bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical Detection of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 in Human Breast Cancer: Correlation with Clinicopathological/Molecular Parameters and Prognosis
Authors: Kuroso Kazuko , Imai Yasuo , Kobayashi Masashi , Yanagimoto Kunio , Suzuki Tsukasa , Kojima Masato , Ueda Yoshihiko
Published: November 2010

Objective: Reportedly, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) that regulates embryonic growth and development may function as an oncoprotein in certain malignancies. We aimed to investigate the biological significance of FGFR3 expression in invasive breast cancer. Methods: FGFR3 expression was investigated in 50 invasive breast cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry. The association between FGFR3 expression and clinicopathological/molecular parameters or prognosis was evaluated. Results: Weak FGFR3 expression was observed in myoepithelial cells, but not in duct epithelial cells, of the normal mammary ducts and lobules. FGFR3 expression in breast cancer cells was observed in 19 of 50 (38.0%) cases (9 weak positive and 10 strong positive). Besides the cytoplasm and cell membrane, nuclear staining was observed in 3 of 10 strong-positive cases. FGFR3 was further detected in non-neoplastic duct epithelial cells or duct papillomatosis in 5 strong-positive cases. No significant correlation was observed between FGFR3 expression and specific clinicopathological/molecular parameters. In contrast, FGFR3 expression was found to be significantly associated with overall survival in our cohort. Conclusions: FGFR3 expression in invasive breast cancer was not found to be significantly associated with specific clinicopathological/molecular parameters, but might be used as a candidate marker for a poor prognosis.
Upregulation of Connexin 30 in Intestinal Phenotype Gastric Cancer and Its Reduction during Tumor Progression
Authors: Sentani Kazuhiro , Oue Naohide , Sakamoto Naoya , Anami Katsuhiro , Naito Yutaka , Aoyagi Kazuhiko , Sasaki Hiroki , Yasui Wataru
Published: November 2010

Aims: The mucin phenotype is associated with clinicopathological findings and tumorigenesis in gastric cancer (GC). The aim was to search for a novel marker regulating the intestinal phenotype of GC. Methods and Results: We performed microarray analyses, and GJB6 (encoding connexin 30) was identified as a gene associated with the intestinal phenotype. Immunostaining of connexin 30 in 169 GC cases revealed that 47 (28%) cases were positive for connexin 30, while connexin 30 was negative in nonneoplastic gastric tissue. Connexin 30-negative GC cases showed more advanced T grade, N grade, and tumor stage than connexin 30-positive GC cases. Six (13%) GC cases positive for connexin 30 were histologically of the differentiated type. In addition, the expression of gastric and intestinal phenotypes of GC was examined by immunostaining for MUC5AC, MUC6, MUC2, and CD10. Connexin 30 expression occurred more frequently in the intestinal phenotype (48%) than in other phenotypes (21%) of GC. Conclusion: These results indicate that the expression of connexin 30 is a novel differentiation marker mediating the biological behavior of intestinal phenotype GC.
Determinants of the Epithelial-Muscular Axis on Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Gut-Like Structures
Authors: Luo Yi , Takaki Miyako , Misawa Hiromi , Matsuyoshi Hiroko , Sasahira Tomonori , Chihara Yoshitomo , Fujii Kiyomu , Ohmori Hitoshi , Kuniyasu Hiroki
Published: November 2010

Dome-like structures with epithelial-muscular layers resembling the gut have been derived from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. These domes have been reported to show spontaneous contractions and are called ES gut. In the present study, we examined the epithelial-muscular axis of these domes by detecting differentiation markers. A normal epithelial-muscular axis was exhibited in the domes with spontaneous motility, whereas the domes without spontaneous motility showed either an inverted or obscure axis. To investigate the factors affecting the epithelial-muscular axis, we examined the expression of hedgehog signaling factors in the domes. Expression of hedgehog family factors was detected in the epithelial components of the domes with motility, whereas this expression was inverted or obscure in the domes without motility. Out of the 25 domes, 10 of the 10 motility (+) domes showed a normal epithelial-muscular axis, whereas 14 of the 15 motility (–) domes lacked a normal epithelial-muscular axis. This implies that activin A upregulated the expression of sonic hedgehog and intestinal alkaline phosphatase in the embryoid bodies. These findings suggest that the motility of the ES gut depends on the domes’ epithelial-muscular axis.
Fetal Goitrous Hypothyroidism due to Maternal Thyroid Stimulation-Blocking Antibody: A Case Report
Authors: Miyake Masako , Kobara Hisanori , Kikuchi Norihiko , Osada Ryosuke , Ashida Takashi , Hirabayashi Kanae , Nishio Shin-ichi , Kanai Makoto , Shiozawa Tanri
Published: November 2010

Most fetal goitrous hypothyroidisms are reportedly caused by the maternal use of an antithyroid drug or fetal dyshormonogenesis. However, fetal goitrous hypothyroidism due to the transplacental passage of maternal thyroid stimulation-blocking antibody (TSBAb) is extremely rare. A woman at 28 weeks of gestation was found to have a fetal goiter by ultrasonography. Because the maternal serum showed hypothyroidism with an elevated titer of TSBAb, levothyroxine sodium was administered. The patient delivered a male infant, 3,412 g, with a goiter at term. Umbilical blood revealed primary hypothyroidism with increased TSBAb, and the infant was given levothyroxine sodium. After a month, neonatal thyroid function and TSBAb levels became normal. Attention should be paid to possible fetal hypothyroidism when a fetal goiter is observed to avoid impaired mental development of the neonate.
Localization of Cathepsins D and B at the Maternal-Fetal Interface and the Invasiveness of the Trophoblast during the Postimplantation Period in the Mouse
Authors: Amarante-Paffaro A.M. , Hoshida M.S. , Yokota S. , Gonçalves C.R. , Joazeiro P.P. , Bevilacqua E. , Yamada A.T.
Published: November 2010

A survey of existing data suggests that trophoblast cells produce factors involved in extracellular matrix degradation. In this study, we correlated the expression of cathepsins D and B in the murine ectoplacental cone with the ultrastructural progress of decidual invasion by trophoblast cells. Both proteases were immunolocalized at implantation sites in lysosome-endosome-like compartments of trophoblast giant cells. Cathepsin D, but not cathepsin B, was also detected ultrastructurally in extracellular compartments surrounded by processes of the invading trophoblast containing extracellular matrix components and endometrial cell debris. The expression of cathepsins D and B by trophoblast cells was confirmed by RT-PCR in ectoplacental cones isolated from implantation chambers at gestation day 7.5. Our data addressed a positive relationship between the expression and presence of cathepsin D at the extracellular compartment of the maternal-fetal interface and the invasiveness of the trophoblast during the postimplantation period, suggesting a participation of invading trophoblast cells in the cathepsin D release. Such findings indicate that mouse trophoblast cells might exhibit a proteolytic ability to partake in the decidual invasion process at the maternal-fetal interface.
Portrayal of the Notch System in Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Embryoid Bodies
Authors: Alcobia Isabel , Gomes Andreia , Saavedra Pedro , Laranjeiro Ricardo , Oliveira Sónia , Parreira Leonor , Cidadão António
Published: November 2010

We portrayed the Notch system in embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) differentiating under the standard protocols used to assess yolk sac (YS) hematopoiesis in vitro. Notch receptors and Notch ligands were detected in virtually all cells throughout EB development. Notch1 and Notch 2, but not Notch4, were visualized in the nucleus of EB cells, and all these receptors were also observed as patent cytoplasmic foci. Notch ligands (Delta-like1 and 4, Jagged1 and 2) were immunodetected mostly as cytoplasmic foci. Widespread Notch1 activation was evident at days 2–4 of EB differentiation, the time window of hemangioblast generation in this in vitro system. EBs experienced major spatial remodeling beyond culture day 4, the time point coincident with the transition between primitive and multilineage waves of YS hematopoiesis in vitro. At day 6, where definitive YS hematopoiesis is established in EBs, these exhibit an immature densely packed cellular region (DCR) surrounded by a territory of mesodermal-like cells and an outer layer of endodermal cells. Immunolabeling of Notch receptors and ligands was usually higher in the DCR. Our results show that Notch system components are continuously and abundantly expressed in the multicellular environments arising in differentiating EBs. In such an active Notch system, receptors and ligands do not accumulate extensively at the cell surface but instead localize at cytoplasmic foci, an observation that fits current knowledge on endocytic modulation of Notch signaling. Our data thus suggest that Notch may function as a territorial modulator during early development, where it may eventually influence YS hematopoiesis.
High Levels of Systemic Myeloperoxidase Are Associated With Coronary Plaque Erosion in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Ferrante Giuseppe , Nakano Masataka , Prati Francesco , Niccoli Giampaolo , Mallus Maria T. , Ramazzotti Vito , Montone Rocco A. , Kolodgie Frank D. , Virmani Renu , Crea Filippo
Published: November 2010

Background—

Systemic levels of myeloperoxidase predict prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes and are considered a marker of plaque vulnerability. It is not known whether myeloperoxidase is associated with different coronary morphologies (ie, rupture or erosion of the culprit lesion) in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods and Results—

Twenty-five consecutive patients (aged 67±11 years; 15 men [60%]; 13 [52%] with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome and 12 [48%] with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) were enrolled. Optical coherence tomography classified the culprit lesion as ruptured in 18 (72%) or eroded in 7 patients (28%) and detected intraluminal thrombus in 89% of ruptured plaques and 100% of eroded plaques. Baseline systemic levels of serum myeloperoxidase were significantly higher in patients with an eroded plaque than in those with a ruptured plaque (median, 2500 ng/mL; 25th to 75th percentile, 1415 to 2920 versus median, 707 ng/mL; 25th to 75th percentile, 312 to 943;
P
=0.001), whereas C-reactive protein levels did not differ significantly (median, 11.3 mg/L; 25th to 75th percentile, 1.3 to 28.5 versus median, 3.9 mg/L; 25th to 75th percentile, 1.3 to 17.8;
P
=0.76, respectively). In addition, the density of myeloperoxidase-positive cells within thrombi overlying plaques in postmortem coronary specimens retrieved from sudden coronary death victims was significantly higher in lesions with erosion (n=11) than ruptures (n=11) (median, 1584; 25th to 75th percentile, 1088 to 2135 cells/mm
2
versus median, 579; 25th to 75th percentile, 442 to 760 cells/mm
2
;
P
=0.0012).

Conclusions—

Systemic myeloperoxidase levels are significantly elevated in patients with acute coronary syndrome presenting with eroded culprit plaque compared with patients presenting with ruptured culprit plaque. Consistently, in postmortem coronary specimens, luminal thrombi superimposed on eroded plaques contain a higher density of myeloperoxidase-positive cells than thrombi superimposed on ruptured plaques. This study supports the concept that elevations in selective inflammatory biomarkers reflect specific acute complications of coronary atherosclerosis.
Myocardial Steatosis and Biventricular Strain and Strain Rate Imaging in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ng Arnold C.T. , Delgado Victoria , Bertini Matteo , van der Meer Rutger W. , Rijzewijk Luuk J. , Hooi Ewe See , Siebelink Hans-Marc , Smit Johannes W.A. , Diamant Michaela , Romijn Johannes A. , de Roos Albert , Leung Dominic Y. , Lamb Hildo J. , Bax Jeroen J.
Published: November 2010

Background—

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy can quantify myocardial triglyceride content in type 2 diabetic patients. Its relation to alterations in left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular myocardial functions is unknown.

Methods and Results—

A total of 42 men with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited. Exclusion criteria included hemoglobin A
1c
>8.5, known cardiovascular disease, diabetes-related complications, or blood pressure >150/85 mm Hg. Myocardial ischemia was excluded by a negative dobutamine stress test. LV and RV volumes and ejection fraction were quantified by magnetic resonance imaging. LV global longitudinal and RV free wall longitudinal strain, systolic strain rate, and diastolic strain rate were quantified by echocardiographic speckle tracking analyses. Myocardial triglyceride content was quantified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and dichotomized on the basis of the median value of 0.76. The median age was 59 years (25th and 75th percentiles, 54 and 62 years). Median diabetes diagnosis duration was 4 years, and median glycohemoglobin level was 6.2 (25th and 75th percentiles, 5.9 and 6.8). There were no differences in LV and RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes and ejection fraction between patients with high (≥0.76) and those with low (<0.76) myocardial triglyceride content. However, patients with high myocardial triglyceride content had greater impairment of LV and RV myocardial strain and strain rate. The myocardial triglyceride content was an independent correlate of LV and RV longitudinal strain, systolic strain rate, and diastolic strain rate.

Conclusions—

High myocardial triglyceride content is associated with more pronounced impairment of LV and RV functions in men with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes mellitus.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Inflammation-Linked Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Jablonski Kristen L. , Chonchol Michel , Pierce Gary L. , Walker Ashley E. , Seals Douglas R.
Published: November 2010

We tested the hypothesis that vascular endothelial function, assessed by endothelium-dependent dilation, is related to serum vitamin D status among middle-aged and older adults without clinical disease, and that this is linked to inflammation. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, a measure of endothelium-dependent dilation, was lower (
P
<0.01) in vitamin D–insufficient (3.7±0.2%; serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]: 20 to 29 ng/mL; 62±1 years of age; n=31; mean± SE) and vitamin D–deficient (3.2±0.3%; 25(OH)D: <20 ng/mL; 63±2 years of age; n=22) versus vitamin D–sufficient (4.6±0.4%; 25(OH)D: >29 ng/mL; 61±1 years of age; n=22) subjects, whereas endothelium-independent dilation (brachial dilation to sublingual nitroglycerine) did not differ (
P
=0.45). Among all subjects, brachial flow-mediated dilation was positively related to serum 25(OH)D (%Δ:
r
=0.35;
P
<0.01) but not 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (
r
=−0.06;
P
=0.61), the active form of vitamin D. Vascular endothelial cell expression of the proinflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor κB was greater in deficient versus sufficient subjects (0.59±0.07 versus 0.44±0.05;
P
<0.05), and inhibition of nuclear factor κB (4 days oral salsalate) improved flow-mediated dilation to a greater extent in subjects with lower versus higher 25(OH)D (+3.7±0.6 versus +2.0±0.2%;
P
<0.05). Endothelial cell expression of the downstream proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 also was higher in deficient versus sufficient subjects (0.67±0.08 versus 0.47±0.05;
P
<0.01) and inversely related to serum 25(OH)D level (
r
=−0.62;
P
<0.01), whereas vitamin D receptor and 1-α hydroxylase, the 25(OH)D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D converting enzyme, were lower (
P
<0.05). Inadequate serum 25(OH)D is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction among healthy middle-aged/older adults, and this is mediated in part by nuclear factor κB–related inflammation. Reduced vitamin D receptor and 1-α hydroxylase may be molecular mechanisms linking vitamin D insufficiency to endothelial dysfunction.
Vascular Function and Circulating Progenitor Cells in Thromboangitis Obliterans (Buerger's Disease) and Atherosclerosis Obliterans
Authors: Idei Naomi , Nishioka Kenji , Soga Junko , Hidaka Takayuki , Hata Takaki , Fujii Yuichi , Fujimura Noritaka , Maruhashi Tatsuya , Mikami Shinsuke , Teragawa Hiroki , Kihara Yasuki , Noma Kensuke , Chayama Kazuaki , Higashi Yukihito
Published: November 2010

Thromboangitis obliterans (TAO; Buerger's disease) and atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) are associated with endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) in endothelial function in patients with TAO and ASO. We measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation, and circulating CPCs in 30 patients with TAO and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects and in 40 patients with ASO. FMD was smaller in both the TAO group and ASO group than in the control group (6.6±2.7%, 5.7±3.3% versus 9.5±3.1%,
P
<0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in FMD between the TAO group and ASO group. Nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation was similar in the 3 groups. The number of and migration of circulating CPCs were similar in the TAO group and control group, whereas the number of and migration of circulating CPCs were significantly lower in the ASO group than in other groups (ASO 553±297/mL versus TAO 963±543/mL; control 1063±426/mL and ASO 36±18/hpf versus TAO 62±23/hpf; control 68±18/hpf,
P
<0.0001, respectively). There was a significant relationship between the number of and migration of CPCs and FMD (
r
=0.43 and
r
=0.40,
P
<0.0001, respectively). FMD was impaired in patients with TAO as well as in patients with ASO compared to that in normal control subjects, and the number of and function of circulating CPCs were not decreased in patients with TAO. These findings may partially explain why there are differences in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates between patients with TAO and patients with ASO.
Improving Predictions of Water and Heat Fluxes by Assimilating MODIS Land Surface Temperature Products into the Common Land Model
Authors: Xu Tongren , Liu Shaomin , Liang Shunlin , Qin Jun
Published: November 2010

Four data assimilation scheme combinations derived from two strategies and two optimization algorithms [the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and the shuffled complex evolution method developed at The University of Arizona (SCE-UA)] are developed based on the Common Land Model (CLM) to improve predictions of water and heat fluxes. The first strategy is constructed through adjusting the soil temperature, while the second strategy adjusts the soil moisture. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature (LST) products are compared with ground-measured surface temperature, and assimilated into the CLM. The relationship equation between the MODIS LST products and CLM surface temperature is taken as the observation operator and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) is applied as the observation error. The assimilation results are validated by measurements from six observation sites located in Germany, the United States, and China. Results indicate that the developed data assimilation schemes can improve estimates of water and heat fluxes. Overall, strategy 2 is superior to strategy 1 when using the same optimization algorithm. The EnKF algorithm performs slightly better than the SCE-UA algorithm when using the same strategy. Strategy 2 combined with the EnKF algorithm performs best for water and heat fluxes, and the reductions in the RMSE are found to be 24.0 and 15.2 W m−2 for sensible and latent heat fluxes, respectively. The joint assimilation of the MODIS LST and soil moisture observations can produce better results for strategy 2 with the SCE-UA. Since preprocessing model parameters are used in this study, the uncertainties in the model parameters may have resulted in suboptimal assimilation results. Therefore, model calibrations should be conducted in the future.
The Impact of Drivers’ Race, Gender, and Age During Traffic Stops
Authors: Tillyer Rob , Engel Robin S.
Published: November 2010

Recent research has demonstrated that minority drivers receive disparate traffic stop outcomes compared with similarly situated White drivers. This research, however, is often not grounded within a theoretical framework and fails to examine specific combinations of driver demographics. This study addresses those shortcomings by examining research questions based on the social conditioning model and investigating the relationship between specific combinations of drivers’ race/ethnicity, gender, and age, and traffic stop outcomes. Using alternative measures of stop outcomes and robust official traffic stop data collected from a state law enforcement agency, the results demonstrate that warnings and citations, but not arrests, are differentially issued to young, Black male drivers. The findings also confirm the influence of legal factors on police decision making during traffic stops. Research and policy implications are discussed.
The Subjective Impact of Contact With the Criminal Justice System
Authors: McGrath Andrew James
Published: November 2010

Labeling theory suggests that contact with the criminal justice system leads to feelings of stigmatization, which will consequently have the counterproductive effect of increasing offending. The current study investigated this phenomenon by (a) interviewing 394 young people sentenced in the New South Wales Children’s Court about their emotional reactions to the experience and (b) testing whether differences in these emotional reactions were related to increases or decreases in reoffending. It was found that feeling stigmatized after the hearing was a significant predictor of reoffending for the young women, but not the young men, in the sample. In addition, young men with previous convictions who reported feeling stigmatized were less likely to reoffend. The implications of these findings for the way in which young offenders are treated are discussed.
Development and Validation of the Survey of Knowledge of Internet Risk and Internet Behavior
Authors: Gable Robert K. , Ludlow Larry H. , McCoach D. Betsy , Kite Stacey L.
Published: November 2010

The development of the Survey of Knowledge of Internet Risk and Internet Behavior is described. A total of 1,366 Grades 7 and 8 male and female students from an urban, suburban, and rural school offered agree—disagree responses to 26 statements defining one Knowledge Scale and five behavior dimensions. Literature-based support is presented for content validity. Construct validity support for the hypothesized dimensions is provided through Rasch model analysis of the Knowledge Scale supporting a unidimensional, hierarchically ordered scale. Latent class analyses provided support for the utility of the five categorical behavioral dimensions. Implications for instrument developers and educators are discussed.
“Hating the Sin but not the Sinner”: A Study About Heterosexism and Religious Experiences Among Black Men
Authors: Valera Pamela , Taylor Tonya
Published: November 2010

This article explored the religious experiences of nine Black men who are married (to a woman) and have sex with men (BMMSM). These men do not refer to themselves as men on the down low but self-identify as heterosexual. Using data collected in 2005 in South Carolina, the authors examined the complex relationship of homosexuality and the Black Church. Specifically, they examined the notion of coping with same-sex behavior, concealment, and its impact on BMMSM. Findings from the thematic analysis suggest that men found ways to manage their religious traditions and same-sex behaviors. This research presents an opportunity to locate and access a hidden population. The authors found a pervasive experience of growing up in social and family environments that expose them to heterosexism.
The Derelictical Crisis of African American Philosophy: How African American Philosophy Fails to Contribute to the Study of African-Descended People
Authors: Curry Tommy J.
Published: November 2010

Unlike many Black-specific disciplines in the academy (Black psychology, Black history, etc.), Black philosophy never completely forged a unique conceptual framework separate from American and continental philosophical traditions. Instead the field has continued to define its validity to the extent that Black authors extend the thought of white philosophers toward race. This epistemic convergence, or the extent to which Black theory converges with established white philosophical traditions and white racial sensibilities, continues to misguide many of the current philosophical techniques of Africana thought. Because this practice is so dominate, it has made current scholarship in African American and Africana thought derelict, in the sense that all investigations into Blackness are normatively and hence ideologically driven and not culturally relevant to the actual lives of Africana people.
African Americans and HIV/AIDS–The Epidemic Continues: An Intervention to Address the HIV/AIDS Pandemic in the Black Community
Authors: Davidson Latrena
Published: November 2010

The Black community continues to be ravished by HIV/AIDS infection despite the marked expenditures utilized to reduce incidence among this cohort. Efforts to produce culturally appropriate programs that work continues to elude officials and HIV/AIDS has become endemic among specific subgroups in this cohort (e.g., Black men who have sex with men). Large-scale prevention programs have not worked and although community-based interventions have proven to be effective in eliciting behavior change, the numbers that they have been producing have not been enough to make a substantial impact on HIV incidence. The purpose of this exploratory article is to rehash how HIV/AIDS infection continues to devastate the African American community in an effort to elicit renewed vigilance in combating the disease in this community, describe the elements that continue to impede prevention and risk reduction efforts, and present a potential framework that may work to decrease incidence in this community. This article presents a multi-pronged approach to addressing the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the African American community.
“Tightening the Shackles”: The Continued Invisibility of Liverpool’s British African Caribbean Teachers
Authors: Boyle Bill , Charles Marie
Published: November 2010

This article reports on the researchers’ findings 20 years after Lord Gifford’s inquiry into race relations in the city after the 1980s Toxteth riots. Gifford reported on the prevalence of racial attitudes, racial abuse, and racial violence directed against the Black citizens of Liverpool. The authors’ research focused on education and specifically the low percentage of Black teachers compared to the whole teaching workforce and the percentage Black population in the city. Accessing complete Black teaching data proved difficult and unearthed issues within policy and priority in the city authorities and led the researchers to begin to gather data to explore teacher training, entries and completions, and the lack of status of the Black teachers as measured through representation in senior leadership positions in schools.
Diabetes Oral Medication Initiation and Intensification
Authors: Grant Richard W. , Pabon-Nau Lina , Ross Kaile M. , Youatt Emily J. , Pandiscio Jennifer C. , Park Elyse R.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare patient perceptions about medication management with principles underlying American Diabetes Association (ADA) published treatment algorithms.

Methods

Six focus groups (4 English and 2 Spanish) were conducted with 50 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were asked about their prior experiences with initiating and changing oral medicines. They were also shown a medication plan for a hypothetical patient depicting future potential changes to achieve glycemic control. Coded responses were mapped to 3 concepts implicit in the ADA recommended treatment algorithm: (1) prescribing medicines to achieve A1c goal is beneficial, (2) medical regimens are generally intensified, and (3) intensification should be timely.

Results

Patient perceptions contrasted markedly with the treatment algorithm: (1) most patients had negative perceptions of medication initiation, viewing this event as evidence of personal failure and an increased burden; (2) patients equated medication intensification with increased risk for diabetes-related complications (rather than a step to reduce future risk) and viewed de-escalation as a primary goal; and (3) no patients expressed concerns about delays in medication intensification. Patients responded very favorably to an individualized medication plan depicting future potential changes.

Conclusions

Patients in this study described a conceptual model for medication therapy that contrasted in critical ways from the principles of current treatment guidelines. Underscoring the key role of patient-provider communication, the results suggest that effective counseling should also include an informed discussion of future medication intensification.
Clarifying Issues Regarding the Use of Praise With Young Children
Authors: Bayat Mojdeh
Published: November 2010

Currently in the popular and academic press, a debate exists as to the usefulness and the potential harm of praising young children. On one side of this debate, there are professionals who are involved in research and education of children with disabilities, and on the other side, those involved in research and education of children without special needs. Because early childhood education has increasingly become inclusive, it is important to understand each side of this debate, and its related issues. This article reviews the literature related to use of praise in education of children with special needs. Clarifications are made regarding the cultural roots of praise and research developments regarding the arguments for and against praise. Finally, recommendations for the best practices for use of praise with all young children are made for parents and early childhood special and general education professionals.
Play Behaviors of Parents and Their Young Children With Disabilities
Authors: Childress Dana C.
Published: November 2010

Learning to explore, communicate, and interact with others and the environment through play can be problematic for young children with disabilities, but with parental support, children can learn and interact successfully during play activities. To determine how parents engage their preschool children with disabilities in play and what behaviors they use to enjoy interaction and support development, 13 studies were reviewed. Play behaviors of young children with a variety of disabilities were also examined to determine how children engage with toys and adults and what types of play have a positive impact on development. Collaborative play was found to be beneficial to children regardless of their disability. Parents appear to use their knowledge of their children to engage them in play while scaffolding interactions to facilitate social communication, daily routines, and learning. Because play provides a context for the provision of early intervention supports, implications for practice are discussed.
Conceptions of the Self for Post-secular Emancipation: Towards a Pilgrim’s Guide to Global Justice
Authors: Pasquale Barbato Mariano
Published: November 2010

Global capitalism claims to offer emancipation as liberation from the bureaucratic cage of working routines, and justice as a result of global growth. The price for this model of emancipation and justice is constant change and flexibility of the self. I agree with Richard Sennett, who I take here as a representative of a pragmatic approach in critical theory, that this development leads to a corrosion of character, ultimately threatening the foundations of democracy and preventing the creation of a global community of political agency. What is needed is a cultural narrative enabling the self to act for a global community of political agency that favours ways to global justice. However, contrary to Sennett, I argue that this new self cannot be reinvented as the classical homo faber. I argue that the homo faber concept still breathes the obsolete notion of a powerful working class which is, like capitalism, based solely on production and consumption and cannot meet the ongoing fundamental change of the global age where the rise and fall of powerful subjects is as uncertain as is material growth. Drawing upon a constructivist perspective and engaging with critical theory, I turn to the post-secular concept of Jürgen Habermas. In the perspective of Habermas’s post-secular society, I search for a narrative informed by religious semantics. The semantics of the pilgrim, common to almost all traditions of faith, stand for this emancipated self searching for ways to global justice and are offered here in a post-secular translation.
Miller Fisher Syndrome in a Toddler With Influenza A (pH1N1) Infection
Authors: Costiniuk Cecilia T. , Le Saux Nicole , Sell Eric , Doja Asif , Karnauchow Timothy , Jacob Pierre , Hui Charles
Published: November 2010

A 17-month-old previously healthy child presented with a 2-day history of inability to fully open his eyes and slight gait ataxia. In the month preceding admission, he had had low grade, intermittent fevers, followed by a nonproductive cough and sneezing. During hospital admission he lost deep tendon reflexes and was unable to walk. Lumbar puncture revealed abnormally high protein, and a nasopharyngeal specimen was positive for influenza A (pH1N1). He received intravenous immunoglobulin and oseltamivir with clinical improvement. Although it is difficult to ascertain whether pH1N1 or another microorganism was responsible for this toddler’s neurologic syndrome, this is the first reported case of Miller Fisher syndrome associated with pH1N1. During pandemics, one may expect to see an increased incidence of uncommon neurologic complications of influenza.
Joubert Syndrome Presenting With Young-Age Onset Ischemic Stroke: A Possible Etiologic Association
Authors: Eun Mi-Yeon , Seok Hung Youl , Kwon Do-Young , Park Moon Ho , So-Hee Eun , Kang Young Sun
Published: November 2010

Joubert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder of childhood that is characterized by hypoplasia or agenesis of the cerebellar vermis in addition to brainstem malformations. Ataxia, hypotonia, developmental delay, and apnea-hyperpnea are the most prominent clinical symptoms of Joubert syndrome, but this condition can also affect multiple organs, making the clinical phenomenology of Joubert syndrome quite diverse. Seizures are the most common neurological complications of Joubert syndrome, but its neurological sequelae are poorly described because Joubert syndrome is very rare. Here we report an acute ischemic stroke in a 21-year-old woman with Joubert syndrome who had no conventional risk factors for early onset cerebrovascular disease. To date, this is the first report of an ischemic stroke in a patient with Joubert syndrome, and we believe this case may suggest an association between Joubert syndrome and extremely early onset cerebrovascular disease.
Culture as Structure in Emerging Civic Organizations in Russia
Authors: Spencer Sarah Busse
Published: November 2010

After nearly 20 years of democracy-building projects in Russia, a robust civil society has yet to develop. While researchers have suggested political conditions, misaligned incentives, or the unintended consequences of Western funding as possible reasons for this situation, the impact of culture on civic organizations has been overlooked. This article draws on ethnographic research of civic organizations in Novosibirsk, Russia to illustrate the impact of national and organizational culture on emerging civic organizations. Most civic organizations in Russia are influenced by cultural legacies of patronage and personalism, Soviet-style collectives, and group boundaries reinforced through taking tea. Reproduction of these cultural norms results in bonding social capital rather than the bridging social capital associated with democratic society. The ongoing structuration of civic organizations through the reproduction of tsarist and socialist legacies illustrates the importance of understanding the cultural contexts of civil society development.
The strange case of the Freudian case history: the role of long case histories in the development of psychoanalysis
Authors: Sealey Anne
Published: November 2010

Sigmund Freud’s five long case histories have been the focus of seemingly endless fascination and criticism. This article examines how the long case-history genre developed and its impact on the professionalization of psychoanalysis. It argues that the long case histories, using a distinctive form that highlighted the peculiarities of psychoanalytic theory, served as exemplars in the discipline. In doing so, the article extends John Forrester’s work on ‘thinking in cases’ to show the practical implications of that style of reasoning. The article illustrates how the form disappeared once the theoretical basis of the movement was set. The genre never became institutionalized, although the content of the five long case histories did, because of Freud’s accepted role as theoretician of psychoanalysis.
Conceptualizing time, space and computing for work and organizing
Authors: Lee Heejin , Sawyer Steve
Published: November 2010

Through this article we draw on concepts of time and space to help us theorize on the uses of information and communication technologies in work and for organizing. We do so because many of the contemporary discussions regarding work and organization are usually, and too often implicitly, drawing on rudimentary understandings of these concepts. Our focus here is to advance beyond simplistic articulations and to provide a more conceptually sound approach to address time, space and the uses of information and communication technologies in work. We do this focusing on temporal and spatial relations as a means to depict time and space at work. We characterize work as varying by two characteristics: the degree of interaction and the level of individual autonomy. We then develop a functional view of information and communication technologies relative to their uses for production, control, coordination, access and enjoyment. We conclude by integrating these concepts into an initial framework which allows us to theorize that new forms of work are moving towards four distinct forms of organizing. We further argue that each of these four forms has particular spatial and temporal characteristics that have distinct and different needs for information and communication technologies.
Future orientations in episodic labour: Short-term academics as a case in point
Authors: Ylijoki Oili-Helena
Published: November 2010

Universities have witnessed a radical growth in the number of academics working on short-term employment. In this article I will explore the future orientations of these academics faced with job insecurity. Drawing on biographical interviews with 40 Finnish academics, I identify three ideal typical future orientations: instant living, multiple futures and scheduled future. Instant living refers to bracketing the future and concentrating on the present. In multiple futures, by contrast, academics are loosely rooted in the present as they ponder alternative careers. Scheduled future refers to structured aims and plans by which the future is divided into progressive career steps. In addition to exploring the temporal characteristics of the three orientations, the article discusses the implications for professional identities and for the nature of research work.
Impact of Pharmacist Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in the Palliative Care Setting
Authors: Wilson Shelley , Wahler Robert , Brown Jack , Doloresco Fred , Monte Scott V.
Published: November 2010

Background: Although accepted as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, pharmacist value in palliative care has predominantly been evaluated by subjective methods. This study was conducted to identify factors that impact physician acceptance of the pharmacist’s recommendation and to determine whether acceptance is a significant predictor of clinical outcome. Methods: As a mandated in-house quality assurance project at Niagara Hospice, Inc, 2 clinical pharmacists tracked each request for pharmacotherapeutic intervention over a 4-month period (April-July 2009). Through retrospective examination of clinical notes, each intervention was reviewed to determine age, gender, death date, presenting symptom, recommending pharmacist, recommendation type, recommendation status (accepted vs declined), and clinical outcome (achieved vs not achieved). Results: Overall, 89.4% of recommendations were accepted, and 79.9% of patients achieved the desired clinical outcome. With the exception of delirium as a presenting symptom (75% accepted vs 90.8% all other symptoms accepted; P = .02), no significant associations were identified between any variable and recommendation acceptance. Multivariate analysis revealed acceptance of the pharmacist’s recommendation (OR, 19.0; 95% CI, 7.10-50.93; P < .001), the recommending pharmacist (resident, OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.18-5.12; P = .02), and closer proximity to death (day 0-30, OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.16-6.70; P = .02) to be significant predictors of achieving the desired clinical outcome. Conclusion: None of the included variables significantly influenced the physician’s decision to accept or decline the pharmacist’s recommendation. Acceptance of the pharmacist’s recommendation was significantly associated with the strongest predictor of the patient achieving the desired clinical outcome.
Effects in Rats of Maternal Exposure to Raspberry Leaf and Its Constituents on the Activity of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in the Offspring
Authors: Makaji Emilija , Ho Shirley H. Y. , Holloway Alison C. , Crankshaw Denis J.
Published: November 2010

The goal of our study was to determine whether maternal exposure to red raspberry leaf (RRL) and its constituents can permanently alter biotransformation of fluorogenic substrates by cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the livers of male and female offspring. Nulliparous female rats received vehicle, raspberry leaf, kaempferol, quercetin, or ellagic acid orally once breeding had been confirmed until parturition. Hepatic microsomes were prepared from animals at birth (postnatal day 1 [PND1]), weaning (PND21), PND65, and PND120 to determine the biotransformation of 8 fluorogenic substrates. The pattern of biotransformation of all but 2 of the substrates was gender specific. Maternal consumption of RRL increased biotransformation of 3 substrates by female offspring at PND120 resulting in a more masculine profile. Kaempferol and quercetin had a similar effect to RRL. These results suggest that maternal consumption of either RRL or some of its constituents leads to long-term alterations of CYP activity in female offspring.
Behavioural and physiological responses to the emotional and taboo Stroop tasks in native and non-native speakers of English
Authors: Eilola Tiina M. , Havelka Jelena
Published: November 2010

Skin conductance levels (SCLs) of native and non-native English speakers were measured during emotional and taboo Stroop tasks. Significantly slower response times to negative and taboo words when compared to neutral words were found in both groups of participants, but positive words were not found to differ significantly from neutral words. No differences between native and non-native speakers in their behavioural responses were present: the pattern of interference from negative and taboo words was found to be identical in L1 and L2. SCLs, however, did reveal differences between the native and non-native participants: native English speakers responded with significantly higher SCLs to negative and taboo words when compared with neutral and positive words. This difference was not observed in non-native speakers, although there was a trend for taboo words to elicit greater SCLs than positive words. This suggests that, although the two groups responded in a very similar manner on a behavioural level, the level of arousal produced by the negative and taboo words for native English speakers was greater than that for non-native speakers.
Numerical Simulation and In Situ Investigation of Fine Particle Dispersion in an Actual Deep Street Canyon in Hong Kong
Authors: Zhang Yun-Wei , Gu Zhao-Lin , Lee Shun-Cheng , Fu Tzung-May , Ho Kin-Fai
Published: November 2010

This paper reports a computational fluid dynamics simulation of airflow and fine particle (PM2.5) dispersion in the street canyon in Hong Kong, using large eddy simulation. An aspect ratio (AR) of 2.7 and a Reynolds number of 5 × 106 with a one main vortex, were used. This study focused mainly on the vehicle-induced momentum source and PM2.5 concentrations were measured at 10 altitudes near the leeward wall in the street canyon, to provide high resolution measurements for model validation. The simulated PM2.5 concentrations agreed well with the measurements, (R = 0.85). The concentration was higher at the lower part near the leeward wall than the upper part. Higher concentration was found near the roof level. A near-uniform vertical dispersion of PM 2.5 near the windward wall was demonstrated; and the average concentrations were lower than found near the leeward wall. The intermittent escape of the PM2.5 above the canyon at the roof level occurred mainly at the centre and near windward wall areas. The results demonstrated that a reduction in the AR can be conducive to pollutant dispersion in street canyon planning. The findings of this research would inform building designers to formulate effective strategies such as positioning of ventilation air intake, for the control of ingress of PM2.5 into building environments.
A Field Survey of Occupancy and Air-Conditioner Use Patterns in Open Plan Offices
Authors: Geun Young Yun  , Hyo Joo Kong  , Jeong Tai Kim
Published: November 2010

This paper reports the survey results from a field monitoring study of office occupancy and air-conditioner use pattern of an office building in Seoul, Korea, from 20 July to 29 September 2009. The survey has an aim to reveal the relationship between the indoor environment conditions and occupancy; and the use patterns of air-conditioners and energy consumption in offices. The results showed that the average occupied time of the investigated offices was 15.48 h per day for normal weekdays, which was longer than expected occupancy schedules assumed for offices for the design prediction of building energy consumption. This study also presents the hourly profiles of air-conditioner use and evaluates the effect of longer occupancy period on energy consumption for air cooling in open-plan offices in Korea. The findings of this study could contribute to inform building energy simulation based on realistic office occupancy profile provided by the survey, which would therefore inform better operation of air-conditioners and more efficient use of energy in building management.