bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of user charges and socio-economic environment on visits to paediatric trauma unit in Finland
Authors: Ahlamaa-Tuompo Jaana , Linna Miika , Kekomäki Martti
Published: April 2008

In this report we (i) measure the strength of the association between paediatric trauma visit rates and regional socioeconomic and demographic variables, and (ii) quantify any selective impact of user charges on service demand in socioeconomically and demographically different areas. During the period 1989—94, a total of 30,362 home and leisure injury visits were made to the Aurora City Hospital. The visit rates are analysed using a random effects model. In addition, the areas are ranked into three groups in accordance with a socioeconomic index measure, and the annual visit rates of the three groups are calculated. We found fairly minor differences in children's visit rates between unequal socioeconomic areas, and it is apparent that socioeconomic status cannot explain the change in visit rates as a result of the introduction of user charges. We speculate that these changes in emergency visit rates will not lead to long-term health problems among any segment of the city population.
Are male and female smokers at equal risk of smoking-related cancer: evidence from a Swedish prospective study
Authors: Nordlund L. Anders , Carstensen John M. , Pershagen Göran
Published: April 2008

This study examines sex differences in the relative risks of lung cancer and other smoking-related cancers (i.e. cancers of the upper respiratory tract, oesophagus, pancreas, bladder, and renal pelvis). Data on smoking habits in 1963 from a random sample of 56,000 men and women were linked with information on new cases of cancer for 1964 - 89. Compared with people who have never smoked, the relative risks of lung cancer at different levels of pack-years completed in 1963 (>5, 6 - 15, 16 - 25 and 25+ pack-years) were 1.6, 4.4, 14.2, and 17.9 for men, and 2.1, 6.3, 10.3, and 16.5 for women. The corresponding relative risks of other smoking-related cancers were 1.8, 3.0 5.4, and 6.4 for men, and 2.0, 3.1, 5.0, and 6.5 for women. These results suggest that men and women have similar relative risks of smoking-related cancers at different levels of smoking.
The importance of self-efficacy in cardiovascular risk factor change
Authors: Meland Eivind , Mæland John Gunnar , Lærum Even
Published: April 2008

Subjects and design: The study was based on the total patient sample (n=110) of a randomized controlled trial comparing two intervention methods advising cardiovascular high-risk men of lifestyle changes in general practice. Behaviour and risk factor changes during the one-year intervention study were analysed using multiple regression and logistic regression analyses with the above-mentioned independent variables. Setting: Twenty-two general practice centres in the county of Hordaland, western Norway. Results: Self-efficacy of increased physical exercise was the only variable significantly related to exercise change. Age and self-efficacy were statistical significant predictors of smoking cessation success. None of the independent variables was statistically significantly related to blood pressure or cholesterol change. Educational level related negatively, although statistically insignificantly, with total risk change. Conclusion: The study confirms the importance of self-efficacy in both human behaviour and motivation for behaviour change. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to explore the impact of possible predictors for cardiovascular risk behaviour change; predictors such as education, age, self-efficacy, doctors' interpersonal skills, and number of appointments.
Swedish physicians' inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines: differences between regions and characteristics of the prescriber
Authors: Järbrink Krister , Carlsten Anders , Otto Frederiksen Svend
Published: April 2008

There are substantial differences in the sales of benzodiazepines between Swedish regions. In order to determine whether there are consistent differences in the inclination of Swedish doctors to prescribe benzodiazepines depending on region and characteristics of the prescriber, a questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of physicians (116 family practitioners, 78 psychiatrists, and 96 private practitioners). The questionnaire contained six case studies in which benzodiazepine treatment was suggested and two case studies concerning change of benzodiazepine dosage. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines depending on both region and the physician's age in two cases and the physician's speciality and gender in one case each. Psychiatrists and female physicians were, in general, less inclined to prescribe benzodiazepines. In spite of higher sales of benzodiazepines in Göteborg, physicians there had a lower inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines compared with physicians working in regions with lower prescription rates.
Socioeconomic differences in health and well-being of children and adolescents in Iceland
Authors: Halldórsson M. , Cavelaars A.E.J.M. , Kunst A.E. , Mackenbach J.P.
Published: April 2008

Study objective: To assess differences in health, healthcare use and well-being of children according to their socioeconomic situation. Design: Part of a larger cross-sectional survey on health and well-being of children and their parents in the Nordic countries. Setting: Iceland. Participants: A questionnaire was sent to the parents of a nationally representative sample of 3,007 school children aged two to seventeen years. Main results: The SES indicators used were education and occupation of both parents and the disposable income of the family. Logistic regression models were used for the analysis. Children of lower SES were found to have worse health and well-being than those of higher SES. Children of lower SES appeared to use doctor's services to the same degree as children of higher SES, especially after differences in ill health were taken into account. Conclusion: The association between SES and health status and well-being in adulthood can already be detected in childhood, even in an egalitarian country with a homogeneous population.
Coding of occupation for the ``young cohort'' of the Danish twin register
Authors: Hartvigsen Jan , Lings Svend , Corder Elisabeth H.
Published: April 2008

Objectives: Information on health-related outcomes and exposures is available in user-friendly computerized format for the ``young cohort'' of the Danish Twin Register born 1953-82. We incorporated occupation information within the database to facilitate future job-related studies. Methods: Occupation information for the 29,430 twins responding to a mailed questionnaire in 1995 was coded according to DISCO-88. The subjects were classified in three ways depending on the information available: directly from the 2,196 job titles listed in the DISCO-88 handbook, according to a set of predetermined rules, or by consensus if ambiguous information was provided. Two percent (2%) of the sample was recoded independently by two investigators to demonstrate coding consistency. Results: Occupation could be directly coded using job titles for 61% of the sample; 15% were coded according to a set of rules or by consensus; 24% could not be coded. The recoded sample was 99% in agreement with the original coding. Conclusion: Occupation information has been incorporated within the extensive health-related database for the ``young cohort'' of the Danish Twin Register. This resource is available to researchers for future studies concerning occupation, health, and heredity using (1) the existing data (2) via linkage to other Danish databases, or (3) by contacting selected subjects directly.
Research ethics committees: a comparative study of assessment of ethical dilemmas
Authors: Lynöe Niels , Sandlund Mikael , Jacobsson Lars
Published: April 2008

Research ethics committees (REC) constitute an important instrument for the regulation of biomedical research involving human beings. The purposes of this work were to study the ethical reasoning in RECs and to ascertain whether the composition of RECs has any bearing on the decisions subsequently made by them. We used a postal questionnaire, containing authentic cases of research ethical dilemmas, sent to the ten RECs in Sweden (n=124) and to comparison groups consisting of 200 randomly selected medical researchers, 200 randomly selected healthcare politicians and 200 randomly selected district nurses. The average response rate was 68%. A difference was found in how REC members assess a project in comparison with researchers, healthcare politicians and district nurses. Differences depended on the type of project assessed. The study indicates that membership in RECs may exert a normative influence on its members. It is proposed that this investigation should be followed up by a study with a qualitative design.
Suicide mortality in Finland during an economic cycle, 1985 -1995
Authors: Hintikka Jukka , Saarinen Pirjo I. , Viinamäki Heimo
Published: April 2008

This is a study on associations between suicide mortality, unemployment, divorce rate and mean alcohol consumption during an economic cycle in Finland, from 1985 to 1995. Data on annual suicide mortality, gross domestic product, unemployment, divorce rate and mean alcohol consumption were collected from official Finnish statistics. Regression analyses using a correction for serial autocorrelation were performed. Suicide mortality in both males and females increased during an economic upswing from 1985 to 1990, and decreased during an economic recession from 1990 to 1995. Suicide mortality was not associated with unemployment or divorce rate. These results are opposed to those of many previous studies. However, a significant association was found between male suicide mortality and mean alcohol consumption, in accord with other studies. In conclusion, the results suggest diversity in associations between suicide mortality, socio-economic factors and alcohol consumption.
Validity and reliability of Resource Utilization Groups (RUG-III) in Finnish long-term care facilities
Authors: Björkgren Magnus A. , Häkkinen Unto , Finne-Soveri U. Harriet , Fries Brant E.
Published: April 2008

Resource Utilization Groups, Version III (RUG-III) is a case-mix system developed in the USA for classification of long-term care residents. This paper examines the validity and reliability of an adapted 22-group version of RUG-III (RUG-III/22) for use in long-term care facilities in Finland. Finnish cost weights for RUG-III/22 groups are calculated and different methods for their computation are evaluated. The study sample (1,964 residents) was collected in 1995 - 96 from ten long-term care facilities in Finland. RUG-III/22 alone explained 38.2% of the variance of total patient-specific (nursing + auxiliary staff) per diem cost. Resource use within RUG groups was relatively homogeneous. Other predictors of resource use included age, gender and length of stay. RUG-III/22 also met the standard for good reliability (i.e. a kappa value of 0.6 or higher) for crucial classification items, such as activities of daily living and high correlation between assessments based on relative cost.
Marital disruption and long-term work disability
Authors: Eriksen Willy , Natvig BÅrd , Bruusgaard Dag
Published: April 2008

Data from a community-based four-year prospective study were used to investigate the relationship between marital disruption and long-term work disability. In 1990, all inhabitants of the municipality Ullensaker, Norway, belonging to six cohorts (20-22 years, 30-32 years, 40-42 years, 50-52 years, 60-62 years and 70-72 years) were sent a questionnaire. Of the 1,359 respondents who were working, married or cohabiting, and not older than 62 years, 1,115 (82%) returned a second questionnaire four years later (1994). Separation or divorce between 1990 and 1994 was related to long-term work disability in 1994 (OR=3.02; 95% CI: 1.57-5.81), even after adjustments for age, sex, work characteristics, number of work hours per week, job satisfaction, body mass index, having pre-school children, smoking, physical leisure activity, emotional symptoms and musculoskeletal pain (all measured in 1990). Emotional problems evoked by the marital disruption may be part of the explanation.
Population density and perinatal mortality in Norway and Sweden 1975-1988
Authors: Kjersti Daltveit Anne , Emil Vollset Stein , Irgens Lorentz M.
Published: April 2008

Data from the medical birth registries in Norway and Sweden were used to study geographical variations in perinatal mortality in the two countries. The study population comprised 1.4 million single births during 1975-79 and 1985-88. Perinatal death (n=9,834) for infants with a birthweight of 1,000 g or more was the main measure of outcome. In both periods and in both countries, perinatal mortality was inversely associated with population density and annual number of births, with relative risks amounting to 1.4 in Norway and 1.2 in Sweden. Among live births, these gradients were observed in deaths from asphyxia or immaturity in the first time period, and in deaths from congenital malformations in the second time period. As care for premature infants and infants with respiratory problems improves, geographical variations in perinatal mortality may to a larger extent depend on differences in medical care of infants affected by congenital malformations as well as differences in efforts to reduce the prevalence at birth of serious congenital malformations.
Gender display in Scandinavian and American advertising for antidepressants
Authors: Lövdahl Ulrica , Riska Åsa , Riska Elianne
Published: April 2008

This study examines whether depiction of users of antidepressants in advertisements for antidepressants in the 1995 issues of the major medical journal in each of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden differs from that in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The results show that the people shown in the Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian journals are predominantly women, whereas depiction of users in the American and Swedish advertising is predominantly of couples. The portrayals in the 1995 advertising are of antidepressants as female gendered; a feature that was not seen in advertising for psychotropic drugs in the Nordic countries in the 1980s.
Feminist public health practice and population-based health strategies: breast cancer screening in Australia
Authors: Willis Karen
Published: April 2008

Some attempt is made in the Australian Breastscreen program to link the social view of health and philosophical tenets of feminist public health to a population-based health strategy.
Encouraging the strengths of women patients
Authors: Malterud Kirsti , Hollnagel Hanne
Published: April 2008

This case study illustrates how the use of empowering dialogues in general practice can contribute to alternative images of women, by identifying and emphasizing their strong points. It is a single case study, sampled theoretically from a series of 37 consultations during which key questions about self-assessed health resources were put to women patients. Two women GPs and their consultations were studied. An 18-min dialogue between a 52-year-old woman GP and a 69-year-old woman patient with asthma and back pain was audiotaped and transcribed according to Nessa's principles, supported by pragmatic linguistic theory. The woman's answers changed the doctor's perception of the patient, from that of a passive and resigned sufferer, to that of a strong woman who was active in spite of her pain. Acknowledging this, alternative paths of management could be chosen. In conclusion, disempowering medicalization of women patients can be opposed by resource oriented dialogues in clinical work. However, to change cultural images requires more than individual action.
Young women's perspectives on public health knowledge and adolescent bodies
Authors: Oinas Elina
Published: April 2008

This study examines health information about adolescent bodies from the perspective of young middle-class women, with the aim of determining ways in which health and education professionals could better serve young women. This qualitative study comprised ``memory work'' with eight Finnish women students. The findings suggest that young women prefer the information on menstruation that is given by public health professionals, because of its impersonal form, rather than personal encounters with relatives and peers. The information provided by public health professionals does not, however, meet the women's needs. This discrepancy can be explained by the gap between the narrow medical discourse on women's bodies held by the professionals and the experiences of young women. It is argued that public health representatives need to accommodate their knowledge to the everyday life interests and needs of adolescent women.
A Review on Designing the Waterproof Breathable Fabrics Part I: Fundamental Principles and Designing Aspects of Breathable Fabrics
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Arunangshu , Vinay Kumar Midha
Published: April 2008

This paper describes basic principles and techniques involved in designing waterproof breathability fabrics. Breathable fabrics are available in a large variety, which can be categorized as — closely woven fabrics, microporous membranes and coating, hydrophilic membranes and coating, combination of microporous and hydrophilic membranes and coating, use of retroreflective microbeads, smart breathable fabrics and fabric based on biomimetics. Basic principles and mechanisms of water vapor transmission solely depend on the type of breathable fabrics. The formulation and application of microporous and hydrophilic membranes and coatings have been well researched in different fields of application. Smart breathable fabric and fabric based on biomimetics, which are of recent origin, are also showing their potential. The technology is continuously evolving in the areas of a cost-effective manufacturing process, improving material formulation to enhance the film's properties, and controlling pore sizes and their distributions, developing improved monolithic film and coating materials for a variety of applications. Method of incorporation of membrane, coating techniques, fabric substrate, lining material and above all the garment construction are also undergoing changes and play vital role in designing breathable garments.
Preparation and Characterization of Copper Nanocomposite Textiles
Authors: Qufu Wei  , Yu Liangyan , Ning Wu  , Shanhu Hong
Published: April 2008

Fibrous textiles have been increasingly used in a variety of industries. In these applications, the surface properties of textile materials play a very important role. The surface properties of textile materials can be modified by various techniques. Copper (Cu) nanocomposite textiles are prepared by magnetron sputter coating. The nanocomposite textiles with different thickness of coatings are investigated by atomic force microscope (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and opto-electrical tests. The AFM observations reveal the growth of the Cu nanostructures formed on the fiber surface as the sputtering time increases. The surface conductivity of the textiles coated with Cu nanostructures shows a significant increase compared to the uncoated ones. The increased coating thickness leads to better electrical conductivity. The coated textiles also show considerable improvement in UV and visible light shielding, examined by UV/Vis spectrometer.
Iron phases identified in bentonite from the Lieskovec deposit (Slovakia) by variable-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy
Authors: Komadel P. , Anastácio A. S. , Andrejkovičová S. , Stucki J. W.
Published: April 2008

The clay-mineral fraction of samples from a bentonite deposit in the Zvolenská kotlina Basin (Slovakia), formed by the alteration of andesitic pyroclastics, was dominated by Fe-bearing montmorillonite of relatively low charge. The total Fe content of the samples ranged from 3.58 to 5.81 wt.% Fe. Variable-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed that structural Fe(III) in smectite accounts for 70–90% of the total Fe in the unfractionated samples. No structural Fe(II) was observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy, but a small amount was detected by wet chemical analysis. The remainder of the Fe is present in oxide and/or oxyhydroxide phases dominated by poorly ordered goethite and hematite. The hyperfine parameters of the Mössbauer spectra for the raw bentonite are consistent with structural Fe(III) in an aluminosilicate phase mixed with varying quantities of hematite, goethite and possibly maghemite. Except in the fine fraction of sample L28, the hematite failed to undergo the Morin transition, as shown by the negative values for quadrupole splitting at 298 K and 6 K.
Novel exon 12 mutations in the HIF2A gene associated with erythrocytosis
Authors: Percy Melanie J. , Beer Philip A. , Campbell Gavin , Dekker Ad W. , Green Anthony R. , Oscier David , Rainey M. Glenn , van Wijk Richard , Wood Marion , Lappin Terence R. J. , McMullin Mary Frances , Lee Frank S.
Published: April 2008

Erythrocytosis can arise from deregulation of the erythropoietin (Epo) axis resulting from defects in the oxygen-sensing pathway. Epo synthesis is controlled by the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) complex, composed of an α and a β subunit. There are 2 main α subunits, HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Recently, a HIF-2α Gly537Trp mutation was identified in a family with erythrocytosis. This raises the possibility of HIF2A mutations being associated with other cases of erythrocytosis. We now report a subsequent analysis of HIF2A in a cohort of 75 erythrocytosis patients and identify 4 additional patients with novel heterozygous Met535Val and Gly537Arg mutations. All patients presented at a young age with elevated serum Epo. Mutations at Gly-537 account for 4 of 5 HIF2A mutations associated with erythrocytosis. These findings support the importance of HIF-2α in human Epo regulation and warrant investigation of HIF2A in patients with unexplained erythrocytosis.
Expression profiling of circulating non-red blood cells in embryonic blood
Authors: McIntyre Brendan AS , Alev Cantas , Tarui Hiroshi , Jakt Lars M , Sheng Guojun
Published: April 2008

Background

In addition to erythrocytes, embryonic blood contains other differentiated cell lineages and potential progenitor or stem cells homed to changing niches as the embryo develops. Using chicken as a model system, we have isolated an enriched pool of circulating non red blood cells (nRBCs) from E4 and E6 embryos; a transition period when definitive hematopoietic lineages are being specified in the peri-aortic region.

Results

Transcriptome analysis of both nRBC and RBC enriched populations was performed using chicken Affymetrix gene expression arrays. Comparison of transcript profiles of these two populations, with verification by RT-PCR, reveals in nRBCs an expression signature indicative of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells of myeloid and lymphoid lineages, as well as a number of previously undescribed genes possibly involved in progenitor and stem cell maintenance.

Conclusion

This data indicates that early circulating embryonic blood contains a full array of hematopoietic progenitors and stem cells. Future studies on their heterogeneity and differentiation potentials may provide a useful alternative to ES cells and perinatal blood.
Val103Ile polymorphism of the melanocortin-4 receptor gene (MC4R) in cancer cachexia
Authors: Knoll Susanne , Zimmer Sabiene , Hinney Anke , Scherag André , Neubauer Andreas , Hebebrand Johannes
Published: April 2008

Background

At present pathogenic mechanisms of cancer cachexia are poorly understood. Previous evidence in animal models implicates the melanocortin-4 receptor gene (MC4R) in the development of cancer cachexia. In humans, MC4R mutations that lead to an impaired receptor function are associated with obesity; in contrast, the most frequent polymorphism (Val103Ile, rs2229616; heterozygote frequency approximately 2%) was shown to be negatively associated with obesity. We tested if cancer patients that are homo-/heterozygous for the Val103Ile polymorphism are more likely to develop cachexia and/or a loss of appetite than non-carriers of the 103Ile-allele.

Methods

BMI (body mass index in kg/m2) of 509 patients (295 males) with malignant neoplasms was determined; additionally patients were asked about premorbid/pretherapeutical changes of appetite and weight loss. Cachexia was defined as a weight loss of at least 5% prior to initiation of therapy; to fulfil this criterion this weight loss had to occur independently of other plausible reasons; in single cases weight loss was the initial reason for seeing a physician. The average age in years (± SD) was 59.0 ± 14.5 (males: 58.8 ± 14.0, females 59.2 ± 14.0). Blood samples were taken for genotyping of the Val103Ile by PCR- RFLP.

Results

Most of the patients suffered from lymphoma, leukaemia and gastrointestinal tumours. 107 of the patients (21%) fulfilled our criteria for cancer cachexia. We did not detect association between the Val103Ile polymorphism and cancer cachexia. However, if we exploratively excluded the patients with early leucaemic stages, we detected a trend towards the opposite effect (p < 0.05); heterozygotes for the 103Ile-allele developed cancer cachexia less frequently in comparison to the rest of the study group. Changes of appetite were not associated with the 103Ile-allele carrier status (p > 0.39).

Conclusion

Heterozygotes for the 103Ile-allele are not more prone to develop cancer cachexia than patients without this allele; possibly, Ile103 carriers might be more resistant to cancer cachexia in patients with solid tumors. Further studies of the melanocortinergic system in cachexia of patients with solid tumors are warranted.
Acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathy use in Australia: a national population survey
Authors: Xue Charlie CL , Zhang Anthony L , Lin Vivian , Myers Ray , Polus Barbara , Story David F
Published: April 2008

Background

There have been no published national studies on the use in Australia of the manipulative therapies, acupuncture, chiropractic or osteopathy, or on matters including the purposes for which these therapies are used, treatment outcomes and the socio-demographic characteristics of users.

Methods

This study on the three manipulative therapies was a component of a broader investigation on the use of complementary and alternative therapies. For this we conducted a cross-sectional, population survey on a representative sample of 1,067 adults from the six states and two territories of Australia in 2005 by computer-assisted telephone interviews. The sample was recruited by random digit dialling.

Results

Over a 12-month period, approximately one in four adult Australians used either acupuncture (9.2%), chiropractic (16.1%) or osteopathy (4.6%) at least once. It is estimated that, adult Australians made 32.3 million visits to acupuncturists, chiropractors and osteopaths, incurring personal expenditure estimated to be A$1.58 billion in total. The most common conditions treated were back pain and related problems and over 90% of the users of each therapy considered their treatment to be very or somewhat helpful. Adverse events are reported. Nearly one fifth of users were referred to manipulative therapy practitioners by medical practitioners.

Conclusion

There is substantial use of manipulative therapies by adult Australians, especially for back-related problems. Treatments incur considerable personal expenditure. In general, patient experience is positive. Referral by medical practitioners is a major determinant of use of these manipulative therapies.
Quantification of Cre-mediated recombination by a novel strategy reveals a stable extra-chromosomal deletion-circle in mice
Authors: Leonhard Wouter N , Roelfsema Jeroen H , Lantinga-van Leeuwen Irma S , Breuning Martijn H , Peters Dorien JM
Published: April 2008

Background

Inducible conditional knockout animals are widely used to get insight in the function of genes and the pathogenesis of human diseases. These models frequently rely on Cre-mediated recombination of sequences flanked by Lox-P sites. To understand the consequences of gene disruption, it is essential to know the efficiency of the recombination process.

Results

Here, we describe a modification of the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), called extension-MLPA (eMLPA), which enables quantification of relatively small differences in DNA that are a consequence of Cre-mediated recombination. eMLPA, here applied on an inducible Pkd1 conditional deletion mouse model, simultaneously measures both the reduction of the floxed allele and the increase of the deletion allele in a single reaction thereby minimizing any type of experimental variation. Interestingly, with this method we were also able to observe the presence of the excised DNA fragment. This extra-chromosomal deletion-circle was detectable up to 5 months after activation of Cre.

Conclusion

eMLPA is a novel strategy which easily can be applied to measure the Cre-mediated recombination efficiency in each experimental case with high accuracy. In addition the fate of the deletion-circle can be followed simultaneously.
Effect of leptin infusion on insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism in diet-induced lipodystrophy model mice
Authors: Nagao Koji , Inoue Nao , Ujino Yoko , Higa Kouki , Shirouchi Bungo , Wang Yu-Ming , Yanagita Teruyoshi
Published: April 2008

Background

Lipodystrophies are rare acquired and genetic disorders characterized by the complete or partial absence of body fat with a line of metabolic disorders. Previous studies demonstrated that dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) induces hepatic steatosis and hyperinsulinemia through the drastic reduction of adipocytokine levels due to a paucity of adipose tissue in mice and the pathogenesis of these metabolic abnormalities in CLA-fed mice is similar to that in human lipodystrophy. The present study explores the effect of leptin infusion on the pathogenesis of diet-induced lipodystrophy in mice. C57BL/6N mice were assigned to three groups: (1) mice were fed a semisynthetic diet supplemented with 6% corn oil and infused PBS intraperitoneally (normal group), (2) mice were fed a semisynthetic diet supplemented with 4% corn oil plus 2% CLA and infused PBS intraperitoneally (lipodystrophy-control group), and (3) mice were fed a semisynthetic diet supplemented with 4% corn oil plus 2% CLA and infused recombinant murine leptin intraperitoneally (lipodystrophy-leptin group). All mice were fed normal or lipodystrophy model diets for 4 weeks and were infused intrapeneally 0 or 5 μ g of leptin per day from third week of the feeding period for 1 week.

Results

The results indicate that leptin infusion can attenuate hepatic steatosis and hyperinsulinemia through the reduction of hepatic triglyceride synthesis and the improvement of insulin sensitivity in diet-induced lipodystrophy model mice.

Conclusion

We expect the use of this model for clarifying the pathophysiology of lipodystrophy-induced metabolic abnormalities and evaluating the efficacy and safety of drug and dietary treatment.
Characterization of the proneural gene regulatory network during mouse telencephalon development
Authors: Gohlke Julia M , Armant Olivier , Parham Frederick M , Smith Marjolein V , Zimmer Celine , Castro Diogo S , Nguyen Laurent , Parker Joel S , Gradwohl Gerard , Portier Christopher J , Guillemot François
Published: April 2008

Background

The proneural proteins Mash1 and Ngn2 are key cell autonomous regulators of neurogenesis in the mammalian central nervous system, yet little is known about the molecular pathways regulated by these transcription factors.

Results

Here we identify the downstream effectors of proneural genes in the telencephalon using a genomic approach to analyze the transcriptome of mice that are either lacking or overexpressing proneural genes. Novel targets of Ngn2 and/or Mash1 were identified, such as members of the Notch and Wnt pathways, and proteins involved in adhesion and signal transduction. Next, we searched the non-coding sequence surrounding the predicted proneural downstream effector genes for evolutionarily conserved transcription factor binding sites associated with newly defined consensus binding sites for Ngn2 and Mash1. This allowed us to identify potential novel co-factors and co-regulators for proneural proteins, including Creb, Tcf/Lef, Pou-domain containing transcription factors, Sox9, and Mef2a. Finally, a gene regulatory network was delineated using a novel Bayesian-based algorithm that can incorporate information from diverse datasets.

Conclusion

Together, these data shed light on the molecular pathways regulated by proneural genes and demonstrate that the integration of experimentation with bioinformatics can guide both hypothesis testing and hypothesis generation.
Peripheral Mechanisms of Neuropathic Pain — Involvement of Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor-Mediated Demyelination
Authors: Ueda Hiroshi
Published: April 2008

Recent advances in pain research provide a clear picture for the molecular mechanisms of acute pain; substantial information concerning plasticity that occurs during neuropathic pain has also become available. The peripheral mechanisms responsible for neuropathic pain are found in the altered gene/protein expression of primary sensory neurons. With damage to peripheral sensory fibers, a variety of changes in pain-related gene expression take place in dorsal root ganglion neurons. These changes, or plasticity, might underlie unique neuropathic pain-specific phenotype modifications — decreased unmyelinated-fiber functions, but increased myelinated A-fiber functions. Another characteristic change is observed in allodynia, the functional change of tactile to nociceptive perception. Throughout a series of studies, using novel nociceptive tests to characterize sensory-fiber or pain modality-specific nociceptive behaviors, it was demonstrated that communication between innocuous and noxious sensory fibers might play a role in allodynia mechanisms. Because neuropathic pain in peripheral and central demyelinating diseases develops as a result of aberrant myelination in experimental animals, demyelination seems to be a key mechanism of plasticity in neuropathic pain. More recently, we discovered that lysophosphatidic acid receptor activation initiates neuropathic pain, as well as possible peripheral mechanims of demyelination after nerve injury. These results lead to further hypotheses of physical communication between innocuous Aβ- and noxious C- or Aδ-fibers to influence the molecular mechanisms of allodynia.
Involvement of a specificity proteins-binding element in regulation of basal and estrogen-induced transcription activity of the BRCA1gene
Authors: Hockings Jennifer K , Degner Stephanie C , Morgan Sherif S , Kemp Michael Q , Romagnolo Donato F
Published: April 2008

Introduction

Increased estrogen level has been regarded to be a risk factor for breast cancer. However, estrogen has also been shown to induce the expression of the tumor suppressor gene, BRCA1. Upregulation of BRCA1 is thought to be a feedback mechanism for controlling DNA repair in proliferating cells. Estrogens enhance transcription of target genes by stimulating the association of the estrogen receptor (ER) and related coactivators to estrogen response elements or to transcription complexes formed at activator protein (AP)-1 or specificity protein (Sp)-binding sites. Interestingly, the BRCA1 gene lacks a consensus estrogen response element. We previously reported that estrogen stimulated BRCA1 transcription through the recruitment of a p300/ER-α complex to an AP-1 site harbored in the proximal BRCA1 promoter. The purpose of the study was to analyze the contribution of cis-acting sites flanking the AP-1 element to basal and estrogen-dependent regulation of BRCA1 transcription.

Methods

Using transfection studies with wild-type and mutated BRCA1 promoter constructs, electromobility binding and shift assays, and DNA-protein interaction and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we investigated the role of Sp-binding sites and cAMP response element (CRE)-binding sites harbored in the proximal BRCA1 promoter.

Results

We report that in the BRCA1 promoter the AP-1 site is flanked upstream by an element (5'-GGGGCGGAA-3') that recruits Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 factors, and downstream by a half CRE-binding motif (5'-CGTAA-3') that binds CRE-binding protein. In ER-α-positive MCF-7 cells and ER-α-negative Hela cells expressing exogenous ER-α, mutation of the Sp-binding site interfered with basal and estrogen-induced BRCA1 transcription. Conversely, mutation of the CRE-binding element reduced basal BRCA1 promoter activity but did not prevent estrogen activation. In combination with the AP-1/CRE sites, the Sp-binding domain enhanced the recruitment of nuclear proteins to the BRCA1 promoter. Finally, we report that the MEK1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1) inhibitor PD98059 attenuated the recruitment of Sp1 and phosphorylated ER-α, respectively, to the Sp and AP-1 binding element.

Conclusion

These cumulative findings suggest that the proximal BRCA1 promoter segment comprises cis-acting elements that are targeted by Sp-binding and CRE-binding proteins that contribute to regulation of BRCA1 transcription.
Vasopressin and epinephrine in the treatment of cardiac arrest: an experimental study
Authors: Stroumpoulis Konstantinos , Xanthos Theodoros , Rokas Georgios , Kitsou Vassiliki , Papadimitriou Dimitrios , Serpetinis Ioannis , Perrea Despina , Papadimitriou Lila , Kouskouni Evangelia
Published: April 2008

Background

Epinephrine remains the drug of choice for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The aim of the present study is to assess whether the combination of vasopressin and epinephrine, given their different mechanisms of action, provides better results than epinephrine alone in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Methods

Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 22 Landrace/Large-White piglets, which were left untreated for 8 minutes before attempted resuscitation with precordial compression, mechanical ventilation and electrical defibrillation. Animals were randomized into 2 groups during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: 11 animals who received saline as placebo (20 ml dilution, bolus) + epinephrine (0.02 mg/kg) (Epi group); and 11 animals who received vasopressin (0.4 IU/kg/20 ml dilution, bolus) + epinephrine (0.02 mg/kg) (Vaso-Epi group). Electrical defibrillation was attempted after 10 minutes of ventricular fibrillation.

Results

Ten of 11 animals in the Vaso-Epi group restored spontaneous circulation in comparison to only 4 of 11 in the Epi group (p = 0.02). Aortic diastolic pressure, as well as, coronary perfusion pressure were significantly increased (p < 0.05) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the Vaso-Epi group.

Conclusion

The administration of vasopressin in combination with epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation results in a drastic improvement in the hemodynamic parameters necessary for the return of spontaneous circulation.
Phase III Trial of Maintenance Gefitinib or Placebo After Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy and Docetaxel Consolidation in Inoperable Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: SWOG S0023
Authors: Kelly Karen , Chansky Kari , Gaspar Laurie E. , Albain Kathy S. , Jett James , Ung Yee C. , Lau Derick H.M. , Crowley John J. , Gandara David R.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Early clinical studies with gefitinib showed promising efficacy and mild toxicity in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus, gefitinib was an ideal agent to evaluate in a maintenance setting in stage III disease.

Patients and Methods

Untreated patients with stage III NSCLC, a performance score of 0 to 1, and adequate organ function were eligible. All patients received cisplatin 50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 plus etoposide 50 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5, every 28 days for two cycles with concurrent thoracic radiation (1.8- to 2-Gy fractions per day; total dose, 61 Gy) followed by three cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2. Patients whose disease did not progress were randomly assigned to gefitinib 250 mg/d or placebo until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or the end of 5 years. The planned sample size was 672 patients to confer power of 0.89 to detect a 33% increase over the expected median survival time of 21 months (one-sided P = .025, log-rank test). Random assignment was stratified by stage, histology, and measurable versus nonmeasurable disease.

Results

Enrollment began in July 2001. An unplanned interim analysis conducted in April 2005 rejected the alternative hypothesis of improved survival at the P = .0015 level for 243 randomly assigned patients. The study closed, and preliminary results were reported. Now, with a median follow-up time of 27 months, median survival time was 23 months for gefitinib (n = 118) and 35 months for placebo (n = 125; two-sided P = .013). The toxic death rate was 2% with gefitinib compared with 0% for placebo.

Conclusion

In this unselected population, gefitinib did not improve survival. Decreased survival was a result of tumor progression and not gefitinib toxicity.
On the Effects of Consumer Search and Firm Entry in a Multiproduct Competitive Market
Authors: Cachon Gérard P. , Terwiesch Christian , Xu Yi
Published: April 2008

This paper studies a model in which consumers search among multiple competing firms for products that match their preferences at a reasonable price. We focus on how easier search, possibly due to the adoption of search-facilitating technologies such as the Internet, influences equilibrium prices, assortments, firm profits, and consumer welfare. Conventional wisdom suggests that easier search creates a competition-intensifying effect that puts pressure on firms to lower their prices and reduce assortments. However, in our model we demonstrate that search also exhibits a market-expansion effect that encourages firms to expand their assortment—easier search means that each firm is searched by more consumers. Because of broader assortments, consumers are more likely to find products that better match their ideal preferences, improving the efficiency of the market. In fact, we demonstrate that the market-expansion effect can even dominate the competition-intensifying effect potentially leading to higher prices, broader assortments, more profits, and expanded welfare.
Information Sharing in a Channel with Partially Informed Retailers
Authors: Gal-Or Esther , Geylani Tansev , Dukes Anthony J.
Published: April 2008

While retailers have sales data to forecast demand, manufacturers have a broad understanding of the market and the coming trends. It is well known that pooling such demand information within a distribution channel improves supply chain logistics. However, little is known about how information-sharing affects wholesale pricing incentives. In this paper, we investigate a channel structure where a manufacturer and two retailers have private signals of the state of the demand. Our model identifies the presence of a pricing distortion, which we term the inference effect, when a manufacturer sets price to an uninformed retailer. Because of this inference effect, the manufacturer would like to set a low wholesale price to signal to the retailer that the demand is low. On the other hand, the manufacturer would like to set a high wholesale price so that he earns the optimal margin on each unit sold. Vertical information sharing benefits the manufacturer by eliminating the distortion caused by the inference effect, which is more profound in a channel whose retailer has a noisier signal. This result implies that when there is a cost associated with transmitting information, the manufacturer may choose to share information with only the less-informed retailer rather than with both.
Estimating Willingness to Pay with Exaggeration Bias-Corrected Contingent Valuation Method
Authors: Park Joo Heon , MacLachlan Douglas L.
Published: April 2008

Estimates of the prices customers are willing to pay for new products or services using responses from survey questionnaires are notoriously biased on the high side. An approach to obtaining more realistic estimates is suggested here, called the exaggeration bias-corrected contingent valuation method (EBC-CVM). The method is an alternative to conventional contingent valuation methods (CVMs) that have been used in economics and, to a lesser extent, in marketing. Two experiments and one field study are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. In each case, the proposed method outperformed conventional CVMs in comparison with real choices or more realistic price estimates.
Polynomial-Time Algorithms for Stochastic Uncapacitated Lot-Sizing Problems
Authors: Guan Yongpei , Miller Andrew J.
Published: April 2008

In 1958, Wagner and Whitin published a seminal paper on the deterministic uncapacitated lot-sizing problem, a fundamental model that is embedded in many practical production planning problems. In this paper, we consider a basic version of this model in which problem parameters are stochastic: the stochastic uncapacitated lot-sizing problem. We define the production-path property of an optimal solution for our model and use this property to develop a backward dynamic programming recursion. This approach allows us to show that the value function is piecewise linear and right continuous. We then use these results to show that a full characterization of the optimal value function can be obtained by a dynamic programming algorithm in polynomial time for the case that each nonleaf node contains at least two children. Moreover, we show that our approach leads to a polynomial-time algorithm to obtain an optimal solution to any instance of the stochastic uncapacitated lot-sizing problem, regardless of the structure of the scenario tree. We also show that the value function for the problem without setup costs is continuous, piecewise linear, and convex, and therefore an even more efficient dynamic programming algorithm can be developed for this special case.
A Trickster'S Oaths in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes
Authors: Fletcher Judith
Published: March 2008

Hermes' maturation into a god of commerce and diplomacy is punctuated by a series of oaths. At first he uses tricky or unsworn oaths in the investigation of his theft of Apollo's cattle, but eventually he and Apollo exchange oaths that evoke the protocols of ritualized friendship. Although the ceremony suggests that Hermes has achieved adulthood, a narrative sleight of hand leaves some ambiguity about the completion of the ritual.
“It’s a Whole New World”: A Qualitative Exploration of College Students’ Definitions of and Strategies for College Success
Authors: Yazedjian Ani , Toews Michelle L. , Sevin Tessara , Purswell Katherine E.
Published: March 2008

This study used focus group interviews to explore 22 students’ definitions of and strategies for college success. Students’ narratives revealed their definitions of success were multifaceted and encompassed how they were doing academically, their degree of social integration, and their perceived ability to navigate the college environment. In addition, although students described a range of strategies that contributed to their academic success, their reports revealed they did not always employ those strategies. These findings affirm that institutions should continue providing services that support students’ academic success, while also promoting their personal development and social integration.