bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract OP-01: Global Initiatives in Cancer Prevention Research
Authors: Nelson William G.
Published: January 2014

As estimated by the World Health Organization in its 2010 Global Status Report, for 2008, some 36 million of the 57 million deaths worldwide could be attributed to non-communicable chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The emergence of cancer as a global health threat has been particularly challenging for less developed nations- two thirds of cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where poor people with cancer tend to suffer more and die younger than in more developed countries. With the increasing age of the world population and its tendencies for tobacco use, decreasing physical activity, and poor dietary habits, the global epidemic of cancer will get substantially worse unless concerted and coordinated efforts by researchers, medical care providers, governments, and commercial entities can deliver rational and practical strategies for cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment that are truly effective, and with refinement can become cost-effective.

The AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Conferences have attempted to bring together the broad collection of cancer research disciplines capable of contributing to the reduction of cancer and cancer mortality at a population scale, attracting experts in epidemiology, behavioral science, health services/economics, genetics, molecular biology, carcinogenesis, animal tumor modeling, imaging, clinical trials, and clinical care. Catalyzed in part by the Conferences, what started as increased dialog among these fields has started to yield productive scientific teams, with diverse members, poised to deliver solutions. Some of the teams have spontaneously organized around themes, such as infections and cancer, chronic or recurrent inflammatory processes and cancer, the epigenome as the genome record of life experience, etc., that have created a language and a logic that can transcend the perspectives of specific disciplines. Already, the power of technology drivers, including the progressive ease of genome-scale analyses and nearly vanishing costs of information storage and sharing, in support these teams has been balanced by significant limits, particularly in the consistent and quantitative collection of phenotypic and exposure data throughout the world.

The promise and problems of cancer prevention will be considered using the example of prostate cancer, a growing global health problem encompassing all of the foundational disciplines of cancer prevention and control.

Citation Format: William G. Nelson. Keynote Lecture: Global Initiatives in Cancer Prevention Research. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr OP-01.
Abstract OP-02: Accelerating cancer prevention through individual behavior and public health approaches
Authors: Colditz Graham A.
Published: January 2014

We must overcome skepticism that cancer can be prevented, and harness current knowledge to translate and implement effective programs that will reduce the global cancer burden. More than half of cancer can be prevented through effective prevention strategies that are not routinely implemented. These include changes through health care providers, through regulations to reduce our cancer risk, and through community and individual behavior changes. Effective prevention programs require all components of a prevention strategy to work together to reinforce changes that reduce the burden of cancer. Yet we do not act to prevention more than half of all cancers in high income countries where smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity and poor diet are dominant causes of cancer. In low and middle income countries, infection causes 25% of all cancers.

We must align the time frame for research and outcomes to more directly relate to the time course of cancer development and the long time interval between successful interventions and reductions in cancer burden. Cancer incidence may be reduced 10 to 40 or more years after effective interventions. Accordingly, as prevention pays off over decades, we must communicate the time frame and align expectations for reducing the cancer burden with the underling knowledge of cancer etiology and prevention. Society must accept this time frame to commit resources to prevention.

Infrastructure for academic and public health units to effectively achieve prevention goals will be discussed. A great emphasis and reward for implementing effective prevention programs is urgently needed to arrest the global cancer epidemic.

Citation Format: Graham A. Colditz. Accelerating Cancer Prevention Through Individual Behavior and Public Health Approaches. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr OP-02.
Abstract PL02-01: Inflammation, stem cells and cancer
Authors: Wang Timothy C.
Published: January 2014

Many if not most gastrointestinal cancers arise in the setting of chronic inflammation, and examples include gastroesophageal reflux-induced esophageal adenocarcinoma, H. pylori-associated gastric cancer and colitis-associated colorectal cancer. We have utilized murine models of esophagitis (L2-IL-1β transgenic mice), gastritis (H/K-ATPase-IL-1β and Helicobacter felis infection) and colitis (AOM/DSS) to investigate the role of chronic inflammation in the development of malignancy. In models of chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, there is an early expansion of immature myeloid cells (IMC) followed later by increases in αSMA+ stromal fibroblasts (CAFs). The increase in IMC results from in part from an expansion of splenic progenitors/HSC, while the increased CAFs reflects an increase in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within the preneoplastic tissue. Together, the amplification of myeloid progenitors and MSC-derived stromal cells results in an evolving cancer niche that contributes to expansion of gut progenitors. In the colon, these inflammatory signals can results in crypt fission and monoclonal conversion of intestinal crypt units. Thus, an early amplification of epithelial stem or progenitor cells appears to be a requirement for the development of neoplasia. Eliminating the early cancer niche, which appears to be needed for the initiation of tumors, appears to represent a potential strategy for cancer prevention.

Citation Format: Timothy C. Wang. Inflammation, stem cells, and cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL02-01.
Abstract PL02-04: The obesity-inflammation connection: Implications for breast carcinogenesis
Authors: Dannenberg Andrew J.
Published: January 2014

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of several malignancies including hormone receptor–positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women and has been associated with an increased risk of recurrence and reduced survival. Chronic inflammation increases the risk of multiple tumor types. A link between obesity, breast inflammation and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer was previously unknown. Obesity causes subclinical inflammation in visceral and subcutaneous white adipose tissue, characterized by macrophages surrounding necrotic adipocytes forming crown-like structures (CLS). Estrogen synthesis is catalyzed by aromatase, which is encoded by CYP19. Recently, we found increased numbers of CLS, activation of the NF-κB transcription factor, increased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and elevated aromatase levels and activity in the mammary glands of obese mice. These preclinical findings raised the possibility that the obesity→inflammation→aromatase axis is important for breast carcinogenesis. Importantly, these findings have now been translated to women. Breast tissue was obtained from women who underwent surgery. CLS of the breast (CLS-B) were found in nearly 50% of patient samples. The severity of breast inflammation, defined as the CLS-B index, correlated with both body mass index and adipocyte size. Consistent with our preclinical findings, increased NF-κB binding activity, increased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and elevated aromatase expression and activity were found in the inflamed breast tissue of overweight and obese women. Collectively, our results suggest that the obesity→inflammation →aromatase axis is present in the breast tissue of most overweight and obese women and is likely to contribute to the increased risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The presence of CLS-B may be a biomarker of increased breast cancer risk or poor prognosis. The discovery of the connection between obesity, breast inflammation and changes in the expression of genes linked to breast cancer provides a mechanistic rationale for the development of behavioral, dietary and pharmacological strategies to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Recently conducted caloric restriction experiments provide proof-of-principle evidence that obesity-related mammary gland inflammation can be reversed.

Citation Format: Andrew J. Dannenberg. The obesity-inflammation connection: Implications for breast carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL02-04.
Abstract PL03-01: The nutrient-sensing mTOR pathway in cancer initiation and progression
Authors: Manning Brendan D.
Published: January 2014

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) has the ability to sense and integrate signals from a variety of sources, including intracellular nutrients and energy, growth factors, and cellular stresses. mTORC1 senses many of these signals through a small G protein switch involving the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) tumor suppressors, TSC1 and TSC2, and the Ras-related small G protein Rheb. Multi-site phosphorylation of the TSC2 protein downstream of distinct signaling pathways appears to account for much of mTORC1's signal-integrating capacity. Importantly, the two most commonly activated oncogenic signaling pathways in human cancers, the PI3K-Akt and Ras-Erk pathways, phosphorylate and inhibit TSC2 to activate mTORC1. Aberrant activation of mTORC1 through genetic and environmental effects on the upstream signaling network is a common molecular event in a large variety of pathological settings, including the majority of genetic tumor syndromes, sporadic cancers, and obesity. However, we are just beginning to understand the downstream consequences of mTORC1 activation in both normal and disease states. I will discuss our evidence suggesting that mTORC1 signaling might be a major molecular link between environmental influences, such as diet, and increased cancer risk. In addition, I will present our work on the role of mTORC1 as a key downstream effector of oncogenic signaling pathways that promotes anabolic cell growth and proliferation by altering the cellular metabolic program.

Citation Format: Brendan D. Manning. The nutrient-sensing mTOR pathway in cancer initiation and progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL03-01.
Abstract PL04-01: The promise of GWAS studies to assess cancer prevention
Authors: Chanock Stephen J.
Published: January 2014

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have transformed the discovery of common susceptibility alleles for a wide spectrum of cancers. GWAS have been a highly successful approach for discovering common susceptibility alleles. Already, over 220 regions have been conclusively established (i.e., achieving genome-wide significance) in two-dozen cancers1. GWAS have uncovered new clues to biological insights as a consequence of collaboration between epidemiologists, statisticians, and geneticists. Since GWAS can be effectively scaled to accelerate discovery, the major challenge ahead is to determine how to establish the critical connection between the genetic markers and carcinogenic processes that underlie complex phenotypes, such as cancer. The rapid pace of discovery using the GWAS approach has not been matched by research to interpret and understand the functional significance of different alleles that are correlated with cancer phenotypes. The gap between the number of new independent markers and a biological understanding of the loci continues to widen, at an accelerated pace. The success of GWAS as a tool for discovery has raised a new series of questions. It is now possible to begin to estimate the underlying genetic architecture of genetic susceptibility alleles for specific cancers and explore both their main effect and interaction with either other genetic variants or environmental exposures. There are a few examples of GWAS findings that have lead to new insights into processes that could be targets for either prevention or treatment. Based on sound scientific insights, new approaches will begin to emerge and contribute to novel strategies for prevention and therapy.

Citation Format: Stephen J. Chanock. The promise of GWAS studies to assess cancer prevention. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL04-01.
Abstract PL04-02: Insights on cancer risk from normal breast tissue gene expression
Authors: Troester Melissa A.
Published: January 2014

Breast cancers evolve through interactions with the surrounding non-malignant tissue, with the non-malignant tissue providing a selective pressure during carcinogenesis. By conducting observational studies of non-malignant tissue, it is possible to identify pathways and phenotypes that contribute to cancer etiology and progression. Our gene expression profiling studies have demonstrated that cancer adjacent normal breast tissue is highly variable, with at least two distinct molecular subtypes. These subtypes are associated with histologic differences and distinct risk factor profiles, notably mammographic density. Given that mammographic density is the strongest, yet most poorly understood breast cancer risk factor, molecular studies to better understand this phenotype are important. We have also conducted studies of risk factor-associated gene expression in reduction mammoplasty tissue. Supervised analysis of gene expression in normal tissue is identifying novel biological phenotypes associated with established risk factors. For example, we have shown that aging is associated with specific gene expression changes in normal breast. Interestingly, the age-related pathways in non-diseased tissue are also dysregulated in the breast cancers that are more common in young women, providing a biological link between the aging process and tumor aggressiveness. Likewise, obesity causes alterations to the stromal milieu in normal breast tissue, with implications for the progression of basal-like breast cancers. Our results demonstrate that to study the evolution and outcome of breast cancers, it is important to consider the normal tissue microenvironment from which these cancers evolve.

Citation Format: Melissa A. Troester. Insights on cancer risk from normal breast tissue gene expression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL04-02.
Reactivating Memories during Sleep by Odors: Odor Specificity and Associated Changes in Sleep Oscillations
Authors: Rihm Julia S. , Diekelmann Susanne , Born Jan , Rasch Björn
Published: January 2014

Memories are reactivated during sleep. Re-exposure to olfactory cues during sleep triggers this reactivation and improves later recall performance. Here, we tested if the effects of odor-induced memory reactivations are odor-specific, that is, requiring the same odor during learning and subsequent sleep. We also tested whether odor-induced memory reactivation affects oscillatory EEG activity during sleep, as a putative mechanism underlying memory processing during sleep. Participants learned a visuospatial memory task under the presence of an odor. During subsequent SWS, the same odor, a different odor, or an odorless vehicle was presented. We found that odor re-exposure during sleep significantly improves memory only when the same odor was presented again, whereas exposure to a new odor or the odorless vehicle had no effect. The memory-enhancing effect of the congruent odor was accompanied by significant increases in frontal delta (1.5–4.5 Hz) and parietal fast spindle (13.0–15.0 Hz) power as well as by an increased negative-to-positive slope of the frontal slow oscillation. Our results indicate that odor-induced memory reactivations are odor specific and trigger changes in slow-wave and spindle power possibly reflecting a bottom–up influence of hippocampal memory replay on cortical slow oscillations as well as thalamo-cortical sleep spindles.
Individual Differences in Crossmodal Brain Activity Predict Arcuate Fasciculus Connectivity in Developing Readers
Authors: Gullick Margaret M. , Booth James R.
Published: January 2014

Crossmodal integration of auditory and visual information, such as phonemes and graphemes, is a critical skill for fluent reading. Previous work has demonstrated that white matter connectivity along the arcuate fasciculus (AF) is predicted by reading skill and that crossmodal processing particularly activates the posterior STS (pSTS). However, the relationship between this crossmodal activation and white matter integrity has not been previously reported. We investigated the interrelationship of crossmodal integration, both in terms of behavioral performance and pSTS activity, with AF tract coherence using a rhyme judgment task in a group of 47 children with a range of reading abilities. We demonstrate that both response accuracy and pSTS activity for crossmodal (auditory–visual) rhyme judgments was predictive of fractional anisotropy along the left AF. Unimodal (auditory-only or visual-only) pSTS activity was not significantly related to AF connectivity. Furthermore, activity in other reading-related ROIs did not show the same AV-only AF coherence relationship, and AV pSTS activity was not related to connectivity along other language-related tracts. This study is the first to directly show that crossmodal brain activity is specifically related to connectivity in the AF, supporting its role in phoneme–grapheme integration ability. More generally, this study helps to define an interdependent neural network for reading-related integration.
Syntactic Complexity and Competition: The Singular-Plural Distinction in Western Armenian
Authors: Bale Alan , Khanjian Hrayr
Published: January 2014

There is much debate in the linguistic literature about what mechanisms are responsible for accessing, implementing, and restricting grammatical competition. Building on this line of research, this article explores competition between plural and singular marking in Western Armenian, a language where grammatical competition results in a restricted interpretation of singular nouns. Of interest to competition theories in general, this restriction only occurs in certain grammatical environments: namely, definite NPs. As argued here, an adequate treatment of these facts requires comparing utterances in terms of their syntactic complexity (as Katzir (2007) proposes).
Moving Climate Information off the Shelf: Boundary Chains and the Role of RISAs as Adaptive Organizations
Authors: Lemos Maria Carmen , Kirchhoff Christine J. , Kalafatis Scott E. , Scavia Donald , Rood Richard B.
Published: January 2014

While research focusing on how boundary organizations influence the use of climate information has expanded substantially in the past few decades, there has been relatively less attention to how these organizations innovate and adapt to different environments and users. This paper investigates how one boundary organization, the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center (GLISA), has adapted by creating “boundary chains” to diversify its client base while minimizing transaction costs, increasing scientific knowledge usability, and better meeting client climate information needs. In this approach, boundary organizations connect like links in a chain and together these links span the range between the production of knowledge and its use. Three main chain configurations are identified. In the key chain approach, GLISA has partnered with other organizations in a number of separate projects simultaneously, diversifying its client base without sacrificing customization. In the linked chain approach, GLISA is one of several linked boundary organizations that successively deepen the level of customization to meet particular users’ needs. Finally, by partnering with multiple organizations and stakeholder groups in both configurations, GLISA may be laying the groundwork for enhancing their partners’ own capacity to make climate-related decisions through a networked chain approach that facilitates cooperation among organizations and groups. Each of these approaches represents an adaptive strategy that both enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of participating boundary organizations’ work and improves the provision of climate information that meets users’ needs.
Designed to move? Physical activity lobbying and the politics of productivity
Authors: Piggin Joe
Published: January 2014

Objectives:

Physical inactivity is a major public health concern. At a population level, it is increasingly perceived to be a social problem which is global and multidimensional, and which requires attention by a diverse range of state, private and civil society organisations. Given the increasing attention to physical in/activity by a range of interest groups, this paper explores the political dynamics that are present within physical activity promotion discourse. Specifically, the paper examines the political dynamics associated with a recent physical activity lobby document entitled Designed To Move (DTM). DTM was written and produced by a variety of corporate, government, and health promotion organisations.

Method and analysis:

This paper uses a critical policy framework to analyse the justifications for, and suggested techniques of, physical activity promotion. It examines the explicit and more subtle reasons used to justify physical activity recommendations, how causes of physical inactivity are conveyed, and who is identified as able to fix the problem.

Conclusions:

While DTM appears to be a positive and inspirational call to action, several aspects of the document are problematic. Significantly, older adults receive scant attention in the document, and are therefore removed from being potentially important agents in the proposed solution. DTM also frames the workplace milieu in a way that promotes ‘productivity’ and business ‘fortune’ above concern for and consideration of employees’ material conditions of existence. The paper concludes by encouraging health researchers, physical activity students and health promoters to look behind and beyond assumptions about the causes of, and solutions to, physical inactivity.
TMJ Degeneration in SAMP8 Mice is Accompanied by Deranged Ihh Signaling
Authors: Ishizuka Y. , Shibukawa Y. , Nagayama M. , Decker R. , Kinumatsu T. , Saito A. , Pacifici M. , Koyama E.
Published: January 2014

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) functions as a load-bearing diarthrodial joint during mastication, and its continuous use and stress can lead to degeneration over age. Using senescence-accelerated (SAMP8) mice that develop early osteoarthritis-like changes in synovial joints at high frequency, we analyzed possible molecular mechanisms of TMJ degeneration and tested whether and how malocclusion may accelerate it. Condylar articular cartilage in young SAMP8 mice displayed early-onset osteoarthritic changes that included reductions in superficial/chondroprogenitor cell number, proteoglycan/collagen content, and Indian hedgehog ( Ihh)-expressing chondrocytes. Following malocclusion induced by tooth milling, the SAMP8 condyles became morphologically defective, displayed even lower proteoglycan levels, and underwent abnormal chondrocyte maturation compared with malocclusion-treated condyles in wild-type mice. Malocclusion also induced faster progression of pathologic changes with increasing age in SAMP8 condyles as indicated by decreased PCNA-positive proliferating chondroprogenitors and increased TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells. These changes were accompanied by steeper reductions in Ihh signaling and by expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 at the chondro-osseous junction in SAMP8 articular cartilage. In sum, we show for the first time that precocious TMJ degeneration in SAMP8 mice is accompanied by—and possibly attributable to—altered Ihh signaling and that occlusal dysfunction accelerates progression toward degenerative TMJ disease in this model.
Visual Images as Tools of Teacher Inquiry
Authors: Bailey Nancy M. , Van Harken Elizabeth M.
Published: January 2014

As aspiring professionals, pre-service teachers must become good consumers of educational research as well as competent researchers who can use tools of inquiry to improve their practice and conduct their own educational research. Many, however, resist learning research skills or find difficulties in doing so. This article presents ways in which learning in a graduate research class was prompted by methods of multimodal analysis and composition. The graduate-level teacher candidates in the class were taught, in particular, to use visual images as analytical and generative tools, and in doing so, they came to learn about the research process and their role as researchers. Moreover, working with visual images allowed the pre-service teachers increasing clarity in observations and interpretations of what they were seeing in classrooms where they were observing. By using visual images, teacher candidates seemed to arrive at theoretical insights that were possibly predictive of future, productive classroom practices.
The Affordances of Blogging As a Practice to Support Ninth-Grade Science Teachers’ Identity Development as Leaders
Authors: Hanuscin Deborah L. , Cheng Ya-Wen , Rebello Carina , Sinha Somnath , Muslu Nilay
Published: January 2014

Increasingly, teacher leadership is being recognized as an essential ingredient in education reforms; however, few teachers consider themselves leaders. Becoming a leader is not just acquiring knowledge and skills for leadership, but developing a new professional identity. As teachers become leaders, however, this identity might put them at risk with dominant school culture where norms of egalitarianism, isolation, and seniority persist. Luehmann emphasizes the value in offering safe spaces in which teachers can take risks as they “try on” new identities. We utilized an online environment to support ninth-grade science teachers in the development of common perspectives, commitments, and visions for teacher leadership as they implemented a new freshman physics curriculum. Our findings illustrate the potential benefits of blogging in terms of providing identity resources and opportunities for identity work. Specifically, by participating in pedagogical transactions, social interactions, and intellectual deliberations via blogs, teachers were supported in their efforts to be leaders in their classrooms, schools, and districts.
Prevalence of Malnutrition and Current Use of Nutrition Support in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Hébuterne Xavier , Lemarié Etienne , Michallet Mauricette , de Montreuil Claude Beauvillain , Schneider Stéphane Michel , Goldwasser François
Published: January 2014

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate on 1 day the prevalence of malnutrition in different types of cancer and the use of nutrition support in patients with cancer. Methods: A 1‐day prevalence survey was carried out in 154 French hospital wards. Malnutrition was defined as a body mass index (BMI) <18.5 in patients <75 years old or <21 in patients ≥75 years old and/or body weight loss >10% since disease onset. Oral food intake was measured using a visual analog scale. Results: Nutrition status was collected for 1903 patients (1109 men and 794 women, 59.3 ± 13.2 years). Cancer was local in 25%, regional in 31%, and metastatic in 44% of patients. Performance status was 0 or 1 in 49.8%, 2 in 23.7%, 3 or 4 in 19.6% and not available in 6.5% of patients. Overall, 39% of patients were malnourished. The prevalence of malnutrition by disease site was as follows: head and neck, 48.9%; leukemia/lymphoma, 34.0%; lung, 45.3%; colon/rectum, 39.3%; esophagus and/or stomach, 60.2%; pancreas, 66.7%; breast, 20.5%; ovaries/uterus, 44.8%; and prostate, 13.9%. Regional cancer (odds ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–2.70), metastatic cancer (2.97; 2.14–4.12), previous chemotherapy (1.41; 1.05–1.89), and previous radiotherapy (1.53; 1.21–1.92) were associated with malnutrition. Only 28.4% of non‐malnourished patients and 57.6% of malnourished patients received nutrition support. In all, 55% of patients stated that they were eating less than before the cancer, while 41.4% of patients stated that they had received nutrition counseling. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in patients with cancer, and systematic screening for and treatment of malnutrition is necessary.
The Influence of Parental Beliefs on the Development of Chinese Adolescents Experiencing Economic Disadvantage
Authors: Leung Janet T. Y. , Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: January 2014

Based on the data collected from 275 Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong, the influence of parental beliefs (Chinese cultural beliefs about adversity, attribution of children’s success and failure to effort, and expectations of children’s future) and parental control on adolescent development was examined. It was found that paternal expectations of children’s future predicted adolescents’ perceived maternal control and positive youth development. Furthermore, perceived maternal control mediated the effect of parental beliefs on adolescent positive development. This is the first scientific research that clarified the pathway through which parental beliefs influenced adolescent positive development via maternal control in Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage. The research findings underscore the importance of understanding the triadic interactions among fathers, mothers, and adolescents in families experiencing economic disadvantage.
Intensive Mothering Beliefs Among Full-Time Employed Mothers of Infants
Authors: Walls Jill K. , Helms Heather M. , Grzywacz Joseph G.
Published: January 2014

This study examined the degree to which 205 full-time employed mothers of infants endorsed intensive mothering beliefs (IMB), the stability of IMB, and contextual correlates of IMB. Results suggested that full-time employed mothers in this study did not endorse IMB, on average, but that endorsement varied for specific domains of IMB for the total sample and by mothers’ education. Global IMB scores did not change from 4 to 16 months postpartum, with the exception of single mothers whose scores declined over time. Endorsement of IMB was associated with multiple socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and endorsement of IMB also varied based on unique intersections of race, education, and marital status.
Does Height Matter? An Examination of Height Preferences in Romantic Coupling
Authors: Yancey George , Emerson Michael O.
Published: January 2014

Amidst increasingly equality in belief and in practice between the sexes, we ask if height preferences still matter, and if so, why people say they matter. First, we collected data from Yahoo! dating personal advertisements. Second, we used answers to open-ended questions in an online survey. The Yahoo! data document that height is still important in decisions to date but that it is more important to females than to males. Results from the online survey indicate that women wanted tall men for a variety of reasons, but most of the explanations of our respondents were connected to societal expectations or gender stereotypes. Gender-based legitimation of height preferences seem to be more central than evolutionary-based legitimation, but future work may discover a more nuanced interpretation.
A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of handheld computers for improving everyday memory functioning in patients with memory impairments after acquired brain injury
Authors: Lannin Natasha , Carr Belinda , Allaous Jeanine , Mackenzie Bronwyn , Falcon Alex , Tate Robyn
Published: January 2014

Objective:

To determine the effectiveness of personal digital assistant devices on achievement of memory and organization goals in patients with poor memory after acquired brain injury.

Design:

Assessor blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Specialist brain injury rehabilitation hospital (inpatients and outpatients).

Participants:

Adults with acquired brain impairments (85% traumatic brain injury; aged ≥17 years) who were assessed as having functional memory impairment on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (General Memory Index).

Interventions:

Training and support to use a personal digital assistant for eight weeks to compensate for memory failures by an occupational therapist. The control intervention was standard rehabilitation, including use of non-electronic memory aids.

Main outcome measures:

Goal Attainment Scale which assessed achievement of participants’ daily memory functioning goals and caregiver perception of memory functioning; and General Frequency of Forgetting subscale of the Memory Functioning Questionnaire administered at baseline (pre-randomization) and post intervention (eight weeks later).

Results:

Forty-two participants with memory impairment were recruited. Use of a personal digital assistant led to greater achievement of functional memory goals (mean difference 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 2.2), P = 0.0001) and improvement on the General Frequency of Forgetting subscale (mean difference 12.5 (95% CI 2.0 to 22.9), P = 0.021).

Conclusions:

Occupational therapy training in the use of a handheld computer improved patients’ daily memory function more than standard rehabilitation.
Immediate effects of two attention strategies on trunk control on patients after stroke. A randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Mückel Simone , Mehrholz Jan
Published: January 2014

Objective:

To compare the immediate effects of an external focus to enhance lateral body weight shift after stroke.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Subjects:

Twenty patients after stroke (11 males; mean (SD) age 72.2 (7.4) years; duration of illness 56 (14) days; there were 9 (45%) left-sided strokes) with impaired sitting balance were randomly allocated into two groups either external focus ( n = 10) or internal focus ( n = 10).

Intervention:

Patients in the external focus group, while sitting, were instructed to shift as much weight as they could sidewards to an external point next to their hip. Patients in the internal focus group were instructed to shift as much weight as they could sidewards to their hip.

Main outcome measures:

Immediate lateral body weight shift as well as anterior–posterior deviation was measured in centimetres with a sensor mat.

Results:

Patients in the external focus group achieved greater lateral body weight shift than those in the internal focus group (mean shift (SD) 8.7 (2.6) cm vs. 4.5 (3.3) cm, respectively; P = 0.006). However, there were no significant differences in anterior–posterior deviation (mean shift (SD) 2.3 (1.3) cm vs. 1.2 (1.2) cm, respectively; P = 0.08).

Conclusion:

Using an external focus may lead immediately to an enhanced lateral body weight shift while sitting, without increasing anterior–posterior deviation.
Does botulinum toxin injection site determine outcome in post-stroke plantarflexion spasticity? Comparison study of two injection sites in the gastrocnemius muscle: a randomized double-blind controlled trial
Authors: Im Sun , Park Joo Hyun , Son Seong Kon , Shin Jae-Eun , Cho Sae Hoon , Park Geun-Young
Published: January 2014

Objective:

To determine if botulinum toxin type A injection at the proximal 2/10 and 3/10 of calf length, where the intramuscular nerve endings of the gastrocnemius muscle are densely distributed, is more efficacious in controlling plantarflexion spasticity than injection at distant sites within the same muscle.

Design:

A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Settting:

Two rehabilitation centres.

Subjects:

Forty stroke patients were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A received injection at the proximal 2/10 and 3/10 of calf length, group B at and below the midbelly of the muscle. Both groups received 200 IU of botulinum toxin A and were followed up to eight weeks.

Main measures:

Primary variables were the surface electromyography values recorded during plantarflexion; secondary variables were the Modified Ashworth Scale, Modified Tardieu Scale, clonus scale, 10-metre walking test, ABILOCO and Functional Ambulation Categories.

Results:

At baseline, the median Modified Ashworth Scale was 2.0 (range,1+ −3.0), and there were no significant differences between the two groups in all the parameters, including spasticity. Compared to baseline, no significant differences between the two groups were detected in all the surface electromyography and clinical parameters at week 8 (P > 0.05). Both groups showed significant improvement of spasticity with a median Modified Ashworth Scale of 1+ (range, 0.0–2.0) at eight weeks.

Conclusions:

Botulinum toxin A injection was associated with a significant improvement from baseline to week 8 in both treatment groups, however, no significant difference between the 2 groups was observed, based on the electrophysiological and clinical parameters employed in this study.
Poverty and Intersectionality
Authors: Saatcioglu Bige , Corus Canan
Published: January 2014

Subsistence consumers are disadvantaged and marginalized on many levels, including financial deprivation, poor health, lack of access to resources, and social stigmatization. The disadvantages experienced by subsistence consumers are interconnected and co-constitutive; being disadvantaged in one domain often intersects with other disadvantages, contributing to an overall vulnerability within the market system. Drawing from the intersectionality paradigm, the authors examine an overlooked low-income community that shares elements of subsistence contexts. The findings reveal multiple ways in which a trailer park community residents experience and manage intertwined disadvantages. Several overlapping identity categories (i.e., socio-economic status, health status, and type of housing) vis-à-vis structural and relational dynamics are fleshed out. Implications for research on subsistence marketplaces and the usefulness of the intersectionality approach for macromarketing research are discussed.
Anatomic Variance of the Iliopsoas Tendon
Authors: Philippon Marc J. , Devitt Brian M. , Campbell Kevin J. , Michalski Max P. , Espinoza Chris , Wijdicks Coen A. , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: January 2014

Background:

The iliopsoas tendon has been implicated as a generator of hip pain and a cause of labral injury due to impingement. Arthroscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon has become a preferred treatment for internal snapping hips. Traditionally, the iliopsoas tendon has been considered the conjoint tendon of the psoas major and iliacus muscles, although anatomic variance has been reported.

Hypothesis:

The iliopsoas tendon consists of 2 discrete tendons in the majority of cases, arising from both the psoas major and iliacus muscles.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Fifty-three nonmatched, fresh-frozen, cadaveric hemipelvis specimens (average age, 62 years; range, 47-70 years; 29 male and 24 female) were used in this study. The iliopsoas muscle was exposed via a Smith-Petersen approach. A transverse incision across the entire iliopsoas musculotendinous unit was made at the level of the hip joint. Each distinctly identifiable tendon was recorded, and the distance from the lesser trochanter was recorded.

Results:

The prevalence of a single-, double-, and triple-banded iliopsoas tendon was 28.3%, 64.2%, and 7.5%, respectively. The psoas major tendon was consistently the most medial tendinous structure, and the primary iliacus tendon was found immediately lateral to the psoas major tendon within the belly of the iliacus muscle. When present, an accessory iliacus tendon was located adjacent to the primary iliacus tendon, lateral to the primary iliacus tendon.

Conclusion:

Once considered a rare anatomic variant, the finding of ≥2 distinct tendinous components to the iliacus and psoas major muscle groups is an important discovery. It is essential to be cognizant of the possibility that more than 1 tendon may exist to ensure complete release during endoscopy.

Clinical Significance:

Arthroscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon is a well-accepted surgical treatment for iliopsoas impingement. The most widely used site for tendon release is at the level of the anterior hip joint. The findings of this novel cadaveric anatomy study suggest that surgeons should be mindful that more than 1 tendon may be present and require release for curative treatment.
Early Surgical Treatment in a Case of Myoclonus Dystonia Syndrome
Authors: Kühn Andrea A. , Krause Patricia , Lauritsch Katharina , Zentner Christian , Brücke Christof , Schneider Gerd-Helge
Published: January 2014

Myoclonus dystonia syndrome is often misdiagnosed in young children and appropriate treatment is delayed, which has a negative impact on motor development, participation, and emotional well-being. In severely affected patients, deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus has been used successfully to treat both dystonia and myoclonus. Here, the authors present a case of early successful treatment of myoclonus dystonia syndrome by pallidal deep brain stimulation in a patient at the age of 17 years leading to 83% reduction in dystonia score and 89% reduction in myoclonus. The patient gained significant improvement in motor function as well as increased participation and reduced stigma.
Psychological and Adjustment Problems Due to Acquired Brain Lesions in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Pastore Valentina , Galbiati Susanna , Villa Federica , Colombo Katia , Recla Monica , Adduci Annarita , Avantaggiato Paolo , Bardoni Alessandra , Strazzer Sandra
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to describe psychological, behavioral, and adjustment problems in children and adolescents with acquired brain lesions of different origins. Three groups of patients with acquired brain lesions (15 patients with infectious origin, 37 with vascular origin, and 15 with other origin), ranging in age from 4 to 18 years, received a psychological evaluation, including the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 4 to 18 and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. About half of the total sample (47.8%) showed psychological problems. Difficulties varied according to the cause of the brain lesions. The most problematic patients were children with brain lesions of infectious origin, whereas children with brain lesions of vascular origin scored lower on most of the Child Behavior Checklist scales. The authors conclude that psychological and behavioral difficulties are very common among school-aged children with acquired brain lesions, and their relevance and impact must necessarily be considered.
Giant Cerebral Cysticercosis in an Infant Confused With a Thalamic Glioma
Authors: Mittal Aliza , Sehgal Rachna , Sureka Binit , Kumar Atin , Aggarwal Kailash Chandra
Published: January 2014

Neurocysticercosis is a common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. Intraparenchymal giant cysticercosis has been described in literature, but this is a rare report of a thalamic giant cysticercosis in a young child where the diagnosis could be made on follow-up. A 1½-year-old male child presented with seizures, hemiparesis, and features of raised intracranial pressure. Initial neuroimaging findings of thalamic swelling with minimal edema and contrast enhancement with choline peak on magnetic resonance spectroscopy were attributed to thalamic glioma. Subsequent imaging revealed a ring enhancing lesion with an eccentric nodule suggestive of neurocysticercosis. It later resolved with residual gliosis. The presence of a pathognomic scolex and the resolution of size and symptoms without definitive treatment helped in making the diagnosis. This report reinforces the importance of considering cysticercosis in diagnosis of acute presentations of large cerebral masses in infants, particularly in prevalent regions, and emphasizes the follow-up of these patients.
A New Tool for Identifying Children With Motor Problems
Authors: Zuk Luba , Tlumek Hila , Katz-Leurer Michal , Peretz Chava , Carmeli Eli
Published: January 2014

This study examined reliability and validity of the Zuk Assessment for diagnosis of motor problems and determined standardized scores in an Israeli population aged 5 to 6 years. For standardization, 156 children recruited from 13 Kindergartens of typically developing children were evaluated with the Zuk Assessment. Intrarater and interrater reliability were examined on 2 samples of 15 and 13 children, respectively. A total of 151 children referred for motor problems were examined with the Zuk and Movement Assessment Battery for Children assessment tools for validation of the Zuk Assessment. Findings showed that the Zuk total score had a normal distribution similar to that found in the literature identifying 5.1% (–2 standard deviations) and 12% (between –1 and –2 standard deviations) of children with motor-related problems. Reliability was indicated by high intraclass correlation scores both in intrarater (intraclass correlation = .89) and interrater (intraclass correlation = .95) paradigms. The Zuk assessment identified differences in subgroups, namely, typical, suspicious, and impaired, as found in the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, confirming the Zuk validity.
Global Developmental Delay, Progressive Relapsing-Remitting Parkinsonism, and Spinal Syrinx in a Child With SOX6 Mutation
Authors: Scott Ori , Pugh Jeffrey , Kiddoo Darcie , Sonnenberg Lyn K. , Bamforth Steven , Goez Helly R.
Published: January 2014

SOX6, a member of the SOX gene family, plays a key role in the development of several mammalian tissues and organs, including the central nervous system. Specifically, this gene modulates the differentiation and proliferation of interneurons in the medial ganglionic eminence, as well as oligodendrocytes in the spinal cord. We describe the case of a 4-year-old girl with global developmental delay and a spinal cord syrinx who presented with recurrent episodes of parkinsonian symptoms subsequent to febrile illnesses. The symptoms included gait instability, tremor, and dysarthria, with a progressive relapsing-remitting course over the span of 2 years. The patient was later found to have a large deletion-type mutation in the SOX6 gene. This case is the first report in humans implying a role for SOX6 in basal ganglia function, as well as spinal cord development.