bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytokine Receptor CXCR4 Mediates Estrogen-Independent Tumorigenesis, Metastasis, and Resistance to Endocrine Therapy in Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Rhodes Lyndsay V. , Short Sarah P. , Neel Nicole F. , Salvo Virgilio A. , Zhu Yun , Elliott Steven , Wei Yongkun , Yu Dihua , Sun Menghong , Muir Shannon E. , Fonseca Juan P. , Bratton Melyssa R. , Segar Chris , Tilghman Syreeta L. , Sobolik-Delmaire Tammy , Horton Linda W. , Zaja-Milatovic Snjezana , Collins-Burow Bridgette M. , Wadsworth Scott , Beckman Barbara S. , Wood Charles E. , Fuqua Suzanne A. , Nephew Kenneth P. , Dent Paul , Worthylake Rebecca A. , Curiel Tyler J. , Hung Mien-Chie , Richmond Ann , Burow Matthew E.
Published: December 2010

Estrogen independence and progression to a metastatic phenotype are hallmarks of therapeutic resistance and mortality in breast cancer patients. Metastasis has been associated with chemokine signaling through the SDF-1–CXCR4 axis. Thus, the development of estrogen independence and endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer patients may be driven by SDF-1–CXCR4 signaling. Here we report that CXCR4 overexpression is indeed correlated with worse prognosis and decreased patient survival irrespective of the status of the estrogen receptor (ER). Constitutive activation of CXCR4 in poorly metastatic MCF-7 cells led to enhanced tumor growth and metastases that could be reversed by CXCR4 inhibition. CXCR4 overexpression in MCF-7 cells promoted estrogen independence in vivo, whereas exogenous SDF-1 treatment negated the inhibitory effects of treatment with the anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 on CXCR4-mediated tumor growth. The effects of CXCR4 overexpression were correlated with SDF-1–mediated activation of downstream signaling via ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) and with an enhancement of ER-mediated gene expression. Together, these results show that enhanced CXCR4 signaling is sufficient to drive ER-positive breast cancers to a metastatic and endocrine therapy-resistant phenotype via increased MAPK signaling. Our findings highlight CXCR4 signaling as a rational therapeutic target for the treatment of ER-positive, estrogen-independent breast carcinomas needing improved clinical management. Cancer Res; 71(2); 603–13. ©2010 AACR.
Integrating Conflict Detection and Attentional Control Mechanisms
Authors: Walsh Bong J. , Buonocore Michael H. , Carter Cameron S. , Mangun George R.
Published: December 2010

Human behavior involves monitoring and adjusting performance to meet established goals. Performance-monitoring systems that act by detecting conflict in stimulus and response processing have been hypothesized to influence cortical control systems to adjust and improve performance. Here we used fMRI to investigate the neural mechanisms of conflict monitoring and resolution during voluntary spatial attention. We tested the hypothesis that the ACC would be sensitive to conflict during attentional orienting and influence activity in the frontoparietal attentional control network that selectively modulates visual information processing. We found that activity in ACC increased monotonically with increasing attentional conflict. This increased conflict detection activity was correlated with both increased activity in the attentional control network and improved speed and accuracy from one trial to the next. These results establish a long hypothesized interaction between conflict detection systems and neural systems supporting voluntary control of visual attention.
Student Involvement and Data-Driven Decision Making
Authors: Kennedy Brianna L. , Datnow Amanda
Published: December 2010

Existing literature supports the inclusion of students in education reform, documenting benefits for both students and educators. When student voice is not included in reform efforts, these efforts are more likely to flounder. The emerging educational reform of data-driven decision making (DDDM) offers promise for increasing student achievement. However, scant research documents the involvement of students in DDDM reforms. Using a theoretical framework that advocates for democratically involving students in education reform, this cross-case analysis examines the role of students in DDDM reforms in elementary and high schools known to be exemplars of data-driven decision making. Based on findings of efforts made by exemplar districts as well as actions they did not take to involve students, the authors conclude that a new typology is necessary for assessing student involvement in DDDM. Consequently, the authors propose a new three-tiered typology for conceptualizing this phenomenon.
When Physical Activity Participation Promotes Inactivity
Authors: Beltrán-Carrillo Vicente J. , Devís-Devís José , Peiró-Velert Carmen , Brown David H.K.
Published: December 2010

This article analyses negative experiences in physical education and sport reported during qualitative interviews of a group of inactive adolescent Spanish boys and girls. The purpose of this analysis is twofold. First and most important, it seeks to give voice to these young people reporting negative experiences and connect them to contexts of physical activity and sport in which they occurred in order to show how, ironically, inactivity is an unintended consequence. Second, the authors attempt to connect inactivity through negative experiences by drawing on conceptual notions of a gendered performativity culture, and symbolic violence. The authors conclude by commenting on how these insights may be useful to critically reflect on physical activity programs, which are too often considered an unquestionable good for all pupils who experience them.
Subsidized Housing, Public Housing, and Adolescent Violence and Substance Use
Authors: Leech Tamara G. J.
Published: December 2010

This study examines the separate relationships of public housing residence and subsidized housing residence to adolescent health risk behavior. Data include 2,530 adolescents aged 14 to 19 who were children of the National the Longitudinal Study of Youth. The author use stratified propensity methods to compare the behaviors of each group—subsidized housing residents and public housing residents—to a matched control group of teens receiving no housing assistance. The results reveal no significant relationship between public housing residence and violence, heavy alcohol/marijuana use, or other drug use. However, subsidized housing residents have significantly lower rates of violence and hard drug use, and marginally lower rates of heavy marijuana/alcohol use. The results indicate that the consistent, positive effect of vouchers in the current literature is not due to a lower standard among the typical comparison group: public housing. Future studies should focus on conceptualizing and analyzing the protective effect of vouchers beyond comparisons to public housing environments.
Unpacking Time Online: Connecting Internet and Massively Multiplayer Online Game Use With Psychosocial Well-Being
Authors: Cuihua Shen  , Williams Dmitri
Published: December 2010

By unpacking different forms of Internet and massively multiplayer online game (MMO) use, the present study adopts a nuanced approach to examine the connections between online activities and psychosocial well-being. It combined self-reported survey data with unobtrusive behavioral data from server logs of a large virtual world, EverQuest II. Over 5,000 players were surveyed about how they use the Internet, their specific activities in the virtual world, and their psychosocial well-being. In-game communication networks were also constructed and analyzed.The results showed support for both time displacement and social augmentation effects for various activities. Whether Internet and MMO use were associated with negative or positive outcomes was largely dependent on the purposes, contexts, and individual characteristics of users. The results suggest that Internet use and game play have significant nuances and should not be considered as monolithic sources of effects.
The World War II Veteran Advantage? A Lifetime Cross-Sectional Study of Social Status Attainment
Authors: Smith Irving , Marsh Kris , Segal David R.
Published: December 2010

The impact of military service on the status attainment of World War II veterans has been studied since the 1950s; however, the research has failed to come to any consensus with regard to their level of attainment. Analyses have focused on cross-sectional or longitudinal data without considering the effects of service over the life course. The authors argue that World War II veterans, regardless of race, have greater attainment, measured in terms of education, income, and occupational prestige, over their lifetimes than nonveterans. They use census data from the 1950 through 2000 Public Use Microdata Sample. The authors find that military service afforded white veterans significant advantages through their early and middle working years; however, their nonveteran peers eventually caught up. They also find that black veterans receive more of a social status advantage relative to black nonveterans, and military service helps to close the socioeconomic gap between blacks and whites.
Strategic Planning As an Effective Tool of Strategic Management in Public Sector Organizations
Authors: Ugboro Isaiah O. , Obeng Kofi , Spann Ora
Published: December 2010

This study determines the effectiveness of strategic planning as an effective tool of strategic management in public transit agencies. It finds that an effective strategic planning requires top managers’ active roles in defining the strategic direction of the organization and creating an environment that recognizes strategic planning as a tool of strategic management. Also, it requires good working relationships between the strategic planning staff, unit or division managers, and the top management team; the location of the strategic planning staff close to top management; integration of unit or division plans into an organization-wide strategic plan; and a planning process that is not too rigid or mechanical. Finally, the article finds that the strategic planning process of an organization must be responsive to environmental changes and challenges.
An Examination of Socially Destructive Behaviors in Group Work
Authors: Freeman Lynne , Greenacre Luke
Published: December 2010

With the increasing prevalence of group work in marketing courses there is a need to consider the impact of students’ social dynamics on both learning and satisfaction outcomes. This article explores one such dynamic at both intra- and intergroup levels. Using data generated from multiple sources, it was identified that students who are actively contributing to group processes have difficulty distinguishing between students, and indeed groups, that are socially loafing and those that are genuinely struggling with the material. As a consequence, the struggling students are subject to incidences of socially destructive behaviors, critically harming their ability to develop. This has the potential to harm not only the individual struggling student and their group but also burden the other members of the class with a class member that will never be able to meaningfully contribute. Using social interdependence theory, a framework is proposed to explain how this confusion among contributing students arises. Recommendations are made regarding how to design curriculum so as to minimize the incidence of this phenomenon as well as intervention strategies to mitigate its effect should it present.
Immunohistochemistry for 2′,3′-Cyclic Nucleotide-3′-Phosphohydrolase in 63 Bovine Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Nielsen A. B. , Jensen H. E. , Leifsson P. S.
Published: December 2010

To establish a simple and uniform classification of bovine peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs), 63 tumors from 44 cattle were examined histologically and immunohistochemically with antibodies against S100 protein and 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide-3′-phosphohydrolase (CNPase). Immunohistochemically, all the tumors were positive for S100 protein, CNPase, or both. Four types of PNST were recognized: 35 schwannomas, 9 neurofibromas, 14 hybrid (neurofibroma–schwannoma) tumors, and 5 malignant PNSTs. Axons were identified by immunohistochemistry for neurofilament in a proportion of tumors of each type of PNST. In conclusion, bovine PNSTs commonly have both schwannomatous and neurofibromatous areas. Moreover, the Schwann cell markers S100 protein and CNPase, in combination with antibodies against neurofilament, are valuable diagnostic tools to classify bovine PNSTs.
H-ras Consensus Sequence and Mutations in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinomas of Lemurs and Lorises
Authors: Cullen J. M. , Williams C. , Zadrozny L. , Otstot J. T. , Solomon G. G. , Sills R. C. , Hong H-H. L.
Published: December 2010

The authors have determined a consensus sequence for exons 1 and 2 of H -ras from captive lemurs and lorises and evaluated samples of nonneoplastic liver and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) from affected animals for mutations in these exons. Frozen liver samples were collected from 20 animals representing 9 different species with a sex distribution of 10 males and 10 females. A total of 26 liver samples, including 11 normal livers, 9 HCC, and 6 samples from nonneoplastic regions of liver from animals with HCC, were evaluated. This is the first report of the consensus sequence for exons 1 and 2 of H- ras in prosimians, and the authors have determined that it is identical to that of human H- ras and differs only slightly from the chimpanzee sequence. Point mutations were identified in 6 of the 9 HCC samples examined with codons 7, 22, 32, 56, 61, 84, and 96 affected. Two carcinomas had double mutations, and one tumor had triple mutations. One HCC had a mutation in codon 61, which is identical to a recognized affected codon for an H- ras “hot spot” in rodent neoplasia that has also been reported in human tumors. Although not statistically different, metastasis occurred in 5 of 6 HCC with H- ras mutation and only 1 of 3 HCC without mutations. There were 4 silent mutations that did not contain changes in the encoded amino acids, 2 of which were found in nonneoplastic regions of tumor-bearing liver.
The Impact of Community Notification on Sex Offender Reintegration
Authors: Lasher Michael P. , McGrath Robert J.
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this review was to better understand the impact of community notification, known as “Megan’s Law,” on sex offenders’ reintegration into the community. Eight quantitative studies that examined the social and psychological impact of community notification on adult sex offenders ( N = 1,503) were reviewed. The pattern of results across studies showed considerable similarities despite marked variability in the populations examined, survey methods used, and response rates obtained. Sex offenders rarely reported being the target of vigilante attacks. Substantial minorities reported exclusion from residence and job loss as social consequences of being publicly identified as sex offenders in their communities. The majority of offenders reported negative psychological consequences of notification but also identified benefits of knowing that others were monitoring their behavior. More intrusive notification strategies were associated with higher rates of socially destabilizing consequences. Results are discussed in terms of their policy and research implications.
The Impact of Prison Conditions on Staff Well-Being
Authors: Bierie David M.
Published: December 2010

Prison conditions have been at the center of long-standing debates among corrections scholars. Interestingly, this debate has focused on inmates alone while paying little attention to the potential impact of prison conditions on staff. Addressing this limitation, the study draws on survey data collected from a stratified random sample of prison staff working at all federal prisons in 2007 to examine the impact of prison conditions on staff well-being (substance use, psychological symptomatology, physical duress, and sick leave use). Mixed-level models show that harsh physical conditions correspond to significant problems for staff on all outcomes measured (individual-level impacts). The data also show that prison-level aggregations of harsher conditions correspond to significant deterioration in staff physical and psychological symptomatology above and beyond individual-level effects.
Who Speaks Words without Knowledge? A Response to Wilcox and Bimson
Authors: Brinks C.L.
Published: December 2010

This article joins in a discussion between Karl G. Wilson and John J. Bimson regarding the interpretation of Job 38.2. Wilson argued that the question “Who is this…?” refers to Elihu rather than Job, indicating that Elihu’s speeches are original rather than additions to the book. Bimson refuted Wilcox’s interpretation by appealing to the content of the divine speeches and Job’s near quotation of 38.2 in 42.3. This article demonstrates the weaknesses in Bimson’s refutation by comparing the grammatical construction of the question in 38.2 to similar constructions elsewhere in the Old Testament and noting its context in the book of Job as a whole. This article concludes that Bimson’s refutation was unsuccessful, and that Wilcox’s argument merits further response.
Spies and Lies: Faithful, Courageous Israelites and Truthful Spies
Authors: Curzer Howard J.
Published: December 2010

The leader of a great nation ponders the invasion of a country in the Middle East. The majority report of his intelligence agency indicates that an invasion would be a bad idea, but the leader invades anyway, citing a minority report. As predicted, the invasion runs into trouble. Later, the leader gives a distorted history of the events leading up to the war, portraying himself as blameless, and accusing the naysayers of lacking courage and faith. Of course, the leader is Moses; the incident is the Israelites’ abortive first invasion of the Promised Land; and the intelligence agency consists of twelve spies. This article presents a novel interpretation of Numbers 13—14, a hermeneutical maxim for dealing with inconsistencies between Deuteronomy and the rest of the Torah, and a political moral.
Reversed (Chrono-)Logical Sequence in Isaiah 1-39: Some Implications for Theories of Redaction
Authors: Ortlund Eric
Published: December 2010

This article examines a structural phenomenon in Isaiah 1—39 in which different sections of a prophecy are deliberately placed out of order either logically or chronologically. After an initial example from chs. 24—27, chs. 11, 30 and 2 are discussed. In each of these three cases, it is argued that later passages in the respective chapters (11.11-16, 30.27-33 and 2.6-22) describe necessary preconditions for the earlier passages (11.1-9, 30.18-26 and 2.1-5) to come into being—more specifically, YHWH's defeat of the nations must occur before creation is renewed, Israel dwells secure on Zion, and the nations come to worship there. The implications of this analysis for theories of the redaction of these three chapters are then considered, and a tentative conclusion reached that assignation of the various passages of these chapters to different centuries is less likely than hypothesizing a simpler compositional history, in which the different passages making up these chapters were written with each other in mind from the beginning.
Numbering Israel: A Rhetorico-Structural Analysis of Numbers 1-4
Authors: Lunn Nicholas P.
Published: December 2010

This article presents a section by section rhetorico-structural analysis of the opening chapters of Numbers, which deal with the counting and grouping of the people of Israel. The analysis reveals the employment throughout of literary patterns of both linear and inverted forms. The findings of such an analysis point to a purposively and intricately designed textual organization in which the patterning serves definable literary and rhetorical purposes, notably the marking of closure, the underlining of salient information, and the preparation for subsequent information. These findings are consistent with other similar structural studies of Old Testament texts.
Intertextuality, Literary Competence and the Question of Readership: Some Preliminary Observations
Authors: Edenburg Cynthia
Published: December 2010

This article reconsiders the extent recitation and memorization played in the process of the literary composition and transmission of biblical texts, and attempts to distinguish between aurally recognizable intertextual echoes, as opposed to literary patterning based upon visual recognition. The findings of recent cognitive studies are applied in evaluating two sets of questions: first, whether different types of biblical intertextuality would have been equally recognizable to both listeners and readers; and second, whether scribes who produced intertextual compositions consulted and referred to written texts, or whether biblical intertextuality stems from the author’s trace memories of texts read or performed.
Neurocognitive recovery in SMART syndrome: A case report
Authors: Bradshaw Jennifer , Chen Luke , Saling Michael , Fitt Greg , Hughes Andrew , Dowd Ariane
Published: December 2010

Introduction: Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy, or SMART syndrome, is characterised by migraine-like headache with or without aura, transient neurological dysfunction, including seizures, and gyriform enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which resolves over a period of weeks. Detailed neuropsychological characterisation in SMART syndrome is lacking and there are no published data on the course and pattern of neurocognitive recovery.

Results: The acute clinical presentation was one of unstable, fluctuating neurocognitive disturbances, complicated by seizure activity, followed by a longer term lag in the recovery of focal neuropsychological deficits which, we believe, was due to the more slowly resolving cerebral effects of SMART.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first case of SMART syndrome in which neuropsychological functioning has been comprehensively and serially examined. This case is also unique due to the development of complex partial seizures. We suggest that epileptiform activity during clinical seizures should not be regarded as inconsistent with a diagnosis of SMART, provided that the seizures do not explain the onset of the other clinical and radiological features.
Prevalence of red ear syndrome in juvenile primary headaches
Authors: Raieli V , Compagno A , Brighina F , Franca G La , Puma D , Ragusa D , Savettieri G , D’Amelio M
Published: December 2010

Background: Previous studies have suggested a relationship between ‘red ear syndrome’ (RES) and pediatric migraine. Aims of this study were (i) to assess the frequency, specificity and sensitivity of RES in a population of pediatric migraineurs and (ii) to establish the pathophysiological mechanisms of RES associated with migraine.

Methods and results: A total of 226 children suffering from headache (aged 4–17 years) were enrolled. One hundred and seventy-two (76.4%) were affected by migraine, the remaining 54 (23.6%) by other primary headaches. RES was followed significantly more frequently by migraine (23.3%; p < .0001), and was characterized by high specificity and positive predictive value (96.3 and 95.3%, respectively). According to the univariate statistical analysis, RES showed a statistically significant association with male gender, throbbing quality of the pain, vomiting and phonophobia. It was confirmed by a multivariate stepwise logistic regression model only for the throbbing quality of the pain, vomiting and male gender.

Conclusions: Our study showed that (i) in children, RES is a highly specific sign for migraine. In addition, the evidence of an association of RES with some migraine features partially provoked by the parasympathetic system supports the hypothesis of a shared pathophysiological background (e.g. via the activation of the trigeminal-autonomic reflex).
Time trends in the prevalence of headache disorders. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Studies (HUNT 2 and HUNT 3)
Authors: Linde Mattias , Stovner Lars Jacob , Zwart John-Anker , Hagen Knut
Published: December 2010

Earlier reports regarding secular trends of migraine are conflicting, and there is a lack of long-term follow-up studies of other headache syndromes among adults. The aim of the present study was to assess any changes in the prevalence of the major headache types in a large adult population. With an 11-year interval, all inhabitants aged ≥20 years ( n = 92,566 and 94,194) in the Norwegian county of Nord-Trøndelag were invited to participate in two cross-sectional surveys. Attendance rates were 56% and 42%. The age-adjusted 1-year prevalences, according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society, sex-ratios and attack frequencies were assessed. The migraine prevalence increased from 12.1% to 13.2% ( P < 0.001), but the sex ratio did not change. The prevalence of non-migrainous headache overall decreased (26.0% vs 24.2%; P < 0.001). The prevalences of ‘headache suffering’ (37.4%), chronic daily headache (2.5%) and medication overuse headache (1.0%) remained stable. Apart from a small increase of migraine, headache prevalences remained essentially stable among adults in a Norwegian county during an 11-year period.
Impairment in episodic and chronic cluster headache
Authors: Jürgens Tim P , Gaul Charly , Lindwurm Andrea , Dresler Thomas , Paelecke-Habermann Yvonne , Schmidt-Wilcke Tobias , Lürding Ralf , Henkel Karsten , Leinisch Elke
Published: December 2010

Despite being an excruciating headache, little is known about the burden of cluster headache (CH) regarding its various subtypes. In a multicentre, prospective study, patients with chronic CH ( n = 27), with episodic CH in the active ( n = 26) and outside the active period ( n = 22), migraine patients ( n = 24) and healthy controls ( n = 31) were included. Epidemiological data, the German version of the Headache Disability Inventory (HDI) and a screening for psychiatric complaints were applied. About 25% of chronic CH patients in our study received invalidity allowance due to CH. HDI scores (total and subscales emotion and function) indicated a severe headache-specific disability (one-way ANOVA: P < 0.01). Patients with chronic and active episodic CH were significantly more affected than patients with inactive CH and migraine. Healthy volunteers were significantly less affected than all headache patients. Symptoms suggestive of psychiatric co-morbidity were found predominantly in chronic CH: depressive symptoms (56%), signs of agoraphobia (33%) and suicidal tendencies (25%) were frequently reported. Patients with chronic and active episodic CH were severely impaired in non-economic and economic domains such as disability, working life and psychiatric complaints. Remarkably, psychiatric co-morbidity was highest in chronic CH. Thus, especially chronic CH warrants special medical and further supportive care.
Efficacy of Self-assembled Hydrogels Composed of Positively or Negatively Charged Peptides as Scaffolds for Cell Culture
Authors: Nagayasu Aya , Yokoi Hidenori , Minaguchi Jun A. , Hosaka Yoshinao Z. , Ueda Hiromi , Takehana Kazushige
Published: December 2010

KASEA16(+) and KASEA16(−) peptides, the net charges of which are positive and negative, respectively, under a neutral condition could undergo self-assembly into nanofibers and form transparent hydrogels without peptide aggregation upon rapid pH neutralization. The numbers of NIH3T3 cells attached to the KASEA16(+) hydrogel and KASEA16(−) hydrogel were similar, and cells proliferated with time on both hydrogels. Cells on the KASEA16(+) hydrogel had spindle-like morphology, while cells on the KASEA16(−) hydrogel formed clusters without extending cytoplasmic processes. Comparison of differently charged peptides under a neutral condition suggested that the charges of the scaffolds should be taken into consideration for the best design and selection of scaffolds for cell culture. Since the KASEA16(+) peptide could form a stable hydrogel under a neutral condition and the hydrogel served as a scaffold for cell proliferation, the KASEA16(+) hydrogel will be a useful scaffold for cell culture.
Investigation of Crystallinity, Molecular Weight Change, and Mechanical Properties of PLA/PBG Bioresorbable Composites as Bone Fracture Fixation Plates
Authors: Felfel Reda M. , Ahmed Ifty , Parsons Andrew J. , Haque Papia , Walker Gavin S. , Rudd Chris D.
Published: December 2010

In this study, bioresorbable phosphate-based glass (PBG) fibers were used to reinforce poly(lactic acid) (PLA). PLA/PBG random mat (RM) and unidirectional (UD) composites were prepared via laminate stacking and compression molding with fiber volume fractions between 14% and 18%, respectively. The percentage of water uptake and mass change for UD composites were higher than the RM composites and unreinforced PLA. The crystallinity of the unreinforced PLA and composites increased during the first few weeks and then a plateau was seen. XRD analysis detected a crystalline peak at 16.6° in the unreinforced PLA sample after 42 days of immersion in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at 37°C. The initial flexural strength of RM and UD composites was ∼106 and ∼115 MPa, whilst the modulus was ∼6.7 and ∼9 GPa, respectively. After 95 days immersion in PBS at 37°C, the strength decreased to 48 and 52 MPa, respectively as a result of fiber–matrix interface degradation. There was no significant change in flexural modulus for the UD composites, whilst the RM composites saw a decrease of ∼45%. The molecular weight of PLA alone, RM, and UD composites decreased linearly with time during degradation due to chain scission of the matrix. Short fiber pull-out was seen from SEM micrographs for both RM and UD composites.
Synthesis and inhibition study on tripeptide inhibitor modified poly(l-lysine) dendrimers
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Luo Kui , Wang Gang , Nie Yu , He Bin , Wu Yao , Gu Zhongwei
Published: December 2010

Peptide dendrimers are attractive nonviral gene vectors. But a biological barrier for their application in gene delivery is the fast degradation catalyzed by proteasomes. Proteasome inhibitors are efficient at prohibiting the degradation of peptide nonviral vectors, thus enhancing gene transfection efficiency. In this study, Nα-Boc-protected leucine vinyl ester proteasome inhibitor Boc-Leu-Leu-Leu-ve was synthesized by the liquid-phase method and was then immobilized onto poly(l-lysine) dendrimers. Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-AMC was used as fluorimetric substrate and the inhibition capacity of Boc-Leu-Leu-Leu-ve immobilized onto G3 and G6 poly(l-lysine) dendrimers for the chymotrypsin-like activity of ACHN cell proteasome was tested. The results indicated that both Boc-Leu-Leu-Leu-ve peptide and the peptide immobilized on G3 dendrimer showed low inhibition capacity when the concentration was below 0.2 μM. When the inhibitor concentrations were increased to 5.0 μM, however, the percentage inhibition of Boc-Leu-Leu-Leu-ve peptide and the peptide immobilized on G3 dendrimer became about 50% and 25%, and that of peptide immobilized on the G6 dendrimer was 7.5% only. These results indicated that dendritic structure and linker length could be the main factors affecting proteasome inhibition capacity. The cytotoxicity of the dendritic inhibitors was found to be low. Thus, whilst the synthetic production of poly(l-lysine) dendrimers immobilized with peptide inhibitors was successful and these modified dendrimers could work to inhibit proteasome activity, further studies will need to be carried out to improve inhibition capacity.
A 1-min Method for Homogenous Cell Seeding in Porous Scaffolds
Authors: Tan Lijun , Ren Yijin , Kuijer Roel
Published: December 2010

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a simple and rapid cell seeding procedure for both calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds and polymer scaffolds. Poly(d,l-lactic acid) and β-tri-calcium phosphate scaffolds were seeded with MC3T3-E1 cells in a syringe. Scaffolds were put in the syringe. After replacing the plunger, the cell suspension was drawn into the syringe. The syringe was closed and the plunger was retracted to the volume of the cell suspension to create a vacuum. This was done for 3 × 10 s. By this procedure, cells were homogenously distributed throughout the scaffold. The efficiency of cell seeding was approximately 60% for both scaffolds independent of the initial cell density. The hypotension the cells experienced for 3 × 10 s did not affect the proliferation capacity of the cells. In conclusion, this method of syringe-vacuum cell seeding is easy, quick, cheap, and easily to perform at an operating theatre.
How Important Is an Apology to You?
Authors: De Cremer David , Pillutla Madan M. , Folmer Chris Reinders
Published: December 2010

Apologies are commonly used to deal with transgressions in relationships. Results to date, however, indicate that the positive effects of apologies vary widely, and the match between people’s judgments of apologies and the true value of apologies has not been studied. Building on the affective and behavioral forecasting literature, we predicted that people would overestimate how much they value apologies in reality. Across three experimental studies, our results showed that after having been betrayed by another party (or after imagining this to be the case), people (a) rated the value of an apology much more highly when they imagined receiving an apology than when they actually received an apology and (b) displayed greater trusting behavior when they imagined receiving an apology than when they actually received an apology. These results suggest that people are prone to forecasting errors regarding the effectiveness of an apology and that they tend to overvalue the impact of receiving one.
Call me loyal: Globalization, corporate nationalism and the America’s Cup
Authors: John Alistair , Jackson Steve
Published: December 2010

This study examines the relationship between sport, globalization and national identity. Specifically, the article focuses on how Team New Zealand’s 2003 America’s Cup campaign represents and reproduces the concept of corporate nationalism. Located within a critical cultural studies perspective the analysis uses a multi-method approach including textual and contextual analysis and semi-structured interviews with key media cultural intermediaries to examine a unique global-local nexus involving the ‘Family of five’ sponsors whose elective affinity set about to unite the New Zealand nation. The findings reveal that: a) both local and multinational corporations (MNCs) use sport as a vehicle through which to articulate their brands with national identity as part of a process of localization; b) the promotional culture of major sporting events such as the America’s Cup provides a platform for MNCs to (re)present, (re)produce and (re)construct national identity; and c) despite their strategic attempts to appropriate national icons and themes multinational corporations face resistance and national identity remains a contested domain.
When Good Teammates Are Bad: Physiological Threat on Recently Formed Teams
Authors: Cleveland Christena , Blascovich Jim , Gangi Cynthia , Finez Lucie
Published: December 2010

This research examined the ways in which superior teammate performance in recently formed teams affects an individual’s motivation. It was hypothesized that members of recently formed teams for whom social identity was not yet salient would experience threat, a maladaptive physiological pattern that indicates low perceptions of coping resources relative to situational demands. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that this effect would be the greatest for individuals on recently formed teams who had briefly interacted with teammates but still lacked a strong social identity, relative to those who have not interacted with teammates at all. Fifty-three participants were each paired with 2 confederates to form 53 triads. Depending on the condition, participants and confederates either competed as a team on a mental task (minimal team condition), completed a team-building exercise prior to competing as a team on a mental task (team condition), or competed as individuals against each other (individual/coaction baseline condition) on a mental task. The results revealed that participants who worked on a team with superior performers were threatened. Interestingly, participants who had the opportunity to bond with their teammates prior to working together were even more threatened by superior performers. Results are discussed in terms of psychological closeness and social comparison theory.
Unmet Needs of Children With Special Health Care Needs in a Specialized Day School Setting
Authors: Aruda Mary M. , Kelly Mary , Newinsky Karina
Published: December 2010

Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) represent a significant component of the pediatric population. They often present to schools with multiple and increasingly complex health issues, including medical technology dependency. Their daily variation in health status requires close monitoring and communication among caregivers. Limited research exists regarding parental concerns and communication between health providers, schools, and families. This study identifies the concerns of parents with CSHCN families, including satisfaction with communication between medical providers and schools. Parents completed a survey adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Analysis of data indicated a high utilization of primary care services but highlighted persistent difficulty accessing services. This study demonstrates families have basic unmet needs in attaining services, including respite and palliative care; indicated an interest in improved communication and coordination of health information between schools and their primary health care providers; and expressed interest in augmenting school health services.
Physical Inactivity of Black Adolescent Girls: Is It All About Attitude?
Authors: Thompson Wanda M.
Published: December 2010

Physical activity is an essential component for a healthy life and has implications for the prevention of chronic diseases and obesity. Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for many chronic diseases and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Attitudes of Black adolescent girls toward physical activity were identified as an important predictor for engaging in physical activity among Black adolescent girls. Understanding and addressing attitudes of Black adolescent toward physical activity could help increase physical activity levels of Black adolescent girls. Physical activity programs that are enjoyable and culturally relevant are discussed as effective strategies that can increase physical activity levels of this target group, that is, Black adolescent girls. To reverse this growing trend of physical inactivity noted in Black adolescent girls, more intervention programs directed at Black adolescent girls are needed.
Power Relations Between the Researcher and the Researched: An Analysis of Native and Nonnative Ethnographic Interviews
Authors: Chen Shu-Hsin
Published: December 2010

Based on an analysis of native and nonnative language interviews, this article argues that being a nonnative interviewer, in a weaker position, makes it easier to elicit information from native interviewees. One reason for this is that the interviewer is obliged to let interviewees define their concepts, deferring to their position as a language authority and recognizing one aspect of the power relationship. Power in ethnographic interviewing is always negotiated, and this article demonstrates how the spoken languages of interviewer and interviewee affects ethnographic interviews and power dynamics in dialogs. Some useful discourse strategies for native and nonnative language ethnographic interviewers are also discussed.
Persistent Disability Despite Sufficient Calf Muscle Strength After Rerupture of Surgically Treated Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures
Authors: Metz Roderik , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G. , Verleisdonk Egbert-Jan M. M. , Andrlik Milan , van der Werken Christiaan
Published: December 2010

Rerupture after treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture is considered a serious complication. Yet data on long-term outcome after rerupture are limited. This study evaluated outcome after rerupture and compares it to a reference of uncomplicated cases. Thirteen patients with a rerupture following minimally invasive surgical Achilles tendon rupture repair were evaluated using Leppilahti score and resumption of work and sport. Mean follow-up was 8.7 years. Results were compared with a reference group of 23 uncomplicated cases with a follow-up of at least 1 year. The study was designed as a follow-up study. The relative risk for a fair/poor outcome by Leppilahti score after a rerupture when compared with uncomplicated cases is 2.83 (95% confidence interval = 1.17-6.87; P = .0185). Although rerupture did not affect ultimate resumption of professional life, the relative risk for quitting sport or resuming sport at a lower level after a rerupture is 3.33 (95% confidence interval = 1.71-6.51; P = .0001). In contrast, the plantar flexion strength deficit is 5% to 10% in the rerupture group and up to 20% in the reference group. Despite sufficient recovery of calf muscle strength, rerupture after acute Achilles tendon rupture treatment results in significant long-term functional disabilities.

Level of Evidence: Prognostic, Level II
Transgressions and Expressions
Authors: Cannon Peter Robert , Schnall Simone , White Mathew
Published: December 2010

Recent investigations into morality suggest that affective responses may precede moral judgments. The present study investigated, first, whether individuals show specific facial affect in response to moral behaviors and, second, whether the intensity of facial affect predicts subsequent moral judgments. Muscle activity relating to disgust (levator labii), anger (corrugator supercilii), and positive affect (zygomaticus major) was recorded while participants considered third-person statements describing good and bad behaviors across five foundations of morality (purity, fairness, harm, authority, and ingroup). Facial disgust was highest in response to purity violations, followed by fairness violations. In contrast, harm violations evoked anger expressions. Importantly, the extremity of subsequent moral judgments was predicted by facial affect, such that judgments about purity and fairness correlated with facial disgust, harm correlated with facial anger, and ingroup correlated with positive facial affect. These results demonstrate that individuals spontaneously exhibit domain-specific moral affect that allows inferences about their moral judgments.
RORing T cells target CLL and MCL
Authors: Sadelain Michel
Published: December 2010

Genetically targeted T lymphocytes are emerging as powerful antitumor agents. Their rapid generation, made possible by robust and clinically applicable gene transfer technologies, provides a novel means to circumvent immune tolerance and generate tumor-reactive T cells on demand. Thus, patient peripheral blood T cells can be readily redirected toward any chosen antigen, including tumor antigens which are for the most part “self” antigens, and infused to promptly raise the number of tumor-reactive T cells without requiring active immunization and without the risk of deleterious alloreactivity (as may be the case after donor leukocyte infusion or non-T cell–depleted bone marrow transplantation).
T time for transplants
Authors: Gottlieb David J.
Published: December 2010

In allogeneic stem cell transplantation, unsorted donor T cells are dangerous things: too many and the recipient runs the risk of death from severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD); not enough and the graft may fail, the disease recur, and opportunistic infection arise. Smarter, more specific donor T cells might be better, but how specific does specific need to be to avoid trouble? In this issue of Blood, Melenhorst and colleagues allay anxieties about the use of virus-specific donor-derived T cells to prevent or treat viral reactivation and infection occurring after allogeneic transplantation.1 Their analysis of 153 transplant recipients given virus-specific donor-derived cells showed no de novo GVHD secondary to adoptive transfer and a rate of GVHD reactivation of only 6.5% with no reactivation greater than grade II in severity.
dbDEMC: a database of differentially expressed miRNAs in human cancers
Authors: Yang Zhen , Ren Fei , Liu Changning , He Shunmin , Sun Gang , Gao Qian , Yao Lei , Zhang Yangde , Miao Ruoyu , Cao Ying , Zhao Yi , Zhong Yang , Zhao Haitao
Published: December 2010

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs about 22 nt long that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Their key effects on various biological processes, e.g., embryonic development, cell division, differentiation and apoptosis, are widely recognized. Evidence suggests that aberrant expression of miRNAs may contribute to many types of human diseases, including cancer. Here we present a database of differentially expressed miRNAs in human cancers (dbDEMC), to explore aberrantly expressed miRNAs among different cancers.

Results

We collected the miRNA expression profiles of 14 cancer types, curated from 48 microarray data sets in peer-reviewed publications. The Significance Analysis of Microarrays method was used to retrieve the miRNAs that have dramatically different expression levels in cancers when compared to normal tissues. This database provides statistical results for differentially expressed miRNAs in each data set. A total of 607 differentially expressed miRNAs (590 mature miRNAs and 17 precursor miRNAs) were obtained in the current version of dbDEMC. Furthermore, low-throughput data from the same literature were also included in the database for validation. An easy-to-use web interface was designed for users. Annotations about each miRNA can be queried through miRNA ID or miRBase accession numbers, or can be browsed by different cancer types.

Conclusions

This database is expected to be a valuable source for identification of cancer-related miRNAs, thereby helping with the improvement of classification, diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. All the information is freely available through http://159.226.118.44/dbDEMC/index.html.
Apoptosis of non-parasitized red blood cells in malaria: a putative mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of anaemia
Authors: Totino Paulo RR , Magalhães Aline D , Silva Luciene A , Banic Dalma M , Daniel-Ribeiro Cláudio T , Ferreira-da-Cruz Maria de Fátima
Published: December 2010

Background

Severe anaemia is a common complication ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria in hyperendemic regions. Premature elimination of non-parasitized red blood cells (nRBC) has been considered as one mechanism involved in the genesis of severe malaria anaemia. It has been reported that apoptosis can occur in RBC and, consequently, this cell death process could contribute to anaemia. This study was performed to evaluate the susceptibility of nRBC to apoptosis in a malaria anaemia murine model.

Methods

Balb/c mice were intraperitonially inoculated with 1 × 106P. yoelii17XL parasitized RBC (pRBC) and, then, parasitaemia and anaemia were monitored. Apoptosis in both pRBC and nRBC was assessed during early and late phases of infection by flow cytometry using Syto 16 and annexin V-PE double staining and forward scatter measurement.

Results

As expected, experimental infection of Balb/c mice withPlasmodium yoelii17XL parasites was characterized by progressive increase of parasitaemia and acute anaemia, leading to death. Flow cytometry analysis showed that a number of pRBC was in the apoptotic process. It was noteworthy that the increase of nRBC apoptosis levels occurred in the late phase of infection, when anaemia degree was notably accentuated, while no significant alteration was observed in the early phase.

Conclusion

The increased levels of nRBC apoptosis herein firstly reported, in malaria infection could represent a putative mechanism worsening the severity of malarial anaemia.