bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The economics of alcohol
Authors: LEHTO JUHANI
Published: January 2006

The use of economic arguments with regard to four aspects of alcohol policy is described and discussed. The first aspect is the impact of a potential reduction in alcohol consumption on employment by alcohol production and trade. It is shown that employment is quite independent of the level of consumption. The second aspect is the opportunity for serving the public health and state finance interests at the same time by developing alcohol taxation. The third aspect is the relationship between the public revenue from alcohol and the public costs for alcohol‐related problems. A “polluter pays” principle with regard to alcohol would mean higher taxation of alcoholic beverages. The fourth aspect is the need for cost‐effectiveness analyses to support the choices by the decision makers between different alcohol policy options. It is concluded that such analyses could have impact on the priorities in public health policy on alcohol.
Regulating unregulated markets
Authors: ŚWIĄTKIEWICZ GRAŻAYNA
Published: January 2006

Ongoing political and economic changes in the ex‐socialist countries have proved to be very expensive socially. The sudden transition from a centrally planned to a market economy had led to an increase of social problems. One commonly observed danger is the rapid increase in alcohol consumption. The rates of total alcohol consumption are particularly high in those countries where spirit consumption dominates. Considerable pressure is being applied to liberate the alcohol market from all restrictions. Inadequate legislation in the new economic situation, modifications in value systems, and the general rejection of all legislative solutions developed under the previous regime have created a climate conducive to the development of an unregulated alcohol market. State administrations have lost control of the alcohol market. Previous data on consumption have ceased to be reliable sources of information. The dynamic increase in alcohol‐related problems is dangerous for public health. If this situation is to be corrected, the first step must be regulation of the alcohol market.
Situational norms for drinking and drunkenness: trends in the US adult population, 1979–1990
Authors: GREENFIELD THOMAS K. , ROOM ROBIN
Published: January 2006

Drinking depends on time, place, situation and personal characteristics. Patterns and trends in situational drinking norms (subjective levels of acceptable consumption for various situations) for US adults are reported. Results are based on eight comparable normative questions from national household surveys conducted in 1979 (n = 1772), 1984 (n = 5221 including Hispanic and black oversamples) and 1990 (n = 2058). Across years and population subgroups, a correspondence in ordering of situations on acceptability of drinking and of drunkenness was found. There were contrasting secular trends in the acceptability of drunkenness in different situations: drinking “enough to feel the effects” became more acceptable when at home but less acceptable in several other situations, particularly for men at a bar. For a decreasing percentage of respondents of both genders, it remains more acceptable for men than women to drink in bars, but gender norms in such “wetter” situations were converging by 1990. Men remain more accepting of drinking (but not drunkenness) for “dryer” situations such as when driving, but the trend is towards reduced acceptance. Multiple regression models predicting “acceptance of drinking” and “acceptance of drunkenness” scores showed fair stability in explanatory variables over time, with drinking level and conservative Protestant affiliation (drinking) or age (drunkenness) the major contributors.
Life‐time problem drinking and psychiatric co‐morbidity among Ontario women1
Authors: ROSS HELEN , SHIRLEY MARIELA
Published: January 2006

Women problem drinkers in the community, aged 15–64 years, with and without life‐time psychiatric co‐morbidity were compared to examine the association of this co‐morbidity with alcohol consumption patterns, course and chronicity of problem drinking, treatment service utilization and other substance use and misuse. The women problem drinkers were also compared with non‐problem drinkers on substance use patterns and utilization of services. The study employs data from the Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario Health Survey, a province‐wide household population study. The University of Michigan Composite International Diagnostic Interview (UM‐CIDI) was administered by trained lay interviewers and subsequently World Health Organization computer algorithms were used to generate DSM‐IH‐R diagnoses based on the interview responses. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that psychiatric co‐morbidity was associated with less education, earlier onset of problem drinking and one indicator of binge drinking. Co‐morbidity also greatly increased the chances of women problem drinkers having sought mental health treatment. Women problem drinkers were significantly younger (about 7 years) than other women in the general population, perhaps an indicator of an increased mortality rate.
Tobacco research funded by the tobacco industry‐an ethical conflict
Authors: Bolinder Gunilla
Published: January 2006

What moral misgivings may arise in connection with the financing of research? Does the source of the funds for a research project matter? Tobacco exemplifies this problem well. Tobacco smoking is the largest single cause of illness and premature death in the industrialized world, but the tobacco industry is also one of its most profitable commercial undertakings. Decades of increasing scientific evidence for the harmfulness of smoking have increased the moral pressure on manufacturers. Good relations with the scientific community is a desirable way to demonstrate the legitimacy of their operations. Medical researchers should act in accordance with the classical ethical principles of medicine; autonomy, doing good, justice and doing no harm. The activities of the tobacco manufacturing companies are not in accordance with these principles. Every medical researcher or physician who uses funding from the tobacco companies cannot escape the fact of lending his or her name to the manufacture of a lethal product.
Protecting the interests of participants in research into illicit drug use: two case studies
Authors: Loxley Wendy , Hawks David , Bevan Jude
Published: January 2006

This paper addresses the conflict between the ethical and legal responsibilities of researchers engaged in illicit drug use research. Fundamentally, the primary ethical responsibility is to protect research subjects from any harm which may come to them as a consequence of having taken part in the research. Legal responsibilities, however, might lie in assisting police with their enquiries into the conduct of an individual who is a research subject, and allowing research data to be searched and possibly used in evidence against the individual. There is no Western Australian legislation which protects research, nor Australian legislation which can be applied to most studies. Using two case studies, we give examples of the conflict and suggest that legislation may be the most effective way to overcome it. However, we also raise a number of issues which would need to be considered before solutions are enacted.
Ethical, scientific and clinical issues in ethanol administration research involving alcoholics as human subjects
Authors: Dolinsky Zelig S. , Babor Thomas F.
Published: January 2006

Research involving the administration of ethanol to human subjects has been conducted with some regularity since the 1960s. The purpose of this paper is to provide a broader discussion of the ethical and clinical issues pertaining to the administration of ethanol to subjects with a history of alcohol dependence and to assess the potential benefits and risks of ethanol administration research. Three kinds of investigation are reviewed: (1) basic scientific research on alcohol dependence and related disabilities; (2) clinical research that involves ethanol administration as part of the treatment; and (3) studies that have evaluated the short‐ and long‐term effects of ethanol administration on the health and wellbeing of alcoholic research participants. It is concluded that ethanol administration research has not only contributed to the fund of knowledge about basic mechanisms of alcohol dependence; it has also advanced the scientific understanding of treatment. Moreover there is no compelling evidence that participation in ethanol administration research per se has adverse effects on alcoholic research subjects. In the interests of developing a practical approach to the ethical dilemmas posed by ethanol administration research, an ethical review process is suggested that takes into account the principles of respect for people, beneficence, and justice by tailoring the risk/benefit analysis to four types of research subjects: alcoholics recruited directly from the community, subjects recruited from residential treatment settings, recovering alcoholics, and alcoholics in outpatient treatment.
The new public health: nanny in a new hat?
Authors: Hawks David
Published: January 2006

It has been suggested that the new public health is but nannyism in a different guise and that its advocates are the equivalents of health fascists. It will be argued that a form of paternalism (or maternalism) has always been inherent in public health and that to treat illness as if it was wholly a personal possession is to abdicate the government's responsibility for ensuring a healthy environment.
Substance abuse and maternity: the United States as a case study
Authors: Chavkin Wendy , Breitbart Vicki
Published: January 2006

Two themes pervade the issue of women and addiction in the United States: anger and blame directed at women who use alcohol and other drugs; and neglect and a consequent lack of appropriate treatment. Often the focus is on the addicted pregnant woman and the debate posits a woman's right to autonomy and privacy in opposition to the future child's right to be born free from harm. Others emphasize the tension between blaming individuals and holding the state accountable for provision of services. These conflicts have impeded the diagnosis of women with substance abuse problems, the availability of services and women's access to appropriate care.
Heterogeneity in lipopolysaccharide responsiveness of endothelial cells identified by gene expression profiling: role of transcription factors
Authors: Beck G C , Rafat N , Brinkkoetter P , Hanusch C , Schulte J , Haak M , Van Ackern K , Van Der Woude F J , Yard B A
Published: January 2006

Interindividual differences of endothelial cells in response to endotoxins might contribute to the diversity in clinical outcome among septic patients. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that endothelial cells (EC) with high and low proinflammatory potential exist and to dissect the molecular basis underlying this phenomenon. Thirty human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) lines were stimulated for 24 h with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and screened for interleukin (IL)-8 production. Based on IL-8 production five low and five high producers, tentatively called types I and II responders, respectively, were selected for genome-wide gene expression profiling. From the 74 genes that were modulated by LPS in all type II responders, 33 genes were not influenced in type I responders. Among the 41 genes that were increased in both responders, 17 were expressed significantly stronger in type II responders. Apart from IL-8, significant differences in the expression of proinflammatory related genes between types I and II responders were found for adhesion molecules [intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), E-selectin)], chemokines [monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), granulocyte chemotactic protein (GCP-2)], cytokines (IL-6) and the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-delta (C/EBP-δ). Type I responders also displayed a low response towards tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In general, maximal activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was achieved in type I responders at higher concentrations of LPS compared to type II responders. In the present study we demonstrate that LPS-mediated gene expression differs quantitatively and qualitatively in types I and II responders. Our results suggest a pivotal role for common transcription factors as a low inflammatory response was also observed after TNF-α stimulation. Further studies are required to elucidate the relevance of these findings in terms of clinical outcome in septic patients.
Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 polymorphisms are associated with a chronic course of sarcoidosis
Authors: Pabst S , Baumgarten G , Stremmel A , Lennarz M , Knüfermann P , Gillissen A , Vetter H , Grohé C
Published: January 2006

The aetiology of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory granulomatous multi-system disorder, is unclear. It is thought to be the product of an unknown exogenous antigenic stimulus and an endogenous genetic susceptibility. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are signal molecules essential for the cellular response to bacterial cell wall components. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), for example, binds to TLR 4. Two different polymorphisms for the TLR4 gene (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) have been described recently. This leads to a change in the extracellular matrix function of TLR4 and to impaired LPS signal transduction. We genotyped a total of 141 Caucasian patients with sarcoidosis and 141 healthy unrelated controls for the Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in the TLR4 gene. The mutations were identified with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Among sarcoidosis patients the prevalence for each Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile mutant allele was 15·6% (22/141). In the control group the prevalence was 5·67% (8/141) (P = 0·07). In the subgroup of patients with acute sarcoidosis there was no difference in the control group (P = 0·93), but there was a highly significant association between patients with a chronic course of sarcoidosis and TLR4 gene polymorphisms (P = 0·01).
Patterns of endemism in south‐eastern Pacific benthic polychaetes of the Chilean coast
Authors: Moreno Rodrigo A. , Hernández Cristián E. , Rivadeneira Marcelo M. , Vidal Marcela A. , Rozbaczylo Nicolás
Published: January 2006

Aim  In this study we evaluate patterns of endemism for benthic polychaete species along the southeastern Pacific coast of Chile. Our goals were (1) to describe latitudinal gradients of endemism and identify areas of high endemism, (2) to evaluate the effect of biogeographical limits on endemism patterns, and (3) to evaluate indirectly the role played by evolutionary dynamics on patterns of endemism.

Location  South‐eastern Pacific coast of Chile, ranging from Arica (18° S) to Cape Horn (56° S).

Methods  We used a list of 178 species of endemic, shallow benthic polychaetes to evaluate patterns of endemism. Parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and the endemism index (EI) were used to evaluate hierarchical relationships of endemism between different latitudinal bands, and to identify areas with high degrees of endemism and differences in endemism. We evaluated the effect of biogeographical limits on endemic polychaete fauna by testing for the existence of geometric constraints (mid‐domain effect). The role of evolutionary dynamics on latitudinal patterns of endemism was evaluated with nestedness analysis (NA) using the temperature index.

Results  The PAE analysis indicated two large, separate areas of endemism: (1) the northern area between 18° S and 38° S, and (2) the southern area between 39° S and 56° S. The endemism index showed a maximum value (32 species) around 39°–41° S. Species‐richness curves of each 3° band of latitude showed a clear mid‐domain effect (69%), but the two maximum points of species richness at mid‐latitudes (36° S to 38° S and 39° S to 41° S) did not correspond to the mid‐domain peak in species richness, presenting a greater number of species than expected by the mid‐domain effect. The nestedness analysis showed that the number of genera reaches a maximum of 70 at mid‐latitudes (36°–41° S), decreasing towards both the northern and southern areas. The spatial distribution of the entire data set of endemic species showed a nested pattern (T° = 24.5°, P < 0.0001).

Main conclusions  Our results strongly support the existence of a latitudinal gradient of endemism for benthic polychaete species along the Chilean coast. The shape of this gradient is clearly non‐linear, with a marked peak of endemism occurring at mid‐latitudes (36°–41° S, endemism hotspot), which also corresponds to a peak in species richness. Furthermore, this hotspot is the midpoint separating two distinct areas of endemism to the north and south. We suggest that the observed pattern of endemism for benthic polychaete taxa of the Chilean coast can be explained by a combination of geometric constraints and historical mechanisms, such as the processes that affected the Chilean coast during the Neogene (e.g. ENSO, oxygen minimum zone, glaciations).
Evidence of enhanced bacterial invasion during Diplostomum spathaceum infection in European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (L.)
Authors: Pylkkö P , Suomalainen L‐R , Tiirola M , Valtonen E Tellervo
Published: January 2006

Farmed grayling, Thymallus thymallus (L.), are susceptible to atypical Aeromonas salmonicida (aAS) infections. Interactions between bacteria and parasites were studied using grayling subjected to concomitant exposure to aAS bacteria and the digenean parasite Diplostomum spathaceum. Atypical AS was detected from fish by a combination of bacterial cultivation and polymerase chain reaction techniques. A detection level of 17 aAS cells per 100 mg intestine tissue sample was obtained. Concomitant bacterial exposure did not enhance the severity of grayling eye rupture and nuclear extrusion induced by D. spathaceum, but D. spathaceum invasion into grayling increased the proportion of fish carrying aAS in their heart tissue. However, the number of aAS cells detected in heart tissue was low. Atypical AS did not cause acute disease or mortality during 15 days post‐exposure. There was a higher prevalence of aAS in grayling heart samples than in intestinal samples, indicating that the intestine is not favoured by aAS. We suggest that heart tissue would be a good organ from which to isolate aAS when tracing latent carrier fish. We conclude that penetrating diplostomids can enhance bacterial infections in fish and that diplostomids can cause serious eye ruptures in grayling.
‘Taking off the suit’: engaging the community in primary health care decision‐making
Authors: Anderson Elizabeth , Shepherd Michael , Salisbury Chris
Published: January 2006

Objective  To explore the process of public involvement in planning primary health care.

Background  Recent policy in the UK promotes public involvement in planning health but there have been difficulties in engaging communities in the process. Surveys of health service organizations have found that there has been a failure to adapt to new approaches. It has become important to understand why this has occurred if policy initiatives to encourage involvement are to succeed.

Design  Qualitative study. Data collected through individual interviews and focus groups.

Setting  Two new primary healthcare developments in deprived areas in Bristol and Weston‐Super‐Mare.

Participants  Thirty‐six professionals and 23 local residents in Bristol; six professionals and three local residents in Weston‐Super‐Mare.

Results  Three themes were identified: process, partnership and power. The main findings were that exceptional people with a shared commitment to public involvement were necessary to motivate others and develop partnerships. Local people were drawn into the process and with increased confidence became powerful advocates for their community. Creative and varied methods to involve the public were important in achieving balance between professionals and lay people. However, conflicts over practical decisions arose from a lack of clarity over who had power to influence decisions.

Conclusion  Most of the participants were enthusiastic about their experience of public involvement in planning primary health care. Features crucial to sustainable involvement included a commitment from leaders within statutory agencies, support over a long period to build the confidence of local people, willingness to use informal approaches that are in tune with local culture, and a recognition of the concerns of both service users and providers.
Cellulolytic activity and virulence of Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo‐ulmi isolates
Authors: Przybył K. , Dahm H. , Ciesielska A. , Moliński K.
Published: January 2006

The cellulolytic activity (exoglucanase, endoglucanase and β‐glucosidase) of Ophiostoma ulmi (four isolates), O. novo‐ulmi (19 isolates) and ‘fast‐waxy’ (five isolates) was determined in growth media containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and cellulose powder. Differences in enzyme activities were observed among isolates, irrespective of the species and substrate used. Inoculation experiments on Ulmus minor with randomly selected isolates of O. ulmi (two isolates), O. novo‐ulmi (five isolates) and ‘fast‐waxy’ (two isolates) were also performed. Disease was assessed as the percentage of leaves showing yellowing and browning. Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi and ‘fast‐waxy’ isolates exhibited a great variability in their capacities to cause the disease. In the presence of CMC, a significant correlation between the activity of exoglucanase and β‐glucosidase in vitro and virulence was found.
Differential induction of adrenomedullin, interleukins and tumour necrosis factor‐αby lipopolysaccharide in rat tissues in vivo
Authors: Li Yuk‐Yin , Wong Louisa Yf , Cheung Bernard My , Hwang Isabel Ss , Tang Fai
Published: January 2006

1. The aim of the present study was to determine the temporal changes in tissue adrenomedullin (AM) and cytokine contents and cytokine and preproAM mRNA levels in the kidney, liver, adrenal gland and spleen of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated rats.

2. Rats were injected with LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Radioimmunoassay and solution hybridization–RNase protection assays were used to follow the changes in AM and its mRNA levels, respectively; ELISA and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction were used to follow the changes in cytokines and their mRNA levels, respectively.

3. In the kidney, the preproAM mRNA levels were increased 1 and 3 h after LPS treatment, whereas AM levels were decreased at 3 h. Interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β levels were increased at 3 and 6 h, respectively.

4. The preproAM mRNA levels were elevated in the liver 3 h after LPS injection. Concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and IL‐1β were increased at l and 6 h, respectively.

5. There were no changes in the levels of either preproAM mRNA or AM in the adrenal gland and the spleen. In the spleen, TNF‐α levels were elevated at 1 and 3 h after LPS injection and IL‐1β was elevated at 1 and 6 h after LPS injection, whereas in the adrenal gland IL‐1β was elevated at 6 h after injection.

6. The mRNA levels of the three cytokines were elevated at all three time intervals examined in the kidney, liver, adrenal gland and spleen, with the exception that TNF‐α mRNA was not elevated in the adrenal gland at 6 h after LPS injection and IL‐1β mRNA was not elevated in the spleen at 3 and 6 h.

7. The plasma concentrations of TNF‐α were increased at 1 and 3 h after LPS injection, whereas plasma concentration of IL‐1β and IL‐6 were elevated at 3 and 6 h for both.

8. The present results suggest that the biosynthesis and secretion of AM may be differentially regulated in various tissues of rats injected with LPS and that AM may interact with cytokines during inflammation.
The prevention of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents: a review of interventions and programmes
Authors: Doak C. M. , Visscher T. L. S. , Renders C. M. , Seidell J. C.
Published: January 2006

Overweight and obesity are serious, large‐scale, global, public health concerns requiring population‐based childhood overweight and obesity prevention. The overall objective of this review is to identify aspects of successful childhood overweight prevention programmes. This objective will be met by assessing existing interventions quantitatively as well as qualitatively, identifying efficacy, effectiveness and implementation, and evaluating potential adverse effects of previous studies. This review was limited to school‐based studies with a quantitative evaluation using anthropometric outcomes and that intervene on diet or activity‐related behaviours. Quantitative and qualitative approaches are used to identify factors related to successful interventions as well as adverse consequences. Sixty‐eight per cent of the interventions, or 17 of the 25, were ‘effective’ based on a statistically significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) or skin‐folds for the intervention group. Four interventions were effective by BMI as well as skin‐fold measures. Of these, two targeted reductions in television viewing. The remaining two studies targeted direct physical activity intervention through the physical education programme combined with nutrition education. Of the interventions reported here, one was effective in reducing childhood overweight but was also associated with an increase in underweight prevalence. Few other studies reported outcomes for underweight. The majority of overweight/obesity prevention programmes included in this review were effective. Physical education in schools and reducing television viewing are two examples of interventions that have been successful. Because few studies report on underweight prevalence, this review recommends giving more attention to preventing adverse outcomes by reporting the intervention impact on the frequency distribution for both BMI and adiposity measures.
A Bayesian Method of Sample Size Determination with Practical Applications
Authors: Sahu S. K. , Smith T. M. F.
Published: January 2006

The problem motivating the paper is the determination of sample size in clinical trials under normal likelihoods and at the substantive testing stage of a financial audit where normality is not an appropriate assumption. A combination of analytical and simulation-based techniques within the Bayesian framework is proposed. The framework accommodates two different prior distributions: one is the general purpose fitting prior distribution that is used in Bayesian analysis and the other is the expert subjective prior distribution, the sampling prior which is believed to generate the parameter values which in turn generate the data. We obtain many theoretical results and one key result is that typical non-informative prior distributions lead to very small sample sizes. In contrast, a very informative prior distribution may either lead to a very small or a very large sample size depending on the location of the centre of the prior distribution and the hypothesized value of the parameter. The methods that are developed are quite general and can be applied to other sample size determination problems. Some numerical illustrations which bring out many other aspects of the optimum sample size are given.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in red‐flanked bushrobin, Tarsiger cyanurus (Aves: Turdidae)
Authors: SATIO D. S. , MORIMOTO G. , FUKUNAGA A. , UEDA K.
Published: January 2006

Microsatellite markers were isolated from red‐flanked bushrobin, Tarsiger cyanurus, for parentage analysis. From an enriched genomic library using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) method, six polymorphic loci were obtained. Seven to 21 alleles were identified in an analysis of 19 red‐flanked bushrobin, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.842 to 1.00. All loci showed Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and linkage equilibrium. Total exclusion probability using six loci was 0.998 for neither parent known, and 0.999 for one parent known. We also tested the utility of these loci on four species of Turdidae. Although one of the loci failed to amplify in any species, the other primers successfully amplified in at least two of the species we tested.
Using the theory of constraints thinking processes to complement system dynamics' causal loop diagrams in developing fundamental solutions
Authors: Mabin Victoria J. , Davies John , Cox James F.
Published: January 2006

Standard OR/MS methods mainly focus on ‘hard’ aspects of problems represented by quantitative or mathematical formulations. Organisational settings typically pose challenges in the use of such methods, in that they may be inadequate to capture the ‘softer’ issues surrounding human behaviours, organisational practices and policies. Over the last 20 years, a number of ‘soft OR’ tools, methods and methodologies have emerged as a means of addressing such challenges, and in this paper, we selectively examine how such methodologies can complement hard and other soft methods. In particular, we examine the potential contribution of the theory of constraints (TOC) and system dynamics (SD) to multi‐methodological intervention. We begin by discussing their philosophical underpinnings in relation to other OR/MS methods, and by exploring how such an understanding can provide a theoretical basis for mixing methodologies and for their complementary use. Then, using a case suitable for classroom discussion, the paper provides insights into how the systemic qualities of selected TOC methods and tools may be harnessed in multi‐methodological intervention by identifying the communality and complementarity of TOC and other hard and soft OR/MS approaches to problem solving, in particular, the causal loop diagramming method of SD.
Sayyids and Shar?fs in the Ottoman State: On the Borders of the True and the False
Authors: Kılıc Ruya
Published: January 2006

Although influenced by various cultures, the Ottoman State was quite definitely located within the sphere of Islamic civilization. The Islamic heritage, which made itself felt very largely in administrative, political and cultural life, was also manifested in the Ottoman social fabric. Undoubtedly, the most remarkable examples of this heritage consisted in the sayyids and shar?fs, for in Ottoman society, the fraternity formed by the sayyids and shar?fs occupied a very special place in the Islamic social tradition. In seeking an answer to the question of how people came to be sayyids and shar?fs in the Ottoman State, we shall also discuss the limits of the status of sayyid and müteseyyid (the false claimants to descent from the Prophet).
NIMBY and the Civic Good
Authors: Gibson Timothy A.
Published: January 2006

Policy scholars dedicated to efficient urban and industrial planning have long tried to understand the “NIMBY syndrome” in order to overcome local resistance to controversial land uses. However, environmental policy scholars have begun to rethink the NIMBY syndrome, arguing that the concept is authority‐centered and reduces land‐use disputes to a moral struggle between rational/civic‐minded planners and irrational/self‐interested opponents. After describing a struggle over locating homeless services in Seattle, this paper extends this larger critique to disputes over human service facilities and argues that the NIMBY syndrome framework fails to capture the political and ethical complexities of locating human services. A conclusion examines how critical sociologists can still critique imbalances of political–economic power in the planning process without deploying the NIMBY syndrome nomenclature.
Concordance Between an Electroanatomic Mapping System and Cardiac MRI in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: ROUX JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , DUBUC MARC , PRESSACCO JOSEPHINE , ROY DENIS , THIBAULT BERNARD , TALAJIC MARIO , GUERRA PETER G. , MACLE LAURENT , KHAIRY PAUL
Published: January 2006

A 29‐year‐old man presenting with syncopal ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) cardiomyopathy. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an unequivocal dyskinetic segment at the basal portion of the RV lateral free wall. Three‐dimensional electroanatomic voltage mapping using the EnSite NavX™ system recorded a low voltage area corresponding to the diseased portion of the right ventricle identified by MRI. This report describes concordance between cardiac MRI and this novel mapping system in arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy.
Power Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in HIV‐Infected and AIDS Patients
Authors: CORREIA DALMO , RODRIGUES DE RESENDE LUIZ ANTONIO PERTILLI , MOLINA RODRIGO JULIANO , FERREIRA BRUNO DORIGUETTO COUTO , COLOMBARI FERNANDO , BARBOSA CARLOS JOSÉ DORNAS G. , DA SILVA VALDO JOSÉ DIAS , PRATA ALUÍZIO
Published: January 2006

Background: In HIV‐infected patients the risks for cardiovascular disease are multifactorial. Autonomic dysfunction has been detected in the early phase of HIV infection as well as in AIDS patients with advanced cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Forty AIDS patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), 40 HIV+ naïve of HAART, and 40 control subjects were studied. Computerized analysis of heart rate variability was performed using an analog to digital converter. R‐R intervals were obtained from a standard ECG, recorded in DII lead in supine rest and after the cold‐face and tilt tests. The series of R‐R intervals were assessed in time and frequency domains using an autoregressive algorithm.

Results: There was no difference regarding to mean values of R‐R intervals and variance in baseline. The normalized power of the low‐frequency (LF) component and the low‐frequency/high‐frequency (HF) ratio (LF/HF) was significantly decreased in the HIV group. Responses of normalized HF and LF/HF ratio during the cold‐face test were significantly decreased in the HIV group, as compared to the control. During the tilt test, a higher augmentation of normalized LF and the LF/HF ratio was observed in the HIV group compared with the control. The AIDS group was similar to the control in baseline and after cold‐face and tilt tests.

Conclusion: The HIV group presented in baseline conditions, a shift of cardiac sympathovagal balance, an exacerbated response of the LF component during the tilt test, and an ineffective cardiac vagal response to the cold‐face test suggesting sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. AIDS patients receiving HAART did not present these autonomic alterations.
Variability in Infection Efficiency In Vitro of Different Strains of the Microsporidian Encephalitozoon hellem
Authors: HARO MARÍA , DEL ÁGUILA CARMEN , FENOY SOLEDAD , HENRIQUES‐GIL NUNO
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT. The infection efficiency of different strains of Encephalitozoon hellem of human origin was tested in Vero E6 cell cultures, scoring the number of infection foci (NIF) after 9, 14, 20, and 24 days of inoculation. The results revealed a strong interaction of the strain type with time: different strains showed different proliferative dynamics. Number of infection foci was lower on the first sampling day for CDC:V257, EHVS‐96, and PV6‐96, with a subsequent increase at a higher rate for the first strain and lower for the latter. In contrast, PV7‐96 showed the highest NIF at the first sampling, followed by a slight decrease. Since these strains were selected by their genotype for the polar tube protein (PTP)—1A, 1B, 1C, and 2C, respectively, it is tempting to suggest a major role of this protein in the differences detected, although the influence of other genes that hypothetically may also differ among the strains employed cannot be discarded. The different in vitro infection efficiencies raise the possibility that some strains of E. hellem will also produce more aggressive features in infected patients.
Elimination of Grain Boundary Glass in α‐Sialon by Adding Aluminium Nitride
Authors: Shuba Roman , Chen I‐Wei
Published: January 2006

The elimination of residual glass in hot‐pressed Y‐α‐SiAlON was demonstrated by varying the nitride composition. This was readily achieved by adding excess aluminium nitride (AlN), while the addition of excess Si3N4 had little effect. The amount of excess AlN required for this purpose increased with increasing Al and O content in α‐SiAlON, and was higher if α‐SiAlON contained larger interstitial cations. These results were explained by the thermodynamics of α‐SiAlON precipitation. The elimination of liquid also led to suppressed grain growth, refined microstructure, and improved oxidation resistance. Grain coarsening by post‐sintering annealing was required to obtain high fracture toughness.
Protection of skin biological targets by different types of sunscreens
Authors: Fourtanier A. , Bernerd F. , Bouillon C. , Marrot L. , Moyal D. , Seité S.
Published: January 2006

In vitro and in vivo studies provide a body of evidence that adequate protection of the skin against ultraviolet (UV)‐induced damage requires photostable broad‐spectrum sunscreens with a proper level of UVA protection. UVA alone and UV solar simulated radiation (SSR) induce DNA lesions in keratinocytes and melanocytes as reflected by the comet assay and p53 accumulation. UVA and SSR impair the immune system as shown by significant alteration of Langerhans cells and inhibition of contact hypersensitivity response to chemical allergens and delayed‐type hypersensitivity response to recall antigens. Any of these detrimental effects is more efficiently prevented by sunscreens with a higher level of protection in the UVA range. The involvement of UVA (fibroblast alteration, increased metalloproteinase expression) and the pivotal need for well‐balanced UVA/UVB sunscreens were further demonstrated using reconstructed three‐dimensional skin models.
Photoprotection in teenagers
Authors: El Sayed Fouad , Ammoury Alfred , Nakhle Fouad , Dhaybi Rola , Marguery Marie‐Claude
Published: January 2006

Background: It is very common to apply a ‘template photoprotection’ without taking into consideration the background of a specific population. In Lebanon, so far, no preliminary survey has been conducted before launching an educational photoprotection campaign, revealing the need of the people according to their background.

Materials and methods: In April 2004, a specific questionnaire was administered to 940 adolescents, aged from 14 to 18 years. The questionnaire comprised 18 multiple‐choice questions that established the approximate phototype of teenagers, awareness of ultraviolet (UV) hazard, presence of sufficient information regarding the risk of sun exposure (school, doctor, media) and the use of measures of photoprotection (clothes, sunscreens).

Results: The incidence of sunburn in teenagers was high (85.42%) despite their awareness of the risks of unprotected sun exposure. The information regarding sun damage seems to be insufficiently delivered at school and by doctors. The main source of information was television. It was obvious that our adolescents underestimated the value of clothing to protect themselves. The use of clothing comes at the second place after sunscreens. However, the application of sunscreen seems to be inadequate.

Conclusions: While solar protection has become part of routine beach behavior for adolescents, there is room for improvement with better application of sunscreen and more use of clothing, especially wearing hats, and seeking shade. However, it is difficult to appreciate the impact of publicity campaigns on the risks of sun exposure in reducing the incidence of melanoma.
Effect of hip protectors in residential aged care settings
Authors: Swerissen Hal , DenneKamp Martine
Published: January 2006

Objective:  This study investigated the implementing of hip protectors for people considered at increased risk of fracturing their neck of femur (hip) in public sector residential aged and acute care facilities.

Methods:  Twelve public sector residential aged care facilities in Victoria participated in this intervention. Data were collected before and after a 6 month intervention with pre‐ and postintervention questionnaires.

Results:  Results show that wearing hip protectors reduces the risk of fracture to the neck of femur or pelvis in residential aged and acute care facilities.

Discussion:  Hip protectors are a potentially cost‐effective intervention to reduce the incidence of fractures. Further research on the effectiveness of falls risk assessment tools is required.
Measuring mobility in frail older people: reliability and validity of the Physical Mobility Scale
Authors: Nitz Jennifer C , Hourigan Susan R , Brown Annette
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  The study was designed to show the validity and reliability of scoring the Physical Mobility Scale (PMS). PMS was developed by physiotherapists working in residential aged care to specifically show resident functional mobility and to provide information regarding each resident's need for supervision or assistance from one or two staff members and equipment during position changes, transfers, mobilising and personal care.

Methods:  Nineteen physiotherapists of varying backgrounds and experience scored the performances of nine residents of care facilities from video recordings. The performances were compared to scores on two ‘gold standard’ assessment tools. Four of the physiotherapists repeated the evaluations.

Results:  The PMS showed excellent content validity and reliability.

Conclusions:  The PMS provides graded performance of physical mobility, including level of dependency on staff and equipment. This is a major advantage over existing functional assessment tools. There is no need for specific training for physiotherapists to use the tool.
The effects of water exercise on physical functioning in older people
Authors: Lord Stephen R , Matters Beth , St George Rebecca , Thomas Margaret , Bindon Jeni , Chan Daniel KamYin , Collings Anne , Haren Loraine
Published: January 2006

Objective:  To determine whether a 22 week water exercise program can improve physical functioning in older people.

Methods:  The controlled study was conducted with 85 water exercise subjects (mean age 71.8 years) and 44 controls (mean age 76.5 years). The outcome measures were leaning balance, quadriceps strength, reaction time and shoulder range of motion.

Results:  At baseline, the groups were well‐matched across most demographic, health and physical performance measures. At retest, the 48 exercise subjects who were available for retest showed significantly improved leaning balance (as measured by tests of maximal balance range and coordinated stability) and shoulder range of motion compared with the controls. The groups did not differ in tests of quadriceps strength and reaction time.

Conclusions:  These findings show that water exercise can produce benefits with regard to improving balance and flexibility in older people.
Promoting healthy ageing for those over 65 with the health check log: a pilot study
Authors: Sheriff June N , Chenoweth Lynn
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  To determine the effectiveness of the health check log (HCL) in promoting health awareness, health monitoring skills and timely consultation with health professionals for persons aged 65 years and over.

Methods:  Thirty‐five men and women aged 65 years and over volunteered to record the HCL for 12 months, participated in regular telephone interviews to discuss recordings and attended focus group discussions at the conclusion of the pilot.

Results:  The HCL raised participants’ awareness of less tangible aspects of health, revealed gaps in their health knowledge base, improved self‐assessment and prompted consultation for several physiological and a few psychosocial health concerns.

Conclusion:  When follow‐up support was provided, the HCL proved to be a useful health promotion activity for participants aged 65 years and over.
α‐Tocopherol and α‐Lipoic Acid Enhance the Erythrocyte Antioxidant Defence in Cyclosporine A‐Treated Rats
Authors: Lexis Louise A. , Fassett Robert G. , Coombes Jeff S.
Published: January 2006

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation with α‐tocopherol and α‐lipoic acid on cyclosporine A (cyclosporine)‐induced alterations to erythrocyte and plasma redox balance. Rats were randomly assigned to either control, antioxidant (α‐tocopherol 1000 IU/kg diet and α‐lipoic acid 1.6 g/kg diet), cyclosporine (25 mg/kg/day), or cyclosporine + antioxidant treatments. Cyclosporine was administered for 7 days after an 8 week feeding period. Plasma was analysed for α‐tocopherol, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and creatinine. Erythrocytes were analysed for glutathione, methaemoglobin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, α‐tocopherol and malondialdehye. Cyclosporine administration caused a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity (P<0.05 control versus cyclosporine) and this was improved by antioxidant supplementation (P<0.05 cyclosporine versus cyclosporine + antioxidant; P<0.05 control versus cyclosporine + antioxidant). Animals receiving cyclosporine and antioxidants showed significantly increased (P<0.05) catalase activity compared to both groups not receiving cyclosporine. Cyclosporine administration induced significant increases in plasma malondialdehyde and creatinine concentration (P<0.05 control versus cyclosporine). Antioxidant supplementation prevented the cyclosporine induced increase in plasma creatinine (P<0.05 cyclosporine versus cyclosporine + antioxidant; P>0.05 control versus cyclosporine + antioxidant), however, supplementation did not alter the cyclosporine induced increase in plasma malondialdehyde concentration (P>0.05 cyclosporine versus cyclosporine + antioxidant). Antioxidant supplementation resulted in significant increases (P<0.05) in plasma and erythrocyte α‐tocopherol in both of the supplemented groups compared to non‐supplemented groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with α‐tocopherol and α‐lipoic acid enhanced the erythrocyte antioxidant defence and reduced nephrotoxicity in cyclosporine treated animals.