bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability and correlates of high sensitivity C-reactive protein in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Nikpour M , Gladman DD , Ibañez D , Urowitz MB
Published: September 2009

In the general population, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a marker of inflammation, is relatively stable over time and independently predicts cardiovascular events. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic inflammatory disease, is strongly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of this study was to determine the variability and correlates of hsCRP in patients with SLE. Two cohorts from the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic, one with newly diagnosed and the other with prevalent SLE for 4 or more years, were selected. HsCRP was measured on serially collected samples, and hsCRP levels were ranked according to quartiles of cardiovascular risk. Correlates of hsCRP were determined using multivariate regression modelling with analysis of repeated measures. Among 58 patients in the inception cohort, over time, 36 (62%) moved from one hsCRP risk quartile to another. Among 414 patients in the prevalent cohort, 294 (71.0%) moved from one risk quartile to another. In both cohorts, within-patient variance comprised the majority of total variance in hsCRP levels. In multivariate regression analysis, hsCRP increased with age ( P = 0.002), postmenopausal status ( P = 0.03), smoking ( P = 0.007) and presence of infection ( P = 0.0001) and decreased with use of immunosuppressives ( P = 0.02). There is marked variability of hsCRP level over time in SLE, regardless of disease duration. This variability is due to age and SLE treatment, menopausal status, smoking and the occurrence of infection. The variability of hsCRP in SLE casts doubt over its usefulness as an independent predictor of CAD risk in this disease and potentially in other chronic inflammatory diseases.
A rare opportunistic infection in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple skin lesions
Authors: Hidron A , Franco-Paredes C , Drenkard C
Published: September 2009

Cutaneous lesions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) represent diagnostic challenges. Opportunistic infections should be considered when lupus patients are on immunosuppressive therapy and other causes, such as disease activity, are less likely to explain the skin lesions. Within the spectrum of skin opportunistic infections that might occur in SLE patients, Blastomyces dermatitidis should be suspected when acid-fast positive material with no bacilliform organisms is seen on Ziehl-Nielsen skin biopsy preparations. In this study, we describe one patient with SLE on immunosuppressive therapy, who developed cutaneous blastomycosis despite living in a non-endemic area. Because of lack of awareness about this association and misinterpretation of the skin biopsy results, the diagnosis of atypical mycobacterial infection was initially considered. Subsequent proper tissue staining and interpretation revealed the correct diagnosis of disseminated cutaneous blastomycosis. This description represents the first report of this rare opportunistic skin infection in SLE, illustrating the importance of performing correct preparation and elucidation of the skin biopsy to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment delay.
Longitudinal expression of type I interferon responsive genes in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Petri M , Singh S , Tesfasyone H , Dedrick R , Fry K , Lal PG , Williams G , Bauer JW , Gregersen PK , Behrens TW , Baechler EC
Published: September 2009

Cross-sectional studies of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have demonstrated an association between activation of type I interferon (IFN) pathway and disease activity. This study examined longitudinal changes in IFN-regulated gene expression in peripheral blood using microarrays. A cross-section of 66 patients from the Autoimmune Biomarkers Collaborative Network SLE archive was evaluated. We also examined paired samples from a 15 patient subset collected during a period of low disease activity (Baseline) and at a subsequent flare event, and baseline scores of 29 patients who maintained low disease activity. IFN response (IFNr) scores were calculated from three IFN-regulated genes. Overall, higher IFNr scores were associated with increased disease activity. However, IFNr scores were not significantly different between the paired Baseline and Flare samples. An extended longitudinal analysis in 11 patients indicated little change in IFNr scores over time, even during dynamic disease activity. In patients with low disease activity, IFNr scores were not different between patients who experienced a subsequent flare and those who maintained low disease activity. In summary, although higher IFNr scores were associated with greater disease activity, IFNr scores of individual patients did not correlate with changes in disease severity or flare risk.
Validation of the Spanish, Portuguese and French versions of the Lupus Damage Index questionnaire: data from North and South America, Spain and Portugal
Authors: Pons-Estel BA , Sánchez-Guerrero J , Romero-Díaz J , Iglesias-Gamarra A , Bonfa E , Borba EF , Shinjo SK , Bernatsky S , Clarke A , García MA , Marcos JC , Duarte A , Berbotto GA , Scherbarth H , Marques CD , Onetti L , Saurit V , Souza AWS , Velozo E , Catoggio LJ , Neira O , Burgos PI , Ramirez LA , Molina JF , De La Torre IG , Silvariño R , Manni JA , Durán-Barragán S , Vilá LM , Fortin PR , Calvo-Alén J , Santos MJ , Portela M , Esteva-Spinetti MH , Weisman M , Acevedo EM , Segami MI , Gentiletti SB , Roldán J , Navarro I , Gonzalez E , Liu JM , Karlson EW , Costenbader KH , Wolfe F , Alarcón GS
Published: September 2009

We have previously developed and validated a self-administered questionnaire, modelled after the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI), the Lupus Damage Index Questionnaire (LDIQ), which may allow the ascertainment of this construct in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients followed in the community and thus expand observations made about damage. We have now translated, back-translated and adapted the LDIQ to Spanish, Portuguese and French and applied it to patients followed at academic and non-academic centres in North and South America, Portugal and Spain while their physicians scored the SDI. A total of 887 patients (659 Spanish-speaking, 140 Portuguese-speaking and 80 French-speaking patients) and 40 physicians participated. Overall, patients scored all LDIQ versions higher than their physicians (total score and all domains). Infrequent manifestations had less optimal clinimetric properties but overall agreement was more than 95% for the majority of items. Higher correlations were observed among the Spanish-speaking patients than the Portuguese-speaking and French-speaking patients; further adjustments may be needed before the Portuguese and French versions of the LDIQ are applied in community-based studies. The relationship between the LDIQ and other outcome parameters is currently being investigated in a different patient sample.
Treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by free vascularised fibular grafting
Authors: Sun Y , Zhang CQ , Chen SB , Sheng JG , Jin DX , Zeng BF
Published: September 2009

The purpose of this study was to review the radiographs of symptomatic femoral head osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to assess the results of treatment using free vascularised fibular grafting. We retrospectively reviewed 50 patients (80 hips) with SLE who underwent free vascularised fibular grafting for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. All patients were followed up for at least 2 or more years (average, 4.3 years). The mean Harris hip score improved from 72 to 88. At the latest follow-up, we found improved or unchanged radiographs in 12 of initially Stage II hips and in 60 of 64 Stage III or IV hips. No hips failed treatment and underwent total hip arthroplasty. The data suggest that free vascularised fibular grafting was successful in maintaining joint function and in delaying the need for joint replacement procedure.
Very long-term outcome of pure lupus membranous nephropathy treated with glucocorticoid and azathioprine
Authors: Mok CC , Ying KY , Yim CW , Ng WL , Wong WS
Published: September 2009

The aim of this study is to report the long-term outcome of pure membranous lupus nephropathy (MLN) treated with glucocorticoid and azathioprine (AZA). A cohort of patients with SLE who had biopsy-confirmed pure MLN was treated initially with prednisone (0.8–1.0 mg/kg/day) and AZA (targeted to 2 mg/kg/day). Patients were followed for the following outcomes: remission rate at 12 months, renal flares, extra-renal flares and renal function deterioration. The cumulative risks of renal flares and renal function decline were studied by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Thirty-eight patients were studied (31 women; age 35.0 ± 9.2 years; mean SLE duration 48.5 ± 59 months; WHO Class Va 45%, Vb 55%). Twenty-two (58%) patients were nephrotic and four (11%) were hypertensive at presentation. All patients were treated with prednisolone (0.85 ± 0.24 mg/kg/day) and AZA (1.72 ± 0.43 mg/kg/day). At 12 months, 24 (67%) patients achieved complete response (CR), 8 (22%) had partial response (PR) and 4 (11%) were treatment resistant. After a follow-up of 12 ± 5.8 years, 19 episodes of renal flares (15 proteinuric and 4 nephritic) occurred in 13 (34%) patients. The cumulative risks of renal flares at 5, 10 and 15 years were 19.4, 32.0 and 36.8%, respectively. Retreatment with an augmented dosage of prednisolone, ± another immunosuppressive agent, resulted in CR and PR in 15 (79%) and 4 (21%) of these flare episodes, respectively. At last visit, three (8%) patients had doubling of serum creatinine, whereas six (16%) patients had decline of creatinine clearance by ≥30% (none developed end stage renal failure). Seven episodes of thromboembolic complications occurred in five (13%) patients and 11 episodes of infective complications (five major, six minor) were reported in seven (18%) patients. In the absence of co-existing proliferative lesions, MLN runs a relatively benign course with low risk of renal function deterioration. Treatment with high-dose prednisolone and AZA is effective, inexpensive and well-tolerated. Prolonged observation shows that one of three patients develop renal flares, which are often proteinuric and responsive to reinduction therapy.
Expression profile of HIN200 in leukocytes and renal biopsy of SLE patients by real-time RT-PCR
Authors: Kimkong I , Avihingsanon Y , Hirankarn N
Published: September 2009

HIN200 is a human IFN-inducible gene and homologous to murine IFI202 gene, which was identified as a candidate gene for SLE susceptibility in lupus mouse model. We determined these gene expressions in leukocytes from 20 SLE patients and 10 healthy controls and in renal biopsies from 29 SLE patients and 15 kidney donors using sensitive real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expressions of MNDA, IFIX, IFI16 and AIM2 genes significantly increased in leukocytes but not in kidney biopsies from SLE patients as compared to the control individuals, with P = 0.0003, P = 0.0056, P = 0.0002 and P < 0.0001, respectively. We also assessed the expression profiles of IFIX and IFI16 isoforms using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. We found up-regulation of B isoform (short product) of IFI16 in SLE patients. In addition, the expression levels were analyzed in correlation with disease activity and clinical characteristics. Interestingly, higher expression of MNDA was observed in patients who were positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies than in patients who were negative ( P = 0.0276). In conclusion, it is suggested that the HIN200 genes have a role in SLE pathogenesis. Our study also observed a possible important role of a specific short isoform of IFI16 as well as a link between MNDA and anti-dsDNA antibody production.
Class IV-G and IV-S lupus nephritis in Chinese patients: a large cohort study from a single center
Authors: Yu F , Tan Y , Wu L-H , Zhu S-N , Liu G , Zhao M-H
Published: September 2009

This study is to assess the difference between IV-G and IV-S in a large cohort of Chinese patients with lupus nephritis. The detailed data of patients with subclass IV-G and IV-S were retrospectively analyzed. Serum ANCA and anti-C1q antibodies were detected. A total of 172 cases were classified as class IV, including 152 cases with IV-G and 20 cases with IV-S. In IV-S, the level of haemoglobin was significantly higher ( P = 0.024), proteinuria was milder ( P = 0.003), serum creatinine was lower ( P = 0.021), serum C3 was higher ( P = 0.045) and the ratio of positive serum anti-cardiolipin antibodies was higher ( P = 0.014). On pathological evaluation, the ratio of glomerular fibrinoid necrosis was significantly higher ( P = 0.006) and the score of endocapillary hypercellualrity, interstitial inflammation and total activity indices was significantly lower ( P < 0.001, P = 0.01, P = 0.006, respectively) in IV-S. The frequency of serum ANCA was significantly higher in IV-S than that in IV-G (20 vs 4.6%, P = 0.008). The frequencies of anti-C1q IgG1 and IgG3 subclass were significantly higher in IV-G ( P = 0.006, P = 0.011, respectively). There are significant differences in clinical and pathological manifestations between IV-S and IV-G lupus nephritis which need further investigation.
IAN5 polymorphisms are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lim MK , Sheen DH , Kim SA , Won SK , Lee S-S , Chae S-C , Chung H-T , Shim SC
Published: September 2009

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a representative autoimmune disease, which is frequently associated with lymphopenia. Biobreeding (BB) rat is a typical animal model which develops autoimmune diseases with lymphopenia which results from a frame-shift mutation in the immune-associated nucleotide ( IAN) 5 gene. IAN5 is involved in the regulation of T-cell activation and survival. To examine the association of IAN5 gene with SLE, we scrutinised the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IAN5 gene. We conducted a case–control study where 132 SLE patients, 505 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 546 controls were genotyped for four SNPs in the IAN5 gene. Two SNPs (+2071C > T and +2677G > A) were associated with susceptibility to SLE ( P = 0.040 and 0.045, respectively), and −4432G > A SNP was associated with the development of leukopenia ( P = 0.028) and the requirement of steroid pulse therapy ( P = 0.040) in SLE patients. Haplotype analyses showed that Ht1(CTCG) was associated with susceptibility to SLE ( P = 0.036), and Ht4(ACCG), Ht5(ACTA) and Ht6(GCCG) were associated with the development of nephritis ( P = 0.017, 0.019, 0.022, respectively). In conclusion, the IAN5 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to SLE and the development of clinical disease manifestations in a strictly Korean population.
Regional Patterns in Vacancies, Exits and Rental Housing
Authors: Nordvik Viggo , Gulbrandsen Lars
Published: September 2009

Utilization of the housing stock is determined by the interplay between a slowly adjusted housing stock and changing regional patterns. Temporal mismatch between adjustments of the housing stock and regional change may lead to variations in the incidence of vacant housing units, over time and over space.Within this context this article analyses the determinants of exit rates from the housing stock in use and what determines the utilization of vacant housing units. This article demonstrates empirically that changes in the stock of vacancies in the housing stock within a municipality increase as one moves from the most central parts of the country towards the less central parts. Furthermore, the growth in the stock of vacant housing correlates positively with the share of inhabitants aged 65 years or over. We relate these empirical findings to a particular form of centralization which has taken place in Norway over the last 50 years: upon leaving the parental home, young people have often left the peripheral parts of the country.As their childhood homes were still inhabited by their parents, they did not leave any vacant housing units behind them.After some 30—50 years, the parents have died. Hence, a centralization process may produce vacant housing units — with a time lag of up to 30—50 years.
New Facets of Urban Segregation in Southern Europe
Authors: Arapoglou Vassilis P. , Sayas John
Published: September 2009

This article explores how primary features of occupational restructuring, such as the feminization of employment and migration, and changes in patterns of residential mobility of Greek and migrant women since the 1990s have contributed to shaping new forms of sociospatial segregation in Athens. We examine changes in the occupational structure and in segregation indices from 1991 to 2001. Findings suggest that new gender and ethnic divisions in the occupational structure combine with residential mobility and introduce strong tendencies towards spatial fragmentation. Intra-urban and migratory flows reflect diversified occupational trajectories among women and contribute to shaping the socioeconomic profile of the destination areas: (a) migrant domestic and unskilled service workers locate to central city and suburban areas; (b) Greek managers and professionals, move to ‘upper-class suburbs’; (c) small Greek entrepreneurs and independent workers sprawl to peri-urban areas; (d) salespersons and clerks move to inner suburban areas.
Portuguese Child Labour: an Enduring Tale of Exploitation
Authors: Eaton Martin , Goulart Pedro
Published: September 2009

Child working remains a significant minority activity in semi-industrialized parts of the Portuguese labour market. This article outlines the scale and spatial extent of the phenomenon before debating the role of children employed in the textiles, clothing and footwear sectors.We consider key determinants governing supply and demand for these workers together with an evaluation of state-sponsored efforts to alleviate the situation. Analysis shows that some factories in mono-industrial parts of north-west and central-eastern interior Portugal are continuing to resist the globalization of competitive pressures.This is achieved by reducing real labour costs, utilizing informal work practices, exploiting the cheap productive capacity which minors bring and the legislative loopholes which prevent its eradication.
Risky Migrants?
Authors: Datta Kavita
Published: September 2009

Research on financial exclusion among migrant workers is scarce. A growing presence in advanced economies, migrant workers’ experiences of financial exclusion are shaped by a broad range of ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ side factors. In particular, this article argues that migrants’ understandings and management of risk are critical in shaping their engagement with financial services and products. Drawing upon empirical research conducted with low-paid migrant workers in London, this article explores the everyday financial practices and lives of low-paid migrant workers; the strategies which they devise in order to cope with financial exclusion as well as focusing specifically on self-exclusion as a strategy which signifies a particular understanding and management of risk.
Explaining Media and Congressional Attention to Global Climate Change, 1969-2005: An Empirical Test of Agenda-Setting Theory
Authors: Xinsheng Liu  , Lindquist Eric , Vedlitz Arnold
Published: September 2009

Agenda theories suggest that problem indicator, focusing event, and information feedback enhance issue attention. However, few studies have systematically tested this. This study, using time series data and vector autoregression (VAR), examines how climate problem indicator, high-profile international event, and climate science feedback influence media and congressional attention to global warming and climate change. The findings confirm that these attention-grabbing factors indeed generally promote issue salience, but these factors may work differently across agenda venues. Attention inertia, interagenda interaction, and partisan advantage on agenda setting are also included and analyzed in the VAR modeling. Implications of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed in conclusion.
CITES and Livelihood
Authors: Mathur Aradhna
Published: September 2009

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the key international agreement regulating trade in wildlife. It works through a system of trade controls based on biological and international trade data of species. Trade regulations also affect local people as many rural households, especially in developing countries, depend on trade in wildlife for their livelihood. In the last few years, there is a growing realization within CITES that effect on local populations cannot be ignored while implementing regulations to control wildlife trade internationally. This article discusses the livelihood debate within CITES and analyses whether it is an issue CITES should consider. The article concludes that as synergy between multilateral agreements is increasing and as the livelihoods debate surfaces at every CITES meeting, it is an issue CITES cannot take lightly. Detailed research studying the effect on local communities and how livelihoods is incorporated within CITES is required. Considering the outcome at the CITES Conference of Parties (CoP) 14 held in June 2007, recommendations are given in this article for paving the way forward.
Safety and Risk Management Interventions in Hospitals
Authors: Dückers Michel , Faber Marjan , Cruijsberg Juliette , Grol Richard , Schoonhoven Lisette , Wensing Michel
Published: September 2009

The aim of this systematic review was (a) to synthesize the evidence on the effectiveness of detection, mitigation, and actions to reduce risks in hospitals and (b) to identify and describe components of interventions responsible for effectiveness. Thirteen literature databases were explored using a structured search and data extraction strategy. All included studies dealing with incident reporting described positive effects. Evidence regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of safety analysis is scarce. No studies on mitigation were included. The collected evidence on risk reduction concerns a variety of interventions to reduce medication errors, fall incidents, diagnostic errors, and adverse events in general. Most studies reported positive effects; however, interventions were often multifaceted, and it was difficult to disentangle their impact. This made it difficult to draw generic lessons from this body of research. More rigorous evaluations are needed, in particular, of continuous learning and safety analysis techniques.
In His Time of Dying
Authors: Knight Kendra
Published: September 2009

This is a personal narrative about the limits of communication in the context of illness and death. When I was twenty years old and a junior in college, my stepfather Jon was diagnosed with distally metastatic lung cancer and died four months later. This is a fragmented account of the emotional work I did and avoided doing during his illness and death, and the consequences of those reactions. In a sense, this is a story about scriptlessness in dealing with terminal illness. My hope is that my experiences, in their inadequacy, will resonate with families facing similar situations.
Auditory Midbrain Implant: A Review
Authors: Lim Hubert H. , Lenarz Minoo , Lenarz Thomas
Published: September 2009

The auditory midbrain implant (AMI) is a new hearing prosthesis designed for stimulation of the inferior colliculus in deaf patients who cannot sufficiently benefit from cochlear implants. The authors have begun clinical trials in which five patients have been implanted with a single shank AMI array (20 electrodes). The goal of this review is to summarize the development and research that has led to the translation of the AMI from a concept into the first patients. This study presents the rationale and design concept for the AMI as well a summary of the animal safety and feasibility studies that were required for clinical approval. The authors also present the initial surgical, psychophysical, and speech results from the first three implanted patients. Overall, the results have been encouraging in terms of the safety and functionality of the implant. All patients obtain improvements in hearing capabilities on a daily basis. However, performance varies dramatically across patients depending on the implant location within the midbrain with the best performer still not able to achieve open set speech perception without lip-reading cues. Stimulation of the auditory midbrain provides a wide range of level, spectral, and temporal cues, all of which are important for speech understanding, but they do not appear to sufficiently fuse together to enable open set speech perception with the currently used stimulation strategies. Finally, several issues and hypotheses for why current patients obtain limited speech perception along with several feasible solutions for improving AMI implementation are presented.
Trust: A Continuing Imperative
Authors: Rowe Jimmy , Kellam Charles
Published: September 2009

The issues regarding health care to the African American population have been examined from a number of angles. The authors argue that the trust between provider and patient is both critical and not well understood. This article examines reasons for resistance from African American patients and the historical, cultural, and psychological roots of the mistrust forming that resistance. Issues influencing the development of trusting attitudes needed for effective participation in their own care are examined, and the role of attachment in developing the ability to trust those with the power is seen as highly significant.
Safety Evaluation of Calcium Administered Intranasally to Mice
Authors: Patel Girishchandra B. , Zhou Hongyan , Ponce Amalia , Chen Wangxue
Published: September 2009

Calcium, a component of approved human vaccines administered via systemic routes, has a good safety profile. Recently, intranasally administered vaccines containing calcium have shown promise in generating mucosal immune responses in animal models. However, the safety of intranasally administered calcium is unknown. This study evaluates the safety of intranasally administered calcium at 2- to 13-fold higher doses than used in experimental vaccines. At a calcium dose of 22 mg/kg, 80% of the Balb/c and 20% of the C57BL/6 mice die within the first 24 hours. At 11.0 mg/kg, there is no overt toxicity in either strain, based on body weight, clinical scores, blood chemistry, and histopathology of major organs at 7 days post administration. In C57BL/6 mice, apart from acute and subacute inflammation in the lungs at up to 3 days post administration, especially at the 22-mg/kg dose, there is no overt toxicity. Doses of calcium up to 11 mg/kg appear to be safe in a mouse model.
IESP Exascale Challenge: Co-Design of Architectures and Algorithms
Authors: Geist Al , Dosanjh Sudip
Published: September 2009

There is a large gap between the peak performance of supercomputers and the actual performance realized by today’s algorithms. This architecture—algorithm performance gap will get even wider with the increase in computing power being driven by a rapid escalation in the number of cores incorporated into a single chip rather than increases in the clock rate. In order to improve the effectiveness of peta and exascale systems we need to have a paradigm shift where architectures and algorithms are co-designed.
Liberation or Limitation? Understanding Iyengar Yoga as a Practice of the Self
Authors: Lea Jennifer
Published: September 2009

This article explores the Foucauldian notions of practices of the self and care of the self, read via Deleuze, in the context of Iyengar yoga (one of the most popular forms of yoga currently). Using ethnographic and interview research data the article outlines the Iyengar yoga techniques which enable a focus upon the self to be developed, and the resources offered by the practice for the creation of ways of knowing, experiencing and forming the self. In particular, the article asks whether Iyengar yoga offers possibilities for freedom and liberation, or whether it is just another practice of control and management. Assessing Iyengar yoga via a ‘critical function’, a function of ‘struggle’ and a ‘curative and therapeutic function’, the article analyses whether the practice might constitute a mode of care of the self, and what it might offer in the context of the contemporary need to live better, as well as longer.
Empowerment of individuals and realization of community agency
Authors: Hall Nina L. , Taplin Ros , Goldstein Wendy
Published: September 2009

Using Participatory Action Research (PAR), the research presented here sought to resolve the problematic of whether climate group-initiated legislation could stimulate effective policy action on climate change. In late 2006, Australian public concern about the impacts of climate change and the Federal Government’s weak response became more pronounced due to increased media coverage and international developments. Locally based citizens’ ‘climate groups’ began to form, including Climate Action Coogee (CAC) in Sydney. CAC wrote their own Australian Climate Protection Bill after being motivated by the UK’s grassroots success in developing and promoting the UK Climate Change Bill. This article documents 10 months of the project, from inception to widespread grassroots endorsement and political awareness of the Bill. The use of PAR processes tested and further developed the theory of double-loop learning and its applicability to such a project. These processes allowed CAC coparticipants to experience a transformation in their agency through developing their personal and collective political power. The project contributed to legislative outcomes on climate change. The findings contribute to academic literature by demonstrating the effectiveness of PAR in guiding social movement campaigns.
Inflammatory stress in primary venous and aortic endothelial cells of type 1 diabetic mice
Authors: Bucciarelli Loredana G. , Pollreisz Andreas , Kebschull Moritz , Ganda Anjali , Kalea Anastasia Z. , Hudson Barry I. , Zou Yu Shan , Lalla Evanthia , Ramasamy Ravichandran , Colombo Paolo C. , Schmidt Ann Marie , Yan Shi Fang
Published: September 2009

Objective: The progression of diabetes is associated with profound endothelial dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that cellular stress would be detectable in ECs retrieved from arterial and venous vessels of diabetic mice.

Method: We describe a method for direct isolation of well-characterised aortic and venous ECs from mice in which cells are not subjected to propagation in culture.

Results: Gene expression profiling, confirmed by real-time PCR, revealed a progressive increase in markers of injury within two main gene families, EC activation and EC apoptosis, in aortic and venous ECs recovered from diabetic versus non-diabetic mice. In short-term diabetes, Il1b mRNA transcripts were higher in aortic and venous ECs of diabetic mice versus controls. In long-term diabetes, casp-1 mRNA transcripts were higher in aortic and venous ECs of diabetic mice versus controls.

Conclusion: These data suggest that diabetes imparts diffuse endothelial perturbation in the arterial and venous endothelium.
Adiponectin levels and its association with hyperglycaemia in adult Filipino participants in the 2003—04 National Nutrition and Health Survey
Authors: Paz-Pacheco Elizabeth , Lim-Abrahan Mary Anne , Sy Rosa Allyn G. , Jasul Gabriel V. , Sison Cherrie Mae C. , Laurel Aurora F.
Published: September 2009

Our objective was to determine the association of serum adiponectin levels with the presence of IFG or DM in Filipinos. This case control study used sera of adult participants in the Philippines’ NNHeS: 2003—04. Subjects were divided into: normoglycaemic control, impaired fasting glucose, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Seventy-seven prediabetic and 83 diabetic subjects were included in the prediabetic and diabetic groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in adiponectin values between control and prediabetic subjects. Diabetic subjects had significantly lower mean serum adiponectin levels (10.7 versus 14.2 µg/ml, p=0.0198) compared with age- and BMI-matched control subjects. Diabetic subjects were found most frequently (43.53%) in the lowest tertile (1.6—7.2 µg/ml) and least frequently (20%) in the highest tertile (14—84 µg/ml) of adiponectin values. We conclude that Filipinos with diabetes mellitus had significantly lower adiponectin levels compared with normoglycaemic subjects.
Lifestyle risk factors for atherosclerosis in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bishop Franziska K , Maahs David M , Snell-Bergeon Janet K , Ogden Lorraine G , Kinney Greg L , Rewers Marian
Published: September 2009

The objective of this study was to compare the amount of self-reported physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use in a large sample of adults with type 1 diabetes and non-diabetic subjects. A second aim is to test the hypothesis that these lifestyle risk factors are associated cross-sectionally with coronary artery calcification. In 2000—2002, the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes (CACTI) study applied validated questionnaires for smoking, alcohol and physical activity to 582 type 1 diabetes subjects and 724 non-diabetic subjects. More type 1 diabetes subjects reported current smoking than non-diabetic subjects (12.3% versus 8.6%, p=0.027). Overall, reported physical activity did not differ by diabetes status (p=0.79). More type 1 diabetes subjects reported never having consumed alcohol (10% versus 4%, p<0.0001) and those who drank consumed less alcohol (p=0.0015) than non-diabetic subjects. Physical activity and smoking were significantly associated with the presence of coronary artery calcification (adjusted OR=0.9, 95% CI: 0.8—0.996, p=0.045, and OR=1.7, CI: 1.1—2.6, p=0.03, respectively). Type 1 diabetes was independently associated with increased odds of coronary artery calcification (OR=3.5, 95% CI: 2.5—5.0, p<0.0001). Differences exist in lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors in men and women with type 1 diabetes compared with non-diabetic subjects in the CACTI study.
Plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 as risk marker in type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease in North Indians
Authors: Harsimran Kaur , Singh Arora Ajinder Pal , Guruvinder Singh , Sharda Sidhu , Vasudha Sambyal
Published: September 2009

The chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is implicated in chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to explore the relation of plasma levels of MCP-1 to disease pathology in type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Fasting plasma venous samples were taken from 162 subjects divided into four groups: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CAD (n=41), type 2 diabetes patients without CAD (n=50), CAD patients with no history of diabetes (n=41) and healthy controls (n=30). Coronary risk factors such as body mass index, percentage body fat, waist/hip ratio, blood pressure and physical activity were measured using standard procedures. Plasma MCP-1 was quantitatively estimated by sandwich enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Significant differences were observed for MCP-1 levels, percent body fat, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure amongst the groups. MCP-1 concentration was significantly correlated with diabetes duration (p<0.001), body mass index (p<0.01), waist/hip ratio (p<0.01), systolic blood pressure (p<0.01), percentage body fat (p<0.01) and physical activity level (p<0.001). MCP-1 might serve as a marker for CAD, and its association with CAD is mainly driven by traditional coronary risk factors.
The Role of Caregiver Prosody in Conversations With Persons Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Small Jeff A. , Huxtable Angela , Walsh Martina
Published: September 2009

This research was supported in part by funding from the British Columbia Medical Services Foundation (BCM02-0115). The funding source had no role in the design, methods, participant recruitment, data collection, interpretation of the study, or in the preparation of the manuscript for publication. Approval for the study was granted by the University of British Columbia Behavioural Ethics Review Board, and participants provided informed consent. This study investigated whether aspects of family caregivers’ prosody (pitch and loudness) would be associated with successful or unsuccessful conversations with spouses who have Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Secondary analysis was conducted of 12 caregivers’ speech when interacting with spouses who have AD. Acoustic analyses were conducted to calculate the fundamental frequency (pitch) and intensity (loudness) of caregivers’ speech. The results showed no significant overall differences between the caregivers’ pitch or loudness in either successful or unsuccessful conversations. However, for 1 subgroup of caregivers, an increase in pitch variation and loudness was associated with unsuccessful communication, whereas for another subgroup the opposite pattern was observed—reduced pitch variation and loudness with unsuccessful communication. The results provide preliminary directions for helping family caregivers become aware of how characteristics of their speech prosody may relate to the quality of communication when interacting with persons who have AD.
Longitudinal Verbal Fluency in Normal Aging, Preclinical, and Prevalent Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Clark Linda J. , Gatz Margaret , Zheng Ling , Chen Yu-Ling , McCleary Carol , Mack Wendy J.
Published: September 2009

Background: Few longitudinal studies evaluate differences in patterns of change of category compared to letter fluency across the spectrum of cognitive impairment. Methods: We compared change in category (animal and supermarket) and letter (F, A, S) fluency among 239 participants in 3 groups: remained cognitively normal throughout follow-up (n = 96), developed Alzheimer’s Disease (AD; preclinical AD, n = 21), and with AD at initial testing (prevalent AD, n = 122). Results: At baseline, prevalent and preclinical AD groups scored lower on animal than letter fluency. On all fluency measures, the prevalent AD declined faster than other groups (all P < .0001), and preclinical AD declined faster than unimpaired (all P ≤ .02). Overall, animal fluency declined faster than letter fluency; animal fluency declined significantly faster than letter fluency among cognitively normal and prevalent AD participants. Conclusion: Greater longitudinal declines in category compared to letter fluency are consistent with cross-sectional studies. Steeper declines on both fluency measures distinguish preclinical AD from cognitively unimpaired individuals.
An Exploration of Gender Differences in Measurement of Fear of Crime
Authors: Callanan Valerie J. , Teasdale Brent
Published: September 2009

Most studies that investigate differences in fear of crime between men and women assume measurement invariance. This study explores gender differences in two different scales that measure fear of crime—a four-item factor from a survey of 1,918 southern Californians and an eight-item factor from a statewide survey of 4,245 Californians. Measurement invariance of these factors is assessed with two structural equations modeling techniques—a two-groups confirmatory factor analysis and a test for differential item function. Significant gender differences are found in the measurement of fear of crime. These are explained by the presence of items that measure fear of crimes with the potential for physical harm, particularly sexual assault. The findings suggest that gender differences in fear of crime may be overestimated by a factor of two if differential item function is ignored.
The application of the theory of reasoned action to school nurses’ behaviour
Authors: Mullan Barbara , Westwood Jo
Published: September 2009

The aim of this paper was to ascertain how valuable the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) would be in the prediction of the sexual health education behaviour of school nurses. The current government in the United Kingdom has made a commitment to reducing the high rates of teenage conceptions and sexually transmitted infections and emphasise an increased public health role for school nurses. However, there appears to be no research to suggest that school nurses are the most appropriate healthcare professionals to competently assist with sexual health education in schools. In accordance with the TRA, a questionnaire was designed to measure the intention, attitude, subjective norm and behaviour of the group being surveyed. The purpose-designed questionnaire was distributed to all school nurses in a large geographical area in the United Kingdom. All 46 participants who responded were female (as there are currently no male school nurses in the United Kingdom). No demographic data were obtained as it is believed that the components of the model incorporate all information needed. The major components of the model accounted for 43% of the variance in intention and 46% of the variance in behaviour. Results suggest that the model has good predictive utility in this area and could usefully be employed in interventions with school nurses with the aim of modifying their behaviour. This is the first time the TRA has been used in this context, and it has provided some important information regarding school nurse’s intentions to practise in sexual health.
Factors affecting mechanical properties of resistance spot welds
Authors: Pouranvari M. , Marashi S. P. H.
Published: September 2009

The present paper addresses the factors governing the mechanical performance of low carbon resistance spot welds. Correlations among the process parameters (welding current, welding time, electrode force and holding time), physical spot weld attributes and mechanical performance are analysed. Peak load and energy absorption of spot welds during the tensile shear test are used to describe spot welds performance. It is shown that weld nugget size, electrode indentation, failure mode and strength/ductility of the failure location are the main factors affecting peak load and energy absorption of spot welds.
BMP4 regulates the hematopoietic stem cell niche
Authors: Goldman Devorah C. , Bailey Alexis S. , Pfaffle Dana L. , Al Masri Azzah , Christian Jan L. , Fleming William H.
Published: September 2009

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is required for mesoderm commitment to the hematopoietic lineage during early embryogenesis. However, deletion of BMP4 is early embryonically lethal and its functional role in definitive hematopoiesis is unknown. Consequently, we used a BMP4 hypomorph to investigate the role of BMP4 in regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function and maintaining steady-state hematopoiesis in the adult. Reporter gene expression shows that Bmp4 is expressed in cells associated with the hematopoietic microenvironment including osteoblasts, endothelial cells, and megakaryocytes. Although resting hematopoiesis is normal in a BMP4-deficient background, the number of c-Kit+, Sca-1+, Lineage− cells is significantly reduced. Serial transplantation studies reveal that BMP4-deficient recipients have a microenvironmental defect that reduces the repopulating activity of wild-type HSCs. This defect is even more pronounced in a parabiosis model that demonstrates a profound reduction in wild-type hematopoietic cells within the bone marrow of BMP4-deficient recipients. Furthermore, wild-type HSCs that successfully engraft into the BMP4-deficient bone marrow show a marked decrease in functional stem cell activity when tested in a competitive repopulation assay. Taken together, these findings indicate BMP4 is a critical component of the hematopoietic microenvironment that regulates both HSC number and function.
Stage-specific Arf tumor suppression in Notch1-induced T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Volanakis Emmanuel J. , Williams Richard T. , Sherr Charles J.
Published: September 2009

Frequent hallmarks of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) include aberrant NOTCH signaling and deletion of the CDKN2A locus, which contains 2 closely linked tumor suppressor genes (INK4A and ARF). When bone marrow cells or thymocytes transduced with a vector encoding the constitutively activated intracellular domain of Notch1 (ICN1) are expanded ex vivo under conditions that support T-cell development, cultured progenitors rapidly induce CD4+/CD8+ T-ALLs after infusion into healthy syngeneic mice. Under these conditions, enforced ICN1 expression also drives formation of T-ALLs in unconditioned CD-1 nude mice, bypassing any requirements for thymic maturation. Retention of Arf had relatively modest activity in suppressing the formation of T-ALLs arising from bone marrow–derived ICN1+ progenitors in which the locus is epigenetically silenced, and all resulting Arf+/+ tumors failed to express the p19Arf protein. In striking contrast, retention of Arf in thymocyte-derived ICN1+ donor cells significantly delayed disease onset and suppressed the penetrance of T-ALL. Use of cultured thymocyte-derived donor cells expressing a functionally null Arf-GFP knock-in allele confirmed that ICN1 signaling can induce Arf expression in vivo. Arf activation by ICN1 in T cells thereby provides stage-specific tumor suppression but also a strong selective pressure for deletion of the locus in T-ALL.
Factors affecting the outcome of human blastocyst vitrification
Authors: Kader Amr A , Choi Audrey , Orief Yasser , Agarwal Ashok
Published: September 2009

With single blastocyst transfer practice becoming more common in ART, there is a greater demand for a convenient and reliable cryostorage of surplus blastocysts. Vitrification has emerged in the last decade as an alternative promising substitute for slow freezing. Blastocysts represent a unique challenge in cryostorage due to their size, multicellular structure and presence of blastocoele. The continuous acquisition of experience and introduction of many different technological developments has led to the improvement of vitrification as a technology and improved the results of its application in blastocyst cryostorage. The current information concerning safety and efficacy of the vitrification of blastocysts will be reviewed along with the variables that can impact the outcome of the procedure.