bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TUSC4 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor by Regulating BRCA1 Stability
Authors: Peng Yang , Dai Hui , Wang Edward , Lin Curtis Chun-Jen , Mo Wei , Peng Guang , Lin Shiaw-Yih
Published: December 2014

BRCA1 expression is lost frequently in breast cancers in which it promotes malignant development. In the present study, we performed a global expression analysis of breast cancer cells in which the tumor-suppressor candidate gene TUSC4 was silenced to gain insights into its function. TUSC4 silencing affected genes involved in cell cycle and cell death, which have broad reaching influence on cancer development. Most importantly, we found a cluster pattern of gene-expression profiles in TUSC4-silenced cells that defined a homologous recombination (HR) repair defect signature. Mechanistic investigations indicated that TUSC4 protein could physically interact with the E3 ligase Herc2, which prevents BRCA1 degradation through the ubiquitination pathway. TUSC4 silencing enhanced BRCA1 polyubiquitination, leading to its degradation and a marked reduction in HR repair efficiency. Notably, ectopic expression of TUSC4 suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and colony formation of breast cancer cells in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo. Furthermore, TUSC4 silencing was sufficient to transform normal mammary epithelial cells and to enhance sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Our results provide a set of genetic and biologic proofs that TUSC4 functions as a bona fide tumor suppressor by regulating the protein stability and function of BRCA1 in breast cancer. Cancer Res; 75(2); 378–86. ©2014 AACR.
Kinome-wide Functional Screen Identifies Role of PLK1 in Hormone-Independent, ER-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Bhola Neil E. , Jansen Valerie M. , Bafna Sangeeta , Giltnane Jennifer M. , Balko Justin M. , Estrada Mónica V. , Meszoely Ingrid , Mayer Ingrid , Abramson Vandana , Ye Fei , Sanders Melinda , Dugger Teresa C. , Allen Eliezer V. , Arteaga Carlos L.
Published: December 2014

Estrogen receptor (ER) α–positive breast cancers initially respond to antiestrogens but eventually become estrogen independent and recur. ER+ breast cancer cells resistant to long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED) exhibit hormone-independent ER transcriptional activity and growth. A kinome-wide siRNA screen using a library targeting 720 kinases identified Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as one of the top genes whose downregulation resulted in inhibition of estrogen-independent ER transcriptional activity and growth of LTED cells. High PLK1 mRNA and protein correlated with a high Ki-67 score in primary ER+ breast cancers after treatment with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole. RNAi-mediated knockdown of PLK1 inhibited ER expression, estrogen-independent growth, and ER transcription in MCF7 and HCC1428 LTED cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of PLK1 with volasertib, a small-molecule ATP-competitive PLK1 inhibitor, decreased LTED cell growth, ER transcriptional activity, and ER expression. Volasertib in combination with the ER antagonist, fulvestrant, decreased MCF7 xenograft growth in ovariectomized mice more potently than each drug alone. JUNB, a component of the AP-1 complex, was expressed 16-fold higher in MCF7/LTED compared with parental MCF7 cells. Furthermore, JUNB and BCL2L1 (which encodes antiapoptotic BCL-xL) mRNA levels were markedly reduced upon volasertib treatment in MCF7/LTED cells, while they were increased in parental MCF7 cells. Finally, JUNB knockdown decreased ER expression and transcriptional activity in MCF7/LTED cells, suggesting that PLK1 drives ER expression and estrogen-independent growth via JUNB. These data support a critical role of PLK1 in acquired hormone-independent growth of ER+ human breast cancer and is therefore a promising target in tumors that have escaped estrogen deprivation therapy. Cancer Res; 75(2); 405–14. ©2014 AACR.
DNA-PK—A Candidate Driver of Hepatocarcinogenesis and Tissue Biomarker That Predicts Response to Treatment and Survival
Authors: Cornell Liam , Munck Joanne M. , Alsinet Clara , Villanueva Augusto , Ogle Laura , Willoughby Catherine E. , Televantou Despina , Thomas Huw D. , Jackson Jennifer , Burt Alastair D. , Newell David , Rose John , Manas Derek M. , Shapiro Geoffrey I. , Curtin Nicola J. , Reeves Helen L.
Published: December 2014

Purpose: Therapy resistance and associated liver disease make hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) difficult to treat with traditional cytotoxic therapies, whereas newer targeted approaches offer only modest survival benefit. We focused on DNA-dependent protein kinase, DNA-PKcs, encoded by PRKDC and central to DNA damage repair by nonhomologous end joining. Our aim was to explore its roles in hepatocarcinogenesis and as a novel therapeutic candidate.

Experimental Design: PRKDC was characterized in liver tissues from of 132 patients [normal liver (n = 10), cirrhotic liver (n = 13), dysplastic nodules (n = 18), HCC (n = 91)] using Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 and 500 K Human Mapping SNP arrays (cohort 1). In addition, we studied a case series of 45 patients with HCC undergoing diagnostic biopsy (cohort 2). Histological grading, response to treatment, and survival were correlated with DNA-PKcs quantified immunohistochemically. Parallel in vitro studies determined the impact of DNA-PK on DNA repair and response to cytotoxic therapy.

Results: Increased PRKDC expression in HCC was associated with amplification of its genetic locus in cohort 1. In cohort 2, elevated DNA-PKcs identified patients with treatment-resistant HCC, progressing at a median of 4.5 months compared with 16.9 months, whereas elevation of activated pDNA-PK independently predicted poorer survival. DNA-PKcs was high in HCC cell lines, where its inhibition with NU7441 potentiated irradiation and doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity, whereas the combination suppressed HCC growth in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions: These data identify PRKDC/DNA-PKcs as a candidate driver of hepatocarcinogenesis, whose biopsy characterization at diagnosis may impact stratification of current therapies, and whose specific future targeting may overcome resistance. Clin Cancer Res; 21(4); 925–33. ©2014 AACR.
A Phase I Study of Oral ARRY-614, a p38 MAPK/Tie2 Dual Inhibitor, in Patients with Low or Intermediate-1 Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Khoury Hanna J. , Jabbour Elias , Lancet Jeffrey , Winski Shannon L. , Cable LouAnn , Rush Selena , Maloney Lara , Hogeland Grant , Ptaszynski Mieke , Calvo Monica Cabrero , Bohannan Zach , List Alan , Kantarjian Hagop , Komrokji Rami
Published: December 2014

Purpose: Data suggest that activity of p38 MAPK and Tie2 kinases is dysregulated in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and may be targets for novel therapies. A phase I study of ARRY-614, an oral dual inhibitor of p38 MAPK and Tie2, was conducted in patients with low or intermediate-1 International Prognostic Scoring System risk MDS to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and preliminary responses by International Working Group 2006 criteria.

Experimental Design: Forty-five patients received ARRY-614 either once daily or twice daily in dose escalation (400, 600, 900, or 1,200 mg once daily; 200 or 300 mg twice daily) or expansion cohorts.

Results: The 300 mg twice daily schedule was not tolerated, and an MTD was not reached for once daily dosing. Treatment-related adverse events were primarily grade 1–2, with the most common being rash, diarrhea, dry skin, fatigue and anorexia. Interpatient PK variability was high, although exposure was sufficient to achieve reduction in p38 MAPK activation in bone marrow and in the levels of circulating biomarkers. Disease responses were observed in 14 of 44 (32%) evaluable patients, 13 (93%) of whom had previously been treated with a hypomethylating agent. Responses were observed in all lineages, with 5 patients experiencing bilineage responses. Three of 25 red blood cell transfusion-dependent (TD) patients achieved transfusion independence (TI) and 5 of 7 platelet TD patients achieved TI.

Conclusions: ARRY-614 was well tolerated and has sufficient activity to warrant further evaluation in this patient population. We recommend 1,200 mg once daily as the optimal dose for further study. Clin Cancer Res; 21(5); 985–94. ©2014 AACR.
CD25 Identifies a Subset of CD4+FoxP3− TIL That Are Exhausted Yet Prognostically Favorable in Human Ovarian Cancer
Authors: deLeeuw Ronald J. , Kroeger David R. , Kost Sara E. , Chang Pheh-Ping , Webb John R. , Nelson Brad H.
Published: December 2014

CD25, the alpha subunit of the IL2 receptor, is a canonical marker of regulatory T cells (Treg) and hence has been implicated in immune suppression in cancer. However, CD25 is also required for optimal expansion and activity of effector T cells in peripheral tissues. Thus, we hypothesized that CD25, in addition to demarcating Tregs, might identify effector T cells in cancer. To investigate this possibility, we used multiparameter flow cytometry and IHC to analyze tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in primary high-grade serous carcinomas, the most common and fatal subtype of ovarian cancer. CD25 was expressed primarily by CD4+ TIL, with negligible expression by CD8+ TIL. In addition to conventional CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs, we identified a subset of CD25+FoxP3− T cells that comprised up to 13% of CD4+ TIL. In tumors with CD8+ TIL, CD25+FoxP3− T cells showed a strong positive association with patient survival (HR, 0.56; P = 0.02), which exceeded the negative effect of Tregs (HR, 1.55; P = 0.09). Among CD4+ TIL subsets, CD25+FoxP3− cells expressed the highest levels of PD-1. Moreover, after in vitro stimulation, they failed to produce common T-helper cytokines (IFNγ, TNFα, IL2, IL4, IL10, or IL17A), suggesting that they were functionally exhausted. In contrast, the more abundant CD25−FoxP3− subset of CD4+ TIL expressed low levels of PD-1 and produced T-helper 1 cytokines, yet conferred no prognostic benefit. Thus, CD25 identifies a subset of CD4+FoxP3− TIL that, despite being exhausted at diagnosis, have a strong, positive association with patient survival and warrant consideration as effector T cells for immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(3); 245–53. ©2014 AACR.
Utilization and Adverse Outcomes of Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation in the United States
Authors: Badheka Apurva O. , Chothani Ankit , Mehta Kathan , Patel Nileshkumar J. , Deshmukh Abhishek , Hoosien Michael , Shah Neeraj , Singh Vikas , Grover Peeyush , Savani Ghanshyambhai T. , Panaich Sidakpal S. , Rathod Ankit , Patel Nilay , Arora Shilpkumar , Bhalara Vipulkumar , Coffey James O. , O’Neill William , Makkar Raj , Grines Cindy L. , Schreiber Theodore , Di Biase Luigi , Natale Andrea , Viles-Gonzalez Juan F.
Published: December 2014

Background—

Safety data on percutaneous left atrial appendage closure arises from centers with considerable expertise in the procedure or from clinical trial, which might not be reproducible in clinical practice. We sought to estimate the frequency and predictors of adverse outcomes and costs of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure procedure in the US.

Methods and Results—

The data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the years 2006 to 2010. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample is the largest all-payer inpatient data set in the US. Complications were calculated using patient safety indicators and
International Classification of Diseases
-Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Annual hospital volume was calculated using unique hospital identifiers. Weights provided by the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were used to generate national estimates. A total of 268 (weighted=1288) procedures were analyzed. The overall composite rate of mortality or any adverse event was 24.3% (65), with 3.4% patients required open cardiac surgery after procedure. Average length of stay was 4.61±1.05 days and cost of care was 26 024±34 651. Annual hospital procedural volume was significantly associated with reduced complications and mortality (every unit increase: odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.85–0.94;
P
<0.001), decrease in length of stay (every unit increase: hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–0.98;
P
<0.001) and cost of care (every unit increase: hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.93–0.98;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Our study demonstrates that the frequency of inhospital adverse outcomes associated with percutaneous left atrial appendage closure is higher in the real-world population than in clinical trials. We also demonstrate that higher annual hospital volume is associated with safer procedures, with lower length of stay and cost.
Mapping Genetic Contributions to Cardiac Pathology Induced by Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation in Mice
Authors: Rau Christoph D. , Wang Jessica , Avetisyan Rozeta , Romay Milagros C. , Martin Lisa , Ren Shuxun , Wang Yibin , Lusis Aldons J.
Published: December 2014

Background—

Chronic stress-induced cardiac pathology exhibits both a wide range in severity and a high degree of heterogeneity in clinical manifestation in human patients. This variability is contributed to by complex genetic and environmental etiologies within the human population. Genetic approaches to elucidate the genetics underlying the acquired forms of cardiomyopathies, including genome-wide association studies, have been largely unsuccessful, resulting in limited knowledge as to the contribution of genetic variations for this important disease.

Methods and Results—

Using the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol as a specific pathological stressor to circumvent the problem of etiologic heterogeneity, we performed a genome-wide association study for genes influencing cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in a large panel of inbred mice. Our analyses revealed 7 significant loci and 17 suggestive loci, containing an average of 14 genes, affecting cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and surrogate traits relevant to heart failure. Several loci contained candidate genes which are known to contribute to Mendelian cardiomyopathies in humans or have established roles in cardiac pathology based on molecular or genetic studies in mouse models. In particular, we identify
Abcc6
as a novel gene underlying a fibrosis locus by validating that an allele with a splice mutation of
Abcc6
dramatically and rapidly promotes isoproterenol-induced cardiac fibrosis.

Conclusions—

Genetic variants significantly contribute to the phenotypic heterogeneity of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Systems genetics is an effective approach to identify genes and pathways underlying the specific pathological features of cardiomyopathies.
Abcc6
is a previously unrecognized player in the development of stress-induced cardiac fibrosis.
Cardiomyocyte p65 Nuclear Factor-κB Is Necessary for Compensatory Adaptation to Pressure Overload
Authors: Javan Hadi , Szucsik Amanda M. , Li Ling , Schaaf Christin L. , Salama Mohamed E. , Selzman Craig H.
Published: December 2014

Background—

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is often implicated in contributing to the detrimental effects of cardiac injury. This ostensibly negative view of NF-κB competes with its important role in the normal host inflammatory and immune response. We have previously demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB at the time of acute pressure overload accelerates the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy to heart failure in mice. NF-κB regulates angiogenesis and other factors responsible for compensatory reaction to intracellular hypoxia. We hypothesized that impaired angiogenesis may be the trigger, not the result, of pathological left ventricular hypertrophy through NF-κB–related pathways.

Methods and Results—

Transgenic mice were generated with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. Mice underwent transverse aortic constriction and serially followed up with echocardiography for 6 weeks. Cardiomyocyte p65 NF-κB deletion promoted maladaptive left ventricular hypertrophy and accelerated progression toward heart failure as measured by ejection fraction, left ventricular mass, and lung congestion. Transgenic mice had higher levels of fibrosis and periostin expression. Whole-field digital microscopy revealed increased capillary domain areas in knockout mice while concurrently demonstrating decreased microvessel density. This observation was associated with decreased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α.

Conclusions—

Rather than developing compensatory left ventricular hypertrophy, pressure overload in cardiomyocyte NF-κB–deficient mice resulted in functional deterioration that was associated with increased fibrosis, decreased hypoxia-inducible factor expression, and decreased microvessel density. These observations mechanistically implicate NF-κB, and its regulation of hypoxic stress, as an important factor determining the path between adaptive hypertrophy and maladaptive heart failure.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Advanced Chronic Systolic Heart Failure Receiving Care at the Veterans Affairs Versus Other Hospitals
Authors: Jones Linda G. , Sin Mo-Kyung , Hage Fadi G. , Kheirbek Raya E. , Morgan Charity J. , Zile Michael R. , Wu Wen-Chih , Deedwania Prakash , Fonarow Gregg C. , Aronow Wilbert S. , Prabhu Sumanth D. , Fletcher Ross D. , Ahmed Ali , Allman Richard M.
Published: December 2014

Background—

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction receiving care at Veterans Affairs (VA) versus non-VA hospitals have not been previously reported.

Methods and Results—

In the randomized controlled Beta-blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST; 1995-1999), of the 2707 (bucindolol=1353; placebo=1354) patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, 918 received care at VA hospitals, of which 98% (n=898) were male. Of the 1789 receiving care at non-VA hospitals, 68% (n=1216) were male. Our analyses were restricted to these 2114 male patients. VA patients were older with higher symptom and comorbidity burdens. There was no significant between-group difference in unadjusted primary end point of 2-year all-cause mortality (35% VA versus 32% non-VA; hazard ratio associated with VA hospitals, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.94–1.26), which remained unchanged after adjustment for age and race (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–1.16) or multivariable adjustment, including cardiovascular morbidities (hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.80–1.10). There was no between-group difference in cause-specific mortalities or hospitalizations. Chronic kidney disease, pulmonary edema, left ventricular ejection fraction <20%, and peripheral arterial disease were significant predictors of mortality for both groups. African America race, New York Heart Association class IV symptoms, atrial fibrillation, and right ventricular ejection fraction <20% were associated with higher mortality among non-VA hospital patients only; however, these differences from VA patients were not significant.

Conclusions—

Patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction receiving care at VA hospitals were older and sicker; yet their risk of mortality and hospitalization was similar to younger and healthier patients receiving care at non-VA hospitals.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00000560.
Association Between Surgical Indications, Operative Risk, and Clinical Outcome in Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Chu Vivian H. , Park Lawrence P. , Athan Eugene , Delahaye Francois , Freiberger Tomas , Lamas Cristiane , Miro Jose M. , Mudrick Daniel W. , Strahilevitz Jacob , Tribouilloy Christophe , Durante-Mangoni Emanuele , Pericas Juan M. , Fernández-Hidalgo Nuria , Nacinovich Francisco , Rizk Hussien , Krajinovic Vladimir , Giannitsioti Efthymia , Hurley John P. , Hannan Margaret M. , Wang Andrew
Published: December 2014

Background—

Use of surgery for the treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) as related to surgical indications and operative risk for mortality has not been well defined.

Methods and Results—

The International Collaboration on Endocarditis–PLUS (ICE-PLUS) is a prospective cohort of consecutively enrolled patients with definite IE from 29 centers in 16 countries. We included patients from ICE-PLUS with definite left-sided, non–cardiac device–related IE who were enrolled between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012. A total of 1296 patients with left-sided IE were included. Surgical treatment was performed in 57% of the overall cohort and in 76% of patients with a surgical indication. Reasons for nonsurgical treatment included poor prognosis (33.7%), hemodynamic instability (19.8%), death before surgery (23.3%), stroke (22.7%), and sepsis (21%). Among patients with a surgical indication, surgical treatment was independently associated with the presence of severe aortic regurgitation, abscess, embolization before surgical treatment, and transfer from an outside hospital. Variables associated with nonsurgical treatment were a history of moderate/severe liver disease, stroke before surgical decision, and
Staphyloccus aureus
etiology. The integration of surgical indication, Society of Thoracic Surgeons IE score, and use of surgery was associated with 6-month survival in IE.

Conclusions—

Surgical decision making in IE is largely consistent with established guidelines, although nearly one quarter of patients with surgical indications do not undergo surgery. Operative risk assessment by Society of Thoracic Surgeons IE score provides prognostic information for survival beyond the operative period.
S aureus
IE was significantly associated with nonsurgical management.
Treatment of the Periocular Complex in Paralytic Lagophthalmos
Authors: Loyo Myriam , Jones Danielle , Lee Linda N. , Collar Ryan M. , Molendijk Josher , Boahene Kofi D. , Ishii Lisa E. , Byrne Patrick J.
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

Paralytic lagophthalmos can lead to devastating exposure keratitis. The main surgical intervention consists of upper eyelid loading. However, adjunctive lower eyelid and brow procedures are also available as necessary. We sought to analyze the use of periocular procedures in paralytic lagophthalmos at Johns Hopkins.

Methods:

The method was a retrospective review of patients treated at a single tertiary care center from 2006 to 2012.

Results:

One hundred one patients met inclusion criteria, and 20 patients were excluded for not meeting the minimum follow-up. Upper eyelid loading was required on 95/101 patients (95%). Adjunctive procedures were necessary in 73% (73/101) of patients. Lower eyelid procedures were used in 47% (47/101) and brow lifts in 47% (47/101). Older patients (>50 years) were more likely to require lower eyelid procedures ( P = .04) and more likely to require revision ( P = .003). Medial canthopexy and direct brow lift were associated with the need for revision ( P = .006, P = .03).

Conclusion:

Paralytic lagophthalmos management is not one-size-fits-all. Upper eyelid loading is the mainstay of treatment; however, adjunctive procedures to the lower eyelid and brow are indicated in the majority of patients. Our retrospective review has allowed us to continue to refine our strategy for managing these patients.
Psychiatric admissions fall following the Christchurch earthquakes: An audit of inpatient data
Authors: Beaglehole Ben , Bell Caroline , Beveridge John , Frampton Chris
Published: December 2014

Objective:

Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, there was the widespread perception that the demand for inpatient mental health services would increase. However, our clinical observation was to the contrary, with substantial reductions in inpatient utilisation being noted. We therefore examined psychiatric bed occupancy and admission data to improve understanding of the impact of the disaster on mental health services.

Method:

We audited acute psychiatric bed occupancy and admission rates prior to and following a major earthquake.

Results:

After the earthquake, total bed occupancy reduced from an average of 93% to 79%. Daily admissions also reduced by 20.2% for the 30 days following the earthquake. All diagnostic groups, with the exception of the ‘Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders’ category, contributed to the reduction. No rebound to increased occupancy or admissions was seen over the study period.

Conclusion:

The study confirmed our clinical observation that demand for acute inpatient psychiatric services were markedly reduced after the February 2011 earthquake.
Fast Food Consumption and Academic Growth in Late Childhood
Authors: Purtell Kelly M. , Gershoff Elizabeth T.
Published: December 2014

Objective. The objective of this study is to examine the associations between fast food consumption and the academic growth of 8544 fifth-grade children in reading, math, and science. Method. This study uses direct assessments of academic achievement and child-reported fast food consumption from a nationally representative sample of kindergartners followed through eighth grade. Results. More than two thirds of the sample reported some fast food consumption; 20% reported consuming at least 4 fast food meals in the prior week. Fast food consumption during fifth grade predicted lower levels of academic achievement in all 3 subjects in eighth grade, even when fifth grade academic scores and numerous potential confounding variables, including socioeconomic indicators, physical activity, and TV watching, were controlled for in the models. Conclusion. These results provide initial evidence that high levels of fast food consumption are predictive of slower growth in academic skills in a nationally representative sample of children.
I can’t eat that: The sociology behind the rise in food allergies and intolerances
Authors: Haeusermann Tobias
Published: December 2014

This article focuses on the social and cultural aspects of the unprecedented and unparalleled proliferation of food-related allergies and intolerances. It thus aims to contribute to filling the theoretical lacunae in the current sociological approach to this fairly recent phenomenon. The article’s framework is divided into four segments. First, the rise in food allergies is placed within the field of the social history and medicalization of allergies, and seeks to understand the phenomenon in the context of the industrialized modern world. The following section discusses how and why lay experts are increasingly dominating the food allergy-related discourse. Drawing on recent empirical data, it is further shown how food allergies rise along with a population’s affluence and education. Third, the idiosyncrasies of food allergies and intolerances are addressed with respect to food consumption and its changing social implications. It is argued that individualization places less pressure on individuals to conform to broader social norms of food refusal, which offers the sufferers with a newly acquired sense of control over a random, scientified, and confounding food availability and provides a medium to covertly convey their educational and socioeconomic background. Lastly, the health belief model is applied in order to suggest a further potential explanation for the current increase in self-reported food allergies and intolerances.
Using a Reasoned Action Approach to examine US college women’s intention to get the HPV vaccine
Authors: Jozkowski Kristen N , Geshnizjani Alireza
Published: December 2014

Objective:

Although at high risk of contracting the human papillomavirus (HPV), less than one-half of US college women have been vaccinated. The purpose of this study was to identify underlying factors influencing college women’s intention to get the HPV vaccine via developing an instrument using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA).

Setting:

Data were collected from college women at a large, public university in the Midwest USA via paper–pencil surveys.

Design:

The survey instrument was based on the RAA’s major constructs (attitude towards the act, perceived norms, perceived behavioural control) and was administered to a sample of 279 female college students.

Results:

Results indicated that attitude towards the act (β = .360, b = .694, standard error [ SE] = .092, t = 7.53) and perceived norms (β = .396, b = .544, SE = .068, t = 8.031) were the major predictors of intention to get vaccinated. Specifically, perceived consequences of getting the vaccine, such as protection against HPV and cervical cancer, were primary determinants influencing intention, and participants indicated that salient referents influenced their intention to get vaccinated.

Conclusion:

Using theory-based approaches to study a particular health behaviour such as HPV vaccination can aid the design of interventions as they help specify the underlying determinants influencing behaviour. Our findings suggest that such interventions should focus on attitudes and perceived norms, as these constructs were the strongest predictors of intention to get the vaccine. Our findings also add to the current body of literature supporting the relationship between the RAA constructs.
Hybridity at the heart of contemporary risk governance: the example of the safety of the food chain in Belgium
Authors: Raone Julien , Schiffino Nathalie
Published: December 2014

What are the changes and challenges facing the public regulator in a context of risk governance? Through the analytical prism developed by Jacques Chevallier, this article proposes to examine the changes in the role of the public regulator by focusing on the style of public policy and governance tools. In the light of the hybridity observed in the study of the system regulating the safety of the food chain in Belgium, the contribution focuses on a double source of instability reflecting the tensions at the heart of the public values structuring the regulation system. A deconstruction of this hybridity reveals the negotiated and conflicting nature of the values underlying the action of the public regulator and its evaluation.

Notes for practitioners

Based on an inventory of the situation at the heart of the system regulating the risks to the safety of the food chain in Belgium, the contribution identifies the challenges faced by the public regulator in the context of risk governance. Observing the hybrid nature of their involvement, it highlights two sources of tension related to their policy style and their use of regulatory instruments. By considering the possible stabilization measures that could be taken to overcome tensions, three approaches have been identified as a means of adjusting the role of the public regulator, stressing the transversal importance of the findings.
The Syrian Conflict 2011 to the Present: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Hove Mediel , Mutanda Darlington
Published: December 2014

The 21st century witnessed a wave of uprisings code-named the Arab Spring that resulted in the fall of Ben Ali, Gaddafi, and Mubarak. Indeed, the ‘mother’ of the Arab Spring was in Syria where efforts to oust Assad claimed an enormous but predictable toll on human lives and immeasurable infrastructural obliteration. The United States and Russia gathered considerable allies behind them to fight for regional dominance in a Cold War style. This article argues that, in spite of pitting superpowers, the Syrian conflict deeply divided the Arab World with no solution in sight. The article further notes that, while serious damage was done to the country, peace-making in Syria needed a compromise to be struck by Moscow and Washington, considering their active role in the conflict. The conflict further deepened sectarian violence in the region as the conflict spread to Syria’s neighbors, such as Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey.
U.S. Counties’ Vulnerability to Methamphetamine Labs
Authors: Dalmadge Cretson Leo , Cain Monica
Published: December 2014

This national study analyzes county-level risk factors for methamphetamine manufacture. Neural network and probit models are used to test the effectiveness of county-level characteristics in predicting methamphetamine production levels. Data on all 3,143 counties are drawn from the U.S. DEA’s Clandestine Laboratory Surveillance System, the 2000 U.S. Census and health service resources from the 2004 Area Resource File, and the Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCRP) for the period 2002-2005. The resulting model accurately predicted methamphetamine production levels 85% of the time. The leading variables were existing methamphetamine problems, seizures in contiguous counties, families with “female head of household,” home value, and “percentage of White population.” Several variables that factored heavily in earlier single-community studies had very little impact in this national study. This study’s results suggest a new approach to assessing community vulnerability to drug manufacturer and a need to refocus efforts in fighting the problem.
Nonproblematic Illegal Drug Use
Authors: Cruz Olga S.
Published: December 2014

Given the scant knowledge regarding illicit drug users who maintain an overall conventional lifestyle, we aimed to develop a conceptual framework to understand how they manage to keep their drug use nonproblematic. We were interested in the individual’s experiential component, so we interviewed nonproblematic, ex-problematic and problematic Portuguese drug users. The conceptual framework was developed through the first group’s data and then validated through a new consultation with these participants and a triangulation of sources and methodologies (observation). Findings show that some subjects managed to keep their drug use nonproblematic through ongoing self-regulation as a result of cost-benefit analysis and drug use management strategies. These strategies resulted mainly from the users’ characteristics, the quality of drug using experiences, and experiences with other users. The importance of this study is in recognizing that nonproblematic drug use exists and that therein may lie important clues on how to minimize problematic use.
The Effects of Mental Health Symptoms and Marijuana Expectancies on Marijuana Use and Consequences Among At-Risk Adolescents
Authors: Pedersen Eric R. , Miles Jeremy N. V. , Osilla Karen Chan , Ewing Brett A. , Hunter Sarah B. , D’Amico Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2014

Based on expectancy theory, adolescents at risk for mental health symptoms, such as those involved in the juvenile court system, may use marijuana due to the belief that use will attenuate anxiety and depressive symptoms. In a diverse sample of youth involved in the Santa Barbara Teen Court system ( N = 193), we examined the association between mental health symptoms and marijuana expectancies on marijuana use and consequences. In general, stronger positive expectancies and weaker negative expectancies were both associated with increased marijuana use. Youth who reported more symptoms of both anxiety and depression, and stronger positive expectancies for marijuana also reported more consequences. We found that youth experiencing the greatest level of consequences from marijuana were those who reported more depressive symptoms and stronger positive expectancies for marijuana. Findings suggest that these symptoms, combined with strong positive expectancies about marijuana’s effects, have implications for consequences among at-risk youth.
Women’s Employment Outcomes Following Gender-Sensitive Substance Abuse Treatment
Authors: Kissin Wendy Barnett , Tang Zhiqun , Arieira Carlos Roberto , Claus Ronald Edward , Orwin Robert George
Published: December 2014

Employment problems are common among low-income, substance abusing women. The present study links an empirically developed quantitative measure of gender-sensitive (GS) substance abuse treatment to employment outcomes among substance abusing women ( N = 5,109) treated in 13 mixed-gender intensive inpatient programs (IIPs) in the Washington State. Hierarchical linear models were used to test the relationship between GS treatment and subsequent employment. Propensity scores and receipt of public assistance were used to control for the preexisting differences among women. Men’s employment outcomes were used to control for potential confounding at the program level. The study found that women treated in more (vs. less) GS treatment programs were more likely to be employed 12 months after treatment admission, though not for the hypothesized 24 months. Treatment completion did not affect the relationship between GS treatment and employment. Findings point to recent progress in tailoring generic substance abuse treatment to women’s needs.
Therapeutic Relationship as a Change Agent in Psychotherapy
Authors: Banerjee Pallavi , Basu Jayanti
Published: December 2014

The study qualitatively explored the clients’ and their psychotherapists’ perspectives on the mutative role of therapeutic relationship. The sample was composed of 13 psychotherapist participants from four professional backgrounds, namely, psychoanalysts, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists trained in psychotherapy, and trained psychotherapists not belonging to the above three categories, as well as 16 clients who have successfully completed individual psychotherapy with any one of these 13 psychotherapists in a city in India. Semistructured interviews conducted separately with the client–psychotherapist dyads were analyzed qualitatively using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The themes that emerged suggested five major antecedent processes within the therapeutic relationship namely, listening, containing, reflection of past relationship, obedience–surrender, and curative relational experience. These were related to one or more consequential change processes such as emotional unburdening, acceptance and validation of emotions, generation of emotional strength, setting stage for therapeutic interventions, and reformulation of self or relationships. The clients and their therapists agreed on some functions, but not on all details. Culturally informed interpretations have been proposed in the context of obedience–surrender as a therapeutic process. Relevance of therapeutic relationship was emphasized more by therapists working in psychodynamic mode.
Votes and violence
Authors: Heger Lindsay L
Published: December 2014

Many of the world’s most infamous terrorist organizations demonstrate clear political aptitude, maintaining highly successful political parties while simultaneously carrying out terrorist attacks. Yet the relationship between terrorism and a group’s political fortune is unclear. Groups like Hamas and Hezbollah appear to have gained significant support as a consequence of certain attacks, most notably those against US and Israeli targets. Other organizations fight for their political life after certain attacks. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and its political wing, Sinn Fein, scrambled to restore its public image after bombs in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, killed 11 Protestant civilians. In this article I examine the relationship between violence and political participation. I show that rebel groups are less likely to attack civilians when they simultaneously participate in democratic elections. I argue that attacking civilians is not good for political business. Not only can it distinguish the group as a terrorist organization and alienate supporters as a result, but attacking civilians also imposes high costs on the group’s own civilian support base. For these reasons, civilians frequently withdraw political support for rebel groups after they target civilians, which can be profoundly harmful to rebels. I analyze the violent and political behavior of non-state violent organizations from the Middle East and North Africa from 1980 to 2004. I also examine the IRA as a means of describing the causal mechanism advanced here.
Single port laparoscopic long-term tube gastrostomy in Göttingen minipigs
Authors: Birck MM , Vegge A , Moesgaard SG , Eriksen T
Published: December 2014

Oral dosing by gavage is often used to test compounds in minipigs. This method is also used for certain nutritional studies that require exact dosing. This procedure may be stressful for the animal and requires the assistance of more than one technician. We investigated whether a gastrostomy tube could be placed and maintained in Göttingen minipigs using a single port laparoscopic technique. As part of another study, laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement was performed in 12 Göttingen minipigs (32 ± 2 kg) under general anesthesia. The procedure involved single port laparoscopic visualization of the stomach and placement of a locking pigtail catheter into the fundus region of the stomach. The minipigs were followed for three weeks after surgery and macroscopic and microscopic tissue reactions were evaluated at necropsy. All catheters were successfully placed and were easy to use. At necropsy it was evident that the catheter had entered the stomach in the fundus region in 11/12 of the animals. In one animal the catheter had entered the antrum region. None of the animals developed leakage or clinically detectable reactions to the gastrostomy tube. Histopathologically, only discrete changes were observed. Single port laparoscopic tube gastrostomy with a locking pigtail catheter is safe, simple and reliable and is an appropriate alternative to, for example, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, when long-term enteral delivery of pharmacological or nutritional compounds is needed. The use of the gastrostomy tube was easy and, based on subjective assessment, feeding was minimally stressful to the animals.
Non-invasive 3D time-of-flight imaging technique for tumour volume assessment in subcutaneous models
Authors: Delgado San Martin JA , Worthington P , Yates JWT
Published: December 2014

Subcutaneous tumour xenograft volumes are generally measured using callipers. This method is susceptible to inter- and intra-observer variability and systematic inaccuracies. Non-invasive 3D measurement using ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been considered, but require immobilization of the animal. An infrared-based 3D time-of-flight (3DToF) camera was used to acquire a depth map of tumour-bearing mice. A semi-automatic algorithm based on parametric surfaces was applied to estimate tumour volume. Four clay mouse models and 18 tumour-bearing mice were assessed using callipers (applying both prolate spheroid and ellipsoid models) and 3DToF methods, and validated using tumour weight. Inter-experimentalist variability could be up to 25% in the calliper method. Experimental results demonstrated good consistency and relatively low error rates for the 3DToF method, in contrast to biased overestimation using callipers. Accuracy is currently limited by camera performance; however, we anticipate the next generation 3DToF cameras will be able to support the development of a practical system. Here, we describe an initial proof of concept for a non-invasive, non-immobilized, morphology-independent, economical and potentially more precise tumour volume assessment technique. This affordable technique should maximize the datapoints per animal, by reducing the numbers required in experiments and reduce their distress.
Efficacy and security of ivermectin given orally to rats naturally infected with Syphacia spp., Giardia spp. and Hymenolepis nana
Authors: Foletto VRS , Vanz F , Gazarini L , Stern CAJ , Tonussi CR
Published: December 2014

The results of this study show that the oral administration of ivermectin (48 mg/L) repeatedly for 72 h used in accordance with the present protocol is a safe and highly effective treatment for Giardia spp. and Hymenolepis nana in laboratory rat colonies. The drug can be easily and safely administered using drinking water. This simple regimen should control pinworm infection ( Syphacia muris), a problem that can be endemic in laboratory colonies. Experiments using healthy animals are likely to generate more consistent results, thereby requiring a reduced number of animals per group.
Rare presentation of bronchiectasis with multiple bronchial stones
Authors: Kamble Mayuri A , Thawait Anand P , Kamble Ashok T
Published: December 2014

The incidence of bronchiectasis has declined markedly in developed countries with improvement in health care, antibiotics, vaccines and control of tuberculosis (<0.6/1000 persons), but is still high in developing countries. Early complete resection of affected lung segment remains the mainstay of treatment as it causes maximum improvement in symptoms, minimum deterioration of lung function and prevents disease progression. Surgery is indicated in unsuccessful medical treatment and complications of bronchiectasis e.g. haemoptysis, lung abscess, lung masses and pneumothorax. Bronchiectasis with multiple broncholithiasis is a very rare presentation and very few cases have been reported in literature so far. This article presents here, the symptoms and signs, operative and perioperative management and literature review of a case of bronchiectasis with multiple bronchial stones.
Designing UV/VIS/NIR-sensitive shape memory filament yarns
Authors: Tonndorf Robert , Kirsten Martin , Hund Rolf-Dieter , Cherif Chokri
Published: December 2014

A novel laser light-sensitive yarn based on a thermoplastic polyester–urethane (TPU) has been prepared and analyzed. Since the thermosensitive shape memory polymer yarn (SMP yarn) has been functionalized using nanoscale heat sources exhibiting light-induced heat generation, the yarn is capable of an optically triggered shape memory effect (SME). For this purpose gold nanorods (GNR) have been employed. In addition to the incorporation of GNR into the yarn, a coating of GNR on the yarn is also proposed, applied by a semi-continuous layer-by-layer (LBL) technique. The SME of the functionalized yarns can be triggered either thermally or optically and has a strain recovery of almost 100%. The light-induced SME is triggered by a low-powered laser (808 nm, 2 W for a GNR-incorporated and 1 W for a GNR-coated TPU yarn). A reference yarn without GNR showed no significant effect. An adaptive structure featuring a SMP-yarn backed shape memory effect has been proposed and demonstrated.
A new method for automatic separation of fabric color
Authors: Zheng Dejun
Published: December 2014

A novel method combining the characteristics of structure and region information is proposed for automatic segmentation of the color region for different kinds of fabrics. For improving image quality for computer analysis, the structure-texture decomposition processing has been used to extract the main structure from the fabric image, where the fine structure details of fabric yarn patterns have been removed. By using the CIE-Lab color system, the color structure image is then segmented by a fuzzy region-based segmentation model that can be solved efficiently through a fast numerical scheme. The experimental results show that the main disadvantage and difficulty of using color clustering-based methods and commonly used image segmentation methods for fabric color separation is overcome by the proposed method. The proposed method has high accuracy and the computation time is very reasonable. It can be applied to extract fabric color regions for different fabric structures, such as woven, knitted and embroidery structures.