bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Cardiomyocytes, Binding of Unzipping Peptide Activates Ryanodine Receptor 2 and Reciprocally Inhibits Calmodulin Binding
Authors: Oda Tetsuro , Yang Yi , Nitu Florentin R. , Svensson Bengt , Lu Xiyuan , Fruen Bradley R. , Cornea Razvan L. , Bers Donald M.
Published: December 2012

Rationale:

One hypothesis for elevated Ca
2+
leak through cardiac ryanodine receptors (ryanodine receptor 2 [RyR2]) in heart failure is interdomain unzipping that can enhance aberrant channel activation. A peptide (domain peptide corresponding to RyR2 residues 2460-2495 [DPc10]) corresponding to RyR2 central domain residues 2460-2495 recapitulates this arrhythmogenic RyR2 leakiness by unzipping N-terminal and central domains. Calmodulin (CaM) and FK506-binding protein (FKBP12.6) bind to RyR2 and stabilize the closed channel. Little is known about DPc10 binding to the RyR2 and how that may interact with binding (and effects) of CaM and FKBP12.6 to RyR2.

Objective:

To measure, directly in cardiac myocytes, the kinetics and binding affinity of DPc10 to RyR2 and how that affects RyR2 interaction with FKBP12.6 and CaM.

Methods and Results:

We used permeabilized rat ventricular myocytes and fluorescently labeled DPc10, FKBP12.6, and CaM. DPc10 access to its binding site is extremely slow in resting RyR2 but is accelerated by promoting RyR opening or unzipping (by unlabeled DPc10). RyR2-bound CaM (but not FKBP12.6) drastically slowed DPc10 binding. Conversely, DPc10 binding significantly reduced CaM (but not FKBP12.6) binding to the RyR2. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements indicate that DPc10-binding and CaM-binding sites are separate and allow triangulation of the structural DPc10 binding locus on RyR2 vs FKBP12.6-binding and CaM-binding sites.

Conclusions:

DPc10-RyR2 binding is sterically limited by the resting zipped RyR2 state. CaM binding to RyR2 stabilizes this zipped state, whereas RyR2 activation or prebound DPc10 enhances DPc10 access. DPc10-binding and CaM-binding sites are distinct but are allosterically interacting RyR2 sites. Neither DPc10 nor FKBP12.6 influences RyR2 binding of the other.
Corin Overexpression Improves Cardiac Function, Heart Failure, and Survival in Mice With Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gladysheva Inna P. , Wang Dong , McNamee Rachel A. , Houng Aiilyan K. , Mohamad Almois A. , Fan T. Michael , Reed Guy L.
Published: December 2012

Heart failure, caused by dilated cardiomyopathy and other cardiac disorders such as hypertension, is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Corin, a cardiac enzyme that cleaves natriuretic peptides, is a promising biomarker of cardiomyopathy and heart failure, but its functional role in these processes is not understood. We evaluated the potential effects of corin in mice with a well-characterized model of dilated cardiomyopathy. Mice with dilated cardiomyopathy developed heart failure, reduced contractile function, cardiac fibrosis, and accelerated mortality in the setting of low corin expression. In wild-type mice, transgenic, cardiac-targeted, overexpression of corin enhanced cyclic guanosine monophosphate and blood pressure responses to pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, but did not affect heart size, contractility, body weights, survival, and blood pressure. In mice with dilated cardiomyopathy, corin overexpression significantly reduced the development of myocardial fibrosis (
P
<0.05). Corin overexpression also enhanced heart contractile function (fractional shortening and ejection fraction;
P
<0.01) and it significantly reduced heart failure as assessed by lung water (
P
<0.05) and alveolar congestion (
P
<0.001). Consistent with these observations, corin overexpression significantly prolonged life in mice with dilated cardiomyopathy (
P
<0.0001). These results provide the first experimental evidence that corin expression plays a role in cardiomyopathy by modulating myocardial fibrosis, cardiac function, heart failure, and survival.
Prediction of Blood Pressure Changes Over Time and Incidence of Hypertension by a Genetic Risk Score in Swedes
Authors: Fava Cristiano , Sjögren Marketa , Montagnana Martina , Danese Elisa , Almgren Peter , Engström Gunnar , Nilsson Peter , Hedblad Bo , Guidi Gian Cesare , Minuz Pietro , Melander Olle
Published: December 2012

Recent Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have pinpointed different single nucleotide polymorphisms consistently associated with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension prevalence. However, little data exist regarding single nucleotide polymorphisms predicting BP variation over time and hypertension incidence. The aim of this study was to confirm the association of a genetic risk score (GRS), based on 29 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms, with cross-sectional BP and hypertension prevalence and to challenge its prediction of BP change over time and hypertension incidence in >17 000 middle-aged Swedes participating in a prospective study, the Malmö Preventive Project, investigated at baseline and over a 23-year average period of follow-up. The GRS was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP values both at baseline (β±SEM, 0.968±0.102 mm Hg and 0.585±0.064 mm Hg;
P
<1E-19 for both) and at reinvestigation (β±SEM, 1.333±0.161 mm Hg and 0.724±0.086 mm Hg;
P
<1E-15 for both) and with increased hypertension prevalence (odds ratio [95% CI], 1.192 [1.140–1.245] and 1.144 [1.107–1.183];
P
<1E-15 for both). The GRS was positively associated with change (Δ) in BP (β±SEM, 0.033±0.008 mm Hg/y and 0.023±0.004 mm Hg/y;
P
<1E-04 for both) and hypertension incidence (odds ratio [95% CI], 1.110 [1.065–1.156];
P
=6.7 E-07), independently from traditional risk factors. The relative weight of the GRS was lower in magnitude than obesity or prehypertension, but comparable with diabetes mellitus or a positive family history of hypertension. A C-statistics analysis does not show any improvement in the prediction of incident hypertension on top of traditional risk factors. Our data from a large cohort study show that a GRS is independently associated with BP increase and incidence of hypertension.
Reliability of Hematoma Volume Measurement at Local Sites in a Multicenter Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Clinical Trial
Authors: Hussein Haitham M. , Tariq Nauman A. , Palesch Yuko Y. , Qureshi Adnan I. ,   for the ATACH Investigators
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose—

The reliability of hematoma volume (HV) measurement using the ABC/2 method in multicenter clinical trials is unknown. We determined the accuracy of ABC/2 method as an on-site test in comparison with the gold standard central HV-assessment and semiautomatic HV-assessment.

Method—

We analyzed data from an acute intracerebral hemorrhage multicenter clinical trial. HV was measured by site investigators to determine enrollment eligibility (<60 cm
3
) using the ABC/2 method (on-site HV), and independently by the core-imaging laboratory using computer-based analysis (Medical Image Processing, Analysis, and Visualization [MIPAV] HV). HV was also measured by ABC/2 method (central HV) at the core-imaging laboratory to assess the difference in measurements between on-site (multiple raters with variable experiences) and central (single experienced rater) HVs.

Results—

Fifty-six subjects were analyzed (mean age 62±15 years; 45% women). On-site HV values showed a significantly lower correlation with the MIPAV HV (r=0.63) than central HV and MIPAV HV (r=0.93) values. The correlation between on-site HV and central HV values was modest (r=0.51). A total of 73% of the central HVs were within 25% of the corresponding MIPAV HVs, whereas only 46% of the on-site HVs were within 25% of the corresponding MIPAV HVs (
P
<0.001). One protocol violation occurred as a result of inaccuracy of on-site HV measurement.

Conclusion—

On-site HV measurements showed high variability, but the impact on the eligibility determination was small. Centralized remeasurements of HVs with feedback to the sites may increase the reliability of the on-site HV measurements.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00415610
or
http://www.atach-2.com
. Unique identifier: NCT00415610.
Multiparametric MRI and CT Models of Infarct Core and Favorable Penumbral Imaging Patterns in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kidwell Chelsea S. , Wintermark Max , De Silva Deidre A. , Schaewe Timothy J. , Jahan Reza , Starkman Sidney , Jovin Tudor , Hom Jason , Jumaa Mouhammad , Schreier Jeffrie , Gornbein Jeffrey , Liebeskind David S. , Alger Jeffry R. , Saver Jeffrey L.
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose—

Objective imaging methods to identify optimal candidates for late recanalization therapies are needed. The study goals were (1) to develop magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) multiparametric, voxel-based predictive models of infarct core and penumbra in acute ischemic stroke patients, and (2) to develop patient-level imaging criteria for favorable penumbral pattern based on good clinical outcome in response to successful recanalization.

Methods—

An analysis of imaging and clinical data was performed on 2 cohorts of patients (one screened with CT, the other with MRI) who underwent successful treatment for large vessel, anterior circulation stroke. Subjects were divided 2:1 into derivation and validation cohorts. Pretreatment imaging parameters independently predicting final tissue infarct and final clinical outcome were identified.

Results—

The MRI and CT models were developed and validated from 34 and 32 patients, using 943 320 and 1 236 917 voxels, respectively. The derivation MRI and 2-branch CT models had an overall accuracy of 74% and 80%, respectively, and were independently validated with an accuracy of 71% and 79%, respectively. The imaging criteria of (1) predicted infarct core ≤90 mL and (2) ratio of predicted infarct tissue within the at-risk region ≤70% identified patients as having a favorable penumbral pattern with 78% to 100% accuracy.

Conclusions—

Multiparametric voxel-based MRI and CT models were developed to predict the extent of infarct core and overall penumbral pattern status in patients with acute ischemic stroke who may be candidates for late recanalization therapies. These models provide an alternative approach to mismatch in predicting ultimate tissue fate.
Leukoaraiosis and Sex Predict the Hyperacute Ischemic Core Volume
Authors: Henninger Nils , Lin Eugene , Haussen Diogo C. , Lehman Laura L. , Takhtani Deepak , Selim Magdy , Moonis Majaz
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose—

Leukoaraiosis (LA) and male sex have been associated with decreased cerebrovascular reactivity, which potentially adversely affects tissue viability in acute stroke. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the contribution of LA-severity and sex to the extent of the hyperacute ischemic core volume after intracranial large artery occlusion.

Methods—

We analyzed data from 87 patients with acute intracranial large artery occlusion who had acute multimodal computed tomography-imaging. LA-severity was assessed using the van Swieten scale on noncontrast computed tomography. Computed tomography perfusion data were analyzed using automatic calculation of the mean transit time and hyperacute cerebral blood volume defects. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of the hyperacute infarct-volume.

Results—

Severe LA (van Swieten Scale, 3–4; odds ratio, 43.22; 95% CI, 6.26–298.42;
P
<0.001) and male sex (odds ratio, 7.52; 95% CI, 1.38–40.86;
P
=0.020) were independently associated with a hyperacute cerebral blood volume-lesion >25 mL on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Multivariate linear regression analysis confirmed the association between severe LA (
P
<0.001) and male sex (
P
=0.01) with larger cerebral blood volume-lesions. There was no significant difference in the absolute or relative mean transit time-lesion volumes when stratified by LA-severity or sex. Women had significantly smaller cerebral blood volume-lesion volumes compared with men (
P
=0.036).

Conclusions—

Severe LA and male sex are associated with larger infarct cores, which adds to the notion that sex and LA alter the brain’s intrinsic susceptibility to acute cerebral ischemia. Future, larger studies are needed to confirm our observation that women have smaller core volumes and its significance.
Correction of Polarimetric Radar Reflectivity Measurements and Rainfall Estimates for Apparent Vertical Profile in Stratiform Rain
Authors: Kalogiros John , Anagnostou Marios N. , Anagnostou Emmanouil N. , Montopoli Mario , Picciotti Errico , Marzano Frank S.
Published: December 2012

A method for correcting the vertical profile of reflectivity measurements and rainfall estimates (VPR) in plan position indicator (PPI) scans of polarimetric weather radars in the melting layer and the snow layer during stratiform rain is presented. The method for the detection of the boundaries of the melting layer is based on the well-established characteristic of local minimum of copolar correlation coefficient in the melting layer. This method is applied to PPI scans instead of a beam-by-beam basis with the addition of new acceptance criteria adapted to the radar used in this study. An apparent vertical profile of reflectivity measurements, or rainfall estimate, is calculated by averaging the range profiles from all of the available azimuth directions in each PPI scan. The height of each profile is properly scaled with melting-layer boundaries, and the reflectivity, or rainfall estimate, is normalized with respect to its value at the lower boundary of the melting layer. This approach allows variations of the melting-layer boundaries in space and time and variations of the shape of the apparent VPR in time. The application of the VPR correction to reflectivity and rainfall estimates from a reflectivity–rainfall algorithm and a polarimetric algorithm showed that this VPR correction method effectively removes the bias that is due to the brightband effect in PPI scans. It performs also satisfactorily in the snow region, removing the decrease of the observed VPR with range but with an overestimation by 2 dB or more. This method does not require a tuning using climatological data, and it can be applied on any algorithm for rainfall estimation.
Evaluation of Weather Noise and Its Role in Climate Model Simulations*
Authors: Chen Hua , Schneider Edwin K. , Kirtman Ben P. , Colfescu Ioana
Published: December 2012

The relationship between coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model simulations and uncoupled simulations made with specified SST and sea ice is investigated using the Community Climate System Model, version 3. Experiments are carried out in a perfect model framework. Two closely related questions are investigated: 1) whether the statistics of the atmospheric weather noise in the atmospheric model are the same as in the coupled model, and 2) whether the atmospheric model reproduces the SST-forced response of the coupled model.

The weather noise in both the coupled and uncoupled simulations is found by removing the forced response, as determined from the uncoupled ensemble, from the atmospheric field. The weather-noise variance is generally not distinguishable between the coupled and uncoupled simulations. However, variances of the total fields differ between the coupled and uncoupled simulations, since there is constructive or destructive interference between the SST-forced response and weather noise in the coupled model but no correlation between the SST-forced and weather-noise components in the uncoupled model simulations.

Direct regression estimates of the forced response show little difference between the coupled and uncoupled simulations. Differences in local correlations are explained by weather noise because weather noise forces SST in the coupled simulation only.

The results demonstrate and explain an important intrinsic difference in precipitation statistics between the coupled and uncoupled simulations. This difference could have consequences for the design of dynamical downscaling experiments and for tuning general circulation models.
A consideration of the merits of specialised homicide offences and defences for battered women
Authors: Douglas Heather
Published: December 2012

In response to calls for reform, some jurisdictions have introduced specialised offences and defences for battered women who kill their abuser. In 2005, Victoria introduced the offence of ‘defensive homicide’. More recently, in 2010, Queensland introduced a defence titled ‘killing for preservation in an abusive domestic relationship’. If successful these approaches result in a conviction of defensive homicide and manslaughter respectively. While defensive homicide has been explored in a number of cases in Victoria; the Queensland defence has only been considered on a few occasions to date. This article reviews the underlying debates relating to these developments and then examines recent case law to consider the application of these two approaches and their effectiveness in light of what they were designed to achieve. The article concludes that the reforms may have resulted in some unintended consequences.
When Parties Meet Voters
Authors: Calvo Ernesto , Murillo Maria Victoria
Published: December 2012

This article provides a new comparative methodology for the study of party–voter linkages from the perspective of voters, where the critical question that distinguishes clientelistic from programmatic parties is access to publicly provided benefits. In the former case, partisan networks mediate access to goods. In the latter, beneficiaries are defined by policy and access is independent from partisan distribution networks. We show that these different access mechanisms shape voters’ distributive expectations and the nature of their linkages to political parties by developing a unique methodology to measure party networks. We test it using original survey data from Argentina and Chile and show variation both across and within countries on party–voter linkages based on differential access to benefits and parties’ organizational capacity.
Killing them softly? Using children’s rights to empower Africa’s orphans and vulnerable children
Authors: Cheney Kristen E.
Published: December 2012

This article considers ways to shift the implementation of children’s rights-based aid approaches from protectionism, which hinders orphans and vulnerable children’s (OVCs) survival strategies, to empowerment in order to transform OVC livelihoods. I emphasize children’s citizenship as a means of increasing OVC participation in policy-making.
Are working children’s rights and child labour abolition complementary or opposing realms?
Authors: Okyere Samuel
Published: December 2012

This article is based on the accounts of a group of children who work at an artisanal gold mining site. Their work is potentially harmful; yet, it is also the means by which they attempt to access their rights to education and other opportunities. The article argues that child labour preventative efforts must recognize and address this complication. This is in order to develop interventions that unquestionably serve some working children’s best interests.
A Comparison of Perceptions of Factors in the Job Accommodation Process Among Employees With Disabilities, Employers, and Service Providers
Authors: Dong Shengli , Oire Spalatin N. , MacDonald-Wilson Kim L. , Fabian Ellen S.
Published: December 2012

Job accommodation is a multifaceted and interactive process. Stakeholder groups (i.e., employees with disabilities, employers, and in some cases service providers) make decisions about requesting or providing job accommodations based on multiple factors in this process. An understanding of stakeholder differences in their perceptions of these factors may mitigate the myths and misconceptions about accommodations, and facilitate the accommodation process. Stakeholder perspectives on the importance of factors involved in the accommodation process are compared. How these perceptions may affect the likelihood of requesting or providing accommodations is discussed, along with the implications for rehabilitation professionals.
An Expanded Framework to Determine Physical Activity and Falls Risks Among Diverse Older Adults
Authors: Kosma Maria
Published: December 2012

Falling is a major health-related risk among older adults due to injuries, disability, and even death. Although physical activity (PA) can prevent falls, most older adults are inactive due to limited motivation. The purpose was to examine a motivational framework whereby the stages of change (SOC) and PA mediated the relations between the theory of planned behavior constructs and falls risks among 172 diverse older adults ( M age = 72.36). The participants were assessed using standardized scales. Based on the path analysis, the hypothesized framework fit the sample data. The SOC and perceived control had significant path coefficients for PA (.48 and .43, respectively), and PA was linked to falls risks (−.54). Subjective norm was mostly associated with the SOC followed by attitude and perceived control. The variance explained in the SOC, PA, and falls risks were 28%, 59%, and 29%, respectively. Health promoters can use the proposed framework to promote PA and decrease falls risk.
Is It Really Necessary to Delay Intranasal Steroid Treatment after FESS? An Animal Study
Authors: Bayraktar Cem , Atmaca Sinan , Guvenc Dilek , Karayigit M. Onder , Atmaca Enes , Yarim Murat , Aksoy Abdurrahman
Published: December 2012

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of early intranasal steroid administration on wound healing after sinus surgery.

Study Design

Randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded animal study.

Setting

Animal laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

Forty‐two male New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral 3‐mm punch resection of the concha nasalis ventralis. The animals were divided into 3 groups: saline, late steroid, and early steroid. The saline group received saline drops, the late steroid group received saline drops for 7 days followed by intranasal mometasone furoate 50 µg/nostril/d, and the early steroid group received intranasal mometasone furoate (same dose) starting on postoperative day 1. The animals were sacrificed on postoperative days 10 and 21. Left nasal specimens were examined histopathologically with hematoxylin‐eosin and matrix metalloproteinase–9 (MMP‐9) stains. Right nasal specimens were examined with high‐performance liquid chromatography, and hydroxyproline levels were measured as mg/g in wet tissue.

Results

Late steroid and early steroid groups were similar with regard to MMP‐9 staining on days 10 and 21. On day 10, the early steroid group revealed significantly intense MMP‐9 staining when compared with the saline group, and the late steroid and early steroid groups revealed significant fibrosis when compared with the saline group. Hydroxyproline levels were similar in all groups on day 10. The early steroid group revealed significantly higher hydroxyproline levels when compared with the late steroid group on day 21.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that early intranasal steroid administration after sinus surgery in an animal model has no detrimental effects with regard to wound‐healing parameters.
Comparison of Repair Integrity and Functional Outcomes for 3 Arthroscopic Suture Bridge Rotator Cuff Repair Techniques
Authors: Kim Kyung Cheon , Shin Hyun Dae , Cha Soo Min , Lee Woo Yong
Published: December 2012

Background:

No reported study has compared the clinical outcomes of suture bridge techniques.

Purpose:

To compare the functional outcomes and repair integrity of the arthroscopic single-mattress (SM), double-pulley (DP), and double-mattress (DM) suture bridge (SB) techniques for full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Seventy-eight consecutive shoulders with full-thickness rotator cuff tears and a 1- to 4-cm anteroposterior dimension underwent arthroscopic SB repairs. The SM-SB technique was used in the first 26 consecutive shoulders, the DP-SB method was used in the second 26 consecutive shoulders, and the DM-SB repair was used in the final 26 consecutive shoulders. Seventy-four shoulders (94.9%) underwent postoperative evaluation for cuff integrity using MRI or ultrasound. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in 76 shoulders (97.4%) at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the shoulder rating scale of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant scores at an average of 31 months postoperatively.

Results:

At final follow-up, the average ASES, UCLA, and Constant scores improved significantly: respective scores were 88.46, 30.58, and 73.96 in the SM-SB group ( P < .001); 87.19, 31.35, and 72.50 in the DP-SB group ( P < .001); and 87.19, 32.81, and 75.35 in the DM-SB group ( P < .001). However, there were no significant differences among the 3 groups in terms of the ASES, UCLA, or Constant scores ( P = .954, .210, and .755, respectively). The retear rate of repaired rotator cuffs was 20% in the SM-SB group, 12.5% in the DP-SB group, and 12% in the DM-SB group; however, the differences among the 3 groups were not statistically significant ( P = .674). The number of suture anchors (mean ± SD) used for repair was 4.31 ± 0.47 in the SM-SB group, 4.00 ± 0.00 in the DP-SB group, and 3.38 ± 0.50 in the DM-SB group ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair yielded successful functional outcomes without significant differences among the 3 SB techniques. Additionally, no significant differences in repair integrity were observed among the 3 methods postoperatively.
Alcohol Outlets, Social Disorganization, Land Use, and Violence in a Large College Town
Authors: Snowden Aleksandra J. , Pridemore William Alex
Published: December 2012

This study examined the direct and moderating effects of alcohol outlet density, social disorganization, and land use on violence in a large college town whose economy is driven by the presence of a flagship state university. Empirical literature points to a consistent association between alcohol outlet density and assault density, and recent research has found social disorganization and land use to moderate the association in urban areas. However, little research has been done to determine whether similar associations hold outside large urban cities. Using geocoded data on assaults and alcohol outlets in Bloomington, Indiana, we estimated ordinary least squares and spatially lagged regression models to determine whether social disorganization and land use moderate the association between alcohol outlet density and assault. We found a consistent association between outlet density and assault density. In contrast to the findings from urban areas, however, the direct effects of social disorganization and of seven land use types on simple assault density were nonsignificant, nor was social disorganization associated with aggravated assault. Further, the relationship between alcohol outlet density and assault density was moderated by neither social disorganization nor land use. Ecological characteristics like social disorganization and land use may matter less in smaller cities and towns than they do in large urban cities, both in terms of direct effects and when accounting for the relationship between alcohol outlet density and violence.
Punk Dress in the Workplace
Authors: Sklar Monica , DeLong Marilyn
Published: December 2012

Individuals who identify with punk subculture negotiate between aesthetic expression of their subcultural identity and the role they believe they are expected to play at work. Men and women, aged 26 - 45 years, in a wide range of professions were interviewed and asked questions related to their workplace dress. They were asked to bring to the interview a display of how they dress to express both their punk and workplace identities. Interviewees reported a balancing act of blending in and standing out, taking into consideration viewer interpretations and subsequent outcomes. Efforts to wear “appropriate” dress included accommodations such as modifying one's punk appearance by conceding to dress codes and using perceived non-confrontational aesthetic choices with punk cues subtly coded to appear conventional. Dress features were selectively revealing or concealing punk symbols as interviewees strive to push the boundaries of workplace appropriateness for satisfying aesthetic self-expression.
The Marley Hypothesis
Authors: Nelson Jessica C. , Adams Glenn , Salter Phia S.
Published: December 2012

This study used a signal detection paradigm to explore the Marley hypothesis—that group differences in perception of racism reflect dominant-group denial of and ignorance about the extent of past racism. White American students from a midwestern university and Black American students from two historically Black universities completed surveys about their historical knowledge and perception of racism. Relative to Black participants, White participants perceived less racism in both isolated incidents and systemic manifestations of racism. They also performed worse on a measure of historical knowledge (i.e., they did not discriminate historical fact from fiction), and this group difference in historical knowledge mediated the differences in perception of racism. Racial identity relevance moderated group differences in perception of systemic manifestations of racism (but not isolated incidents), such that group differences were stronger among participants who scored higher on a measure of racial identity relevance. The results help illuminate the importance of epistemologies of ignorance: cultural-psychological tools that afford denial of and inaction about injustice.
Silence in the musical scores of human phenomena
Authors: Oliveros Olga V Lehmann
Published: December 2012

In the search to comprehend human nature we dig into the past looking for clues to describe and interpret which way we behave the same and/or differently: the music we listen, the way we dance, the clothes we wear, the places we go, the rituals we practice, and so on. When talking about identity, the past becomes a question we must return to, being tied to its ornaments in ways we cannot acknowledge completely. But how do we gain such comprehension of the past? The deconstruction of the past has the power to give sense to our actions in present towards the future and that way, the temporal passing of signs seems to be the only way to be near to its infinite sets. Besides, the boundaries of our comprehension also belong to the way we approach temporality, and the way we remember the past. In this article I seek to develop the “sound of silence” metaphor used by Müller (2012) in order to question the ways we approach to human phenomena and the necessity to involve both the expressive quality of senses and silence through pointing out the usefulness of poetic images for pleromatization and schematization dialectics.
Female sexual pleasure and autonomy: What has inner labia elongation got to do with it?
Authors: Khau Mathabo
Published: December 2012

Female sexuality is a highly policed domain within many societies with women and girls being violated daily in relation to performing their gendered and sexual identities. This article explores the politics of inner labia elongation, and the socially constructed notions of genital beauty through the lens of gendered violence. It highlights the silences around sexual pleasure and desire for Basotho women through discussing the importance of labial elongation in the construction of sexual identities. It presents the challenges that women face as they negotiate the spaces between the social constructions of proper womanhood and female sexualities within a hetero-patriarchal society.
From vaginal exception to exceptional vagina: The biopolitics of female genital cosmetic surgery
Authors: Rodrigues Sara
Published: December 2012

Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) refers to a group of procedures designed to alter the aesthetics or ‘function’ of women’s genital anatomy. This article analyzes the biopolitics of FGCS, opening up for discussion the relationship between biopolitics and vaginas. I theorize the biopolitics of FGCS in terms of how these procedures discipline individual bodies, demarcate and regulate a population defined by its vulval aesthetics, and ultimately create the optimal, ‘biopolitical vagina’. I suggest that these surgeries signify a contemporary (re)deployment of biopower aimed at making the vagina more useful – a move from vaginal exception to the exceptional vagina.
Postfeminist sexual agency: Young women’s negotiations of sexual consent
Authors: Burkett Melissa , Hamilton Karine
Published: December 2012

Standard models of sexual consent in sexual violence prevention campaigns suppose that women, as free and autonomous agents, are in control of their sexuality and are able to ‘just say no’ to unwanted sex. In this article, we suggest that the ‘just say no’ approach to sexual consent is deeply problematic in light of the contradictory ways in which women’s empowerment is assumed within postfeminist discourses whilst masking ongoing gender imbalances. In addition, we problematise neoliberalist notions of the inherently free and hyper-responsible citizen by highlighting the persistence of sociostructural constraints on young women's sexual decision-making. We draw on an analysis of interviews with eight young women aged between 18 and 24 about their perceptions and experiences of everyday negotiations of consent in their casual and intimate sexual relationships with men.
Almighty gringos: Masculinity and value in sex tourism
Authors: Rivers-Moore Megan
Published: December 2012

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with sex tourists in San José, Costa Rica, this article explores the connections between masculinity and the production of value in sex tourism. I argue that in the context of increasing opportunities for travel and technological innovations, North American masculine identities have become transnational, including for non-elite men. Sex tourists’ descriptions of their experiences reveal that they are involved in a contradictory search for a masculine identity that is simultaneously progressive and hegemonic, one that relies not only on sex workers but also on a critique of the masculinity of Costa Rican men and other tourists. This article also suggests that sex tourism is best understood as a relational economy, in that the encounters between sex tourists and sex workers produce value that is simultaneously economic, embodied, and emotional, including the possibility of temporarily enhanced social status.
Investigating the use of text messages in mobile learning
Authors: Geng Gretchen
Published: December 2012

Nowadays, teaching and learning have been shifted from traditional classrooms to technology-supported learning environment. By offering a convenient, efficient and financially affordable information technology learning environment, mobile learning is a topic that is of considerable interest for education audiences owing to the pervasive nature of text messaging. This study investigated tertiary students’ use of text messaging in mobile learning and related areas such as their literacy levels and years of using text messages. Given the use of such technology in classrooms today, this study is timely and makes its contribution to what is naturally scant literature in this area. Data were gathered by way of a questionnaire and text message exercises. Fifty-three students participated in this study. The results shed light on whether or not text messaging is positively or negatively related to students’ self-rated reading and writing attainment. Also revealed is whether or not there are differences between students at different levels, that is, whether first-year undergraduate students use text messaging differently, and if so in what ways, than undergraduate students who are nearer the end of their studies and postgraduate students. This article offers insight into the implications of successful mobile learning upon a contemporary account of practices and how we educators might use text messaging in mobile learning.
Facilitating productive use of feedback in higher education
Authors: Jonsson Anders
Published: December 2012

Although feedback has a great potential for learning, students do not always make use of this potential. This article therefore reviews research literature on students’ use of feedback in higher education. This is done in order to find answers as to why some students do not use the feedback they receive and which factors are important in influencing students’ use of teacher feedback. Findings show that utility is not only a key feature for students’ use of feedback but also that some factors, such as lack of strategies for productively using feedback or lack of understanding of academic discourse, may hinder students’ possibilities to use the information formatively.
Perceptions and realities in the functions and processes of assessment
Authors: Taras Maddalena , Davies Mark S
Published: December 2012

Assessment is acknowledged as a central motivator for learning, as being perhaps the most difficult and arduous task for tutors, and also, a defining component of institutional quality, curriculum, courses and degrees. Therefore, given this, surely our understanding of terms, processes and their relationships, which reveal our knowledge of theories, practices and research, would be expected to be coherent and critically defensible. Yet, this study supports other literature that demonstrates that this is not the case. What to do about resolving theoretical and practical issues in assessment is perhaps a key challenge for education and educationalists. One problem is that it is often perceived as being the realm of specialists and for specialist journals, when the reality is that understanding assessment is central to everyone in education.
Maternal Enmeshment
Authors: Hann-Morrison Dee
Published: December 2012

This contribution will undertake a discussion of emotionally incestuous mother–son relationships. After a brief, but general discussion that defines such concepts as enmeshment, differentiation and individuation, the discussion will focus on how family system breaches adversely affect children’s social and emotional development. Then specific attention will be given to the long-term adverse impacts of unhealthy mother–son relationships.
High cereblon expression is associated with better survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with thalidomide maintenance
Authors: Broyl Annemiek , Kuiper Rowan , van Duin Mark , van der Holt Bronno , el Jarari Laila , Bertsch Uta , Zweegman Sonja , Buijs Arjan , Hose Dirk , Lokhorst Henk M. , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Sonneveld Pieter
Published: December 2012

Recently, cereblon (CRBN) expression was found to be essential for the activity of thalidomide and lenalidomide. In the present study, we investigated whether the clinical efficacy of thalidomide in multiple myeloma is associated with CRBN expression in myeloma cells. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were included in the HOVON-65/GMMG-HD4 trial, in which postintensification treatment in 1 arm consisted of daily thalidomide (50 mg) for 2 years. Gene-expression profiling, determined at the start of the trial, was available for 96 patients who started thalidomide maintenance. In this patient set, increase of CRBN gene expression was significantly associated with longerprogression-free survival (P = .005). In contrast, no association between CRBN expression and survival was observed in the arm with bortezomib maintenance. We conclude that CRBN expression may be associated with the clinical efficacy of thalidomide. This trial has been registered at the Nederlands Trial Register (www.trialregister.nl) as NTR213; at the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT) as 2004-000944-26; and at the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) as 64455289.
An automated approach for the identification of horizontal gene transfers from complete genomes reveals the rhizome of Rickettsiales
Authors: Le Phuong Thi , Ramulu Hemalatha Golaconda , Guijarro Laurent , Paganini Julien , Gouret Philippe , Chabrol Olivier , Raoult Dider , Pontarotti Pierre
Published: December 2012

Background

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is considered to be a major force driving the evolutionary history of prokaryotes. HGT is widespread in prokaryotes, contributing to the genomic repertoire of prokaryotic organisms, and is particularly apparent inRickettsialesgenomes. Gene gains from both distantly and closely related organisms play crucial roles in the evolution of bacterial genomes. In this work, we focus on genes transferred from distantly related species intoRickettsialesspecies.

Results

We developed an automated approach for the detection of HGT from other organisms (excluding alphaproteobacteria) intoRickettsialesgenomes. Our systematic approach consisted of several specialized features including the application of a parsimony method for inferring phyletic patterns followed by blast filter, automated phylogenetic reconstruction and the application of patterns for HGT detection. We identified 42 instances of HGT in 31 completeRickettsialesgenomes, of which 38 were previously unidentified instances of HGT fromAnaplasma,Wolbachia,CandidatusPelagibacter ubique andRickettsiagenomes. Additionally, putative cases with no phylogenetic support were assigned gene ontology terms. Overall, these transfers could be characterized as “rhizome-like”.

Conclusions

Our analysis provides a comprehensive, systematic approach for the automated detection of HGTs from several complete proteome sequences that can be applied to detect instances of HGT within other genomes of interest.
Genome-Wide Characterization of the Phosphate Starvation Response in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Carter-O’Connell Ian , Peel Michael T , Wykoff Dennis D , O’Shea Erin K
Published: December 2012

Background

Inorganic phosphate is an essential nutrient required by organisms for growth. During phosphate starvation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae activates the phosphate signal transduction (PHO) pathway, leading to expression of the secreted acid phosphatase, PHO5. The fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, regulates expression of the ScPHO5 homolog (pho1

+
) via a non-orthologous PHO pathway involving genetically identified positive (pho7

+
) and negative (csk1
+) regulators. The genes induced by phosphate limitation and the molecular mechanism by which pho7

+
and csk1
+ function are unknown. Here we use a combination of molecular biology, expression microarrays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to characterize the role of pho7

+
and csk1

+
in the PHO response.

Results

We define the set of genes that comprise the initial response to phosphate starvation in S. pombe. We identify a conserved PHO response that contains the ScPHO5 (pho1

+
), ScPHO84 (SPBC8E4.01c), and ScGIT1 (SPBC1271.09) orthologs. We identify members of the Pho7 regulon and characterize Pho7 binding in response to phosphate-limitation and Csk1 activity. We demonstrate that activation of pho1

+
requires Pho7 binding to a UAS in the pho1

+
promoter and that Csk1 repression does not regulate Pho7 enrichment. Further, we find that Pho7-dependent activation is not limited to phosphate-starvation, as additional environmental stress response pathways require pho7

+
for maximal induction.

Conclusions

We provide a global analysis of the transcriptional response to phosphate limitation in S. pombe. Our results elucidate the conserved core regulon induced in response to phosphate starvation in this ascomycete distantly related to S. cerevisiae and provide a better understanding of flexibility in environmental stress response networks.
Risk of esophagus cancer in diabetes mellitus: a population-based case-control study in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Kao-Chi , Chen Yu-Lung , Lai Shih-Wei , Tsai Pang-Yao , Sung Fung-Chang
Published: December 2012

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with the cancer risk. This study investigated relationship between DM and esophageal cancer using Taiwan’s insurance data.

Methods

We identified 549 patients with esophageal cancer newly diagnosed in 2000-2009 and randomly selected 2196 controls without any cancer, frequency matched by sex, age and diagnosis year of cases. Logistic regression model estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of esophageal cancer associated with DM, sex, age. co-morbidities and medications.

Results

Cases were more prevalent than controls for alcoholism and esophageal disorders and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors but not DM. Esophageal cancer had no association with DM (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.71-1.37), but significantly associated with alcoholism (OR 14.1, 95% CI 7.87-25.4), esophageal ulcer (OR 10.1, 95% CI 5.70-17.9), esophageal reflux (OR 3.47, 95% CI 2.14-5.26) and uses of NSAIDs (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.80-4.13). An elevated risk of esophageal cancer appeared in DM patients taking insulin (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.08-6.15) or sulfonyurea (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.16-12.5).

Conclusions

Patients with DM are not at higher risk for esophagus cancer. However, esophageal disorders and anti-diabetic drugs are associated with the risk of the disease.
Menopause and the influence of culture: another gap for Indigenous Australian women?
Authors: Jones Emma K , Jurgenson Janelle R , Katzenellenbogen Judith M , Thompson Sandra C
Published: December 2012

Background

There is great variation in experience of menopause in women around the world. The purpose of this study was to review current understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) women’s experiences of menopause. The literature pertaining to the perception, significance and experience of menopause from a number of cultural groups around the world has been included to provide context for why Indigenous women’s experience might be important for their health and differ from that reported in other studies of Australian women and menopause.

Methods

A search of databases including Ovid Medline, Pubmed, Web of Science, AUSThealth, AMED, EMBASE, Global Health and PsychINFO was undertaken from January 2011 to April 2011 using the search terms menopause, Indigenous, Aboriginal, attitudes, and perceptions and repeated in September 2012.

Results

Considerable research shows significant variation across cultures in the menopausal experience. Biological, psychological, social and cultural factors are associated with either positive or negative attitudes, perceptions or experiences of menopause in various cultures. Comparative international literature shows that neither biological nor social factors alone are sufficient to explain the variation in experiences of the menopausal transition. However, a strong influence of culture on the menopause experience can be found. The variation in women’s experience of menopause indicates that different cultural groups of women may have different understandings and needs during the menopausal transition. While considerable literature exists for Australian women as a whole, there has been little investigation of Australian Indigenous women, with only two research studies related to Indigenous women’s experiences of menopause identified.

Conclusions

Differences in biocultural experience of menopause around the world suggest the importance of biocultural research. For the Indigenous women of Australia, the relative contribution of culture, social disadvantage and poor general health compared with non-Indigenous women to the experience of menopause is unknown. As such, further research and understanding of the experience of Indigenous women around Australia is needed. This information could assist individuals, families, cultural groups and healthcare providers to enhance management and support for Indigenous Australian women.