bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repression of Hedgehog signalling is required for the acquisition of dorsolateral cell fates in the zebrafish otic vesicle
Authors: Hammond Katherine L. , van Eeden Fredericus J. M. , Whitfield Tanya T.
Published: March 2010

In zebrafish, Hedgehog (Hh) signalling from ventral midline structures is necessary and sufficient to specify posterior otic identity. Loss of Hh signalling gives rise to mirror symmetric ears with double anterior character, whereas severe upregulation of Hh signalling leads to double posterior ears. By contrast, in mouse and chick, Hh is predominantly required for dorsoventral otic patterning. Whereas a loss of Hh function in zebrafish does not affect dorsoventral and mediolateral otic patterning, we now show that a gain of Hh signalling activity causes ventromedial otic territories to expand at the expense of dorsolateral domains. In a panel of lines carrying mutations in Hh inhibitor genes, Hh pathway activity is increased throughout the embryo, and dorsolateral otic structures are lost or reduced. Even a modest increase in Hh signalling has consequences for patterning the ear. In ptc1–/– and ptc2–/– mutant embryos, in which Hh signalling is maximal throughout the embryo, the inner ear is severely ventralised and medialised, in addition to displaying the previously reported double posterior character. Transplantation experiments suggest that the effects of the loss of Hh pathway inhibition on the ear are mediated directly. These new data suggest that Hh signalling must be kept tightly repressed for the correct acquisition of dorsolateral cell fates in the zebrafish otic vesicle, revealing distinct similarities between the roles of Hh signalling in zebrafish and amniote inner ear patterning.
Stromal regulation of vessel stability by MMP14 and TGFβ
Authors: Sounni Nor E. , Dehne Kerstin , van Kempen Leon , Egeblad Mikala , Affara Nesrine I. , Cuevas Ileana , Wiesen Jane , Junankar Simon , Korets Lidiya , Lee Jake , Shen Jennifer , Morrison Charlotte J. , Overall Christopher M. , Krane Stephen M. , Werb Zena , Boudreau Nancy , Coussens Lisa M.
Published: March 2010

Innate regulatory networks within organs maintain tissue homeostasis and facilitate rapid responses to damage. We identified a novel pathway regulating vessel stability in tissues that involves matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1). Whereas plasma proteins rapidly extravasate out of vasculature in wild-type mice following acute damage, short-term treatment of mice in vivo with a broad-spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitor, neutralizing antibodies to TGFβ1, or an activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inhibitor significantly enhanced vessel leakage. By contrast, in a mouse model of age-related dermal fibrosis, where MMP14 activity and TGFβ bioavailability are chronically elevated, or in mice that ectopically express TGFβ in the epidermis, cutaneous vessels are resistant to acute leakage. Characteristic responses to tissue damage are reinstated if the fibrotic mice are pretreated with metalloproteinase inhibitors or TGFβ signaling antagonists. Neoplastic tissues, however, are in a constant state of tissue damage and exhibit altered hemodynamics owing to hyperleaky angiogenic vasculature. In two distinct transgenic mouse tumor models, inhibition of ALK5 further enhanced vascular leakage into the interstitium and facilitated increased delivery of high molecular weight compounds into premalignant tissue and tumors. Taken together, these data define a central pathway involving MMP14 and TGFβ that mediates vessel stability and vascular response to tissue injury. Antagonists of this pathway could be therapeutically exploited to improve the delivery of therapeutics or molecular contrast agents into tissues where chronic damage or neoplastic disease limits their efficient delivery.
Silencing of threeAmblyomma americanum(L.) insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related proteins prevents ticks from feeding to repletion
Authors: Mulenga Albert , Khumthong Rabuesak
Published: March 2010

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins (IGFBP) family is the regulatory arm of the IGF signaling system that control mitogenic and anabolic actions of IGF peptide hormones. This study describes cloning and biological characterization of three Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Aam) proteins that show amino-terminal sequence and secondary structure similarity to the IGFBP superfamily. The three molecules here provisionally identified as AamIGFBP-rP1 and short (S) and long (L) AamIGFBP-rP6 are expressed in multiple tick organs and are responsive to tick feeding activity with the former being upregulated and the latter being downregulated. We show that they regulate tick physiological functions that may be related to A. americanum tick feeding success as revealed by RNAi-mediated dual silencing of AamIGFBP-rP6S and AamIGFBP-rP6L or AamIGFBP-rP1 alone, which caused a reduction in blood meal size compared to the controls. Additionally, in the case of AamIGFBP-rP1 silencing, 47% of ticks died while attempting to feed and those that did survive and spontaneously detached from the host failed to lay eggs. Although AamIGFBP-rP6S and AamIGFBP-rP6L show overall identities of 49% and 59%, respectively, to Rhipicephalus microplus C protein, the identity level jumps to ~84% when the comparison is restricted to first 70 amino acids of the mature protein. Similarly, the AamIGFBP-rP1 mature protein is ~72%, 87%, 88% and 92% identical to that of Ixodes scapularis S, R. microplus, R. appendiculatus N and A. variegatum F, respectively. The observed across-tick-species conservation suggests that the three molecules (AamIGFBP-rP1, AamIGFBP-rP6S and AamIGFBP-rP6L) represent target for development of vaccines to protect animals against multiple tick species. The data are discussed with reference to advances in tick molecular biology and the potential of the three proteins as targets for immunizing animals against tick feeding.
Collagen type XI α1 may be involved in the structural plasticity of the vertebral column in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)
Authors: Wargelius A. , Fjelldal P. G. , Nordgarden U. , Grini A. , Krossøy C. , Grotmol S. , Totland G. K. , Hansen T.
Published: March 2010

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) vertebral bone displays plasticity in structure, osteoid secretion and mineralization in response to photoperiod. Other properties of the vertebral bone, such as mineral content and mechanical strength, are also associated with common malformations in farmed Atlantic salmon. The biological mechanisms that underlie these changes in bone physiology are unknown, and in order to elucidate which factors might be involved in this process, microarray assays were performed on vertebral bone of Atlantic salmon reared under natural or continuous light. Eight genes were upregulated in response to continuous light treatment, whereas only one of them was upregulated in a duplicate experiment. The transcriptionally regulated gene was predicted to code for collagen type XI α1, a protein known to be involved in controlling the diameter of fibrillar collagens in mammals. Furthermore, the gene was highly expressed in the vertebrae, where spatial expression was found in trabecular and compact bone osteoblasts and in the chordoblasts of the notochordal sheath. When we measured the expression level of the gene in the tissue compartments of the vertebrae, the collagen turned out to be 150 and 25 times more highly expressed in the notochord and compact bone respectively, relative to the expression in the trabecular bone. Gene expression was induced in response to continuous light, and reduced in compressed vertebrae. The downregulation in compressed vertebrae was due to reduced expression in the compact bone, while expression in the trabecular bone and the notochord was unaffected. These data support the hypothesis that this gene codes for a presumptive collagen type XI α1, which may be involved in the regulatory pathway leading to structural adaptation of the vertebral architecture.
The relationship of head movements to semicircular canal size in cetaceans
Authors: Kandel Benjamin M. , Hullar Timothy E.
Published: March 2010

The semicircular canals measure head rotations, providing information critical for maintaining equilibrium. The canals of cetaceans (including whales, dolphins and porpoises) are extraordinarily small, making them unique exceptions to the allometric relationship shared by all other vertebrates between canal size and animal mass. Most modern cetaceans have shorter and less flexible necks than those of their ancestors, an adaptation hypothesized to have led to exaggerated head movements during locomotion. These movements are thought to have necessitated a decrease in the size and sensitivity of the canals, increasing their operating range to accommodate increased head motion. We tested whether the size of the semicircular canals in cetaceans is related to their head movements by comparing the rotational head velocities, frequencies and accelerations of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and a terrestrial relative, cattle (Bos taurus), using an array of three orthogonal head-fixed miniaturized rotational ratemeters. We collected data during typical locomotion (swimming; trotting) and during behaviors with enhanced head movements (rapid spiraling underwater; bucking). Cattle head movements always exceeded those of dolphins. Maximum head velocities were 528 deg. s−1 in dolphins and 534 deg. s−1 in cattle; maximum head frequencies were 2.86 Hz in dolphins and 3.45 Hz in cattle; and maximum head accelerations were 5253 deg. s−2 in dolphins and 10,880 deg. s−2 in cattle. These results indicate that accentuated head movements cannot explain the reduced size and sensitivity of cetacean semicircular canals. The evolutionary cause for their reduced canal size remains uncertain.
Mating-induced transient inhibition of responses to sex pheromone in a male moth is not mediated by octopamine or serotonin
Authors: Barrozo Romina B. , Jarriault David , Simeone Xenia , Gaertner Cyril , Gadenne Christophe , Anton Sylvia
Published: March 2010

In the male moth, Agrotis ipsilon, mating induces a transient inhibition of behavioural and central nervous responses to sex pheromone. Newly mated males are not attracted to sex pheromone, and the sensitivity of their antennal lobe (AL) neurons is lower than in virgin males. This rapid transient olfactory inhibition prevents them from re-mating unsuccessfully until they have refilled their sex glands. We hypothesized that this olfactory ‘switch off’ might be controlled by neuromodulators such as biogenic amines. To test our hypothesis, we studied the effects of octopamine (OA) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) on the coding properties of pheromone-sensitive AL neurons in virgin and newly mated males. We show that AL neuron sensitivity increased in newly mated males after injection of OA or 5-HT, but only OA treatment affected certain response characteristics of AL neurons in virgin males. Whereas all measured AL neuron response characteristics were different between virgin and newly mated males, amine treatment in newly mated males restored only the latency and spike frequency, but not the duration of excitatory and inhibitory phases, which were initially found in virgin males. Additionally, we investigated the behavioural effects of OA and 5-HT treatments in virgin and mated males. Although OA and 5-HT enhanced the general flight activity of newly mated males, amine treatments did not restore the behavioural pheromone response of mated moths. Altogether, these results show that, although biogenic amines modulate the olfactory system in moths, OA and 5-HT are probably not involved in the post-mating inhibition of responses to sex pheromone in A. ipsilon males.
Scalable Heuristics for a Class of Chance-Constrained Stochastic Programs
Authors: Watson Jean-Paul , Wets Roger J-B , Woodruff David L.
Published: March 2010

We describe computational procedures for solving a wide-ranging class of stochastic programs with chance constraints where the random components of the problem are discretely distributed. Our procedures are based on a combination of Lagrangian relaxation and scenario decomposition, which we solve using a novel variant of Rockafellar and Wets' progressive hedging algorithm [Rockafellar, R. T., R. J.-B. Wets. 1991. Scenarios and policy aggregation in optimization under uncertainty. Math. Oper. Res. 16(1) 119–147]. Experiments demonstrate the ability of the proposed algorithm to quickly find near-optimal solutions—where verifiable—to both difficult and very large chance-constrained stochastic programs, both with and without integer decision variables. The algorithm exhibits strong scalability in terms of both run time required and final solution quality on large-scale instances.

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A Note on “A Superior Representation Method for Piecewise Linear Functions”
Authors: Vielma Juan Pablo , Ahmed Shabbir , Nemhauser George
Published: March 2010

This paper studies two mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) formulations for piecewise linear functions considered in Li et al. [Li, H.-L., H.-C. Lu, C.-H. Huang, N.-Z. Hu. 2009. A superior representation method for piecewise linear functions. INFORMS J. Comput. 21(2) 314–321]. Although the ideas used to construct one of these formulations are theoretically interesting and could eventually provide a computational advantage, we show that their use in modeling piecewise linear functions yields a poor MILP formulation. We specifically show that neither of the formulations in this paper has a favorable strength property shared by all standard MILP formulations for piecewise linear functions. We also show that both formulations in Li et al. (2009) are significantly outperformed computationally by standard MILP formulations.
Teaching-Learning Ecologies: Mapping the Environment to Structure Through Action
Authors: Bailey Diane E. , Barley Stephen R.
Published: March 2010

Although organizational theorists have long argued that environments shape organizational structures, they have paid little attention to the processes by which the shaping occurs. This paper examines these processes by showing how environments shape teaching and learning activities, which in turn shape structure. Observational field data from structural engineering groups in three firms and hardware engineering groups in three firms revealed that the two occupations exhibited different patterns of learning episodes and different distributions of actors across those episodes, or what, following the work of Roger Barker, we call two distinct teaching-learning ecologies. After detailing the differences in the two ecologies, we show how these differences emerged from patterns of behavior that were influenced by unique sets of environmental and technological constraints. By demonstrating how actions transform environmental constraints into organizational structure, this paper indicates how research on individual learning in organizations can speak to larger concerns in organizational theory. Moreover, by adopting a synthetic and pragmatic approach to individual learning as a social activity, the paper highlights the role of teachers in workplace learning and casts doubts on the existence of a universal model of how individuals learn at work.
Collective Learning in Global Diffusion: Spreading Quality Standards in a Developing Country Cluster
Authors: Perez-Aleman Paola
Published: March 2010

This research analyzes how foreign organizational practices diffuse among indigenous enterprises in a developing economy. It highlights the collective knowledge-building process as central for understanding diffusion. Based on a longitudinal case study of a cluster of dairy producers in Nicaragua, a representative low-income country, it looks at cross-border diffusion in conditions that differ significantly from advanced economies. The current literature that highlights institutional pressures driving global spread of practices has limits for capturing a significant dynamic caused by increased integration of markets and production. By focusing on production organization and practices in a late developing context, this paper explains the intertwined process of spreading new standards and changing existing local practices by elaborating the relationship among building collective capabilities, learning, and standards diffusion. This study enriches current views on institutional effects and adds to the practice-based literature, as well as to the work on developing economy firms in organizational research.
Taking Sides: The Interactive Influences of Institutional Mechanisms on the Adoption of Same-Sex Partner Health Benefits by Fortune 500 Corporations, 1990–2003
Authors: Chuang You-Ta , Church Robin , Ophir Ron
Published: March 2010

We draw upon institutional theory to investigate the interactive influences of institutional mechanisms—coercive, mimetic, and normative—on the diffusion of a controversial and socially stigmatized practice, same-sex partner health benefits, in Fortune 500 corporations between 1990 and 2003. Given the social stigma associated with domestic partnerships of lesbians and gay men during the period of the study, the provision of these benefits was highly controversial and induced intense contestation between proponents and opponents of the institution of equal treatment for lesbian and gay employees. We explore the diffusion of theses benefits using data on cumulative adoptions by similar others, state laws forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation, and overall tenor in press coverage of the benefits. Our analysis shows that the cumulative number of adoptions within industry increased the positive effect of state laws on the corporation's decision to provide the benefits. However, the cumulative number of adoptions in the state of the corporation's headquarters decreased the positive effects of both state laws and overall tenor in press coverage on such a decision. Accordingly, our study contributes to institutional theory by pointing to complex interactive influences of institutional mechanisms on the institutionalization of contested practices, and to the literature on lesbian and gay issues in the workplace by studying factors influencing organizational decisions to adopt policies supportive of lesbian and gay employees.
Bridging Institutional Entrepreneurship and the Creation of New Organizational Forms: A Multilevel Model
Authors: Tracey Paul , Phillips Nelson , Jarvis Owen
Published: March 2010

The question of how new organizational forms are created remains an unsolved problem in new institutional theory. We argue that one important way that new organizational forms emerge is through a process of bridging institutional entrepreneurship, which involves an institutional entrepreneur combining aspects of established institutional logics to create a new type of organization underpinned by a new, hybrid logic. Building on an in-depth case study of a social enterprise in the United Kingdom, we present a model of the institutional work required for this type of institutional entrepreneurship. The model highlights the multilevel nature of bridging institutional entrepreneurship, showing that it entails institutional work at the micro-, meso-, and macrolevels. The study contributes to the literature by examining an important way that institutional entrepreneurs create new organizational forms; shedding light on the relationship between individual, organizational, and societal level institutional processes; and exploring the relationship between entrepreneurship and institutional entrepreneurship.
Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, and Cyclophosphamide (FEC100) for Breast Cancer
Authors: Bae Eun-Jin , Solimando Dominic A. , Waddell J. Aubrey
Published: March 2010

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires that pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
Lisinopril: Prevention of Migraine (Adults)
Authors: Generali Joyce A. , Cada Dennis J.
Published: March 2010

This Hospital Pharmacy feature is extracted from Off-Label Drug Facts, a quarterly publication available from Wolters Kluwer Health. Off-Label Drug Facts is a practitioner-oriented resource for information about specific drug uses that are unapproved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This new guide to the literature will enable the health care professional or clinician to quickly identify published studies on off-label uses and determine if a specific use is rational in a patient care scenario. A summary of the most relevant data is provided, including background, study design, patient population, dosage information, therapy duration, results, safety, and therapeutic considerations. References direct the reader to the full literature for more comprehensive information before patient care decisions are made. Direct questions or comments regarding Off-Label Drug Uses to hospital pharmacy@drugfacts.com .
Clozapine-Induced Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yeh Jessica , Lee Alice
Published: March 2010

Purpose

To report a case of pulmonary emboli induced by clozapine in a patient who was also using nicotine gum. This case is presented to alert health care providers of this rare adverse effect, to call attention to the risks associated with thromboembolism, and to enable prompt recognition of symptoms so that morbidity and mortality may be decreased in future cases.

A 51-year-old white woman was admitted to the psychiatric ward of a hospital for depression. She had suicidal ideation, was experiencing ethanol abuse relapse, and had had auditory hallucinations caused by concomitant medication nonadherence for 2 weeks prior to admission. The patient smoked 2 packs of cigarettes per day and was adhering to a smoking cessation program that included the use of nicotine gum. She developed diffuse pulmonary emboli 15 days after clozapine initiation. Application of the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale to this case indicated a probable relationship between initial clozapine titration and the development of pulmonary emboli in the patient. Clozapine was discontinued without tapering, and the patient was discharged with prescriptions for fluphenazine and warfarin.

Discussion

The exact mechanism by which clozapine causes pulmonary emboli is unclear, but there have been some hypotheses. This case is similar to previously reported cases because pulmonary embolism was seen on the initiation of clozapine therapy; however, it is unclear whether the concurrent use of nicotine gum increased the risk of developing pulmonary embolism.

Conclusion

Based on previous case studies and the literature, it was concluded that clozapine alone was the cause of pulmonary embolism in this patient. The role of nicotine remains questionable.
Progressive Discipline Skills for the Pharmacy Director
Authors: Sanborn Michael
Published: March 2010

The Director's Forum series is written and edited by Michael Sanborn and Robert Weber and is designed for guiding pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. Another specific goal of this column is addressing many of the key challenges that pharmacy directors currently face, while also providing information that will foster growth in pharmacy leadership and patient safety. Previous Director's Forum articles have discussed various aspects of personnel management. This feature addresses methods for improving employee performance and working through the progressive discipline process.
Recent Publications on Medications and Pharmacy
Authors: Sterling Jacyntha A.
Published: March 2010

Hospital Pharmacy presents this feature to keep pharmacists abreast of new publications in the medical/pharmacy literature. Articles of interest regarding a broad scope of topics are abstracted monthly.
Misoprostol (Rectal): Prevention of Radiation Proctitis
Authors: Generali Joyce A. , Cada Dennis J.
Published: March 2010

This Hospital Pharmacy feature is extracted from Off-Label Drug Facts, a quarterly publication available from Wolters Kluwer Health. Off-Label Drug Facts is a practitioner-oriented resource for information about specific drug uses that are unapproved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This new guide to the literature will enable the health care professional or clinician to quickly identify published studies on off-label uses and determine if a specific use is rational in a patient care scenario. A summary of the most relevant data is provided, including background, study design, patient population, dosage information, therapy duration, results, safety, and therapeutic considerations. References direct the reader to the full literature for more comprehensive information before patient care decisions are made. Direct questions or comments regarding Off-Label Drug Uses to hospital pharmacy@drugfacts.com .
Reduction in Variation of Intravenous Drug Administration in Seventeen San Diego Hospitals with Standardized Drug Concentrations and Dosage Units
Authors: Eastham John H. , Rizos Albert , Gama John A. , Geriak Matthew , Howard Jennifer J. , Johnson S. John , Low Christine C. , Page Daniel , Schultz Diana , Tallian Kimberly B. , Richter Pamela , Quicci-Roberts Kimberly E. , Vanderveen Timothy W. , Pratt Nancy G.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

To standardize intravenous (IV) medication concentrations and dosage units across adult hospitals in San Diego County.

Methods

The San Diego Patient Safety Consortium Task Force comprised representatives from 17 adult hospitals. The first step was a survey of concentration standards and dosage units for the most common and highest-risk IV medications in use at all sites. Survey results were compared with manufacturers' recommendations and reference materials. A Delphi decision-making process was used to determine final drug concentration and dosage units for each drug.

Results

Survey results showed more than 85 concentrations used for 34 drugs. Nine of these were high-risk medications, for which 27 different concentrations were identified. With the exception of magnesium sulfate for nonobstetric use, a single concentration was developed for each medication, resulting in a greater than 94% reduction in variation from concentration standards. A single concentration standard was developed for each high-risk medication, resulting in a 77% reduction in variation. A single dosage unit standard was developed for all medications reviewed, resulting in a 100% reduction in variation. Of the 17 hospitals, 15 were assessed for adoption of the standards. Of these 15 hospitals, adoption of concentrations standards ranged from 72.2% to 100% and adoption of dosage units ranged from 84.8% to 100%.

Conclusion

County-wide standardization of high-risk IV drug concentrations and dosage units reduces variability in IV therapy, which can help promote safer and more consistent practices in IV medication administration. It is expected that standardization will decrease the potential for medication errors within hospitals and on patient transfer to other health care facilities.
Reciprocal relationships between value orientation and motivational interference during studying and leisure
Authors: Hofer Manfred , Schmid Sebastian , Fries Stefan , Kilian Britta , Kuhnle Claudia
Published: March 2010

Background. Motivational interference is defined as the amount of impairment in a target activity due to the incentives of a non‐chosen attractive alternative. The amount to which pupils experience motivational interference while studying or while performing a leisure activity in a school–leisure conflict situation is seen as depending on the values they attach to achievement and well‐being. At the same time, values may also be effects of frequent experience of motivational interference in the respective areas.

Aims. The study is aimed at investigating the reciprocal relationship between personal value orientations and the experience of motivational interference during studying and leisure.

Sample. A total of 363 pupils (sixth to eighth graders at the time of first measurement) completed the same questionnaire twice in a 2‐year interval.

Method. The questionnaire included measures of achievement and well‐being value orientation and the experience of motivational interference during studying and during leisure in school–leisure conflicts. For this, two scenarios were created. In regression analyses, achievement and well‐being value orientations as well as their interaction terms were used as predictors for experience of motivational interference at t2 while controlling for experience of motivational interference at t1, and vice versa. Additionally in path models, these relations were tested in an integrative way.

Results. Pupils' achievement value orientations were connected to differential changes in experiencing motivational interference during leisure and during studying in one scenario but only for pupils low or medium in well‐being value orientation. Conversely, experience of motivational interference at t1 was related to changes in value orientations 2 years later. High motivational interference during studying led to an increase in well‐being value orientation, while high motivational interference during leisure was followed by a decrease in well‐being value orientation and an increase in achievement value orientation. Overall, path models supported these results.

Conclusions. The results are discussed in terms of value change and are linked to self‐control and motivation research.
Mendelian Randomization in the Era of Genomewide Association Studies
Authors: Sleiman Patrick MA , Grant Struan FA
Published: March 2010

Background: Observational epidemiology has been instrumental in identifying modifiable causes of common diseases, and, in turn, substantially impacting public health. Spurious associations in observational epidemiologic studies are most commonly caused by confounding due to social, behavioral, or environmental factors and can therefore be difficult to control. They may also be due to reverse causation—in which the phenotypic outcome subsequently influences an environmental exposure such that it is wrongly implicated in its pathogenesis—and selection bias. Randomized controlled trials are effective in dealing with the potential sources of error; however, their use is not always leveraged, for practical or ethical reasons.

Content: An alternative method, mendelian randomization, entails the use of genetic variants as proxies for the environmental exposures under investigation. The power of mendelian randomization lies in its ability to avoid the often substantial confounding seen in conventional observational epidemiology. Underpinning mendelian randomization is the principle of the independent assortment of alleles during meiosis, which, importantly in this context, also implies that they are independent of those behavioral and environmental factors that confound epidemiologic studies. By selecting genetic variants that influence exposure patterns or are associated with an intermediate phenotype of the disease, one can effectively re-create a randomized comparison.

Summary: In the past 4 years, genomewide association studies have yielded the first robust genetic associations with common diseases, which in turn should enable mendelian randomization to be even more informative, despite some limitations outlined in this review.
Book Reviews
Authors: Deutsch James , Guilln Michael , Kabanova Daria , Allison Deborah , Larke-Walsh George , Siu Carmen
Published: March 2010

It's the Pictures That Got Small: Hollywood Film Stars on 1950s Television, Christine Becker, (2008) Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 293 pp, ISBN 9780819568946 (pbk), $24.95; ISBN 9780819568939 (hbk), $70.00

Diasporas of Australian Cinema,
Catherine Simpson, Renata Murawska and Anthony Lambert (eds), (2009) Bristol: Intellect Books, 213 pp, ISBN 9781841501970 (pbk), $40

Inventing Film Studies, Lee Grieveson and Haidee Wasson (eds), (2008) Durham and London: Duke University Press, 446 pp., illus.,
ISBN 9780822343073 (pbk), $27.95; ISBN 9780822342892 (hbk), $99.95

Ten Bad Dates with De Niro: A Book of Alternative Movie Lists, Richard T. Kelly (ed.), (2007) London: Faber and Faber, 475 pp, ISBN 9780571237661 (hbk), 12.99

Crime Films: Investigating
the Scene, Kirsten Moana Thompson, (2007) London: Wallflower Press, 142 pp, ISBN 9781905674138 (pbk), $25.00

Film Festivals: From European Geopolitics to Global Cinephilia, Marijke de Valck, (2007) Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 276 pp, ISBN 9789053561928
(pbk), 34.50; ISBN 9789053562161 (hbk), 59.50
Film Reviews
Authors: Buhle Paul
Published: March 2010

Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
(2009) A documentary film written, produced and directed by Aviva Kempner Featuring Gertrude Berg and Philip Loeb, with Ed Asner, Madeline Lee Gilford, Norman Lear, Susan Stamberg and Mindy Weisel. Runtime 92 minutes
Team Medss: A Tool for Designing Medical Simulation Scenarios
Authors: Lazzara Elizabeth H. , Weaver Sallie J. , Diazgranados Deborah , Rosen Michael A. , Salas Eduardo , Wu Teresa S. , Silvestri Salvatore , Augenstein Jeffrey S. , Birnbach David J. , Robinson Donald , King Heidi
Published: March 2010

FEATURE AT A GLANCE: The prevalence of teamwork training programs in health care is growing, and simulation-based training (SBT) is an important component of these interventions. SBT can be a powerful tool for building teamwork competencies in a safe and realistic environment when effectively integrated into a comprehensive training curriculum. Thus, training designers and clinical experts must collaborate to ensure that SBT is developed systematically. In this article, we strive to bridge the combined expertise of training practitioners and health care providers to offer a guide to the process of developing effective SBT scenarios, specifically those focused on teamwork.
Festival Special: Morelia, Mexico
Authors: Smith Paul Julian
Published: March 2010

A report from the 2009 Morelia Film Festival, in the Mexican state of Michoacán. Three themes recurred in the films screened: the murderous legacy of the past, present-day anxiety, and pastoralism—which converge in Julián Hernández's outstanding Enraged Sun, Enraged Sky.
The Geography of Undocumented Mexican Migration
Authors: Massey Douglas S. , Rugh Jacob S. , Pren Karen A.
Published: March 2010

Using data from Mexico's Matrícula Consular program, we analyze the geographic organization of undocumented Mexican migration to the United States. We show that emigration has moved beyond its historical origins in west-central Mexico into the central region and, to a lesser extent, the southeast and border regions. In the United States, traditional gateways continue to dominate, but a variety of new destinations have emerged. California, in particular, has lost its overwhelming dominance. Although the geographic structure of Mexico-U.S. migration is relatively stable, it has nonetheless continued to evolve and change over time.
Consequences of a compromised intrauterine environment on islet function
Authors: Green Alice S , Rozance Paul J , Limesand Sean W
Published: March 2010

Low birth weight is an important risk factor for impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes later in life. One hypothesis is that fetal β-cells inherit a persistent defect as a developmental response to fetal malnutrition, a primary cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Our understanding of fetal programing events in the human endocrine pancreas is limited, but several animal models of IUGR extend our knowledge of developmental programing in β-cells. Pathological outcomes such as β-cell dysfunction, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes are often observed in adult offspring from these animal models, similar to the associations of low birth weight and metabolic diseases in humans. However, the identified mechanisms underlying β-cell dysfunction across models and species are varied, likely resulting from the different methodologies used to induce experimental IUGR, as well as from intraspecies differences in pancreas development. In this review, we first present the evidence for human β-cell dysfunction being associated with low birth weight or IUGR. We then evaluate relevant animal models of IUGR, focusing on the strengths of each, in order to define critical periods and types of nutrient deficiencies that can lead to impaired β-cell function. These findings frame our current knowledge of β-cell developmental programing and highlight future research directions to clarify the mechanisms of β-cell dysfunction for human IUGR.
Disparate Inclusion of Older Adults in Clinical Trials: Priorities and Opportunities for Policy and Practice Change
Authors: Herrera Angelica P. , Snipes Shedra Amy , King Denae W. , Torres-Vigil Isabel , Goldberg Daniel S. , Weinberg Armin D.
Published: March 2010

Older adults are vastly underrepresented in clinical trials in spite of shouldering a disproportionate burden of disease and consumption of prescription drugs and therapies, restricting treatments' generalizability, efficacy, and safety. Eliminating Disparities in Clinical Trials, a national initiative comprising a stakeholder network of researchers, community advocates, policymakers, and federal representatives, undertook a critical analysis of older adults' structural barriers to clinical trial participation. We present practice and policy change recommendations emerging from this process and their rationale, which spanned multiple themes: (1) decision making with cognitively impaired patients; (2) pharmacokinetic differences and physiological age; (3) health literacy, communication, and aging; (4) geriatric training; (5) federal monitoring and accountability; (6) clinical trial costs; and (7) cumulative effects of aging and ethnicity.
Triangulating on Success: Innovation, Public Health, Medical Care, and Cause-Specific US Mortality Rates Over a Half Century (1950–2000)
Authors: Rust George , Satcher David , Fryer George Edgar , Levine Robert S. , Blumenthal Daniel S.
Published: March 2010

To identify successes in improving America's health, we identified disease categories that appeared on vital statistics lists of leading causes of death in the US adult population in either 1950 or 2000, and that experienced at least a 50% reduction in age-adjusted death rates from their peak level to their lowest point between 1950 and 2000. Of the 9 cause-of-death categories that achieved this 50% reduction, literature review suggests that 7 clearly required diffusion of new innovations through both public health and medical care channels. Our nation's health success stories are consistent with a triangulation model of innovation plus public health plus medical care, even when the 3 sectors have worked more in parallel than in partnership.
Translating Research Evidence Into Practice to Reduce Health Disparities: A Social Determinants Approach
Authors: Koh Howard K. , Oppenheimer Sarah C. , Massin-Short Sarah B. , Emmons Karen M. , Geller Alan C. , Viswanath K.
Published: March 2010

Translating research evidence to reduce health disparities has emerged as a global priority. The 2008 World Health Organization Commission on Social Determinants of Health recently urged that gaps in health attributable to political, social, and economic factors should be closed in a generation. Achieving this goal requires a social determinants approach to create public health systems that translate efficacy documented by research into effectiveness in the community. We review the scope, definitions, and framing of health disparities and explore local, national, and global programs that address specific health disparities. Such efforts translate research evidence into real-world settings and harness collaborative social action for broad-scale, sustainable change.
Oral Health Disparities and Psychosocial Correlates of Self-Rated Oral Health in the National Survey of American Life
Authors: Finlayson Tracy L. , Williams David R. , Siefert Kristine , Jackson James S. , Nowjack-Raymer Ruth
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We sought to better understand the determinants of oral health disparities by examining individual-level psychosocial stressors and resources and self-rated oral health in nationally representative samples of Black American, Caribbean Black, and non-Hispanic White adults.

Methods. We conducted logistic regression analyses on fair or poor versus better oral health using data from the National Survey of American Life (n = 6082).

Results. There were no significant racial differences. Overall, 28% of adults reported having fair or poor oral health. Adults with lower income and less than a high school education were each about 1.5 times as likely as other adults to report fair or poor oral health. Higher levels of chronic stress, depressive symptoms, and material hardship were associated with fair or poor oral health. Adults living near more neighborhood resources were less likely to report fair or poor oral health. Higher levels of self-esteem and mastery were protective, and more-religious adults were also less likely to report fair or poor oral health.

Conclusions. Social gradients in self-rated oral health were found, and they have implications for developing interventions to address oral health disparities.
The Impact of Prenatal WIC Participation on Infant Mortality and Racial Disparities
Authors: Khanani Intisar , Elam Jon , Hearn Rick , Jones Camille , Maseru Noble
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We assessed the value of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services as a public health intervention seeking to improve birth outcomes and reduce racial disparities.

Methods. We compared the infant mortality rate (IMR) per 1000 live births and percentage of preterm births overall and by race for prenatal WIC versus non-WIC participants in Hamilton County, Ohio, from 2005 to 2008.

Results. The IMR was lower for WIC participants than for non-WIC participants (8.0 vs 10.6; P = .04). For African Americans, the IMR of WIC participants was much lower than that of non-WIC participants (9.6 vs 21.0; P < .001). For Whites, IMR and preterm birth rates were not improved by WIC participation; however, there was a higher rate of maternal smoking among Whites. The racial disparity in IMR was dramatically reduced in WIC participants (9.6 for African Americans vs 6.7 for Whites; P = .14) as compared with non-WIC participants (21.0 for African Americans vs 7.8 for Whites; P < .001).

Conclusions. Prenatal WIC participation is associated with significant improvements in African American IMR. WIC participation reduces racial disparities in IMR between African Americans and Whites.
Critical Race Theory, Race Equity, and Public Health: Toward Antiracism Praxis
Authors: Ford Chandra L. , Airhihenbuwa Collins O.
Published: March 2010

Racial scholars argue that racism produces rates of morbidity, mortality, and overall well-being that vary depending on socially assigned race. Eliminating racism is therefore central to achieving health equity, but this requires new paradigms that are responsive to structural racism's contemporary influence on health, health inequities, and research.

Critical Race Theory is an emerging transdisciplinary, race-equity methodology that originated in legal studies and is grounded in social justice. Critical Race Theory's tools for conducting research and practice are intended to elucidate contemporary racial phenomena, expand the vocabulary with which to discuss complex racial concepts, and challenge racial hierarchies.

We introduce Critical Race Theory to the public health community, highlight key Critical Race Theory characteristics (race consciousness, emphases on contemporary societal dynamics and socially marginalized groups, and praxis between research and practice) and describe Critical Race Theory's contribution to a study on racism and HIV testing among African Americans.
The Moral Problem of Health Disparities
Authors: Jones Cynthia M.
Published: March 2010

Health disparities exist along lines of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic class in US society. I argue that we should work to eliminate these health disparities because their existence is a moral wrong that needs to be addressed.

Health disparities are morally wrong because they exemplify historical injustices. Contractarian ethics, Kantian ethics, and utilitarian ethics all provide theoretical justification for viewing health disparities as a moral wrong, as do several ethical principles of primary importance in bioethics. The moral consequences of health disparities are also troubling and further support the claim that these disparities are a moral wrong. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides additional support that health disparities are a moral wrong, as does an analogy with the generally accepted duty to provide equal access to education.

In this article, I also consider and respond to 3 objections to my thesis.
Moving Toward Paradigm-Shifting Research in Health Disparities Through Translational, Transformational, and Transdisciplinary Approaches
Authors: Dankwa-Mullan Irene , Rhee Kyu B. , Stoff David M. , Pohlhaus Jennifer Reineke , Sy Francisco S. , Stinson Nathaniel , Ruffin John
Published: March 2010

Translational, transdisciplinary, and transformational research stands to become a paradigm-shifting mantra for research in health disparities. A windfall of research discoveries using these 3 approaches has increased our understanding of the health disparities in racial, ethnic, and low socioeconomic status groups. These distinct but related research spheres possess unique environments, which, when integrated, can lead to innovation in health disparities science.

In this article, we review these approaches and propose integrating them to advance health disparities research through a change in philosophical position and an increased emphasis on community engagement. We argue that a balanced combination of these research approaches is needed to inform evidence-based practice, social action, and effective policy change to improve health in disparity communities.
The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities: Summary and Analysis of the NIH Summit Recommendations
Authors: Dankwa-Mullan Irene , Rhee Kyu B. , Williams Kester , Sanchez Idalia , Sy Francisco S. , Stinson Nathaniel , Ruffin John
Published: March 2010

In December 2008, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored the first NIH Summit showcasing its investment and contribution to health disparities research and unveiling a framework for moving this important field forward.

The Summit, titled “The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities,” drew on extensive experience of experts leading health disparities research transformation in diverse fields. The Summit also provided a historic educational opportunity to contribute to health care reform. The theme, addressing disparities through integration of science, practice, and policy, introduced a paradigm for advancing research through transformational, translational, and transdisciplinary research.

Engaging active participation throughout the Summit generated recommendations bridging science, practice, and policy, including action on social determinants of health, community engagement, broad partnerships, capacity-building, and media outreach.