bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated glucose concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test are associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome in childhood obesity
Authors: Sabin M. A. , Hunt L. P. , Ford A. L. , Werther G. A. , Crowne E. C. , Shield J. P. H.
Published: February 2008

Aims  To investigate whether changes in glucose concentrations during an OGTT in obese children reflect the presence of peripheral insulin resistance and/or cardiovascular risk factors more closely than single measurements of fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

Methods  One hundred and twenty‐two obese children attending our Paediatric Obesity Service underwent formal OGTTs, following the measurement of blood pressure and fasting levels of insulin, glucose and lipid profiles in the majority. Fasting insulin was used as a surrogate measure of insulin sensitivity. Three different child‐specific definitions for metabolic syndrome were used to identify clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in 65 of these children.

Results  In the whole group, 10.7% had IGT but changes in glucose during the OGTT were not influenced by age, sex, pubertal status or raw (or age‐ and sex‐adjusted) body mass index (BMI). During the OGTT, FPG, glucose at 60 min and area under the glucose curve correlated highly with fasting insulin. Children with metabolic syndrome (defined using any of three definitions) had comparable FPG levels to those without metabolic syndrome, but they demonstrated significantly elevated glucose levels at 60 min. On sub‐group analysis, obese children with normal carbohydrate metabolism were significantly more likely to have a 1 h glucose level ≥ 7.8 mmol/l if they had metabolic syndrome (P = 0.026).

Conclusions  These data suggest that an elevated 1 h post‐load glucose measurement is seen in obese children who have a coexistent clustering of cardiovascular risk factors.
Vegetation differentiation in the patterned landscape of the central Everglades: importance of local and landscape drivers
Authors: Givnish Thomas J. , Volin John C. , Owen V. Dianne , Volin Valeria C. , Muss Jordan D. , Glaser Paul H.
Published: February 2008

Aim  We present a model to account for self‐assembly of the slough–ridge–tree island patterned landscape of the central Everglades in southern Florida via feedbacks among landforms, hydrology, vegetation and biogeochemistry. We test aspects of this model by analysing vegetation composition in relation to local and landscape‐level drivers.

Location  We quantified vegetation composition and environmental characteristics in central Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A, southern WCA‐3A and southern WCA‐3B in southern Florida, based on their divergence in water management and flow regimes over the past 50 years.

Methods  In 562 quadrats, we estimated species coverages and quantified maximum, minimum and average water depth, soil depth to bedrock, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and proximity to the nearest tree island. We used non‐metric multi‐dimensional scaling (NMS) to relate compositional variation to local and landscape‐level factors, and evaluated environmental differences among eight a priori vegetation types via anova.

Results  Water depth and hydroperiod decreased from sloughs to ridges to tree islands, but regions also differed significantly in the abundance of several community types and the hydroregimes characterizing them. NMS revealed two significant axes of compositional variation, tied to local gradients of water depth and correlated factors, and to a landscape‐scale gradient of proximity to tall tree islands. Sawgrass height and soil thickness increased toward higher ridges, and NDVI was greatest on tree islands.

Main conclusions  This study supports four components of our model: positive feedback of local substrate height on itself, woody plant invasion and subsequent P transport and concentration by top predators nesting on taller tree islands, compositional shifts in sites close to tree islands due to nutrient leakage, and flow‐induced feedback against total raised area. Regional divergence in the relationship of community types to current hydroregimes appears to reflect a lag of a few years after shifts in water management; a longer lag would be expected for shifts in landscape patterning. Both local and landscape‐level drivers appear to shape vegetation composition and soil thickness in the central Everglades.
Do Rapoport's rule, the mid‐domain effect or the source–sink hypotheses predict bathymetric patterns of polychaete richness on the Pacific coast of South America?
Authors: Moreno Rodrigo A. , Rivadeneira Marcelo M. , Hernández Cristián E. , Sampértegui Sandra , Rozbaczylo Nicolás
Published: February 2008

Aim  We evaluated the bathymetric gradient of benthic polychaete species richness from the Chilean coast, as well as its possible underlying causes. We tested three possible hypotheses to explain the richness gradient: (1) Rapoport's effect; (2) the mid‐domain effect (MDE); and (c) the source–sink hypothesis.

Location  South‐eastern Pacific coast of Chile.

Methods  The bathymetric gradient in richness was evaluated using the reported ranges of bathymetric distribution of 498 polychaete species, from the intertidal to abyssal zone (c. 4700 m). Rapoport's effect was evaluated by examining the relationship between bathymetric mid‐point and bathymetric range extent, and species richness and depth. The MDE was tested using the Monte Carlo simulation program. The source–sink hypothesis was tested through nestedness analysis.

Results  Species richness shows significant exponential decay across the bathymetric gradient. The pattern is characterized by a high presence of short‐ranged species on the continental shelf area; while only a few species reach abyssal depths, and they tend to show extremely wide bathymetric ranges. Our simulation analyses showed that, in general, the pattern is robust to sampling artefacts. This pattern cannot be reproduced by the MDE, which predicts a parabolic richness gradient. Rather, results agree with the predictions of Rapoport's effect. Additionally, the data set is significantly nested at species, genus and family levels, supporting the source–sink hypothesis.

Main conclusions  The sharp exponential decay in benthic polychaete richness across the bathymetric gradient supports the general idea that abyssal environments should harbour fewer species than shallower zones. This pattern may be the result of colonization–extinction dynamics, characterized by abyssal assemblages acting as ‘sinks’ maintained mainly by shallower ‘sources’. The source–sink hypothesis provides a conceptual and methodological framework that may shed light on the search for general patterns of diversity across large spatial scales.
Optimal Sequential Design in a Controlled Non‐parametric Regression
Authors: EFROMOVICH SAM
Published: February 2008

Abstract.  In a non‐parametric regression, the heteroscedasticity (dependence of the variance of the regression error on the predictor) can be a serious complication in estimation or visualization of an underlying regression function. If a controlled sampling is permitted, then the statistician can choose the design of predictors which attenuates the effect of heteroscedasticity. It is proposed to use a design which minimizes the mean integrated squared error of the regression function estimation. Then the corresponding optimal design density is proportional to the standard deviation of the regression error (the so‐called scale function). Because in general the statistician does not know an underlying scale function, the natural question is as follows: is it possible to suggest a sequential design which performs as well as an oracle that knows the underlying scale function? The answer is ‘yes’, and a corresponding sequential procedure is developed. It is proved, for the first time in the literature, that a data‐driven sequential design, together with an adaptive regression estimator, can mimic the oracle and be sharp minimax. Further, it is shown that the suggested method is feasible for small samples.
Intensity Estimation for Spatial Point Processes Observed with Noise
Authors: CUCALA LIONEL
Published: February 2008

Abstract.  This article introduces a kernel estimator of the intensity function of spatial point processes taking into account location errors. The asymptotic properties of the estimator are derived and a bandwidth selection procedure is described. A simulation study compares our results with that of the classical kernel estimator and shows that the edge‐corrected deconvoluting kernel estimator is more appropriate.
The Support Reduction Algorithm for Computing Non‐Parametric Function Estimates in Mixture Models
Authors: GROENEBOOM PIET , JONGBLOED GEURT , WELLNER JON A.
Published: February 2008

Abstract. In this paper, we study an algorithm (which we call the support reduction algorithm) that can be used to compute non‐parametricM‐estimators in mixture models. The algorithm is compared with natural competitors in the context of convex regression and the ‘Aspect problem’ in quantum physics.
Contrast and convergence in Standard Jamaican English: the phonological architecture of the standard in an ideologically bidialectal community
Authors: IRVINE ALISON
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT: The acrolect, in territories like Jamaica, is described in the literature in a number of ways – as “the local standard English” or as the theoretical upper end of the construct referred to as “the continuum”. Data was collected from a sample of Jamaican speakers whose work prospects require use of Standard Jamaican English. The analysis reveals that phonological variation in Jamaican English is structured in such a way as to reflect the coexistence of Creole and English, in a speech community that values the speaker who can use both varieties. In a linguistic context that is characterized by continuous variation, use of some variables is crucial in defining the boundaries between Creole and English, thus establishing the variety the speaker is using. These I call “load‐bearing phonological variables”. I show that it is not the use of English variantsper sethat defines someone as speaking the acrolect; rather it is use of variants of these load‐bearing variables.
Enacting English language ownership in the Outer Circle: a study of Singaporean Indians' orientations to English norms
Authors: RUBDY RANI , MCKAY SANDRA LEE , ALSAGOFF LUBNA , BOKHORST‐HENG WENDY D.
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT:  Singapore is unique in that it has not only embraced English as one of its official languages, but has made the language of its colonizers the de facto working language of the nation and the sole medium of instruction in all its schools, while assigning its other three official languages, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, an L2 status in the school curriculum. With the use of English institutionalized in almost all domains of life, present‐ day Singaporeans grow up as ‘English‐knowing’ bilinguals, acquiring English in the process of its use and interaction in school, in the playground, in the workplace, and increasingly in the home as well, making them native speakers of their variety of English. This raises interesting questions with regard to the ownership and authority of Singaporean speakers, and as to their legitimacy as mother‐tongue speakers of the language. Drawing on Higgins' (2003) study on speakers' orientations towards English norms of Inner and Outer Circle countries, we examined Singaporean speakers' degree of ownership of their English norms along the dimensions of age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class. In this paper we discuss some data from this ongoing study relating specifically to the language use of Singapore's Indian community, with a focus on how they positioned themselves in the process of articulating their orientations to English norms.
English in Macedonian commercial nomenclature
Authors: DIMOVA SLOBODANKA
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present study was an account of the frequency of English elements in Macedonian commercial naming. Questions of the extent and creativity of English name use in relation to business types and Macedonian cities guided the research. The data were 9,548 entries from the online version of the Macedonian Yellow Pages. Results suggest English names were significantly more likely to be found in the capital than in all the other cities in Macedonia, and business enterprises related to leisure/entertainment/media. Orthographic, formative, and semantic types of creativity were identified in the processes of transliteration, word/phrase formation, and style. English is the most dominant foreign language used in commercial names because of its associations with globalization and modernity.
Taxes and Decision Rights in Multinationals
Authors: BO NIELSEN SØREN , RAIMONDOS‐MØLLER PASCALIS , SCHJELDERUP GUTTORM
Published: February 2008

We examine how a multinational's choice to centralize or decentralize its decision structure is affected by country tax differentials. Within a simple model that emphasizes the multiple conflicting roles of transfer prices in multinational enterprises (MNEs)—here, as a strategic precommitment device and a tax manipulation instrument—we show that centralization is more profitable when tax differentials are large. When tax differentials are small, decentralization can be performed in two different ways each providing the highest profits in a particular range of the tax differential. Hence, the paper emphasizes the organizational flexibility that MNEs have in pursuing tax optimization.
Do Your Neighbors Influence Your Health?
Authors: BEDNAREK HEATHER L. , PECCHENINO ROWENA A. , STEARNS SALLY C.
Published: February 2008

When individuals make decisions regarding their allocation of time and income, the health investment and health that they achieve may fall short of the goals prescribed by medical guidelines and health policymakers. Instead of the oft‐observed policy responses such as additional spending on public awareness campaigns, it may be more fruitful to determine how individuals can be induced to choose behaviors that will lead to the prescribed health. That is, one must recognize the trade‐offs between health investment and consumption or leisure today in the face of factors such as social norms, job stress and advances in health technology.
Are There Differences in the Health– Socio‐economic Status Relationship over the Life Cycle? Evidence from Germany
Authors: Bender Keith A. , Habermalz Steffen
Published: February 2008

Abstract.  Most research on the relationship between health and socio‐economic status (SES) controls for age or investigates the relationship for a particular age range. This paper, however, examines the effect of SES on health across different age groups. Using data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel and controlling for health–SES endogeneity, we find that the health–income relationship does vary across the life cycle and between genders and different labor force status, with the impact of income on health relatively more pronounced for younger cohorts. The unemployed also have lower levels of health at all levels of income.
Unemployment, Splitting up, and Spousal Income Replacement
Authors: Nilsson William
Published: February 2008

Abstract.  In this study, the consequences of unemployment for a Swedish sample of couples are analysed. The purpose is to estimate the possible income replacement that a female/male spouse can provide. Unemployment can also affect the probability that the couples split up. As not all couples remain in the analysis, a potential selection problem can occur. To deal with this problem, and also to handle unobserved heterogeneity, a sample selection model for panel data is estimated. Unemployment is not found to be correlated with a higher spousal income.
Temporary Workers in Italy: Who Are They and Where They End Up
Authors: Barbieri Gianna , Sestito Paolo
Published: February 2008

Abstract.  Temporary work has been an important component of employment growth in Italy since the early 1990s. This paper focus upon labour market transitions of temporary workers in order to test whether temporary work enhances the subsequent labour market chances. We use propensity score matching to compare subsequent employment outcomes of people who have recently acquired a temporary job with those of people who remained unemployed. Individuals' hetero geneity explains a good amount of the raw differences in the subsequent labour market status of temporary workers and the comparison group. Yet there appears to be a sizable net gain from experiencing a temporary work. Our benchmark average estimate is a 30 percentage points rise in the ‘satisfactory employment’ chances 1 year after the start of the temporary work experience. The net gains are the largest for females and adult people and the areas with low unemployment; moreover, gains are the largest for the most recent years in our sample and for those people who were (according to the propensity score estimates) either least or most likely to exit from unemployment.
Why Has Occupational Sex Segregation in Turkey Increased since 1975?
Authors: Rich Judith , Palaz Serap
Published: February 2008

Abstract.  We have used occupational data on Turkey available for the period 1975–2000, to analyse the impact of countervailing legislative effects, economic activity, and cultural attitudes on the sex segregation of occupations. We find that the Turkish labour market is now more segregated than 25 years ago. The recession at the end of the 1970s led to a rise in sex segregation at that time, which has reversed only slowly. Anti‐discrimination legislation introduced in the early 1980s and amended in the 1990s may have contributed to the improvement seen over the 1980s particularly in professional occupations.
A Note on Job Tenure and Collective Contracts
Authors: Gerlach Knut , Stephan Gesine
Published: February 2008

Abstract.  This paper analyses the relationship between individual tenure and the application of collective contracts at the firm level under the specific institutional settings in Germany. The empirical approach is based on a multilevel model and a linked employer–employee data set for the years 1990, 1995, and 2001. The main result is that elapsed tenure is longer in firms applying collective contracts than in companies with individual wage setting: workers in firms with collective contracts benefit not only from higher wages, but also from higher job stability. Furthermore, we find no significant changes in mean tenure during the 1990s as well as stable differences across wage‐setting regimes.
Upstream Solutions: Does the Supplemental Security Income Program Reduce Disability in the Elderly?
Authors: HERD PAMELA , SCHOENI ROBERT F. , HOUSE JAMES S.
Published: February 2008

Context:The robust relationship between socioeconomic factors and health suggests that social and economic policies might substantially affect health, while other evidence suggests that medical care, the main focus of current health policy, may not be the primary determinant of population health. Income support policies are one promising avenue to improve population health. This study examines whether the federal cash transfer program to poor elderly, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, affects old‐age disability.

Methods:This study uses the 1990 and 2000 censuses, employing state and year fixed‐effect models, to test whether within‐state changes in maximum SSI benefits over time lead to changes in disability among people aged sixty‐five and older.

Findings:Higher benefits are linked to lower disability rates. Among all single elderly individuals, 30 percent have mobility limitations, and an increase of $100 per month in the maximum SSI benefit caused the rate of mobility limitations to fall by 0.46 percentage points. The findings were robust to sensitivity analyses. First, analyses limited to those most likely to receive SSI produced larger effects, but analyses limited to those least likely to receive SSI produced no measurable effect. Second, varying the disability measure did not meaningfully alter the findings. Third, excluding the institutionalized, immigrants, individuals living in states with exceptionally large benefit changes, and individuals living in states with no SSI supplements did not change the substantive conclusions. Fourth, Medicaid did not confound the effects. Finally, these results were robust for married individuals.

Conclusions:Income support policy may be a significant new lever for improving population health, especially that of lower‐income persons. Even though the findings are robust, further analyses are needed to confirm their reliability. Future research should examine a variety of different income support policies, as well as whether a broader range of social and economic policies affect health.
Cellulite and skin ageing: is there any interaction?
Authors: Ortonne JP , Zartarian M , Verschoore M , Queille‐Roussel C , Duteil L
Published: February 2008

Objective  This study aimed to identify the characteristics of cellulite in women of different age and to appreciate whether cellulite could interfere with skin ageing or not.

Methods  94 healthy females, divided into three age groups (21–30yrs; 31–40yrs; 51–60yrs) and two grade groups of cellulite (grade 2; grade 0 or control group), were investigated using non invasive techniques. The “orange peel appearance” was quantified by measuring the shadowed surfaces under low angle light. The biomechanichal properties were measured (extensibility‐retractability‐elasticity). The thicknesses of the skin structures were also evaluated using ultrasound. Echogenicity of the dermis was recorded and dermis density determined in two bands (superficial and low dermis).

Results  In grade 2, the shadowed surfaces are significantly different according to age; i.e. smaller and more numerous after age of 30; the total skin thickness including hypodermis is increased of about 30% irrespective to age, compared to control group.

The biomechanical properties of the skin are significantly modified as age increases without any grade effect. In grade 2, retractability and elasticity parameters are altered from age 30 whilst only from age 50 in the control group. Echogenicities of the superficial and deep dermis also decrease from age 30 and become significantly lower than the ones of grade 0.

Conclusion  Population with cellulite presents earlier skin ageing characteristics than the control population. Two sub‐populations may exist: the under 30 age with large dimpled surfaces, normal biomechanical and density properties; and the over 30 age with smaller and numerous dimpled surfaces and already altered dermis properties. This premature skin ageing should be prevented accordingly.
Immunological assessment of familial tinea corporis
Authors: Gazit R , Hershko K , Ingbar A , Schlesinger M , Israel S , Brautbar C , Mandelboim O , Leibovici V
Published: February 2008

Background  The mechanisms involved in the immune resistance to fungal infection of the skin are not well understood. We assessed the levels of the various lymphocyte subsets, the HLA haplotypes, the expression of various receptors on natural killer (NK) cells and the serum levels of cytokines, in a family in which four siblings had tinea corporis, while four others were healthy, in order to reveal potential factors of susceptibility to dermatophytes.

Observations  Normal numbers of T, B and NK cells were found in the peripheral blood, without significant differences between healthy and infected siblings. The frequency of CD14‐positive monocytes was elevated in infected compared with healthy siblings. The proportion of NKG2A+ NK cells was reduced in the patients compared with healthy siblings (23.8% vs. 33.8%), whereas CXCR3+ NK cells were increased (41.5% vs. 25.6%, respectively). MHC class I and class II haplotypes were disease independent. Elevated levels of intereron‐γ, interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), IL‐2 and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) were observed only in part of the infected siblings. The serum level of TNFα was strongly correlated with the percentage of CD14+ monocytes.

Conclusions  We studied here in detail the NK functions of a family of patients suffering from tinea corporis and observed skewed frequencies of specific NK receptors, which imply possible involvement of NK cells in susceptibility to fungal infection.
Photoprotection of bacterial‐derived melanin against ultraviolet A–induced cell death and its potential application as an active sunscreen
Authors: Geng J , Tang W , Wan X , Zhou Q , Wang X‐J , Shen P , Lei T‐C , Chen X‐D
Published: February 2008

Background  The increase in the incidence of non‐melanoma skin tumours, photoaging, and immunosuppression demand for more effective sunscreen on ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation.

Objectives  The aim of the study is to evaluate the photoprotective effects of a bacterial‐derived melanin against UVA‐induced damages in vitro and in vivo.

Methods  Human fibroblasts were used to assess the role of the bacterial‐derived melanin on cell viability against UVA. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and nuclear morphology were employed to evaluate the photoprotection at the cellular level. Fluorometric assays were performed to detect the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. Evaluations of the bacterial‐derived melanin as a sunscreen were measured by transmission test and persistent pigment darkening on human skin.

Results  Bacterial‐derived melanin efficiently scavenged ROS in the fibroblasts after UVA irradiation. The cell viability of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) fibroblast treated with varied doses of melanin increased dramatically in comparison with untreated control and the treated XP fibroblasts became more resistant to UVA‐induced apoptosis than normal fibroblasts. Although the relative transmission didn't change too much with different concentration of bacterial‐derived melanin, this melanin could keep UVA‐irradiated skin from pigment darkening and act as an active sunscreen on skin.

Conclusions  The bacterial‐derived melanin provided significant protection to fibroblast cell and human skin against the UVA radiation. It has the potential to be developed as an active sunscreen for the patients with photosensitivity skin to sun exposure.
Clinical effectiveness and safety experience with alefacept in the treatment of patients with moderate‐to‐severe chronic plaque psoriasis in Taiwan: results of an open‐label, single‐arm, multicentre pilot study
Authors: Huang PH , Liao YH , Wei CC , Tseng YH , Ho JC , Tsai TF
Published: February 2008

Background  The effectiveness and safety of alefacept for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe chronic plaque psoriasis has been established in several clinical trials conducted in the United States and Europe. No clinical trial of alefacept has been conducted in Asia.

Objective  To determine the effectiveness and safety of alefacept in the treatment of psoriasis in Chinese population.

Design and methods  This was an open‐label, single‐arm, multicentre pilot study conducted at three centres. Patients with a body surface area ≥ 10% and psoriasis area and severity Index (PASI) ≥ 12 were given 15 mg alefacept intramuscularly once a week for 12 weeks and were then followed up for a further 12 weeks.

Results  A total of 46 patients was enrolled. Only one subject (2%) achieved a ≥ 75% improvement in PASI at week 14. The median improvement in PASI at week 14 after the 12‐week treatment was 39%. At any time during the 6‐month course, 3 subjects (7%) achieved a Physician Global Assessment (PGA) of ‘almost clear’, and a ≥ 50% and ≥ 75% improvement in PASI was seen in 46% and 9%, respectively. There is a trend for decreased counts of CD4+ and CD8+ cells after alefacept treatment, but subjects who achieved PASI50 showed a lesser degree of decrease in CD4+ and CD8+ counts compared with those in patients who did not achieve PASI50.

Conclusions  This small pilot study indicated that intramuscular alefacept was effective and safe in psoriasis in Chinese patients over 12 weeks of treatment. Further studies are needed to clarify the reason for low PASI 75 effectiveness and the paradoxical lesser decline of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in those who responded.
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α) alpha converting enzyme and soluble TNF‐α receptor type 1 in psoriasis patients in relation to the chronic alcohol consumption
Authors: Serwin AB , Sokolowska M , Dylejko E , Chodynicka B
Published: February 2008

Background  Tumour necrosis factor alpha converting enzyme (TACE) is a major sheddase of TNF‐α and its receptors, essential for the generation of soluble, mature molecules. The regulation of the TACE activity by ethanol in vitro has been suggested recently. The alcohol abuse is a frequent problem among psoriasis patients. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between long‐term alcohol consumption and the concentration of TACE in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and its substrate – soluble TNF‐α receptor type 1 (sTNF‐R1) in plasma in psoriasis patients.

Methods  The study has been conducted among 44 patients (aged 30–59 years) with early‐onset, plaque‐type psoriasis. Thirty‐eight patients (aged 29–61 years) with other than psoriasis chronic dermatologic disorders were controls. The data on alcohol consumption during previous 10 years were obtained with a structured questionnaire. The severity of the disease was assessed using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and concentrations of TACE in PBMC lysate and sTNF‐R1 in plasma was assessed with a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique.

Results  The TACE concentration correlated to that of sTNF‐R1 (R = 0.52 in psoriasis patients and R = 0.56 in controls, P < 0.05). The concentrations of TACE were 2.62 ± 0.32 ng/mL in patients and 1.29 ± 0.25 ng/mL in controls (P < 0.05), and corresponding sTNF‐R1 concentrations were 2.54 ± 0.27 ng/mL and 1.79 ± 0.14 ng/mL (P < 0.05), respectively. The concentrations of TACE and sTNF‐R1 in patients correlated to the intensity of alcohol consumption (R = 0.56, and R = 0.52, P < 0.05, respectively) and were the highest in excessive drinking psoriasis patients (2.94 ± 0.34  and 2.67 ± 0.13 ng/mL).

Conclusion  The alcohol abuse may contribute to the increase of TACE expression in PBMC and also to the elevated plasma sTNF‐R1 concentration in psoriasis patients.
Identification and characterization of 20 immunocompetent patients with simultaneous varicella zoster and herpes simplex virus infection
Authors: Giehl KA , Müller‐Sander E , Rottenkolber M , Degitz K , Volkenandt M , Berking C
Published: February 2008

Background  It has been shown that varicella zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) can co‐localize to the same sensory ganglion. However, only a few case reports on VZV/HSV co‐infections exist.

Objective To identify and characterize patients with concurrent VZV and HSV infection at the same body site.

Subjects/Methods  In 1718 patients, the presence of VZV and HSV in suspicious skin lesions was investigated by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Clinical characteristics of co‐infected patients were compared with matched control patients infected with either VZV or HSV. The data are discussed in the context of an extensive review of the literature.

Results  Twenty (1.2%) of 1718 patients were infected with both VZV and HSV at the same body site. The mean age was 54 years (range, 2–83). The clinical diagnosis was zoster in 65%, herpes simplex in 20%, varicella in 10% and erythema multiforme in 5% of cases. The trigeminus region was affected in 60% and the trunk in 25%. Involvement of the head was most commonly associated with a severe course of disease and with older age.

Conclusion  Simultaneous VZV/HSV infection is rare but can occur in immunocompetent patients, which is often overlooked. The majority of cases is localized to the trigeminus region and affects elderly people.
2007 Presidential Address: Fear of Losing Control: Power, Perfectionism, and the Psychology of Women
Authors: Chrisler Joan C.
Published: February 2008

Anecdotal evidence and popular culture suggest that fear of losing control of oneself is common among North American women, yet there is little in the way of data or theory to show why so many women fear loss of control or how to help them to leave that fear behind. In this article a commonly accepted definition of self-regulation is examined through a feminist lens to see how gender-role socialization might affect women's sense of whether and when they can regulate (or control) themselves. Particular attention is paid to eating behavior, body image, and reproductive phases (e.g., premenstrual syndrome) as areas where fears of loss of control are often expressed. Intervention points suggested here are women's standards for body and behavior; the extent of the areas that doing femininity requires them to control; and their beliefs, not only about what they can control, but what they are allowed to do.
A Refined Computer Harassment Paradigm: Validation, and Test of Hypotheses About Target Characteristics
Authors: Siebler Frank , Sabelus Saskia , Bohner Gerd
Published: February 2008

A refined computer paradigm for assessing sexual harassment is presented, validated, and used for testing substantive hypotheses. Male participants were given an opportunity to send sexist jokes to a computer-simulated female chat partner. In Study 1 ( N = 44), the harassment measure (number of sexist jokes sent) correlated positively with self-reported harassment proclivity. Study 2 ( N = 77) included a more elaborate cover story, variations of the female target's attitude (feminist vs. traditional) and physical attractiveness (low vs. high), and additional measures for construct validation. Results showed that harassment correlated positively with self-reported harassment proclivity, hostile sexism, and male identity. Feminist targets were harassed more than traditional targets, whereas target attractiveness had no effect. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Movers and Shakers: How and Why Women Become and Remain Engaged in Community Leadership
Authors: Bond Lynne A. , Holmes Tabitha R. , Byrne Ciara , Babchuck Lynne , Kirton-Robbins Sheila
Published: February 2008

This research examines women's narratives regarding the experiences that lead to becoming, sustaining, and challenging active community leaders. Seventeen women neighborhood leaders, age 28 to 73 years, completed in-depth interviews. Qualitative thematic content analyses identified prominent themes in participants’ responses that were subsequently linked to a generativity framework. Analyses revealed that leaders reported circuitous rather than linear paths of emerging community participation and growing up among others who demonstrated an ethos of care in informal as well as formal community practices. Women's initial community engagement was most often in response to invitations to address community needs. Both communal and agentic rewards and challenges to community involvement were identified. Based upon the findings, strategies for promoting and sustaining women's community leadership are identified.
Sadness Revealed: Insights on Women's Depression
Authors: Ali Alisha
Published: February 2008

A Secret Sadness: The Hidden Relationship Patterns That Make Women Depressed. VALERIE E. WHIFFEN. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 2006. 196 pp., $24.95 (hardcover), ISBN: 1–57224–469–0.
Beyond These Mythical Shores: Asian American History and the Study of Race
Authors: Jung Moon‐Ho
Published: February 2008

The field of Asian American history has witnessed a sharp increase in monograph publications since the 1990s, reflective of the field's growing recognition and sophistication. Anti‐Asian racism, particularly in the form of immigration restrictions and prohibitions, continues to dominate the historical literature on Asian Americans, but historians are building on earlier calls to move the field beyond liberal narratives of immigration and assimilation. Recent publications on the nineteenth century extend the temporal and geographical scope of Asian American history and offer radical critiques of race, nation, and empire in U.S. history.
Mothers’ Reports of Postpartum Pain Associated with Vaginal and Cesarean Deliveries: Results of a National Survey
Authors: Declercq Eugene , Cunningham Deborah K. , Johnson Cynthia , Sakala Carol
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT:  Background:
As cesarean rates increase worldwide, a debate has arisen over the relationship of method of delivery to maternal postpartum physical health. This study examines mothers’ reports of their postpartum experiences with pain stratified by method of delivery.
Methods: Listening to Mothers II was a survey of a total of 1,573 (200 telephone and 1,373 online) mothers aged 18 to 45 years, who had a singleton, hospital birth in 2005. They were interviewed by the survey research firm, Harris Interactive, in early 2006. Online respondents were drawn from an existing Harris panel. Telephone respondents were identified through a national telephone listing of new mothers. Results were weighted to reflect a United States national birthing population. Mothers were asked if they experienced any of eight postpartum conditions and the extent and the duration of the problem. Responses were compared by method of delivery. Results: The most frequently cited postpartum difficulty was among mothers with a cesarean section, 79 percent of whom reported experiencing pain at the incision in the first 2 months after birth, with 33 percent describing it as a major problem and 18 percent reporting persistence of the pain into the sixth month postpartum. Mothers with planned cesareans without labor were as likely as those with cesareans with labor to report problems with postpartum pain. Almost half (48%) of mothers with vaginal births (68% among those with instrumental delivery, 63% with episiotomy, 43% spontaneous vaginal birth with no episiotomy) reported experiencing a painful perineum, with 2 percent reporting the pain persisting for at least 6 months. Conclusions: Substantial proportions of mothers reported problems with postpartum pain. Women experiencing a cesarean section or an assisted vaginal delivery were most likely to report that the pain persisted for an extended period. (BIRTH 35:1 March 2008)
Effects of Pushing Techniques in Birth on Mother and Fetus: A Randomized Study
Authors: Yildirim Gulay , Beji Nezihe Kizilkaya
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT:  Background:
The Valsalva pushing technique is used routinely in the second stage of labor in many countries, and it is accepted as standard obstetric management in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pushing techniques on mother and fetus in birth in this setting.
Methods:
This randomized study was conducted between July 2003 and June 2004 in Bakirkoy Maternity and Children’s Teaching Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. One hundred low‐risk primiparas between 38 and 42 weeks’ gestation, who expected a spontaneous vaginal delivery, were randomized to either a spontaneous pushing group or a Valsalva‐type pushing group. Spontaneous pushing women were informed during the first stage of labor about spontaneous pushing technique (open glottis pushing while breathing out) and were supported in pushing spontaneously in the second stage of labor. Similarly, Valsalva pushing women were informed during the first stage of labor about the Valsalva pushing technique (closed glottis pushing while holding their breath) and were supported in using Valsalva pushing in the second stage of labor. Perineal tears, postpartum hemorrhage, and hemoglobin levels were evaluated in mothers; and umbilical artery pH, Po2 (mmHg), and Pco2 (mmHg) levels and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were evaluated in newborns in both groups.
Results:
No significant differences were found between the two groups in their demographics, incidence of nonreassuring fetal surveillance patterns, or use of oxytocin. The second stage of labor and duration of the expulsion phase were significantly longer with Valsalva‐type pushing. Differences in the incidence of episiotomy, perineal tears, or postpartum hemorrhage were not significant between the groups. The baby fared better with spontaneous pushing, with higher 1‐ and 5‐minute Apgar scores, and higher umbilical cord pH and Po2 levels. After the birth, women expressed greater satisfaction with spontaneous pushing.
Conclusions:
Educating women about the spontaneous pushing technique in the first stage of labor and providing support for spontaneous pushing in the second stage result in a shorter second stage without interventions and in improved newborn outcomes. Women also stated that they pushed more effectively with the spontaneous pushing technique. (BIRTH 35:1 March 2008)
Coated Prostheses Are Associated With Prolonged Inflammation in Aortic Surgery: A Cost Analysis
Authors: Shindo Shunya , Motohashi Shinya , Katsu Masatake , Kaga Shigeaki , Inoue Hidenori , Matsumoto Masahiko
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  This prospective study was conducted to compare inflammatory responses between patients receiving coated and uncoated vascular prostheses, and to examine their effect on length of stay and cost of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy. Patients undergoing elective vascular reconstruction of an abdominal aortic aneurysm were assigned randomly to coated‐graft or uncoated‐graft groups (n = 20, for each group). Interleukin (IL)‐6, granulocyte elastase, white blood cell count, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and body temperature (BT) were prospectively recorded preoperatively and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 7, and 14. In‐hospital stay and hospitalized costs were also analyzed. IL‐6 and CRP concentrations in the coated‐graft group were higher than those in the uncoated‐graft group (P = 0.01 and 0.05). BT was more frequently elevated >37°C at POD 14 in the coated‐graft group than in the uncoated‐graft group (P =0.03). Discharge was delayed, and overall hospitalization cost was higher in the coated‐graft group than in the uncoated group (17.6 vs. 13.5 days, and 2 010 000 vs. 1 780 000 yen, P = 0.006 and P = 0.002, respectively). Coated vascular prosthesis demonstrated more profound inflammatory reaction than noncoated prosthesis, postoperatively.
Development of a Reflected Optical Fiber System for Measuring Oxygen Saturation in an Integrated Artificial Heart–Lung System
Authors: Yasuda Toshitaka , Saito Tomohiko , Kihara Tatsuya , Takatani Setsuo , Funakubo Akio
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to develop a blood oxygen saturation (OS) monitoring system for use with an integrated artificial heart–lung system (IAHLS). The OS monitoring system consists of two paired optical fiber probes (OFPs) and a measurement system. To investigate the effect of the OFP configuration and incident light wavelength on the relationship between OS and the reflectance ratio for wavelengths of 810 and 645 nm, we performed theoretical analyses of the relationship between OS and R810/R645 using a diffusion equation. The prototype OFP located on the blood outlet port of our IAHLS housing was evaluated using an in vitro test. An OS range of 65–100% was adjusted to supply oxygen and nitrogen gas to the IAHLS. The blood flow rate was maintained at 3 L/min by the rotational speed of an impeller in the IAHLS. The OS‐corrected blood from the IAHLS was measured using a commercial gas analyzer. The correlation coefficients (r2) between the theoretical ratio of R810/R645 and OS, and between measured OS and the reflectance ratio of R810/R645 were 0.97 and 0.78, respectively. In conclusion, we confirmed that the development of this oximetry system is applicable for IAHLS.
Innovative, Replaceable Heart Valve: Concept, In Vitro Study, and Acute In Vivo Study
Authors: Fukamachi Kiyotaka , Ootaki Yoshio , Ootaki Chiyo , Akiyama Masatoshi , Kamohara Keiji , Cingoz Faruk , Chen Ji‐Feng , Horvath David J. , Massiello Alex L. , Dessoffy Raymond
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of our innovative, replaceable heart valves that can be easily detached from the sewing ring at the time of repeat replacement. The prototype devices consist of the base magnet ring assembly and the valve magnet ring assembly that utilize magnetic coupling force for the locking mechanism. Magnetic coupling strength was evaluated in vitro. Prototype bioprosthetic valves were implanted acutely in three sheep to confirm the feasibility of the replaceable mitral valve. The static separation force of prototype size #25 was 12.5 lb, meeting the design goal. In situ attachment and detachment of the valve magnet ring assembly from the base magnet ring assembly were very easily accomplished in all animals. The magnetic coupling did not decouple even under extremely high left ventricular pressures. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this innovative concept of a replaceable mitral valve.
The Geriatrics Excellence in Teaching Series: An Integrated Educational Skills Curriculum for Faculty and Fellows Development
Authors: Pinheiro Sandro O. , Heflin Mitchell T.
Published: February 2008

Geriatricians need to acquire skills in teaching and curriculum development to educate physicians caring for the growing population of adults aged 65 and older. To meet this challenge, educators in the Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development introduced a monthly seminar series to promote the development of geriatrics faculty and fellows as clinician educators. Ten educational skills development seminars were incorporated into geriatrics grand rounds in the first year of the program. These sessions were implemented using a variety of active learning strategies to expose participants to innovative adult learning‐centered approaches for enhancing learning and instruction in medical education. Participants assessed all sessions using a feedback form and were surveyed at the end of the series to measure their overall satisfaction with the program and ascertain its effect on their roles as educators. Participants rated individual sessions highly, and respondents to the survey at the end of the course agreed that the Geriatrics Excellence in Teaching Series provided them with resources for use in their teaching practices and attested to having already applied knowledge and skills learned in the series in their teaching practices. Key elements for the program's success included an upfront needs assessment to prioritize topics, interactive sessions promoting skill development through actual practice of various strategies, open discussions to identify challenges and solutions, and a convenient and customary time slot. This format can be replicated with other geriatrics programs, providing a needed opportunity for faculty and fellows to learn about education principles.