bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Search strings for the study of putative occupational determinants of disease
Authors: Mattioli Stefano , Zanardi Francesca , Baldasseroni Alberto , Schaafsma Frederieke , Cooke Robin MT , Mancini Gianpiero , Fierro Mauro , Santangelo Chiara , Farioli Andrea , Fucksia Serenella , Curti Stefania , Violante Francesco S , Verbeek Jos
Published: October 2009

Objective

To identify efficient PubMed search strategies to retrieve articles regarding putative occupational determinants of conditions not generally considered to be work related.

Methods

Based on MeSH definitions and expert knowledge, we selected as candidate search terms the four MeSH terms describing ‘occupational disease’, ‘occupational exposure’, ‘occupational health’ and ‘occupational medicine’ (DEHM) alongside 22 other promising terms. We first explored overlaps between the candidate terms in PubMed. Using random samples of abstracts retrieved by each term, we estimated the proportions of articles containing potentially pertinent information regarding occupational aetiology in order to formulate two search strategies (one more ‘specific’, one more ‘sensitive’). We applied these strategies to retrieve information on the possible occupational aetiology of meningioma, pancreatitis and atrial fibrillation.

Results

Only 20.3% of abstracts were retrieved by more than one DEHM term. The more ‘specific’ search string was based on the combination of terms that yielded the highest proportion (40%) of potentially pertinent abstracts. The more ‘sensitive’ string was based on the use of broader search fields and additional coverage provided by other search terms under study. Using the specific string, the numbers of abstracts needed to read to find one potentially pertinent article were 1.2 for meningioma, 1.9 for pancreatitis and 1.8 for atrial fibrillation. Using the sensitive strategy, the numbers needed to read were 4.4 for meningioma, 8.9 for pancreatitis and 10.5 for atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions

The proposed strings could help health care professionals explore putative occupational aetiology for diseases that are not generally thought to be work related.
The work-related burden of injury in a rapidly industrialising commune in Viet Nam
Authors: Marucci-Wellman Helen , Leamon Tom B , Binh Ta Thi Tuyet , Diep Nguyen Bich , Willetts Joanna L , Wegman David H , Kriebel David
Published: October 2009

Background

Health and injury surveillance data of the highest achievable quality are needed in order to appropriately allocate scarce resources at the local and national levels.

Methods

This is the first reported surveillance study of injury using a complete community sample in Viet Nam. Workplaces in Xuan Tien Commune most likely to benefit from intervention were identified and ranked by the magnitude of the problem (or highest injury count), the risk (highest incidence rates) and the burden (the effect of injuries on the livelihoods of workers).

Results

591 injuries occurring in the month prior to survey administration were recalled, which satisfied the injury case criteria of this study (the annualised incidence rate (IR) was 681 per 1000 residents). 482 were attributed to work activities (82%), yielding an annualised IR of 1001/1000 full time employee equivalents (FTE). The highest number of injuries occurred in the manufacturing sector (n=299), followed by agriculture with far fewer injuries (n=70). The highest rate of injury was in the transport, storage and communications sector (annualised IR 1583/1000 FTE), followed by manufacturing (1235/1000 FTE) and agriculture (844/1000 FTE).

Conclusion

This study identified patterns of risk which, because data collection reflected work culture, are believed to be more reliable than those from previous studies. Interventions in the manufacture of machinery and equipment sector (the largest industry in the commune) would have the most impact in reducing occupational injuries. Despite the trend towards manufacturing, agriculture is still a high priority with a continuing substantial impact.
Occupational exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer in women
Authors: Peplonska Beata , Stewart Patricia , Szeszenia-Dąbrowska Neonila , Lissowska Jolanta , Brinton Louise A , Gromiec Jan Piotr , Brzeznicki Slawomir , Yang Xiaohong R , Sherman Mark , García-Closas Montserrat , Blair Aaron
Published: October 2009

Background

Although studies in rodents suggest possible associations between exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer, the evidence in humans is limited.

Methods

We evaluated job histories of 2383 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed during 2000–2003, and 2502 controls who participated in a large population-based case-control study in Poland. Industrial hygienists reviewed occupational histories and developed exposure metrics for total organic solvents and benzene. Unconditional logistic regression analyses estimated ORs and 95% CIs as the measure of association with breast cancer, controlling for breast cancer risk factors. Stratified analyses examined the potential modification by known breast cancer risk factors. Associations were also evaluated by oestrogen and progesterone receptor status and by other clinical characteristics of the tumours using polytomous regression analyses.

Results

Women who ever worked at jobs with organic solvents exposure had a small, non-significant increase in breast cancer risk (OR=1.16; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.4). A significant association was present for oestrogen receptor- and progesterone receptor-negative tumours (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8), but there was no association with tumours with both positive receptors (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.8 to 1.2 (p heterogeneity: 0.008)). We did not observe trends with increasing level of exposure. Known breast cancer risk factors did not modify the association between organic solvents and breast cancer risk. No association with breast cancer was found for benzene exposure (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.8 to 1.3).

Conclusion

Our study provides weak evidence for a possible association between occupational exposure to organic solvents as a class and breast cancer risk. The association might be limited to hormone receptor-negative tumours.
Could mining be protective against prostate cancer? A study and literature review
Authors: Girschik Jennifer , Glass Deborah , Ambrosini Gina L , Fritschi Lin
Published: October 2009

Objective

Prostate canceris one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Western men and one in three Australian men develops the cancer before the age of 75. Currently, only increasing age, race and family history have been well established as risk factors. A growing number of studies have investigated occupation in relation to prostate cancer but, like other risk factors, no associations have been confirmed. Mining employs a significant proportion of the work force in Western Australia. The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of miners in the Western Australian Prostate Health Study, investigate mining as a risk factor for prostate cancer, conduct a systematic search of the literature for studies that have investigated mining as an occupational risk factor for prostate cancer and compare and contrast their methodologies and results.

Methods

Data were obtained from a population-based case–control study conducted from 1 January 2001 to 20 August 2002 at The University of Western Australia.

Results

After controlling for age, family history and military service in Vietnam, miners had a statistically significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer (adjusted OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.75). The systematic literature search of studies examining mining and prostate cancer found a reasonably consistent trend of a decreased risk of prostate cancer among miners. None of the published articles discussed their results regarding mining and prostate cancer in detail, and a biological mechanism to support these results has not previously been suggested.

Conclusion

The relationship between mining and prostate cancer deserves further investigation.
Justice at work and metabolic syndrome: the Whitehall II study
Authors: Gimeno David , Tabák Ádám G , Ferrie Jane E , Shipley Martin J , De Vogli Roberto , Elovainio Marko , Vahtera Jussi , Marmot Michael G , Kivimäki Mika
Published: October 2009

Objectives

Growing evidence shows that high levels of justice are beneficial for employee health, although biological mechanisms underlying this association are yet to be clarified. We aim to test whether high justice at work protects against metabolic syndrome.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 20 civil service departments in London (the Whitehall II study) including 6123 male and female British civil servants aged 35–55 years without prevalent coronary heart disease at baseline (1985–1990). Perceived justice at work was determined by means of questionnaire on two occasions between 1985 and 1990. Follow-up for metabolic syndrome and its components occurring from 1990 to 2004 was based on clinical assessments on three occasions over more than 18 years.

Results

Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, ethnicity and employment grade showed that men who experienced a high level of justice at work had a lower risk of incident metabolic syndrome than employees with a low level of justice (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.89). There was little evidence of an association between organisational justice and metabolic syndrome or its components in women (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.67 to 1.17).

Conclusions

Our prospective findings provide evidence of an association between high levels of justice at work and the development of metabolic syndrome in men.
Ambient particulate pollution and the world-wide prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children: Phase One of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)
Authors: Anderson H Ross , Ruggles Ruth , Pandey Kiran D , Kapetanakis Venediktos , Brunekreef Bert , Lai Christopher K W , Strachan David P , Weiland Stephan K ,   the ISAAC Phase One Study Group
Published: October 2009

Objectives

To investigate the effect of ambient particulate matter on variation in childhood prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema.

Methods

Prevalences of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema obtained in Phase One of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) were matched with city-level estimates of residential PM10obtained from a World Bank model. Associations were investigated using binomial regression adjusting for GNP per capita and for clustering within country. For countries with more than one centre, a two stage meta-analysis was carried out. The results were compared with a meta-analysis of published multi-centre studies.

Results

Annual concentrations of PM10at city level were obtained for 105 ISAAC centres in 51 countries. After controlling for GNP per capita, there was a weak negative association between PM10and various outcomes. For severe wheeze in 13–14-year-olds, the OR for a 10 μg/m3increase in PM10was 0.92 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.00). In 24 countries with more than one centre, most summary estimates for within-country associations were weakly positive. For severe wheeze in 13–14-year-olds, the summary OR for a 10 μg/m3increase in PM10was 1.01 (0.92 to 1.10). This result was close to a summary OR of 0.99 (0.91 to 1.06) obtained from published multi-centre studies.

Conclusions

Modelled estimates of particulate matter at city level are imprecise and incomplete estimates of personal exposure to ambient air pollutants. Nevertheless, our results together with those of previous multi-centre studies, suggest that urban background PM10has little or no association with the prevalence of childhood asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis or eczema either within or between countries.
Shear-induced interaction of platelets with von Willebrand factor results in glycoprotein Ibα shedding
Authors: Cheng Hong , Yan Rong , Li Suping , Yuan Yanhong , Liu Jun , Ruan Changgeng , Dai Kesheng
Published: October 2009

Shear-induced platelet adhesion through the interaction of glycoprotein (GP) Ibα with von Willebrand factor (VWF) exposed at the injured vessel wall or atherosclerotic plaque rupture is a prerequisite for the physiological hemostatic process or pathological thrombus formation in stenosed arteries. Here we show that shear-induced interaction of platelets with immobilized VWF results in GPIbα ectodomain shedding. Washed platelets were exposed to VWF-coated glass capillary or cone-and-plate viscometer at different shear rates, and GPIbα ectodomain was shed from platelets, while a small mass of GPIbα COOH-terminal peptide, ∼17 kDa, was increased correspondingly. The extent of GPIbα shedding was enhanced with the concentration of immobilized VWF and the time duration of constant shear stress, whereas it was obviously reduced with the decreased number of adherent platelets. Pretreatment of platelets with membrane-permeable calpain inhibitors and metalloproteinase inhibitor abolished shear-induced GPIbα shedding. Furthermore, GPIbα shedding was obviously diminished by anti-integrin-αIIbβ3monoclonal antibody SZ21, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, and cell-permeable calcium chelator 1,2-bis( o-aminophenoxy)ethane- N, N, N′, N′-tetraacetic acid. These results indicate that shear-induced platelet-VWF interaction results in calpain and metalloproteinase-dependent GPIbα ectodomain shedding. These findings not only have a physiological implication in understanding the presence of glycocalicin in normal circulation, but also suggest a novel mechanism for the negative regulation of platelet function and the limitation of platelet thrombus infinite formation under pathophysiological flow conditions.
Status epilepticus induces cardiac myofilament damage and increased susceptibility to arrhythmias in rats
Authors: Metcalf Cameron S. , Poelzing Steven , Little Jason G. , Bealer Steven L.
Published: October 2009

Status epilepticus (SE) is a seizure or series of seizures that persist for >30 min and often results in mortality. Death rarely occurs during or immediately following seizure activity, but usually within 30 days. Although ventricular arrhythmias have been implicated in SE-related mortality, the effects of this prolonged seizure activity on the cardiac function and susceptibility to arrhythmias have not been directly investigated. We evaluated myocardial damage, alterations in cardiac electrical activity, and susceptibility to experimentally induced arrhythmias produced by SE in rats. SE resulted in seizure-related increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and the first derivative of pressure, as well as modest, diffuse myocyte damage assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling staining. Ten to twelve days following seizures, electrocardiographic recordings showed arrhythmogenic alterations in cardiac electrical activity, denoted by prolonged QT interval corrected for heart rate and QT dispersion. Finally, SE increased susceptibility to experimentally induced (intravenous aconitine) cardiac arrhythmias. These data suggest that SE produces tachycardic ischemia following the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in cardiac myofilament damage, arrhythmogenic alterations in cardiac electrical activity, and increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias.
Age-dependent endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling in pulmonary arteries of endoglin heterozygous mice
Authors: Belik J. , Jerkic M. , McIntyre B. A. S. , Pan J. , Leen J. , Yu L. X. , Henkelman R. M. , Toporsian M. , Letarte M.
Published: October 2009

Endoglin is a TGF-β superfamily receptor critical for endothelial cell function. Mutations in this gene are associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type I (HHT1), and clinical signs of disease are generally more evident later in life. We previously showed that systemic vessels of adult Eng heterozygous ( Eng+/−) mice exhibit increased vasorelaxation due to uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). We postulated that these changes may develop with age and evaluated pulmonary arteries from newborn and adult Eng+/−mice for eNOS-dependent, acetylcholine (ACh-induced) vasorelaxation, compared with that of age-matched littermate controls. While ACh-induced vasorelaxation was similar in all newborn mice, it was significantly increased in the adult Eng+/−vs. control vessels. The vasodilatory responses were inhibited by l-NAME suggesting eNOS dependence. eNOS uncoupling was observed in lung tissues of adult, but not newborn, heterozygous mice and was associated with increased production of reactive O2species (ROS) in adult Eng+/−vs. control lungs. Interestingly, ROS generation was higher in adult than newborn mice and so were the levels of NADPH oxidase 4 and SOD 1, 2, 3 isoforms. However, enzyme protein levels and NADPH activity were normal in adult Eng+/−lungs indicating that the developmental maturation of ROS generation and scavenging cannot account for the increased vasodilatation observed in adult Eng+/−mice. Our data suggest that eNOS-dependent H2O2generation in Eng+/−lungs accounts for the heightened pulmonary vasorelaxation. To the extent that these mice mimic human HHT1, age-associated pulmonary vascular eNOS uncoupling may explain the late childhood and adult onset of clinical lung manifestations.
Serotonin Transporter Gene, Depressive Symptoms, and Interleukin-6
Authors: Su Shaoyong , Zhao Jinying , Bremner J. Douglas , Miller Andrew H. , Tang Weining , Bouzyk Mark , Snieder Harold , Novik Olga , Afzal Nadeem , Goldberg Jack , Vaccarino Viola
Published: October 2009

Background—

We explored the relationship of genetic variants of the serotonin transporter gene
SLC6A4
, a key regulator of the serotonergic neurotransmission, with both depressive symptoms and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.

Methods and Results—

We genotyped 20 polymorphisms in 360 male twins (mean age, 54 years) from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. Current depressive symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory II. IL-6 was assessed using a commercially available ELISA kit. Genotype associations were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. To study how
SLC6A4
genetic vulnerability influences the relationship between depressive symptoms and IL-6, bivariate models were constructed using structural equation modeling. Of the 20 polymorphisms examined, the effective number of independent tests was 6, and the threshold of significance after Bonferroni correction was 0.008. There were 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms significantly associated with Beck Depression Inventory (
P
≤0.008), including rs8071667, rs2020936, rs25528, rs6354, rs11080122, and rs8076005, and 1 single-nucleotide polymorphism was borderline associated (rs12150214,
P
=0.017). Of these 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, 3 were also significantly associated with IL-6 (
P
<0.008), including rs25528, rs6354, and rs8076005, and the other 4 were borderline associated (
P
=0.009 to 0.025). The subjects with 1 copy of the minor allele of these 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms had higher Beck Depression Inventory scores and IL-6 levels. Further bivariate modeling revealed that ≈10% of the correlation between Beck Depression Inventory and IL-6 could be explained by the
SLC6A4
gene.

Conclusions—

Genetic vulnerability involving the
SLC6A4
gene is significantly associated with both increased depressive symptoms and elevated IL-6 plasma levels. Common pathophysiological processes may link depression and inflammation, and implicate the serotonin pathway in neural-immune interactions.
Review Essay
Authors: den Hond Frank
Published: October 2009

This review essay reflects on relationships between the NGO activism and advocacy movement and corporations. The essay does so through a review of Yaziji and Doh’s 2009 book NGOs and Corporations: Conflict and Collaboration. The review essay considers the strengths and weaknesses of the book in relationship to our understanding of NGOs. The essay emphasizes that both NGO and corporate perspectives are important in assessing NGO—corporation relationships.
Don’t Expect Too Much! Learning From Late-Night Comedy and Knowledge Item Difficulty
Authors: Baek Young Min , Wojcieszak Magdalena E.
Published: October 2009

The debate on late night comedy has been inconclusive, with some scholars arguing that this genre increases political knowledge, and others seeing late night comedy as harmful to effective citizenry. We add to the debate and to the research on media effects more generally, by proposing a model that measures political knowledge. The model utilizes item response theory (IRT) to account for individual characteristics, knowledge item difficulty, and response format that influences the likelihood of providing a correct response. Drawing on the 2004 National Annenberg Election Study, we employ this model to test knowledge gain from late night comedy. Using a meta-analysis across 35 political knowledge items, we show that late night comedy increases knowledge, but primarily on easy political items that have fewer correct response options, and mainly among the inattentive citizens. We discuss theoretical implications and provide practical suggestions for scholarship on media effects.
Perceived Maternal Control and Responsiveness to Distress as Predictors of Young Adults’ Empathic Responses
Authors: Kanat-Maymon Michal , Assor Avi
Published: October 2009

Two studies examined the relations between young adults’ empathic responding and their perceptions of two maternal behaviors. As predicted from self-determination theory, perceived maternal control had unique negative associations with empathic support of one’s romantic partner (indicated by both self-reports and partner reports) and with empathic concern for others in general, and a unique positive association with personal distress in response to others in need. Perceived maternal responsiveness to distress was a unique positive predictor of empathic concern. The findings suggest that the experience of one’s mother as controlling is likely to interfere with one’s empathic responding and that high levels of perceived maternal responsiveness do not cancel the negative effects of the experience of controlling parenting. Furthermore, the findings suggest that high levels of perceived maternal responsiveness might exacerbate the negative relations between perceived maternal control and personal distress in response to others in need.
Express Your Social Self: Cultural Differences in Choice of Brand-Name Versus Generic Products
Authors: Kim Heejung S. , Drolet Aimee
Published: October 2009

This research examined cultural differences in the patterns of choices that reflect more social characteristics of a chooser (e.g., social status). Four studies examined the cultural difference in individuals’ tendency to choose brand-name products (i.e., high-status options) over generic products (i.e., low-status options) and the underlying reasons for these differences. Compared to European Americans, Asian Americans consistently chose brand-name products. This difference was driven by Asian Americans’ greater social status concerns. Self-consciousness was more strongly associated with the brand-name choices of Asian Americans (vs. European Americans), and experimentally induced social status led Asian Americans (vs. European Americans) to make more choices concordant with self-perception. These findings highlight the importance of considering external and social motivations underlying the choice-making process.
The Individual Consistency of Acquiescence and Extreme Response Style in Self-Report Questionnaires
Authors: Weijters Bert , Geuens Maggie , Schillewaert Niels
Published: October 2009

The severity of bias in respondents’ self-reports due to acquiescence response style (ARS) and extreme response style (ERS) depends strongly on how consistent these response styles are over the course of a questionnaire. In the literature, different alternative hypotheses on response style (in)consistency circulate. Therefore, nine alternative models are derived and fitted to secondary and primary data. It is found that response styles are best modeled as a tau-equivalent factor complemented with a time-invariant autoregressive effect. This means that ARS and ERS are largely but not completely consistent over the course of a questionnaire, a finding that has important implications for response style measurement and correction.
Crowdsourcing, attention and productivity
Authors: Huberman Bernardo A. , Romero Daniel M. , Wu Fang
Published: October 2009

We show through an analysis of a massive data set from YouTube that the productivity exhibited in crowdsourcing exhibits a strong positive dependence on attention, measured by the number of downloads. Conversely, a lack of attention leads to a decrease in the number of videos uploaded and the consequent drop in productivity, which in many cases asymptotes to no uploads whatsoever. Moreover, short-term contributors compare their performance to the average contributor’s performance while long-term contributors compare it to their own media.
Who Has the Time? The Relationship Between Household Labor Time and Sexual Frequency
Authors: Gager Constance T. , Yabiku Scott T.
Published: October 2009

Motivated by the trend of women spending more time in paid labor and the general speedup of everyday life, the authors explore whether the resulting time crunch affects sexual frequency among married couples. Although prior research has examined the associations between relationship quality and household labor time, few have examined a dimension of relationship quality that requires time: sexual frequency. This study tests three hypotheses based on time availability, gender ideology, and a new multiple-spheres perspective using the National Survey of Families and Households. The results contradict the hypothesis that time spent on household labor reduces the opportunity for sex. The authors find support for the multiple-spheres hypothesis suggesting that both women and men who “work hard” also “play hard.” Results show that wives and husbands who spend more hours in housework and paid work report more frequent sex.
STP Debate on the Desirability of an International Mechanism for Recognizing Qualified Toxicologic Pathologists
Authors: Bolon Brad , Ochoa Ricardo , Mann Peter
Published: October 2009

The June 2009 Town Hall meeting of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) and a subsequent survey considered whether or not STP should endorse a published proposal ( Toxicol Pathol 37: 553–561, 2009) by the International Federation of Societies of Toxicologic Pathologists (IFSTP) to provide global recognition by credential review for toxicologic pathologists engaged in regulatory-type, nonclinical toxicology studies. One-third (374 of 1082) of STP members answered the survey. The majority of respondents rejected the IFSTP proposal (55% against) but favored the concept of global recognition (57% for), if available to both anatomic pathologists and clinical pathologists (67% for). Members preferred recognition by credential review (49% for) or via an internationally authored “best practices” document detailing the ideal educational and work experiences required for entry-level proficiency in toxicologic pathology (43% for). Therefore, the STP Executive Committee does not endorse the current IFSTP proposal but will continue discussions on global recognition of qualified toxicologic pathologists with other societies of toxicologic pathology.
A Configurational Approach of the Relationship Between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Growth of Family Firms
Authors: Casillas Jose C. , Moreno Ana M. , Barbero Jose L.
Published: October 2009

The present research aims to improve scholars’ understanding of the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and the growth of family firms in two areas. The authors propose that the EO—growth relationship is contingent on different contextual variables—environmental dynamism and environmental hostility—and an internal variable—generational involvement. Also, they consider EO to be a composite construct integrated from and related to different independent dimensions. Using information from 317 Spanish family firms, results show that (a) EO positively influences growth only in second-generation family businesses, (b) the moderating influence of the generational involvement is related to the risk-taking dimension, and (c) dynamism and hostility of the environment, respectively, moderate the relationship between EO and growth in a positive sense.
Exploring new web-based tools to identify public interest in science
Authors: Baram-Tsabari Ayelet , Segev Elad
Published: October 2009

There is scant research-based evidence regarding what the public is interested in knowing about science, and more knowledge is needed to tailor relevant and engaging formal and free-choice science environments for different publics. This methodological paper describes the potential and limitations of three existing web-based tools — Google Trends, Google Zeitgeist, and Google Insights for Search — for PUS research. It shows how these tools can be used to (1) identify interests in science and pseudoscience, (2) conduct a cross-national comparison of popular science and pseudoscience-related searches and (3) discover possible motivations when searching for specific terms. Trends identified using analyses of online queries are discussed. These provide a bottom-up assessment of PUS, and may add another argument to the controversy regarding quantitative measures and the deficit model.
Understanding the impact of commercialization on public support for scientific research: Is it about the funding source or the organization conducting the research?
Authors: Critchley Christine R. , Nicol Dianne
Published: October 2009

This research examines the influence of commercialization on support for scientific research. It compares the effects of the funding source with the type of organization on public support for stem cell research. Using a national Australian telephone survey ( n = 1000), the results reveal that support drops significantly when scientific research is funded by private rather than public interests, and even more so when it is conducted in a private company rather than a public university. Respondents’ preference for university research was enhanced if they trusted universities, distrusted major companies and believed that the research would be beneficial. A preference for public funding was also associated with lower trust in companies and a belief that the research would benefit people. Implications of these results are discussed in relation to the challenge of maintaining public support in an increasingly commercialized research environment.
Engaging citizens
Authors: Kleinman Daniel Lee , Delborne Jason A. , Anderson Ashley A.
Published: October 2009

This paper contributes to ongoing discussions on democratic engagement through an exploration of citizen participation in two citizen consensus conferences on nanotechnology, one held in 2005 and the second in 2008. We analyze the factors that motivate citizens to participate formally in debates about emerging “high technologies” and consider demographic and related characteristics of the participants in these two consensus conferences and the reasons they provided for participating. We suggest that in an era in which the barriers to civic engagement—most especially time—are large for many citizens, significant incentives are likely to affect participation. These incentives may be internal (e.g. a personal interest in a topic or an investment in a policy outcome) or external (e.g. money). In this context, we critique the aim of recruiting “blank slate” participants for consensus conferences and other deliberative democratic forums.
Virtual deliberation? Prospects and challenges for integrating the Internet in consensus conferences
Authors: Delborne Jason A. , Anderson Ashley A. , Kleinman Daniel Lee , Colin Mathilde , Powell Maria
Published: October 2009

Consensus conferences have functioned well in small, relatively homogeneous countries such as Denmark. In the geographically sprawling and socially diverse United States, however, meaningful citizen deliberation and decision-making on science and technology depends upon the ability to bring more participants “into the room.” The National Citizens’ Technology Forum, held in March 2008, responded to this need by integrating panels of citizens from multiple US cities in structured face-to-face and online deliberation. We analyze the success of this experiment by focusing on the experience of participants during the online deliberation component. We conclude with recommendations for future organizers of online deliberation, focusing on the benefits of combining synchronous and asynchronous engagement and improving facilitation practice and software capabilities.
Perceived Satisfaction With Social Support and Depressive Symptoms in Perinatal Latinas
Authors: Sheng Xi , Le Huynh-Nhu , Perry Deborah
Published: October 2009

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between satisfaction with social support and postpartum depressive symptoms in Latinas. Design: A secondary data analysis of 62 women at “high risk” or “low risk” for postpartum depression (PPD) was conducted during pregnancy and at 1 month postpartum. Results: High-risk Latinas were less satisfied with perceived perinatal support from the baby’s father and postnatal support from family and “others.” Dissatisfaction with postpartum support from the baby’s father was associated with higher depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Dissatisfaction with certain sources of support is related to high risk for PPD . Practice: Health care providers should assess levels and sources of social support as part of their PPD screening.
Interviewing Sub-Saharan Migrants in Switzerland About HIV/AIDS: Critical Reflections on the Interview Process
Authors: Bischofberger Iren , Roost Vischer Lilo
Published: October 2009

Although research underpinnings for the interview process are often discussed in the scholarly community, reports of explicit experiences about this step are often insufficient or lacking in research publications on migrant health and in the context of HIV/ AIDS. The authors highlight the challenges they encountered in conducting qualitative interviews in a multilingual, transcultural setting with Sub-Saharan migrants on HIV prevention and care.The authors discuss challenges and solutions during the conduct of interviews. They particularly highlight strategies on interview conduct, participant focus, and interviewer’s behavior, which supported good quality in their research interviews. The main aim of the article is to critically reflect experiences and to suggest successful methods during interview phases with regard to the migrant setting and the sensitivity of the research topic.
Self-Perceived Stigma, Depressive Symptoms, and Suicidal Behaviors Among Female Sex Workers in China
Authors: Hong Yan , Fang Xiaoyi , Li Xiaoming , Liu Yang , Li Mingquiang , Tai-Seale Tom
Published: October 2009

Data regarding female sex workers’ (FSWs) self-perceived stigma and their mental health are limited, particularly in developing countries. This study, using a cross-sectional survey among 310 FSWs in China, addresses this issue. Data indicate that most of these FSWs had medium to high levels of self-perceived stigma, 30% had elevated depressive symptoms, 18% had suicidal ideation, and 9% had suicidal attempt in the past 6 months. After controlling for potential confounders, FSWs’ high-level self-perceived stigma was significantly associated with their poor mental health. The authors call for culturally appropriate approaches to reduce stigma and promote psychological well-being among this marginalized and vulnerable population.
A Battered Women’s Movement Perspective of Coercive Control
Authors: Arnold Gretchen
Published: October 2009

In Coercive Control, Evan Stark calls on battered women’s activists to reorient their understanding of abusive relationships. Rather than being primarily about physical violence, he maintains, domestic violence is better conceptualized as men’s attempts to destroy women’s autonomy and reinstate patriarchy in intimate relationships. His analysis suggests important changes to defending battered women in court, modifications to the kinds of support services the movement provides for battered women, and changes in the laws and law enforcement regarding battering. Stark also maintains that, to end coercive control, the battered women’s movement must renew its commitment not only to ensuring the safety of individual women but also to attaining the feminist goal of substantive freedom and equality for women in both public and private life. I contend that Stark’s reframing of woman abuse is useful for battered women’s advocates and may, in some cases but not in others, lead to more effective practices in battered women’s programs. At the same time, it is likely to complicate activists’ efforts to mobilize public opinion, resources, and public policy to address the problem of woman abuse.
Differentiated Effects of Paper and Computer-Assisted Social Stories™ on Inappropriate Behavior in Children With Autism
Authors: Mancil G. Richmond , Haydon Todd , Whitby Peggy
Published: October 2009

Despite evidence from previous studies that support using Social Stories™ for problem behaviors, research conducted with more rigorous controls is needed to examine whether or not Social Stories constitute an evidence-based practice.This study employed an ABABCBC single-subject design comparing a Social Story presented in two formats across three elementary-age students with autism. Interpretation of the results documents a decrease in the frequency of problem behavior for each participant. Outcomes were slightly better for the PowerPoint™ format than for the paper format. Results were maintained in the training setting and were generalized to another setting with a single verbal prompt. Teachers reported that the PowerPoint format was easily implemented, and students indicated that they liked the computer-assisted format.
Effect of airway clearance techniques in patients experiencing an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review
Authors: Hill Kylie , Patman Shane , Brooks Dina
Published: October 2009

Answers were sought to the following question: Are techniques, applied predominantly with the aim of clearing secretions from the airways, to patients during an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), safe and effective? A systematic review was undertaken of studies that (i) were either randomized controlled or randomized cross-over trials, (ii) recruited patients during an AECOPD, (iii) reported the results of between-group analyses and (iv) investigated the effect of techniques applied primarily with the aim of clearing secretions from the airways. Studies that examined non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and early rehabilitation were excluded. Data were extracted pertaining to resting lung function, gas exchange, sputum expectoration, symptoms, NIPPV use and hospital stay. Five studies were included with a mean Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) score of 4.4 ± 1.1 (range: 3—6). The main findings were that (i) airway clearance techniques did not improve measures of resting lung function or produce any consistent change in measures of gas exchange, (ii) the application of 5 min of continuous chest wall percussion reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1), (iii) in people with copious secretions, mechanical vibration, and non-oscillating positive expiratory pressure (PEP) mask therapy increased sputum expectoration and (iv) in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure, intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) and PEP mask therapy reduced the need for, and duration of, NIPPV, respectively. With the exception of continuous chest wall percussion, airway clearance techniques were safe in patients during an AECOPD. Vibration and non-oscillating PEP facilitated sputum expectoration in patients characterized by copious airway secretions. In patients with respiratory failure, techniques that apply a positive pressure to the airways may reduce either the need for, or duration of, NIPPV and hospital length of stay.
A Matter of Vocabulary II: Low-Income African American Children’s Performance on the Expressive Vocabulary Test
Authors: McCabe Allyssa , Champion Tempii B.
Published: October 2009

The Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT) has recently been found culturally fair for an economically mixed sample of African American children, and others have argued that it is fairer for such participants than the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test— III (PPVT-III). In this study, the authors sought to replicate these findings with an exclusively low-income group in the southeastern United States and to analyze errors. An African American graduate student administered the EVT and the PPVT-III to 53 African American children ages 5 years 4 months to 12 years 3 months (kindergarten through fourth grade) receiving free lunch. Contrary to prior research, children performed significantly below the norm on both the EVT and the PPVT-III. Neither test seemed easier. An item analysis of 785 errors revealed that approximately 75% were strong associates of target words and/or accurate descriptions of EVT pictures. African American children from low-income backgrounds appear to interpret EVT instructions differently from the official instructions, which led to compromised performance.
Relationships Between Early Child Factors and School Readiness Skills in Young Children With Hearing Loss
Authors: Harrington Marjorie , DesJardin Jean L. , Shea Lynn C.
Published: October 2009

The goal of this longitudinal study is to examine the relationships between early child factors (i.e., age at identification, enrollment in early intervention, oral language skills) and school readiness skills (i.e., conceptual knowledge) in a group of young children with hearing loss (HL). Standardized language, cognition, and conceptual knowledge measures were administered to eight preschool children with HL (age M = 4.0 years). Significant negative relationships were observed between age at identification and enrollment in early intervention and later school readiness skills. Positive associations emerged between children’s early oral language scores and later school readiness abilities. Individual analyses revealed that children who had lower language standard scores at Time 1 had low school readiness skills 1 year later (Time 2), especially in the area of mathematical concepts. Guidelines for early intervention professionals are provided to support school readiness skills in young children with HL.
Posterior Impingement in a Pediatric Population
Authors: Khan Rizwan Ahmad , Wahab Shagufta , Ullah Ekram
Published: October 2009

Fracture of the os trigonum is exceptionally rare, and it is even rarer in the pediatric age group. Symptomatically and radiographically, it may be confused with what is known as the os trigonum syndrome (constellation of symptoms produced by fracture of the lateral tubercle of the posterior talar process). The authors report a case of a fracture of the os trigonum, as well as its clinical features and management.
Thyroid Ultrasound in Dogs: a Review
Authors: Taeymans Olivier
Published: October 2009

This review describes the advantages and disadvantages of ultrasonography in the two most frequent thyroid pathologies of the dog: thyroid neoplasia and acquired primary hypothyroidism. Although ultrasonography and nuclear medicine are routine imaging modalities for the investigation of thyroid disease in dogs and cats, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are gaining increasing popularity. Both of these latter modalities are especially useful in staging thyroid neoplasia.
From Radio Frequency Data to Vascular Diagnosis
Authors: Saeed Nazia , Graf Iulia M
Published: October 2009

Non-invasive vascular ultrasound has been introduced in patient specific cardio/cerebro-vascular risk evaluation, treatment efficiency estimation, and drug-development strategies. The ultrasound measurement system is based on analysis of radio frequency echo data and is usually combined with evaluations of textural, contextual, morphological and clinical features in a multi-parameter approach. Processing of radio frequency data enables individual vascular risk evaluation depending on the clinical purpose. The non-invasive nature of radio frequency based techniques makes them suitable for screening large populations, and evaluation of drug efficiency in vascular risk reduction.
European Ultrasound Education: Harmonics and Harmonisation
Authors: Dodgeon Jan , Sykes Anne
Published: October 2009

This is an account of a two week introductory programme in abdominal ultrasound run at and by the University of Salford (UoS) in the UK, jointly planned and delivered by four European institutions, and funded as an ‘intensive programme’ by the EU Lifelong Learning Programme, in order to promote development of education and practice in diagnostic ultrasound throughout the EU member countries. The course syllabus was embedded within existing modules at UoS. Each partner institution was asked to supply a cohort of students and a teacher to assist with delivery of the programme: 30 students from the four institutions attended the course. The course did not in any way confer or imply any measure of clinical competency and this was clear to all participants. The success of the course proves the value of international healthcare education and brings us a step closer to harmonisation of ultrasound education and practice across Europe.
Ultrasound of a Cysticercal Cyst in the Brachialis Muscle
Authors: Bhalla Manav Inderparkash , Bhalla Namrata M , Mehta Paresh R
Published: October 2009

Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease, which is common in developing countries and in the immigrant populations of developed countries. It most commonly presents as neurocysticercosis, but rarely involves the muscles, where it may mimic a tumour. On ultrasound, the intramuscular form is seen as a well-defined, elliptical cystic lesion with an eccentric hyperechoic area within it. Surrounding inflammation may be seen within the muscle. Lesions with similar ultrasound characteristics observed within the muscle should raise a suspicion of cysticercosis in patients that may have been exposed to this parasite.
DNA damage induced by cis- and carboplatin as indicator for in vitro sensitivity of ovarian carcinoma cells
Authors: Unger Florian T , Klasen Hermann A , Tchartchian Garri , de Wilde Rudy L , Witte Irene
Published: October 2009

Background

The DNA damage by platinum cytostatics is thought to be the main cause of their cytotoxicity. Therefore the measurement of the DNA damage induced by cis- and carboplatin should reflect the sensitivity of cancer cells toward the platinum chemotherapeutics.

Methods

DNA damage induced by cis- and carboplatin in primary cells of ovarian carcinomas was determined by the alkaline comet assay. In parallel, the reduction of cell viability was measured by the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis assay.

Results

While in the comet assay the isolated cells showed a high degree of DNA damage after a 24 h treatment, cell viability revealed no cytotoxicity after that incubation time. The individual sensitivities to DNA damage of 12 tumour biopsies differed up to a factor of about 3. DNA damage after a one day treatment with cis- or carboplatin correlated well with the cytotoxic effects after a 7 day treatment (r = 0,942 for cisplatin r = 0.971 for carboplatin). In contrast to the platinum compounds the correlation of DNA damage and cytotoxicity induced by adriamycin was low (r = 0,692), or did not exist for gemcitabine.

Conclusion

The measurement of DNA damage induced by cis- and carboplatin is an accurate method to determine the in vitro chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer cells towards these cytostatics, because of its quickness, sensitivity, and low cell number needed.