bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D Status and the Risk of Lung Cancer: A Cohort Study in Finland
Authors: Kilkkinen Annamari , Knekt Paul , Heliövaara Markku , Rissanen Harri , Marniemi Jukka , Hakulinen Timo , Aromaa Arpo
Published: November 2008

Experimental data support the suppressing effect of vitamin D on lung carcinogenesis, but epidemiologic evidence is limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level is associated with the risk of lung cancer in a prospective cohort study in Finland. 25(OH)D levels were measured by RIA from serum collected at baseline (1978-1980) from 6,937 men and women. During a maximum follow-up of 24 years, 122 lung cancers were identified. After adjustment for potential confounders, no overall significant association between vitamin D and lung cancer risk was observed [relative risk (RR) for the highest versus lowest tertile, 0.72; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.43-1.19; Ptrend = 0.22]. There was a statistically significant interaction between vitamin D and sex (P = 0.02) and age (P = 0.02): serum 25(OH)D level was inversely associated with lung cancer incidence for women (RR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.59; Ptrend < 0.001) and younger participants (RR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13-0.90; Ptrend = 0.04) but not for men (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.59-1.82; Ptrend = 0.81) or older individuals (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.50-1.70; Ptrend = 0.79). In conclusion, although there was no overall association between vitamin D and lung cancer risk, women and young participants with a higher level of vitamin D were observed to have a lower lung cancer risk. Although experimental data support the suppressing effect of vitamin D on the development of lung cancer, large epidemiologic studies from different populations with repeated measurements of vitamin D are warranted to confirm this finding. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3274–8)
Factorial Validity and Invariance of a Survey Measuring Psychosocial Correlates of Colorectal Cancer Screening in Ontario, Canada—A Replication Study
Authors: Ritvo Paul , Myers Ronald , Del Giudice M.L. , Pazsat Larry , Campbell Peter T. , Howlett R.I. , Mai Verna , Sullivan Terry , Tiro Jasmin , Rabeneck Linda
Published: November 2008

Psychosocial constructs have been used to predict colorectal cancer screening and are frequently targeted as intermediate outcomes in behavioral intervention studies. Few studies have conducted analyses to adequately test construct validity. The psychometric analyses undertaken with U.S. populations of 16 theory-based, colorectal cancer screening items designed to measure five factors (salience-coherence, cancer worries, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy, and social influence) are an exception. The current investigation replicates previous work by examining factor validity and invariance in a random sample of Ontario, Canada residents. A survey instrument was administered to 1,013 Ontario male (49%) and female (51%) residents randomly selected by the Canada Survey Sample. Single-group confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) assessed data fit to the proposed five-factor model for males and females separately, and then a multigroup CFA evaluated if the factor structure was invariant for men and women. The five-factor model provided good fit for both males and females. Tests for factorial invariance between sexes, however, found mixed results. χ2 difference test was significant (P = 0.025); however, ΔRMSEA = 0.0001. Factor loadings were similar by sex except for two social influence items, with item frequency distributions suggesting an extreme response style, in females, on these items. Overall, the single-group and multigroup CFA results support factorial validity and partial invariance of the five-factor model first identified in the U.S. populations. The items can be used to evaluate and compare psychosocial correlates across U.S. and Canadian samples. Additional research is needed to show invariance for other ethnocultural and national subgroups. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3279–83)
Occupation, Exposure to Chemicals, Sensitizing Agents, and Risk of Multiple Myeloma in Sweden
Authors: Lope Virginia , Pérez-Gómez Beatriz , Aragonés Nuria , López-Abente Gonzalo , Gustavsson Per , Plato Nils , Zock Jan-Paul , Pollán Marina
Published: November 2008

Background: This study sought to identify occupations with high incidence of multiple myeloma and to investigate possible excess risk associated with occupational exposure to chemicals and sensitizing agents in Sweden.

Methods: A historical cohort of 2,992,166 workers was followed up (1971-1989) through record linkage with the National Cancer and Death Registries. For each job category, age and period standardized incidence ratios and age and period adjusted relative risks of multiple myeloma were calculated using Poisson models. Exposure to chemicals and to sensitizing agents was also assessed using two job-exposure matrices. Men and women were analyzed separately.

Results: During follow-up, 3,127 and 1,282 myelomas were diagnosed in men and women, respectively. In men, excess risk was detected among working proprietors, agricultural, horticultural and forestry enterprisers, bakers and pastry cooks, dental technicians, stone cutters/carvers, and prison/reformatory officials. In women, this excess was observed among attendants in psychiatric care, metal workers, bakers and pastry cooks, and paper/paperboard product workers. Workers, particularly bakers and pastry cooks, exposed to high molecular weight sensitizing agents registered an excess risk of over 40% across the sexes. Occasional, although intense, exposure to pesticides was also associated with risk of myeloma in our cohort.

Conclusions: Our study supports a possible etiologic role for farming and use of pesticides in myeloma risk. The high incidence found in both female and male bakers and pastry cooks has not been described previously. Further research is required to assess the influence of high molecular weight sensitizing agents on risk of multiple myeloma. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3123–7)
International Lung Cancer Consortium: Pooled Analysis of Sequence Variants in DNA Repair and Cell Cycle Pathways
Authors: Hung Rayjean J. , Christiani David C. , Risch Angela , Popanda Odilia , Haugen Aage , Zienolddiny Shan , Benhamou Simone , Bouchardy Christine , Lan Qing , Spitz Margaret R. , Wichmann H.-Erich , LeMarchand Loic , Vineis Paolo , Matullo Giuseppe , Kiyohara Chikako , Zhang Zuo-Feng , Pezeshki Benhnaz , Harris Curtis , Mechanic Leah , Seow Adeline , Ng Daniel P.K. , Szeszenia-Dabrowska Neonila , Zaridze David , Lissowska Jolanta , Rudnai Peter , Fabianova Eleonora , Mates Dana , Foretova Lenka , Janout Vladimir , Bencko Vladimir , Caporaso Neil , Chen Chu , Duell Eric J. , Goodman Gary , Field John K. , Houlston Richard S. , Hong Yun-Chul , Landi Maria Teresa , Lazarus Philip , Muscat Joshua , McLaughlin John , Schwartz Ann G. , Shen Hongbing , Stucker Isabelle , Tajima Kazuo , Matsuo Keitaro , Thun Michael , Yang Ping , Wiencke John , Andrew Angeline S. , Monnier Stephanie , Boffetta Paolo , Brennan Paul
Published: November 2008

Background: The International Lung Cancer Consortium was established in 2004. To clarify the role of DNA repair genes in lung cancer susceptibility, we conducted a pooled analysis of genetic variants in DNA repair pathways, whose associations have been investigated by at least 3 individual studies.

Methods: Data from 14 studies were pooled for 18 sequence variants in 12 DNA repair genes, including APEX1, OGG1, XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3, ERCC1, XPD, XPF, XPG, XPA, MGMT, and TP53. The total number of subjects included in the analysis for each variant ranged from 2,073 to 13,955 subjects.

Results: Four of the variants were found to be weakly associated with lung cancer risk with borderline significance: these were XRCC3 T241M [heterozygote odds ratio (OR), 0.89; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.79-0.99 and homozygote OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71-1.00] based on 3,467 cases and 5,021 controls from 8 studies, XPD K751Q (heterozygote OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.89-1.10 and homozygote OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02-1.39) based on 6,463 cases and 6,603 controls from 9 studies, and TP53 R72P (heterozygote OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.00-1.29 and homozygote OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.42) based on 3,610 cases and 5,293 controls from 6 studies. OGG1 S326C homozygote was suggested to be associated with lung cancer risk in Caucasians (homozygote OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.79) based on 2,569 cases and 4,178 controls from 4 studies but not in Asians. The other 14 variants did not exhibit main effects on lung cancer risk.

Discussion: In addition to data pooling, future priorities of International Lung Cancer Consortium include coordinated genotyping and multistage validation for ongoing genome-wide association studies. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3081–9)
Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Men and Women, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition
Authors: Rinaldi Sabina , Rohrmann Sabine , Jenab Mazda , Biessy Carine , Sieri Sabina , Palli Domenico , Tumino Rosario , Mattiello Amalla , Vineis Paolo , Nieters Alexandra , Linseisen Jakob , Pischon Tobias , Boeing Heiner , Hallmans Göran , Palmqvist Richard , Manjer Jonas , Wirfält Elisabet , Crowe Francesca L. , Khaw Kay-Tee T. , Bingham Sheila , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja , Overvad Kim , Lund Eiliv , Skeie Guri , Clavel-Chapelon Francoise , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine , de Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Ardanaz Eva , Jakszyn Paula , Ramon Quiros Jose , Chirlaque Maria-Dolores , Sanchez Maria-Jose , Dorronsoro Miren , Trichopoulou Antonia , Lagiou Pagona , Trichopoulos Dimitrious , Bueno-de-Mesquita H. Bas , van Duijnhoven Fränzel J.B. , Peeters Petra H.M. , Slimani Nadia , Ferrari Pietro , Byrnes Graham B. , Riboli Elio , Kaaks Rudolf
Published: November 2008

Although large-scale prospective cohort studies have related hyperglycemia to increased risk of cancer overall, studies specifically on colorectal cancer have been generally small. We investigated the association between prediagnostic levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a marker for average glucose level in blood, and colorectal cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. One thousand and twenty-six incident colorectal cancer cases (561 men and 465 women) and 1,026 matched controls were eligible for the study. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORS) adjusted for possible confounders. Increasing HbA1c percentages were statistically significantly associated with a mild increase in colorectal cancer risk in the whole population [OR, 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01,1.19 for a 10% increase in HbA1c]. In women, increasing HbA1c percentages were associated with a statistically significant increase in colorectal cancer risk (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.32 for a 10% increase in HbA1c) and with a borderline statistically significant increase in rectum cancer (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.99,1.50 for a 10% increase in HbA1c). No significant association with cancer risk was observed in men. The results of the current study suggest a mild implication of hyperglycemia in colorectal cancer, which seems more important in women than in men, and more for cancer of the rectum than of the colon. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3108–15)
Fertility Drug Use and Mammographic Breast Density in a Mammography Screening Cohort of Premenopausal Women
Authors: Sprague Brian L. , Trentham-Dietz Amy , Terry Mary Beth , Nichols Hazel B. , Bersch Andrew J. , Buist Diana S.M.
Published: November 2008

The widespread use of ovulation-inducing drugs to enhance fertility has raised concerns about its potential effects on breast cancer risk, as ovarian stimulation is associated with increases in estrogen and progesterone levels. We investigated the short-term relation between fertility drug use and mammographic breast density, a strong marker of breast cancer risk, among participants in the Group Health Breast Cancer Screening Program. Data linkage with Group Health automated pharmacy records identified 104 premenopausal women <50 years old who obtained a mammogram during 1996-2006, within 2 years after a fertility drug dispensing. Premenopausal nonusers of fertility drugs were matched to users by age, body mass index, age at first birth, family history of breast cancer, past use of birth control hormones, race, and education (n = 1005). All mammograms were categorized for density according to the Breast Imaging Reporting Data System as entirely fat, scattered fibroglandular, heterogeneously dense, or extremely dense. Density in fertility drug users was equally likely as in nonusers to be rated entirely fat [odds ratio (OR), 0.83; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.18-3.71], heterogeneously dense (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.64-1.85), or extremely dense (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.48-1.78) compared with scattered fibroglandular. In analyses restricted to fertility drug users, each additional month after the date of dispensing was associated with a 13% (95% CI for the OR, 1.01-1.27) increased odds of being categorized as heterogeneously/extremely dense compared with entirely fat/scattered fibroglandular (P = 0.04). Our results indicate no overall association between fertility drug use and mammographic density, but provide evidence that density may be lower in women more recently dispensed a fertility drug. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3128–33)
Comparison of Predictors for High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Women with Abnormal Smears
Authors: Szarewski Anne , Ambroisine Laurence , Cadman Louise , Austin Janet , Ho Linda , Terry George , Liddle Stuart , Dina Roberto , McCarthy Julie , Buckley Hilary , Bergeron Christine , Soutter Pat , Lyons Deirdre , Cuzick Jack
Published: November 2008

Background: The detection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA provides higher sensitivity but lower specificity than cytology for the identification of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). This study compared the sensitivity and specificity of several adjunctive tests for the detection of high-grade CIN in a population referred to colposcopy because of abnormal cytology.

Methods: 953 women participated in the study. Up to seven tests were carried out on a liquid PreservCyt sample: Hybrid Capture II (Digene), Amplicor (Roche), PreTect HPV-Proofer (NorChip), APTIMA HPV assay (Gen-Probe), Linear Array (Roche), Clinical-Arrays (Genomica), and CINtec p16INK4a Cytology (mtm Laboratories) immunocytochemistry. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were based on the worst histology seen on either the biopsy or the treatment specimen after central review.

Results: 273 (28.6%) women had high-grade disease (CIN2+) on worst histology, with 193 (20.2%) having CIN3+. For the detection of CIN2+, Hybrid Capture II had a sensitivity of 99.6%, specificity of 28.4%, and PPV of 36.1%. Amplicor had a sensitivity of 98.9%, specificity of 21.7%, and PPV of 33.5%. PreTect HPV-Proofer had a sensitivity of 73.6%, specificity of 73.1%, and PPV of 52.0%. APTIMA had a sensitivity of 95.2%, specificity of 42.2%, and PPV of 39.9%. CINtec p16INK4a Cytology had a sensitivity of 83.0%, specificity of 68.7%, and PPV of 52.3%. Linear Array had a sensitivity of 98.2%, specificity of 32.8%, and PPV of 37.7%. Clinical-Arrays had a sensitivity of 80.9%, specificity of 37.1%, and PPV of 33.0%. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3033–42)
Molecular Characterization of MSI-H Colorectal Cancer by MLHI Promoter Methylation, Immunohistochemistry, and Mismatch Repair Germline Mutation Screening
Authors: Poynter Jenny N. , Siegmund Kimberly D. , Weisenberger Daniel J. , Long Tiffany I. , Thibodeau Stephen N. , Lindor Noralane , Young Joanne , Jenkins Mark A. , Hopper John L. , Baron John A. , Buchanan Dan , Casey Graham , Levine A. Joan , Marchand Loïc Le , Gallinger Steven , Bapat Bharati , Potter John D. , Newcomb Polly A. , Haile Robert W. , Laird Peter W. ,   for the Colon Cancer Family Registry Investigators
Published: November 2008

Microsatellite instability (MSI) occurs in 10% to 20% of colorectal cancers (CRC) and has been attributed to both MLH1 promoter hypermethylation and germline mutation in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. We present results from a large population- and clinic-based study of MLH1 methylation, immunohistochemistry, and MMR germline mutations that enabled us to (a) estimate the prevalence of MMR germline mutations and MLH1 methylation among MSI-H cases and help us understand if all MSI-H CRC is explained by these mechanisms and (b) estimate the associations between MLH1 methylation and sex, age, and tumor location within the colon. MLH1 methylation was measured in 1,061 population-based and 172 clinic-based cases of CRC. Overall, we observed MLH1 methylation in 60% of population-based MSI-H cases and in 13% of clinic-based MSI-H cases. Within the population-based cases with MMR mutation screening and conclusive immunohistochemistry results, we identified a molecular event in MMR in 91% of MSI-H cases: 54% had MLH1 methylation, 14% had a germline mutation in a MMR gene, and 23% had immunohistochemistry evidence for loss of a MMR protein. We observed a striking age difference, with the prevalence of a MMR germline mutation more than 4-fold lower and the prevalence of MLH1 methylation more than 4-fold higher in cases diagnosed after the age of 50 years than in cases diagnosed before that age. We also determined that female sex is an independent predictor of MLH1 methylation within the MSI-H subgroup. These results reinforce the importance of distinguishing between the underlying causes of MSI in studies of etiology and prognosis. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3208–15)
Associations between Variants of the 8q24 Chromosome and Nine Smoking-Related Cancer Sites
Authors: Park Sungshim Lani , Chang Shen-Chih , Cai Lin , Cordon-Cardo Carlos , Ding Bao-Guo , Greenland Sander , Hussain Shehnaz K. , Jiang Qingwu , Liu Simin , Lu Ming-Lan , Mao Jenny T. , Morgenstern Hal , Mu Li-Na , Ng Leslie J. , Pantuck Allan , Rao Jianyu , Reuter Victor E. , Tashkin Donald P. , You Nai-Chieh Y. , Yu Can-Qing , Yu Shun-Zhang , Zhao Jin-Kou , Belldegrun Arie , Zhang Zuo-Feng
Published: November 2008

Recent genome-wide association studies identified key single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 8q24 region to be associated with prostate cancer. 8q24 SNPs have also been associated with colorectal cancer, suggesting that this region may not be specifically associated to just prostate cancer. To date, the association between these polymorphisms and tobacco smoking-related cancer sites remains unknown. Using epidemiologic data and biological samples previously collected in three case-control studies from U.S. and Chinese populations, we selected and genotyped one SNP from each of the three previously determined “regions” within the 8q24 loci, rs1447295 (region 1), rs16901979 (region 2), and rs6983267 (region 3), and examined their association with cancers of the lung, oropharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, bladder, and kidney. We observed noteworthy associations between rs6983267 and upper aerodigestive tract cancers [adjusted odds ratio (ORadj), 1.69; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.28-2.24], particularly in oropharynx (ORadj, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.30-2.49) and larynx (ORadj, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.12-3.72). We also observed a suggestive association between rs6983267 and liver cancer (ORadj, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.99-2.31). When we stratified our analysis by smoking status, rs6983267 was positively associated with lung cancer among ever-smokers (ORadj, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.05-2.00) and inversely associated with bladder cancer among ever-smokers (ORadj, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.83). Associations were observed between rs16901979 and upper aerodigestive tract cancer among never-smokers and between rs1447295 and liver cancer among ever-smokers. Our results suggest variants of the 8q24 chromosome may play an important role in smoking-related cancer development. Functional and large epidemiologic studies should be conducted to further investigate the association of 8q24 SNPs with smoking-related cancers. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3193–202)
Green Tea Extracts for the Prevention of Metachronous Colorectal Adenomas: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shimizu Masahito , Fukutomi Yasushi , Ninomiya Mitsuo , Nagura Kazuo , Kato Tomohiro , Araki Hiroshi , Suganuma Masami , Fujiki Hirota , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: November 2008

Background: Experimental studies indicate the chemopreventive properties of green tea extract (GTE) on colorectal cancer. Epidemiologically, green tea consumption of >10 cups daily reduced colorectal cancer risk in Japanese. Because colorectal adenomas are the precursors to most sporadic colorectal cancers, we conducted a randomized trial to determine the preventive effect of GTE supplements on metachronous colorectal adenomas by raising green tea consumption in the target population from an average of 6 cups (1.5 g GTE) daily to ≥10 cups equivalent (2.5 g GTE) by supplemental GTE tablets.

Methods: We recruited 136 patients, removed their colorectal adenomas by endoscopic polypectomy, and 1 year later confirmed the clean colon (i.e., no polyp) at the second colonoscopy. The patients were then randomized into two groups while maintaining their lifestyle on green tea drinking: 71 patients supplemented with 1.5 g GTE per day for 12 months and 65 control patients without supplementation. Follow-up colonoscopy was conducted 12 months later in 125 patients (65 in the control group and 60 in the GTE group).

Results: The incidence of metachronous adenomas at the end-point colonoscopy was 31% (20 of 65) in the control group and 15% (9 of 60) in the GTE group (relative risk, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.99; P < 0.05). The size of relapsed adenomas was also smaller in the GTE group than in the control group (P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred in the GTE group.

Conclusion: GTE is an effective supplement for the chemoprevention of metachronous colorectal adenomas. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3020–5)
Genetic Variation in Tumor Necrosis Factor and the Nuclear Factor-κB Canonical Pathway and Risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Authors: Cerhan James R. , Liu-Mares Wen , Fredericksen Zachary S. , Novak Anne J. , Cunningham Julie M. , Kay Neil E. , Dogan Ahmet , Liebow Mark , Wang Alice H. , Call Timothy G. , Habermann Thomas M. , Ansell Stephen M. , Slager Susan L.
Published: November 2008

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer closely associated with immune function, and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) G-308A promoter polymorphism, which influences immune function and regulation, was recently reported by the InterLymph Consortium to be associated with NHL risk. TNF signaling activates the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) canonical pathway, leading to transcriptional activation of multiple genes that influence inflammation and immune response. We hypothesized that, in addition to TNF signaling, common genetic variation in genes from the NF-κB canonical pathway may affect risk of NHL. We genotyped 54 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within TNF, lymphotoxin A LTA, and nine NF-κB genes from the canonical pathway (TNFRSF1A, TRADD, TRAF2, TRAF5, RIPK1, CHUK, IKBKB, NFKB1, and REL) in a clinic-based study of 441 incident cases and 475 frequency-matched controls. Tagging SNPs were selected from HapMap supplemented by putative functional SNPs for LTA/TNF. We used principal components and haplo.stats to model gene-level associations and logistic regression to model SNP-level associations. Compared with the wild-type (GG), the AA genotype for the TNF promoter polymorphism G-308A (rs1800629) was associated with increased risk of NHL [odds ratio (OR), 2.14; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.94-4.85], whereas the GA genotype was not (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.74-1.34). This association was similar for follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A previously reported LTA/TNF haplotype was also associated with NHL risk. In gene-level analysis of the NF-κB pathway, only NFKB1 showed a statistically significant association with NHL (P = 0.049), and one NFKB1 tagSNP (rs4648022) was associated with NHL risk overall (ordinal OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41-0.84; Ptrend = 0.0037) and for each of the common subtypes. In conclusion, we provide additional evidence for the role of genetic variation in TNF and LTA SNPs and haplotypes with risk of NHL and also provide some of the first preliminary evidence for an association of genetic variation in NFKB1, a downstream target of TNF signaling, with risk of NHL. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3161–9)
Anticoagulation Control and Prediction of Adverse Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Wan Yi , Heneghan Carl , Perera Rafael , Roberts Nia , Hollowell Jennifer , Glasziou Paul , Bankhead Clare , Xu Yongyong
Published: November 2008

Background—

To date, there has been no systematic examination of the relationship between international normalized ratio (INR) control measurements and the prediction of adverse events in patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation.

Methods and Results—

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane through January 2008 for studies of atrial fibrillation patients receiving vitamin-K antagonists that reported INR control measures (percentage of time in therapeutic range [TTR] and percentage of INRs in range) and major hemorrhage and thromboembolic events. In total, 47 studies were included from 38 published articles. TTR ranged from 29% to 75%; percentage of INRs ranged from 34% to 84%. From studies reporting both measures, TTR significantly correlated with percentage of INRs in range (
P
<0.001). Randomized controlled trials had better INR control than retrospective studies (64.9% versus 56.4%;
P
=0.01). TTR negatively correlated with major hemorrhage (
r
=−0.59;
P
=0.002) and thromboembolic rates (
r
=−0.59;
P
=0.01). This effect was significant in retrospective studies (major hemorrhage,
r
=−0.78;
P
=0.006 and thromboembolic rate,
r
=−0.88;
P
=0.03) but not in randomized controlled trials (major hemorrhage,
r
=0.18;
P
=0.33 and thromboembolic rate,
r
=−0.61;
P
=0.07). For retrospective studies, a 6.9% improvement in the TTR significantly reduced major hemorrhage by 1 event per 100 patient-years of treatment (95% CI, 0.29 to 1.71 events).

Conclusions—

In atrial fibrillation patients receiving orally administered anticoagulation treatment, TTR and percentage of INRs in range effectively predict INR control. Data from retrospective studies support the use of TTR to accurately predict reductions in adverse events.
Effects of Ranolazine on Disease-Specific Health Status and Quality of Life Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Arnold Suzanne V. , Morrow David A. , Wang Kaijun , Lei Yang , Mahoney Elizabeth M. , Scirica Benjamin M. , Braunwald Eugene , Cohen David J.
Published: November 2008

Background—

Ranolazine has been shown to reduce myocardial ischemia and symptom severity among selected patients with chronic angina. However, data regarding the effect of ranolazine on health status/quality of life (QOL) are limited.

Methods and Results—

We performed a prospective QOL analysis alongside the Metabolic Efficiency with Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (MERLIN)-TIMI 36 trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ranolazine in 6560 patients with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Health status/QOL was evaluated at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 months after index hospitalization using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, Rose dyspnea scale, SF-12, and EuroQol-5D. Health status/QOL scores improved significantly at all follow-up time points for both treatment arms. In the overall population, randomization to ranolazine was associated with minimal 12-month improvements in angina frequency and Seattle Angina Questionnaire-QOL (
P
<0.05). In subsequent exploratory analyses, there was a significant interaction between the benefits of ranolazine and anginal status before the index event. Among patients with prior angina (n=3565), treatment with ranolazine was associated with modest benefits across the full range of QOL domains, with the greatest benefits observed in angina frequency (mean effect=3.4;
P
<0.001) and Seattle Angina Questionnaire-QOL (mean effect=2.7;
P
<0.001). There were no significant benefits among patients without prior angina, however.

Conclusion—

Among a broad population of patients with unstable coronary disease, ranolazine had a minimal effect on disease-specific health status and QOL over ≈12 months of follow-up. Posthoc subgroup analysis, however, suggested a modest benefit among the subgroup of patients with angina before their acute coronary syndromes event.
Cardiogenic Differentiation and Transdifferentiation of Progenitor Cells
Authors: Reinecke Hans , Minami Elina , Zhu Wei-Zhong , Laflamme Michael A.
Published: November 2008

In recent years, cell transplantation has drawn tremendous interest as a novel approach to preserving or even restoring contractile function to infarcted hearts. A typical human infarct involves the loss of approximately 1 billion cardiomyocytes, and, therefore, many investigators have sought to identify endogenous or exogenous stem cells with the capacity to differentiate into committed cardiomyocytes and repopulate lost myocardium. As a result of these efforts, dozens of stem cell types have been reported to have cardiac potential. These include pluripotent embryonic stem cells, as well various adult stem cells resident in compartments including bone marrow, peripheral tissues, and the heart itself. Some of these cardiogenic progenitors have been reported to contribute replacement muscle through endogenous reparative processes or via cell transplantation in preclinical cardiac injury models. However, considerable disagreement exists regarding the efficiency and even the reality of cardiac differentiation by many of these stem cell types, making these issues a continuing source of controversy in the field. In this review, we consider approaches to cell fate mapping and establishing the cardiac phenotype, as well as the present state of the evidence for the cardiogenic and regenerative potential of the major candidate stem cell types.
The Emerging Role of MicroRNAs in Cardiac Remodeling and Heart Failure
Authors: Divakaran Vijay , Mann Douglas L.
Published: November 2008

Recent studies have suggested a potentially important role for a family of tiny regulatory RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), in the control of diverse aspects of cardiac function in health and disease. Although the field of miRNA biology is relatively new, there is emerging evidence that miRNAs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure through their ability to regulate the expression levels of genes that govern the process of adaptive and maladaptive cardiac remodeling. Here, we review the biology of miRNAs in relation to their role in modulating various aspects of the process of cardiac remodeling, as well as discuss the potential application of miRNA biology to the field of heart failure.
Questioning Thunderstones and Arrowheads: The Problem of Recognizing and Interpreting Stone Artifacts in the Seventeenth Century
Authors: Goodrum Matthew
Published: November 2008

Flint arrowheads, spearheads, and axe heads made by prehistoric Europeans were generally considered before the eighteenth century to be a naturally produced stone that formed in storm clouds and fell with lightning. These stones were called ceraunia, or thunderstones, and it was not until the sixteenth century that their status as a natural phenomenon was challenged. During the seventeenth century natural historians and antiquaries began to suggest that these ceraunia were not thunderstones but ancient human artifacts. I argue that natural history museums, European contact with the stone-tool using peoples in the New World, and the close relationship between natural history and antiquarianism were critical to this reinterpretation of ceraunia. Once these objects were recognized to be ancient artifacts they could be used to investigate the earliest periods of human history from sources other than texts.
Bilateral Diplomacy: Rethinking the Jamaica-US Shiprider Agreement
Authors: Haughton Suzette
Published: November 2008

The Shiprider Agreement — an important aspect of Jamaica-US bilateral diplomacy — represents the strength of diplomatic engagements that have been used to address the cross-border drug-trafficking problem. To substantiate this claim, this article examines the Jamaica-US Shiprider Agreement on three criteria.First, examining some examples of counter-drug cooperation before the Shiprider Agreement demonstrates that the fundamental basis for the Agreement is premised on a positive Jamaica-US relationship. This relationship, along with the stipulated obligations enshrined in the 1988 Vienna Convention, impelled the United States' proposal of the Shiprider Agreement. Second, the article uses complex interdependence theory to test the negotiation process and the outcome of the Agreement. Findings demonstrate that complex interdependence mainly confirms explanations of the foreign policy outcomes and diplomatic conduct displayed in the Jamaica-US Shiprider case. Finally, the article assesses the breakdown in the negotiation process and the initial implementation phase of the Agreement, arguing that this breakdown must be seen in context given the Agreement's successful ratification and its non-controversial continuation. The article concludes that despite the instances of breakdown, the birth and provision of the judicious Jamaica-US Shiprider Agreement owed much to the success of diplomacy.
Faith-Based Diplomacy under Examination
Authors: Troy Jodok
Published: November 2008

Religion has been largely absent in diplomacy, particularly in the Western world, for a long time. Some would even say since the Enlightenment. Moreover, religion has been ignored in present-day theories of international relations, and thus also in diplomatic studies. A recent 'resurgence' of religion in international affairs, however, presents an opportunity to apply moral insights and religious concepts towards the development of peaceful settlements of conflicts through diplomatic techniques. The approach of faith-based diplomatic approaches may infuse those insights into today's political reality, thereby incorporating important initiatives, such as reconciliation and forgiveness, into conflict resolution.This article examines the concept of faith-based diplomacy as declared track-two diplomacy in the context of classical track-one diplomacy. It starts with a brief overview of political science research of track-one and track-two diplomacy. Additional focus is applied to the principles and practices of Christian faith traditions and their potential contributions to peace-building. Finally, the article also evaluates the 'spiritual roots' of diplomacy. It assesses how 'diplomatic theory and practice can be informed and enriched by experimenting with spirituality'. The success of faith-based diplomacy lies in its insights and applications of religious values and methods. But it is also its realistic approach that makes faith-based diplomacy a promising, needed and additional style of diplomacy even though it cannot be properly located within either track-one or track-two diplomacy.
Flexible Polyurethane Foam with the Flame-retardant Melamine
Authors: Konig A. , Fehrenbacher U. , Hirth T. , Kroke E.
Published: November 2008

Flexible polyurethane (PU) foams are widely used in many industrial applications, such as upholstered furniture and mattresses, automotive applications, etc. The chemical nature of the PU, the high air permeability, and the high inner surface area of the foam structure cause this material to be highly flammable. Consequently, the application of flame retardants to flexible PU foams is an important issue. The use of halogenated flame retardants is not considered optimal, in part due to the high emission level and the possible phase-out by the European Risk Assessment Body. Consequently, melamine as a nonhalogenated flame retardant is applied more and more frequently. However, little data is available regarding the application of melamine as an additive in flexible PU. This paper is concerned with the influence of melamine on the synthesis of the PU foam and the resulting material-specific properties. Especially, the increase of viscosity and the high heat capacity of melamine lead to a decrease in foaming growth and rising height with increasing melamine content. This is caused by the reduced drainage rate between the struts and the plateau borders in the foam-forming process. Here, the increase in viscosity follows the Dougherty—Krieger equation with the intrinsic viscosity of k = 3.3. The mechanical properties such as density and compression strength increase with increasing melamine content. Other properties like tensile strength and elongation decrease because of the embedding of the melamine in the PU matrix, which weakens the structure. The air permeation and number of cells also decreases because of the thickened struts caused by the reduced drainage rate in the foaming process. Furthermore, the reaction between the amino groups of melamine and the isocyanate of the PU formulation was investigated by FTIR.
A Simple Transient Method for Measurement of Thermal Conductivity of Rigid Polyurethane Foams
Authors: Harikrishnan G. , Macosko Christopher W. , Jeung Hwan Choi  , Bischof John C. , Singh Sachidanada N.
Published: November 2008

Rigid polyurethane foams (PU) are widely used as thermal insulators in various applications. The thermal conductivity of the foam is the key parameter that governs the efficiency of thermal insulation provided by the foam. The usual technique employed to measure thermal conductivity is based on the rate of steady state heat transfer across a known thickness, induced by two different known temperatures at two opposite surfaces of the foam. We introduce a technique based on the transient measurement of heat transfer measured by an embedded needle probe. This technique is not only rapid but the instrumentation required for such a measurement is simple and the cost is only a fraction of the steady state counterpart. The values of thermal conductivity obtained by both methods are compared and found to agree within 4% over the range of 0.02—0.03 W/mK, which is the usual range of thermal conductivity for commercial rigid PU foams. The sensitivity of the needle probe technique is demonstrated by measuring the thermal conductivity values of foams made with various concentrations of chemical blowing agent (water). The present technique is also shown to be effective for measuring the thermal conductivity of small samples, especially, free rise cup foams for which the steady state technique can not be used.
Current Trends in Nanocomposite Foams
Authors: Ibeh Christopher C. , Bubacz Monika
Published: November 2008

This article presents a brief but concise review of the current research efforts on polymeric nanocomposite foams production, characterization, and applications. Survey indicates that the emergence of nanocomposites has resulted in the development of a new group of materials regarded as nanocomposite foams. Nanocomposites result from the use of nano-sized (10-09 m) particles as fillers to modify and enhance the properties of polymers and other matrices. The combination of functional nanoparticles and foaming technologies such as supercritical fluid foaming, chemical foaming, syntactic foaming, aerogel foaming, phase inversion foaming etc. generate these new materials regarded as nanocomposite foams that have light weight, high specific strength, and multifunctional attributes. Enhanced thermo-mechanical properties of nanocomposite foams result from improved cell morphology that is mainly attributable to the role of nanoparticles as nucleation agents for bubble generation. High-specific mechanical properties and multifunctional characteristics of nanocomposite foams make them cost-effective and desirable in a multitude of application areas including structural, energy-dissipating/absorbing, acoustical insulation, flammability resistance, and others. Of particular importance in this study of nanocomposite foams is the flammability resistance effect of nanoparticles. The intumescent model (NIST, NMAB, and others) indicates that the flame barrier mechanism involves a high-performance carbonaceous-silicate char; this char build-up insulates the underlying material. Understanding this char build-up mechanism presents a challenge and area of research interest in the effort to develop new generation foams that are suitable in energy absorbing materials and structures.
Student Teaching in the Contact Zone
Authors: Smagorinsky Peter , Jakubiak Cori , Moore Cynthia
Published: November 2008

This case study investigates the decision making of Joni, a high school English teacher, during her student teaching in an Applied Communications II teaching assignment, comprised of students in the lowest tier of a four-track senior English curriculum. This course served as a “contact zone” for a set of competing interests: Joni's stated beliefs about effective teaching based on her experiences as a student, the Applied Communications curriculum, the student-centered pedagogy advocated by her university professors and supervisor, and the students' beliefs about the Applied Communications curriculum. The analysis finds that Joni's student teaching was complicated by the different values of the various stakeholders who converged in her classroom, producing disagreement about the motive of the activity setting of her student teaching. The study concludes with a consideration of both the purpose of vocational English classes and the preparation that novice teachers receive to teach them.
Distributed Multi-Phase Distribution Power Flow: Modeling, Solution Algorithm and Simulation Results
Authors: Kleinberg Michael , Karen Miu  , Nwankpa Chika
Published: November 2008

With the increasing installation of power electronics and automated devices, the possibilities for distributed control and operation schemes are becoming progressively more attractive and feasible. This paper presents a new method for calculating distribution power flow using physically remote distributed processors. The proposed method requires the distribution system network model to be partitioned with each subsystem distributed to a remote processor. Models have been developed to represent the remaining network not explicitly retained in each partition. Results show the proposed method will converge to the same solution as that of an un-partitioned centralized power flow validating the accuracy of the proposed models and algorithm.
Language Brokering Contexts and Behavioral and Emotional Adjustment Among Latino Parents and Adolescents
Authors: Martinez Charles R. , McClure Heather H. , Eddy J. Mark
Published: November 2008

This study examined behavioral and emotional adjustment in family contexts in which there was high versus low demand for adolescents to serve as language brokers in a sample of 73 recently immigrated Latino families with middle-school-aged adolescents. Language brokering was conceptualized as a family process rather than merely an individual phenomenon. Multiple agents were used to assess language brokering and parent and youth adjustment. Results indicated that those in high language brokering contexts, compared with those in low language brokering contexts, demonstrated higher levels of family stress, lower levels of parenting effectiveness, and poorer adolescent adjustment in terms of academic functioning, socioemotional health, and substance use. The findings are particularly important given the limited and mixed findings from formative research on language brokering, particularly in areas within the United States with emerging immigrant populations. Findings suggest the need for advancing practices that increase language and cultural supports for immigrant families and support parents' efforts to foster positive youth and family adjustment.
Evaluation of Parenteral Depot Insulin Formulation using PLGA and PLA Microparticles
Authors: Naha Pratap C. , Kanchan Vibhu , Panda Amulya K.
Published: November 2008

PLGA and PLA microparticles entrapping insulin are prepared by solvent evaporation method and are evaluated in diabetes-induced rat for its efficacy in maintaining blood sugar level from a single intramuscular dose. In vitro release of insulin from PLGA and PLA microparticles are 75.35 ± 1.73% and 67.536 ± 2.23%, respectively in 168 h (7 days). Released insulin from polymer particles are mostly in monomeric form without aggregation. Optimal use of stabilizers during particle formulation helps in reducing protein denaturation and thus results in stabilized insulin-loaded polymer particles. Intramuscular administration of insulin-loaded PLGA (50 : 50) and PLA microparticles (equivalent to 25 IU insulin/kg of animal weight) in alloxaninduced diabetic rats result in 53.86 ± 4.2% and 39.52 ± 6.7% reduction in blood glucose level, respectively in 96 h. This effect continued up to 7 days in case of PLGA and PLA microparticles.
Effect of Cryoprotectant Incubation Time on Handling Properties of Allogeneic Tendons Prepared for Knee Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Henson Jeff , Nyland John , Chang Haw Chong , Caborn David N.M.
Published: November 2008

Soft tissue tendon allografts prepared for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are becoming increasingly popular; although concerns exist regarding increased long-term laxity and traumatic rupture rates. This qualitative study evaluated the tissue handling properties of human tibialis posterior tendons prepared using a patented process to improve allograft remodeling and ligamentization under differing cryoprotectant incubation times over 60-min rehydration. Tendons that had been incubated for 8 h had smaller diameters than those that were incubated for 2 h (8.5 ± 1.5 mm vs. 9.1 ± 1.3 mm, p = 0.02). Qualitative tissue handling property results indicated that the 8-h incubation had a negative affect on tissue color. Both incubation time and rehydration time influenced tensile stiffness, compressive resilience, and ease of tissue handling for allograft preparation with the 8-h group displaying poorer results. This study concludes that an 8-h cryoprotectant incubation time is detrimental to qualitative allogeniec tibialis posterior tendon properties. Both groups tended to improve with longer rehydration times, however the 8-h incubation group remained actively dehydrated as evidenced by its smaller diameter and poorer tissue handling properties. Suboptimally rehydrated tendons would be more likely to accrue damage during allograft preparation or during implantation.
Night Spaces
Authors: Williams Robert
Published: November 2008

Although spanning the same physical area, the spaces of night differ from the spaces of daylight. Crucially, the night impels society to establish mechanisms that take the darkness into account (e.g., via enhanced surveillance of vulnerable areas and the lighting of places of consumption). The night spaces created by government policies, business strategies, or social codes of conduct seek to direct, if not outright control, people's actions and desires. Yet such hegemonic night spaces are themselves contested by groups and individuals who use the darkness to pursue alternate goals, some socially transgressive and some illegal. Accordingly, night spaces can be multiple, overlapping, and contradictory, incorporating the myriad tensions of the social processes that constitute them.