bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Myocardial Infarction or Vascular Death After First Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Dhamoon Mandip S. , Tai Wanling , Boden-Albala Bernadette , Rundek Tanja , Paik Myunghee C. , Sacco Ralph L. , Elkind Mitchell S.V.
Published: April 2007

Background and Purpose—

In national guidelines, absolute long-term risk of myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary death determines target low-density lipoprotein levels, but stroke patients are not explicitly addressed. We determined the absolute 5-year risk of cardiovascular outcomes and their predictors after first ischemic stroke in a multiethnic cohort.

Methods—

A population-based cohort of first ischemic stroke patients ≥40 years old was prospectively followed annually for recurrent stroke, MI and cause-specific mortality. Kaplan-Meier 5-year risks for MI or vascular death (primary outcome), and other cardiovascular events, were calculated. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% CI for predictors of cardiovascular outcomes.

Results—

Mean age (n=655) was 69.7±12.7 years; 55.4% of participants were women, and 51.3% Hispanic. The 5-year risk of MI or vascular death was 17.4% (95% CI, 14.2% to 20.6%). Independent historical predictors of MI or vascular death were age >70 years (hazard ratio 1.62, 1.07 to 2.44), history of coronary artery disease (hazard ratio 1.76, 1.13 to 2.74), and atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 1.76, 1.05 to 2.94). In the lowest risk group, those ≤70 years old without coronary artery disease, 5-year risk of MI or vascular death was 9.7%.

Conclusions—

The absolute risk of MI or vascular death after ischemic stroke, even in those without high-risk features, approximates levels used by national organizations to designate groups of patients at high risk of vascular events. The comparability of levels of absolute risk among stroke and cardiac patients may have treatment implications.
An Estimation of Buoyancy Flux for a Mixture of Turbulence and Double Diffusion
Authors: Inoue Ryuichiro , Yamazaki Hidekatsu , Wolk Fabian , Kono Tokihiro , Yoshida Jiro
Published: April 2007

Microstructure measurements were made in the Mixed Water Region of the Oyashio/Kuroshio/Tsugaru currents system where both turbulence and double diffusion are involved in mixing. While intense turbulence is observed near the front between the Oyashio and the Tsugaru Current, double diffusion occupies a noticeable fraction in both the Tsugaru Water and the Mixed Water between the Oyashio and the Kuroshio. After determining a criterion to distinguish double diffusion from turbulence, vertical diffusivities and buoyancy fluxes are estimated using microstructure data. When turbulence is weak, double diffusion is observed around temperature and salinity anomalies, partly due to interleaving, and dominates the buoyancy flux. Vertical diffusivities due to double diffusion are parameterized as a function of the 10-m-scale density ratio. The 10-m-scale diffusivity estimates are consistent with the microstructure data when an appropriate criterion to reproduce a probability density function for the Turner angle is applied. A weighted-average diffusivity model is proposed to account properly for turbulence and double diffusion simultaneously.
Genomic Targets in Saliva
Authors: ZIMMERMANN BERNHARD G. , PARK NOH JIN , WONG DAVID T.
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  Saliva, the most accessible and noninvasive biofluid of our body, harbors a wide spectrum of biological analytes informative for clinical diagnostic applications. While proteomic constituents are a logical first choice as salivary diagnostic analytes, genomic targets have emerged as highly informative and discriminatory. This awareness, coupled with the ability to harness genomic information by high‐throughput technology platforms such as genome‐wide microarrays, ideally positions salivary genomic targets for exploring the value of saliva for detection of specific disease states and augmenting the diagnostic and discriminatory value of the saliva proteome for clinical applications.
Buccal cells and saliva have been used as sources of genomic DNA for a variety of clinical and forensic applications. For discovery of disease targets in saliva, the recent realization that there is a transcriptome in saliva presented an additional target for oral diagnostics. All healthy subjects evaluated have approximately 3,000 different mRNA molecules in their saliva. Almost 200 of these salivary mRNAs are present in all subjects. Exploration of the clinical utility of the salivary transcriptome in oral cancer subjects shows that four salivary mRNAs (OAZ, SAT, IL8, and IL1b) collectively have a discriminatory power of 91% sensitivity and specificity for oral cancer detection. Data are also now in place to validate the presence of unique diagnostic panels of salivary mRNAs in subjects with Sjögren's disease.
Gender‐Specific Differences in Salivary Biomarker Responses to Acute Psychological Stress
Authors: TAKAI NORIYASU , YAMAGUCHI MASAKI , ARAGAKI TOSHIAKI , ETO KENJI , UCHIHASHI KENJI , NISHIKAWA YASUO
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  The stress response is regulated by two primary neuroendocrine systems, the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenocortical (HPA) and sympathetic adrenomedullary (SAM) systems. This study investigated gender differences in the activities of these two systems in response to acute psychological stress. Subjects were categorized according to their score in Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which assesses the predisposition to personal anxiety. High (STAI score ≥55)‐ and low (STAI score ≤45)‐anxiety groups were selected. A video of corneal surgery was served as the stressor for 15 min. Salivary cortisol and amylase levels were used as indices of the HPA and SAM activities, respectively. β‐endorphin was also assayed as a possible index of HPA activity. There were no differences in the resting salivary parameters among the groups. As expected, cortisol and amylase levels were significantly increased in all groups after the stressful video viewing. There were no gender differences in amylase levels in either the high‐ or low‐anxiety groups. However, cortisol levels in highly anxious females were significantly lower than those in highly anxious males. Our findings show that highly anxious females exhibited lower cortisol release than highly anxious males, suggesting that high trait anxiety in females may be associated with an inability to respond with sufficient activation of HPA under acute psychological stress.
Lab‐on‐a‐Chip Methods for Point‐of‐Care Measurements of Salivary Biomarkers of Periodontitis
Authors: CHRISTODOULIDES NICOLAOS , FLORIANO PIERRE N. , MILLER CRAIG S. , EBERSOLE JEFFREY L. , MOHANTY SANGHAMITRA , DHARSHAN PRIYA , GRIFFIN MICHAEL , LENNART ALEXIS , BALLARD KARRI L. MICHAEL , KING CHARLES P. , LANGUB M. CHRIS , KRYSCIO RICHARD J. , THOMAS MARK V. , McDEVITT JOHN T.
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  Salivary secretions contain a variety of molecules that reflect important pathophysiological activities. Quantitative changes of specific salivary biomarkers could have significance in the diagnosis and management of both oral and systemic diseases. Modern point‐of‐care technologies with enhanced detection capabilities are needed to implement a significant advancement in salivary diagnostics. One such promising technology is the recently described lab‐on‐a‐chip (LOC) assay system, in which assays are performed on chemically sensitized beads populated into etched silicon wafers with embedded fluid handling and optical detection capabilities. Using this LOC system, complex assays can be performed with small sample volumes, short analysis times, and markedly reduced reagent costs. This report describes the use of LOC methodologies to assess the levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), C‐reactive protein (CRP), and matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8) in whole saliva, and the potential use of these biomarkers for diagnosing and categorizing the severity and extent of periodontitis. This study demonstrates that the results achieved by the LOC approach are in agreement with those acquired with standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with significant IL‐1β and MMP‐8 elevations in whole saliva of periodontitis patients. Furthermore, because of the superior detection capacities associated with the LOC approach, unlike those with ELISA, significant differences in CRP levels between periodontitis patients and normal subjects are observed. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) is performed to yield an efficient method to discriminate between periodontally healthy and unhealthy patients, thus increasing the diagnostic value of these biomarkers for periodontitis when examined with the integrated LOC sensor system.
Saliva‐Based HIV Testing among Secondary School Students in Tanzania using the OraQuick® Rapid HIV1/2 Antibody Assay
Authors: HOLM‐HANSEN CAROL , NYOMBI BALTHAZAR , NYINDO MRAMBA
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  HIV prevalence and knowledge concerning HIV prevention among secondary school students in Tanzania was investigated. Approximately 50% of all secondary school students in Hai district and Moshi town were included in the study. Saliva samples were obtained using the OraQuick® rapid HIV‐1/2 antibody assay. Forty‐one (1.0%) and 211 (5.5%) students at the rural and urban schools, respectively, tested positive for HIV antibodies in saliva. HIV knowledge and beliefs varied significantly. Noninvasive saliva sample collection for HIV testing was highly acceptable. HIV infection is considerably more widespread among students attending urban rather than rural schools in the population investigated.
Insulin Protects Liver Cells from Saturated Fatty Acid-Induced Apoptosis via Inhibition of c-Jun NH2 Terminal Kinase Activity
Authors: Pagliassotti M. J. , Wei Y. , Wang D.
Published: April 2007

Hepatocyte apoptosis is increased in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and correlates with disease severity. Long-chain saturated fatty acids, such as palmitate and stearate, induce apoptosis in liver cells. The present study examined insulin-mediated protection against saturated fatty acid-induced apoptosis in the rat hepatoma cell line, H4IIE, and primary rat hepatocytes. Cells were provided a control media (no fatty acids) or the same media containing 250 μmol/liter of albumin-bound oleate or palmitate for 16 h. Insulin concentrations were 0, 1, 10, or 100 nmol/liter (n = 4–6/treatment). Palmitate, but not oleate, activated caspase-3 and induced DNA fragmentation in the absence of insulin. Insulin reduced palmitate-mediated activation of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors abolished these effects of insulin. Insulin-mediated inhibition of palmitate-induced apoptosis was not due to an augmentation in the unfolded protein response or increased expression of genes encoding the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 and X-linked mammalian inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Palmitate, but not oleate, increased c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase activity in the absence of insulin. Insulin or SP600125, a chemical inhibitor of c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase, blocked palmitate-mediated activation of c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase and reduced apoptosis. These data suggest that insulin is an important determinant of saturated fatty acid-induced apoptosis in liver cells and may have implications for fatty acid-mediated liver cell injury in insulin-deficient and/or -resistant states.
WNTs in the Ovine Uterus: Potential Regulation of Periimplantation Ovine Conceptus Development
Authors: Hayashi K. , Burghardt R. C. , Bazer F. W. , Spencer T. E.
Published: April 2007

WNTs (Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member) are involved in critical developmental and growth processes in animals. These studies investigated WNT pathways in the ovine uterus and conceptus during the periimplantation period of pregnancy. WNT2 and WNT2B mRNAs were detected in endometrial stroma. WNT5A and WNT5B mRNAs were most abundant in the stroma and less so in the luminal epithelium, whereas WNT11 mRNA was detected primarily in the glands. WNT7A mRNA was present in the luminal epithelium on d 10, absent on d 12 and 14, and increased between d 16 and 20. Only WNT2, WNT2B, and WNT4 were detected in conceptus trophectoderm. FZD6/8 (frizzled receptor) and GSK3B (glycogen synthase kinase 3β) mRNAs were detected primarily in endometrial epithelia and conceptus trophectoderm, whereas the LRP5/6 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6) coreceptor was present in all endometrial cells and the trophectoderm. DKK1 (Dickkopf), a WNT signaling inhibitor, increased in the endometrium from d 16–20. CTNNB1 [catenin (cadherin associated protein) β1] and CDH1 (E-cadherin) mRNAs were most abundant in the endometrial epithelia and trophectoderm. LEF1 (lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1) mRNA was expressed primarily in uterine epithelia, whereas TCF7L2 [(transcription factor 7-like 2 (T-cell specific, HMG-box)] was primarily in the conceptus. CTNNB1 and TCF7L2 proteins were both abundant in the nuclei of trophoblast giant binucleate cells. WNT7A stimulated a TCF/LEF-luciferase reporter activity in ovine trophectoderm cells that was inhibited by dominant-negative TCF and Sfrp2 (secreted FZD-related protein 2). WNT7A increased trophectoderm cell proliferation as well as MSX2 (msh homeobox 2) and MYC (myelocytomatosis oncogene) mRNA levels. Wnt5a increased trophectoderm cell migration in a Rho kinase-dependent manner. These results support the hypotheses that canonical and noncanonical WNT signaling pathways are conserved regulators of conceptus-endometrial interactions in mammals and regulate periimplantation ovine conceptus development.
Creation of Fullerene-Based Artificial Photosynthetic Systems
Authors: Imahori Hiroshi
Published: April 2007

Various porphyrin–fullerene-linked systems have been prepared to elucidate the intrinsic electron-transfer properties of fullerenes. Photodynamical studies on porphyrin–fullerene-linked systems showed that spherical fullerenes accelerated photoinduced electron transfer and charge-shift, but slowed down charge recombination, which is in sharp contrast with those of conventional planar acceptors such as quinones and imides. For the first time, it was shown that the unique electron-transfer properties result from the small reorganization energies of fullerenes arising from the delocalized π system on the sphere together with the rigid structure. The small reorganization energies make it possible to produce a long-lived charge-separated state with a high quantum yield in donor–fullerene systems. The finding also will allow us to construct light energy conversion systems as well as artificial photosynthetic models. Highly efficient photoinduced energy and electron transfer were achieved on gold and ITO electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers of the porphyrin–fullerene-linked systems. We also developed dye-sensitized bulk heterojunction solar cell possessing both characteristics of dye-sensitized and bulk heterojunction solar cells. These results showed the advantages of fullerenes as electron acceptors in artificial photosynthetic model, photonic molecular devices and machines, and organic molecular electronics including solar cells.
Synthesis and Acid- or Base-Catalyzed Cyclization of Various 4-Pentyne-1,3-dione Derivatives
Authors: Kuroda Hirofumi , Izawa Hironori
Published: April 2007

4-Pentyne-1,3-dione derivatives having various substituents were conveniently synthesized from ynals and silyl enol ethers in two steps. The cyclization behaviors of the obtained 4-pentyne-1,3-diones were studied. γ-Pyrones and 3(2H)-furanones were obtained by cyclization in the presence of an acid or base as a catalyst. The selectivity of the cyclization was moderately influenced by the substituents at the acetylenic moiety.
Biform Games
Authors: Brandenburger Adam , Stuart Harborne
Published: April 2007

Both noncooperative and cooperative game theory have been applied to business strategy. We propose a hybrid noncooperative-cooperative game model, which we call a biform game. This is designed to formalize the notion of business strategy as making moves to try to shape the competitive environment in a favorable way. (The noncooperative component of a biform game models the strategic moves. The cooperative component models the resulting competitive environment.) We give biform models of various well-known business strategies. We prove general results on when a business strategy, modelled as a biform game, will be efficient.
Getting Big Too Fast: Strategic Dynamics with Increasing Returns and Bounded Rationality
Authors: Sterman John D. , Henderson Rebecca , Beinhocker Eric D. , Newman Lee I.
Published: April 2007

Neoclassical models of strategic behavior have yielded many insights into competitive behavior, despite the fact that they often rely on a number of assumptions—including instantaneous market clearing and perfect foresight—that have been called into question by a broad range of research. Researchers generally argue that these assumptions are “good enough” to predict an industry’s probable equilibria, and that disequilibrium adjustments and bounded rationality have limited competitive implications. Here we focus on the case of strategy in the presence of increasing returns to highlight how relaxing these two assumptions can lead to outcomes quite different from those predicted by standard neoclassical models. Prior research suggests that in the presence of increasing returns, tight appropriability, and accommodating rivals, in some circumstances early entrants can achieve sustained competitive advantage by pursuing “get big fast” (GBF) strategies: Rapidly expanding capacity and cutting prices to gain market share advantage and exploit positive feedbacks faster than their rivals. Using a simulation of the duopoly case we show that when the industry moves slowly compared to capacity adjustment delays, boundedly rational firms find their way to the equilibria predicted by conventional models. However, when market dynamics are rapid relative to capacity adjustment, forecasting errors lead to excess capacity—overwhelming the advantage conferred by increasing returns. Our results highlight the risks of ignoring the role of disequilibrium dynamics and bounded rationality in shaping competitive outcomes, and demonstrate how both can be incorporated into strategic analysis to form a dynamic, behavioral game theory amenable to rigorous analysis.
Biosensor Analysis of β2-Glycoprotein I–Reactive Autoantibodies: Evidence for Isotype-Specific Binding and Differentiation of Pathogenic from Infection-Induced Antibodies
Authors: Metzger Jochen , von Landenberg Philipp , Kehrel Marcus , Buhl Alexander , Lackner Karl J , Luppa Peter B
Published: April 2007

Background: For the laboratory diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) we developed a biosensor with the ability to distinguish between disease-relevant anti-β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) autoantibodies (anti-β2GPI) and pathogen-specific β2GPI cross-reactive antibodies that occur transiently during infections.

Methods: We used a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor device. For the detection of anti-β2GPI in serum samples, affinity-purified human β2GPI was covalently attached to a functionalized n-alkanethiol self-assembling monolayer on the biosensor chip. After verifying the specificity of the biosensor system with a panel of monoclonal antibodies to β2GPI, we analyzed sera from healthy donors and patients suffering from APS, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), syphilis, or parvovirus B19 infections. The SPR results were compared with β2GPI-specific ELISA.

Results: Using the SPR biosensor, we recorded antigen binding curves with response levels in the range of 50–500, resonance units (RU) for anti-β2GPI ELISA-positive APS patient sera. The amplitudes of the antiphospholipid antibody (APL) responses in the biosensor correlated with the overall IgG and IgM anti-β2GPI ELISA titers with a correlation coefficient of 0.87. Moreover, we observed immunoglobulin isotype-specific association and dissociation profiles for APL binding of different APS patient sera to the biosensor-immobilized β2GPI. In contrast to APS patient samples, no significant anti-β2GPI binding (response levels <35 RU) was observed in samples from healthy individuals or from patients suffering from SLE, syphilis, or parvovirus B19 infection.

Conclusions: The SPR biosensor system enables specific detection of APS-associated β2GPI-reactive APL and differentiation from β2GPI cross-reactive antibodies that occur frequently during acute infections. The established association/dissociation plot for anti-β2GPI responses in APS patient sera gives additional information regarding the influence of anti-β2GPI IgG and IgM isotype distribution.
Bone Formation Markers in Adults with Mild Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Cundy Tim , Horne Anne , Bolland Mark , Gamble Greg , Davidson James
Published: April 2007

Background: Plasma concentrations of procollagen peptides are decreased in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), whereas other bone formation markers may be increased. We examined the utility of combining these markers in the diagnosis of OI in adults.

Methods: We measured plasma concentrations of procollagen-1 N-peptide (P1NP), osteocalcin, and bone alkaline phosphatase in 24 patients with nondeforming OI, 25 patients with low bone mass due to other causes, and 38 age- and sex-matched controls. The discriminant ability of various test combinations was assessed by the construction of ROC curves.

Results: The median (range) ratio of osteocalcin to P1NP was significantly greater in patients with type I OI [1.75 (0.80–3.86)] than in controls [0.59 (0.34–0.90)] and patients with other causes of low bone mass [0.48 (0.05–1.38); P <0.0001]. This ratio allowed nearly complete differentiation between healthy controls and patients with type I OI, but not patients with type IV OI. With a cutoff of 0.97 for osteocalcin:P1NP, the sensitivity and specificity were maximized at 95% (95% CI 76%–100%) and 88% (69%–97%), respectively, for patients with other causes of low bone mass vs those with type I OI only. For patients with other causes of low bone mass vs all OI patients, sensitivity and specificity were 83% (63%–95%) and 88% (69%–97%), respectively. The addition of bone alkaline phosphatase data did not improve the discriminant ability of the osteocalcin:P1NP ratio.

Conclusions: The osteocalcin:P1NP ratio is a sensitive and specific test for type I OI in adults, but it has less utility in the diagnosis of other types of nondeforming OI.
Reviews
Authors: Blythman Margo , Kill Rebekka , Wade Sally
Published: April 2007

Assessment, Learning and Employability, Knight, P. and Yorke, M. (eds.), (2003)

Society for Research into Higher Education/Open University Press, ISBN 0-335-21228-X

Innovative Assessment in Higher Education, Cordelia Bryan and Karen Clegg (eds.) (2006)

New
York and London: Routledge, 234 pp., ISBN 0-415-35642-3, 24.99

Educational Development, Discourse, Identity and Practice, Ray Land (2004)

Buckingham: Society for Research into Higher Education and Open University Press, 232 pp., ISBN 0-335-21328-6

Towards Strategic
Staff Development in Higher Education, Richard Blackwell and Paul Blackmore (eds.) (2003)

Maidenhead, UK: Society for Research into Higher Education and Open University Press, 232 pp., ISBN 0-335-21209-3
Supporting young children drawing: developing a role
Authors: Ring Kathy
Published: April 2007

This article recognizes drawing as a child-appropriate symbolic activity young children use to make meaning in the world. Evidence from a three-year longitudinal study (Ring, 2003; Anning & Ring, 2004) of seven young children drawing at home, pre-school and school is taken as a
starting point for considering the role of adults in supporting young children's drawing behaviours. Narrative is also drawn from an ongoing research project in which experienced teachers in English educational settings working with children aged between 3 and 5 years chart their exploration
of their role as they strive to tune in to their needs in relation to drawing. The article highlights the importance of adults making time and space for drawing; ensuring the materials they provide engage both genders; recognizing a wider range of drawing activity as developmentally appropriate
for meaning-making; developing and valuing their role as co-constructors working alongside children. The emergent findings show the importance of supporting drawing on both a large and small scale, outdoors as well as indoors for both girls and boys.
Blissfully whose? Jungle pleasures, ultra-modernist cinema and the cosmopolitan Thai auteur
Authors: Ingawanij May Adadol , MacDonald Richard Lowell
Published: April 2007

Apichatpong Weerasethakul is a native of Khon Kaen in Northeast Thailand, a graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, and twice a Cannes prize winner. This unusual trajectory defines his auteur self. In eclectically drawing on the North American and European traditions of avant-garde
and art cinema, combined with the popular tradition in Thai cinema, Apichatpong's mode of cultural practice constitutes a kind of contact zone with the West, which is particularly dependent on transnational cinephilia for its visibility. His whole oeuvre and identity as a filmmaker is premised
on the self-conscious marginality of his practice within Thailand, and simultaneously its appreciation by transnational institutions supportive of artistic and cultural cinemas. Our interest lies in tracing the complex impact of this encounter, which structures the attempt to articulate an
alternative cinema in Thailand.
Crossing National and Corporate Cultures: Stages in Localizing a Pre-Production Meeting Report
Authors: Major David L. , Yoshida Akihiro
Published: April 2007

Localization includes translating, explaining, and adapting a document for use in a specific culture. This article presents the case of a form for reporting the findings and decisions of pre-production meetings held during development of electronic products. The need to localize such a document may seem less obvious or critical than the need for sales documents like manuals, but this case demonstrates the same cultural requirements and, furthermore, the requirements of corporate differences. To meet local needs, the comprehensive preparation that localization requires should follow specific methods in each step of a process corresponding to the general writing process, like the stages defined in common technical writing texts. The deliberate use of an effective writing process to localize documents will improve results.
Questions Related to a Research Intervention Carried out with Female and Male Public School Workers
Authors: Brito Jussara , Neves Mary Yale , Athayde Milton
Published: April 2007

This article presents a health intervention-research project done with workers in Brazilian public schools. Health, as we understand it, is linked both to the way in which we live and to our capacity to change that way of life. We emphasize the critical importance of initiating dialogue between research professionals and workers (co-investigators) in order to understand and transform work situations. We highlight the effects of debates about gender relations that led to work transformations. Such debates made it easier for workers and researchers to understand that men and women experience job requirements differently. We found that some staff favored reproduction of a sexually differentiated school system. These debates also allowed male and female workers to make their family members aware of difficulties in their work, unknown to society in general. We considered how to expand this research process, including examples of how the work was transformed.
Programmatic Evaluation of College Initiatives to Reduce Tobacco Use
Authors: Reinert Bonita , Carver Vivien , Pike Chris , Range Lillian M.
Published: April 2007

College students are particularly vulnerable to tobacco initiation and use, but college prevention services are rare and often unevaluated. The present project evaluated 27 tobacco use prevention initiatives on college campuses in one southern U.S. state. Each initiative included one 20 hour/week on-campus student coordinator, a faculty or staff advisor, and a monitor. An outside evaluator rated each initiative on compliance with seven activities and five administrative necessities. Most (22) initiatives nearly met, met, or exceeded expectations, but five were noncompliant. Initiative scores correlated positively with students' and advisors' ratings, but were unrelated to the on-campus coordinator's sex, longevity in office, or past tobacco prevention experience. Though limited by not including a rating of the quality of the interventions, this program evaluation provided college tobacco prevention initiatives with an overall rating and specific feedback on how to improve, and allowed each initiative to tailor programs to its specific campus.
Identifying Habitat Linkages for American Black Bears in North Carolina, USA
Authors: KINDALL JASON L. , VAN MANEN FRANK T.
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTUnderstanding landscape structure and the role of habitat linkages is important to managing wildlife populations in fragmented landscapes. We present a data‐based method for identifying local‐ and regional‐scale habitat linkages for American black bears (Ursus americanus) on the Albemarle‐Pamlico Peninsula of North Carolina, USA. We used weights‐of‐evidence, a discrete multivariate technique for combining spatial data, to make predictions about bear habitat use from 1,771 telemetry locations on 2 study areas (n= 35 bears). The model included 3 variables measured at a 0.2‐km2scale: forest cohesion, forest diversity, and forest‐agriculture edge density, adequately describing important habitat characteristics for bears on our study area. We used 2 categories of unique habitat conditions to delineate favorable bear habitat, which correctly classified 79.5% of the bear locations in a 10‐fold model validation. Forest cohesion and forest‐agriculture edge density were the most powerful predictors of black bear habitat use. We used predicted probabilities of bear occurrence from the model to delineate habitat linkages among local and regional areas where bear densities were relatively high. Our models clearly identified 2 of the 3 sites previously recommended for wildlife underpasses on a new, 4‐lane highway in the study area. Our approach yielded insights into how landscape metrics can be integrated to identify linkages suitable as habitat and dispersal routes.
Red‐Shouldered Hawk Occupancy Surveys in Central Minnesota, USA
Authors: HENNEMAN CARLENE , MCLEOD MARY ANNE , ANDERSEN DAVID E.
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT Forest‐dwelling raptors are often difficult to detect because many species occur at low density or are secretive. Broadcasting conspecific vocalizations can increase the probability of detecting forest‐dwelling raptors and has been shown to be an effective method for locating raptors and assessing their relative abundance. Recent advances in statistical techniques based on presence—absence data use probabilistic arguments to derive probability of detection when it is < 1 and to provide a model and likelihood‐based method for estimating proportion of sites occupied. We used these maximum‐likelihood models with data from red‐shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) call‐broadcast surveys conducted in central Minnesota, USA, in 1994–1995 and 2004–2005. Our objectives were to obtain estimates of occupancy and detection probability 1) over multiple sampling seasons (yr), 2) incorporating within‐season time‐specific detection probabilities, 3) with call type and breeding stage included as covariates in models of probability of detection, and 4) with different sampling strategies. We visited individual survey locations 2–9 times per year, and estimates of both probability of detection (range = 0.28‐0.54) and site occupancy (range = 0.81‐0.97) varied among years. Detection probability was affected by inclusion of a within‐season time‐specific covariate, call type, and breeding stage. In 2004 and 2005 we used survey results to assess the effect that number of sample locations, double sampling, and discontinued sampling had on parameter estimates. We found that estimates of probability of detection and proportion of sites occupied were similar across different sampling strategies, and we suggest ways to reduce sampling effort in a monitoring program.
Infectious Diseases in a Changing Climate
Authors: Phillips Matthew C. , LaRocque Regina C. , Thompson George R.
Published: March 2024

This JAMA Insights in the Climate Change and Health series discusses the importance of clinicians having awareness of changes in the geographic range, seasonality, and intensity of transmission of infectious diseases to help them diagnose, treat, and prevent these diseases.
Skin Biopsy Detection of Phosphorylated α-Synuclein in Patients With Synucleinopathies
Authors: Gibbons Christopher H. , Levine Todd , Adler Charles , Bellaire Bailey , Wang Ningshan , Stohl Jade , Agarwal Pinky , Aldridge Georgina M. , Barboi Alexandru , Evidente Virgilio G. H. , Galasko Douglas , Geschwind Michael D. , Gonzalez-Duarte Alejandra , Gil Ramon , Gudesblatt Mark , Isaacson Stuart H. , Kaufmann Horacio , Khemani Pravin , Kumar Rajeev , Lamotte Guillaume , Liu Andy J. , McFarland Nikolaus R. , Miglis Mitchell , Reynolds Adam , Sahagian Gregory A. , Saint-Hillaire Marie-Helene , Schwartzbard Julie B. , Singer Wolfgang , Soileau Michael J. , Vernino Steven , Yerstein Oleg , Freeman Roy
Published: March 2024

Importance

Finding a reliable diagnostic biomarker for the disorders collectively known as synucleinopathies (Parkinson disease [PD], dementia with Lewy bodies [DLB], multiple system atrophy [MSA], and pure autonomic failure [PAF]) is an urgent unmet need. Immunohistochemical detection of cutaneous phosphorylated α-synuclein may be a sensitive and specific clinical test for the diagnosis of synucleinopathies.

Objective

To evaluate the positivity rate of cutaneous α-synuclein deposition in patients with PD, DLB, MSA, and PAF.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This blinded, 30-site, cross-sectional study of academic and community-based neurology practices conducted from February 2021 through March 2023 included patients aged 40 to 99 years with a clinical diagnosis of PD, DLB, MSA, or PAF based on clinical consensus criteria and confirmed by an expert review panel and control participants aged 40 to 99 years with no history of examination findings or symptoms suggestive of a synucleinopathy or neurodegenerative disease. All participants completed detailed neurologic examinations and disease-specific questionnaires and underwent skin biopsy for detection of phosphorylated α-synuclein. An expert review panel blinded to pathologic data determined the final participant diagnosis.

Exposure

Skin biopsy for detection of phosphorylated α-synuclein.

Main Outcomes

Rates of detection of cutaneous α-synuclein in patients with PD, MSA, DLB, and PAF and controls without synucleinopathy.

Results

Of 428 enrolled participants, 343 were included in the primary analysis (mean [SD] age, 69.5 [9.1] years; 175 [51.0%] male); 223 met the consensus criteria for a synucleinopathy and 120 met criteria as controls after expert panel review. The proportions of individuals with cutaneous phosphorylated α-synuclein detected by skin biopsy were 92.7% (89 of 96) with PD, 98.2% (54 of 55) with MSA, 96.0% (48 of 50) with DLB, and 100% (22 of 22) with PAF; 3.3% (4 of 120) of controls had cutaneous phosphorylated α-synuclein detected.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, a high proportion of individuals meeting clinical consensus criteria for PD, DLB, MSA, and PAF had phosphorylated α-synuclein detected by skin biopsy. Further research is needed in unselected clinical populations to externally validate the findings and fully characterize the potential role of skin biopsy detection of phosphorylated α-synuclein in clinical care.
The Rise and Risks of Medicare Advantage “Affinity Plans”
Authors: Beckman Adam L. , Ryan Andrew M. , Figueroa Jose F.
Published: March 2024

This Viewpoint discusses the proliferation of Medicare Advantage plans targeting specific groups of individuals and whether these plans will improve quality of care for beneficiaries.
Implications for Public Health Regulation if Chevron Deference Is Overturned
Authors: Agrawal Sahil , Ross Joseph S. , Ramachandran Reshma
Published: March 2024

This Viewpoint describes implications for medicine and public health if the US Supreme Court decides to overturn or narrow Chevron deference.
Adrenal-Permissive Germline HSD3B1 Allele and Prostate Cancer Outcomes
Authors: McKay Rana R. , Nelson Tyler J. , Pagadala Meghana S. , Teerlink Craig C. , Gao Anthony , Bryant Alex K. , Agiri Fatai Y. , Guram Kripa , Thompson Reid F. , Pridgen Kathryn M. , Seibert Tyler M. , Lee Kyung Min , Carter Hannah , Lynch Julie A. , Hauger Richard L. , Rose Brent S.
Published: March 2024

Importance

The adrenal androgen–metabolizing 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 enzyme, encoded by the HSD3B1 gene, catalyzes the rate-limiting step necessary for synthesizing nontesticular testosterone and dihydrotestosterone production. The common adrenal-permissive HSD3B1(1245C) allele is responsible for encoding the 3β-HSD1 protein with decreased susceptibility to degradation resulting in higher extragonadal androgen synthesis. Retrospective studies have suggested an association of the HSD3B1 adrenal-permissive homozygous genotype with androgen deprivation therapy resistance in prostate cancer.

Objective

To evaluate differences in mortality outcomes by HSD3B1 genetic status among men with prostate cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study of patients with prostate cancer who were enrolled in the Million Veteran Program within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system between 2011 and 2023 collected genotyping and phenotyping information.

Exposure

HSD3B1 genotype status was categorized as AA (homozygous adrenal-restrictive), AC (heterozygous adrenal-restrictive), or CC (homozygous adrenal-permissive).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome of this study was prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM), defined as the time from diagnosis to death from prostate cancer, censored at the date of last VHA follow-up. Secondary outcomes included incidence of metastases and PCSM in predefined subgroups.

Results

Of the 5287 participants (median [IQR] age, 69 [64-74] years), 402 (7.6%) had the CC genotype, 1970 (37.3%) had the AC genotype, and 2915 (55.1%) had the AA genotype. Overall, the primary cause of death for 91 patients (1.7%) was prostate cancer. Cumulative incidence of PCSM at 5 years after prostate cancer diagnosis was higher among men with the CC genotype (4.0%; 95% CI, 1.7%-6.2%) compared with the AC genotype (2.1%; 95% CI, 1.3%-2.8%) and AA genotype (1.9%; 95% CI, 1.3%-2.4%) (P = .02). In the 619 patients who developed metastatic disease at any time, the cumulative incidence of PCSM at 5 years was higher among patients with the CC genotype (36.0%; 95% CI, 16.7%-50.8%) compared with the AC genotype (17.9%; 95% CI, 10.5%-24.7%) and AA genotype (18.5%; 95% CI, 12.0%-24.6%) (P = .01).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of US veterans undergoing treatment for prostate cancer at the VHA, the HSD3B1 CC genotype was associated with inferior outcomes. The HSD3B1 biomarker may help identify patients who may benefit from therapeutic targeting of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 and the androgen-signaling axis.
Metabolic Bariatric Surgery—A Vastly Underused Treatment
Authors: Schirmer Bruce
Published: March 2024

This Viewpoint discusses the disease of obesity: treatment options, disease management, and the need for legislation for obesity-related discrimination.
Global transcriptome analysis reveals Salmonella Typhimurium employs nitrate metabolism to combat bile stress
Authors: Singh Madhulika , Chandra Deepti , Jagdish Sirisha , Nandi Dipankar
Published: March 2024

Salmonella Typhimurium is an enteric pathogen that is highly tolerant to bile. Next‐generation mRNA sequencing was performed to analyze the adaptive responses to bile in two S. Typhimurium strains: wild type (WT) and a mutant lacking cold shock protein E (ΔcspE). CspE is an RNA chaperone which is crucial for survival of S. Typhimurium during bile stress. This study identifies transcriptional responses in bile‐tolerant WT and bile‐sensitive ΔcspE. Upregulation of several genes involved in nitrate metabolism was observed, including fnr, a global regulator of nitrate metabolism. Notably, Δfnr was susceptible to bile stress. Also, complementation with fnr lowered reactive oxygen species and enhanced the survival of bile‐sensitive ΔcspE. Importantly, intracellular nitrite amounts were highly induced in bile‐treated WT compared to ΔcspE. Also, the WT strain pre‐treated with nitrate displayed better growth with bile. These results demonstrate that nitrate‐dependent metabolism promotes adaptation of S. Typhimurium to bile.
Recurrent ATP1A1 variant Gly903Arg causes developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autism
Authors: Dohrn Maike F. , Bademci Guney , Rebelo Adriana P. , Jeanne Médéric , Borja Nicholas A. , Beijer Danique , Danzi Matt C. , Bivona Stephanie A. , Gueguen Paul , Zafeer Mohammad F. ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Tekin Mustafa , Züchner Stephan
Published: March 2024

ATP1A1 encodes a sodium‐potassium ATPase that has been linked to several neurological diseases. Using exome and genome sequencing, we identified the heterozygous ATP1A1 variant NM_000701.8: c.2707G>A;p.(Gly903Arg) in two unrelated children presenting with delayed motor and speech development and autism. While absent in controls, the variant occurred de novo in one proband and co‐segregated in two affected half‐siblings, with mosaicism in the healthy mother. Using a specific ouabain resistance assay in mutant transfected HEK cells, we found significantly reduced cell viability. Demonstrating loss of ATPase function, we conclude that this novel variant is pathogenic, expanding the phenotype spectrum of ATP1A1.
Incremental Feeding of Perovskite Powders: Angstrom‐Precision Growth for Single‐Source Solar Cell Fabrication
Authors: Rodkey Nathan , Huisman Bas , Bolink Henk J.
Published: March 2024

Vacuum‐based deposition of halide perovskites receives a lot of attention for its proven scalability and conformal depositions. Co‐evaporation has remarkable success, but efficiencies continue to lag behind their solution‐based counterparts. This is in part attributed to the complex sublimation behavior of some organic ammonium precursor salts and the increased complexity of the absorber materials, requiring the use of four or more sources in a conventional co‐evaporation setup. The latter has driven work into single‐source methods with flash evaporation presented as one such method. However, flash evaporation processes typically evaporate all material in a single batch, leading to short deposition times at high temperatures. Particle sputtering effects seen at these high temperatures drive processes toward low temperatures where prolonged exposure causes degradation. Here, a pulse‐driven incremental powder feeding system is presented. This method is capable of stable flash evaporation rates for >1 h, with controlled rates as low as 1.5 Å per pulse (±0.89). The feasibility of this method is demonstrated for three different perovskite compositions: FAPbBr3, MAPbI3, and FA1−xMAxPbSnI3:SnF2. Furthermore, FAPbBr3 and MAPbI3 are integrated into all vacuum‐processed thin‐film solar cells leading to power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of ~4% and 10%, respectively.
Tautomerization Makes Topological Phase Transition in 2D Organometallic Lattices
Authors: Li Junyao , Liu Zhao , Li Xingxing , Yang Jinlong
Published: March 2024

The investigation into approaches for achieving reversible control of topological phase transitions has attracted substantial research interest. So far, several system‐dependent physical control methods are developed, while a chemical strategy for efficient regulation of topological properties is still lack. Here, this study presents a chemical means to achieve reversible topological control in 2D organometallic lattices by introducing the lactam‐lactim tautomerization modules in the organic linkers. The strategy is validated in the theoretically designed 2D hexagonal framework with planar tricoordinated Co as nodes and 2,2′‐bithiazole derivatives as organic linkers, which transforms from a ferrimagnetic half metal with a local gap featuring Chern number of +1 to a ferromagnetic Chern insulator possessing Chern number of −1 after lactam‐lactim tautomerization. Simultaneously, a flip in the spin polarization of charge carriers between the two lattice tautomers is also observed.
Direct Catalytic Stereoselective Synthesis of C4′ Functionalized Furanoside and Nucleoside Derivatives with a Tetrasubstituted Stereocenter
Authors: Zhang Kaiheng , Wu Haibo , Inge A. Ken , Córdova Armando
Published: March 2024

A direct catalytic stereoselective synthesis of C4’ functionalized furanoside and nucleoside derivatives with a tetrasubstituted stereocenter is disclosed. The amine‐catalyzed stereoselective α‐aminomethylation reactions on furanoside‐derived aldehyde derivatives gave the corresponding C4’ functionalized D‐ or L‐ribose derivatives in good to excellent yields (67−94%) with up to >20:1 dr.
Rim‐Based Binding of Perfluorinated Acids to Pillararenes Purifies Water
Authors: Gao Tu‐Nan , Huang Si , Nooijen Rick , Zhu Yumei , Kociok‐Köhn Gabriele , Stuerzer Tobias , Li Guanna , Bitter Johannes H. , Salentijn Gert I. J. , Chen Bo , Miloserdov Fedor M. , Zuilhof Han
Published: March 2024

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a rapidly increasing global problem as their widespread use and high stability lead worldwide to water contamination, with significant detrimental health effects.[1] Supramolecular chemistry has been invoked to develop materials geared towards the specific capture of PFAS from water,[2] to reduce the concentration below advisory safety limits (e.g., 70 ng/L for the sum of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA). Scale‐up and use in natural waters with high PFAS concentrations has hitherto posed a problem. Here we report a new type of host–guest interaction between deca‐ammonium‐functionalized pillar[5]arenes (DAF−P5s) and perfluoroalkyl acids. DAF−P5 complexes show an unprecedented 1 : 10 stoichiometry, as confirmed by isothermal calorimetry and X‐ray crystallographic studies, and high binding constants (up to 106 M−1) to various polyfluoroalkyl acids. In addition, non‐fluorinated acids do not hamper this process significantly. Immobilization of DAF−P5s allows a simple single‐time filtration of PFAS‐contaminated water to reduce the PFOS/PFOA concentration 106 times to 15–50 ng/L level. The effective and fast (<5 min) orthogonal binding to organic molecules without involvement of fluorinated supramolecular hosts, high breakthrough capacity (90 mg/g), and robust performance (>10 regeneration cycles without decrease in performance) set a new benchmark in PFAS‐absorbing materials.