bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Determinants of White Matter Hyperintensities on Brain Scans
Authors: Paternoster Lavinia , Chen Wanting , Sudlow Cathie L.M.
Published: May 2009

Background and Purpose—

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are highly heritable and associated with small artery ischemic stroke, so they may be a useful trait for studying the genetics of small vessel disease. Many studies have attempted to find associations between polymorphisms in various candidate genes and WMH. We aimed to evaluate the evidence for these associations by performing a systematic review and series of meta-analyses.

Methods—

We used a comprehensive search strategy to identify studies of the association between any genetic polymorphism and WMH. For all polymorphisms in genes studied in >2000 subjects we performed meta-analyses, calculating pooled odds ratios or standardized mean differences.

Results—

We identified 46 studies of polymorphisms in 19 genes in ≈19 000 subjects. Most genes were involved in lipid metabolism, control of vascular tone, or blood pressure regulation. Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E, angiotensin-converting enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and angiotensinogen genes had been studied in >2000 subjects and were evaluated by meta-analysis. There was no evidence for an association between apolipoprotein E (ε4+/−), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (677 cytosine/thymine polymorphism [C/T]), or angiotensinogen (Met235Thr) and WMH. For the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism (I/D) there appeared to be a significant association (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.09–3.48), but this may be partly attributable to the small study (mainly publication) and other biases.

Conclusion—

No genetic polymorphism has yet shown convincing evidence for an association with WMH. Much larger studies will be needed to detect and confirm genetic associations with this promising trait in the era of genome-wide association studies.
Effect of Upper Limb Botulinum Toxin Injections on Impairment, Activity, Participation, and Quality of Life Among Stroke Patients
Authors: Caty Gilles D. , Detrembleur Christine , Bleyenheuft Corinne , Deltombe Thierry , Lejeune Thierry M.
Published: May 2009

Background and Purpose—

The purpose of this study was to study the effect of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections in spastic upper limb muscles on impairment, activity, participation and quality of life in chronic stroke patients.

Methods—

BoNT-A (Dysport) was injected into several upper limb spastic muscles in a group of 20 patients. Neurological impairment (muscle tone and strength, dexterity, SIAS), activity (ABILHAND), participation (SATIS-Stroke), and quality of life (SF36) were assessed before and 2 months after the injections.

Results—

BoNT-A injections improved muscle tone, but had no impact on dexterity, manual ability, social participation, and quality of life.

Conclusions—

In this study, BoNT-A injections in spastic upper limbs significantly reduced neurological impairments, but had no functional impact.
Knowledge of Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke Among Michigan Adults
Authors: Anderson Beth E. , Rafferty Ann P. , Lyon-Callo Sarah , Fussman Chris , Reeves Mathew J.
Published: May 2009

Background and Purpose—

Although tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an effective therapy for acute ischemic stroke, treatment rates remain low. Efforts to address the underuse of tPA include public education to increase the recognition of stroke symptoms and the awareness of tPA treatment. Our objective was to determine the level of knowledge about tPA treatment for acute stroke among a representative sample of Michigan adults.

Methods—

The Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS) is a random-digit-dial telephone survey of adults conducted annually as part of the national BRFS. Questions regarding tPA treatment for acute stroke were included in the 2004 Michigan BRFS. We examined the prevalence of awareness using χ
2
tests and generated multivariable logistic regression models.

Results—

Among 4724 respondents, only 32.2% (95% CI=30.8 to 33.8%) were aware of the existence of tPA treatment for acute stroke, of whom 52.7% (50.0 to 55.4%) knew that it needed to be administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. Awareness of tPA was higher among middle aged adults, females, whites, and those with higher education and income. Awareness of the time window for tPA was higher among middle aged adults and whites.

Conclusions—

In this population-based survey only a third of the public were aware of tPA as a treatment for stroke, and only 1 in 6 were aware that the treatment exists and needs to be given within 3 hours of symptom onset. Continuing efforts are necessary to increase public knowledge about tPA treatment for acute stroke.
Coated-Platelet Levels Are Low in Patients With Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Prodan Calin I. , Vincent Andrea S. , Padmanabhan Rajiv , Dale George L.
Published: May 2009

Background and Purpose—

Coated-platelets are a subset of platelets with high procoagulant potential observed on dual agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin. Failure to produce coated-platelets in animals results in a bleeding diathesis. With this background, we undertook a pilot study to investigate coated-platelet production in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH).

Methods—

Coated-platelet levels were determined in 26 patients with a diagnosis of SICH and 52 controls.

Results—

The patient population had significantly lower coated-platelet levels than the controls (mean±SD, 24.8±9.7% versus 32.9±12.6%,
P
=0.0035).

Conclusions—

Decreased coated-platelet synthesis may be linked to the mechanisms involved in the events leading to SICH.
The Clinical Course of Childhood Asthma in Association with Fever
Authors: Sahib El-Radhi A. , Patel Swatee
Published: May 2009

Little attention has been given to the relationship between fever and the severity of asthma. The authors studied 202 successive admissions of children with asthma over a period of 16 months to investigate the relationship between fever and the clinical course of asthma. There were 38 febrile children (18.8%), who were mostly younger than 5 years. Febrile children had a shorter mean hospital stay than afebrile children (1.7 vs 2.0 days). There were 25 episodes of acute severe asthma (13%): 2 among the 38 febrile children (5.2%), compared with 23 episodes among the remaining 164 afebrile children (14%). Three children, who had very severe asthma requiring transfer to an intensive care unit, were afebrile. Radiological abnormalities (collapse/consolidation) occurred in 13 cases: 3 from the febrile and 10 from the afebrile group. Monitoring body temperature is important in cases of asthma. Febrile children tend to be younger and are more likely to have a less severe clinical course of asthma.
Effect of Complex Curatives on the Properties for Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber/Polypropylene Blends
Authors: Tsai Yuhsin , Tsai Ping-Yuan , Wu Yao-Tsu , Leu Ming-Tsong , Wu Jyh-Horng
Published: May 2009

This study investigates the effects of different types of curatives at polypropylene (PP) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) blend ratios (100 : 40 phr) in dynamically vulcanized products. The thermoplastic vulcanizates are prepared by batch melt mixing of PP with EPDM, using pheolic resin, dicumyl peroxide, hydrosilyation, and complex systems as curatives. Observed changes in curing characteristics and mechanical properties of blends have been correlated with phase morphology, as attested by scanning electron micrographs. On the basis of the obtained results, different curative systems control final vulcanizing characteristics, mechanical properties, morphology, intermolecular interaction, and thermal properties of EPDM/PP blends.
Preparation and Properties of Polyurethanes based on Castor Oil Chemically Modified with Yucca Starch Glycoside
Authors: Valero Manuel F. , Pulido Jorge E. , Hernández Juan C. , Posada José A. , Ramírez Alvaro , Zhengdong Cheng
Published: May 2009

We present novel polyurethanes from renewable materials of castor oil and starch. Castor oil is transesterified with pentaerythritol in order to obtain a wide range of polyols. Yucca starch is converted into glycoside through transglycosylation reactions with ethylene glycol and glycerol. The glycosides from starch are then chemically incorporated to the castor oil polyols by a second transesterification reaction to generate a sequence of polyol-glycosides with a high level of polyhydroxyl content. These products are characterized by the hydroxyl value, viscosity, and specific gravity as a function of the glycoside type content and the kind of castor oil polyol prepared. MALDI TOF mass spectroscopy is used to find the mass fraction of glycosides and polyol-glycosides. Polyurethanes are synthesized from the polyol-glycosides by reaction with isophorone diisocyanate, under different NCO/OH molar ratios. The polymer characterization is accomplished by Fourier transform infrared analysis, tensile stress—strain tests, Shore A hardness, thermogravimetric analysis, chemical resistance to solvents, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis.
Communicating Stereotype-Relevant Information: Is Factual Information Subject to the Same Communication Biases as Fictional Information?
Authors: Goodman Ruth L. , Webb Thomas L. , Stewart Andrew J.
Published: May 2009

Factual information is more frequently read and discussed than fictional information. However, research on the role of communication in shaping stereotypes has focused almost exclusively on fictional narratives. In Experiments 1 and 2 a newspaper article containing information about heroin users was communicated along chains of 4 people. No stereotype-consistency bias was observed. Instead, a greater proportion of stereotype-inconsistent information was communicated than was stereotype-consistent or -neutral information. Three further experiments investigated explanations for the difference between the communication of fictional and factual information. Experiment 3 ruled out the possibility that participants' beliefs about the validity of the information could influence the way that it is communicated. Experiments 4 and 5 divided information into concrete (a specific event or fact) or abstract (opinion). A stereotype-consistency bias emerged only for abstract information. In summary, linguistic abstraction moderates whether stereotype-consistency biases emerge in the communication of stereotype-relevant factual information.
An Evolutionary Perspective on Humor: Sexual Selection or Interest Indication?
Authors: Li Norman P. , Griskevicius Vladas , Durante Kristina M. , Jonason Peter K. , Pasisz Derek J. , Aumer Katherine
Published: May 2009

Are people who are funny more attractive? Or does being attractive lead people to be seen as funnier? The answer may depend on the underlying evolutionary function of humor. While humor has been proposed to signal “good genes,” the authors propose that humor also functions to indicate interest in social relationships—in initiating new relationships and in monitoring existing ones. Consistent with this interest indicator model, across three studies both sexes were more likely to initiate humor and to respond more positively and consider the other person to be funny when initially attracted to that person. The findings support that humor dynamics— and not just humor displays—influence romantic chemistry for both men and women, suggesting that humor can ultimately function as a strategy to initiate and monitor social relationships.
Husbands’ and Wives’ Relative Earnings
Authors: Winslow-Bowe Sarah
Published: May 2009

Whereas much research has explored the causes and consequences of the gender wage gap, far less has examined earnings differentials within marriage. This article contributes to this literature by utilizing the 2000 wave of the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to examine variation in husbands’ and wives’ relative income by race/ethnicity, human capital, labor supply, and life stage. The author finds that Black women’s disproportionate concentration among high relative earning wives can be attributed more to their greater attachment to paid labor than to their husbands’ labor supply. Nonetheless, Black women’s odds of earning as much as or more than their husbands are greater than those of White women. In addition, unlike research on the motherhood wage gap more generally, the author finds that the impact of motherhood on women’s earnings relative to their husbands can be largely explained by mothers’ lower labor supply relative to their childless counterparts.
Effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on reward and anxiety in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress
Authors: Fokos S. , Panagis G.
Published: May 2009

Although cannabis derivatives produce clear subjective motivational responses in humans leading to drug-seeking behaviour, the reinforcing attributes of these subjective effects are difficult to define in experimental animals. The aim of this study was to examine how exposure to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) will affect reward function and anxiety after acute administration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in rats. Male rats were exposed to either 10 days of CUS or no stressor. Alterations in brain reward function were assessed with the intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm, and anxiety responses were measured with the elevated plus maze. CUS did not affect baseline brain stimulation reward thresholds. Δ9-THC did not exhibit reinforcing actions in the ICSS paradigm neither in nonstressed nor in stressed animals. More importantly, in nonstressed animals, both the low and the high dose of Δ9-THC exerted anxiolytic-like effects. In stressed animals, however, only the high dose of THC induced an anxiolytic-like response, whereas the low dose induced anxiogenic effects. The present results provide clear evidence for an anxiolytic effect of Δ9-THC both in stressed and in nonstressed animals, and indicate that environmental conditions, such as stressful experiences, do not alter the behavioural effects of Δ9-THC in the ICSS paradigm.
The New, Modern Practice of Adult Education
Authors: Donavant Brian W.
Published: May 2009

Within the field of adult education a paradigm shift, or at least a paradigm creep, is taking place as a result of advances in technology. This comprehensive, quasiexperimental study examining the efficacy of online education (OE) for professional development, conducted among American police officers, compares OE to traditional delivery methods, using quantitative methods and open ended questioning to determine whether the potential performance of adult learners in OE is related to various demographic factors, and evaluates the adult learners' perceptions of OE. Data analyses indicate no significant difference between the effectiveness of the delivery methods but they do reveal a statistically significant relationship between potential online learning success and a formal educational level. Although most participants in the study say they prefer traditional instruction, the majority feel that OE is an appropriate delivery method for professional development and that the use of OE for delivery of professional development provides increased training opportunities.
Three Novel Variants in X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: Shukla Pallavi , Gupta Neerja , Kabra Madhulika , Ghosh Manju , Sharma Raju , Gupta Arun K. , Gulati Sheffali , Kalra Veena
Published: May 2009

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is an inherited neurological disorder caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene (located on chromosome Xq28) encoding adrenoleukodystrophy protein which is involved in the transport of substrates from the cytoplasm into the peroxisomal lumen. There is a scarcity of reports on mutation analysis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy from India. Here, we report 3 novel variants (c.67_83del17, c.395G>A, c.1938_1939dupGG) in 3 unrelated Indian families.
Acute arsenic self-poisoning for suicidal purpose in a dentist: a case report
Authors: Yilmaz Y , Armagan E , Olmez OF , Esen M , Alkis N , Dolar E
Published: May 2009

Arsenic is a classical poison that has been historically used since ancient times for homicidal purposes. More recently, episodes of deliberate or unintentional arsenic self-poisoning have been increasingly reported. We describe here a case of a 77-year old male patient with a history of major depression, who attempted suicide by ingestion of 4 g of arsenic trioxide. The man, a dentist by profession, used arsenic preparations for pulp devitalization. The patient was admitted to our hospital 5 h after arsenic ingestion with nausea and vomiting. Plain radiograph of the abdomen showed radio-opaque material in the stomach and small intestine. Nasogastric lavage, activated charcoal, and chelators were used to remove arsenic. On day 3, endoscopy disclosed the presence of gastritis and superficial ulcers. The patient developed significant anemia (Hb: 8.7 g/dL on day 7) without significant signs of hemolysis. He gradually recovered from anemia within 5 months. The patient did not suffer any adverse outcome in spite of having ingesting 4 g of arsenic, approximately 20 times the lethal dose.
Expression of AS3MT alters transcriptional profiles in human urothelial cells exposed to arsenite
Authors: Hester SD , Drobná Z , Andrews DMK , Liu J , Waalkes MP , Thomas DJ , Stýblo M
Published: May 2009

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is an environmental toxicant and human carcinogen. The enzymatic methylation of iAs that is catalyzed by arsenic (+3 oxidation state)-methyltransferase (AS3MT) generates reactive methylated intermediates that contribute to the toxic and carcinogenic effects of iAs. We have shown that clonal human urothelial cells (UROtsa/F35) that express rat AS3MT and methylate iAs are more susceptible to acute toxicity of arsenite (iAsIII) than parental UROtsa cells that do not express AS3MT and do not methylate iAs. The current work examines transcriptional changes associated with AS3MT expression and identifies specific categories of genes expressed in UROtsa and UROtsa/F35 cells in response to a 24-h exposure to 1 or 50 μM iAsIII. Here, the expression of 21,073 genes was assessed using Agilent Human 1A(V2) arrays. Venn analysis showed marked concentration-dependent differences between gene expression patterns in UROtsa and UROTsa/F35 cells exposed to iAsIII. Among 134 genes altered by exposure to subtoxic 1 μM iAsIII, only 14 were shared by both cell lines. Exposure to cytotoxic 50 μM iAsIII uniquely altered 1389 genes in UROtsa/F35 and 649 genes in UROtsa cells; 5033 altered genes were associated with the chemical alone. In UROtsa, but not UROtsa/F35 cells exposure to 1 μM iAsIII altered expression of genes associated with cell adhesion. In contrast, expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation was significantly altered in UROtsa/F35 cells at this exposure level. At 50 μM iAsIII, pathways regulating cell cycle, cell death, transcription, and metabolism were affected in both cell lines. However, only Urotsa/F35 cells showed numerous G-protein and kinase pathway alterations as well as alterations in pathways involved in cell growth and differentiation. These data link the AS3MT-catalyzed methylation of iAs to specific genomic responses in human cells exposed to iAsIII. Further analysis of these responses will help to characterize the role of AS3MT-catalyzed methylation in modulation of iAsIII toxicity.
Respect for lay perceptions of risk in the hormesis case
Authors: Elliott KC
Published: May 2009

In this essay for this issue, David Ropeik empahasizes that it is important to respect the risk perceptions of laypeople. The present commentary examines Ropeik’s suggestion in more detail. First, it clarifies that the notion of ‘respect’ for lat risk perceptions is ambiguous. For example, one could adopt a fairly technocratic perspective (in which policy decisions are based almost exclusively on the risk perceptions of technical experts) while still claiming to respect laypeople. The second section of the commentary rejects such an appraoch; it provides a four-part argument in favor of giving significant weight to the risk perceptions of the public when making policy decisions. It concludes by arguing that these suggestions could be implemented in the hormesis case by adopting the sorts of analytic-deliberative approaches advocated by the National Research Council report Understanding Risk.
Domesticating Prostitution
Authors: Löw Martina , Ruhne Renate
Published: May 2009

The authors explore the political and social changes in sex work in Germany from the 1950s to the present. The article uses a theoretical framework in which sociological reconstructions of events are analyzed as interactional webs conditioned by shifting relations of dominance and agency. The interpretation of events focuses on how public policy that moved prostitution from public space had implications not only for public space, but also contained gender and class-specific components. Prostitutes who were initially `unpleasantly' conspicuous in the streets of the city increasingly disappeared from the eyes of the public. This disappearance was the result of purposive and far-reaching spatial policy. In the context of `traditional localization' on the one hand and increasing public policy pressure on the other, prostitution concentrated more and more in a few, narrowly limited urban areas. This new spatial situation brought about shifts in power between the various groups involved.
Fundamental Ontology Versus Esse est percipi
Authors: Gilfillan Paul
Published: May 2009

This article is of particular relevance to ethnographers and theorists of the working class and the concern to articulate a sociology of liberation. The article addresses the ontology of class and the central Western problematic of historicising reason, being and liberation/redemption first signalled in the twelfth century. From the standpoint of the author's ethnographic engagement with working class dasein in Scotland, the article emerges from an analysis of an exchange between two authors engaged in very different strategies of representing and understanding the reality of class. The article seeks to uncover some of the issues faced by social theorists who engage with the long durée task of modelling an ethnography of being and giving a sociological account of a radically emancipatory exercise of situated freedom from within class-based civilisation and societies.
The Space of Appearances
Authors: Charlesworth Simon J.
Published: May 2009

This article examines processes taking place within public institutions and political and public life that produce social exclusion and examines the human costs of such processes that render people “invisible.”
Ages of Chivalry, Places of Paternalism
Authors: Kruttschnitt Candace , Savolainen Jukka
Published: May 2009

In this study, we argue that the traditional paradigm used to explain the leniency accorded to women offenders in US criminal courts ignores advances in feminist research which suggest how normative patterns that reinforce gender identities can and do change. Using data from Finland, a society generally characterized by more gender equality than is found in the USA, we examine whether an offender's sex has a significant impact on the decision to imprison. Controlling for relevant legal and social characteristics, and considering the conditional effects of labour force participation and parental responsibilities, the findings show that the often-noted preferential treatment given to female offenders, relative to their male counterparts in the USA, is not present in Finland.
Why Don't More People Complain against the Police?
Authors: Smith Graham
Published: May 2009

This is a revised version of a paper presented to a workshop organized by the European Commissioner for Human Rights on police complaints. Examining the subject from the complainant's standpoint, discussion focuses on four key factors that influence his or her decision to make a complaint: the seriousness of the grievance, self-confidence, confidence in the system and the availability of support and assistance. It is argued that the existence of a non-police organization is insufficient for securing public trust and confidence, and that complainant representation will address the concerns of potential and actual complainants and enhance independence and impartiality in the complaints process.
Using Targeted Publicity to Reduce Opportunities for Bicycle Theft
Authors: Sidebottom Aiden , Thorpe Adam , Johnson Shane D.
Published: May 2009

Throughout Europe various policy targets have recently been proposed to encourage cycling as a sustainable transport alternative. From a criminological perspective, if successful, increases in the population of cyclists may generate increases in the number of opportunities for cycle theft. Although there is little research into bicycle theft compared with other volume crimes, analyses of data from the International Crime Victim Survey indicate that cyclists are around three times more likely to have their bike stolen than car owners their car or motorcyclists their motorbike. In relation to the described policy aims, theft and the fear of bicycle theft are found to discourage cycle use. Consequently, neglecting the crime risks associated with increased cycle usage might impede the achievement of otherwise commendable policy targets. Here we report the findings of two observational studies conducted in different areas to better understand how cyclists park their bicycles in public spaces and whether a simple communication strategy might encourage them to lock in a more secure manner. The results of the first study, conducted across five sites in central London (England) indicated a statistically significant reduction in `bad' locking practices and increases in both `good' and `ok' locking practices at those sites receiving intervention. No changes were observed at the control site. Study 2 was conducted in Brighton, England, and constituted a replication of Study 1. A similar pattern of results was observed. The implications of the findings for preventing bicycle theft, the importance of implementability and maintainability in crime prevention initiatives, and the use of publicity in the prevention of crime are discussed.
Hospital-at-home care for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an observational cohort study of patients managed in hospital or by nurse practitioners in the community
Authors: Ansari K , Shamssain M , Farrow M , Keaney NP
Published: May 2009

The Urgent Care Team (UCT) in Sunderland (pop. 293,000) is a unique nurse practitioner service operating a hospital at home 24/7/365 to deal promptly with patients suffering an exacerbation of their COPD (AECOPD). Treatment is according to patient group directions utilising nebulised bronchodilators, doxycycline and prednisolone. To compare the health status and pathophysiology during and two months after an AECOPD in 60 UCT patients (31 male) and 30 hospital-managed patients (16 male). The St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Mahler Baseline Dyspnoea Index (BDI) and MRC dyspnoea score recorded health status. Spirometry, BMI and grip strength were also measured. All patients were reviewed 2–3 months after the AECOPD. Changes from BDI were measured using the Transitional Dyspnoea Index (TDI). Mean FEV1% predicted was 47%. In the recovery phase the two groups were comparable for all variables. But during their AECOPD hospitalised patients had a significantly lower BDI ( P < 0.05) and an oxygen saturation ranging from 84 to 93% compared with 87–96% for UCT patients. Paired t-tests indicated that on recovery SGRQ activity domain and TDI measures improved in both groups. No deaths occurred during these AECOPDs. A hospital-at-home scheme for AECOPDs can deal with patients who have severe COPD safely. The Mahler TDI appears to be a sensitive index of improvement after an AECOPD.
Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 and osteoporosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Bolton CE , Stone MD , Edwards PH , Duckers JM , Evans WD , Shale DJ
Published: May 2009

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been implicated in airways injury in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Osteoporosis is common in patients with COPD, and MMP-9 is an indicator of activated osteoclasts. We hypothesized that circulating MMP-9 would be related to bone mineral density (BMD) in COPD. We explored the relationship between MMP-9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and -2, and BMD status in patients with COPD. A total of 70 clinically stable patients with confirmed COPD and 39 control subjects underwent spirometry, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to determine BMD, and venous sampling for measurement of cytokines and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and -2. In patients, circulating MMP-9 was increased: mean (SD) 38.5 (2.2) compared with control subjects 20.1 (2.0) ng/mL, P < 0.001, whereas TIMP-1 and -2 were not different. In the patients, MMP-9 was greater in those with osteoporosis, compared with those with osteopenia, no bone disease or control subjects, and patients with osteopenia had greater MMP-9 than control subjects. The adjusted receiver operating characteristics curve area for MMP-9 detecting osteoporosis was 0.86. Patients had elevated systemic inflammatory mediators compared with control subjects, but these were unrelated to bone status. Increased circulating MMP-9 in patients with COPD was related to the presence of osteoporosis and not to lung function. MMP-9 may be a biomarker of increased bone resorption.
A systematic review of recent asthma symptom surveys in Iranian children
Authors: Entezari A , Mehrabi Y , Varesvazirian M , Pourpak Z , Moin M
Published: May 2009

Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease in children. To quantify the national prevalence of asthma symptoms in Iranian children, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. After internet and hand searching for population-based prevalence estimates published from 1998 to 2003 from 142 articles, dissertations and reports of research projects, 19 of them were selected. All the selected studies on children had been performed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol. We analyzed the data using NCSS software. In the included 19 studies, 61,067 children in different age groups had been examined by the ISAAC protocol. The lowest prevalence of asthma symptoms was 2.7% in Kerman and the highest was 35.4% in Tehran (capital of Iran). Overall prevalence of asthma symptoms at a national level was estimated as 13.14% (95% CI: 9.97–16.30%). Based on this study, the prevalence of asthma symptoms in Iran is higher than that estimated in the international reports. This information can be used to help prioritize asthma prevention and control within the range of Iranian public health concerns.
Eradication of early Pseudomonas infection in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Lee TWR
Published: May 2009

Chronic infection with the environmental bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with greater morbidity and mortality for people with cystic fibrosis. Strict infection control measures including segregation appear to reduce but not eliminate the risk of initial acquisition of the organism. There is now good evidence from randomized controlled trials that early eradication regimens consisting of anti-pseudomonal antibiotics are effective in clearing P. aeruginosa and delaying the development of chronic infection in the majority of subjects. These regimens are safe and cost-effective. Ensuring that such regimens are widely adopted is therefore of considerable importance to improving outcomes for people with cystic fibrosis. The most effective antibiotic regimen, and the effects of new nebulizer technologies and methods to improve concordance remain to be determined.
Departures From the Court
Authors: Nelson Kjersten R. , Ringsmuth Eve M.
Published: May 2009

Previous findings on whether U.S. Supreme Court justices include strategic factors in their decisions to leave the Court have been mixed. We use ideological distance measures to capture the political landscape and retest the hypothesis that justices use strategic political considerations when making the decision to leave the Court. Using a Cox model of proportional hazards, we find that justices do take ideological distance from the Senate into account when making retirement decisions. Thus, the evidence indicates that justices engage in strategic behavior when contemplating retirement.
Culturally Tailored Foods and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Authors: Winham Donna M.
Published: May 2009

Culture plays an integral role in people's food choices and lifestyle decisions. Health care messages may conflict with cultural beliefs for many immigrant, minority, and low-income populations. The multiple ways that culture can positively and negatively affect disease risk must be used in the development of culturally tailored messages or interventions. Only through the creation of interventions that are meaningful and culturally relevant can successful behavior stability or change occur. The recognition of current health-promoting factors is important to develop rapport and credibility with individuals and population groups to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other lifestyle-based chronic diseases for optimal health.
Pelvic Fractures in Professional Cyclists: A Report of 3 Cases
Authors: Cerynik Douglas L. , Roshon Michael , Abzug Joshua M. , Harding Susan P. , Tom James A.
Published: May 2009

Background:

Professional riders demonstrate increased risk factors for such injuries including both extensive time on the bike in addition to a possible underlying osteopenia secondary to the nonimpact nature of the sport.

Hypothesis:

Nonoperative management of stable, nondisplaced pelvic fractures in professional cyclists offers excellent results.

Study Design:

Case series.

Methods:

Three cases of professional cyclists with pelvic fractures were reviewed.

Results:

All 3 cyclists were able to return to professional competition and remain symptom free.

Conclusion:

Accurate early diagnosis of pelvic fractures, with the aid of computed tomography, is crucial. Early non-weightbearing with a progression to weightbearing as tolerated and early return to stationary training are appropriate. Accurate diagnosis and careful nonoperative management of stable, nondisplaced pelvic fractures in professional cyclists offers excellent results.

Clinical Relevance:

Accurate diagnosis of pelvic fractures in high-demand athletes with few complaints and no obvious findings on plain film radiographs. Control of weightbearing and competitive status to prevent injury progression. Gauged return to competition at professional level.
Proximal Hamstring Avulsion Injuries: A Technique Note on Surgical Repairs
Authors: Pombo Mathew , Bradley James P.
Published: May 2009

Proximal hamstring avulsions from the ischium are becoming more frequently recognized, secondary to their disability when treated nonoperatively. The acute repair of these injuries is becoming prevalent given the improved outcomes reported in the literature. Anatomic studies have recently been conducted on the proximal hamstring origin; however, there are few reports on surgical techniques for repair in the setting of injury. The present article describes the technique for proximal hamstring avulsion repair, as performed by the senior author. More than 30 cases have been performed based on this technique, with excellent results.
Suspected Mechanisms in the Cause of Overuse Running Injuries: A Clinical Review
Authors: Ferber Reed , Hreljac Alan , Kendall Karen D
Published: May 2009

Context:

Various epidemiological studies have estimated that up to 70% of runners sustain an overuse running injury each year. Although few overuse running injuries have an established cause, more than 80% of running-related injuries occur at or below the knee, which suggests that some common mechanisms may be at work. The question then becomes, are there common mechanisms related to overuse running injuries?

Evidence Acquisition:

Research studies were identified via the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE PsycInfo, and CINAHL (1980–July 2008). Inclusion was based on evaluation of risk factors for overuse running injuries.

Results:

A majority of the risk factors that have been researched over the past few years can be generally categorized into 2 groups: atypical foot pronation mechanics and inadequate hip muscle stabilization.

Conclusion:

Based on the review of literature, there is no definitive link between atypical foot mechanics and running injury mechanisms. The lack of normative data and a definition of typical foot structure has hampered progress. In contrast, a large and growing body of literature suggests that weakness of hip-stabilizing muscles leads to atypical lower extremity mechanics and increased forces within the lower extremity while running.
Return to Basketball and Soccer After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Competitive School-Aged Athletes
Authors: Shelbourne K. Donald , Sullivan A. Nichole , Bohard Katie , Gray Tinker , Urch Scott E.
Published: May 2009

Background:

Little is known about the return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and whether sex differences exist regarding the level and timing at which athletes return.

Hypotheses:

Compared to school-aged girls, boys return to full sports earlier and at a higher frequency after surgery (1). Athletes who return to sports earlier will not have a higher incidence of subsequent injury to either knee after surgery (2).

Study Design:

Cohort.

Methods:

The patient population comprised 413 consecutive school-aged athletes who were injured while competing in basketball or soccer. Patients were enrolled prospectively, and activity levels were obtained through follow-up visits, surveys, phone calls, and e-mail.

Results:

Follow-up was obtained for 402 patients (basketball: 58 boys, 242 girls; soccer: 25 boys, 77 girls). Eighty-seven percent of girls and boys returned to high school basketball after surgery: the mean time to return to full participation in basketball was 5.2 ± 2.1 months for girls and 5.3 ± 2.2 months for boys ( P = .92). Similarly, 93% of girls and 80% of boys returned to compete in high school soccer after surgery ( P = .13); the mean time to return to full participation in soccer was 5.1 ± 1.9 months for girls and 5.1 ± 2.0 for boys ( P = 1.00). About 20% of athletes went on to compete in their sport in college. The time of return to sports was not a statistically significant factor for the incidence of subsequent anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Conclusion:

Of 402 athletes competing in basketball and soccer, women and men returned at the same rate and same level of sport after surgery. Athletes who returned to sports at earlier times after surgery did not have a higher incidence of subsequent anterior cruciate ligament injury than patients who returned at later times.
KLRG1 signaling induces defective Akt (ser473) phosphorylation and proliferative dysfunction of highly differentiated CD8+ T cells
Authors: Henson Sian M. , Franzese Ornella , Macaulay Richard , Libri Valentina , Azevedo Rita I. , Kiani-Alikhan Sorena , Plunkett Fiona J. , Masters Joanne E. , Jackson Sarah , Griffiths Stephen J. , Pircher Hans-Peter , Soares Maria V. D. , Akbar Arne N.
Published: May 2009

Highly differentiated CD8+CD28−CD27− T cells have short telomeres, defective telomerase activity, and reduced capacity for proliferation, indicating that they are close to replicative senescence. In addition, these cells express increased levels of the senescence-associated inhibitory receptor KLRG1 and have poor capacity for IL-2 synthesis and defective Akt (ser473) phosphorylation after activation. It is not known whether signaling via KLRG1 contributes to any of the attenuated differentiation-related functional changes in CD8+ T cells. To address this, we blocked KLRG1 signaling during T-cell receptor activation using antibodies against its major ligand, E-cadherin. This resulted in a significant enhancement of Akt (ser473) phosphorylation and T-cell receptor–induced proliferative activity of CD8+CD28−CD27− T cells. Furthermore, the increase of proliferation was directly linked to the Akt-mediated induction of cyclin D and E and reduction in the cyclin inhibitor p27 expression. In contrast, the reduced telomerase activity in highly differentiated CD8+CD28−CD27− T cells was not altered by KLRG1 blockade, indicating the involvement of other mechanisms. This is the first demonstration of a functional role for KLRG1 in primary human CD8+ T cells and highlights that certain functional defects that arise during progressive T-cell differentiation toward replicative senescence are maintained actively by inhibitory receptor signaling.
Gastric Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Regulates Ghrelin Production and Food Intake
Authors: Xu Geyang , Li Yin , An Wenjiao , Li Shenduo , Guan Youfei , Wang Nanping , Tang Chaoshu , Wang Xian , Zhu Yi , Li Xiaoying , Mulholland Michael W. , Zhang Weizhen
Published: May 2009

Ghrelin, a gastric hormone, provides a hunger signal to the central nervous system to stimulate food intake. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an intracellular fuel sensor critical for cellular energy homeostasis. Here we showed the reciprocal relationship of gastric mTOR signaling and ghrelin during changes in energy status. mTOR activity was down-regulated, whereas gastric preproghrelin and circulating ghrelin were increased by fasting. In db/db mice, gastric mTOR signaling was enhanced, whereas gastric preproghrelin and circulating ghrelin were decreased. Inhibition of the gastric mTOR signaling by rapamycin stimulated the expression of gastric preproghrelin and ghrelin mRNA and increased plasma ghrelin in both wild-type and db/db mice. Activation of the gastric mTOR signaling by l-leucine decreased the expression of gastric preproghrelin and the level of plasma ghrelin. Overexpression of mTOR attenuated ghrelin promoter activity, whereas inhibition of mTOR activity by overexpression of TSC1 or TSC2 increased its activity. Ghrelin receptor antagonist d-Lys-3-GH-releasing peptide-6 abolished the rapamycin-induced increment in food intake despite that plasma ghrelin remained elevated. mTOR is therefore a gastric fuel sensor whose activity is linked to the regulation of energy intake through ghrelin.
Minireview: Role of Protein Methylation and Demethylation in Nuclear Hormone Signaling
Authors: Wu Susan C. , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2009

Nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) are transcription factors responsible for mediating the biological effects of hormones during development, metabolism, and homeostasis. Induction of NR target genes is accomplished through the assembly of hormone-bound NR complexes at target promoters and coincides with changes in histone modifications that promote transcription. Some coactivators and corepressors of NR can enhance or inhibit NR function by covalently modifying histones. One such modification is methylation, which plays important roles in transcriptional regulation. Histone methylation is catalyzed by histone methyltransferases and reversed by histone demethylases. Recent studies have uncovered the importance of these enzymes in the regulation of NR target genes. In addition to histones, these enzymes have nonhistone substrates and can methylate and demethylate NRs and coregulatory proteins in order to modulate their function. This review discusses recent progress in our understanding of the role of methylation and demethylation of histones, NRs, and their coregulators in NR-mediated transcription.
Tracking stress: localisation, deposition and stability of corticosterone in feathers
Authors: Bortolotti Gary R. , Marchant Tracy , Blas Julio , Cabezas Sonia
Published: May 2009

How animals cope with stressors is an important determinant of their well being and fitness. Understanding what environmental perturbations are perceived as stressors, and quantifying how they are responded to, how often they occur and the negative consequences of exposure to glucocorticoids, has been problematic and limited to short-term physiological measures. By contrast, the quantification of corticosterone (CORT) in feathers represents a long-term, integrated measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activity. In the present study, we show that by understanding how the hormone is deposited in feathers, in combination with specific sampling protocols, one can identify localised patterns of CORT deposition that reveal different temporal patterns of a bird's response to stressors. CORT in feathers appears to be stable over time, is resistant to heat exposure and is useful in determining both the overall exposure of the bird to the hormone over days or weeks, as well as identifying discrete, punctuated, stressful events. Variation in feather CORT can also be examined among individuals of a population at one point in time, as well as over years by using museum specimens. The ability to track stress over time allows for new questions to be asked about the health and ecology of birds and their environment.
The role of insulin and glucose in goose primary hepatocyte triglyceride accumulation
Authors: Han Chunchun , Wang Jiwen , Li Liang , Zhang Zhongxian , Wang Li , Pan Zhixiong
Published: May 2009

In order to obtain some information on how fatty liver arises in geese, we investigated the role of insulin and glucose in triglyceride (TG) accumulation in goose primary hepatocytes. Goose primary hepatocytes were isolated and treated with insulin and glucose. Compared with the control group, 100 and 150 nmol l–1 insulin increased TG accumulation, acetyl-CoA carboxylase-α (ACCα) and fatty acid synthase (FAS)activity, and the mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1(SREBP-1), FAS and ACCα genes. Insulin at 200 nmol l–1 had an inhibiting effect on TG accumulation and the activity of ACC and FAS, but increased the gene expression of SREBP-1, FAS and ACCα. We also found that high glucose (30 mmol l–1)increased the TG level, ACC and FAS activity, and the mRNA levels of SREBP-1 and FAS. However, there was no effect of high glucose on ACCα mRNA level. In addition, the interaction between insulin and glucose was observed to induce TG accumulation, ACC and FAS activity, and gene expression of SREBP-1, FAS and ACCα, and increase SREBP-1 nuclear protein level and binding of nuclear SREBP-1 and the SRE response element of the ACCgene. The result also indicated that the glucose-induced TG accumulation decreased after 96 h when the hepatocytes were cultured with 30 mmol l–1 glucose. In conclusion, insulin and glucose may affect hepatic lipogenesis by regulating lipogenic gene expression and lipogenic enzyme activity in goose hepatocytes, and SREBP-1 might play an important role in the synergetic activation of lipogenic genes. We propose that the utilization of accumulated TG in hepatocytes is the reason for the reversible phenomenon in goose hepatocellular steatosis.