bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
After-School Activities, Misbehavior in School, and Delinquency From the End of Elementary School Through the Beginning of High School
Authors: Fleming Charles B. , Catalano Richard F. , Mazza James J. , Brown Eric C. , Haggerty Kevin P. , Harachi Tracy W.
Published: March 2008

Annual survey data on 776 students from sixth through ninth grade were used to examine the relationships among after-school activities, misbehavior in school, and delinquency. The social development model hypothesizes that antisocial behavior in one developmental time period leads to less involvement in activities and interactions that have positive socializing influence in the next developmental time period. Although the overall correlations between structured activities and both misbehavior in school and delinquency did not indicate strong protective influences of structured activities, results of a cross-lagged model that adjusted for prior activity and behavior patterns provided support for the hypotheses. However, antisocial behavior did not predict involvement in activities across the middle school to high school transition. Consistent with routine activities theory, unstructured activity involvement and delinquent behavior in the first year of high school were positively correlated after adjusting for prior levels of antisocial behavior and structured and unstructured activity involvement.
A Longitudinal Study of Early Adolescent Precursors to Running Away
Authors: Tyler Kimberly A. , Bersani Bianca E.
Published: March 2008

Although previous research has examined correlates of running away among samples of currently homeless and runaway adolescents, little is known about what factors will predict the likelihood that a housed adolescent with no prior history of running away will leave home. As such, the current study uses the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to examine predictors of running away among a diverse sample of housed adolescents ages 12 through 13. Results indicate that socioeconomic status, being African American or Hispanic, and monitoring were significantly predictive of a decrease in the mean rate of running away in midadolescence. In contrast, being female, neighborhood victimization, personal victimization, school suspension, and delinquency all significantly increased the expected frequency of running away. Although findings provide some support for previous cross-sectional studies, they also point to the importance of young people's community environment as a risk factor for leaving home.
Discriminating Quality of Hospital Care in the United States
Authors: Normand Sharon-Lise T. , Wolf Robert E. , McNeil Barbara J.
Published: March 2008

Background and objective. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) report quality of care for patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF), and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with the intention of rewarding superior performing hospitals. The aim of the study was to compare identification of superior hospitals for providing financial rewards using 2 different scoring systems: a latent score that weights individual clinical performance measures according to how well each discriminated hospital quality and a raw sum score (the system adopted by CMS). Methods. This observational cohort study used 2761 acute care hospitals in the United States reporting AMI clinical performance measures, 3271 reporting CHF measures, and 3714 hospitals reporting CAP measures. For each clinical condition, the main outcome measures included the average raw sum score, the latent score estimated from an item response theory (IRT) model, and the percentage of false negative superior designations made on the basis of raw sum scores relative to latent scores. Results. The average raw sum score was highest for AMI (88.8%) and lower for CHF (73.1%) and CAP (76.3%). AMI measures were equally nondiscriminating of hospital quality; hospital discharge instruction was most discriminating of CHF quality; pneumococcal vaccination was most discriminating of CAP quality. False negative rates varied 2-fold: AMI (10%), CHF (16%), and CAP (24%). Conclusions. Neither the AMI raw sum score nor latent score discriminates hospital quality due to ceiling effects. Current methods for aggregating measures result in different hospital superior designations than those based on the latent score. Organizations that financially reward hospitals on the basis of such scores need to assess predictive validity of scores and determine a minimum level of classification accuracy.
Evaluation of the GIDEON Expert Computer Program for the Diagnosis of Imported Febrile Illnesses
Authors: Bottieau Emmanuel , Moreira Juan , Clerinx Jan , Colebunders Robert , Van Gompel Alfons , Van den Ende Jef
Published: March 2008

Objective. The authors evaluate the performance of the expert system Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network (GIDEON) in diagnosing febrile illnesses occurring after a stay in the tropics. Methods. One investigator (E.B.) entered into the program the collected characteristics of 161 febrile travelers randomly extracted from a database of 1842 cases prospectively included during a study on imported fever. Accuracy was considered acceptable if the correct diagnosis appeared in the top 5 GIDEON ranking list. Interuser agreement was assessed by J.V.d.E. and J.M., who also entered the data of the first 50 sample cases with an established diagnosis. Results. The sample was epidemiologically and clinically representative of the whole cohort. An infectious etiology had been established in 129 cases; diagnosis was unknown in 31 cases and non-infectious in 1 case. GIDEON generated a median of 29 diagnoses per case, including 23 with a probability lower than 1%. Accuracy was acceptable in 64% of the 129 fevers with infectious etiology. It tended to decrease when more than 3 findings were entered per case. Eleven (8%) severe conditions were rejected by GIDEON because non-disease-related characteristics had been introduced. In other cases, the posttest probability was inadequately affected by the insufficient weight of absent relevant findings. Interuser agreement was good for acceptable accuracy and final ranking (kappa=0.83 and 0.72, respectively). Conclusion. The performance of GIDEON in diagnosing imported fever is relatively good and reproducible but is impaired by some conceptual weaknesses. Its use might be hazardous for inexperienced physicians.
Public Value Pragmatism as the Next Phase of Public Management
Authors: Alford John , Hughes Owen
Published: March 2008

New Public Management has now been “new” for more than 15 years, and public administration scholars are calling for new approaches, such as networked governance or collaboration. However, these approaches share with their predecessors the problem that they tend toward a one-best-way orientation. Instead, the authors argue, the next phase should be what they call “public value pragmatism.” In other words, the best management approach to adopt depends on the circumstances, such as the value being produced, the context, or the nature of the task. They illustrate a decision framework for determining the most appropriate approach for different types of circumstances. The emerging literature also tends to be unclear about the level of the public sector to which it applies. The authors distinguish three levels—programs, organizations, and whole public sectors—and put forward some propositions about how public value pragmatism might apply at each level.
Transformational Learning in Botswana: How Culture Shapes the Process
Authors: Merriam Sharan B. , Ntseane Gabo
Published: March 2008

Transformational learning as presented by Jack Mezirow has been critiqued for its Western, rational, and cognitive orientation. This qualitative study was conducted in the African nation of Botswana and examines how that culture shaped the process. In-depth interviews were held with 12 adults who acknowledged having an experience that had profoundly changed their view of themselves and/or their perspectives on the world. Spirituality and the metaphysical world, community responsibilities and relationships, and gender roles are 3 culturally specific factors embedded in how participants constructed the meaning of their experience; these factors are also evident in their changed perspective.
Chemotherapy-Related Fatigue in Childhood Cancer: Correlates, Consequences, and Coping Strategies
Authors: Whitsett Stan F. , Gudmundsdottir Maria , Davies Betty , McCarthy Patricia , Friedman Debra
Published: March 2008

The aim of this research is to examine the experience and impact of chemotherapy-related fatigue in recently diagnosed pediatric oncology patients. A repeated-measures, within-subjects, mixed (quantitative plus qualitative) design was used to prospectively assess fatigue during early chemotherapy cycles and to compare fatigue to depressive symptoms. Parental interviews collected concurrently were analyzed for descriptions of the child's fatigue and mood states and for strategies to cope with fatigue. Results indicated a significant correlation between fatigue and depression, but qualitative analyses suggested that the 2 phenomena may be unique and distinguishable. Qualitative analyses of parent interviews also identified specific strategies that were frequently used in response to high levels of fatigue. The findings illustrate the significant impact of chemotherapy-related fatigue in children being treated for cancer. The study also provides guidance for the assessment of fatigue and related symptoms and identifies specific strategies for coping with fatigue.
Institutional Change and the Electoral Connection in the Senate
Authors: Meinke Scott R.
Published: March 2008

The author argues that direct election intensified existing electoral incentives in the early-twentieth-century Senate, shifting the audience for senators' reelection efforts with measurable behavioral consequences. The author examines patterns of bill sponsorship, roll-call participation, and party voting in the decades surrounding the Seventeenth Amendment's ratification, a time when originally elected and originally selected senators served side by side. The author finds evidence of increased sponsorship and participation among originally elected senators. Comparing behavioral patterns before and after the constitutional amendment also reveals other important behavioral shifts toward a mass audience in the post-amendment period, including a tendency to increase constituency bill sponsorship immediately before reelection and a strengthening of the link between state partisanship and senators' party support voting.
Anxiety Sensitivity and Obsessive—Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Calamari John E. , Rector Neil A. , Woodard John L. , Cohen Robyn J. , Chik Heather M.
Published: March 2008

Anxiety sensitivity (AS), a cognitive risk factor for anxiety disorders, was evaluated in a homogeneous obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD) sample. A total of 280 individuals with OCD completed measures. Evaluation of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index revealed a latent structure that was congruent with previous studies showing a single higher order and three lower order factors, although greater variance was accounted for by the general factor than in a previous study. AS was significantly associated with OCD symptom severity after controlling for other putative cognitive risk factors, although the additional variance explained was small. Variability in the relationship of AS to OCD symptom severity was found across OCD symptom subgroups. Results suggest that AS might be an important aspect of OCD-relevant cognition for specific OCD subgroups, and the need for experimental evaluation is discussed.
Clinical Validation of the Trait and State Versions of the Food Craving Questionnaire
Authors: Moreno Silvia , Rodríguez Sonia , Fernandez Mari Carmen , Tamez Jeannine , Cepeda-Benito Antonio
Published: March 2008

This is the first study to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T), and Food Craving Questionnaire—State (FCQ-S) measures using a clinically heterogeneous sample of eating disorder patients (N = 177) recruited from seven different outpatient eating disorder treatment centers in Spain. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) corroborated the factor structures of the FCQ-T and FCQ-S. The measures' scores and their factor-derived scale—scores yielded internal consistency reliability indexes that ranged from adequate to excellent. The measures were predictive of eating disorder symptoms. As expected, the FCQ-T was more strongly associated with eating disorder psychopathology than the FCQ-S. The results replicated the psychometric properties of the FCQ-T and FCQ-S in eating disorder populations and could become useful tools in clinical and research settings.
Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples
Authors: Baer Ruth A. , Smith Gregory T. , Lykins Emily , Button Daniel , Krietemeyer Jennifer , Sauer Shannon , Walsh Erin , Duggan Danielle , Williams J. Mark G.
Published: March 2008

Previous research on assessment of mindfulness by self-report suggests that it may include five component skills: observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging of inner experience, and nonreactivity to inner experience. These elements of mindfulness can be measured with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). The authors investigated several aspects of the construct validity of the FFMQ in experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups. Consistent with predictions, most mindfulness facets were significantly related to meditation experience and to psychological symptoms and well-being. As expected, relationships between the observing facet and psychological adjustment varied with meditation experience. Regression and mediation analyses showed that several of the facets contributed independently to the prediction of well-being and significantly mediated the relationship between meditation experience and well-being. Findings support the construct validity of the FFMQ in a combination of samples not previously investigated.
Assessing Young Adolescents' Personality With the Five-Factor Personality Inventory
Authors: Jolijn Hendriks A.A. , Kuyper Hans , Johan Offringa G. , Van der Werf Margaretha P. C.
Published: March 2008

The Five-Factor Personality Inventory (FFPI) assesses a person's position on the (Dutch) psycholexically based Big Five factors: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, and Autonomy. FFPI factor scores are reliable and valid if ratings are made by adults. The present study yields preliminary evidence of whether young adolescents provide reliable and valid self-ratings on this instrument or whether this depends on their cognitive ability level. The sample consisted of a large and representative cohort of youngsters with a mean age of 13 years. The adult structure of the FFPI was generally well replicated, across all ability levels represented in the study. The findings further suggest that young adolescents' factor scores are construct-valid and sufficiently reliable to be used in (group) research settings. However, for reports on individual profiles and decision making, an adolescent's cognitive ability level would need to be rather high. Even then, measuring Autonomy seems challenging.
Parent and Teacher SNAP-IV Ratings of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms
Authors: Bussing Regina , Fernandez Melanie , Harwood Michelle , Wei Hou  , Garvan Cynthia Wilson , Eyberg Sheila M. , Swanson James M.
Published: March 2008

To examine Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham—IV (SNAP-IV) psychometric properties, parent (N = 1,613) and teacher (N = 1,205) data were collected from a random elementary school student sample in a longitudinal attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) detection study. SNAP-IV reliability was acceptable. Factor structure indicated two ADHD factors and an oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) factor. Parent and teacher scores varied by gender and poverty status (d = .49-.56) but not age; only teacher scores varied by race (d = .25-.55). Screening and diagnostic utility was evaluated with likelihood ratios (LRs) and posttest probabilities. Parent SNAP-IV scores above 1.2 increased probability of concern (LR > 10) and above 1.8, of ADHD diagnosis (LR > 3). Teacher hyperactivity/impulsivity scores above 1.2 and inattention scores above 1.8 increased probabilities of concern only (LR = 4.2 and > 5, respectively). Higher teacher scores for African American children and race differences in measurement models require future study.
Convergence of Narcissism Measures From the Perspective of General Personality Functioning
Authors: Samuel Douglas B. , Widiger Thomas A.
Published: March 2008

The construct of narcissism has a lengthy history and has been operationalized and measured by a variety of instruments. In this study, five narcissism scales were compared in terms of alternative conceptualizations of narcissism offered by C. C. Morf and F. Rhodewalt (2001), D. L. Paulhus (2001), and S. Vazire and D. C. Funder (2006), using the domains and facets of the five-factor model as a common point of comparison. The findings provided little support for the conceptualizations of Morf and Rhodewalt or Vazire and Funder. Support was obtained for the conceptualization of Paulhus, particularly as assessed by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and, secondarily, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory—III. Implications for the assessment and conceptualization of narcissism are discussed.
Evaluation of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults With ADHD
Authors: Bramham Jessica , Susan Young  , Bickerdike Alison , Spain Deborah , McCartan Denise , Xenitidis Kiriakos
Published: March 2008

Objective: A brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group intervention was designed to treat comorbid anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem and self-efficacy in adults with ADHD. It was hypothesised that participants would gain knowledge about ADHD, experience a reduction in comorbid symptoms, and benefit from the supportive aspect of group treatment. Method: Participants in the study formed a CBT treatment group that attended six workshops and a waiting list control group. The intervention was evaluated with measures assessing knowledge about ADHD, psychological symptoms, and support received. The groups were compared using repeated measures ANOVAs. Results: The CBT group had significantly greater improvement on measures of knowledge about ADHD, self-efficacy, and self-esteem than the control group. Participants' evaluations of the sessions suggested that sharing personal experiences with other adults with ADHD was an important aspect of the intervention. Conclusion: Brief CBT group treatments may be an acceptable and cost-effective intervention for adults with ADHD. (J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 12(5) 434-441)
Women's Status and Risk of Homicide Victimization
Authors: Vieraitis Lynne M. , Kovandzic Tomislav V. , Britto Sarah
Published: March 2008

Several feminist theories predict that women's socioeconomic status, both absolute status and their status relative to men, influences the prevalence of violence against women, with some suggesting a positive correlation and others a negative one. Although each theory provides insight into the possible causal connection between women's status, gender inequality, and violence, empirical tests of these relationships are inconclusive. The present study addresses this issue by using a cross-sectional design with 2000 census and crime data to assess the impact of women's absolute status and gender inequality along educational, employment, income, and occupational dimensions and their risk of homicide victimization by intimate partners and nonintimates. The findings indicate that women's absolute status is significantly correlated with female homicide victimization rates by intimate partners. However, tests for equality of regression coefficients between the intimate and nonintimate partner models suggest that these differences may be attributed to random chance.
Is Homicide in Puerto Rico High?
Authors: Godoy Ricardo
Published: March 2008

Many observers have said that Puerto Rico has more violent crime than the US mainland. I use 1980-2005 data from the FBI and the police of Puerto Rico to show that Puerto Rico had (a) lower annual rates and faster improvement in aggravated assault, rape, and robbery than the mainland; (b) a higher homicide rate than the mainland and no signs of converging to mainland rates; and (c) a higher lethality ratio from aggravated assault than the mainland. I discuss explanations for Puerto Rico's paradox: high poverty, political marginality, and high lethality from aggravated assault but less violent crime (except homicide) than the mainland.
But We're Men Aren't We!
Authors: Hunt Stephen J.
Published: March 2008

Living history—the presentation of a historical period using live actors—remains an under-researched area despite the range of disciplines that might be brought to focus. While living history became popular in North America from the mid-twentieth century as a means of education, it now constitutes the basis of a fast-growing leisure-time pursuit— one that signifies a number of engendered trajectories in the sphere of leisure. This article will explore the significance of living history in terms of male identity. It will argue that as patriarchal structures are eroded and challenged, the construction, indeed, reconstruction of perceived traditional masculinities, may be negotiated and manufactured through the site of a serious leisure pursuit that attempts to draw boundaries with the feminine.
From a Boy Not Seeking a Wife to a Man Discussing Prophetic Women
Authors: Baum Robert M.
Published: March 2008

In this article I reflect on thirty-years of conducting field research in the Diola communities of southwestern Senegal. Initially this work was a community religious and historical study, but it gradually shifted to a focus on the history of Diola prophetism, most notably women prophets in the twentieth century. During that time, I shifted from an unmarried youth of twenty-two to a middle-aged married man. This article examines the continual intersection of the shift from a community religious history, including women's fertility shrines, to a study of women prophets whose followers included men and women. Assumptions about my place within the communities gradually changed as people got to know me and as aging changed my social status. Complicating this picture is the dramatic erosion of Diola social norms since the 1970s, which have created far greater fluidity to gender relations in Diola townships and among Diola in urban areas.
Interrogation Technique Endorsement by Current Law Enforcement, Future Law Enforcement, and Laypersons
Authors: Culhane Scott E. , Hosch Harmon M. , Heck Cary
Published: March 2008

Interrogations are an integral part of police practices and investigations. Yet, little is known about the endorsement of the techniques involved with interrogations. In two collection efforts, participants completed questionnaires about interrogations and individual difference measures. Three distinct groups were compared including current law enforcement officers, criminal justice and psychology undergraduate students who intended to enter law enforcement, and students who did not intend to do so. Results suggested that current law enforcement officers favored the use of “passive” interrogation techniques, more so than the student groups. The endorsement of “aggressive” interrogation techniques was minimal for all groups.
Legitimacy, Trust, Social Capital, and Policing Styles
Authors: Hawdon James
Published: March 2008

There currently is no consensus about why attitudes toward police vary by neighborhood. An unexplored explanation is that resident trust of police and perceptions of police legitimacy may depend on neighborhood levels of social capital. This article considers the relationships among trust, legitimacy, procedural justice, social capital, and policing styles. Treating trust and legitimacy as conceptually distinct, how neighborhood levels of social capital influence these perceptions and the style of policing that is most likely to promote these perceptions are discussed. Issues concerning the measurement of trust and legitimacy are also considered.
What Matters
Authors: Bridenball Blaine , Jesilow Paul
Published: March 2008

Public attitudes toward the police are often studied because of their relationship with citizens' support of the existing order. Much of the literature on the public's opinion of law enforcement personnel and organizations, however, does not provide police practitioners with a clear strategy to improve matters. The current study, based on interviews of Santa Ana, California residents, represents an attempt to assess the relative influence of individual characteristics, perceptions, and ecological conditions on attitudes toward the police. The results suggest specific mechanisms by which the police might improve the public's opinion of them.
Wilson Redux
Authors: Liederbach John , Travis Lawrence F.
Published: March 2008

Since the publication of Varieties of Police Behavior more than four decades ago, Wilson's theory concerning the link between local political culture and police styles has had a significant and enduring impact on police scholarship. However, there have been surprisingly few empirical tests of Wilson's assertions, and of those limited number of studies, only a small number provide even partial support for the model. The current study provides a test of Wilson's theory using a unique measure of police style derived from observational data rather than official arrest/citation statistics. Perhaps more important, we discuss our findings within the context of previous research that has failed to support Wilson's theory and present a critical assessment of the requirements of a valid test of this theory. We argue that Wilson's model retains an intuitive appeal to those interested in explaining the relationship between local community context and police behavior.
What Really Influences Officer Attitudes Toward COP?
Authors: Lord Vivian B. , Friday Paul C.
Published: March 2008

This research examines the extent to which actual implementation influenced how officers felt and the reasons for their feelings particularly about community-oriented policing (COP)-related activities, procedures, and COP philosophy in general. A pre- and post-implementation survey was conducted and followed up by a set of focus groups. The primary areas of difference between the pre- and post-COP expectations and experience were in the following areas: (a) less communication with other officers; (b) belief that they have less independence and discretion; (c) less participation in departmental decision making; and (d) more meetings with agencies and businesses, but less informal contacts with citizens. In addition, problem-oriented policing projects are considered too formal and time-consuming, given all their other responsibilities. These findings suggest that the local context of policing is an important element in the success of COP implementation.
Prevention of Prostate Cancer: What We Know and Where We Are Going
Authors: Jayachandran Jayakrishnan , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: March 2008

As one of the most prevalent cancers, prostate cancer has enormous public health importance and its prevention seems to be a rational approach to attenuate the economic, emotional, physical, and social impact of this disease. This review discusses some of the options available to clinicians worldwide under the broad headings of chemoprevention and dietary modification including lifestyle issues. From the review of available literature, it is appreciated that although many exciting options such as androgen inhibitors, vitamin E, and selenium are being actively considered, they are far from being included in clinical practice. So until large randomized trials confirm the benefit of chemopreventives and dietary modifications, patients may be advised to pursue a diet and lifestyle that ensures overall fitness.
Sorafenib, but not sunitinib, affects function of dendritic cells and induction of primary immune responses
Authors: Hipp Madeleine M. , Hilf Norbert , Walter Steffen , Werth Daniela , Brauer Katharina M. , Radsak Markus P. , Weinschenk Toni , Singh-Jasuja Harpreet , Brossart Peter
Published: March 2008

The tyrosine kinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib are approved for the treatment of patients with malignant diseases. To analyze the possible use of these compounds in combination with immunotherapeutic approaches, we analyzed the effects of both inhibitors on the immunostimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells (DCs) and the induction of primary immune responses in vivo. Sorafenib, but not sunitinib, inhibits function of DCs, characterized by reduced secretion of cytokines and expression of CD1a, major histocompatibility complex, and costimulatory molecules in response to TLR ligands as well as by their impaired ability to migrate and stimulate T-cell responses. These inhibitory effects are mediated by inhibition of PI3 and MAP kinases and NFκB signaling. In contrast, sorafenib had no influence on the phenotype and proliferation of T cells. To analyze the effects of both TKIs on cytotoxic T-cell induction in vivo, C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with sorafenib or sunitinib and immunized with OVA257-264 peptide. Sorafenib, but not sunitinib, application significantly reduced the induction of antigen-specific T cells. Numbers of regulatory T cells were reduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from mice treated with sunitinib. These results indicate that sunitinib, but not sorafenib, is suitable for combination with immunotherapeutic approaches for treatment of cancer patients.
Inhibition of endogenous TGF-β signaling enhances lymphangiogenesis
Authors: Oka Masako , Iwata Caname , Suzuki Hiroshi I. , Kiyono Kunihiko , Morishita Yasuyuki , Watabe Tetsuro , Komuro Akiyoshi , Kano Mitsunobu R. , Miyazono Kohei
Published: March 2008

Lymphangiogenesis is induced by various growth factors, including VEGF-C. Although TGF-β plays crucial roles in angiogenesis, the roles of TGF-β signaling in lymphangiogenesis are unknown. We show here that TGF-β transduced signals in human dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HDLECs) and inhibited the proliferation, cord formation, and migration toward VEGF-C of HDLECs. Expression of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers, including LYVE-1 and Prox1 in HDLECs, as well as early lymph vessel development in mouse embryonic stem cells in the presence of VEGF-A and C, were repressed by TGF-β but were induced by TGF-β type I receptor (TβR-I) inhibitor. Moreover, inhibition of endogenous TGF-β signaling by TβR-I inhibitor accelerated lymphangiogenesis in a mouse model of chronic peritonitis. Lymphangiogenesis was also induced by TβR-I inhibitor in the presence of VEGF-C in pancreatic adenocarcinoma xenograft models inoculated in nude mice. These findings suggest that TGF-β transduces signals in LECs and plays an important role in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis in vivo.
Two different classes of co-occurring motif pairs found by a novel visualization method in human promoter regions
Authors: Murakami Katsuhiko , Imanishi Tadashi , Gojobori Takashi , Nakai Kenta
Published: March 2008

Background

It is essential in modern biology to understand how transcriptional regulatory regions are composed ofcis-elements, yet we have limited knowledge of, for example, the combinational uses of these elements and their positional distribution.

Results

We predicted the positions of 228 known binding motifs for transcription factors in phylogenetically conserved regions within -2000 and +1000 bp of transcriptional start sites (TSSs) of human genes and visualized their correlated non-overlapping occurrences. In the 8,454 significantly correlated motif pairs, two major classes were observed: 248 pairs in Class 1 were mainly found around TSSs, whereas 4,020 Class 2 pairs appear at rather arbitrary distances from TSSs. These classes are distinct in a number of aspects. First, the positional distribution of the Class 1 constituent motifs shows a single peak near the TSSs, whereas Class 2 motifs show a relatively broad distribution. Second, genes that harbor the Class 1 pairs are more likely to be CpG-rich and to be expressed ubiquitously than those that harbor Class 2 pairs. Third, the 'hub' motifs, which are used in many different motif pairs, are different between the two classes. In addition, many of the transcription factors that correspond to the Class 2 hub motifs contain domains rich in specific amino acids; these domains may form disordered regions important for protein-protein interaction.

Conclusion

There exist at least two classes of motif pairs with respect to TSSs in human promoters, possibly reflecting compositional differences between promoters and enhancers. We anticipate that our visualization method may be useful for the further characterisation of promoters.
Roles of TNF-α gene polymorphisms in the occurrence and progress of SARS-Cov infection: A case-control study
Authors: Wang Shixin , Wei Maoti , Han Yi , Zhang Keju , He Li , Yang Zhen , Su Bing , Zhang Zhilun , Hu Yilan , Hui Wuli
Published: March 2008

Background

Host genetic factors may play a role in the occurrence and progress of SARS-Cov infection. This study was to investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene polymorphisms with the occurrence of SARS-CoV infection and its role in prognosis of patients with lung interstitial fibrosis and femoral head osteonecrosis.

Methods

The association between genetic polymorphisms of TNF-α gene and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS) was conducted in a hospital-based case-control study including 75 SARS patients, 41 health care workers and 92 healthy controls. Relationships of TNF-α gene polymorphisms with interstitial lung fibrosis and femoral head osteonecrosis were carried out in two case-case studies in discharged SARS patients. PCR sequencing based typing (PCR-SBT) method was used to determine the polymorphisms of TNF-α gene in locus of the promoter region and univariate logistic analysis was conducted in analyzing the collected data.

Results

Compared to TT genotype, the CT genotype at the -204 locus was found associated with a protective effect on SARS with OR(95%CI) of 0.95(0.90–0.99). Also, TT genotype, CT and CC were found associated with a risk effect on femoral head necrosis with ORs(95%CI) of 5.33(1.39–20.45) and 5.67(2.74–11.71), respectively and the glucocorticoid adjusted OR of CT was 5.25(95%CI 1.18–23.46) and the combined (CT and CC) genotype OR was 6.0 (95%CI 1.60–22.55) at -1031 site of TNF-α gene. At the same time, the -863 AC genotype was manifested as another risk effect associated with femoral head necrosis with OR(95%CI) of 6.42(1.53–26.88) and the adjusted OR was 8.40(95%CI 1.76–40.02) in cured SARS patients compared to CC genotype.

Conclusion

SNPs of TNF-α gene of promoter region may not associate with SARS-CoV infection. And these SNPs may not affect interstitial lung fibrosis in cured SARS patients. However, the -1031CT/CC and -863 AC genotypes may be risk factors of femoral head necrosis in discharged SARS patients.
Forced expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p57Kip2 in cardiomyocytes attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury in the mouse heart
Authors: Haley Sheila A , Zhao Ting , Zou Lijun , Klysik Jan E , Padbury James F , Kochilas Lazaros K
Published: March 2008

Background

Myocardial hypoxic-ischemic injury is the cause of significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The cardiomyocyte response to hypoxic-ischemic injury is known to include changes in cell cycle regulators. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p57

Kip 2is involved in cell cycle control, differentiation, stress signaling and apoptosis. In contrast to other cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p57Kip2 expression diminishes during postnatal life and is reactivated in the adult heart under conditions of cardiac stress. Overexpression of p57

Kip 2has been previously shown to prevent apoptotic cell death in vitro by inhibiting stress-activated kinases. Therefore, we hypothesized that p57

Kip 2has a protective role in cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions. To investigate this hypothesis, we created a transgenic mouse (R26loxpTA-p57

k/+) that expresses p57Kip2 specifically in cardiac tissue under the ventricular cardiomyocyte promoter Mlc2v.

Results

Transgenic mice with cardiac specific overexpression of p57

Kip 2are viable, fertile and normally active and their hearts are morphologically indistinguishable from the control hearts and have similar heart weight/body weight ratio. The baseline functional parameters, including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), LVdp/dtmax, heart rate (HR) and rate pressure product (RPR) were not significantly different between the different groups as assessed by the Langendorff perfused heart preparation. However, after subjecting the heart ex vivo to 30 minutes of ischemia-reperfusion injury, the p57

Kip 2overexpressing hearts demonstrated preserved cardiac function compared to control mice with higher left ventricular developed pressure (63 ± 15 vs 30 ± 6 mmHg, p = 0.05), rate pressure product (22.8 ± 4.86 vs 10.4 ± 2.1 × 103bpm × mmHg, p < 0.05) and coronary flow (3.5 ± 0.5 vs 2.38 ± 0.24 ml/min, p <0.05).

Conclusion

These data suggest that forced cardiac expression of p57Kip2 does not affect myocardial growth, differentiation and baseline function but attenuates injury from ischemia-reperfusion in the adult mouse heart.
A prospective study of iron status in exclusively breastfed term infants up to 6 months of age
Authors: Raj Shashi , Faridi MMA , Rusia Usha , Singh Om
Published: March 2008

Background

Can exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age maintain optimum iron status in term babies? We evaluated iron status of exclusively breastfed term infants in relation to breast milk iron and lactoferrin.

Methods

In this prospective study in Delhi, India, during the period 2003–2004 normally delivered babies of non-anemic [(Hemoglobin (Hb) = 11 g/dl, n = 68] and anemic (Hb 7 – 10.9 g/dl, n = 61) mothers were followed until 6 months of age. Iron parameters were measured in the cord blood at 14 weeks and 6 months. Breast milk iron and lactoferrin were measured at the same intervals.

Results

Iron parameters in babies of both groups were within normal limits at birth, 14 weeks and 6 months. Mean breast milk iron and lactoferrin in non-anemic (day 1: 0.89, 6 months: 0.26 mg/l; day 1: 12.02, 6 months: 5.85 mg/ml) and anemic mothers (day 1: 0.86, 6 months: 0.27 mg/l; day 1: 12.91, 6 months: 6.37 mg/ml) were not different on day one or at other times. No relationship was found between breast milk iron, lactoferrin and iron status of the babies.

Conclusion

Exclusively breastfed infants of non-anemic and anemic mothers did not develop iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia by six months of age.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with lower tibial cartilage volume but not lower patella cartilage volume in healthy women at mid-life
Authors: Hanna Fahad S , Bell Robin J , Cicuttini Flavia M , Davison Sonia L , Wluka Anita E , Davis Susan R
Published: March 2008

Introduction

Elevated serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has been reported in established osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to determine whether serum levels of hsCRP are associated with the variation in tibial and patella cartilage volumes in women without evidence of OA.

Methods

Participants were recruited from a database established from the Australian electoral roll, and were aged 40 to 67 years, were not hysterectomized and had no significant knee pain or knee injury in the last 5 years. Tibial and patella cartilage volumes were measured from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of each woman's dominant knee and hsCRP measured in serum. Linear regression models were used to explore the major determinants of variation in both tibial and patella cartilage volume and to assess whether serum hsCRP made an independent contribution to variation in the volumes of cartilage in the two knee compartments.

Results

The mean age of the 176 participants was 52.3 ± 6.6 years. Compared with a standard model for tibial cartilage volume that included bone area, age, smoking and alcohol status, the addition of an hsCRP term made an independent negative contribution to variation in tibial cartilage volume, irrespective of whether body mass index (BMI) was included in the model or not. By contrast, using a similar approach, hsCRP did not contribute independently to variation in patella cartilage volume.

Conclusion

In asymptomatic women aged 40 to 67 years, serum hsCRP is independently negatively associated with the volume of tibial but not patella cartilage suggesting that subclinical inflammation may predispose to knee cartilage loss in the tibial compartment. This should be further assessed by a longitudinal study.
Mild hypothermia during advanced life support: a preliminary study in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Bruel Cédric , Parienti Jean-Jacques , Marie William , Arrot Xavier , Daubin Cédric , Du Cheyron Damien , Massetti Massimo , Charbonneau Pierre
Published: March 2008

Introduction

Induction of mild hypothermia after cardiac arrest may confer neuroprotection. We assessed the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of therapeutic infusion of 2 l of normal saline at 4°C before return of spontaneous circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation after out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational, multicenter clinical trial conducted in Emergency Medical Services units and in a medical intensive care unit at Caen University Hospital, Cen, France.

Results

In patients who had suffered out of hospital cardiac arrest, hypothermia was induced by infusing 2 l of 4°C NaCl 0.9% over 30 minutes during advanced life support prior to arrival at the hospital. A total of 33 patients were included in the study. Eight patients presented with ventricular fibrillation as the initial cardiac rhythm. Mild hypothermia was achieved after a median of 16 minutes (interquartile range 11.5 to 25.0 minutes) after return of spontaneous circulation. After intravenous cooling, the temperature decreased by 2.1°C (P < 0.0001) to a mean body temperature of 33.3°C (interquartile range 32.3 to 34.3°C). The only observed adverse event was pulmonary oedema, which occurred in one patient.

Conclusion

We concluded that prehospital induction of therapeutic hypothermia using infusion of 2 l of 4°C normal saline during advanced life support was feasible, effective and safe. Larger studies are required to assess the impact that this early cooling has on neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest.
Facial fear processing and psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia: functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Michalopoulou Panayiota G. , Surguladze Simon , Morley Lucy A. , Giampietro Vincent P. , Murray Robin M. , Shergill Sukhwinder S.
Published: March 2008

Background

The recognition of negative facial affect is impaired in people with schizophrenia. The neural underpinnings of this deficit and its relationship to the symptoms of psychosis are still unclear.

Aims

To examine the association between positive and negative psychotic symptoms and activation within the amygdala and extrastriate visual regions of patients with schizophrenia during fearful and neutral facial expression processing.

Method

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure neural responses to neutral and fearful facial expressions in 11 patients with schizophrenia and 9 healthy volunteers during an implicit emotional task.

Results

No association between amygdala activation and positive symptoms was found; the activation within the left superior temporal gyrus was negatively associated with the negative symptoms of the patients.

Conclusions

Our results indicate an association between impaired extrastriate visual processing of facial fear and negative symptoms, which may underlie the previously reported difficulties of patients with negative symptoms in the recognition of facial fear.
Public health significance of mixed anxiety and depression: beyond current classification
Authors: Das-Munshi Jayati , Goldberg David , Bebbington Paul E. , Bhugra Dinesh K. , Brugha Traolach S. , Dewey Michael E. , Jenkins Rachel , Stewart Rob , Prince Martin
Published: March 2008

Background

The public health significance of mixed anxiety–depressive disorder (MADD) and the distinctiveness of its phenomenology have yet to be established.

Aims

To determine the public health significance of MADD, and to compare its phenomenology with ICD-10 anxiety, depressive, and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders.

Method

Weighted analysis of data from the Great Britain National Psychiatric Morbidity survey was conducted with a representative household sample of 8580 persons aged 16–74 years.

Results

The 1-month prevalence of MADD was 8.8%. A fifth of all days off work in Britain occurred in this group. The symptom profile of MADD was similar to ‘pure’ ICD-10 anxiety and depression, but with a lower overall symptom count. The disorder was associated with significant impairment of health-related quality of life. Differences in health-related quality of life measures between diagnostic groups were accounted for by overall symptom severity, which remained strongly associated with health-related quality of life measures after adjusting for diagnostic group. The finding that half of the anxiety, depression and MADD cases and a third of the comorbid depression and anxiety cases grouped into a single latent class challenges the notion of these conditions as having distinct phenomenologies. Mixed presentations may be the norm in the population.

Conclusions

The data support the pathological significance of MADD in its negative impact upon population health. Dimensional approaches to classification may provide a more parsimonious description of anxiety and depressive disorders compared with categorical approaches.
Psychosocial intervention for war-affected children in Sierra Leone
Authors: Gupta Leila , Zimmer Catherine
Published: March 2008

Background

There are no psychosocial interventions to address both educational needs and psychological distress among displaced children in post-conflict settings.

Aims

To assess the psychosocial status of displaced children enrolled in the Rapid-Ed intervention; and to determine whether the Rapid-Ed intervention alleviated traumatic stress symptoms that interfere with learning among war-affected children in Sierra Leone.

Method

A randomly selected sample of 315 children aged 8–18 years who were displaced by war were interviewed about their war experiences and reactions to the violence before and after participating in the 4-week Rapid-Ed intervention combining basic education with trauma healing activities.

Results

High levels of intrusion, arousal and avoidance symptoms were reported at the pre-test interviews conducted 9–12 months after the war. Post-test findings showed statistically significant decreases in intrusion and arousal symptoms (P < 0.0001), a slight increase in avoidance reactions (P < 0.0001) and greater optimism about the future.

Conclusions

The findings suggest potential for combining basic education with trauma healing activities for children in post-conflict settings, but confirmatory studies using a control group are needed. Conducting research in post-conflict settings presents unique challenges.
The long and the short of it: are shorter periods of hospitalisation beneficial?
Authors: Capdevielle Delphine , Ritchie Karen
Published: March 2008

The politics of shortening hospital stays for people with psychosis has been questioned by a number of studies. Hospital practice in the meantime remains highly variable and the research evidence increasingly difficult to interpret given different conceptualisations of what constitutes effective treatment. In the absence of clearer guidelines from researchers in this area, decisions about duration of hospitalisation risk being driven by economic rather than clinical considerations.