bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cool, but Is It Credible? Adolescents’ and Parents’ Approaches to Genetic Testing
Authors: Rew Lynn , Mackert Michael , Bonevac Dan
Published: August 2010

Advances in genomic science create both opportunities and challenges for future generations. Both adolescents and adults may benefit or be harmed by decisions they make in response to this new science. Using a qualitative descriptive design, the authors interviewed 22 adolescents (11 who were aged 14-17 years and 11 who were 18-21 years) and 11 parents to determine levels of knowledge and approaches to decision making. It was found that younger adolescents and their parents have very limited knowledge about genetics and genetic testing. Older adolescents have more complete information and consider a broader range of points in making decisions about hypothetical situations involving genetic testing. Adolescents and parents need much more information to enhance their ability to make decisions about using genetic services. These findings have implications for developing interventions and public health policy highlighted by the need for improved education about the benefits and harms of genetic testing.
Scientific Impact: Opportunity and Necessity
Authors: Cohen Marlene Z. , Alexander Gregory L. , Wyman Jean F. , Fahrenwald Nancy L. , Porock Davina , Wurzbach Mary E. , Rawl Susan M. , Conn Vicki S.
Published: August 2010

Recent National Institutes of Health changes have focused attention on the potential scientific impact of research projects. Research with the excellent potential to change subsequent science or health care practice may have high scientific impact. Only rigorous studies that address highly significant problems can generate change. Studies with high impact may stimulate new research approaches by changing understanding of a phenomenon, informing theory development, or creating new research methods that allow a field of science to move forward. Research with high impact can transition health care to more effective and efficient approaches. Studies with high impact may propel new policy developments. Research with high scientific impact typically has both immediate and sustained influence on the field of study. The article includes ideas to articulate potential scientific impact in grant applications as well as possible dissemination strategies to enlarge the impact of completed projects.
After a terror attack: Israeli — Arab professionals’ feelings and experiences
Authors: Baum Nehami
Published: August 2010

This paper discusses the feelings and experiences of Israeli-Arab social workers following terror attacks during the Second Intifada, against the background of two contrasting perspectives: Terror Management Theory and the Contact Hypothesis. The findings, based on in-depth interviews with 25 professionals, show pervasive tension and anxiety following attacks. Consistent with the Contact Hypothesis, however, findings also show that the interviewees’ degree of closeness with Jewish colleagues affected both their own feelings and behaviors and those of the Jews they spoke about. Relationships lacking warmth or friendship created distancing after an attack. On the other hand, interviewees with warm and friendly relations with Jewish co-workers reported heightened alertness associated with discomfort following an attack. Findings also show that close relations with their Jewish colleagues could alleviate considerable anxiety and exclusion they felt after terror attacks.
Language Interpretation, Parent Participation, and Young Children With Disabilities
Authors: Cheatham Gregory A.
Published: August 2010

Spoken parent—educator interactions through language interpreters for parents who do not speak English can challenge early intervention/early childhood special education professionals. Research suggests that language interpretation is often inadequate to ensure that the parental participation, informed parental consent, and interpretation mandates of IDEA (P.L. 108-446) Parts B and C are met. Examples from several contexts are presented to illustrate communication disconnects between early educators and parents. Subsequently, a discussion of quality language interpretation in early intervention/ early childhood special education is presented followed by program and policy recommendations.
Nonprofit Sales Tax Exemption
Authors: Walker Melissa A. , Sipult Linsey F.
Published: August 2010

Tax exemption is a defining characteristic of nonprofit organizations and of the nonprofit sector. Exemption has most often been studied in the context of federal income tax and local property tax. This study offers a state perspective. States do not require nonprofit organizations to pay income tax, property tax, or sales tax when making purchases. States do require nonprofits to collect and remit tax when engaged in the sale of goods and some services. Purchases appear to fit the broad normative definition of charitable laid out in federal law. Sales by nonprofits may be considered commercial activity, prompting states to adopt a more narrow definition of charitable. This study found that states that depend more on sales tax revenue were more likely to require remittance of sales tax when nonprofits regularly engaged in the sale of taxable goods and less likely to formally exempt sales tax on purchases.
Pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: common and different features in distinct subsets
Authors: Wenzel J. , Zahn S. , Tüting T.
Published: August 2010

The term ‘cutaneous lupus erythematosus’ (CLE) comprises several related autoimmune skin disorders, defined as ‘specific’ skin manifestations of lupus erythematosus (LE). The spectrum of clinical presentation of CLE is wide, reaching from mild erythema to disseminated scarring skin lesions. There is increasing knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of LE skin lesions and it has been shown that a complex network of cutaneous cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules orchestrate and promote tissue injury observed in LE skin lesions. However, a complete understanding of the diverse pathophysiological mechanisms in the different CLE subsets does not exist. Here we review the main pathological features described in CLE patients against the background of the clinical diversity of different CLE subtypes. Lupus (2010) 19, 1020—1028.
Clinical outcome measures for cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Authors: Albrecht J. , Werth VP
Published: August 2010

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a clinically heterogeneous group of rare skin diseases that only rarely have been subjected to controlled clinical trials. This may have been partly due to a lack of suitable validated outcome instruments. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that organ-specific trials for lupus erythematosus need to use a combination of different outcome measures. The patient’s condition needs to be assessed in terms of quality of life, the patient’s global response, and organ-specific instruments that measure activity of the disease as well as damage due to the disease. For the skin, the only formally validated and published instrument is currently the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). This paper discusses the background of the development of the CLASI as well as issues related to its use and interpretation in the context of clinical research of CLE. Lupus (2010) 19, 1137—1143.
Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Authors: Callen JP
Published: August 2010

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a subset of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with unique immunologic and clinical features. The first description dates back to 1985 when a series of five patients were found to have hydrochlorothiazide-induced SCLE. Since that time, at least 40 other drugs have been implicated in the induction of SCLE. Lupus (2010) 19, 1107— 1111.
Understanding caring, organizing women: how framing a problem shapes union strategy
Authors: Yates Charlotte AB
Published: August 2010

Unions need more women members in order to grow. To organize and represent women, however, unions have to understand their different identities, issues and relationships at work. Using the concept of framing, in a case study of union organizing amongst child care workers, this article argues that unions struggle to define the scope and nature of a problem in ways that appeal to prospective women members and mobilize support for union-proposed solutions. The article explores how one union attempts to organize child care workers from diverse employment settings with divergent interests into a coalition with parents behind demands for a universal child care system.
Unions as environmental actors
Authors: Snell Darryn , Fairbrother Peter
Published: August 2010

Building on a long history of concerns with the working environment, unions are now addressing issues arising from the debates and policies on the human causes of climate change. This article examines how unions are responding to such issues. Many unions are extending their capacities in relation to environmental concerns and in the process are refocusing their purpose. This is, however, not straightforward: unions are caught in a tension between pressures to ensure job creation and pressures towards environmental responsibility. While unions address climate change as independent organizations, more comprehensive outcomes may be possible via emergent forms of unionism that bring unions and their local communities together in solidaristic ways.
Rethinking collective representation: introduction EN
Authors: Dufour Christian , Murray Gregor , Peetz David , Yates Charlotte
Published: August 2010

This special issue of Transfer concerns the analytical frameworks we use to understand trade unions and their actions. Focusing on the conditions for union renewal, it explores key ideas that might stimulate our thinking about union revitalization and future forms of collective representation. The challenge to each set of authors is to put forward a conceptual framework that will help readers to rethink their own understanding and narratives about collective representation. These concepts include politics, power, legitimacy, democracy, individualism and collectivism, the framing of gender and womanhood, and climate change.
Why Simulation Games Work-In Search of the Active Substance: A Synthesis
Authors: Hofstede Gert Jan , de Caluwé Léon , Peters Vincent
Published: August 2010

In this article, the authors reflect on the question why simulation games are such an effective tool for learning. The article is based on the authors’ experience and that of many other practitioners in the field. The article posits that it is the confluence of systemic knowledge, practice, emotional involvement, and social embeddedness that creates the potential to achieve results that no other methods can match. A simulation game run constitutes a bout of individual and collective purposeful action by an individual or a group formed specifically for that purpose. People have evolved to be supremely good at just that. Simulation games can teach systemic knowledge, and they can enable participants to try out organizational changes. This potential is not always realized, however. Game runs are “alive” and variable, and this is a risky strength. They activate not only the explicit rules but also the hidden cultural rules of the participants. This can lead to memorable learning as well as to frustration, particularly when games are used across cultures. The article specifies reasons why games could fail and offers ways to avoid these pitfalls. It shows that experience and craftsmanship are needed in game design, facilitation, and debriefing.
Forgiveness Text
Authors: Gorman Geraldine
Published: August 2010

This text explores the complex and reciprocal concept of forgiveness in a society segregated by class and privilege.
College-Based Inclusion Programming for Transition-Age Students With Autism
Authors: Zager Dianne , Alpern Carol S.
Published: August 2010

Considerations for college-based programming for transition-age students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are addressed in this article, with particular attention to social communication supports necessary to facilitate student success. An overview of current literature related to college-based programming and support for students with ASD in the area of social communication is presented, along with a preliminary survey of the perceptions of youth regarding their social communication competency. The need for support in this area is highlighted based on student evaluations of their ability and needs as well as on information gathered through an examination of current literature. Recommendations are offered for enhancing development of social communication skills for students with ASD in college-based programs.
Effects of Task Analysis and Self-Monitoring for Children With Autism in Multiple Social Settings
Authors: Parker Daniel , Kamps Debra
Published: August 2010

In this study, written task analyses with self-monitoring were used to teach functional skills and verbal interactions to two high-functioning students with autism in social settings with peers. A social script language intervention was included in two of the activities to increase the quantity of verbal interaction between the students and peers. Analysis of the results leads to the conclusion that the intervention package increased independent task completion, peer-directed verbal interaction, and activity engagement for the students with autism during social, game, and cooking activities. Improvements in task completion persisted after the written task analyses were faded. The percentage of intervals with appropriate language use remained consistent as the social scripts were faded during the game activities.
Special interest tourists collecting places and destinations: A case study of Australian World Heritage sites
Authors: King Lisa M. , Prideaux Bruce
Published: August 2010

The World Heritage brand signals the best in protected areas. Certain destinations and places hold particular appeal to special interest tourists resulting in the conscious collection of those sites. TV programs, authors and others take advantage of this penchant to collect places; yet, there is little literature on this behaviour. This paper reports on research testing the contention there is a specific group of visitors who collect World Heritage listed sites. The article examines World Heritage visitor recognition prior to and after time on-site. A case study approach is applied and visitor surveys used across five Australian properties. Findings demonstrate only 13% of site visitor do collect World Heritage Areas but their socio-demographics profiles are too diverse to develop a specific socio-demographic profile of this group. Additionally, only 60% of respondents knew they were visiting a World Heritage listed site indicating a significant weakness in the World Heritage brand.
Perfect weddings abroad
Authors: Major Bridget , McLeay Fraser , Waine Danny
Published: August 2010

Approximately 16% of UK couples are currently married abroad. However, academic or practitioner focused research that explores the complex nature of a couple’s buying preferences or the development of innovative marketing strategies by businesses operating within the weddings abroad niche sector, is almost non-existent. This exploratory paper examines the role and relevance of marketing within the weddings abroad sector. The complex nature of customer needs in this high emotional and involvement experience, are identified and explored. A case study of Perfect Weddings Abroad Ltd highlights distinctive features and characteristics. Social networking and the use of home-workers, with a focus on reassurance and handholding are important tools used to develop relationships with customers. These tools and techniques help increase the tangibility of a weddings abroad package. Clusters of complementary services that are synergistic and provide sources of competitive advantage are identified and an agenda for future research is developed.
Theme parks and a structural equation model of determinants of visitor satisfaction — Janfusan Fancyworld, Taiwan
Authors: Ryan Chris , Shih Shuo Yeh (Sam) , Huan Tzung-Cheng
Published: August 2010

The main thesis of this paper is that satisfaction derived from a theme park visit may be of two types — generic — which relates to general ‘push’ needs such as those for relaxation, and site specific — which relate to destination attraction features and ‘pull’ determinants. It is argued that it is the latter that are the more important in determining total satisfaction, which, however, is a composite of both sets of needs and additionally modified by moderating variables of a hygiene nature. This thesis is examined in the context of a theme park, Janfusan Fancyworld, in Taiwan. The main sources of satisfaction appear to be those associated with the atmosphere of the park, the existence of thrill rides, degrees of crowding experienced, having places to rest and a perceived reasonable entry price.
Customer service in the face of flight delays
Authors: Baranishyn Mike , Cudmore B. Andrew , Fletcher Tim
Published: August 2010

Despite the increasing informal discussion (Blogs, newspapers and magazines) of the industry-wide tarmac delay phenomena, the extant satisfaction and queuing literature is silent on this rather intense pre-process delay. Further, unlike queues where a customer can leave, these tarmac delays have the added element of entrapment as the travelers cannot extract themselves from the wait. As the FAA tries to establish official limits on these delays, that often mean hours of wasted time, customer satisfaction levels are plummeting. In response to this problem, we explore this unique waiting event by examining the effects of timeliness of information about the duration of the delay and the accuracy of expected wait time on passengers’ attitudes about the airline. Airlines can use our results to form strategies that minimize customer dissatisfaction during tarmac delays.
Intergroup evaluations, group indispensability and prototypicality judgments: A study in Mauritius
Authors: Ng Tseung-Wong Caroline , Verkuyten Maykel
Published: August 2010

This paper focuses on the superordinate (national)-subgroup (ethnic) association in relation to group identifications, relative ingroup indispensability, relative ingroup prototypicality and their effects on outgroup and ingroup evaluations. Survey data were collected from a large sample of Mauritian adolescents ( N = 1,784) from three ethnic groups (Hindus, Muslims, Creoles). National and dual identifiers were more positive towards the outgroups than ethnic identifiers. Furthermore, relative ingroup prototypicality and relative ingroup indispensability were empirically distinguishable constructs. The Creoles, who are of lower status, had higher scores on both these measures. Also it turned out that relative ingroup indispensability and relative ingroup prototypicality were independently associated to respectively more negative outgroup evaluation and more positive ingroup evaluation. The findings give a differentiated view of the idea that a complex representation of the superordinate category fosters outgroup acceptance.
Measuring Technical Efficiency in the Indian Automobile Industry
Authors: Mazumder Ritwik , Adhikary Maniklal
Published: August 2010

This study has measured firm-specific time invariant technical efficiency in the Indian automobile industry during 2004–06 using a suitably constructed stochastic production frontier. The one-sided inefficiency random variable is assumed to be truncated normal with a variable mode which is non-neutral with respect to some selected firm-specific factors, capable of explaining inter-firm variations in the level of technical inefficiency. It is found that age of the firm since inception and level of technical efficiency are inversely associated. However, the market share of the firm and the degree of automation are found to be positively associated with firm level technical efficiency. Statistical tests further reveal that the underlying technology in the automobile industry in India is linear homogeneous.
Credit Growth, Bank Soundness and Financial Fragility
Authors: Ghosh Saibal
Published: August 2010

Using data on Indian banks for 1996–2008, the article examines the interconnection among credit growth, bank soundness and financial fragility. The analysis appears to indicate that higher credit growth amplifies bank fragility. Besides, the results point to the fact that sounder banks increase loan supply. Coming to bank ownership, the evidence testifies that credit growth has been rapid in State-owned and de novo private banks. In terms of policy implications, the analysis appears to suggest the need for giving priority to risk-based supervision as a way to contain the potential risks associated with rapid credit growth.
Maoist Control and Level of Civil Conflict in Nepal
Authors: Hatlebakk Magnus
Published: August 2010

Was the Maoist influence during the insurgency in Nepal stronger in districts with high rates of poverty and inequality? In contrast to previous studies, we limit the analysis to the hill/mountain districts as very few terai (plains) districts were classified as Maoist. And we conduct separate analyses for Maoist control and level of conflict. We find that income poverty and land inequality were high in Maoist districts, while the less visible income inequality was not so important. We also demonstrate that previous findings by Murshed and Gates (2005), where landlessness appears to be important, are due to two outliers that are the core Maoist districts. Without the outliers landlessness is negatively, and not positively, correlated with Maoist influence.
Review Article: Systemic conditions associated with areca nut usage: A literature review
Authors: Javed Fawad , Bello Correra Fernanda O. , Chotai Milisha , Tappuni Anwar R. , Almas Khalid
Published: August 2010

Aim: The adverse effects of areca nut (AN) chewing habit on oral health have been reported. However, the hazards related to the habit are not restricted to the oral cavity but they can also jeopardise the systemic health. Since no review reporting the harmful effects of AN chewing on systemic health is yet available, the aim of the present study was to review the systemic conditions associated with AN usage. Methods: To address the focused question ‘‘What are the deleterious effects of AN usage on systemic health?’’, the MEDLINE PubMed databases were explored from 1966 up to and including May 2010. The eligibility criteria included: human studies, individuals using AN, use of controls, and articles published in English. Hand-searching was also performed. Unpublished data was excluded. Results: The review included 28 articles. Seven studies associated AN chewing with cardiovascular disorders and three studies related the habit with cerebrovascular disorders. Eight studies related AN chewing with obesity, hyperglycaemia, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Five studies related AN chewing with the development of hepatic disorders. Two studies associated the chewing habit with oesophageal inflammation and fibrosis. Three studies associated AN chewing with respiratory discomfort. Renal disorders were related with the chewing abuse in two studies. Two studies showed an adverse effect of AN chewing on birth outcome. Conclusions: AN chewing adversely affects systemic health by damaging the vital organs.
Induction of FPN1 transcription by MTF-1 reveals a role for ferroportin in transition metal efflux
Authors: Troadec Marie-Berengere , Ward Diane McVey , Lo Eric , Kaplan Jerry , De Domenico Ivana
Published: August 2010

Ferroportin (Fpn) is the only known iron exporter in vertebrate cells and plays a critical role in iron homeostasis regulating cytosolic iron levels and exporting iron to plasma. Ferroportin1 (FPN1) expression can be transcriptionally regulated by iron as well as other transition metals. Fpn can also be posttranslationally regulated by hepcidin-mediated internalization and degradation. We demonstrate that zinc and cadmium induce FPN1 transcription through the action of Metal Transcription Factor-1 (MTF-1). These transition metals induce MTF-1 translocation into the nucleus. Zinc leads to MTF-1 binding to the FPN1 promoter, while iron does not. Silencing of MTF-1 reduces FPN1 transcription in response to zinc but not in response to iron. The mouse FPN1 promoter contains 2 MTF-1 binding sites and mutation of those sites affects the zinc and cadmium-dependent expression of a FPN1 promoter reporter construct. We demonstrate that Fpn can transport zinc and can protect zinc sensitive cells from high zinc toxicity.
Transcriptome analysis of the oil-rich seed of the bioenergy crop Jatropha curcas L
Authors: Costa Gustavo GL , Cardoso Kiara C , Del Bem Luiz EV , Lima Aline C , Cunha Muciana AS , de Campos-Leite Luciana , Vicentini Renato , Papes Fábio , Moreira Raquel C , Yunes José A , Campos Francisco AP , Da Silva Márcio J
Published: August 2010

Background

To date, oil-rich plants are the main source of biodiesel products. Because concerns have been voiced about the impact of oil-crop cultivation on the price of food commodities, the interest in oil plants not used for food production and amenable to cultivation on non-agricultural land has soared. As a non-food, drought-resistant and oil-rich crop, Jatropha curcas L. fulfils many of the requirements for biofuel production.

Results

We have generated 13,249 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from developing and germinating Jatropha seeds. This strategy allowed us to detect most known genes related to lipid synthesis and degradation. We have also identified ESTs coding for proteins that may be involved in the toxicity of Jatropha seeds. Another unexpected finding is the high number of ESTs containing transposable element-related sequences in the developing seed library (800) when contrasted with those found in the germinating seed library (80).

Conclusions

The sequences generated in this work represent a considerable increase in the number of sequences deposited in public databases. These results can be used to produce genetically improved varieties of Jatropha with increased oil yields, different oil compositions and better agronomic characteristics.
Comparative analysis of expressed sequence tags from three castes and two life stages of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes
Authors: Steller Matthew M , Kambhampati Srinivas , Caragea Doina
Published: August 2010

Background

Termites (Isoptera) are eusocial insects whose colonies consist of morphologically and behaviorally specialized castes of sterile workers and soldiers, and reproductive alates. Previous studies on eusocial insects have indicated that caste differentiation and behavior are underlain by differential gene expression. Although much is known about gene expression in the honey bee, Apis mellifera, termites remain relatively understudied in this regard. Therefore, our objective was to assemble an expressed sequence tag (EST) data base for the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, for future gene expression studies.

Results

Soldier, worker, and alate caste and two larval cDNA libraries were constructed, and approximately 15,000 randomly chosen clones were sequenced to compile an EST data base. Putative gene functions were assigned based on a BLASTX Swissprot search. Categorical in silico expression patterns for each library were compared using the R-statistic. A significant proportion of the ESTs of each caste and life stages had no significant similarity to those in existing data bases. All cDNA libraries, including those of non-reproductive worker and soldier castes, contained sequences with putative reproductive functions. Genes that showed a potential expression bias among castes included a putative antibacterial humoral response and translation elongation protein in soldiers and a chemosensory protein in alates.

Conclusions

We have expanded upon the available sequences for R. flavipes and utilized an in silico method to compare gene expression in different castes of an eusocial insect. The in silico analysis allowed us to identify several genes which may be differentially expressed and involved in caste differences. These include a gene overrepresented in the alate cDNA library with a predicted function of neurotransmitter secretion or cholesterol absorption and a gene predicted to be involved in protein biosynthesis and ligase activity that was overrepresented in the late larval stage cDNA library. The EST data base and analyses reported here will be a valuable resource for future studies on the genomics of R. flavipes and other termites.
Decreased Hsp90 expression in infiltrative lobular carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Zagouri Flora , Sergentanis Theodoros , Nonni Afrodite , Papadimitriou Christos , Pazaiti Anastasia , Michalopoulos Nikolaos V , Safioleas Panagiotis , Lazaris Andreas , Theodoropoulos George , Patsouris Effstratios , Zografos George
Published: August 2010

Background

Elevated Hsp90 expression has been documented in breast ductal carcinomas, whereas decreased Hsp90 expression has been reported in precursor lobular lesions. This study aims to assess Hsp90 expression in infiltrative lobular carcinomas of the breast.

Methods

Tissue specimens were taken from 32 patients with infiltrative lobular carcinoma. Immunohistochemical assessment of Hsp90 was performed both in the lesion and the adjacent normal breast ducts and lobules; the latter serving as control. Concerning Hsp90 assessment: i) the percentage of positive cells and ii) the intensity were separately analyzed. Subsequently, the Allred score was adopted and calculated. The intensity was treated as an ordinal variable-score (0: negative, low: 1, moderate: 2, high: 3). Statistical analysis followed.

Results

All infiltrative lobular carcinoma foci mainly presented with a positive cytoplasmic immunoreaction for Hsp90. Compared to the adjacent normal ducts and lobules, infiltrative lobular carcinoma exhibited a statistically significant decrease in Hsp90 expression, both in terms of Hsp90 positive cells (%) and Allred score (74.2 ± 11.2 vs. 59.1 ± 14.2 p = 0.0001; 7.00 ± 0.95 vs. 6.22 ± 1.01, p = 0.007, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test). Concerning the intensity of Hsp90 immunostaining only a marginal decrease was noted (2.16 ± 0.68 vs. 1.84 ± 0.63, p = 0.087, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test).

Conclusion

ILC lesions seem to exhibit decreased Hsp90 expression, a finding contrary to what might have been expected, given that high Hsp90 expression is a trait of invasive ductal carcinomas.
Mass spectrometry protein expression profiles in colorectal cancer tissue associated with clinico-pathological features of disease
Authors: Liao Christopher CL , Ward Nicholas , Marsh Simon , Arulampalam Tan , Norton John D
Published: August 2010

Background

Studies of several tumour types have shown that expression profiling of cellular protein extracted from surgical tissue specimens by direct mass spectrometry analysis can accurately discriminate tumour from normal tissue and in some cases can sub-classify disease. We have evaluated the potential value of this approach to classify various clinico-pathological features in colorectal cancer by employing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Methods

Protein extracts from 31 tumour and 33 normal mucosa specimens were purified, subjected to MALDI-Tof MS and then analysed using the 'GenePattern' suite of computational tools (Broad Institute, MIT, USA). Comparative Gene Marker Selection with either a t-test or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) test statistic was used to identify and rank differentially expressed marker peaks. Thek-nearest neighbours algorithm was used to build classification models either using separate training and test datasets or else by using an iterative, 'leave-one-out' cross-validation method.

Results

73 protein peaks in the mass range 1800-16000Da were differentially expressed in tumourversesadjacent normal mucosa tissue (P ≤ 0.01, false discovery rate ≤ 0.05). Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis classified most tumour and normal mucosa into distinct cluster groups. Supervised prediction correctly classified the tumour/normal mucosa status of specimens in an independent test spectra dataset with 100% sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval: 67.9-99.2%). Supervised prediction using 'leave-one-out' cross validation algorithms for tumour spectra correctly classified 10/13 poorly differentiated and 16/18 well/moderately differentiated tumours (P= < 0.001; receiver-operator characteristics - ROC - error, 0.171); disease recurrence was correctly predicted in 5/6 cases and disease-free survival (median follow-up time, 25 months) was correctly predicted in 22/23 cases (P= < 0.001; ROC error, 0.105). A similar analysis of normal mucosa spectra correctly predicted 11/14 patients with, and 15/19 patients without lymph node involvement (P= 0.001; ROC error, 0.212).

Conclusions

Protein expression profiling of surgically resected CRC tissue extracts by MALDI-TOF MS has potential value in studies aimed at improved molecular classification of this disease. Further studies, with longer follow-up times and larger patient cohorts, that would permit independent validation of supervised classification models, would be required to confirm the predictive value of tumour spectra for disease recurrence/patient survival.
Risk factors and obstetric complications of large for gestational age births with adjustments for community effects: results from a new cohort study
Authors: Ng Shu-Kay , Olog Adriana , Spinks Anneliese B , Cameron Cate M , Searle Judy , McClure Rod J
Published: August 2010

Background

High birth weight has serious adverse impacts on chronic health conditions and development in children. This study identifies the social determinants and obstetric complications of high birth weight adjusted for gestational age and baby gender.

Methods

Pregnant women were recruited from three maternity hospitals in South-East Queensland in Australia during antenatal clinic visits. A questionnaire was completed by each participant to elicit information on eco-epidemiological exposures. Perinatal information was extracted from hospital birth records. A hierarchical mixture regression model was used in the analysis to account for the heterogeneity of birth weights and identify risk factors and obstetric complications of births that were large for gestational age. A generalized linear mixed model was used to adjust for (random) "community" effects.

Results

Pre-pregnancy obesity (adjusted OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.49-5.01), previous pregnancy (adjusted OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.08-3.81), and married mothers (adjusted OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.00-3.42) were significantly associated with large for gestational age babies. Subsequent complications included the increased need for delivery by caesarean sections or instrumental procedures (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.10-3.55), resuscitation (adjusted OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.33-4.79), and transfer to intensive/special care nursery (adjusted OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.89-7.49). Communities associated with a higher proportion of large for gestational age births were identified.

Conclusions

Pre pregnancy obesity is the principal modifiable risk factor for large for gestational age births. Large for gestational age is an important risk factor for the subsequent obstetric complications. The findings improve the evidence-base on which to base preventive interventions to reduce the impact of high birth weight on maternal and child health.
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates growth and maintenance of colonospheres
Authors: Kanwar Shailender S , Yu Yingjie , Nautiyal Jyoti , Patel Bhaumik B , Majumdar Adhip PN
Published: August 2010

Background

Recent evidence suggests that epithelial cancers, including colorectal cancer are driven by a small sub-population of self-renewing, multi-potent cells termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) which are thought to be responsible for recurrence of cancer. One of the characteristics of CSCs is their ability to form floating spheroids under anchorage-independent conditions in a serum-free defined media. The current investigation was undertaken to examine the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in regulating the growth and maintenance of colonospheres. Human colon cancer cells HCT-116 (p53 wild type; K-ras mutant), HCT-116 (p53 null; K-ras mutant) and HT-29 (p53 mutant) were used.

Results

Colonospheres formed in vitro exhibited higher expression of colon CSCs markers LGR5, CD44, CD166 and Musashi-1 along with putative CSC marker EpCAM, compared to the corresponding parental cancer cells and also exhibit the ability to form spheroids under extreme limiting dilution, indicating the predominance of CSCs in colonospheres. Colonospheres formed by HCT-116 cells show over 80% of the cells to be CD44 positive, compared to ≤ 1% in the corresponding parental cells. Additionally, colonospheres showed reduced membrane bound β-catenin but had increased levels of total β-catenin, cyclin-D1 and c-myc and down regulation of axin-1 and phosphorylated β-catenin. Increased expression of β-catenin was associated with a marked transcriptional activation of TCF/LEF. The latter was greatly decreased following down regulation of β-catenin by the corresponding siRNA, leading to a marked reduction in CD44 positive cells as well as colonospheres formation. In contrast, upregulation of c-myc, a down-stream effector of TCF/LEF greatly augmented the formation of colonospheres.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that colonospheres formed by colon cancer cell lines are highly enriched in CSCs and that Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a critical role in growth and maintenance of colonospheres.
Effect of apoA-I on cholesterol release and apoE secretion in human mature adipocytes
Authors: Bencharif Karima , Hoareau Laurence , Murumalla Ravi K , Tarnus Evelyne , Tallet Frank , Clerc Roger G , Gardes Christophe , Cesari Maya , Roche Régis
Published: August 2010

Background

The risk of cardiovascular disease is inversely correlated to level of plasma HDL-c. Moreover, reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) from peripheral tissues to the liver is the most widely accepted mechanism linked to the anti-atherosclerotic activity of HDL. The apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and the ABC transporters play a key role in this process.

Adipose tissue constitutes the body's largest pool of free cholesterol. The adipose cell could therefore be regarded as a key factor in cholesterol homeostasis. The present study investigates the capacity of primary cultures of mature human adipocytes to release cholesterol and explores the relationships between apoA-I, ABCA1, and apoE as well as the signaling pathways that could be potentially involved.

Results

We demonstrate that apoA-I induces a strong increase in cholesterol release and apoE secretion from adipocytes, whereas it has no transcriptional effect on ABCA1 or apoE genes. Furthermore, brefeldin A (BFA), an intracellular trafficking inhibitor, reduces basal cholesterol and apoE secretion, but does not modify induction by apoA-I. The use of statins also demonstrates that apoA-I stimulated cholesterol release is independent of HMG-CoA reductase activation.

Conclusion

Our work highlights the fact that adipose tissue, and particularly adipocytes, may largely contribute to RCT via a mechanism specifically regulated within these cells. This further supports the argument that adipose tissue must be regarded as a major factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerosis.
Columnar cell lesions and subsequent breast cancer risk: a nested case-control study
Authors: Aroner Sarah A , Collins Laura C , Schnitt Stuart J , Connolly James L , Colditz Graham A , Tamimi Rulla M
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Histologic and genetic evidence suggests that at least some columnar cell lesions (CCL) of the breast represent precursor lesions in the low-grade breast neoplasia pathway. However, the risk of subsequent breast cancer associated with the presence of CCL in a benign breast biopsy is poorly understood.

Methods

The authors examined the association between the presence of CCL and subsequent breast cancer risk in a nested case-control study of benign breast disease (BBD) and breast cancer within the Nurses' Health Studies (394 cases, 1,606 controls). Benign breast biopsy slides were reviewed by pathologists and CCL presence assessed. Logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between CCL and breast cancer risk.

Results

Women with CCL (140 cases, 448 controls) had an increased risk of breast cancer compared with those without CCL (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.83), although this was attenuated and became non-significant after adjustment for the histologic category of BBD (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.54). CCL presence was associated with the greatest risk of breast cancer for those with nonproliferative BBD (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.79 to 2.37) and the lowest risk for those with atypical hyperplasia (AH) (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.65 to 1.87); however, this apparent heterogeneity in risk across BBD categories was not significant (P for interaction between CCL presence and BBD category = 0.77).

Conclusions

These results provide evidence that CCL may be an important marker of breast cancer risk in women with BBD but suggest that CCL do not increase breast cancer risk independently of concurrent proliferative changes in the breast.
Exact expression for the effective acoustics of patchy-saturated rocks
Authors: Vogelaar Bouko , Smeulders David , Harris Jerry
Published: August 2010

Seismic effects of a partially gas-saturated subsurface have been known for many years. For example, patches of nonuniform saturation occur at the gas-oil and gas-water contacts in hydrocarbon reservoirs. Open-pore boundary conditions are applied to the quasi-static Biot equations of poroelasticity to derive an exact analytic expression of the effective bulk modulus for partially saturated media with spherical gas patches larger than the typical pore size. The pore fluid and the rock properties can have different values in the central sphere and in the surrounding region. An analytic solution prevents loss of accuracy from ill-conditioned equations as encountered in the numerical solution for certain input. For a sandstone saturated with gas and water, we found that the P-wave velocity and attenuation in conventional models differ as much as 15% from the exact solution at seismic frequencies. This makes the use of present exact theory necessary to describe patchy saturation, although (more realistic) complex patch shapes and distributions were not considered. We found that, despite earlier corrections, the White conventional model does not yield the correct low-frequency asymptote for the attenuation.
The influence of prior knowledge on the retrieval‐directed function of note taking in prior knowledge activation
Authors: Wetzels Sandra A. J. , Kester Liesbeth , van Merriënboer Jeroen J. G. , Broers Nick J.
Published: August 2010

Background. Prior knowledge activation facilitates learning. Note taking during prior knowledge activation (i.e., note taking directed at retrieving information from memory) might facilitate the activation process by enabling learners to build an external representation of their prior knowledge. However, taking notes might be less effective in supporting prior knowledge activation if available prior knowledge is limited.

Aims. This study investigates the effects of the retrieval‐directed function of note taking depending on learners' level of prior knowledge. It is hypothesized that the effectiveness of note taking is influenced by the amount of prior knowledge learners already possess.

Sample. Sixty‐one high school students participated in this study. A prior knowledge test was used to ascertain differences in level of prior knowledge and assign participants to a low or a high prior knowledge group.

Method. A 2×2 factorial design was used to investigate the effects of note taking during prior knowledge activation (yes, no) depending on learners' level of prior knowledge (low, high) on mental effort, performance, and mental efficiency.

Results. Note taking during prior knowledge activation lowered mental effort and increased mental efficiency for high prior knowledge learners. For low prior knowledge learners, note taking had the opposite effect on mental effort and mental efficiency.

Conclusions. The effects of the retrieval‐directed function of note taking are influenced by learners' level of prior knowledge. Learners with high prior knowledge benefit from taking notes while activating prior knowledge, whereas note taking has no beneficial effects for learners with limited prior knowledge.
Assessing pupil concerns about transition to secondary school
Authors: Rice Frances , Frederickson Norah , Seymour Joanna
Published: August 2010

Background. The primary–secondary transition can negatively affect pupils' emotional and psychological adjustment. However, methods for assessing concerns regarding secondary school are limited. A reliable and valid measure of transition‐related concerns would be useful both in evaluating and shaping the content and delivery of universal and targeted transition support programmes.

Aims. To assess the validity of a quantitative self‐report measure of school concerns as an assessment tool during the primary–secondary school transition.

Sample. A UK sample of 147 Year 6 primary school pupils and 263 Year 7 secondary school pupils.

Method. Self‐reports of school concerns and school liking as well as self‐reported and peer assessments on a range of psychological adjustment measures were collected.

Results. The School Concerns Questionnaire (SCQ) showed good reliability at primary and secondary school. Secondary concerns reduced significantly post‐transition. Three factors emerged from an exploratory factor analysis of the SCQ and the pattern of results was replicated for post‐transition concerns. Pupils with higher school concerns at secondary school reported reduced liking of school and reduced trust and respect for teachers. The SCQ was associated with generalized anxiety and female gender both pre‐and post‐transition. Peer problems and depression were associated with pre‐ and post‐transition concerns, respectively.

Conclusions. The SCQ is a simple to complete, reliable, and valid tool for assessing primary–secondary transition concerns. It could serve a valuable role in the evaluation and development of universal and targeted school‐based initiatives that aim to promote positive secondary transition.