bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Youth Violence: Psychosocial Risk Factors, Treatment, Prevention, and Recommendations
Authors: Kashani Javad H. , Jones Michael R. , Bumby Kurt M. , Thomas Lisa A.
Published: May 2008

This article provides mental health professionals with a contemporary review of the youth violence literature by discussing relevant psychosocial risk factors, treatment approaches, prevention programs, and recommendations. PsycINFO, Medline, and manual searches of the literature were conducted to locate the most relevant articles. Preference was given to studies that used rigorous scientific methodology (e.g., adequate sample size, random assignment, control groups) to investigate the topic. It was concluded that violent behavior in youth is linked with multiple psychosocial factors.The most effective treatment and prevention programs appear to be those that simultaneously address the multiple factors related to youth violence. Finally, the authors make recommendations for mental health professionals, law enforcement and juvenile justice personnel, parents, and others who come in contact with violent youth.
The Achieving, Behaving, Caring Project for Preventing ED: Two-Year Outcomes
Authors: Mcconaughy Stephanie H. , Kay Pamela J. , Fitzgerald Martha
Published: May 2008

Two-year outcomes are reported for a school-based early intervention program for 82 children identified as at risk for emotional disturbance (ED) by their kindergarten teachers. Matched pairs of children were randomly assigned to Parent-Teacher Action Research (PTAR) teams or to a control group for their first- and second-grade years. Teachers also provided social skills instruction to all participants, along with their classmates. At the end of the 2-year period, the PTAR group showed significantly greater reductions than the control group in teacher-reported internalizing problems and delinquent behavior; parent-reported total problems, externalizing, and delinquent behavior; and observed internalizing problems in the classroom. PTAR group parents also reported significantly greater increases in their children's cooperation, self-control, and total competence, as well as in their own feelings of empowerment in obtaining school-based services for their children. The findings demonstrate long-term incremental benefits of PTAR teams combined with whole-class social skills instruction for children at risk for ED.
Behavioral and Emotional Problems Among Jamaican and African American Children, Ages 6 to 11: Teacher Reports Versus Direct Observations
Authors: Puig Marieva , Canute Lambert Michael , Rowan George T. , Winfrey Tyrone , Lyubansky Mikhail , Hannah Stanley D. , Hill Martin F.
Published: May 2008

Several studies have demonstrated the importance of comparing different informants' (i.e., teachers, parents, observers) reports of children's behavior. A study comparing Jamaican and U.S. teacher reports on children ages 6 to II revealed that Jamaican teachers reported higher problem scores in their pupils than U.S. teachers. Do Jamaican children really have more problems than U.S. children, or do teachers in these two countries have different tolerance levels for certain problems? This study addressed this question by comparing observers' and teachers' reports on Jamaican and African American children. We obtained teachers' reports and conducted structured direct observations on the same group of children. Considerable disparity emerged between observers' and teachers' ratings of Jamaican versus African American pupils.The findings suggest that ethnic similarities between Jamaican pupils and their teachers and the lack of similarities between African American pupils and their teachers may affect the teachers' threshold for perceiving the problems that their pupils present.
The Career Transition Inventory
Authors: Fernandez Anne , Fouquereau Evelyne , Heppner Mary J.
Published: May 2008

The Career Transition Inventory (CTI) is a well-known measure for assessing perceptions of psychological resources when adults undergo a career change. The purpose of this study was to conduct a psychometric evaluation of a French version of the CTI (CTI-F). A total of 1,042 French volunteer participants completed the CTI-F. The procedure used combined confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses. The definitive CTI-F included 19 items loading three factors labeled Confidence, Readiness, and Decision Independence. The scale showed an acceptable internal consistency, good test—retest reliability, a well-established convergent validity, and a lack of sensitivity to social desirability. The present study demonstrates the sound psychometric properties of the French version of the CTI, supporting its use by both vocational counselors and researchers. Furthermore, with this type of validated tool it will be henceforth possible to examine cross-cultural differences and similarities between countries with different social and workplace systems (e.g., collectivist vs. individualist).
Dasatinib crosses the blood-brain barrier and is an efficient therapy for central nervous system Philadelphia chromosome–positive leukemia
Authors: Porkka Kimmo , Koskenvesa Perttu , Lundán Tuija , Rimpiläinen Johanna , Mustjoki Satu , Smykla Richard , Wild Robert , Luo Roger , Arnan Montserrat , Brethon Benoit , Eccersley Lydia , Hjorth-Hansen Henrik , Höglund Martin , Klamova Hana , Knutsen Håvar , Parikh Suhag , Raffoux Emmanuel , Gruber Franz , Brito-Babapulle Finella , Dombret Hervé , Duarte Rafael F. , Elonen Erkki , Paquette Ron , Zwaan C. Michel , Lee Francis Y. F.
Published: May 2008

Although imatinib, a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used to treat acute Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) leukemia, it does not prevent central nervous system (CNS) relapses resulting from poor drug penetration through the blood-brain barrier. Imatinib and dasa-tinib (a dual-specific SRC/BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor) were compared in a preclinical mouse model of intracranial Ph+ leukemia. Clinical dasatinib treatment in patients with CNS Ph+ leukemia was assessed. In preclinical studies, dasatinib increased survival, whereas imatinib failed to inhibit intracranial tumor growth. Stabilization and regression of CNS disease were achieved with continued dasa-tinib administration. The drug also demonstrated substantial activity in 11 adult and pediatric patients with CNS Ph+ leukemia. Eleven evaluable patients had clinically significant, long-lasting responses, which were complete in 7 patients. In 3 additional patients, isolated CNS relapse occurred during dasatinib therapy; and in 2 of them, it was caused by expansion of a BCR-ABL–mutated dasatinib-resistant clone, implying selection pressure exerted by the compound in the CNS. Dasatinib has promising therapeutic potential in managing intracranial leukemic disease and substantial clinical activity in patients who experience CNS relapse while on imatinib therapy. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as CA180006 (#NCT00108719) and CA180015 (#NCT00110097).
Expression analysis of carbohydrate antigens in ductal carcinoma in situof the breast by lectin histochemistry
Authors: Korourian Soheila , Siegel Eric , Kieber-Emmons Thomas , Monzavi-Karbassi Behjatolah
Published: May 2008

Background

The number of breast cancer patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) continues to grow. Laboratory and clinical data indicate that DCIS can progress to invasive disease. Carbohydrate-mediated cell-cell adhesion and tumor-stroma interaction play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and tumor aggressive behavior. Breast carcinogenesis may reflect quantitative as well as qualitative changes in oligosaccharide expression, which may provide a useful tool for early detection of breast cancer. Because tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACA) are implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis, the purpose of this study was to assess the expression of selected TACA by lectin histochemistry on DCIS specimens from the archival breast cancer tissue array bank of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Methods

For detection of TACA expression, specimens were stained with Griffonia simplicifolia lectin-I (GS-I) and Vicia vilosa agglutinin (VVA). We studied associations of lectin reactivity with established prognostic factors, such as tumor size, tumor nuclear grade, and expression of Her-2/neu, p53 mutant and estrogen and progesterone receptors.

Results

We observed that both lectins showed significant associations with nuclear grade of DCIS. DCIS specimens with nuclear grades II and III showed significantly more intense reactivity than DCIS cases with nuclear grade I to GS-1 (Mean-score chi-square = 17.60, DF = 2; P = 0.0002) and VVA (Mean-score chi-square = 15.72, DF = 2; P = 0.0004).

Conclusion

The results suggest that the expression of VVA- and GS-I-reactive carbohydrate antigens may contribute to forming higher grade DCIS and increase the recurrence risk.
Geographical spread of gastrointestinal tract cancer incidence in the Caspian Sea region of Iran: Spatial analysis of cancer registry data
Authors: Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Mahmoodi Mahmood , Wolfe Rory , Nourijelyani Keramat , Mohammad Kazem , Zeraati Hojjat , Fotouhi Akbar
Published: May 2008

Background

High incidence rates of gastrointestinal tract cancers have been reported in the Caspian region of Iran. This study aimed to: 1) describe the geographical spatial patterns of gastrointestinal tract cancer incidence based on cancer registry data and, 2) determine whether geographical clusters of statistical significance exist.

Methods

The Babol Cancer Registry, which covers the two major northern Iranian provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan (total population = 4,484,622) was used to identify new gastrointestinal tract cancer cases during 2001 to 2005. Age-specific cancer incidence rates were calculated for 7 gastrointestinal tract cancer sites in 26 wards of the Mazandaran and Golestan provinces. Spatial autocorrelation indices, hierarchical Bayesian Poisson models, and spatial scan statistics were used in measuring the geographic pattern and clusters.

Results

There were non-random spatial patterns in esophageal and stomach cancers that were similar for both sexes. Clusters of high incidence were identified in esophageal, stomach, colorectal and liver cancer for both sexes, as well as a possible cluster of pancreas cancer in males.

Conclusion

Gastrointestinal tract cancers exhibit significant spatial clustering of risk in northern Iran. Further work is needed to relate these geographical patterns to information on potential life-style and environmental factors.
Osseous metaplasia in an ulcerating tubular adenoma of the colon: a case report
Authors: White Victoria , Shaw Aidan G , Tierney Gillian M , Lund Jonathan N , Semeraro David
Published: May 2008

Introduction

Heterotopic bone is rarely found in the gastrointestinal tract. Here we report a rare case of metaplastic ossification within a benign ulcerating adenoma and review the literature concerning the aetiology.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old woman, who presented with a history of melaena, was found at colonoscopy to have a pedunculated ulcerating polyp. Histological examination demonstrated multiple areas of osseous metaplasia within the polyp stroma.

Conclusion

Heterotopic ossification in colonic adenomas is a particularly rare phenomenon, with the majority of cases occurring within malignant lesions. The suggested mechanisms for its aetiology still remain unclear.
Value of Fractional Uric Acid Excretion in Differential Diagnosis of Hyponatremic Patients on Diuretics
Authors: Fenske Wiebke , Störk Stefan , Koschker Ann-Cathrin , Blechschmidt Anne , Lorenz Daniela , Wortmann Sebastian , Allolio Bruno
Published: May 2008

Background: The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) is the most frequent cause of hyponatremia. Its diagnosis requires decreased serum osmolality, inappropriately diluted urine (e.g. >100 mOsm/kg), clinical euvolemia, and a urinary sodium (Na) excretion (U-Na) more than 30 mmol/liter. However, in hyponatremic patients taking diuretics, this definition is unreliable due to the natriuretic effect of diuretics. Here, we examined the diagnostic potential of alternative laboratory measurements to diagnose SIAD, regardless of the use of diuretics.

Methods: A total of 86 consecutive hyponatremic patients (serum Na <130 mmol/liter) was classified based on their history, clinical evaluation, osmolality, and saline response to isotonic saline into a SIAD and a non-SIAD group. U-Na, serum urate concentration, and fractional excretion (FE) of Na, urea, and uric acid (UA) were measured in all subjects. The accuracy to diagnose SIAD was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results: A total of 31 patients (36%) had a diagnosis of SIAD, and 55 (64%) were classified as non-SIAD. There were 57 patients (68%) who were on diuretics (15 in the SIAD group, 42 in the non-SIAD group). In the absence of diuretic therapy, SIAD was accurately diagnosed using U-Na (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.96; 0.92–1.02). However, in patients on diuretics, the diagnosis was unreliable (area under the curve 0.85; 0.73–0.97). There, FE-UA performed best compared with all other markers tested (area under the curve 0.96; 0.92–1.12), resulting in a positive predictive value of 100% if a cutoff value of 12% was used.

Conclusion: FE-UA allows the diagnosis of SIAD with excellent specificity. Combining the information on U-Na and FE-UA leads to a very high diagnostic accuracy in hyponatremic patients with and without diuretic treatment.
Neuroprotective effect of progesterone on acute phase changes induced by partial global cerebral ischaemia in mice
Authors: Aggarwal Raman , Medhi Bikash , Pathak Ashis , Dhawan Veena , Chakrabarti Amitava
Published: May 2008

The possible neuroprotective effect of progesterone, a steroid hormone, on acute phase changes in a mouse model of cerebral ischaemia induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) was studied. A total of 72 male mice were included in the study. The BCAO model was used to induce partial global cerebral ischaemia. Morphological assessment included measurement of infarct size and brain oedema. Post-ischaemic seizure susceptibility was assessed using a subconvulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole (30 mgkg−1 i.p.). Biochemical estimations included tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels and enzyme parameters such as lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and protein estimation. BCAO induced a significant infarct size and oedema in the saline-treated control group, along with an increase in oxidative stress, indicated by increased lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Progesterone (15 mgkg−1 i.p.) administration showed a neuroprotective effect by significantly reducing the cerebral infarct size as compared with the control group. Post-ischaemic seizure susceptibility was also reduced as the number of positive responders decreased. Brain oedema subsided, but not significantly. Progesterone significantly reduced TNF-α levels compared with the ischaemia group. Progesterone improved levels of all the anti-oxidants, indicating activity against oxidative stress induced by BCAO. The results demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of progesterone against ischaemic insult, suggesting a role for the steroid as a neuroprotective agent.
Identification of a novel N-terminal hydrophobic sequence that targets proteins to lipid droplets
Authors: Zehmer John K. , Bartz René , Liu Pingsheng , Anderson Richard G. W.
Published: May 2008

AAM-B is a putative methyltransferase that is a resident protein of lipid droplets. We have identified an N-terminal 28 amino acid hydrophobic sequence that is necessary and sufficient for targeting the protein to droplets. This sequence will also insert AAM-B into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A similar hydrophobic sequence (1-23) in the cytochrome p450 2C9 cannot substitute for 1-28 and only inserts AAM-B into the ER, which indicates that hydrophobicity and ER anchoring are not sufficient to reach the droplet. We found that a similar N-terminal hydrophobic sequence in cytochrome b5 reductase 3 and ALDI could also heterologously target proteins to droplets. Targeting is not affected by changing a conserved proline residue that potentially facilitates the formation of a hairpin loop to leucine. By contrast, targeting is blocked when AAM-B amino acids 59-64 or 65-70, situated downstream of the hydrophobic sequence, are changed to alanines. AAM-B-GFP expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is also faithfully targeted to lipid bodies, indicating that the targeting mechanism is evolutionarily conserved. In conclusion, a class of hydrophobic sequences exists that when placed at the N-terminus of a protein will cause it to accumulate in droplets and in the ER.
Mitochondrial nucleoids undergo remodeling in response to metabolic cues
Authors: Kucej Martin , Kucejova Blanka , Subramanian Ramiah , Chen Xin Jie , Butow Ronald A.
Published: May 2008

Mitochondrial DNA is organized as a nucleoprotein complex called the nucleoid. Its major protein components have been identified in different organisms, but it is yet unknown whether nucleoids undergo any form of remodeling. Using an in organello ChIP-on-chip assay, we demonstrate that the DNA-bending protein Abf2 binds to most of the mitochondrial genome with a preference for GC-rich gene sequences. Thus, Abf2 is a bona fide mitochondrial DNA-packaging protein in vivo. Nucleoids form a more open structure under respiring growth conditions in which the ratio of Abf2 to mitochondrial DNA is decreased. Bifunctional nucleoid proteins Hsp60 and Ilv5 are recruited to nucleoids during glucose repression and amino-acid starvation, respectively. Thus, mitochondrial nucleoids in yeast are dynamic structures that are remodeled in response to metabolic cues. A mutant form of Hsp60 that causes mtDNA instability has altered submitochondrial localization, which suggests that nucleoid remodeling is essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial genome.
Effects of Heteroatom Substitution on the Structures, Physicochemical Properties, and Redox Behavior of Nickel(II) Complexes with Pyridine-Containing Macrocyclic Ligands
Authors: Taki Masayasu , Kawashima Yoshiaki , Sakai Naoko , Hirayama Tasuku , Yamamoto Yukio
Published: May 2008

Nickel(II) complexes supported by 14-membered pyridine-containing macrocyclic ligands LE (E = NH, S, and O), represented as [NiII(LNH)](ClO4)2 (1a), [NiII(LS)](ClO4)2 (2a), [NiII(LS)](ClO4)(BPh4) (2b), [NiII(LO)(CH3CN)2](ClO4)2 (3a), and [NiII(LO)(CH3CN)2](ClO4)(BPh4) (3b), have been synthesized. X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1a and 2b have square-planar structures in low-spin state, whereas complex 3b exhibits an octahedral high-spin configuration where two solvent molecules occupy the axial positions of the NiN3O1 plane. The absorption spectra of 1a and 2a in coordinating solvents show interconversion of high-/low-spin states, for which the equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH0 and ΔS0) have been determined. However, in the case of complex 3a in coordinating solvent, the high-spin state dominates at temperatures ranging from −40 to 60 °C. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes 1a and 2a in CH3CN showed a reversible wave for a NiII/NiI redox couple. The redox potential for 2a (E1⁄2=−1.20 V vs. Ag/AgNO3) is more positive than that for 1a (E1⁄2=−1.48 V). In contrast to these complexes, 3a showed an irreversible redox couple with a significantly large peak separation of 460 mV. This result indicates that the coordination geometries of the nickel complex 3a drastically change between six-coordinate NiII and four-coordinate NiI states.
Mechanistic Study on the Base-Promoted Reaction of Allylphenylsilanes to Alkenylsilanols
Authors: Imazeki Shigeaki , Sugawara Hiroo , Sano Atsunori , Akiyama Takahiko
Published: May 2008

On treatment of allylphenylsilanes with t-BuOK and 18-crown-6 in DMSO, isomerization of the olefinic double bond and subsequent substitution of the phenyl group with a hydroxy group took place smoothly to afford alkenylsilanol derivatives in good yields. The reaction mechanism was investigated using 18O-labeled sulfoxide. We found that a (methylsulfinyl)methyl anion generated from DMSO participated in this reaction.
Cross‐level, three‐way interactions among work‐group climate, gender, and frequency of harassment on morale and withdrawal outcomes of sexual harassment
Authors: Kath Lisa M. , Swody Cathleen A. , Magley Vicki J. , Bunk Jennifer A. , Gallus Jessica A.
Published: May 2008

We examined the effects of gender and work‐groups' perceptions of climate for sexual harassment on the relationship between individuals' sexual harassment experiences and job‐related outcomes (namely, job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, work withdrawal, and job withdrawal). Drawing from a variety of theories, we proposed that a beneficial climate would buffer men from negative outcomes, but would intensify negative outcomes for women. Significant three‐way interactions were found for job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, and job withdrawal. Results indicated that beneficial work‐group climate perceptions buffered men from decrements in job satisfaction and work withdrawal, but intensified decrements in all three outcomes for women. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Between Enlightenment and Romanticism: Some Problems and Challenges in Gadamer’s Hermeneutics
Authors: Gjesdal Kristin
Published: May 2008

The essay takes as its point of departure the way in which the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer has recently been adopted by philosophers such as Richard Rorty, John McDowell, and Robert Brandom. While appreciating the way in which Truth and Method has gained new relevance within an Anglo-American context, I ask whether sufficient attention has been paid to Gadamer’s romantic heritage. In particular I question the way in which his notion of tradition and historical truth, designed as it is to overcome the ramifications of Descartes and the Kantian enlightenment, is modeled on the example of art and aesthetic experience.
Glasgow’s Conception of Kantian Humanity
Authors: Dean Richard
Published: May 2008

In “Kant’s Conception of Humanity,” Joshua Glasgow defends a traditional reading of the humanity formulation of the Categorical Imperative. Specifically, he opposes taking good will to be the end in itself, and instead argues that the end in itself must be some more minimal “rational capacity.” Most of Glasgow’s article is directed against some arguments I have given in favor of taking the end in itself to be a good will, or the will of a rational being who is committed to morality. In this response to Glasgow, I both consider Glasgow’s main points, and propose some general strategies for avoiding common interpretive pitfalls in discussing the humanity formulation.
Enlightenment and Freedom
Authors: Peterson Jonathan
Published: May 2008

Kant’s main concern in his famous essay on enlightenment is the relation between enlightenment and the political order. His account of this relation turns on the idea of the freedom of public reason. This paper develops a new interpretation of Kant’s concept of public reason. First, it argues that Kant conceives of public reasoning as a matter of speaking in one’s own name to the commonwealth of the public. Second, it draws on Kant’s republican conception of freedom in order to develop an account of the grounds of the freedom of public reason. It argues that the state’s duty with respect to public reason is an aspect of its duty to protect the independence of citizens. Contrary to what is commonly thought, this duty is not an obligation to refrain from interfering in the sphere of public reason. The state may have a positive, though limited, role to play in enlightenment.
Immunization Levels Among Inner City Children Enrolled in Subsidized Childcare
Authors: McCaskill Quimby E , Livingood William , Crawford Paula M. , Dekle Alison M. , Hou Tao , Wood David L.
Published: May 2008

Purpose . Measure immunization rates in subsidized child care and determine whether the population is representative of inner city preschool children. Methods . We identified 156 children, ages 0–60 months, in 14 inner-city child care centers enrolled in subsidized care and obtained demographic and immunization information. ZIP-code distribution of sample children was correlated with similarly aged children from the 2000 Census (family incomes .150% of poverty). Results . The overall subsidized child care population was geographically similar to all low-income children, ages 0–5, in Jacksonville (r.0.94). Only 73.3% were up-to-date at 3 months and 44.2% at 12 months of age (3 DTaP, 2 HIB, 2 IPV, 3 Hep B). Discussion . Our findings support the contention that children in subsidized child care are geographically representative of low-income, inner city preschool children. This study suggests that children enrolled in subsidized child care are both potentially underserved and an accessible window into the inner-city preschool population.
Implementation of a Process-Oriented Cultural Proficiency Curriculum
Authors: Hershberger Paul J. , Righter Elisabeth L. , Zryd Teresa W. , Little David R. , Whitecar Philip S.
Published: May 2008

The authors implemented a process-oriented cultural proficiency curriculum in their family medicine residency program, emphasizing the understanding of each individual patient through skilled interviewing rather than promoting the acquisition of knowledge about specific cultural groups.
Improving Access to Health Information in Rural South Carolina
Authors: McKeehan Nancy , Trettin Lillian , May Janice
Published: May 2008

Funded by the National Library of Medicine, a committee of local leaders and medical library staff improved access to health information in a poor, rural county of South Carolina with a large minority population. A needs assessment, Internet training, and community events involving high school students were key program components.
Expanding the Definition of Access: It Isn't Just About Health Insurance
Authors: Hall Allyson G. , Lemak Christy Harris , Steingraber Heather , Schaffer Stephen
Published: May 2008

Measurement of access to health care services is often limited to such variables as having health insurance or a usual source of care. We argue for an expanded definition of access measuring whether providers accept a particular form of insurance (overall accessibility), ease of contacting providers for appointments (contact accessibility), length of time it takes to get an appointment (appointment accessibility), and proximity of providers to patients (geographic accessibility). Interviewers posing as Medicaid beneficiaries telephoned providers in Florida's Medicaid primary care case management program, to determine whether the provider was accepting new patients, had weekend or evening hours, and how long it would take to get an appointment. Approximately 87% were accepting new patients, but only 68% were accepting new Medicaid patients. The survey also showed that beneficiaries may encounter difficulty in reaching physicians and making appointments: 22% of all calls were not answered on the first attempt and over two-thirds of providers had no weekend or evening hours.
The Costs of Recruitment and Retention of Women from Community-Based Programs into a Randomized Controlled Contraceptive Study
Authors: Rdesinski Rebecca E. , Melnick Alan L. , Creach E. Dawn , Cozzens Jessica , Carney Patricia A.
Published: May 2008

Study aim . Assessing recruitment and retention activities needed to enroll women identified through community-based programs (such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program) into a randomized controlled clinical trial on nurse-delivered contraceptives in the home. The majority of women in this study had low socioeconomic status indicators and low levels of education, and the majority were young. Methods . Recruitment sources and number of contact-attempts were collected and analyzed. Full time equivalents needed to undertake these activities were estimated. Results . Two hundred and forty five women were identified in recruiting and enrolling 103 study participants involving 1,232 contact-attempts. Self-referral had the highest ratio of referrals to enrollees (55.6%), while this ratio was the lowest for community outreach (33.3%). Retention activities succeeded in maintaining over 90% of the sample. Ninety-two percent of English-speaking participants completed the study versus 79% of Spanish-speaking participants. The time expenditure per enrollee was 10.4 hours for recruitment and 1.2 hours for retention, with an estimated cost per enrollee of $324.03 for recruitment and $39.14 for retention. More retention activities were required to maintain women in the comparison group than in the intervention group.
Understanding Smoking and Cessation among Hmong Smokers
Authors: Burgess Diana , Fu Steven S. , Joseph Anne M. , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Solomon Jody , van Ryn Michelle
Published: May 2008

This qualitative study was designed to explore beliefs and experiences related to smoking and cessation among the Hmong population in the United States. Three separate focus groups were conducted with male and female Hmong smokers. Analysis revealed that the Hmong viewed smoking as prevalent in their community and perceived numerous barriers to cessation. Barriers to cessation differed based on gender and acculturation. For instance, women were concerned about having their smoking status revealed if they were to seek help, because of cultural prohibitions against female smokers. Less acculturated Hmong believed U.S. commercial tobacco to be more addictive than the homegrown tobacco they were used to. This formative research suggests that smoking is becoming an increasing problem among the Hmong in the United States and points to a need for additional research to inform the development of effective tobacco control strategies for this community.
Telephone Reminders Increase Re-Screening in a County Breast Screening Program
Authors: Goel Anupam , George Julie , Burack Robert C.
Published: May 2008

Introduction . Mammography can reduce breast cancer mortality through routine screening. We tested an intervention to increase re-screening in a county program. Methods . The program requires enrollment before screening. We randomized women who had previously been screened by the program to a telephone call reminder for re-enrollment or usual care (postcard reminder). We followed re-enrollment and re-screening rates for both groups. Results . Compared with the control group (n=610), women in the intervention group (n=599) had higher rates of initial re-enrollment at one month (10% vs. 24%, p<.001) and re-screening at two months (11% vs. 19%, p<.001). These effects persisted over time (five-month re-enrollment: 24% vs. 35%, p<.001; six-month re-screening: 23% vs. 31%, p=.004). The intervention did not alter the odds of a woman's being re-screened once re-enrolled. Conclusion . The increase in our re-screening rate after this simple intervention was as great or greater than the rates reported in other studies. A telephone reminder for women previously enrolled in a county breast screening program can increase re-enrollment and subsequent re-screening rates.
Testing Electronic Algorithms to Create Disease Registries in a Safety Net System
Authors: Hanratty Rebecca , Estacio Raymond O. , Dickinson L. Miriam , Chandramouli Vijayalaxmi , Steiner John F. , Havranek Edward P.
Published: May 2008

Electronic disease registries are a critical feature of the chronic disease management programs that are used to improve the care of individuals with chronic illnesses. These registries have been developed primarily in managed care settings; use in safety net institutions—organizations whose mission is to serve the uninsured and underserved—has not been described. We sought to assess the feasibility of developing disease registries from electronic data in a safety net institution, focusing on hypertension because of its importance in minority populations. We compared diagnoses obtained from algorithms utilizing electronic data, including laboratory and pharmacy records, against diagnoses derived from chart review. We found good concordance between diagnoses identified from electronic data and those identified by chart review, suggesting that registries of patients with chronic diseases can be developed outside the setting of closed panel managed care organizations.
How to Justify Enforcing a Ulysses Contract When Ulysses is Competent to Refuse
Authors: Davis John K.
Published: May 2008

Sometimes the mentally ill have sufficient mental capacity to refuse treatment competently, and others have a moral duty to respect their refusal. However, those with episodic mental disorders may wish to precommit themselves to treatment, using Ulysses contracts known as “mental health advance directives.” How can health care providers justify enforcing such contracts over an agent’s current, competent refusal? I argue that providers respect an agent’s autonomy not retrospectively —by reference to his or her past wishes—and not merely synchronically —so that the agent gets what he or she wants right now—but diachronically and prospectively , acting so that the agent can shape his or her circumstances as the agent wishes over time, for the agent will experience the consequences of providers’ actions over time. Mental health directives accomplish this, so they are a way of respecting the agent’s autonomy even when providers override the agent’s current competent refusal.
Enhancement and the Ethics of Development
Authors: Buchanan Allen
Published: May 2008

Much of the debate about the ethics of enhancement has proceeded according to two framing assumptions. The first is that although enhancement carries large social risks, the chief benefits of enhancement are to those who are enhanced (or their parents, in the case of enhancing the traits of children). The second is that, because we now understand the wrongs of state-driven eugenics, enhancements, at least in liberal societies, will be personal goods, chosen or not chosen in a market for enhancement services. This article argues that both framing assumptions must be rejected, once it is understood that some enhancements— especially those that are most likely to garner resources and become widespread— will increase human productivity. Once one appreciates the productivity-increasing potential of enhancements, one can begin to see that enhancement need not be primarily a zero sum affair, that the social costs of forgoing enhancements may be great, and that the state may well take an interest in facilitating biomedical enhancements, just as it does in facilitating education and other productivity-increasing traditional enhancements. Appreciating the productivity-increasing potential of enhancements also makes it possible to view the enhancement debate in a new light, through the lens of the ethics of development.
Taking the Devil into Your Mouth: ritualized American weight-loss narratives of morality, pain, and betrayal
Authors: Herndon April Michelle
Published: May 2008

This article examines narratives of the U.S. Christian weight-loss movement alongside secular U.S. weight-loss narratives and explores how these two movements express similar themes. In particular, I investigate shared themes of sin, the impurity of the body, the body as a temple for the self (a temple that can be defiled), salvation, and the need to prove that one is saved or at least trying to be saved. Through examining stories from individuals who have lost weight and popular dieting advice, I explore how a "spiritual hunger" that is essentially unrelated to physiology but that suggests personal pathology and responsibility is central to mainstream stories of weight loss.
Mao Zedong's Fight Against Schistosomiasis
Authors: Fan Kawai , Lai Honkei
Published: May 2008

In 1956, Mao Zedong began a mass campaign against schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China. The campaign, which integrated mass mobilization, science, agricultural production, local construction projects, and prophylactic measures, was fueled primarily by a determination to accelerate China's agricultural development. The initial success of this campaign encouraged Mao to embark on the next stage of socialism, the Great Leap Forward. As attention was diverted away from schistosomiasis, however, the disease has again become a major burden to the health of the country.
Mortal Exposure: on the goodness of writing medical ethics
Authors: Rees Geoffrey
Published: May 2008

Narrative ethics has recently been advanced as an alternative to more "principled" and "theoretical" approaches to medical ethics. This turn prompts reflection on the distinctive activity of writing medical ethics. When writing medical ethics is recognized as a distinct activity, the forms of care it accomplishes can be distinguished from medical care. This distinction enables analysis of how caring for one's own needs as a writer of medical ethics is in productive tension with the ends of caring in medicine. One important good of writing medical ethics is that the act of writing forces one to reflect on the common mortal reality that is a condition of medical experience. Because it provides occasions for reflection on one's own mortality, medical ethics may no longer need immediate medical application in order to claim its contribution to caring.
Visual Motion Area MT+/V5 Responds to Auditory Motion in Human Sight-Recovery Subjects
Authors: Saenz Melissa , Lewis Lindsay B. , Huth Alexander G. , Fine Ione , Koch Christof
Published: May 2008

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that cortical visual motion area MT+/V5 responded to auditory motion in two rare subjects who had been blind since early childhood and whose vision was partially recovered in adulthood. Visually normal control subjects did not show similar auditory responses. These auditory responses in MT+ were specific to motion compared with other complex auditory stimuli including frequency sweeps and speech. Thus, MT+ developed motion-specific responses to nonvisual input, suggesting that cross-modal plasticity can be influenced by the normal functional specialization of a cortical region. Regarding sight recovery after early blindness, our results further demonstrate that cross-modal responses coexist with regained visual responses within the visual cortex.
Human Apolipoprotein E Redistributes Fibrillar Amyloid Deposition in Tg-SwDI Mice
Authors: Xu Feng , Vitek Michael P. , Colton Carol A. , Previti Mary Lou , Gharkholonarehe Nastaran , Davis Judianne , Van Nostrand William E.
Published: May 2008

Human apolipoprotein (ApoE) genotype influences the development of Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Specific mutations within the amyloid-β protein (Aβ) peptide have been identified that cause familial forms of CAA. However, the effect of APOE genotype on accumulation of CAA mutant Aβ in brain is not well understood. In the present study, we determined how human ApoE3 or ApoE4 influence cerebral Aβ accumulation in transgenic mice (Tg-SwDI) that accumulate human Dutch/Iowa (E22Q/D23N) CAA mutant Aβ in brain, primarily in the form of fibrillar cerebral microvascular amyloid. Using Tg-SwDI mice bred onto a human APOE3/3 or human APOE4/4 background, we found that both human ApoE3 and ApoE4 proteins led to a strong reduction in the amount of cerebral microvascular amyloid with an unexpected concomitant appearance of extensive fibrillar parenchymal plaque amyloid. There was strong colocalization of all ApoE proteins with fibrillar amyloid deposits in the mice. In Tg-SwDI/hAPOE3/3 and Tg-SwDI/hAPOE4/4 mice, there was no change in the levels of total Aβ40and Aβ42or in the amounts of soluble and insoluble Aβ in brain compared with Tg-SwDI mice on the endogenous mouse APOE background. The shift from primarily cerebral microvascular amyloid to parenchymal plaque amyloid in Tg-SwDI/hAPOE3/3 and Tg-SwDI/hAPOE4/4 mice resulted in a parallel shift in the association of activated microglia. These findings indicate that human ApoE has a strong influence on the spatial development of human Dutch/Iowa CAA mutant amyloid accumulation in mouse brain and that microglial activation is in response to the spatial accumulation of fibrillar amyloid.
Site-Specific Blockade of RAGE-VdPrevents Amyloid-β Oligomer Neurotoxicity
Authors: Sturchler Emmanuel , Galichet Arnaud , Weibel Mirjam , Leclerc Estelle , Heizmann Claus W.
Published: May 2008

In the genesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), converging lines of evidence suggest that amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) triggers a pathogenic cascade leading to neuronal loss. It was long assumed that Aβ had to be assembled into extracellular amyloid fibrils or aggregates to exert its cytotoxic effects. Over the past decade, characterization of soluble oligomeric Aβ species in the brains of AD patients and in transgenic models has raised the possibility that different conformations of Aβ may contribute to AD pathology via different mechanisms. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), a member of the Ig superfamily, is a cellular binding site for Aβ. Here, we investigate the role of RAGE in apoptosis induced by distinct well characterized Aβ conformations: Aβ oligomers (AβOs), Aβ fibrils (AβFs), and Aβ aggregates (AβAs). In ourin vitrosystem, treatment with polyclonal anti-RAGE antibodies significantly improves SHSY-5Y cell and neuronal survival exposed to either AβOs or AβAs but does not affect AβF toxicity. Interestingly, using site-specific antibodies, we demonstrate that targeting of the Vddomain of RAGE attenuates AβO-induced toxicity in both SHSY-5Y cells and rat cortical neurons, whereas inhibition of AβA-induced apoptosis requires the neutralization of the C1ddomain of the receptor. Thus, our data indicate that distinct regions of RAGE are involved in Aβ-induced cellular and neuronal toxicity with respect to the Aβ aggregation state, and they suggest the blockage of particular sites of the receptor as a potential therapeutic strategy to attenuate neuronal death.
Temporal Characteristics of Audiovisual Information Processing
Authors: Alpert Galit Fuhrmann , Hein Grit , Tsai Nancy , Naumer Marcus J. , Knight Robert T.
Published: May 2008

In complex natural environments, auditory and visual information often have to be processed simultaneously. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies focused on the spatial localization of brain areas involved in audiovisual (AV) information processing, but the temporal characteristics of AV information flow in these regions remained unclear. In this study, we used fMRI and a novel information–theoretic approach to study the flow of AV sensory information. Subjects passively perceived sounds and images of objects presented either alone or simultaneously. Applying the measure of mutual information, we computed for each voxel the latency in which the blood oxygenation level-dependent signal had the highest information content about the preceding stimulus. The results indicate that, after AV stimulation, the earliest informative activity occurs in right Heschl's gyrus, left primary visual cortex, and the posterior portion of the superior temporal gyrus, which is known as a region involved in object-related AV integration. Informative activity in the anterior portion of superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, right occipital cortex, and inferior frontal cortex was found at a later latency. Moreover, AV presentation resulted in shorter latencies in multiple cortical areas compared with isolated auditory or visual presentation. The results provide evidence for bottom-up processing from primary sensory areas into higher association areas during AV integration in humans and suggest that AV presentation shortens processing time in early sensory cortices.
Playing the Identity Card: Of Grieg, Indians, and Women
Authors: McClary Susan
Published: May 2008

This piece was written as a keynote to a conference, Music and Identity, held in Bergen, Norway, in September 2007 to commemorate the centennial of Edvard Grieg's death. Its author, Susan McClary, both reflects on issues of identity politics then and now—including the ways in which ethnicity and gender have operated in her own career—and explores how Grieg himself theorized his fusions between the German school of composition and Norwegian folk music. It concludes with an analysis of Grieg's “Røtnams-Knut,” from his late collection Slåtter.
Enfermagem no Ceará: fatos, reflexões e propostas para preservação da história e memória da profissão
Authors: Nóbrega-Therrien Silvia Maria , Almeida Maria Irismar de , Silva Marcelo Gurgel Carlos da
Published: May 2008

O presente estudo demonstra a falta ou insuficiência de registros históricos sobre a Enfermagem no Ceará no intuito de conscientizar os profissionais da área da necessidade de resgatar e preservar a história e memória da categoria. Para promover este objetivo, sugere-se criar uma academia de enfermagem no Ceará dedicada à memória, às necessidades atuais e ao desenvolvimento futuro da profissão.
Self-diagnosis of active head lice infestation by individuals from an impoverished community: high sensitivity and specificity
Authors: Pilger Daniel , Khakban Adak , Heukelbach Jorg , Feldmeier Hermann
Published: May 2008

To compare sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of self-diagnosis for head lice infestation with visual inspection, we conducted a study in an urban slum in Brazil. Individuals were asked about active head lice infestation (self-diagnosis); we performed visual inspection and thereafter wet combing (gold standard). Of the 175 individuals included, 77 (44%) had an active head lice infestation. For self-diagnosis, sensitivity (80.5%), specificity (91.8%), PPV (88.6%) and NPV (85.7%) were high. Sensitivity of visual inspection was 35.1%. Public health professionals can use self-diagnosis as a diagnostic tool, to estimate accurately prevalence of pediculosis in a community, and to monitor ongoing intervention strategies.
Expressão das proteínas p53 e Cox-2 em adenocarcinoma intestinal e mucosa adjacente
Authors: Felin Carlos Roberto , Rocha Adriana Brondani da , Felin Izabella Paz Danezi , Regner Andréa , Grivicich Ivana
Published: May 2008

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar se existe associação entre o estadiamento do tumor e a expressão das proteínas p53 e Ciclooxigenase-2 (Cox-2) em adenocarcinoma de intestino. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de 40 blocos de parafina contendo amostras obtidas de ressecção cirúrgica de tecido intestinal anteriormente diagnosticado como adenocarcinoma de intestino humano. O material foi coletado no período entre 1998 e 2003 no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil. Como controle, foram utilizadas amostras de áreas não tumorais de mucosa adjacente, referentes a cada caso (n = 40). Utilizamos a imuno-histoquímica para analisar este material quanto à expressão das proteínas p53 e Cox-2. A expressão das proteínas p53 e Cox-2 foi significativamente maior em tecido tumoral quando comparada com mucosa adjacente. Detectamos positividade total para Cox-2 (100%), e parcial (70%) para p53 em tecido tumoral. Foi verificada associação significativa entre expressão da proteína p53 e estadiamento segundo Astler-Coller, mas não com a classificação TNM. Quanto à proteína Cox-2, não foi observada associação significativa com estadiamento do tumor de intestino. Os achados sugerem que existe uma tendência entre a expressão da proteína p53 e Cox-2 com o estadiamento do tumor, sendo necessária comprovação com estudos futuros.