bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mouthwash as a Low-Cost and Safe Specimen Transport Medium for Human Papillomavirus DNA Testing of Cervicovaginal Specimens
Authors: Castle Philip E. , Sadorra Mark , Garcia Francisco A.R. , Cullen Allison P. , Lorincz Attila T. , Mitchell Amy L. , Whitby Denise , Chuke Ronald , Kornegay Janet R.
Published: April 2007

The usefulness of mouthwash as a transport medium for cervical specimens for carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has not been evaluated. Two cervical specimens were collected from each of 34 patients, with one placed in mouthwash (Scope, Proctor and Gamble, Inc.) and the other in a liquid cytology medium commonly used for HPV DNA testing in alternating order. Paired specimens were tested by a PCR assay for carcinogenic HPV and a PCR HPV genotyping assay for 37 HPV types at 0, 3, and 6 weeks after collection; the results of the HPV genotyping assay were categorized into HPV risk groups according to cancer risk (HPV-16 > HPV-18 > other carcinogenic HPV types > noncarcinogenic HPV types > negative). After 4 months of storage, specimens were tested using a second, non-PCR test for carcinogenic HPV. We observed a ≥94% total agreement and κ values of ≥0.88 between media at each time point for PCR-detected carcinogenic HPV. We observed a ≥74% total agreement, ≥0.62 unweighted κ, and ≥0.75 linearly weighted κ between media at each time point for PCR-detected HPV cancer risk category. Finally, we observed an 88% total agreement and κ of 0.77 between media for carcinogenic HPV detection using a second test after 4 months of storage. We suggest that mouthwash might be used as a low-cost, safe, nonflammable storage and transport medium for cervical specimens for HPV DNA testing in cervical cancer screening programs. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(4):840–3)
Telomere Length, Cigarette Smoking, and Bladder Cancer Risk in Men and Women
Authors: McGrath Monica , Wong Jason Y.Y. , Michaud Dominique , Hunter David J. , De Vivo Immaculata
Published: April 2007

Truncated telomeres are among the defining characteristics of most carcinomas. Given the role of telomeres in tumorigenesis, we reasoned that constitutionally short telomeres might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we measured relative telomere length in bladder cancer cases and healthy controls and evaluated the association between telomere length, cigarette smoking, and bladder cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study. Telomeres were significantly shorter in bladder cancer cases (n = 184) than in controls (n = 192). The mean relative telomere length in cases was 0.23 (SD, 0.16) versus 0.27 (SD, 0.15) in controls (P = 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder cancer was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.05, 3.36) for individuals in the quartile with the shortest telomeres as compared with individuals in the quartile with the longest telomeres (Ptrend = 0.006). We observed a statistically significant difference in telomere length among men and women (P < 0.001); however, the interaction between gender, telomere length, and bladder cancer risk was not significant. We also observed a significant difference in telomere length across categories of pack-years of smoking (P = 0.01). These findings suggest that truncated telomeres are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(4):815–9)
Confirmation of a Positive Association between Prostate Cancer Risk and a Locus at Chromosome 8q24
Authors: Suuriniemi Miia , Agalliu Ilir , Schaid Daniel J. , Johanneson Bo , McDonnell Shannon K. , Iwasaki Lori , Stanford Janet L. , Ostrander Elaine A.
Published: April 2007

Background: Family-based linkage studies, association studies, and studies of tumors have highlighted human chromosome 8q as a genomic region of interest for prostate cancer susceptibility loci. Recently, a locus at 8q24, characterized by both a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and a microsatellite marker, was shown to be associated with prostate cancer risk in Icelandic, Swedish, and U.S. samples. Although the data were provocative, the U.S. samples were not population based, which precludes assessment of the potential contribution of this locus to prostate cancer incidence in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed both markers in a population-based, case-control study of middle-aged men from King County, Washington.

Results: Overall, there was a significant positive association between the A allele of the SNP rs1447295 and prostate cancer risk [odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.1-2.0] but no significant association with the microsatellite DG8S737. However, significant associations were observed for both markers in men with high Gleason scores. Adjusting for age, first-degree family history of prostate cancer, and prostate cancer screening history, the adjusted odds ratios were 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.8) for the A allele of the SNP and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-2.8) for the −10 allele of the microsatellite.

Conclusions: These data suggest that the locus on chromosome 8q24 harbors a genetic variant associated with prostate cancer and that the microsatellite marker is a stronger risk factor for aggressive prostate cancers defined by poorly differentiated tumor morphology. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(4):809–14)
Increased Ventricular Preload Is Compensated by Myocyte Proliferation in Normal and Hypoplastic Fetal Chick Left Ventricle
Authors: deAlmeida Angela , McQuinn Tim , Sedmera David
Published: April 2007

Hemodynamics influence cardiac development, and alterations in blood flow may lead to impaired cardiac growth and malformations. The developing myocardium adapts to augmented workload by increasing cell number (hyperplasia). The aim of this study was to determine the influence of alterations in ventricular preload on fetal myocyte proliferation by manipulation of intracardiac shunting at the atrial level. We hypothesized that partial clipping of the right atrial appendage would increase the blood flow to the left ventricle and, in turn, lead to an increase in chamber volume and myocardial mass based on myocyte proliferation. Using an ex ovo culture setup, we performed partial right atrial clipping on embryonic day 8 chick embryos. Ultrasound imaging was performed before and after the surgery to assess the changes in left ventricular volume. Sampling after 24 hours was preceded by 2 hour of pulse-labeling with 5-bromodeoxyuridine. Ultrasound imaging showed that partial right atrial clipping led to a significant increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume, demonstrating increased blood flow and preload. Anti–5-bromodeoxyuridine immunolabeling revealed a significant increase in myocyte proliferation in the left ventricle and atrium. No significant changes were found in the right heart structures. Increased left ventricular myocyte proliferation and myocardial mass after right atrial clipping was also observed in embryos with experimental left ventricular hypoplasia. These results demonstrate the ability of fetal myocardium to respond to increased preload by myocyte hyperplasia and support the rationale for prenatal surgical interventions in certain cases of congenital heart disease such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
CREB Mediates UTP-Directed Arterial Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Expression of the Chemotactic Protein Osteopontin via Its Interaction with Activator Protein-1 Sites
Authors: Jalvy Sandra , Renault Marie-Ange , Lam Shang Leen Laetitia , Belloc Isabelle , Reynaud Annabel , Gadeau Alain-Pierre , Desgranges Claude
Published: April 2007

The transcription factor cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) has been found to be involved in arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration. We previously demonstrated that osteopontin (OPN) expression is a key step for UTP-mediated migration of arterial SMCs and that activator protein (AP)-1, nuclear factor κB, and upstream stimulatory transcription factors are involved in this OPN expression. The present study aims to determine the role of CREB in UTP-induced migration and OPN expression in cultured SMCs. We found that CREB is activated by UTP via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways but not by protein kinase A. Both overexpression of a dominant negative CREB and CREB small interfering RNA treatment suppressed UTP-induced OPN expression and SMC migration. Gel-shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that CREB binds 2 AP-1 sites (−1870 and −76) and a cAMP responsive element–like site (−1403) on the OPN promoter. Mutations of these sites showed that only the 2 AP-1 sites were required for UTP-induced OPN expression. Moreover, gel-supershift and sequential chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggested that CREB was associated with c-Fos on the AP-1 sites of the OPN promoter. These results demonstrate that CREB participates in the induction of UTP-activated OPN expression via its binding to 2 AP-1 sites and is thus involved in UTP-mediated SMC migration.
Regulation of L-Type Calcium Channel and Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channel Activity by p
21
-Activated Kinase-1 in Guinea Pig Sinoatrial Node Pacemaker Cells
Authors: Ke Yunbo , Lei Ming , Collins Thomas P. , Rakovic Stevan , Mattick Paul A.D. , Yamasaki Michiko , Brodie Mark S. , Terrar Derek A. , Solaro R. John
Published: April 2007

Phosphorylation of ion channels plays an important role in the regulation of cardiac function, but signaling mechanisms controlling dephosphorylation are not well understood. We have tested the hypothesis that p
21
-activated kinase-1 (Pak1), a serine–threonine protein kinase regulated by Ras-related small G proteins, regulates sinoatrial node (SAN) ion channel activity through a mechanism involving protein phosphatase 2A. We report a novel role of Pak1-mediated signaling in attenuating isoproterenol-induced enhancement of L-type Ca
2+
current (
I
CaL
) and delayed rectifier potassium current (
I
K
) in guinea pig SAN pacemaker cells. We demonstrate that in guinea pig SAN: (1) there is abundant expression of endogenous Pak1 in pacemaker cells; (2) expression of constitutively active Pak1 depresses isoproterenol-induced upregulation of
I
CaL
and
I
K
; (3) inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A increases the enhancement of
I
K
and
I
CaL
by isoproterenol in Ad-Pak1–infected cells; (4) protein phosphatase 2A coimmunoprecipitates with endogenous Pak1 in SAN tissue; and (5) expression of constitutively active Pak1 suppresses the chronotropic action of isoproterenol on pacemaker activity of intact SAN preparations. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that a Pak1 signaling pathway exists in cardiac pacemaker cells and that this novel pathway plays a role in the regulation of ion channel activity.
Haplotypes of
IL1B
,
IL1RN
,
IL1R1
, and
IL1R2
and the Risk of Venous Thrombosis
Authors: van Minkelen Rick , de Visser Marieke C.H. , Houwing-Duistermaat Jeanine J. , Vos Hans L. , Bertina Rogier M. , Rosendaal Frits R.
Published: April 2007

Objective—

It has been suggested that the overall effect of the major proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) on coagulation and fibrinolysis is prothrombotic. The aim of this study was to investigate whether common variations in
IL1B
,
IL1RN
,
IL1R1
, and
IL1R2
influence the risk of venous thrombosis.

Methods and Results—

In a case–control study on the causes of deep venous thrombosis, the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS), we genotyped 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in
IL1B
,
IL1RN
,
IL1R1
, and
IL1R2
, enabling us to tag a total of 25 haplotype groups. Overall testing of the haplotype frequency distribution in patients and controls indicated that a recessive effect was present in
IL1RN
(
P
=0.031). Subsequently the risk of venous thrombosis was calculated for each haplotype of
IL1RN
. Increased thrombotic risk was found for homozygous carriers of haplotype 5 (H5, tagged by SNP 13888T/G, rs2232354) of
IL1RN
(Odds ratio=3.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.6 to 9.7;
P
=0.002). No risk was associated with haplotype 3 of
IL1RN
, which contains the frequently examined allele 2 variant of the intron 2 VNTR.

Conclusions—

We found that
IL1RN
–H5H5 carriership increases the risk of venous thrombosis.
Low Levels of Nogo-B in Human Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques Are Associated With an Atheromatous Phenotype, Restenosis, and Stenosis Severity
Authors: Rodriguez-Feo Juan A. , Hellings Willem E. , Verhoeven Bart A.N. , Moll Frans L. , de Kleijn Dominique P.V. , Prendergast Jay , Gao Yuan , van der Graaf Yolanda , Tellides George , Sessa William C. , Pasterkamp Gerard
Published: April 2007

Objective—

Reticulon-4/Nogo (Nogo-B) protects mouse arteries from lumen loss by reducing smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and intimal thickening. Our goal was to determine plaque and circulating levels of Nogo-B in atherosclerotic and control subjects. Therefore, we studied the relationships between local Nogo-B, plaque characteristics, and clinical data in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Methods and Results—

Western blot analysis showed that endarterectomy specimens from the femoral (n=19) and carotid arteries (n=145) contained significantly less Nogo-B than nonatherosclerotic mammary arteries (n=8;
P
<0.003) and aortas (n=15;
P
=0.03). Immunohistochemistry revealed that in atherosclerotic lesions, Nogo-B was expressed by macrophage/foam cells, SMC rich, and neo-vascularized areas. Atheromatous plaques (>40% fat content) showed a significant reduction in Nogo-B expression (
P
=0.002). Nogo-B expression levels were significantly lower in patients with more than 90% of carotid stenosis (
P
=0.04) or restenotic lesions after prior carotid intervention (duplex;
P
=0.01). In contrast, plasmatic levels of Nogo-B (soluble Nogo-B) did not differ between atherosclerotic subjects (n=68) and risk-factor matched controls (n=63;
P
=0.5).

Conclusion—

Our findings suggest that local reduction of Nogo-B in atherosclerotic tissue might contribute to plaque formation and/or instability triggering luminal narrowing. In contrast, plasma Nogo-B levels are not associated with clinically manifested atherosclerotic disease.
(6R)-5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-L-Biopterin and Its Stereoisomer Prevent Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Human Forearm
Authors: Mayahi Lila , Heales Simon , Owen David , Casas Juan P. , Harris Joanne , MacAllister Raymond J. , Hingorani Aroon D.
Published: April 2007

Objective—

6R-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-
l
-biopterin (6R-BH4) is a cofactor for endothelial nitric oxide synthase but also has antioxidant properties. Its stereo-isomer 6S-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-
l
-biopterin (6S-BH4) and structurally similar pterin 6R,S-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-
d
-neopterin (NH4) are also antioxidants but have no cofactor function. When endothelial nitric oxide synthase is 6R-BH4–deplete, it synthesizes superoxide rather than nitric oxide. Reduced nitric oxide bioavailability by interaction with reactive oxygen species is implicated in endothelial dysfunction (ED). 6R-BH4 corrects ED in animal models of ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) and in patients with cardiovascular risks. It is uncertain whether the effect of exogenous 6R-BH4 on ED is through its cofactor or antioxidant action.

Methods and Results—

In healthy volunteers, forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography during intra-arterial infusion of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine, or the endothelium-independent vasodilator glyceryl trinitrate, before and after IRI. IRI reduced plasma total antioxidant status (
P
=0.03) and impaired vasodilatation to acetylcholine (
P
=0.01), but not to glyceryl trinitrate (
P
=0.3). Intra-arterial infusion of 6R-BH4, 6S-BH4 and NH4 at approximately equimolar concentrations prevented IRI.

Conclusion—

IRI causes ED associated with increased oxidative stress that is prevented by 6R-BH4, 6S-BH4, and NH4, an effect mediated perhaps by an antioxidant rather than cofactor function. Regardless of mechanism, 6R-BH4, 6S-BH4, or NH4 may reduce tissue injury during clinical IRI syndromes.
Effects of Acute Pravastatin Treatment on Intensity of Rescue Therapy, Length of Inpatient Stay, and 6-Month Outcome in Patients After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Tseng Ming-Yuan , Hutchinson Peter J. , Czosnyka Marek , Richards Hugh , Pickard John D. , Kirkpatrick Peter J.
Published: April 2007

Background and Purpose—

We have previously demonstrated that acute pravastatin therapy after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage ameliorates vasospasm-related delayed ischemic deficits. This study assesses the effects of pravastatin on the frequency and intensity for rescue therapy, length of inpatient stay, and long-term outcome at 6 months.

Methods—

Eighty aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients (age 18 to 84 years, onset 1.8±1.3 days) were randomized to receive daily oral pravastatin (40 mg) or placebo for up to 14 days. Clinical events were recorded during the trial. Six-month outcome was assessed using the Short Form 36 and the modified Rankin Scale.

Results—

Although no significant difference in the outcome at discharge was found between the trial groups, multivariate analysis showed pravastatin therapy reduced unfavorable outcome by 73% (
P
=0.041). The benefit persisted at 6 months (
P
=0.063) and was notable in the physical (
P
<0.001) and psychosocial (
P
<0.001) aspects measured using Short Form 36. Furthermore, the acute pravastatin therapy reduced the requirement for triple-H therapy (hypertensive, hypervolemic, hemodilution;
P
=0.045) and mortality related to vasospasm (
P
=0.02) and sepsis (
P
=0.001); no significant difference was found in the length of inpatient stay between the trial groups.

Conclusions—

This trial demonstrates that acute statin treatment reduces traditional rescue therapy for vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Improvement in early outcome has proved robust at 6 months, particularly in relation to physical and psychosocial (Short Form 36) outcome.
School Leaders and Their Sensemaking About Race and Demographic Change
Authors: Evans Andrea E.
Published: April 2007

Background: School leaders must make sense of the messages they receive from multiple, overlapping contexts of their school environments. Equally important, they must shape meaning of school issues and events with and for other school members. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which school leaders defined and made sense of issues of race and demographic change in their schools. Data Collection: Interviews, documents, and archival data from a larger study provided information on the programs, policies, and practices that schools modified in response to their growing African American population. For the current study, the author specifically examined the words and actions of school leaders to determine how they defined and made sense of the demographic changes taking place. The author also used other information to establish the contexts around these leaders that might help explain their sensemaking. Findings: Generally, school leaders'sensemaking seemed related to the local context and organizational ideology, as well as their racial and role identities. To varying degrees, sensemaking about race influenced school leaders' willingness to challenge or change status quo social structures within their schools. Recommendation: School leaders must come to understand their own sociopolitical identities and professional contexts, how these shape their view on issues of race, and the implications of their leadership and sensemaking for all students, particularly students of color.
Archetypal Synchronistic Resonance
Authors: Mishlove Jeffrey , Engen Brendan C.
Published: April 2007

This article proposes a new theory, archetypal synchronistic resonance (ASR), to explain ostensible paranormal experiences that can be neither accepted as literally construed nor dismissed as mere artifact or error. Drawing on ideas from Jung, ASR holds that ostensible paranormal experience is the result of archetypal-synchronistic functioning. To illustrate this theory, the authors analyze several mutual, emotionally potent, apparently synchronistic experiences involving the Stoic philosopher and Roman statesman Seneca and the concept of reincarnation. The authors discuss phenomenological features of the theory's resonance component and bring to light nontrivial parallels between ASR and Maslow's account of peak-experience, between ASR and Otto's description of the numinous , and between ASR and Frankl's construal of super-meaning. The authors conclude with a discussion of a competing “error-theory” of the phenomenon, which holds that putative paranormal experiences are products of apophenia, the mistaken attribution of intent or meaning to events that in fact are meaningless or purely chance occurrences.
Become Who You Are: Integrating the Conceptions of Will and Being in the Psychotherapeutic Theory of Rollo May
Authors: Kiser Scott
Published: April 2007

This article discusses the essential foundation of Rollo May's unique approach to psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on exploring and revealing the most basic elements that can be said to constitute the center of May's psychotherapeutic theory. This center exhibits a fundamental concern with the reality of an individual's being, that is, with empowering the individual to experience the reality of his or her being in a deeper and more authentic way. Such empowerment relies on and engages the dynamic processes of freedom and will, which make it possible for an individual to confront and actualize his or her inner potentialities for living. The heart of the therapeutic endeavor, then, is the supportive challenge to experience the depths of one's existence, to become who one truly is. The article concludes with an emphasis on May's concept of self-affirmation, a revolutionary way of existing in the world involving individual, cultural, and global implications for positive transformation.
Are We Having Fun Yet? an Exploration of the Transformative Power of Play
Authors: Gordon Gwen , Esbjörn-Hargens Sean
Published: April 2007

In an effort to understand the transformative potential of adult play, this article explores a developmental model that outlines the unfolding complexity of play in light of the evolution of consciousness. It correlates specific play forms with developmental stages and shows how forms of play can both instigate and support transitions between stages. It further outlines how characteristics intrinsic to play support the evolution of consciousness.
Practical Rationality and the Questionable Promise of Positive Psychology
Authors: Sugarman Jeff
Published: April 2007

It is argued that positive psychology is committed to an ideology of technical and instrumental scientific rationality. The article describes features of this ideology, its historical emergence and adoption by disciplinary psychology, its pervasive influence across contemporary life, its problems and dangers, and the way in which it is promoted by positive psychology. By failing to grasp the extent of this influence in their practices and beliefs, it is claimed that positive psychologists inadvertently undermine the Aristotelian-inspired notion of human fulfillment they seek to advance. The upshot is that positive psychology will further reduce our horizons of reflection on human flourishing, as our ordinary capacities for practical judgment are devalued and supplanted by the presumed expertise of psychological professionals who effectively guide us toward unreflective ends.
New Evidence on the Wage Curve
Authors: Elhorst J. Paul , Blien Uwe , Wolf Katja
Published: April 2007

Following Blanchflower and Oswald, a “wage curve” describes the wage level as a downward-sloping convex curve of the regional unemployment rate. This article makes two major contributions in the analysis of the wage curve. First, it is recognized that potential endogeneity of the regional unemployment rate should be subject to testing not only in combination with regional-specific effects but also in combination with time-specific effects. For this purpose, the authors develop a new estimator, the spatial first difference 2SLS estimator. Second, it is recognized that wages may not only respond to the regional but also to the national unemployment rate. In the empirical analysis, the wage curve for East Germany is estimated using a comprehensive database that provides panel data classified into 114 administrative districts during the 1993 to 1999 period.
Mental Health Issues Among Urban Korean American Immigrants
Authors: Bernstein Kunsook S.
Published: April 2007

Korean immigrants' perception and understanding of mental health and illness were surveyed during four monthly mental health seminars in New York City. In all, 86 Korean immigrants attended the seminars and 34 completed the survey. The seminar participants were primarily financially stable Korean women who were married, educated, and had lived in America more than 10 years. All seminar leaders were Korean immigrants who were working in the mental health field and/or educational setting. Most of the participants acknowledged the need for mental health services but did not seek professional help and coped with the stressors of immigrant life by endurance, patience, and religion. Feedback from seminar leaders noted the following: (a) greater seminar attendance than anticipated, (b) participants' openness to their mental illness issues, (c) need for tailored mental health program for Koreans. Findings support an understanding of the Korean immigrants' mental health issues as complex, chronic, and serious.
Modification and Translation of the Thai Version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Authors: Nintachan Patcharin , Moon Martha W.
Published: April 2007

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) has been used as a standard and updated as required for 15 years to measure risk behavior among American youth. This article discusses the modification and translation of the YRBS to be used to measure risk among youth in Thailand. The steps involved included not only modification and translation but also testing of cross-cultural equivalences (semantic, content, and conceptual) and assessment of feasibility and acceptability of the modified survey among adolescents in Thailand. The process is described and findings discussed.
Family Photographs
Authors: Lassetter Jane H. , Mandleco Barbara L. , Roper Susanne Olsen
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to capture the everyday lives of parents raising a child with a disability. Fifteen parental dyads raising a child with Down syndrome, developmental disabilities, visual impairments, or speech disorders used a disposable camera to photograph images important to them. Interviews about these photographs reflected everyday life. Four themes emerged from content analysis of the photos: active activities, quiet activities, activities of daily living, and care of the child with a disability. Six themes emerged when discussing photographs participants would have liked to take but did not. These themes were acceptance, concern for the future, joys, struggles, balance of good and bad times, and normalcy. Findings support the usefulness of photography as a method of obtaining information from parents raising a child with a disability through qualitative means and provide nurses with a beginning understanding of these parents' lives.
The Implications of Dying Cancer Patients' Talk on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders
Authors: Eliott Jaklin A. , Olver Ian N.
Published: April 2007

Current medical emphasis on autonomy requires that patients be primary in authorizing do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, countermanding provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on terminally ill patients. The assumptions that patients make regarding CPR and DNR orders will influence their choices about them. Using discursive analysis, the authors examined the speech of 28 patients dying of cancer regarding the appropriateness of refraining from CPR or of instituting DNR orders. Most participants identified CPR as inappropriate in their circumstances, favoring institution of DNR orders. However, a minority drew on dominant construals of DNR orders and CPR to locate themselves outside the category of suitable candidates for DNR orders, thus justifying a preference for CPR—even though some had current DNR orders. Doctors' and patients' assessments of eligibility for DNR orders might not coincide, and when patient autonomy is presumed by patients to be determinant, discrepancies between patient expectations and instituted medical practice are inevitable.
Motivations to Maintain Social Ties With Coworkers
Authors: Randel Amy E. , Ranft Annette L.
Published: April 2007

This study examines the relationships among an individual's motivations to maintain social ties with coworkers, information exchange with others outside the firm, and turnover intentions. The authors considered both relationship motivation to maintain friendships at work and job facilitation motivation to maintain workplace relationships that facilitate an individual's job performance. Results suggest that both types of motivation are related to workplace social inclusion, a concept that has been based in part on the social capital literature. The authors also find that individuals with job facilitation motivation for maintaining social ties with coworkers engage in more interorganizational information exchange than do those with relationship motivation. When individuals have turnover intentions, the relationship between job facilitation motivation and interorganizational information exchange is stronger.
Intercultural Parenting and the Transcultural Family: A Literature Review
Authors: Crippen Cheryl , Brew Leah
Published: April 2007

According to U.S. Census Bureau data (2003), intercultural relationships are on the rise, and much has been written on cultural differences in marriage. Furthermore, a significant amount of literature has discussed differences in parenting based on racial, ethnic, and religious value differences between culturally different families. However, much less has been written on how parenting amplifies differences because of cultural diversity within a family. The purpose of this article is a review of the literature specifically on intercultural parenting. Differences that arise in intercultural relationships are briefly reviewed, followed by how those differences can be managed. Finally, a review of the literature specific to intercultural differences in parenting style and the development of a transcultural family is discussed.
Understanding Family Roles and Ethics in Working With First-Generation College Students and Their Families
Authors: Hartig Nadine , Steigerwald Fran
Published: April 2007

This article examines the family roles and ethics of first-generation college students and their families through discussion of a case vignette. London's family roles applied to first-generation college students are discussed. Narrative therapy practices and an ethical model that examines the value process of counselors are explored as possible solutions.
Media-generated Shortcuts: Do Newspaper Headlines Present Another Roadblock for Low-information Rationality?
Authors: Andrew Blake C.
Published: April 2007

This article identifies news headlines as media-generated shortcuts for heuristic information about politics. Functionally speaking, headlines are simplifying mechanisms that summarize and attract attention to what lies ahead (or below). Although previous research has demonstrated potentially powerful framing effects of headlines, comparatively little is known about the relationship actual news headlines have with the stories they introduce. This study aims to contribute to this area of research by comparing with their stories the content of newspaper headlines about the 2004 Canadian federal election campaign.The data set has been developed from a content analysis of news, opinion, and editorial articles about the election, drawn from five major Canadian daily newspapers during the campaign. Headlines and full-text stories both have been separately coded for emphasis (campaign oriented vs. issue oriented), party coverage, leader coverage, issues, and tone.The analysis shows a considerable difference between articles and their headlines in terms of emphasis and issue salience. It also demonstrates how the tone of election coverage appeared to change when viewed exclusively through the prism of the headlines versus the lens of full stories. Hence, voters who scanned headlines were supplied with a different set of heuristic cues than those paying closer attention.
Perceptions of Political Bias in the Headlines of Two Major News Organizations
Authors: Weatherly Jeffrey N. , Petros Thomas V. , Christopherson Kimberly M. , Haugen Erin N.
Published: April 2007

Although claims of media bias are abundant, systematic and scientific investigations of potential biases are rare. The present study was an attempt to determine whether a perception of bias would be found in the headlines of lead or major stories taken from the Web sites of two major American news organizations, CNN and FOX News, during the final two months of the 2004 presidential campaign. Significant perceptions of bias were found. Overall, headlines taken from CNN were rated as significantly more liberal than those taken from FOX News. Headlines taken from FOX News were rated as slightly on the liberal side of neutral. With CNN's headlines slightly to the left of FOX News', instructing participants that the headlines came from a particular source did not influence the results. Although the study by no means provides the definitive answer to whether major news organizations have biases, it indicates that perceptions of bias exist.
Oil Conflict in Ecuador
Authors: Widener Patricia
Published: April 2007

This article has three purposes. First, the photographs and text narrate the diverse and persistent mobilization efforts against the oil sector operating in the Amazon region of Ecuador. Second, the study explores limitations of resistance networks composed of Northern environmental and Ecuadorian domestic groups. These networks tend to target Northern oil multinationals while overlooking the increasing interest and influence of Asian oil firms in the Amazon. Third, the article is aimed at showing how photography can complement interviewing in field research and how it can be of methodological interest to environmental social scientists in the complex way it defines the role of the researcher.
Beyond Play
Authors: Malaby Thomas M.
Published: April 2007

Games have intruded into popular, academic, and policy-maker awareness to an unprecedented level, and this creates new opportunities for advancing our understanding of the relationship of games to society. The author offers a new approach to games that stresses them as characterized by process. Games, the author argues, are domains of contrived contingency, capable of generating emergent practices and interpretations, and are intimately connected with everyday life to a degree heretofore poorly understood. This approach is both consistent with a range of existing social theory and avoids many of the limitations that have characterized much games scholarship to date, in particular its tendency toward unsustainable formalism and exceptionalism. Rather than seeing gaming as a subset of play, and therefore as an activity that is inherently separable, safe, and pleasurable, the author offers a pragmatic rethinking of games as social artifacts in their own right that are always in the process of becoming. This view both better accords with the experience of games by participants cross-culturally and bears the weight of the new questions being asked about games and about society.
The Play of Imagination
Authors: Thomas Douglas , Brown John Seely
Published: April 2007

As games, particularly virtual worlds, become increasingly popular and as they begin to approximate large scale social systems in size and nature, they have also become spaces where play and learning have merged in fundamental ways. More important is the idea that the kind of learning that happens in the spaces of these massively multiplayer online games is fundamentally different than what we have come to consider as standard pedagogical practice. The distinction the authors make is that traditional paradigms of instruction have addressed learning as “learning about,” while these new forms of learning deal with knowledge through the dynamic of “learning to be.”It is the authors' contention that the experiences offered within virtual worlds provide a fundamentally different way of thinking about learning that may provide some keys to the development of future pedagogical practice.
PECAM-1: a multifaceted regulator of megakaryocytopoiesis
Authors: Wu Yue , Welte Thomas , Michaud Michael , Madri Joseph A.
Published: April 2007

PECAM-1 (CD31) knockout (KO) mice exhibit excessive megakaryocytopoiesis accompanied by increased numbers of megakaryocytes associated with the stromal niche rather than the vascular niche. During earlier stages of megakaryocytopoiesis in KO marrow, an expanded Lin−Sca-1+ c-kit+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) population and increased quiescent Lin− progenitor pool were identified. During the later stages of megakaryocytopoiesis, CD31KO megakaryocytes exhibited abnormal adhesion/transmigration behaviors. Lastly, KO animals exhibited excessive splenic extramedullary megakaryocytopoiesis, which likely compensates for the impaired marrow megakaryocytopoiesis, resulting in normal peripheral platelet number. Thus, PECAM-1 modulates megakaryocytopoiesis in a hierarchic manner, functioning as a thermostat to “fine-tune” megakaryocytopoiesis.
Endothelial potential of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Levenberg Shulamit , Zoldan Janet , Basevitch Yaara , Langer Robert
Published: April 2007

Growing interest in using endothelial cells for therapeutic purposes has led to exploring human embryonic stem cells as a potential source for endothelial progenitor cells. Embryonic stem cells are advantageous when compared with other endothelial cell origins, due to their high proliferation capability, pluripotency, and low immunogenity. However, there are many challenges and obstacles to overcome before the vision of using embryonic endothelial progenitor cells in the clinic can be realized. Among these obstacles is the development of a productive method of isolating endothelial cells from human embryonic stem cells and elucidating their differentiation pathway. This review will focus on the endothelial potential of human embryonic stem cells that is described in current studies, with respect to the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to endothelial cells, their isolation, and their characterization.
High PR3 or ELA2 expression by CD34+ cells in advanced-phase chronic myeloid leukemia is associated with improved outcome following allogeneic stem cell transplantation and may improve PR1 peptide–driven graft-versus-leukemia effects
Authors: Yong Agnes S. M. , Rezvani Katayoun , Savani Bipin N. , Eniafe Rhoda , Mielke Stephan , Goldman John M. , Barrett A. John
Published: April 2007

The primary granule proteins elastase (ELA2) and proteinase 3 (PR3) both contain the nonapeptide PR1, which can induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. To investigate whether eradication of CML after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) was influenced by PR3 and ELA2 gene expression or PR1-specific CTL responses, we studied cells from 87 CML patients and 27 HLA-A*0201+ donors collected prior to T-cell–depleted HLA-identical sibling SCT. For patients in advanced phase (AdP), a higher expression of both PR3 and ELA2 in CD34+ progenitors before SCT was associated with a lower incidence of relapse-related death, improved leukemia-free survival (LFS), and overall survival (OS); in chronic phase patients, no differences were observed. PR1-CTL responses were detected in 7 of 27 HLA-identical sibling donors, and associated with improved LFS and OS after SCT on follow-up. PR1-CTL responses detected in 7 of 28 CML patients before transplantation were not predictive of outcome and correlated inversely with PR3 and ELA2 expression. These findings suggest that assessment of PR3 and ELA2 expression in leukemic progenitors is useful for predicting posttransplantation outcome in AdP patients undergoing SCT. The presence of a donor immune response against PR1 may be advantageous and could be exploited therapeutically.
Regulatory function of CD4+CD25+ T cells from Class II MHC-deficient mice in contact hypersensitivity responses
Authors: Kish Danielle D , Gorbachev Anton V , Fairchild Robert L
Published: April 2007

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a CD8+ T cell-mediated, inflammatory response to hapten sensitization and challenge of the skin. During sensitization, the magnitude and duration of hapten-specific CD8+ T cell expansion in the skin-draining lymph nodes (LN) are restricted by CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Treg). The regulation of hapten-specific CD8+ T cell priming in Class II MHC-deficient (MHC–/–) mice was investigated. Although hapten-specific CD8+ T cell priming and CHS responses were elevated in Class II MHC–/– versus wild-type mice, presensitization depletion of CD4+ or CD25+ cells in Class II MHC–/– mice further increased CD8+ T cell priming and the elicited CHS response. Flow cytometry analyses of LN cells from Class II MHC–/– mice revealed a population of CD4+ T cells with a majority expressing CD25. Forkhead box p3 mRNA was expressed in LN cells from Class II MHC–/– and was reduced to background levels by depletion of CD4+ or CD25+ cells. Isolated CD4+CD25+ T cells from wild-type and Class II MHC–/– mice limited in vitro proliferation of alloantigen- and hapten-specific T cells to antigen-presenting stimulator cells. These results identify functional CD4+CD25+ Treg in Class II MHC–/– mice, which restrict hapten-specific CD8+ T cell priming and the magnitude of CHS responses.
Circulating CD14−CD36+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells constitutively produce interleukin-10
Authors: Barrett Lisa , Dai Chunming , Gamberg Jane , Gallant Maureen , Grant Michael
Published: April 2007

The impact of immune regulatory imbalance covers surprising physiological breadth. Although dominance of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 is associated with reduced immune responsiveness and susceptibility to persistent infection, conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes are linked to chronic inflammation and lower IL-10 levels. An appropriate threshold for immune activation is critical for optimal protection from infection and conversely, from short- and long-term side-effects of immune effector mechanisms. To assess the possibility that IL-10 plays a role in setting this threshold and that healthy maintenance of immune silence may involve low-level immune suppression, we sought out and characterized human peripheral blood cells constitutively producing the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. We determined the surface phenotype of circulating PBMC constitutively producing IL-10 by surface and intracellular flow cytometry and visualized their ultrastructure by electron microscopy. The frequency of IL-10-producing and -secreting cells was estimated by ELISPOT and flow cytometry. Up to 1% of PBMC constitutively produce IL-10. These CD14−CD36+CD61+ nonadherent cells expressed general markers of hematopoietic and progenitor cells (CD45 and CD7) but no stem cell, T cell, B cell, NK cell, monocytes or dendritic cell markers. Inflammation-associated TLRs were also absent. The IL-10-producing cells had prominent nuclei, multiple mitochondria, and abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum. Healthy individuals have PBMC constitutively producing IL-10. Although the lineage of these cells remains unclear, their properties and frequency suggest a potential role in homeostatic or innate immune suppression.
Understanding of Prognosis Among Parents of Children With Cancer: Parental Optimism and the Parent-Physician Interaction
Authors: Mack Jennifer W. , Cook E. Francis , Wolfe Joanne , Grier Holcombe E. , Cleary Paul D. , Weeks Jane C.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Patients often overestimate their chances of surviving cancer. Factors that contribute to accurate understanding of prognosis are not known. We assessed understanding of likelihood of cure and functional outcome among parents of children with cancer and sought to identify factors that place parents at risk for overly optimistic beliefs about prognosis.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 194 parents of children with cancer (response rate, 70%) who were treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital in Boston, MA, and the children's physicians. Parent and physician expectations for likelihood of cure and functional outcome were compared. In 152 accurate or optimistic parents, we determined factors associated with accurate understanding of likelihood of cure compared with optimism.

Results

The majority of parents (61%) were more optimistic than physicians about the likelihood of cure. Parents' beliefs about other outcomes of cancer treatment were similar (quality-of-life impairment, P = .70) or more pessimistic (physical impairment, P = .01; intellectual impairment, P = .01) than physicians' beliefs. Parents and physicians were more likely to agree about chances of cure when physicians had confidence in knowledge of prognosis (odds ratio [OR] = 2.55, P = .004) and allowed parents to take their preferred decision-making role (OR = 1.89, P = .019).

Conclusion

Parents of children with cancer are overly optimistic about chances of cure but not about other outcomes of cancer therapy. Parents tend to be overly optimistic about cure when physicians have little confidence and when the decision-making process does not meet parents' preferences. These findings suggest that physicians are partly responsible for parents' unrealistic expectations about cure.
Randomized Trial of Two or Five Computed Tomography Scans in the Surveillance of Patients With Stage I Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis: Medical Research Council Trial TE08, ISRCTN56475197—The National Cancer Research Institute Testis Cancer Clinical Studies Group
Authors: Rustin Gordon J. , Mead Graham M. , Stenning Sally P. , Vasey Paul A. , Aass Nina , Huddart Robert A. , Sokal Michael P. , Joffe Jonathan K. , Harland Stephen J. , Kirk Sarah J.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Surveillance is a standard management approach for stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). A randomized trial of two versus five computed tomography (CT) scans was performed to determine whether the number of scans influenced the proportion of patients relapsing with intermediate- or poor-prognosis disease at relapse.

Methods

Patients with clinical stage I NSGCT opting for surveillance were randomly assigned to chest and abdominal CT scans at either 3 and 12 or 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months, with all other investigations identical in the two arms. Three of five patients were allocated to the two-scan schedule. Four hundred patients were required.

Results

Two hundred forty-seven patients were allocated to a two-scan and 167 to five-scan policy. With a median follow-up of 40 months, 37 relapses (15%) have occurred in the two-scan arm and 33 (20%) in the five-scan arm. No patients had poor prognosis at relapse, but two (0.8%) of those relapsing in the two-scan arm had intermediate prognosis compared with 1 (0.6%) in the five-scan arm, a difference of 0.2% (90% CI, −1.2% to 1.6%). No deaths have been reported.

Conclusion

This study can rule out with 95% probability an increase in the proportion of patients relapsing with intermediate- or poor-prognosis disease of more than 1.6% if they have two rather than five CT scans as part of their surveillance protocol. CT scans at 3 and 12 months after orchidectomy should be considered a reasonable option in low-risk patients.