bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovering Music through Chick Corea in Early Learning Centers in Spain: Proposals and Materials
Authors: Moreno Jèssica Pérez , Malagarriga i Rovira Teresa
Published: April 2010

A description of a listening activity for Children’s Song, a piece by Chick Corea, is introduced and developed. The use of materials and strategies for music making in early childhood settings was developed as a result of a teacher training and consultancy program implemented in a network of early learning centers in Spain. The main lines of thought that underpin the program’s resources and achievements are explained in this article.
Vibration Control of Seat Suspension using H∞ Reliable Control
Authors: Yingbo Zhao  , Lin Zhao  , Huijun Gao
Published: April 2010

This paper is concerned with the problem of robust H∞ reliable load-dependent control design for a class of semi-active seat suspension systems. A four degree-of-freedom human body model is considered in order to investigate the control strategy more precisely. It is assumed that the human body mass resides in an interval and can be measured online. The load-dependent approach is based on a parameter-dependent Lyapunov function. Thus the proposed method is capable of reducing the conservatism and improving the closed-loop performance. Actuator faults are also considered in the controller design process and the resulting control systems are reliable because they provide guaranteed asymptotic stability and H∞ performance in spite of the possible actuator failures. The usefulness and advantages of the controller design methodology are demonstrated through a design example.
Health promoting outdoor environments - Associations between green space, and health, health-related quality of life and stress based on a Danish national representative survey
Authors: Stigsdotter Ulrika K. , Ekholm Ola , Schipperijn Jasper , Toftager Mette , Kamper-Jørgensen Finn , Randrup Thomas B.
Published: April 2010

Aims: To investigate the associations between green space and health, health-related quality of life and stress, respectively. Methods: Data were derived from the 2005 Danish Health Interview Survey and are based on a region-stratified random sample of 21,832 adults. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews followed by a self-administered questionnaire, including the SF-36, which measures eight dimensions of health and the Perceived Stress Scale, which measures self-reported stress. A total of 11,238 respondents completed the interview and returned the questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between distance to green space and self-perceived stress. Results: Danes living more than 1 km away from the nearest green space report poorer health and health-related quality of life, i.e. lower mean scores on all eight SF-36 dimensions of health than respondents living closer. Respondents living more than 1 km away from a green space have 1.42 higher odds of experiencing stress than do respondents living less than 300 m from a green space. Respondents not reporting stress are more likely to visit a green space than are respondents reporting stress. Reasons for visiting green spaces differ significantly depending on whether or not respondents experience stress. Respondents reporting stress are likely to use green spaces to reduce stress. Conclusions: An association between distance to a green space and health and health-related quality of life was found. Further, the results indicate awareness among Danes that green spaces may be of importance in managing stress and that green spaces may play an important role as health-promoting environments.
Use of over-the-counter analgesics is associated with perceived stress among 25-44-year-olds: A national cross-sectional study
Authors: Koushede Vibeke , Holstein Bjørn E. , Andersen Anette , Ekholm Ola , Hansen Ebba H.
Published: April 2010

Aims: To examine the association between perceived stress and use of over-the-counter analgesics among 25—44-year-olds, and to examine the association across various sociodemographic strata. Furthermore, to examine whether the association attenuates when controlled by stress-related symptoms. Methods: National cross-sectional study in Denmark. The study population consisted of men and women aged 25—44 years, n = 3461. The survey was conducted by face-to-face interviews followed by a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome measure was use of over-the-counter analgesics (OTCA). The determinant was perceived stress measured by the perceived stress scale (PSS). Demographic variables and complaints were included as co-variables. Results: Analyses stratified by gender, education, cohabiting status, and whether or not the respondents had children all showed a significant association between stress and OTCA use. The odds for OTCA use mounted with increasing stress. The association attenuated somewhat in analyses adjusted for sociodemographic variables and pain, but remained significant. The crude odds ratio (OR) for OTCA use was 1.51 (1.24—1.83) among participants with medium levels of perceived stress, and 2.26 (1.83—2.80) among participants with high levels of perceived stress, compared to participants with low levels of perceived stress. Conclusions: There was a significant association between perceived stress and OTCA use that could not be explained by potential stress-related pain across all the examined sociodemographic strata. OTCA may be used outside their indication to treat feelings of stress. Those in charge of dispensing medicines and policy makers should be aware of this potentially harmful use of products that are available without prescription.
Rebalancing Response to School-Based Offenses: A Civil Citation Program
Authors: Sullivan Christopher J. , Dollard Norín , Sellers Brian , Mayo John
Published: April 2010

In recent years, zero-tolerance policies have been implemented in an attempt to reduce violent and/or drug-related activities in schools. These policies are sometimes expanded to include less serious crimes, which raises a number of questions regarding juvenile justice (JJ) system response and processing. This article discusses the need, implementation, and some preliminary program outcomes related to a civil citation (CC) process undertaken to provide an alternative to school-based justice referrals. Aggregate trends were reviewed based on internal program data as well as publicly available information. Follow-up data on CC youth were obtained and a matched sample of youth not engaged in the CC process was created using a state-level administrative data set to provide a preliminary assessment of outcomes. Key informant interviews examined program development and implementation. Results of this preliminary evaluation are considered in the larger context of youth diversion and school-based practices for dealing with youth misconduct.
Race, Crime, and General Strain Theory
Authors: Leeper Piquero Nicole , Sealock Miriam D.
Published: April 2010

A key criminological observation is the overrepresentation of minorities—especially African Americans—in the criminal justice system. Whether this difference is due to differential enforcement by the criminal justice system, differential participation by individuals, or some combination of these two perspectives is a source of much debate and controversy. Unfortunately, few theories have been developed and/or extended to understand race differences in crime. This article applies Agnew’s General Strain Theory (GST) as one potentially useful framework. Results indicate that GST variables operated as expected across the different models and that significant differences did emerge across racial groups. Theoretical implications and future research directions are highlighted.
Getting Beyond Failure: Promising Approaches for Reducing DMC
Authors: Nellis Ashley , Richardson Brad
Published: April 2010

States that wish to receive federal financial support through the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act for their juvenile justice systems are mandated to address disproportionate minority contact (DMC). A vast number of studies now exist that try to explain the presence, cause, and severity of DMC in states and local jurisdictions, but most work does not move past this point. A newer set of works explores reasons why DMC-reduction efforts fail. In recent years, generous investments from private foundations have led to a renewed sense of hope for success in the seemingly intractable problem of minority overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system. This article presents promising approaches that have resulted from these investments and suggests steps that should be taken from here.
The Effect of Importation and Deprivation Factors on Violent Misconduct: An Examination of Black and Latino Youth in Prison
Authors: Tasca Melinda , Griffin Marie L. , Rodriguez Nancy
Published: April 2010

There are volumes of research on inmate misconduct; however, few studies focus on institutional violence among juvenile inmates and even fewer examine violent misconduct among youth sentenced as adults and transferred to prison. The current study draws on theories of importation and deprivation and relies on self-report data from in-depth interviews conducted between February 2001 and March 2003 with 95 male juvenile inmates incarcerated in adult prisons in Arizona and New York. The current study fills a void in prior research by examining a specialized and relatively underresearched population to better understand the predictors of violent misconduct among youth in prison. The findings suggest that the importation measure of gang membership and the deprivation measure of threatened with a weapon are significantly associated with violent misconduct. Correctional policy implications are discussed.
Is Infant Feeding Pattern Associated With Father’s Quality of Life?
Authors: Yi Chun Chen  , Chie Wei-Chu , Chang Pei-Jen , Chuang Chao-Hua , Lin Yu-Hsuan , Lin Shio-Jean , Chen Pau-Chung
Published: April 2010

The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life of fathers under different infant feeding type scenarios. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form was used to measure the health-related quality of life of 1,699 fathers, and the scores were used to look for associations with different infant feeding methods. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to explore the contribution of the other potential related factors on fathers’ quality of life. After controlling for confounding factors, fathers whose infants were ever being breast-fed reported lower scores than fathers whose infants were bottle-fed. Except for the infant feeding pattern, having a job, higher family income, and being the major caregiver were positively related to the father’s quality of life. Fathers may not benefit during breast-feeding process. Because fathers’ involvement plays an important role in the success of breast-feeding, the development of interventions that enable fathers to support their breast-feeding partner is very important.
Structural Model for Osteoporosis Preventing Behavior in Men
Authors: Doheny Margaret O. , Sedlak Carol A. , Hall Rosalie J. , Estok Patricia J.
Published: April 2010

This longitudinal study evaluates the effect of bone mineral density screening on calcium intake and daily exercise of 196 healthy men older than 50 years over a period of 1 year. In this randomized clinical trial, the experimental group received personal bone density information via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The men completed measures addressing knowledge, health beliefs, calcium intake, and exercise behaviors. Outcome measures were collected by a questionnaire at three time points: initial (Time 1 [T1]; pre-DXA), 6 months (Time 2 [T2]), and 12 months (Time 3 [T3]). Using structural equation modeling for data analysis, results indicated that men in the experimental group had a significantly higher T2 calcium intake than the control group, with no additional direct effect at T3. T1 daily calcium intake was significantly predicted by T1 health beliefs. Men with higher levels of health motivation tended to have higher initial levels of daily calcium intake. Personal knowledge of DXA results relate significantly to increased calcium intake.
Fathering Agency Staff Members’ Perspectives on Domestic Violence Perpetration
Authors: Cronholm Peter F. , Ellison Willie , Mazzella Silvana , Witherspoon Marcy , Bowman Lim Joy , Lapp Tony , Coleman Gilbert
Published: April 2010

Purpose: To describe the perspectives of fathering staff regarding domestic violence (DV) perpetration. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of 85 fathering staff members was conducted to identify behaviors and barriers regarding inquiry about DV perpetration. Results: Almost half (47.1%) of the surveyed staff reported never having identified DV perpetration. Routine inquiry was less likely if staff perceived low prevalence rates among their clients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.11, p = .001), did not have standard ways of asking (OR = 0.11, p < .001), or if they had never identified family violence before (OR = 0.07, p < .001). Increased years as a provider (OR = 6.62, p = .001) and DV training (OR = 7.29, p = .003) increased rates of DV perpetration inquiry. Conclusions: Staff of fathering agencies do not routinely screen for DV perpetration likely due to the interplay between individual and agency-level barriers. Appropriate training interventions can address identified barriers.
Barbershop Communications on Prostate Cancer Screening Using Barber Health Advisers
Authors: Luque John S. , Rivers Brian M. , Gwede Clement K. , Kambon Maisha , Lee Green B. , Meade Cathy D.
Published: April 2010

Objective: The authors report the outcomes of a community-based, barber health adviser pilot intervention that aims to develop customized educational materials to promote knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer (CaP) and informed decision making about prostate cancer screening (PCS) among a predominantly African American clientele. Method: First, the authors implemented a series of learner verification processes with barbershop clients ( n = 15) to adapt existing CaP health promotion materials. Following intervention implementation in the barbershop, they conducted structured surveys with barbershop clients ( n = 40) to evaluate the intervention. Results: Findings from the posttest showed both a significant increase in barbershop clients’ self-reported knowledge of CaP and in the likelihood of discussing PCS with a health care provider ( p < .001). The client’s cultural model of CaP risk factors revealed cultural consensus (eigenratio = 3.3) and mirrored the biomedical model. All clients surveyed reported positively on the contents of the educational materials, and more than half (53%) had discussed CaP at least twice with their barber in the last month. Conclusion: Based on the pilot results, the barber-administered intervention was an appropriate and viable communication channel for promoting CaP knowledge and awareness in a priority population, African American men.
Where Have All the People Gone? A Plea for Including Social Interaction in Emotion Research
Authors: Fischer Agneta H. , van Kleef Gerben A.
Published: April 2010

In the present article we argue that emotional interactions are not appropriately captured in present emotion research and theorizing. Emotional stimuli or antecedents are dynamic and change over time because they often interact and have a specific relationship with the subject. Earlier emotional interactions may, for example, intensify later emotional reactions to a specific person, or our anger reactions towards powerful or powerless others may differ considerably. Thus, we suggest that such social factors not only affect the intensity, but also the nature of emotional experiences and expressions, and specifically the nature of the social movement (e.g., moving towards, away, or against). We discuss different processes that are implicated in the relation between the social environment and our emotions, describe how emotional expressions shape social behavior, and provide suggestions for incorporating the social dimension of emotion in future research.
The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
Authors: Gross James J.
Published: April 2010

In this article I consider the future of the field of emotion. My conclusion—borrowing the title of a little-remembered song from the 1980s—is that “the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.” I begin this article by considering some of the many daunting conceptual and empirical challenges here; this is clearly not a field for the faint of heart. I then turn to some of the incredible conceptual and empirical opportunities here; there are so many it’s easy to feel dizzy. In the final section, I predict that the field of emotion will broaden and become more problem focused, and hazard a “top 10” list of hot topics.
Synthesis and characterisation of sputtered hard coatings within the system Cr–N/WSX
Authors: Budna K. P. , Mitterer C.
Published: April 2010

CrNx–WSx films were deposited by unbalanced magnetron cosputtering and their structure was investigated as well as their mechanical and tribological properties. A Cr target with WS2 inserts was used to adjust coverage fractions of the erosion track of 25 and 37·5 area%. Deposition was done in an Ar/N2 atmosphere with different nitrogen fractions ( pN2 =0, 11 and 28%). Chemical analysis and crystalline structure were investigated by electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction. Hardness and indentation modulus were determined by microindentation, stresses were measured by the substrate curvature method and the tribological behaviour of the coatings was evaluated by dry sliding ball on disc tests. With increasing pN2, a transformation from a Cr solid solution to a Cr2N dominated structure was observed, which resulted in a moderate increase in hardness and elastic modulus. Owing to the observed substoichiometry of the formed WS2 phase, no friction reduction compared to single phase CrN coatings was obtained.
Effect of current density and grain refining agents on pulsed electrodeposition of nanocrystalline nickel
Authors: Bhardwaj M , Balani K , Balasubramaniam R , Pandey S , Agarwal A
Published: April 2010

Nanocrystalline nickel was electrodeposited on copper substrate using a Watt's bath at a temperature of 50°C. The effect of pulsed current density (up to 1·5 A cm−2) and role of organic additives (namely saccharin and sodium citrate) in the deposition bath was evaluated for rendering grain refinement. The deposited samples were characterised for current efficiency, colonial morphology, crystallite size, texture, coercivity and nanomechanical properties (such as Young's modulus and hardness). Results were compared with deposition using direct current, and utilising annealed Cu substrate. The smallest crystallite size of 22 nm was obtained, and the lowest coercivity equaled 22 Oe for the sample deposited using pulsed current with the peak current density 1 A cm−2 and 10 g L−1 saccharin addition. Annealing of the substrate has shown to increase the Young's modulus of electrodeposited Ni by 10·2%, which increases further by 14·4% with saccharin addition when compared to those of deposits without saccharin addition.
Mono/oligoclonal T and NK cells are common in chronic myeloid leukemia patients at diagnosis and expand during dasatinib therapy
Authors: Kreutzman Anna , Juvonen Vesa , Kairisto Veli , Ekblom Marja , Stenke Leif , Seggewiss Ruth , Porkka Kimmo , Mustjoki Satu
Published: April 2010

In a proportion of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) being treated with dasatinib, we recently observed large granular lymphocyte (LGL) expansions carrying clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) γ/δ gene rearrangements. To assess the prevalence and role of clonal lymphocytes in CML, we collected samples from patients (n = 34) at the time of diagnosis and during imatinib and dasatinib therapies and analyzed lymphocyte clonality with a sensitive polymerase chain reaction–based method of TCR γ and δ genes. Surprisingly, at CML diagnosis, 15 of 18 patients (83%) had a sizeable clonal, BCR-ABL1 negative lymphocyte population, which was uncommon in healthy persons (1 of 12; 8%). The same clone persisted at low levels in most imatinib-treated patients. In contrast, in a distinct population of dasatinib-treated patients, the diagnostic phase clone markedly expanded, resulting in absolute lymphocytosis in blood. Most patients with LGL expansions (90%) had TCR δ rearrangements, which were uncommon in patients without an LGL expansion (10%). The TCR δ clones were confined to γδ+ T- or natural killer–cell compartments and the TCR γ clones to CD4+/CD8+ αβ+ fractions. The functional importance of clonal lymphocytes as a part of leukemia immune surveillance and the putative anergy-reversing role of dasatinib require further evaluation.
Prevalence and prognostic implications of WT1 mutations in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML): a report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Ho Phoenix A. , Zeng Rong , Alonzo Todd A. , Gerbing Robert B. , Miller Kristen L. , Pollard Jessica A. , Stirewalt Derek L. , Heerema Nyla A. , Raimondi Susana C. , Hirsch Betsy , Franklin Janet L. , Lange Beverly , Meshinchi Soheil
Published: April 2010

Recent studies of WT1 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) mostly report an association with unfavorable clinical outcome. We screened 842 patients treated on 3 consecutive pediatric AML trials for WT1 zinc-finger mutations. Eighty-five mutations were detected in 70 of 842 patients (8.3%). Mutations occurred predominantly in exon 7 (n = 74) but were also found in exons 8 (n = 5) and 9 (n = 6). Normal karyotype was observed in 35.3% of WT1mut patients, whereas 27.5% WT1mut patients harbored favorable risk cytogenetics. Patients with or without mutations had similar rates of complete remission after one course of induction chemotherapy. Overall survival (OS) for patients with WT1 mutations was 41% versus 54% for those without mutations (P = .016). Corresponding event-free survival (EFS) was also significantly worse for those with WT1 mutations (28% vs 42%; P = .01). However, FLT3/ITD was present in 36% of the WT1mut cohort; WT1mut patients without FLT3/ITD had similar OS (56% vs 56%, respectively; P = .8) and EFS (35% and 44%, respectively; P = .34) to patients who were wild type for both mutations. In current risk stratification schemes incorporating cytogenetics and FLT3/ITD status, the presence of WT1 mutations has no independent prognostic significance in predicting outcome in pediatric AML. The clinical trials are registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00002798 and #NCT00070174.
Reduced carotid atherosclerosis in asthmatic patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids
Authors: Otsuki M. , Miyatake A. , Fujita K. , Hamasaki T. , Kasayama S.
Published: April 2010

Although inflammation is an important component of atherosclerosis, it is unknown whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as anti-inflammatory drugs prevent atherosclerosis.

In the present study, carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by ultrasonography in 150 asthmatic patients who had been regularly treated with ICS, and in 150 matched nonasthmatic controls, with an assessment of atherosclerotic risk factors.

Carotid intima-media thickness was significantly lower in the asthmatic patients than in the controls. The prevalence of carotid plaque tended to be lower in the asthmatic patients than in the controls. Defined carotid atherosclerosis was diagnosed in 51 of the asthmatic patients, who were older, with a higher prevalence of males, a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia and a lower mean daily dose of ICS than the 99 patients without carotid atherosclerosis. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis identified age, male sex and dyslipidaemia as positive risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis. The mean daily dose of ICS was a negative risk factor.

Carotid atherosclerosis is reduced in asthmatic patients treated with ICS compared with matched controls. This study suggests that ICS may have protective effects against atherosclerosis.
Mechanisms of clearance of nontypeableHaemophilus influenzaefrom cigarette smoke-exposed mouse lungs
Authors: Gaschler G.J. , Zavitz C.C.J. , Bauer C.M.T. , Stämpfli M.R.
Published: April 2010

Inflammation is prevalent in all stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and, furthermore, individuals undergo periods of exacerbation, during which pulmonary inflammation increases, often a result of bacterial infection. The present study investigates thein vivoconsequences of cigarette smoke exposure on bacterial challenge with nontypeableHaemophilus influenzae(NTHi).

BALB/c and C57 black 6 (C57BL/6) mice were exposed to cigarette smoke once or twice daily for a total period of 8 weeks.

Exacerbated inflammation was observed in cigarette smoke-exposed compared to room-air-exposed mice following challenge with live or heat-inactivated NTHi. Accelerated clearance of live NTHi from cigarette smoke-exposed mice was independent of the establishment of chronic inflammation or direct toxic effects of cigarette smoke components on bacteria. Mechanistically, a cell-free factor in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid contributed to accelerated clearance following passive transfer to naive mice. Further investigation demonstrated increased titres of immunoglobulin A in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but not the blood, of cigarette smoke-exposed mice, including increased titres of NTHi-specific immunoglobulin A, whereas heavy chain joining element (JH)-/-B-cell-deficient cigarette smoke-exposed mice did not demonstrate decreased bacterial burden following challenge.

The present results demonstrate that cigarette smoke exposure results in exacerbated inflammation following challenge with NTHi, as well as increased titres of antibodies that contribute to bacterial clearance.
Critical role of cytosolic phospholipase A2α in bronchial mucus hypersecretion in CFTR-deficient mice
Authors: Dif F. , Wu Y-Z. , Burgel P-R. , Ollero M. , Leduc D. , Aarbiou J. , Borot F. , Garcia-Verdugo I. , Martin C. , Chignard M. , Israel-Biet D. , Kita Y. , Scholte B.J. , Touqui L.
Published: April 2010

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is due to mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator geneCFTR. CF is characterised by mucus dehydration, chronic bacterial infection and inflammation, and increased levels of cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) products in airways.

We aimed to examine the role of cPLA2α in the modulation of mucus production and inflammation in CFTR-deficient mice and epithelial cells. Mucus production was assessed using histological analyses, immuno-histochemistry and MUC5AC ELISA. cPLA2α activation was measured using an enzymatic assay and lung inflammation determined by histological analyses and polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavages.

In lungs fromCftr-/-mice, lipopolysaccharide induced mucus overproduction and MUC5AC expression associated with an increased cPLA2α activity. Mucus overproduction was mimicked by instillation of the cPLA2α product arachidonic acid, and abolished by either a cPLA2α null mutation or pharmacological inhibition. An increased cPLA2α activity was observed in bronchial explants from CF patients. CFTR silencing induced cPLA2α activation and MUC5AC expression in bronchial human epithelial cells. This expression was enhanced by arachidonic acid and reduced by cPLA2α inhibition. However, inhibition of CFTR chloride transport function had no effect on MUC5AC expression.

Reduction of CFTR expression increased cPLA2α activity. This led to an enhanced mucus production in airway epithelia independent of CFTR chloride transport function. cPLA2α represents a suitable new target for therapeutic intervention in CF.
Body composition and plasma levels of inflammatory biomarkers in COPD
Authors: Eagan T.M.L. , Aukrust P. , Ueland T. , Hardie J.A. , Johannessen A. , Mollnes T.E. , Damås J.K. , Bakke P.S. , Wagner P.D.
Published: April 2010

Previous studies suggest a relationship between systemic inflammation and body composition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined the relationships between body composition (fat free mass index (FFMI) kg·m−2and fat mass index (FMI) kg·m−2) and three plasma inflammatory markers C-reactive Protein (CRP), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in 409 stable COPD patients (aged 40–75 yrs, Global Initiative for Obstructive Chronic Lung Disease (GOLD) categories II-IV, 249 male) from the Bergen COPD Cohort Study in Norway.

FFMI and FMI were measured by bioelectrical impedance. Plasma CRP (μg·mL−1), sTNF-R1 (pg·mL−1) and OPG (ng·mL−1) were determined by enzyme immunoassays. Correlations and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for bivariate analyses. Linear regression models were fitted for each of the three markers, CRP, sTNF-R1 and OPG, with FFMI and FMI as explanatory variables including sex, age, smoking habits, GOLD category, hypoxaemia, Charlson Comorbidity Index and inhaled steroid use as potential confounders.

CRP and sTNF-R1 levels correlated positively with both FFMI and FMI. The adjusted regression coefficients for an increase in logCRP per unit increase in FFMI was 1.23 (1.14–1.33) kg·m−2and 24.9 (11.8–38.1) kg·m−2for sTNF-R1. Higher FMI was associated with a lower OPG, with adjusted regression coefficient -0.14 (-0.23– -0.04), whereas FFMI was unrelated to OPG.

In conclusion, COPD patients with low FFMI had lower not higher plasma levels of CRP and sTNF-R1, whereas higher fat mass was associated with higher CRP and sTNF-R1 and lower OPG.
Factor V Leiden mutation does not affect coagulopathy or outcome in lethal H1N1 influenza
Authors: Schouten M. , van der Sluijs K.F. , Roelofs J.J.T.H. , Levi M. , van't Veer C. , van der Poll T.
Published: April 2010

Influenza A is a major cause of mortality. Knowledge on coagulation activation in influenza infection is limited. The factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation is possibly subject to positive selection pressure. It is unknown whether this mutation impacts on the outcome of severe influenza. In the present study, the effect of lethal influenza on pulmonary and systemic coagulation activation and whether or not FVL mutation alters coagulation activation in and the course of lethal influenza, was determined.

Wild-type mice, and mice heterozygous or homozygous for FVL were infected intranasally with a lethal dose of H1N1 (haemagglutinin 1 and neuraminidase 1) influenza A. Mice were sacrificed after 48 or 96 h for determination of coagulation activation, histopathology, pulmonary inflammatory parameters and viral load, or were observed in a survival study.

Extensive local and systemic coagulation activation during lethal influenza was demonstrated by increased lung and plasma levels of thrombin–antithrombin complexes and fibrin degradation products, and by pulmonary fibrin deposition. FVL mutation did not influence the procoagulant response, lung histopathology or survival. FVL mice demonstrated elevated viral loads 48 h after infection.

In conclusion, coagulation is activated locally and systemically during lethal murine influenza A infection. The FVL mutation does not influence coagulation activation, lung inflammation or survival in lethal influenza A.
Duplication and independent selection of cell-wall invertase genes GIF1 and OsCIN1 during rice evolution and domestication
Authors: Wang Ertao , Xu Xun , Zhang Lin , Zhang Hong , Lin Lin , Wang Qin , Li Qun , Ge Song , Lu Bao-Rong , Wang Wen , He Zuhua
Published: April 2010

Background

Various evolutionary models have been proposed to interpret the fate of paralogous duplicates, which provides substrates on which evolution selection could act. In particular, domestication, as a special selection, has played important role in crop cultivation with divergence of many genes controlling important agronomic traits. Recent studies have indicated that a pair of duplicate genes was often sub-functionalized from their ancestral functions held by the parental genes. We previously demonstrated that the rice cell-wall invertase (CWI) gene GIF1 that plays an important role in the grain-filling process was most likely subjected to domestication selection in the promoter region. Here, we report that GIF1 and another CWI gene OsCIN1 constitute a pair of duplicate genes with differentiated expression and function through independent selection.

Results

Through synteny analysis, we show that GIF1 and another cell-wall invertase gene OsCIN1 were paralogues derived from a segmental duplication originated during genome duplication of grasses. Results based on analyses of population genetics and gene phylogenetic tree of 25 cultivars and 25 wild rice sequences demonstrated that OsCIN1 was also artificially selected during rice domestication with a fixed mutation in the coding region, in contrast to GIF1 that was selected in the promoter region. GIF1 and OsCIN1 have evolved into different expression patterns and probable different kinetics parameters of enzymatic activity with the latter displaying less enzymatic activity. Overexpression of GIF1 and OsCIN1 also resulted in different phenotypes, suggesting that OsCIN1 might regulate other unrecognized biological process.

Conclusion

How gene duplication and divergence contribute to genetic novelty and morphological adaptation has been an interesting issue to geneticists and biologists. Our discovery that the duplicated pair of GIF1 and OsCIN1 has experienced sub-functionalization implies that selection could act independently on each duplicate towards different functional specificity, which provides a vivid example for evolution of genetic novelties in a model crop. Our results also further support the established hypothesis that gene duplication with sub-functionalization could be one solution for genetic adaptive conflict.
Practical application of cure mixture model for long-term censored survivor data from a withdrawal clinical trial of patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Arano Ichiro , Sugimoto Tomoyuki , Hamasaki Toshimitsu , Ohno Yuko
Published: April 2010

Background

Survival analysis methods such as the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression (Cox regression) are commonly used to analyze data from randomized withdrawal studies in patients with major depressive disorder. However, unfortunately, such common methods may be inappropriate when a long-term censored relapse-free time appears in data as the methods assume that if complete follow-up were possible for all individuals, each would eventually experience the event of interest.

Methods

In this paper, to analyse data including such a long-term censored relapse-free time, we discuss a semi-parametric cure regression (Cox cure regression), which combines a logistic formulation for the probability of occurrence of an event with a Cox proportional hazards specification for the time of occurrence of the event. In specifying the treatment's effect on disease-free survival, we consider the fraction of long-term survivors and the risks associated with a relapse of the disease. In addition, we develop a tree-based method for the time to event data to identify groups of patients with differing prognoses (cure survival CART). Although analysis methods typically adapt the log-rank statistic for recursive partitioning procedures, the method applied here used a likelihood ratio (LR) test statistic from a fitting of cure survival regression assuming exponential and Weibull distributions for the latency time of relapse.

Results

The method is illustrated using data from a sertraline randomized withdrawal study in patients with major depressive disorder.

Conclusions

We concluded that Cox cure regression reveals facts on who may be cured, and how the treatment and other factors effect on the cured incidence and on the relapse time of uncured patients, and that cure survival CART output provides easily understandable and interpretable information, useful both in identifying groups of patients with differing prognoses and in utilizing Cox cure regression models leading to meaningful interpretations.
Educational games in geriatric medicine education: a systematic review
Authors: Alfarah Ziad , Schünemann Holger J , Akl Elie A
Published: April 2010

Objective

To systematically review the medical literature to assess the effect of geriatric educational games on the satisfaction, knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of health care professionals.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review following the Cochrane Collaboration methodology including an electronic search of 10 electronic databases. We included randomized controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) and excluded single arm studies. Population of interests included members (practitioners or students) of the health care professions. Outcomes of interests were participants' satisfaction, knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and behaviors.

Results

We included 8 studies evaluating 5 geriatric role playing games, all conducted in United States. All studies suffered from one or more methodological limitations but the overall quality of evidence was acceptable. None of the studies assessed the effects of the games on beliefs or behaviors. None of the 8 studies reported a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of change in attitude. One study assessed the impact on knowledge and found non-statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Two studies found levels of satisfaction among participants to be high. We did not conduct a planned meta-analysis because the included studies either reported no statistical data or reported different summary statistics.

Conclusion

The available evidence does not support the use of role playing interventions in geriatric medical education with the aim of improving the attitudes towards the elderly.
The effects of acylation stimulating protein supplementation VS antibody neutralization on energy expenditure in wildtype mice
Authors: Paglialunga Sabina , Fisette Alexandre , Munkonda Mercedes , Gao Ying , Richard Denis , Cianflone Katherine
Published: April 2010

Background

Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipogenic hormone that stimulates triglyceride (TG) synthesis and glucose transport in adipocytes. Previous studies have shown that ASP-deficient C3 knockout mice are hyperphagic yet lean, as they display increased oxygen consumption and fatty acid oxidation compared to wildtype mice. In the present study, antibodies against ASP (Anti-ASP) and human recombinant ASP (rASP) were tested in vitro and in vivo. Continuous administration for 4 weeks via osmotic mini-pump of Anti-ASP or rASP was evaluated in wildtype mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) to examine their effects on body weight, food intake and energy expenditure.

Results

In mature murine adipocytes, rASP significantly stimulated fatty acid uptake (+243% vs PBS, P < 0.05) while Anti-ASP neutralized the rASP response. Mice treated with Anti-ASP showed elevated energy expenditure (P < 0.0001), increased skeletal muscle glucose oxidation (+141%, P < 0.001), reduced liver glycogen (-34%, P < 0.05) and glucose-6-phosphate content (-64%, P = 0.08) compared to control mice. There was no change in body weight, food intake, fasting insulin, adiponectin, CRP or TG levels compared to controls. Interestingly, HFD mice treated with rASP showed the opposite phenotype with reduced energy expenditure (P < 0.0001) and increased body weight (P < 0.05), cumulative food intake (P < 0.0001) and liver glycogen content (+59%, P < 0.05). Again, there was no change in circulating insulin, adiponectin, CRP or TG levels, however, plasma free fatty acids were reduced (-48%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In vitro, Anti-ASP effectively neutralized ASP stimulated fatty acid uptake. In vivo, Anti-ASP treatment increased whole body energy utilization while rASP increased energy storage. Therefore, ASP is a potent anabolic hormone that may also be a mediator of energy expenditure.
Alterations in urine, serum and brain metabolomic profiles exhibit sexual dimorphism during malaria disease progression
Authors: Basant Angika , Rege Mayuri , Sharma Shobhona , Sonawat Haripalsingh M
Published: April 2010

Background

Metabolic changes in the host in response toPlasmodiuminfection play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of malaria. Alterations in metabolism of male and female mice infected withPlasmodium bergheiANKA are reported here.

Methods

1H NMR spectra of urine, sera and brain extracts of these mice were analysed over disease progression using Principle Component Analysis and Orthogonal Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis.

Results

Analyses of overall changes in urinary profiles during disease progression demonstrate that females show a significant early post-infection shift in metabolism as compared to males. In contrast, serum profiles of female mice remain unaltered in the early infection stages; whereas that of the male mice changed. Brain metabolite profiles do not show global changes in the early stages of infection in either sex. By the late stages urine, serum and brain profiles of both sexes are severely affected. Analyses of individual metabolites show significant increase in lactate, alanine and lysine, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid in sera of both males and females at this stage. Early changes in female urine are marked by an increase of ureidopropionate, lowering of carnitine and transient enhancement of asparagine and dimethylglycine. Several metabolites when analysed individually in sera and brain reveal significant changes in their levels in the early phase of infection mainly in female mice. Asparagine and dimethylglycine levels decrease and quinolinic acid increases early in sera of infected females. In brain extracts of females, an early rise in levels is also observed for lactate, alanine and glycerol, kynurenic acid, ureidopropionate and 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyrate.

Conclusions

These results suggest thatP. bergheiinfection leads to impairment of glycolysis, lipid metabolism, metabolism of tryptophan and degradation of uracil. Characterization of early changes along these pathways may be crucial for prognosis and better disease management. Additionally, the distinct sexual dimorphism exhibited in these responses has a bearing on the understanding of the pathophysiology of malaria.
Myocardial ultrasonic tissue characterization in patients with thyroid dysfunction
Authors: Romano Minna MD , Maciel Léa MZ , Almeida-Filho Oswaldo C , Pazin-Filho Antonio , Schmidt André , Maciel Benedito C
Published: April 2010

Background

Structural myocardial abnormalities have been extensively documented in hypothyroidism. Experimental studies in animal models have also shown involvement of thyroid hormones in gene expression of myocardial collagen. This study was planned to investigate the ability of ultrasonic tissue characterization, as evaluated by integrated backscatter (IBS), to early identify myocardial involvement in thyroid dysfunction.

Patients and Methods

We studied 15 patients with hyperthyroidism (HYPER), 8 patients with hypothyroidism (HYPO), 14 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and 19 normal (N) subjects, who had normal LV systolic function. After treatment, 10 HYPER, 6 HYPO, and 8 SCH patients were reevaluated. IBS images were obtained and analyzed in parasternal short axis (papillary muscle level) view, at left ventricular (LV) posterior wall. The following IBS variables were analyzed: 1) the corrected coefficient (CC) of IBS, obtained by dividing IBS intensity by IBS intensity measured in a rubber phantom, using the same equipment adjustments, at the same depth; 2) cardiac cyclic variation (CV) of IBS - peak-to-peak difference between maximal and minimal values of IBS during cardiac cycle; 3) cardiac cyclic variation index (CVI) of IBS - percentual relationship between the cyclic variation (CV) and the mean value of IBS intensity.

Results

CC of IBS was significantly larger (p < 0.05) in HYPER (1.57 ± 0.6) and HYPO (1.53 ± 0.3) as compared to SCH (1.32 ± 0.3) or N (1.15 ± 0.27). The CV (dB) (HYPO: 7.5 ± 2.4; SCH: 8.2 ± 3.1; HYPER: 8.2 ± 2.0) and the CVI (HYPO: 35.6 ± 19.7%; SCH: 34.7 ± 17.5%; HYPER: 37.8 ± 11.6%) were not significantly different in patients with thyroid dysfunction as compared to N (7.0 ± 2.0 and 44.5 ± 15.1%).

Conclusions

CC of IBS was able to differentiate cardiac involvement in patients with overt HYPO and HYPER who had normal LV systolic function. These early myocardial structural abnormalities were partially reversed by drug therapy in HYPER group. On the other hand, although mean IBS intensity tended to be slightly larger in patients with SCH as compared to N, this difference was not statistical significant.
Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by small interfering RNAs directed against Glioma Pathogenesis Related Protein (GliPR) expression
Authors: Capalbo Gianni , Müller-Kuller Thea , Dietrich Ursula , Hoelzer Dieter , Ottmann Oliver G , Scheuring Urban J
Published: April 2010

Background

Previously, we showed that glioma pathogenesis related protein (GliPR) is induced in CEM T cells upon HIV-1 infectionin vitro. To examine whether GliPR plays a role as HIV dependency factor (HDF), we tested the effect of GliPR suppression by siRNA on HIV-1 replication.

Results

Induction of GliPR expression by HIV-1 was confirmed in P4-CCR5 cells. When GliPR was suppressed by siRNA, HIV-1 replication was significantly reduced as measured by HIV-1 transcript levels, HIV-1 p24 protein levels, and HIV-1 LTR-driven reporter gene expression, suggesting that GliPR is a cellular co-factor of HIV-1. Microarray analysis of uninfected HeLa cells following knockdown of GliPR revealed, among a multitude of gene expression alterations, a down-regulation of syndecan-1, syndecan-2, protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA), the catalytic subunit β of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PRKACB), nuclear receptor co-activator 3 (NCOA3), and cell surface protein CD59 (protectin), all genes having relevance for HIV-1 pathology.

Conclusions

The up-regulation of GliPR by HIV-1 and the early significant inhibition of HIV-1 replication mediated by knockdown of GliPR reveal GliPR as an important HIV-1 dependency factor (HDF), which may be exploited for HIV-1 inhibition.