bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re‐scripting the character of Birmingham's ethnic minority population: assets and others in the stories of a multicultural city
Authors: Chan W F
Published: March 2006

Birmingham has embarked on a brave attempt to broaden its planning ethos and incorporate elements of the city's diverse cultural population. A key feature of this new ethos is a re‐scripting of its ethnic minorities as an asset rather than a problem. In this paper, I track the characterization of Birmingham's ethnic minorities through the newspaper archive and mobilize a politics of difference as a critical reading strategy. In so doing, I suggest the narrative form on Birmingham's ethnic minorities has persistently made apparent forms of co‐existence which flag up a discontinuity between ‘diversity’ and the characterization of its ethnic minorities as an asset.
Dangerous Issues and Public Identities: The Negotiation of Controversy in Two Movement Organizations*
Authors: Haines Herbert H.
Published: March 2006

Social movement organizations frame not only their target issues, but their own organizational identities. In doing so, they are sometimes forced to make difficult decisions that pit principle against considerations of image. This article compares and contrasts episodes from two different movements: (1) Amnesty International's (AIUSA) expansion of its human rights agenda to include death penalty abolitionism and (2) the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU) endorsement of drug legalization. Based upon documentary and interview data, I demonstrate that Amnesty's decision to work toward the abolition of capital punishment provoked intense internal debate based upon the prevalence within AIUSA at that time of a narrow conception of human rights, concern about the effect of anti‐death penalty projects on the group's priorities, and the fear that the carefully crafted image the organization had built would be damaged by anti‐death penalty work. The ACLU's endorsement of drug legalization provoked some of the same concerns, but issues of public identity management were far less evident. Instead, internal debates focused on the proper breadth of the organization's anti‐prohibitionism. I suggest that the differences between the two cases may be understood in terms of contrasting organizational cultures, framing vocabularies, and membership profiles.
Activation of gelatinolytic/collagenolytic activity in dentin by self‐etching adhesives
Authors: Nishitani Yoshihiro , Yoshiyama Masahiro , Wadgaonkar Bakul , Breschi Lorenzo , Mannello Ferdinando , Mazzoni Annalisa , Carvalho Ricardo M. , Tjäderhane Leo , Tay Franklin R. , Pashley David H.
Published: March 2006

Mild acids are known to activate dentin matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs). All self‐etching dental adhesives are acidic (pH 1.5–2.7) and may activate dentin MMPs. The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of several all‐in‐one adhesives to activate gelatinolytic and collagenolytic activities in powdered mineralized dentin. Powdered dentin made from human teeth was mixed with all‐in‐one adhesives (Clearfil Tri‐S Bond, G‐Bond, Adper Prompt L‐Pop) or a self‐etching primer (Clearfil SE Bond primer) for varying times and then the reaction was stopped by extracting the adhesives using acetone. Fresh untreated mineralized dentin powder had a gelatinolytic activity of 3.31 ± 0.39 relative fluorescent units (RFU) per mg dry weight (24 h) that increased, over storage time, to 87.5 RFU mg−1 (24 h) after 6–8 wk. When fresh powder was treated with acidic Tri‐S Bond, the gelatinolytic activity increased from 3.24 ± 0.70 RFU mg−1 to > 112.5 RFU mg−1 (24 h) after 20 min and then remained unchanged. Monomers with lower pH values produced less activity. There was a significant, direct correlation between gelatinolytic activity and pH, with Tri‐S giving the highest activity. Coating dentin powder with Tri‐S resin prevented fluorescent substrates from gaining access to the enzyme, even though it activated the enzyme. In conclusion, self‐etch adhesives may activate latent MMP and increase the activity to near‐maximum levels and contribute to the degradation of resin–dentin bonds over time.
The protective effect of melatonin on ischemia–reperfusion injury in the groin (inferior epigastric) flap model in rats
Authors: Gurlek Ali , Celik Mehmet , Parlakpinar Hakan , Aydogan Hakan , Bay‐Karabulut Aysun
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Inadequate blood perfusion and ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in the surgical skin flap are believed to be the major factors that cause harmful changes within the tissue and vasculature, resulting in flap necrosis. Reactive oxygen radical species (ROS), in part, are believed to play an important role in this injury. Melatonin, in many physiological conditions, has been shown to have direct and indirect antioxidative effects and free‐radical‐scavenging properties. Therefore, it may have a beneficial effect on I/R‐induced flap injury. In this study, the possible protective effects of melatonin were investigated in I/R injury of rat epigastric (axial pattern) flaps. Ischemia was achieved for 12 h by occlusion of inferior epigastric artery. Melatonin or vehicle was administered 1 h before flap elevation and was continued for 6 days after ischemia. I/R injury elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide (NO) levels while the glutathione (GSH) content was reduced. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, which is known to be related to tissue neutrophil accumulation, was found to be statistically higher in the I/R group when compared with the sham group. Administration of melatonin significantly decreased MDA, NO and MPO levels and elevated the GSH content. Moreover, melatonin reduced the flap necrosis area, which was determined using a planimetric method. In conclusion, melatonin, a potent scavenger of free radicals, plays a major role in preventing the inferior epigastric arterial I/R‐induced flap necrosis, based on planimetric flap survival and biochemical results. The beneficial effects of melatonin in I/R injury implies the involvement of free radicals in flap damage.
The relation between motor activity and [3H]uridine uptake in the mouse brain
Authors: Pakkenberg H. , Fog R.
Published: March 2006

Using microautoradiography ex vivo we tested the effect of forced running on a roller drum for 3 h on the nuclear incorporation of [5‐3H uridine] in mouse brain. Specific neuron types with increased nuclear labelling included primary motor cortex layer 5 nerve cells with nuclei greater than 12 μm (+38%) and large neuron nuclei in putamen (+58%). Mice running for 45 min do not show any change in the labelling of nerve cell nuclei compared with mice moving freely in the cage. The [3H]uridine uptake in other cell types, e.g. other neurons in cortical layer 5, neurons in sensory cortex and in the other cell layers in motor cortex, were not different from control mice.

We conclude that RNA synthesis is normally low in adult mouse brain, but that physical exercise stimulates RNA synthesis in specific populations of large neurons in the motor system.
Potential prognostic value of leptin receptor in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang S-N , Chuang S-C , Yeh Y-T , Yang S-F , Chai C-Y , Chen W-T , Kuo K-K , Chen J-S , Lee K-T
Published: March 2006

Background:Obesity is associated with several human malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This association may result from the deregulated expression of adipokines.

Aims:To explore the potential role and the prognostic value of leptin receptor (Ob-R) in HCC.

Methods:66 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC were included in this study. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of Ob-R, microvessel density (MVD) and Ki-67 index in these patients. Eventually, the profiles of Ob-R expression, obtained by a semiquantitative scoring system, were further correlated with Ki-67 expression, intratumour MVD, clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival.

Results:High Ob-R expression was seen in 53% of patients with HCC and was significantly correlated with intratumour MVD (highvlow; 59.4 ?3.2)v44.7 ?3.7); p = 0.004), but not with Ki-67 expression. In addition, Ob-R expression was inversely correlated with vascular invasion (p = 0.037), but not with other known clinicopathological characteristics. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve showed that high Ob-R expression was associated with a better overall survival (p = 0.027). Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed that Ob-R expression was a significant determinant for HCC (odds ratio 0.02, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.85; p = 0.041).

Conclusion:Ob-R expression may have a potential role in the carcinogenesis of HCC. The positive association of Ob-R expression in the cancerous lesions of HCC with the survival outcome can be explained by its inverse correlation with vascular invasion, and may have prognostic value in HCC.
Prognostic relevance of P-cadherin expression in melanocytic skin tumours analysed by high-throughput tissue microarrays
Authors: Bauer R , Wild P J , Meyer S , Bataille F , Pauer A , Klinkhammer-Schalke M , Hofstaedter F , Bosserhoff A K
Published: March 2006

Aim:To investigate whether protein expression or cellular localisation of P-cadherin is associated with clinicopathological characteristics in benign and malignant melanocytic skin tumours.

Experimental design:P-cadherin expression and the Ki-67 labelling index were analysed immunohistochemically by using tissue microarrays (TMAs). Membranous and cytoplasmic expression was scored semiquantitatively (0 to 2+).

Results:P-cadherin protein expression of any intensity (1+ to 2+) was detected in the membrane in 41.5% (132/318) and in the cytoplasm in 64.2% (204/318) of patients. In general, P-cadherin expression was significantly reduced in malignant melanomas (p<0.001) and melanoma metastases (p<0.001), compared with benign nevi. Additionally, loss of membranous P-cadherin was associated with Clark level (p = 0.011) and tumour thickness (p<0.001). Interestingly, a significantly lower P-cadherin expression was shown by dermal nevi than by compound and junctional nevi (p = 0.005; p = 0.025). In primary melanomas, a Ki-67 labelling index <5% was not associated with P-cadherin protein expression, suggesting that loss of P-cadherin expression was not associated with proliferation. None of the other clinical and histological factors analysed was significantly related to P-cadherin expression. Low cytoplasmic P-cadherin expression was associated with tumour recurrence (p = 0.03) in all the patients who were analysed. After testing various multivariate Cox regression models, loss of cytoplasmic P-cadherin expression remained a highly significant adverse risk factor for tumour recurrence in patients with tumours <2 mm.

Conclusions:Loss of cytoplasmic P-cadherin expression is common in advanced melanomas and can be a prognostic marker of progression in patients with melanoma, most useful in patients with primary tumours <2 mm in thickness.
Comparison of RANTES expression in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: an aid in the differential diagnosis?
Authors: Ansari N , Abdulla J , Zayyani N , Brahmi U , Taha S , Satir A A
Published: March 2006

Background:RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) expression is increased in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). RANTES is produced at higher levels in granulomatous conditions, so increased RANTES expression can be expected in Crohn’s disease compared with ulcerative colitis.

Aim:To compare RANTES expression between intestinal biopsy specimens of patients with Crohn’s disease and those with ulcerative colitis.

Materials and methods:A prospective study of patients presenting with lower gastrointestinal symptoms at the Bahrain Specialist Hospital from July 2004 to April 2005 was carried out. Endoscopic colonic biopsy specimens were taken from every patient and subjected to (a) routine haematoxylin and eosin staining examination by light microscopy, (b) immunohistochemistry for examination of RANTES protein expression by light microscopy and (c) in situ hybridisation for examination of RANTES mRNA expression by light microscopy. RANTES expression was assessed and quantified.

Results:58 patients were enrolled to the study. Of them, 40 had IBD (21 had Crohn’s disease and 19 had ulcerative colitis), 15 were controls with normal colonic biopsy results or non-inflammatory lesions and 3 had colonic inflammatory lesions other than IBD. RANTES expression in lymphocytes or histiocytes was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in new patients with ulcerative colitis than in those with Crohn’s disease analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Conclusion:RANTES expression in lymphocytes or histiocytes is significantly higher in patients with ulcerative colitis than in those with Crohn’s disease. Hence, RANTES IHC can be an effective method for distinguishing between biopsy specimens of patients with ulcerative colitis from those of patients with Crohn’s disease, where routine histological features are indeterminate. RANTES IHC may prove to be a useful technique for identifying early or equivocal granulomas.
Methylation of INK4 and CIP/KIP families of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in Chinese patients
Authors: Chim C S , Fung T K , Wong K F , Lau J S , Law M , Liang R
Published: March 2006

Background:INK4 (p15, p16, p18 and p19) and CIP/KIP (p21, p27 and p57) are two families of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKI) targeting CDK4/6 and CDK2, respectively.

Aim:To study the role of methylation in the inactivation of CKI in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Materials and methods:Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was carried out on DNA obtained from the bone marrow of 56 newly diagnosed patients with CLL.

Results:Similar demographic features and clinical outcome were observed in our patients when compared with Caucasian patients, including an indolent clinical course (10-year overall survival 51%) and advanced Rai stage (p = 0.006), and a high-risk karyotype such as trisomy 12 and complex aberrations (p = 0.03). In the INK4 family, methylation inp15andp16occurred in 20 (35.7%) and 8 (14.3%) patients, respectively. In all, 5 (8.9%) CLL samples harboured concurrent methylation of bothp15andp16. Apart from an association ofp16methylation with higher presenting leucocyte count (64.5×109/l in methylatedp16and 16.0×109/l in unmethylatedp16patients; p = 0.016), there was no association betweenp15andp16methylation and age, sex and Rai stage. No difference was observed in the overall survival for patients with and withoutp15andp16methylation. By contrast,p18andRbwere unmethylated in all samples. In the CIP/KIP family, apart from infrequent methylation ofp57in 4 (7.1%) patients, methylation ofp21andp27was uniformly absent.

Conclusion:p15and, less frequently,p16of the INK4 family of CKI, instead of the CIP or KIP family, were targeted by methylation in CLL.p16methylation was associated with a higher lymphocyte count at presentation. This is the first comprehensive study of the epigenetic dysregulation of the INK4 and CIP/KIP families of CKI in Chinese patients with CLL.
Limitations in the ability of NB84 to detect metastatic neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow
Authors: Bomken S N , Redfern K , Wood K M , Reid M M , Tweddle D A
Published: March 2006

Background:The accurate assessment of metastases is an essential component of the staging process for children with neuroblastoma.

Aims:To study the sensitivity of the immunohistochemical marker neuroblastoma 84 (NB84) for the detection of bone marrow infiltrates in children with stage 4 neuroblastoma.

Methods:Primary tumour specimens, bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens and lymph node metastases, taken from children with neuroblastoma that had metastasised to bone marrow, were assessed with a panel of commonly used immunohistochemical markers for neuroblastoma. A comparison was drawn between the sensitivity of the marker NB84 for primary tumours and for bone marrow metastases.

Results:NB84 immunolabelled all pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy (n = 24) paired primary tumour specimens, as well as each of a further 20, unpaired, pre-chemotherapy primary tumour specimens. It also labelled all (n = 4) lymph node metastases. Immunolabelling of bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens (21/33) was less sensitive. Of 16 primary tumour specimens with a paired bone marrow trephine biopsy specimen, all immunostained positive, whereas only 62.5% of bone marrow biopsy specimens immunostained positive for NB84. The number of bone marrow biopsy specimens immunostaining for NB84 was significantly lower than the number of paired primary tumour specimens (p = 0.041).

Conclusions:NB84 remains a useful marker for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma in primary tumour specimens, but not for neuroblastoma that has metastasised to bone marrow.
Potential role of leptin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang S-N , Yeh Y-T , Yang S-F , Chai C-Y , Lee K-T
Published: March 2006

Background:Obesity is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The association may result from the aberrant expression of adipokines.

Aim:To explore the potential biological effect and prognostic value of leptin, one of the adipokines, in HCC.

Methods:Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of leptin in 68 patients with HCC. The expression of Ki-67 and microvessel density (MVD) of tumorous lesions in HCC were also analysed. The result of leptin expression was further correlated with Ki-67 expression, intratumour MVD, clinicopathological characteristics, overall survival and the postoperative use of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA).

Results:High leptin expression was seen in 60.3% of patients with HCC and was significantly correlated with intratumour MVD (highvlow; 59.2 (standard deviation 3.2)v44.2 (19.5), p = 0.004), but not with Ki-67 expression. No marked correlation was seen between leptin expression and clinicopathological characteristics. However, using a multivariate Cox’s proportional hazards model, leptin expression was a predictor for improved overall survival of patients with HCC (odds ratio 0.16; 95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.87; p = 0.033). In addition, the Kaplan–Meier survival curve showed that high leptin expression was associated with a better survival in patients with HCC, treated postoperatively with MPA (p = 0.008, log rank test).

Conclusion:High leptin expression was associated with an increased intratumour MVD and thus may be associated with HCC development. In addition, high leptin expression was a predictor for improved survival of patients with HCC, treated postoperatively with MPA.
Challenges to the peer influence paradigm: results for 12–13 year olds from six European countries from the European Smoking Prevention Framework Approach study
Authors: de Vries H , Candel M , Engels R , Mercken L
Published: March 2006

Objective:To examine whether smoking onset in young adolescents is predicted by peer or parental smoking.

Design:Longitudinal design with one pretest and one follow-up at 12 months.

Setting:Schools in Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal.

Participants:7102 randomly selected adolescents from six countries. Mean age was 12.78 years.

Main outcome measures:Smoking behaviour of adolescents, peers and parents.

Results:No support was found for peer smoking as an important predictor of smoking onset in most countries. Support was found for the selection paradigm, implying that adolescents choose friends with similar smoking behaviour. Support for the impact of parents on adolescent behaviour and the choice of friends was also found.

Conclusions:Smoking uptake in this age cohort may be more strongly influenced by personal and parental influences than initially believed. Hence, social inoculation programmes teaching youngsters to resist the pressures to smoke may be less appropriate if youngsters have a positive attitude towards smoking, associate smoking with various advantages and look for peers with similar values. For this group attitudes towards smoking may thus guide future friend selection.
Litigation in Argentina: challenging the tobacco industry: Table 1
Authors: Flores M L , Barnoya J , Mejia R , Alderete E , Pérez-Stable E J
Published: March 2006

Objective:To evaluate the processes and outcomes of tobacco litigation in Argentina and to analyse the strategies of the tobacco industry to oppose litigation using tobacco industry documents.

Methods:A systematic search of tobacco industry documents on the internet dating from 1978 to 2002. Law library searches using Argentinean official and unofficial reports systems were combined with computerised online searches.

Results:There have been at least 15 failed litigation cases in Argentina and the tobacco industry presented a concerted defence in every claim regardless of cost. We categorised 11 cases as product liability and nicotine addiction, two as health care reimbursement, and two as criminal law and secondhand smoke. Industry strategies included hiring legal consultants from prestigious international and Argentinean law firms and developing litigation prevention programmes. Industry monitored legal academic meetings, controlled the development of new product liability legislation, obtained favourable opinions from experts, and closely observed the development of litigation in Argentina.

Conclusion:The strategies used by the industry have been successful in preventing recovery for tobacco injuries through litigation. Argentinean health advocates and lawyers need to be aware of the roles and strategies of the tobacco industry in order to develop effective litigation in Argentina.
Point of purchase cigarette promotions before and after the Master Settlement Agreement: exploring retail scanner data: Figure 1
Authors: Loomis B R , Farrelly M C , Nonnemaker J M , Mann N H
Published: March 2006

Background:Evidence indicates that point of purchase (POP) advertising and promotions for cigarettes have increased since the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Retail promotions have the potential to offset the effects of cigarette tax and price increases and tobacco control programmes.

Objective:To describe the trend in the proportion of cigarette sales that occur as part of a POP promotion before and after the MSA.

Design:Scanner data were analysed on cigarette sales from a national sample of grocery stores, reported quarterly from 1994 through 2003. The proportion of total cigarette sales that occurred under any of three different types of POP promotions is presented.

Results:The proportion of cigarettes sold under a POP promotion increased notably over the sample period. Large increases in promoted sales are observed following implementation of the MSA and during periods of sustained cigarette excise tax increases.

Conclusions:The observed pattern of promoted cigarette sales is suggestive of a positive relationship between retail cigarette promotions, the MSA, and state cigarette tax increases. More research is needed to describe fully the relationship between cigarette promotions and tobacco control policy.
Youth smoking prevention and tobacco industry revenue
Authors: Healton C , Farrelly M C , Weitzenkamp D , Lindsey D , Haviland M L
Published: March 2006

Objectives:Epidemiological surveys make it clear that youth smoking contributes to both current and future tobacco industry revenue: over 80% of adult smokers reportedly began smoking before age 18. This paper estimates annual and lifetime revenue from youth smoking, and highlights the association between declines in youth smoking and declines in tobacco industry revenue.

Main outcome measures:This paper reports the amount of tobacco industry revenue generated by youth smoking at two points in time (1997 and 2002), and describes the distribution of youth generated tobacco income among the major tobacco companies. The authors project the amount of tobacco industry revenue that will be generated by members of two cohorts (the high school senior classes of 1997 and 2002) over the course of their lifetimes.

Results:In 1997, youth consumed 890 million cigarette packs, generating $737 million in annual industry revenue. By 2002, consumption dropped to 541 million packs and revenue increased to nearly $1.2 billion. Fifty eight per cent of youth generated revenue goes to Philip Morris USA, 18% to Lorillard, and 12% to RJ Reynolds. The authors project that, over the course of their lives, the 1997 high school senior class will smoke 12.4 billion packs of cigarettes, generating $27.3 billion in revenue. The 2002 high school senior class is projected to smoke 10.4 billion packs, generating $22.9 billion in revenue over the course of their lives.

Conclusions:Cigarette price increases from 1997 to 2002 have resulted in greater revenue for the tobacco industry, despite declines in youth smoking prevalence. However, in the absence of further cigarette price increases, declines in youth smoking are projected to lead ultimately to a loss of approximately $4 billion in future tobacco industry revenue from a single high school cohort.
German tobacco industry’s successful efforts to maintain scientific and political respectability to prevent regulation of secondhand smoke
Authors: Bornhäuser A , McCarthy J , Glantz S A
Published: March 2006

Objective:To examine the tactics the tobacco industry in Germany used to avoid regulation of secondhand smoke exposure and to maintain the acceptance of public smoking.

Methods:Systematic search of tobacco industry documents available on the internet between June 2003 and August 2004.

Results:In West Germany, policymakers were, as early as the mid 1970s, well aware of the fact that secondhand smoke endangers non-smokers. One might have assumed that Germany, an international leader in environmental protection, would have led in protecting her citizens against secondhand smoke pollution. The tobacco manufacturers in Germany, however, represented by the national manufacturing organisation “Verband” (Verband der Cigarettenindustrie), contained and neutralised the early debate about the danger of secondhand smoke. This success was achieved by carefully planned collaboration with selected scientists, health professionals and policymakers, along with a sophisticated public relations programme.

Conclusions:The strategies of the tobacco industry have been largely successful in inhibiting the regulation of secondhand smoke in Germany. Policymakers, health professionals, the media and the general public should be aware of this industry involvement and should take appropriate steps to close the gap between what is known and what is done about the health effects of secondhand smoke.
Non-smokers seeking help for smokers: a preliminary study
Authors: Zhu S-H , Nguyen Q B , Cummins S , Wong S , Wightman V
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To examine the phenomenon of non-smokers spontaneously taking action to seek help for smokers; to provide profiles of non-smoking helpers by language and ethnic groups.

Setting:A large, statewide tobacco quitline (California Smokers’ Helpline) in operation since 1992 in California, providing free cessation services in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Subjects:Callers between August 1992 and September 2005 who identified themselves as either white, black, Hispanic, American Indian, or Asian (n  =  349 110). A subset of these were “proxies”: callers seeking help for someone else. For more detailed analysis, n  =  2143 non-smoking proxies calling from October 2004 through September 2005.

Main outcome measures:Proportions of proxies among all callers in each of seven language/ethnic groups; demographics of proxies; and proxies’ relationships to smokers on whose behalf they called.

Results:Over 22 000 non-smoking proxies called. Proportions differed dramatically across language/ethnic groups, from mean (±95% confidence interval) 2.7 (0.3)% among English-speaking American Indians through 9.3 (0.3)% among English-speaking Hispanics to 35.3 (0.7)% among Asian-speaking Asians. Beyond the differences in proportion, however, remarkable similarities emerged across all groups. Proxies were primarily women (79.2 (1.7)%), living in the same household as the smokers (65.0 (2.1)%), and having either explicit or implicit understandings with the smokers that calling on their behalf was acceptable (90.0 (1.3)%).

Conclusions:The willingness of non-smokers to seek help for smokers holds promise for tobacco cessation and may help address ethnic and language disparities. Non-smoking women in smokers’ households may be the first group to target.
Tobacco industry use of judicial seminars to influence rulings in products liability litigation
Authors: Friedman L C
Published: March 2006

Objectives:This paper examines the tobacco industry’s efforts to influence litigation by sponsoring judicial seminars.

Methods:Thousands of internal tobacco documents were examined, including memos, reports, presentations, and newsletters. Connections to outside organisations were corroborated by examining tobacco industry financial records, budgets, and letters pledging funds. Facts about outside organisations were triangulated through examining their websites and publicly-filed financial records, and verifying facts through their representatives’ statements in newspaper and law review articles.

Results:There are direct financial ties between the tobacco industry and groups that organise judicial seminars in an effort to influence jurisprudence, and judges who attend these seminars may be breaching judicial ethics either by not inquiring about the source of funding or by ignoring funding by potential litigants.

Conclusions:The tobacco industry’s attempts to clandestinely influence judges’ decisions in cases to which they are a party endangers the integrity of the judiciary.
Cost of tobacco-related diseases, including passive smoking, in Hong Kong
Authors: McGhee S M , Ho L M , Lapsley H M , Chau J , Cheung W L , Ho S Y , Pow M , Lam T H , Hedley A J
Published: March 2006

Background:Costs of tobacco-related disease can be useful evidence to support tobacco control. In Hong Kong we now have locally derived data on the risks of smoking, including passive smoking.

Aim:To estimate the health-related costs of tobacco from both active and passive smoking.

Methods:Using local data, we estimated active and passive smoking-attributable mortality, hospital admissions, outpatient, emergency and general practitioner visits for adults and children, use of nursing homes and domestic help, time lost from work due to illness and premature mortality in the productive years. Morbidity risk data were used where possible but otherwise estimates based on mortality risks were used. Utilisation was valued at unit costs or from survey data. Work time lost was valued at the median wage and an additional costing included a value of US$1.3 million for a life lost.

Results:In the Hong Kong population of 6.5 million in 1998, the annual value of direct medical costs, long term care and productivity loss was US$532 million for active smoking and US$156 million for passive smoking; passive smoking accounted for 23% of the total costs. Adding the value of attributable lives lost brought the annual cost to US$9.4 billion.

Conclusion:The health costs of tobacco use are high and represent a net loss to society. Passive smoking increases these costs by at least a quarter. This quantification of the costs of tobacco provides strong motivation for legislative action on smoke-free areas in the Asia Pacific Region and elsewhere.
Changes in smoking prevalence in Russia, 1996–2004
Authors: Bobak M , Gilmore A , McKee M , Rose R , Marmot M
Published: March 2006

Objectives:In Russia, smoking prevalence has historically been high in men and relatively low in women. Female smoking prevalence is predicted to rise but assessment of changes has been limited by the lack of comparable data. Changes in the prevalence of smoking in Russia between 1996 and 2004, and whether theses changes differed by sociodemographic groups, were investigated.

Design:Repeated national interview surveys in 1996 (731 men and 868 women) and 2004 (727 men and 864 women) aged 18 years or more.

Main outcome measure:Prevalence of current smoking.

Results:The age standardised prevalence of smoking in 1996 and 2004 was 61% and 63%, respectively in men and 15% and 16%, respectively in women (both p values > 0.4). In men, the prevalence of smoking seemed to decline in those with university education (from 51% to 40%, p  =  0.085). Among women, smoking appeared to increase in those with university education (from 10% to 17%, p  =  0.071) and low levels of self-reported material deprivation (from 11% to 18%, p  =  0.053). There was a pronounced increase in prevalence among women living in villages (from 8% to 14%, p  =  0.049); the strong urban/rural gradient seen in 1996 became considerably weaker by 2004.

Conclusions:Overall smoking prevalence in both men and women in Russia remained stable between 1996 and 2004 but, given the sample size, a moderate increase in female smoking cannot be ruled out. In men, smoking increased among the least educated and declined in the most educated. In women the opposite appeared to occur, in addition to an increase in smoking in rural areas. More long term monitoring of smoking patterns in Russia, especially among women, using sufficiently large surveys, is required.
Happy Birthday Marlboro: the cigarette whose taste outlasts its customers: Table 1
Authors: Hyland A , Goldstein R , Brown A , O’Connor R , Cummings K M
Published: March 2006

Marlboro is 50 years old—and still killing its customers
Smoking and erectile dysfunction: findings from a representative sample of Australian men: Table 1
Authors: Millett C , Wen L M , Rissel C , Smith A , Richters J , Grulich A , de Visser R
Published: March 2006

Objectives:To examine whether there is an association between smoking and erectile dysfunction in a representative sample of Australian men.

Design:Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships.

Participants:8367 Australian men aged 16–59 years.

Main outcome measures:Erectile dysfunction was identified in men who reported having had trouble keeping an erection when they wanted to, a problem which persisted for at least one month over the previous year. Variables examined in multivariate logistic regression analyses included age, education, presence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and current alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Results:Almost one in 10 of the respondents (9.1%) reported erectile dysfunction that lasted for at least one month over the previous year. More than a quarter (27.2%) of respondents were current smokers, with 20.9% smoking ⩽ 20 cigarettes per day, and 6.3% smoking > 20 cigarettes per day. Compared with non-smokers, the adjusted odds ratios for erectile dysfunction were 1.24 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.52, p  =  0.04) for those smoking ⩽ 20 cigarettes per day and 1.39 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.83, p  =  0.02) for those smoking > 20 cigarettes per day, after adjusting for other confounding factors. Older age, low level of education, and taking medications for cardiovascular disease were also independently and positively associated with erectile dysfunction. In contrast, moderate alcohol consumption (1–4 drinks per day) significantly reduced the likelihood of having erectile dysfunction.

Conclusions:Erectile dysfunction is a significant health concern affecting around one in 10 Australian men aged 16–59 years. Current smoking is significantly associated with erectile dysfunction in Australian males. This association was strengthened as the number of cigarettes smoked increased. Health promotion programmes could use the link between smoking and erectile dysfunction to help reduce smoking levels among men.
NONLOCAL EFFECTIVE FIELD EQUATIONS FOR QUANTUM COSMOLOGY
Authors: HAMBER H. W. , WILLIAMS R. M.
Published: March 2006

The possibility that the strength of gravitational interactions might slowly increase with distance, is explored by formulating a set of effective field equations, which incorporate the gravitational, vacuum-polarization induced, running of Newton's constant G. The resulting long distance (or large time) behavior depends on only one adjustable parameter ξ, and the implications for the Robertson–Walker universe are calculated, predicting an accelerated power-law expansion at later times t ~ ξ ~ 1/H.
AN EXAMPLE OF A HYPERBOLIC 3-MANIFOLD REALIZING A BOUND ON DEHN FILLINGS
Authors: ARMAS-SANABRIA LORENA
Published: March 2006

Let M be a compact, orientable, irreducible 3-manifold with an incompressible torus boundary T and γ a longitudinal slope on T, which bounds a surface F of genus 2. Suppose there exists a slope r that produces an essential 2-sphere S by Dehn filling. Let q be the minimal geometric intersection number between the essential 2-sphere and the core of the Dehn filling. Matignon and Sayari [5] proved that either q = 2 or the minimal geometric intersection number between γ and r is bounded by 3. Here, we construct an example of a hyperbolic 3-manifold realizing that bound.
ALGORITHMS FOR CHALLENGING MOTIF PROBLEMS
Authors: LEUNG HENRY C. M. , CHIN FRANCIS Y. L.
Published: March 2006

Pevzner and Sze19 have introduced the Planted (l,d)-Motif Problem to find similar patterns (motifs) in sequences which represent the promoter regions of co-regulated genes, where l is the length of the motif and d is the maximum Hamming distance around the similar patterns. Many algorithms have been developed to solve this motif problem. However, these algorithms either have long running times or do not guarantee the motif can be found. In this paper, we introduce new algorithms to solve this motif problem. Our algorithms can find motifs in reasonable time for not only the challenging (9, 2), (11, 3), (15, 5)-motif problems but for even longer motifs, say (20, 7), (30, 11) and (40, 15), which have never been seriously attempted by other researchers because of the large time and space required. Besides, our algorithms can be extended to find more complicated motifs structure called cis-regulatory modules (CRM).
Antibodies in the small intestine: mucosal synthesis and deposition of anti-glycosyl IgA, IgM, and IgG in the enterocyte brush border
Authors: Hansen Gert H. , Niels-Christiansen Lise-Lotte , Immerdal Lissi , Danielsen E. Michael
Published: March 2006

Synthesis and deposition of immunoglobulins in the brush border was studied in organ-cultured pig small intestinal mucosal explants. Surprisingly, comparable amounts of IgM and IgA were synthesized during a 6-h pulse, and also newly made IgG was detected in media and explants, including the microvillar fraction. For IgA and IgM, this subcellular distribution is consistent with basolateral-to-apical transcytosis, mediated by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor. IgG is a ligand for the Fc receptor FcRn, and β2-microglobulin, the light chain of FcRn, coclustered in immunogold double labeling with IgG in subapical endosomes and in the basolateral membrane of enterocytes. In addition, β2-microglobulin was copurified with IgG on protein G-Sepharose. Apical endocytosis of IgG, as judged by internalization of fluorescent protein G, was not detectable except in a few isolated cells. This suggests that IgG in the adult small intestine is transported across the enterocyte mainly in the basolateral to apical direction. Significant fractions of all immunoglobulins bound to lactoseagarose, indicating that “anti-glycosyl” antibodies, raised against commensal gut bacteria, are synthesized locally in the small intestine. By partial deposition in the brush border, these antibodies therefore may have a protective function by preventing lectin-like pathogens from gaining access to the brush border surface.
Molecular, functional, and pharmacological targets for the development of gut promotility drugs
Authors: Sarna Sushil K.
Published: March 2006

The science of gastrointestinal motility has made phenomenal advances during the last fifty years. Yet, there is a paucity of effective promotility drugs to treat functional bowel disorders that affect 10–29% of the U.S. population. A part of the reason for the lack of effective drugs is our limited understanding of the etiology of these diseases. In the absence of this information, mostly an ad hoc approach has been used to develop the currently available drugs, which are modestly effective or effective in only a subset of the patients with functional bowel disorders. This review discusses a grounds-up approach for development of the next generation of promotility drugs. The approach is based on our current understanding of 1) the different types of contractions that produce overall motility function of mixing and orderly net distal propulsion in major gut organs, 2) the regulatory mechanisms of these contractions, 3) which receptors and intracellular signaling molecules could be targeted to stimulate specific types of contractions to accelerate or retard transit, and 4) the strengths and limitations of animal models and experimental approaches that could screen potential promotility drugs for their efficacy in human gut propulsion in functional bowel disorders.
Vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte regeneration in acetaminophen toxicity
Authors: Donahower Brian , McCullough Sandra S. , Kurten Richard , Lamps Laura W. , Simpson Pippa , Hinson Jack A. , James Laura P.
Published: March 2006

VEGF or VEGF-A is a major regulator of angiogenesis and has been recently shown to be important in organ repair. The potential role of VEGF in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity and recovery was investigated in B6C3F1 male mice. Mice were treated with APAP (300 mg/kg ip) and killed at various time points that reflect both the acute and recovery stages of toxicity. VEGF-A protein levels were increased 7-fold at 8 h and followed the development of hepatotoxicity. VEGF receptor 1, 2, and 3 (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3, respectively) expression increased throughout the time course, with maximal expression at 48, 8, and 72 h, respectively. Treatment with the VEGF receptor inhibitor SU5416 (25 mg/kg ip at 3 h) had no effect on toxicity at 6 or 24 h. In further studies, the role of SU5416 on the late stages of toxicity was examined. Treatment of mice with APAP and SU5416 (25 mg/kg ip at 3 h) resulted in decreased expression of PCNA, a marker of cellular proliferation. Expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule, a measure of small vessel density, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS), a downstream target of VEGFR2, were increased at 48 and 72 h following toxic doses of APAP, and treatment with SU5416 decreased their expression. These data indicate that endogenous VEGF is critically important to the process of hepatocyte regeneration in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in the mouse.
Postganglionic nerve stimulation induces temporal inhibition of excitability in rabbit sinoatrial node
Authors: Fedorov Vadim V. , Hucker William J. , Dobrzynski Halina , Rosenshtraukh Leonid V. , Efimov Igor R.
Published: March 2006

Vagal stimulation results in complex changes of pacemaker excitability in the sinoatrial node (SAN). To investigate the vagal effects in the rabbit SAN, we used optical mapping, which is the only technology that allows resolving simultaneous changes in the activation pattern and action potentials morphologies. With the use of immunolabeling, we identified the SAN as a neurofilament 160-positive but connexin 43-negative region ( n = 5). Normal excitation originated in the SAN center with a cycle length (CL) of 405 ± 14 ms ( n = 14), spread anisotropically along the crista terminalis (CT), and failed to conduct toward the septum. Postganglionic nerve stimulation (PNS, 400–800 ms) reduced CL by 74 ± 7% transiently and shifted the leading pacemaker inferiorly (78%) or superiorly (22%) from the SAN center by 2–10 mm. In the intercaval region between the SAN center and the septal block zone, PNS produced an 8 ± 1-mm2 region of transient hyperpolarization and inexcitability. The first spontaneous or paced excitation following PNS could not enter this region for 500–1,500 ms. Immunolabeling revealed that the PNS-induced inexcitable region is located between the SAN center and the block zone and has a 2.5-fold higher density of choline acetyltransferase than CT but is threefold lower than the SAN center. The fact that the inexcitability region does not coincide with the most innervated area indicates that the properties of the myocytes themselves, as well as intercellular coupling, must play a role in the inexcitability induction. Optically mapping revealed that PNS resulted in transient loss of pacemaker cell excitability and unidirectional entrance conduction block in the periphery of SAN.
In vivo stimulatory effect of erythropoietin on endothelial nitric oxide synthase in cerebral arteries
Authors: Santhanam Anantha Vijay R. , Smith Leslie A. , Nath Karl A. , Katusic Zvonimir S.
Published: March 2006

The discovery of tissue protective effects of erythropoietin has stimulated significant interest in erythropoietin (Epo) as a novel therapeutic approach to vascular protection. The present study was designed to determine the cerebral vascular effects of recombinant Epo in vivo. Recombinant adenoviral vectors (109plaque-forming units/animal) encoding genes for human erythropoietin (AdEpo) and β-galactosidase (AdLacZ) were injected into the cisterna magna of rabbits. After 48 h, basilar arteries were harvested for analysis of vasomotor function, Western blotting, and measurement of cGMP levels. Gene transfer of AdEpo increased the expressions of recombinant Epo and its receptor in the basilar arteries. Arteries exposed to recombinant Epo demonstrated attenuation of contractile responses to histamine (10−9to 10−5mol/l) ( P < 0.05, n = 5). Endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine (10−9to 10−5mol/l) were significantly augmented ( P < 0.05, n = 5), whereas endothelium-independent relaxations to a nitric oxide (NO) donor 2-( N, N-diethylamino)diazenolate-2-oxide sodium salt remained unchanged in AdEpo-transduced basilar arteries. Transduction with AdEpo increased the protein expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and phosphorylated the S1177 form of the enzyme. Basal levels of cGMP were significantly elevated in arteries transduced with AdEpo consistent with increased NO production. Our studies suggest that in cerebral circulation, Epo enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilatation mediated by NO. This effect could play an important role in the vascular protective effect of Epo.
Effect of simulated Ito on guinea pig and canine ventricular action potential morphology
Authors: Dong Min , Sun Xiaoyin , Prinz Astrid A. , Wang Hong-Sheng
Published: March 2006

The transient outward current ( Ito) is a major repolarizing current in the heart. Marked reduction of Ito density occurs in heart failure and is accompanied by significant action potential duration (APD) prolongation. To understand the species-dependent role of Ito in regulating the ventricular action potential morphology and duration, we introduced simulated Ito conductance in guinea pig and canine endocardial ventricular myocytes using the dynamic clamp technique and perforated patch-clamp recordings. The effects of simulated Ito in both types of cells were complex and biphasic, separated by a clear density threshold of ∼40 pA/pF. Below this threshold, simulated Ito resulted in a distinct phase 1 notch and had little effect on or moderately prolonged the APD. Ito above the threshold resulted in all-or-none repolarization and precipitously reduced the APD. Qualitatively, these results agreed with our previous studies in canine ventricular cells using whole cell recordings. We conclude that 1) contrary to previous gene transfer studies involving the Kv4.3 current, the response of guinea pig ventricular myocytes to a fully inactivating Ito is similar to that of canine ventricular cells and 2) in animals such as dogs that have a broad cardiac action potential, Ito does not play a major role in setting the APD.