bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rural Community Characteristics, Economic Hardship, and Peer and Parental Influences in Early Adolescent Alcohol Use
Authors: De Haan Laura , Boljevac Tina , Schaefer Kurt
Published: August 2009

The study explores how differences in rural community contexts relate to early adolescent alcohol use. Data were gathered from 1,424 adolescents in the sixth through eighth grades in 22 rural Northern Plains communities, as well as 790 adults, parents, teachers, and community leaders. Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that community supportiveness, as perceived by adolescents, but not adults, was associated with less lifetime and past month alcohol use, and for past month use, this relationship was stronger than perceived peer drinking or parental closeness. Perceived peer drinking and parental closeness were not associated with past month use. Adolescents experiencing family economic strain did not report greater lifetime or past month use, but living in a disadvantaged community was associated with greater past month use. Relatively affluent adolescents reported greater past month use when living in a poor community than did poorer adolescents, highlighting relationship complexity between economic disadvantage and alcohol use.
A Case-Control Study of Emotion Regulation and School Refusal in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Hughes Elizabeth K. , Gullone Eleonora , Dudley Amanda , Tonge Bruce
Published: August 2009

The current study aimed to investigate emotion regulation (ER) strategy use in a sample of 21 clinic-referred children and adolescents (10-14 years old) presenting with school refusal, all of whom were diagnosed with at least one anxiety disorder. Being the first known study to examine ER and school refusal, hypotheses were guided by previous research on anxiety. It was hypothesized that the school refusal sample would report less healthy ER strategy use compared to an age- and sex-matched nonclinical sample ( n = 21). As expected, the school refusal sample reported less use of cognitive reappraisal and greater use of expressive suppression to regulate their emotions than did the nonclinical sample. Although preliminary, the findings provide important information regarding the emotional functioning of children and adolescents presenting with school refusal. Future directions for research and implications for improved prevention and intervention programs are discussed.
Peer Victimization and Social Dominance as Intervening Variables of the Link Between Peer Liking and Relational Aggression
Authors: Adams Ryan E. , Bartlett Nancy H. , Bukowski William M.
Published: August 2009

The current study examined social dominance and peer victimization as possible intervening and moderating variables of the association between peer liking and relational aggression because previous findings suggest that social dominance and peer victimization are important for predicting the acceptableness and success of aggression. A total of 367 5th- and 6th-grade students from Quebec, Canada, completed peer ratings of their classmates on measures of peer liking, relational aggression, social dominance, and peer victimization. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that peer victimization worked as a mediator and a moderator, such that victimization explained the link between peer liking and relational aggression, and that this association was only significant at high levels of peer victimization. Alternatively, social dominance worked as a suppressor, with the link between peer liking and relational aggression becoming stronger once social dominance was controlled in the multiple regression. Social dominance did not moderate the same association.
Analytic Review: Confirmation of Endotracheal Tube Position: A Narrative Review
Authors: Rudraraju Praveen , Eisen Lewis Ari
Published: August 2009

Endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion is the primary method of definitive airway protection and control in critically ill patients. Detection of ETT malposition in a timely fashion is crucial in both elective and emergent intubation. In this review, we describe classic tests and highlight several new technologies that may assist the practitioner in determining ETT position within the esophago-tracheal complex, namely ultrasonographic and impedance-based methods. Strengths and weaknesses of particular methods are highlighted. Although many physical examination maneuvers have been described, reliance on the physical examination alone is insufficient for confirmation. Touted methods that appear failsafe, such as direct visualization of the ETT traversing the vocal cords have limitations, especially when dealing in the emergency setting accompanying a difficult to visualize airway. While carbon dioxide detection is an excellent confirmatory method, it is not infallible. Esophageal detection devices are useful as an alternative means of confirmation. New methods such as ultrasonic location of the ETT show promise but require further study. The clinician performing ETT insertion should have multiple confirmation methods that allow the practitioner to adapt to a variety of clinical situations, depending on local costs and availability. Finally, when the clinician still has uncertainty, or multiple tests give conflicting results, the availability of bronchoscopy at the bedside to visualize the carina through the ETT is useful.
Empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals for the sensitivity of a continuous-scale diagnostic test at a fixed level of specificity
Authors: Gengsheng Qin  , Davis Angela E. , Jing Bing-Yi
Published: August 2009

For a continuous-scale diagnostic test, it is often of interest to find the range of the sensitivity of the test at the cut-off that yields a desired specificity. In this article, we first define a profile empirical likelihood ratio for the sensitivity of a continuous-scale diagnostic test and show that its limiting distribution is a scaled chi-square distribution. We then propose two new empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals for the sensitivity of the test at a fixed level of specificity by using the scaled chi-square distribution. Simulation studies are conducted to compare the finite sample performance of the newly proposed intervals with the existing intervals for the sensitivity in terms of coverage probability. A real example is used to illustrate the application of the recommended methods.
Model diagnostics for multi-state models
Authors: Titman Andrew C , Sharples Linda D
Published: August 2009

Multi-state models are a popular method of describing medical processes that can be represented as discrete states or stages. They have particular use when the data are panel-observed, meaning they consist of discrete snapshots of disease status at irregular time points which may be unique to each patient. However, due to the difficulty of inference in more complicated cases, strong assumptions such as the Markov property, patient homogeneity and time homogeneity are applied. It is important that the validity of these assumptions is tested. A review of methods for diagnosing model fit for panel-observed continuous-time Markov and misclassification-type hidden Markov models is given, with illustrative application to a dataset on cardiac allograft vasculopathy progression in post-heart transplant patients.
Determining the Relative Importance of Predictors in Logistic Regression: An Extension of Relative Weight Analysis
Authors: Tonidandel Scott , LeBreton James M.
Published: August 2009

Techniques such as dominance analysis and relative weight analysis have been proposed recently to evaluate more accurately predictor importance in ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Similar questions of predictor importance also arise in instances where logistic regression is the primary mode of analysis. This article presents an extension of relative weight analysis that can be applied in logistic regression and thus aids in the determination of predictor importance. We briefly review relative importance techniques and then discuss a new procedure for calculating relative importance estimates in logistic regression. Finally, we present a substantive example applying this new approach to an example data set.
Research on Evaluation Use
Authors: Johnson Kelli , Greenseid Lija O. , Toal Stacie A. , King Jean A. , Lawrenz Frances , Volkov Boris
Published: August 2009

This paper reviews empirical research on the use of evaluation from 1986 to 2005 using Cousins and Leithwood’s 1986 framework for categorizing empirical studies of evaluation use conducted since that time. The literature review located 41 empirical studies of evaluation use conducted between 1986 and 2005 that met minimum quality standards. The Cousins and Leithwood framework allowed a comparison over time. After initially grouping these studies according to Cousins and Leithwood’s two categories and twelve characteristics, one additional category and one new characteristic were added to their framework. The new category is stakeholder involvement, and the new characteristic is evaluator competence (under the category of evaluation implementation). Findings point to the importance of stakeholder involvement in facilitating evaluation use and suggest that engagement, interaction, and communication between evaluation clients and evaluators is critical to the meaningful use of evaluations.
Strategy-as-Power: Ambiguity, Contradiction and the Exercise of Power in a UK Building Society
Authors: McCabe Darren
Published: August 2009

‘Strategy-as-practice’ (s-a-p) scholars have urged us to attend to the messy realities of strategy so as to increase the relevance of research for practititoners. This article, whilst recognizing the need to focus on what managers do, develops a critique of this literature. It argues that the s-a-p approach (Whittington, Jarzabkowski, Johnson, Balogun) and the earlier ‘Power School’ (Mintzberg, Pettigrew, Pfeffer) share much in common as both present power as the possession of management. This overstates the ability of managers to control others whilst understating the scope for resistance. Second, it asserts that both approaches would benefit from greater sensitivity towards the unequal context through which strategies emerge and that they serve, in part, to reproduce. Third, the article provides an empirical study of strategy in a UK Building Society. It attends to how power is exercised in ambiguous and contradictory ways that both supports and thwarts managerial endeavours. Through considering the uncertainty that results from this, the case reflects on the possibilities for resistance. The central argument is that if we explore practice only from management’s perspective, then we are in danger of not only reinforcing the status quo but also of being irrelevant to practitioners and wider constituents.
Risk Assessments for Mental Health Service Users
Authors: Littlechild Brian , Hawley Christopher
Published: August 2009

• Summary: This article considers the nature and basis of risk assessments in mental health services, based on empirical research on the tools used within NHS Mental Health Trusts in England which found a wide variety of such tools in use within them.

• Findings: The article examines the problems and potential benefits in the use of such tools, and argues for an inclusive and holistic approach to risk assessments which incorporate our knowledge of the risks of risk assessments. The article pays particular attention to risk assessment procedures as relevant to social workers who have to uphold the requirements of the General Social Care Council Code of Practice, which provides particular emphasis on issues of risk, and service user and carer involvement in assessments. Potential biases and limitations of risk assessment approaches, it is proposed, need to be taken into account in order to have a balanced view of the value of such approaches.

• Applications : The article provides a critique of the validity and effectiveness of current risk assessment tools, focusing in upon one key area in mental health work, the assessment and management of potential violence.
Proliferation of Street Children in Nigeria
Authors: Oyeniyi Aransiola Joshua , Bamiwuye Olusina , Ibukun Akinyemi Akanni , Olusegun Ikuteyijo Lanre
Published: August 2009

• Summary: The study examined the implications of the Nigerian Child Right Acts, 2003 on checking the proliferation of street children in Nigeria, focusing on such government institutions as the police and Social Welfare Department using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods.

• Findings: It is clear that the street children are the major targets by the government agencies but these children have no cordial relationship with the police. Their vision of the police is that of ‘punishment’ rather than ‘help’. Also, the government through the Social Welfare Department provides some assistance to street children, but their programmes were not attractive enough to the children, hence, the street children’s concept of approved schools is that of a typical ‘Nigerian prison yard‘.

• Applications : It is argued that the global paradigm shift from eradication of street children to providing support for street children has a very weak root in Nigeria. Therefore, there is the need for proper implementation of the Nigeria Child Rights Act promulgated in the year 2003, which could improve the standard of practice presently obtainable in Social Welfare Department and in other government agencies such as the Police Department as a possible solution to this social menace.
Is glycaemia or insulin dose the stronger risk factor for coronary artery disease in type 1 diabetes?
Authors: Conway Baqiyyah , Costacou Tina , Orchard Trevor
Published: August 2009

Although coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in type 1 diabetes (T1D), the mechanisms responsible for the greatly increased risk are poorly understood. In particular, the role of glycaemic control is controversial with one study suggesting it predicts CAD mortality but not incidence. In this analysis, of the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study cohort of T1D, we examine whether risk factors differ for CAD morbidity and mortality, with a specific focus on HbA1c and insulin dose. Participants ( n=592) were followed for 18 years for incident non-fatal and fatal CAD. Cox stepwise regression was used to determine the independent risk factors for non-fatal and fatal CAD. Mean age and diabetes duration at study baseline were 29 and 20 years, respectively. There were 109 incident non-fatal and 48 fatal CAD events. Baseline HbA1C was an independent risk factor for fatal CAD, along with duration of diabetes and albuminuria. In contrast, baseline lower insulin dose was strongly predictive of non-fatal CAD, as was lower renal function, higher diastolic blood pressure, and lipids. HbA1C predicts CAD mortality while lower insulin dose and standard CAD risk factors predict CAD morbidity.
The derivation of diagnostic markers of chronic myeloid leukemia progression from microarray data
Authors: Oehler Vivian G. , Yeung Ka Yee , Choi Yongjae E. , Bumgarner Roger E. , Raftery Adrian E. , Radich Jerald P.
Published: August 2009

Currently, limited molecular markers exist that can determine where in the spectrum of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) progression an individual patient falls at diagnosis. Gene expression profiles can predict disease and prognosis, but most widely used microarray analytical methods yield lengthy gene candidate lists that are difficult to apply clinically. Consequently, we applied a probabilistic method called Bayesian model averaging (BMA) to a large CML microarray dataset. BMA, a supervised method, considers multiple genes simultaneously and identifies small gene sets. BMA identified 6 genes (NOB1, DDX47, IGSF2, LTB4R, SCARB1, and SLC25A3) that discriminated chronic phase (CP) from blast crisis (BC) CML. In CML, phase labels divide disease progression into discrete states. BMA, however, produces posterior probabilities between 0 and 1 and predicts patients in “intermediate” stages. In validation studies of 88 patients, the 6-gene signature discriminated early CP from late CP, accelerated phase, and BC. This distinction between early and late CP is not possible with current classifications, which are based on known duration of disease. BMA is a powerful tool for developing diagnostic tests from microarray data. Because therapeutic outcomes are so closely tied to disease phase, these probabilities can be used to determine a risk-based treatment strategy at diagnosis.
Myeloma cell line–derived, pooled heat shock proteins as a universal vaccine for immunotherapy of multiple myeloma
Authors: Qian Jianfei , Hong Sungyoul , Wang Siqing , Zhang Liang , Sun Luhong , Wang Michael , Yang Jing , Kwak Larry W. , Hou Jian , Yi Qing
Published: August 2009

Tumor cell–derived heat shock proteins are used as vaccines for immunotherapy of cancer patients. However, current approaches require the generation of custom-made products and are clinically ineffective. To improve the applicability of heat shock protein–based immunotherapy in cancers and to enhance clinical efficacy, we explored combinational treatments in a myeloma setting using pooled heterogeneous or allogeneic myeloma cell line–derived glycoprotein 96 (gp96) as universal vaccines, and clearly demonstrated that pooled but not single gp96 from heterogeneous or allogeneic myeloma cell lines was as effective as autologous gp96 in protecting mice from tumor challenge and rechallenge and in treating established myeloma. We showed that interferon γ and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were required for gp96-induced antimyeloma responses and that pooled gp96 induced broader immune responses that protected mice from developing different myeloma. Furthermore, pooled gp96 plus CpG in combination with anti-B7H1 or anti–interleukin-10 monoclonal antibodies were effective in treating mice with large tumor burdens. Thus, this study strongly suggests that pooled gp96 vaccines from myeloma cell lines can replace gp96 vaccines from autologous tumors for immunotherapy and induce immune responses against broader tumor antigens that may protect against tumor recurrence and development of unrelated tumors in vaccinated myeloma patients.
Improving detection of differentially expressed gene sets by applying cluster enrichment analysis to Gene Ontology
Authors: Xu Tao , Gu JianLei , Zhou Yan , Du LinFang
Published: August 2009

Background

Gene set analysis based on Gene Ontology (GO) can be a promising method for the analysis of differential expression patterns. However, current studies that focus on individual GO terms have limited analytical power, because the complex structure of GO introduces strong dependencies among the terms, and some genes that are annotated to a GO term cannot be found by statistically significant enrichment.

Results

We proposed a method for enriching clustered GO terms based on semantic similarity, namely cluster enrichment analysis based on GO (CeaGO), to extend the individual term analysis method. Using an Affymetrix HGU95aV2 chip dataset with simulated gene sets, we illustrated that CeaGO was sensitive enough to detect moderate expression changes. When compared to parent-based individual term analysis methods, the results showed that CeaGO may provide more accurate differentiation of gene expression results. When used with two acute leukemia (ALL and ALL/AML) microarray expression datasets, CeaGO correctly identified specifically enriched GO groups that were overlooked by other individual test methods.

Conclusion

By applying CeaGO to both simulated and real microarray data, we showed that this approach could enhance the interpretation of microarray experiments. CeaGO is currently available at http://chgc.sh.cn/en/software/CeaGO/.
Cross-breed comparisons identified a critical 591-kb region for bovine carcass weight QTL (CW-2) on chromosome 6 and the Ile-442-Met substitution in NCAPG as a positional candidate
Authors: Setoguchi Kouji , Furuta Masako , Hirano Takashi , Nagao Tomoko , Watanabe Toshio , Sugimoto Yoshikazu , Takasuga Akiko
Published: August 2009

Background

Growth-related traits have been mapped on bovine chromosome 6 (BTA 6) in various bovine breed populations. We previously mapped a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) for carcass and body weight (CW-2) between 38 and 55 cM on BTA 6 using a Japanese Black half-sib family. Additional QTL mapping studies detected four QTL for body or carcass weight that overlapped withCW-2in Japanese Black and Japanese Brown half-sib families. To map the region in greater detail, we applied cross-breed comparisons of haplotypes that have been shown to be powerful in canine.

Results

We used 38 microsatellite markers to search for a sharedQ(increasing carcass and/or body weight) haplotype within the 17-cMCW-2region among five sires. Linkage disequilibrium mapping using maternal alleles of the offspring showed that an 815-kb sharedQhaplotype was associated with body or carcass weight in both breeds. The addition of 43 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers narrowed the region to 591 kb containing 4 genes. The SNP changing Ile-442 to Met inNCAPG(chromosome condensation protein G) was significantly associated with carcass weight (p< 1.2 × 10-11) in a large Japanese Black population as well as in the five families. TheQallele of the SNP was also associated with a larger longissimus muscle area and thinner subcutaneous fat thickness in steers of all five families, indicating that theCW-2locus is pleiotropic and favorable for marker-assisted selection of beef cattle.

Conclusion

A 591-kb critical region forCW-2was identified. The SNP changing Ile-442 to Met inNCAPG(chromosome condensation protein G) can be used as a positional candidate ofCW-2for marker-assisted selection.
Photonic plasmid stability of transformed Salmonella Typhimurium: A comparison of three unique plasmids
Authors: Moulton Keesla , Ryan Peter , Lay Donald , Willard Scott
Published: August 2009

Background

Acquiring a highly stable photonic plasmid in transformed Salmonella Typhimurium for use in biophotonic studies of bacterial tracking in vivo is critical to experimental paradigm development. The objective of this study was to determine stability of transformed Salmonella Typhimurium (S. typh-lux) using three different plasmids and characterize their respective photonic properties.

Results

In presence of ampicillin (AMP), S. typh-lux with pCGLS-1, pAK1-lux and pXEN-1 plasmids exhibited 100% photon-emitting colonies over a 10-d study period. Photon emitters of S. typh-lux with pCGLS-1, pAK1-lux and pXEN-1 without AMP selection decreased over time (P < 0.05), representing only 11 ± 1%, 35 ± 1% and 43 ± 1%, respectively, of original photon emitting properties of the bacterial population by d 10. Photonic emissions were positively correlated with bacterial concentration (P < 0.05) for pAK1-lux, pCGLS-1 and pXEN-1 (r = 0.96, 0.98 and 0.82, respectively). When stratified by high, medium and low density bacteria concentrations, photonic emissions for high density populations containing pAK1-lux, pCGLS-1 and pXEN-1 resulted in differences of photonic emissions across a range of bacterial concentrations (1 × 107 to 1 × 109 CFU, P < 0.05) with positive correlations (P < 0.05) of (r = 0.72, 0.46 and 0.72, respectively). The correlation of photonic emissions with bacterial concentrations for samples with medium and low density bacteria (pAK1-lux, pCGLS-1, and pXEN-1 plasmids) imaged in tubes were also positively correlated (medium; r = 0.69, 0.49, 0.46, low; r = 0.90, 0.71, 0.68, respectively; P > 0.05); although photonic emissions across a range of bacterial concentrations were not different (1 × 104 to 1 × 106 CFU, P > 0.05). For very low density bacterial concentrations imaged in 96 well plates photonic emissions were positively correlated with bacterial concentration (P < 0.05) for pAK1-lux, pCGLS-1, and pXEN-1 plasmids (r = 0.99, 0.99, and 0.96, respectively), and photonic emissions across a range of bacterial concentrations (1 × 103 to 1 × 105 CFU) low to high were different in the 96-well plate format (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These data characterize photon stability properties for S. typh-lux transformed with three different photon generating plasmids that may facilitate real-time Salmonella tracking using in vivo or in situ biophotonic paradigms.
Number of addictive substances used related to increased risk of unnatural death: A combined medico-legal and case-record study
Authors: Brådvik Louise , Berglund Mats , Frank Arne , Lindgren Anna , Löwenhielm Peter
Published: August 2009

Background

Substance use disorders have repeatedly been found to lead to premature death, i.e. drug-related death by disease, fatal intoxications, or trauma (accidents, suicide, undetermined suicide, and homicide). The present study examined the relationship between multi-drug substance use and natural and unnatural death.

Methods

All consecutive, autopsied patients who had been in contact with the Addiction Centre in Malmö University Hospital from 1993 to 1997 inclusive were investigated. Drug abuse was investigated blindly in the case records and related to the cause of death in 387 subjects.

Results

Every substance apart from alcohol used previously in life added to the risk of unnatural death in a linear way. There were independent increased risks of fatal heroin overdoses or undetermined suicide. Death by suicide and violent death were unrelated to additional abuse.

Conclusion

The number of drugs used was related to an increased risk of unnatural death by undetermined suicide (mainly fatal intoxications) and heroin overdose.
Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants
Authors: Thring Tamsyn SA , Hili Pauline , Naughton Declan P
Published: August 2009

Background

Owing to their roles in tissue remodelling in health and disease, several studies have reported investigations on plant extracts as inhibitors of proteinases and as anti-oxidants.

Methods

The anti-ageing and anti-oxidant properties of 23 plant extracts (from 21 plant species) were assessed as anti-elastase and anti-collagenase activities and in selected anti-oxidant assays along with phenolic content.

Results

Anti-elastase activities were observed for nine of the extracts with inhibitory activity in the following order: white tea (~89%), cleavers (~58%), burdock root (~51%), bladderwrack (~50%), anise and angelica (~32%). Anti-collagenase activities were exhibited by sixteen plants of which the highest activity was seen in white tea (~87%), green tea (~47%), rose tincture (~41%), and lavender (~31%). Nine plant extracts had activities against both elastase (E) and collagenase (C) and were ranked in the order of white tea (E:89%, C:87%) > bladderwrack (E:50%, C:25%) > cleavers (E:58%, C:7%) > rose tincture (E:22%, C:41%) > green tea (E:10%: C:47%) > rose aqueous (E: 24%, C:26%) > angelica (E:32%, C:17%) > anise (E:32%, C:6%) > pomegranate (E:15%, C:11%).

Total phenolic content varied between 0.05 and 0.26 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL with the exception of white tea (0.77 mg GAE/mL). For anti-oxidant assessment, the Trolox equivalent anti-oxidant capacity (TEAC) assay revealed activity for all extracts. White tea had the highest activity equivalent to ~21 μM Trolox for a 6.25 μg aliquot. In addition, seven extracts exhibited activities = 10 μM Trolox with witch hazel (6.25 μg = 13 μM Trolox) and rose aqueous (6.25 μg = 10 μM Trolox) showing very high activities at low concentrations. A high activity for white tea was also found in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay in which it exhibited ~88% inhibition of reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium. High activities were also observed for green tea (86.41%), rose tincture (82.77%), witch hazel (82.05%) and rose aqueous (73.86%).

Conclusion

From a panel of twenty three plant extracts, some one dozen exhibit high or satisfactory anti-collagenase or anti-elastase activities, with nine having inhibitory activity against both enzymes. These included white tea which was found to have very high phenolic content, along with high TEAC and SOD activities.
Utilization of acute and long-term care in the last year of life: comparison with survivors in a population-based study
Authors: Pot Anne Margriet , Portrait France , Visser Geraldine , Puts Martine , van Groenou Marjolein I Broese , Deeg Dorly JH
Published: August 2009

Background

It is well-known that the use of care services is most intensive in the last phase of life. However, so far only a few determinants of end-of-life care utilization are known. The aims of this study were to describe the utilization of acute and long-term care among older adults in their last year of life as compared to those not in their last year of life, and to examine which of a broad range of determinants can account for observed differences in care utilization.

Methods

Data were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). In a random, age and sex stratified population-based cohort of 3107 persons aged 55 – 85 years at baseline and representative of the Netherlands, follow-up cycles took place at 3, 6 and 9 years. Those who died within one year directly after a cycle were defined as the "end-of-life group" (n = 262), and those who survived at least three years after a cycle were defined as the "survivors". Utilization of acute and long-term care services, including professional and informal care, were recorded at each cycle, as well as a broad range of health-related and psychosocial variables.

Results

The end-of-life group used more care than the survivors. In the younger-old this difference was most pronounced for acute care, and in the older-old, for long-term care. Use of both acute and long-term home care in the last year of life was fully accounted for by health problems. Use of institutional care at the end of life was partly accounted for by health problems, but was not fully explained by the determinants included.

Conclusion

This study shows that severity of health problems are decisive in the explanation of the increase in use of care services towards the end-of-life. This information is essential for an appropriate allocation of professional health care to the benefit of older persons themselves and their informal caregivers.
Sri Lankan tsunami refugees: a cross sectional study of the relationships between housing conditions and self-reported health
Authors: Turner Alex , Pathirana Sameera , Daley Amanda , Gill Paramjit S
Published: August 2009

Background

On the 26th December 2004 the Asian tsunami devastated the Sri Lankan coastline. More than two years later, over 14,500 families were still living in transitional shelters. This study compares the health of the internally displaced people (IDP), living in transitional camps with those in permanent housing projects provided by government and non-government organisations in Sri Lanka.

Methods

This study was conducted in seven transitional camps and five permanent housing projects in the south west of Sri Lanka. Using an interviewer-led questionnaire, data on the IDPs' self-reported health and housing conditions were collected from 154 participants from transitional camps and 147 participants from permanent housing projects. Simple tabulation with non-parametric tests and logistic regression were used to identify and analyse relationships between housing conditions and the reported prevalence of specific symptoms.

Results

Analysis showed that living conditions were significantly worse in transitional camps than in permanent housing projects for all factors investigated, except 'having a leaking roof'. Transitional camp participants scored significantly lower on self-perceived overall health scores than those living in housing projects. After controlling for gender, age and marital status, living in a transitional camp compared to a housing project was found to be a significant risk factor for the following symptoms; coughs OR: 3.53 (CI: 2.11–5.89), stomach ache 4.82 (2.19–10.82), headache 5.20 (3.09–8.76), general aches and pains 6.44 (3.67–11.33) and feeling generally unwell 2.28 (2.51–7.29). Within transitional camp data, the only condition shown to be a significant risk factor for any symptom was household population density, which increased the risk of stomach aches 1.40 (1.09–1.79) and headaches 1.33 (1.01–1.77).

Conclusion

Internally displaced people living in transitional camps are a vulnerable population and specific interventions need to be targeted at this population to address the health inequalities that they report to be experiencing. Further studies need to be conducted to establish which aspects of their housing environment predispose them to poorer health.
Transcriptional activation of the Lats1 tumor suppressor gene in tumors of CUX1 transgenic mice
Authors: Siam Rania , Harada Ryoko , Cadieux Chantal , Battat Robert , Vadnais Charles , Nepveu Alain
Published: August 2009

Background

Lats1 (large tumor suppressor 1) codes for a serine/threonine kinase that plays a role in the progression through mitosis. Genetic studies demonstrated that the loss of LATS1 in mouse, and of its ortholog wts (warts) in Drosophila, is associated with increased cancer incidence. There are conflicting reports, however, as to whether overexpression of Lats1 inhibits cell proliferation. CUX1 is a transcription factor that exists in different isoforms as a result of proteolytic processing or alternative transcription initiation. Expression of p110 and p75 CUX1 in transgenic mice increases the susceptibility to cancer in various organs and tissues. In tissue culture, p110 CUX1 was shown to accelerate entry into S phase and stimulate cell proliferation.

Results

Genome-wide location arrays in cell lines of various cell types revealed that Lats1 was a transcriptional target of CUX1. Scanning ChIP analysis confirmed that CUX1 binds to the immediate promoter of Lats1. Expression of Lats1 was reduced in cux1-/- MEFs, whereas it was increased in cells stably or transiently expressing p110 or p75 CUX1. Reporter assays confirmed that the immediate promoter of Lats1 was sufficient to confer transcriptional activation by CUX1. Lats1 was found to be overexpressed in tumors from the mammary gland, uterus and spleen that arise in p110 or p75 CUX1 transgenic mice. In tissue culture, such elevated LATS1 expression did not hinder cell cycle progression in cells overexpressing p110 CUX1.

Conclusion

While inactivation of Lats1/wts in mouse and Drosophila can increase cancer incidence, results from the present study demonstrate that Lats1 is a transcriptional target of CUX1 that can be overexpressed in tumors of various tissue-types. Interestingly, two other studies documented the overexpression of LATS1 in human cervical cancers and basal-like breast cancers. We conclude that, similarly to other genes involved in mitotic checkpoint, cancer can be associated with either loss-of-function or overexpression of Lats1.
MyD88 and TRIF mediate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) induced corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) expression in JEG3 choriocarcinoma cell line
Authors: Uh Andy , Simmons Charles F , Bresee Catherine , Khoury Nasif , Gombart Adrian F , Nicholson Richard C , Kocak Hande , Equils Ozlem
Published: August 2009

Background

Classically protein kinase A (PKA) and transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) mediate the cyclic AMP (cAMP) induced-corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) expression in the placenta. However enteric Gram (-) bacterial cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may also induce-CRH expression via Toll like receptor (TLR)4 and its adaptor molecule Myd88. Here we investigated the role of MyD88, TRIF and IRAK2 on cAMP-induced CRH promoter activation in JEG3 cells in the absence of LPS/TLR4 stimulation.

Methods

JEG3 cells were transfected with CRH-luciferase and Beta-galactosidase expression vectors and either empty or dominant-negative (DN)-MyD88, DN-TRIF or DN-IRAK2 vectors using Fugene6 (Roche). cAMP-induced CRH promoter activation was examined by using a luminometer and luciferase assay. Calorimetric Beta-galactosidase assays were performed to correct for transfection efficiency. Luciferase expression vectors of cAMP-downstream molecules, CRE and AP-1, were used to further examine the signaling cascades.

Results

cAMP stimulation induced AP-1 and CRE promoter expression and led to dose-dependent CRH promoter activation in JEG3 cells. Inhibition of MyD88 signaling blocked cAMP-induced CRE and CRH promoter activation. Inhibition of TRIF signaling blocked cAMP-induced CRH but not CRE expression, while inhibition of IRAK2 did not have an effect on cAMP-induced CRH expression.

Conclusion

MyD88 and TRIF exert direct regulatory effect on cAMP-induced CRH promoter activation in JEG3 cells in the absence of infection. MyD88 most likely interacts with molecules upstream of IRAK2 to regulate cAMP-induced CRH expression.
Transforming growth factor beta isoforms regulation of Akt activity and XIAP levels in rat endometrium during estrous cycle, in a model of pseudopregnancy and in cultured decidual cells
Authors: Caron Pierre-Luc , Fréchette-Frigon Guylaine , Shooner Carl , Leblanc Valérie , Asselin Eric
Published: August 2009

Background

During the estrous cycle, the rat uterine endometrium undergoes many changes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. If implantation occurs, stromal cells differentiate into decidual cells and near the end of pregnancy, a second wave of apoptosis occurs. This process called decidual regression, is tightly regulated as is it crucial for successful pregnancy. We have previously shown that TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 are expressed in the endometrium during decidual basalis regression, but although we had demonstrated that TGF- beta1 was involved in the regulation of apoptosis in decidual cells, the ability of TGF- beta2 and TGF-beta3 isoforms to trigger apoptotic mechanisms in these cells remains unknown. Moreover, we hypothesized that the TGF-betas were also present and regulated in the non-pregnant endometrium during the estrous cycle. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the specific effect of each TGF-β isoform in the regulation of apoptosis in sensitized endometrial stromal cells in vitro, and to investigate the regulation of TGF-beta isoforms in the endometrium during the estrous cycle in vivo.

Methods

Rats with regular estrous cycle (4 days) were killed at different days of estrous cycle (diestrus, proestrus, estrus and metestrus). Pseudopregnancy was induced with sex steroids in ovariectomized rats and rats were killed at different days (days 1–9). Uteri were collected and either fixed for immunohistochemical staining (IHC) or processed for RT-PCR and Western analyses. For the in vitro part of the study, rats were ovariectomized and decidualization was induced using sex steroids. Endometrial stromal decidual cells were purified, cultured and treated with different concentrations of TGF-beta isoforms.

Results

Our results showed that all three TGF-beta isoforms are present, but are localized differently in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and their expression is regulated differently during pseudopregnancy. In cultured stromal cells, we found that TGF-beta3 isoform induced Smad2 phosphorylation, indicating that the Smad pathway is activated by TGF-beta3 in these cells. Furthermore, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 induced a dose-dependant increase of apoptosis in cultured stromal cells, as demonstrated by Hoechst nuclear staining. Noteworthy, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 reduced the level of the anti-apoptotic XIAP protein, as well as the level of phosphorylated/active Akt, a well known survival protein, in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Those results suggest that TGF-beta might play an important role in the remodelling endometrium during the estrous cycle and in the regulation of apoptosis in rat decidual cells, in which inhibition of Akt survival pathway might be an important mechanism involved in the regulation of apoptosis.
Increased urine IgM excretion predicts cardiovascular events in patients with type 1 diabetes nephropathy
Authors: Tofik Rafid , Torffvit Ole , Rippe Bengt , Bakoush Omran
Published: August 2009

Background

Diabetic nephropathy, a major complication of diabetes, is characterized by progressive renal injury and increased cardiovascular mortality. An increased urinary albumin excretion due dysfunction of the glomerular barrier is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy. An increased urinary excretion of higher molecular weight proteins such as IgM appears with progression of glomerular injury. We aim here to study the prognostic significance of urine IgM excretion in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetic nephropathy).

Methods

This is an observational study of 139 patients with type1 diabetes mellitus (79 males and 60 females) under routine care at the diabetic outpatient clinic at the Lund University Hospital. The median follow-up time was 18 years (1 to 22) years. Urine albumin and urine IgM concentration were measured at time of recruitment.

Results

Overall 32 (14 male and 18 female) patients died in a cardiovascular event and 20 (11 male and 9 female) patients reached end-stage renal disease. Univariate analysis indicated that patient survival and renal survival were inversely associated with urine albumin excretion (RR = 2.9 and 5.8, respectively) and urine IgM excretion (RR = 4.6 and 5.7, respectively). Stratified analysis demonstrated that in patients with different degrees of albuminuria, the cardiovascular mortality rate and the incidence of end-stage renal disease was approximately three times higher in patients with increased urine IgM excretion.

Conclusion

An increase in urinary IgM excretion in patients with type 1 diabetes is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular mortality and renal failure, regardless of the degree of albuminuria.
A synopsis of eukaryotic Nα-terminal acetyltransferases: nomenclature, subunits and substrates
Authors: Polevoda Bogdan , Arnesen Thomas , Sherman Fred
Published: August 2009

We have introduced a consistent nomenclature for the various subunits of the NatA-NatE N-terminal acetyltransferases from yeast, humans and other eukaryotes.
Composition and biological significance of the human Nα-terminal acetyltransferases
Authors: Starheim Kristian K , Gromyko Darina , Velde Rolf , Varhaug Jan Erik , Arnesen Thomas
Published: August 2009

Protein Nα-terminal acetylation is one of the most common protein modifications in eukaryotic cells, occurring on approximately 80% of soluble human proteins. An increasing number of studies links Nα-terminal acetylation to cell differentiation, cell cycle, cell survival, and cancer. Thus, Nα-terminal acetylation is an essential modification for normal cell function in humans. Still, little is known about the functional role of Nα-terminal acetylation. Recently, the three major human N-acetyltransferase complexes, hNatA, hNatB and hNatC, were identified and characterized. We here summarize the identified N-terminal acetyltransferase complexes in humans, and we review the biological studies on Nα-terminal acetylation in humans and other higher eukaryotes.
Application of reverse-phase HPLC to quantify oligopeptide acetylation eliminates interference from unspecific acetyl CoA hydrolysis
Authors: Evjenth Rune , Hole Kristine , Ziegler Mathias , Lillehaug Johan R
Published: August 2009

Protein acetylation is a common modification that plays a central role in several cellular processes. The most widely used methods to study these modifications are either based on the detection of radioactively acetylated oligopetide products or an enzyme-coupled reaction measuring conversion of the acetyl donor acetyl CoA to the product CoASH. Due to several disadvantages of these methods, we designed a new method to study oligopeptide acetylation. Based on reverse phase HPLC we detect both reaction products in a highly robust and reproducible way. The method reported here is also fully compatible with subsequent product analysis, e.g. by mass spectroscopy. The catalytic subunit, hNaa30p, of the human NatC protein N-acetyltransferase complex was used for N-terminal oligopeptide acetylation. We show that unacetylated and acetylated oligopeptides can be efficiently separated and quantified by the HPLC-based analysis. The method is highly reproducible and enables reliable quantification of both substrates and products. It is therefore well-suited to determine kinetic parameters of acetyltransferases.
Thoracic epidural anesthesia reverses sepsis-induced hepatic hyperperfusion and reduces leukocyte adhesion in septic rats
Authors: Freise Hendrik , Daudel Fritz , Grosserichter Christina , Lauer Stefan , Hinkelmann Juergen , Van Aken Hugo K , Sielenkaemper Andreas W , Westphal Martin , Fischer Lars G
Published: August 2009

Introduction

Liver dysfunction is a common feature of severe sepsis and is associated with a poor outcome. Both liver perfusion and hepatic inflammatory response in sepsis might be affected by sympathetic nerve activity. However, the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA), which is associated with regional sympathetic block, on septic liver injury are unknown. Therefore, we investigated hepatic microcirculation and inflammatory response during TEA in septic rats.

Methods

Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley-rats were instrumented with thoracic epidural catheters and randomized to receive a sham procedure (Sham), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) without epidural anesthesia (Sepsis) and CLP with epidural infusion of 15 ul/h bupivacaine 0.5% (Sepsis + TEA). All animals received 2 ml/100 g/h NaCl 0.9%. In 24 (n = 8 in each group) rats, sinusoidal diameter, loss of sinusoidal perfusion and sinusoidal blood flow as well as temporary and permanent leukocyte adhesion to sinusoidal and venolar endothelium were recorded by intravital microscopy after 24 hours. In 21 (n = 7 in each group) separate rats, cardiac output was measured by thermodilution. Blood pressure, heart rate, serum transaminase activity, serum TNF-alpha concentration and histologic signs of tissue injury were recorded.

Results

Whereas cardiac output remained constant in all groups, sinusoidal blood flow increased in the Sepsis group and was normalized in rats subjected to sepsis and TEA. Sepsis-induced sinusoidal vasoconstriction was not ameliorated by TEA. In the Sepsis + TEA group, the increase in temporary venolar leukocyte adherence was blunted. In contrast to this, sinusoidal leukocyte adherence was not ameliorated in the Sepsis + TEA group. Sepsis-related release of TNF-alpha and liver tissue injury were not affected by Sepsis + TEA.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that TEA reverses sepsis-induced alterations in hepatic perfusion and ameliorates hepatic leukocyte recruitment in sepsis.
Acoustic VTI modeling using high-order finite differences
Authors: Hestholm Stig
Published: August 2009

Two second-order wave equations for acoustic vertical transversely isotropic (VTI) media are transformed to six first-order coupled partial differential equations for a more straighforward numerical implementation of the derivatives. The resulting first-order equations have a more natural form for discretization by any finite-difference, pseudospectral, or finite-element method. I discretized the new equations by high-order finite differences and used synthetic seismograms and snapshots for anisotropic and isotropic cases. The relative merits of placing the source deep and close to a free surface are assessed, illustrating advantages of exciting the source inside or outside of a near-surface, thin, isotropic layer. Results show that traveltimes from deep seismic reflectors can remain virtually unaffected when near-surface isotropic layers are included in acoustic VTI media.