioprotective effects of resveratrol on the diabetic heart. The present study sought to compare the protein profiles of the normal versus diabetic hearts after resveratrol treatment using differential proteomic analysis. Rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and diabetic. Both groups of rats were fed resveratrol (2.5 mg/kg/day) for 7 days, and then the rats were sacrificed, hearts were isolated and cytoplasmic fraction from left ventricular tissue was collected to carry out proteomic profiling as well as immunoblotting. Compared to normal hearts, diabetic hearts show increased myocardial infarct size and cardiomy‐ocyte apoptosis upon ex vivo global ischaemia of 30 min. followed by 2 hrs of reperfusion. Resveratrol reduced infarct size and apop‐totic cell death for both the groups, but the extent of infarct size and apoptosis remained higher for the diabetic group compared to the normal group. The left ventricular cytoplasmic proteins were analysed by 2D‐DIGE and differentially displayed bands were further analysed by nano Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectroscopy (LC‐MS/MS). The results showed differential regulation of normal versus diabetic hearts treated with resveratrol of many proteins related to energy metabolism of which several were identified as mitochondrial proteins. Of particular interest is the increased expression of several chaperone proteins and oxidative stress and redox proteins in the diabetic group including Hsc70, HSPp6, GRP75, peroxiredoxin (Prdx)‐1 and Prdx‐3 whose expression was reversed by resveratrol. Western blot analysis was performed to validate the up‐ or down‐regulation of these stress proteins. The results indicate the differential regulation by resveratrol of stress proteins in diabetic versus normal hearts, which may explain in part the beneficial effects of resveratrol in diabetic induced cardiovascular complications.
Use of a novel collagen matrix with oriented pore structure for muscle cell differentiation in cell culture and in grafts
Authors: Kroehne V. , Heschel I. , Schügner F. , Lasrich D. , Bartsch J. W. , Jockusch H.
Published: October 2008

Tissue engineering of skeletal muscle from cultured cells has been attempted using a variety of synthetic and natural macromolecular scaffolds. Our study describes the application of artificial scaffolds (collagen sponges, CS) consisting of collagen‐I with parallel pores (width 20–50 μm) using the permanent myogenic cell line C2C12. CS were infiltrated with a high‐density cell suspension, incubated in medium for proliferation of myoblasts prior to further culture in fusion medium to induce differentiation and formation of multinucleated myotubes. This resulted in a parallel arrangement of myotubes within the pore structures. CS with either proliferating cells or with myotubes were grafted into the beds of excised anterior tibial muscles of immunodeficient host mice. The recipient mice were transgenic for enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) to determine a host contribution to the regenerated muscle tissue. Histological analysis 14–50 days after surgery showed that donor muscle fibres had formed in situ with host contributions in the outer portions of the regenerates. The function of the regenerates was assessed by direct electrical stimulation which resulted in the generation of mechanical force. Our study demonstrated that biodegradable CS with parallel pores support the formation of oriented muscle fibres and are compatible with force generation in regenerated muscle.
Role of aquaporins and regulation of secretory vesicle volume in cell secretion
Authors: Sugiya H. , Matsuki‐Fukushima M. , Hashimoto S.
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Role of AQPs in cell secretion

Conclusions

In exocrine glands, secretory proteins synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) exhibit vectorial transport from ER through a succession of membrane‐bounded components such as Golgi complex, condensing vacuoles and secretory granules. The secretory granules migrate to particular locations within the cell close to the apical membrane prior to the release of their contents into the acinar lumen. Currently, to release intragranular contents, secretory granules have been demonstrated to transiently dock and fuse at ‘porosome’, a permanent cup‐shaped structures at the cell membranes. Then swelling of secretory granules occurs to allow explusion of intragranular contents. In this process, water and ion fluxes in the granule membrane appear to contribute to maintain secretory granule integrity and morphologyviaosmoregulation in secretory granules. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small, hydrophobic, integral membrane proteins, which function as channels to permeate water and small solutes. The AQPs reside constitutively at the plasma membrane in most cell types. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the AQPs are present in secretory granules in exocrine glands, synaptic vesicles and intracellular vesicles in liver and kidney, implying that AQPs in secretory granules and vesicles are involved in their volume regulation. This paper reviews the possible role of AQPs on secretory granules, especially in exocrine glands, in secretory function.