bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Barriers to Help-Seeking Among Taiwanese Female Victims of Dating Violence
Authors: Shen April Chiung-Tao
Published: June 2010

This article presents a qualitative analysis regarding the help-seeking behaviors of female dating-violence victims from a cultural perspective. A semistructured, in-depth interview was used to collect data from 10 female victims (aged 20-28). Findings indicate that Taiwanese dating-violence victims tend to seek informal help rather than formal help. Culturally structured help-seeking experiences center around six primary themes: (a) self-reliant culture, (b) personal and family shame, (c) secretive and sexual dating relationships, (d) fear of negative reactions from others, (e) unfamiliarity with available resources, and (f) revictimization in seeking help. Understanding cultural meanings and barriers encountered in help-seeking behaviors is an important step in effectively assisting victims of dating violence.
A Meta-Analytic Review of School-Based Prevention for Cannabis Use
Authors: Porath-Waller Amy J. , Beasley Erin , Beirness Douglas J.
Published: June 2010

This investigation used meta-analytic techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of school-based prevention programming in reducing cannabis use among youth aged 12 to 19. It summarized the results from 15 studies published in peer-reviewed journals since 1999 and identified features that influenced program effectiveness. The results from the set of 15 studies indicated that these school-based programs had a positive impact on reducing students’ cannabis use ( d = 0.58, CI: 0.55, 0.62) compared to control conditions. Findings revealed that programs incorporating elements of several prevention models were significantly more effective than were those based on only a social influence model. Programs that were longer in duration (≥15 sessions) and facilitated by individuals other than teachers in an interactive manner also yielded stronger effects. The results also suggested that programs targeting high school students were more effective than were those aimed at middle-school students. Implications for school-based prevention programming are discussed.
Understanding Checkpointing Overheads on Massive-Scale Systems: Analysis of the IBM Blue Gene/P System
Authors: Gupta Rinku , Naik Harish , Beckman Pete
Published: June 2010

Providing fault tolerance in high-end petascale systems, consisting of millions of hardware components and complex software stacks, is becoming an increasingly challenging task. Checkpointing continues to be the most prevalent technique for providing fault tolerance in such high-end systems. Considerable research has focussed on optimizing checkpointing; however, in practice, checkpointing still involves a high-cost overhead for users. In this paper, we study the checkpointing overhead seen by various applications running on leadership-class machines like the IBM Blue Gene/P at Argonne National Laboratory. In addition to studying popular applications, we design a methodology to help users understand and intelligently choose an optimal checkpointing frequency to reduce the overall checkpointing overhead incurred. In particular, we study the Grid-Based Projector-Augmented Wave application, the Carr-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics application, the Nek5000 computational fluid dynamics application and the Parallel Ocean Program application—and analyze their memory usage and possible checkpointing trends on 65,536 processors of the Blue Gene/P system.
Psychometric Properties of the Food Thought Suppression Inventory in Men
Authors: Barnes Rachel D. , White Marney A.
Published: June 2010

The Food Thought Suppression Inventory (FTSI) recently was validated with an undergraduate female sample. The measure proved to be a highly reliable and valid one-factor measure of food thought suppression. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the FTSI within 289 men. Results suggest that removing one item resulted in a reliable and valid one-factor measure of food thought suppression for men. Similar to the published results with women, the FTSI was related to pathological eating behaviors (e.g. binge eating, compensatory behaviors), and heavier individuals endorsed higher levels of food thought suppression.
The Psychometric Properties of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire in Italian Patients with Chronic Pain
Authors: Bernini Olivia , Pennato Tiziana , Cosci Fiammetta , Berrocal Carmen
Published: June 2010

The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) measures acceptance of pain. Besides previous promising results on the contribution of pain acceptance to physical and psychosocial pain adjustment, recent findings have raised doubts on the validity of the scale. This study explores the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the CPAQ. A total of 120 patients with chronic pain completed the CPAQ and measures of depression, anxiety, pain-related anxiety, functional status, and perceived health status. Internal consistency was satisfactory, and factorial analyses yielded a 2-factor solution, but each CPAQ dimension showed a different contribution to the criterion variables.
Explaining formation and design of EU trade agreements: The role of transparency and flexibility
Authors: Baccini Leonardo
Published: June 2010

What political factors explain the selection of countries for preferential trade agreements by the European Union? I argue that when forming a trade agreement the EU is more likely to target countries that have a higher degree of political and economic transparency than other developing countries. In highly transparent countries the EU is able to monitor effectively whether or not these countries follow its forms of conditionality, which is the main rationale of EU regionalism. Moreover, economic and political transparency plays a particularly important role in determining the degree of flexibility in trade agreements. Evidence based on data from 138 developing countries supports these arguments.
The legitimacy of power in business-to-business relationships
Authors: Blois Keith
Published: June 2010

Comment on the existence and perceived consequences within business-to-business relationships of ‘asymmetrical relationships’ has been made by many bodies. For example, there are: academic studies; comments in the press; government investigations; and court cases where the evidence suggests that one party dominates or exercises power over the other. Yet even though the subservient members of the network may have been ‘forced’ by another party to undertake some actions that they have perceived as being to their disadvantage, it is also the case that many such asymmetrical relationships are long-standing and that the parties involved seem successful. There is thus an apparent contradiction between the presumed negative effects of being dominated and the ongoing nature of such interactions. This paper will consider how the concept of legitimacy can explain why such disadvantageous situations continue to exist within business-to-business relationships.
Predicting the amount individuals withdraw at cash machines using a random effects multinomial model
Authors: Brentnall Adam R , Crowder Martin J , Hand David J
Published: June 2010

Retail finance organizations use data on past behaviour to make predictions for customer value management strategies. Random-effects models, where each individual has a behavioural pattern drawn from an overall population distribution, are a natural statistical form in this context. The random effects models in this paper are used to predict how much individuals withdraw at a single cash machine visit. A multinomial distribution is taken for the distribution of amounts and the random effects are modelled by a Dirichlet distribution or the empirical distribution of individual maximum likelihood fits. A third model extends the multinomial distribution by incorporating a form of serial dependence and uses an empirical distribution for the random effects. Several prediction tests on a sample of 5000 UK high-street bank accounts find that the greatest benefit from the models is for accounts with a small number of past transactions; that little information may be lost by binning and that the Dirichlet distribution might overestimate the probability of previously unobserved withdrawal amounts. The empirical distribution of random effects is found to perform well because there are a large number of individual accounts.
Beyond the Semantic ‘Big Bang’: Cultural Sociology and an Aesthetic Public Sphere
Authors: Jones Paul
Published: June 2010

This article argues that cultural sociology should take heed of conceptual and policy ambiguities that developed within British and Australian cultural studies. However, it also proposes that cultural sociology might build on the underdeveloped common ground between Frankfurt critical theory and cultural studies. Habermas’s notion of the ‘literary public sphere’ is taken as a useful point of contact between these fields. This literary public sphere thesis is reconstructed in some detail and its fate in recent debates is explored. Habermas’s concept of the contradictory institutionalization of political public spheres is applied to the literary public sphere thesis.The article proposes that the examination of differing modes of contradictory institutionalization of literary and political public spheres might aid comparison not only of nation-states’ differing policy practices but also of intellectual traditions such as cultural studies as well.Throughout, the article advocates the relevance of a cultural production perspective to research on aesthetic public spheres.
Cultural Consumption Analysis: Beyond Structure and Agency
Authors: Kirchberg Volker
Published: June 2010

The objective of this article is to explain visits to arts institutions by merging two theoretical perspectives that are generally regarded as antithetical, the model of the human being as homo sociologicus, and the model of the human being as homo oeconomicus. This article demonstrates that visits to arts institutions cannot be explained either by structural conditions or by individual choice alone, but by a combination of both. I demonstrate this by combining Bourdieu’s theory of practice and Giddens’ structuration theory to produce a reconciled model of an agency-structure-feedback loop, applying this model to analyse the societal significance of museums and museum visits. The reciprocal relationship of structure and agency connects Giddens’ agency-driven museum visitor with Bourdieu’s structure-driven museum visitor.This case of museum analysis shows that an agency-structure polarity does not reflect reality. Neither do museums (structure) fully determine museum visitors (agency) nor do museum visitors fully determine museums (structure).
Comparative analysis of predicted HLA binding of immunoglobulin idiotype sequences indicates T cell–mediated immunosurveillance in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Strothmeyer Anna-Maria , Papaioannou Dimitrios , Dühren-von Minden Marcus , Navarrete Marcelo , Zirlik Katja , Heining-Mikesch Kristina , Veelken Hendrik
Published: June 2010

Active immunization with the idiotype of follicular lymphoma induces tumor-specific immunity. T cells induced in vivo by idiotype vaccination recognize human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–restricted hypervariable but not conserved idiotype peptides. We hypothesized that idiotype-directed T-cell immunity occurs naturally and performed a reverse immunology analysis of idiotype HLA binding in 39 follicular lymphoma patients. For every idiotype, the sum of HLA-A or -B binding scores of the 20 highest-scoring peptides was calculated for all 39 HLA types through the BIMAS algorithm. The idiotype sum score of every patient's lymphoma was compared on the respective patient's HLA type to the mean of the sum scores of the remaining 38 idiotypes. Autologous idiotypes had lower immunogenicity than allogeneic idiotypes. Dif ferential immunogenicity resided predominantly in all 3 complementarity-determining regions rather than in framework peptides. Idiotype immunogenicity was not changed by somatic hypermutation. These findings indicate T cell–mediated immunosurveillance of follicular lymphoma directed specifically against individual idiotype epitopes.
Cyclic nucleotides and mitogen-activated protein kinases: regulation of simvastatin in platelet activation
Authors: Lee Ye-Ming , Chen Wei-Fan , Chou Duen-Suey , Jayakumar Thanasekaran , Hou Ssu-Yu , Lee Jie-Jen , Hsiao George , Sheu Joen-Rong
Published: June 2010

Background

3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have been widely used to reduce cardiovascular risk. These statins (i.e., simvastatin) may exert other effects besides from their cholesterol-lowering actions, including inhibition of platelet activation. Platelet activation is relevant to a variety of coronary heart diseases. Although the inhibitory effect of simvastatin in platelet activation has been studied; the detailed signal transductions by which simvastatin inhibit platelet activation has not yet been completely resolved.

Methods

The aim of this study was to systematically examine the detailed mechanisms of simvastatin in preventing platelet activation. Platelet aggregation, flow cytometric analysis, immunoblotting, and electron spin resonance studies were used to assess the antiplatelet activity of simvastatin.

Results

Simvastatin (20-50 μM) exhibited more-potent activity of inhibiting platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen than other agonists (i.e., thrombin). Simvastatin inhibited collagen-stimulated platelet activation accompanied by [Ca2+]i mobilization, thromboxane A2 (TxA2) formation, and phospholipase C (PLC)γ2, protein kinase C (PKC), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (i.e., p38 MAPK, JNKs) phosphorylation in washed platelets. Simvastatin obviously increased both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels. Simvastatin markedly increased NO release, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. SQ22536, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, markedly reversed the simvastatin-mediated inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation, PLCγ2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and simvastatin-mediated stimulatory effects on VASP and eNOS phosphorylation.

Conclusion

The most important findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that inhibitory effect of simvastatin in platelet activation may involve activation of the cyclic AMP-eNOS/NO-cyclic GMP pathway, resulting in inhibition of the PLCγ2-PKC-p38 MAPK-TxA2 cascade, and finally inhibition of platelet aggregation.
Scaffold filling, contig fusion and comparative gene order inference
Authors: Muñoz Adriana , Zheng Chunfang , Zhu Qian , Albert Victor A , Rounsley Steve , Sankoff David
Published: June 2010

Background

There has been a trend in increasing the phylogenetic scope of genome sequencing without finishing the sequence of the genome. Increasing numbers of genomes are being published in scaffold or contig form. Rearrangement algorithms, however, including gene order-based phylogenetic tools, require whole genome data on gene order or syntenic block order. How then can we use rearrangement algorithms to compare genomes available in scaffold form only? Can the comparative evidence predict the location of unsequenced genes?

Results

Our method involves optimally filling in genes missing from the scaffolds, while incorporating the augmented scaffolds directly into the rearrangement algorithms as if they were chromosomes. This is accomplished by an exact, polynomial-time algorithm. We then correct for the number of extra fusion/fission operations required to make scaffolds comparable to full assemblies. We model the relationship between the ratio of missing genes actually absent from the genome versus merely unsequenced ones, on one hand, and the increase of genomic distance after scaffold filling, on the other. We estimate the parameters of this model through simulations and by comparing the angiosperm genomes Ricinus communis and Vitis vinifera.

Conclusions

The algorithm solves the comparison of genomes with 18,300 genes, including 4500 missing from one genome, in less than a minute on a MacBook, putting virtually all genomes within range of the method.
Copy number variation and cytidine analogue cytotoxicity: A genome-wide association approach
Authors: Kalari Krishna R , Hebbring Scott J , Chai High Seng , Li Liang , Kocher Jean-Pierre A , Wang Liewei , Weinshilboum Richard M
Published: June 2010

Background

The human genome displays extensive copy-number variation (CNV). Recent discoveries have shown that large segments of DNA, ranging in size from hundreds to thousands of nucleotides, are either deleted or duplicated. This CNV may encompass genes, leading to a change in phenotype, including drug response phenotypes. Gemcitabine and 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (AraC) are cytidine analogues used to treat a variety of cancers. Previous studies have shown that genetic variation may influence response to these drugs. In the present study, we set out to test the hypothesis that variation in copy number might contribute to variation in cytidine analogue response phenotypes.

Results

We used a cell-based model system consisting of 197 ethnically-defined lymphoblastoid cell lines for which genome-wide SNP data were obtained using Illumina 550 and 650 K SNP arrays to study cytidine analogue cytotoxicity. 775 CNVs with allele frequencies > 1% were identified in 102 regions across the genome. 87/102 of these loci overlapped with previously identified regions of CNV. Association of CNVs with gemcitabine and AraC IC50values identified 11 regions with permutation p-values < 0.05. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assays were performed to verify the 11 CNV regions that were associated with this phenotype; with false positive and false negative rates for the in-silico findings of 1.3% and 0.04%, respectively. We also had basal mRNA expression array data for these same 197 cell lines, which allowed us to quantify mRNA expression for 41 probesets in or near the CNV regions identified. We found that 7 of those 41 genes were highly expressed in our lymphoblastoid cell lines, and one of the seven genes (SMYD3) that was significant in the CNV association study was selected for further functional experiments. Those studies showed that knockdown ofSMYD3, in pancreatic cancer cell lines increased gemcitabine and AraC resistance during cytotoxicity assay, consistent with the results of the association analysis.

Conclusions

These results suggest that CNVs may play a role in variation in cytidine analogue effect. Therefore, association studies of CNVs with drug response phenotypes in cell-based model systems, when paired with functional characterization, might help to identify CNV that contributes to variation in drug response.
Impact of the ABCDE triage on the number of patient visits to the emergency department
Authors: Kantonen Jarmo , Kaartinen Johanna , Mattila Juho , Menezes Ricardo , Malmila Mia , Castren Maaret , Kauppila Timo
Published: June 2010

Background

Many Finnish emergency departments (ED) serve both primary and secondary health care patients and are therefore referred to as combined emergency departments. Primary care specialists are responsible for the initial assessment and treatment. They, thereby, also regulate referral and access to tertiary care. Primary health care EDs are easy for the public to access, leading to non-acute patient visits to the emergency department. This has caused increased queues and unnecessary difficulties in providing immediate treatment for those patients who need it the most.

Methods

A face-to-face triage system based on the letters A (patient directly to secondary care), B (to be examined within 10 min), C (to be examined within 1 h), D (to be examined within 2 h) and E (no need for immediate treatment) for assessing the urgency of patients' treatment needs was applied in the main ED in the City of Vantaa, Finland (Peijas Hospital) as an attempt to provide immediate treatment for the most acute patients. The first step was an initial patient assessment by a health care professional (triage nurse). If the patient was not considered to be in need of immediate care (i.e. A-D) he was allocated to group E and examined after the more urgent patients were treated. The introduction of this triage system was combined with information to the public on the "correct" use of emergency services. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether the flow of patients was changed by implementing the ABCDE-triage system in the combined ED. To study the effect of the intervention on patient flow, numbers monthly visits to doctors were recorded before and after intervention in Peijas ED and, simultaneously, in control EDs (Myyrmäki in Vantaa, Jorvi and Puolarmetsä in Espoo). To study does the implementation of the triage system redirect patients to other health services, numbers of monthly visits to doctors were also scored in the private health care and public office hour services of Vantaa primary care.

Results

The number of patient visits to a primary care doctor in 2004 decreased by up to eight percent (340 visits/month) as compared to the previous year in the Peijas ED after implementation of the ABCDE-triage system. Simultaneously, doctor visits in tertiary health care ED increased by ten percent (125 visits/month). ABCDE-triage was not associated with a subsequent increase in the number of patient visits in the private health care or office hour services. The number of ED visits in the City of Espoo, used as a control where no triage was applied, remained unchanged.

Conclusions

The present ABCDE-triage system combined with public guidance may reduce patient visits to primary health care EDs but not to the tertiary health care EDs.
Primary care physicians' use of family history for cancer risk assessment
Authors: Flynn Brian S , Wood Marie E , Ashikaga Takamaru , Stockdale Alan , Dana Greg S , Naud Shelly
Published: June 2010

Background

Family history (FH) assessment is useful in identifying and managing patients at increased risk for cancer. This study assessed reported FH quality and associations with physician perceptions.

Methods

Primary care physicians practicing in two northeastern U.S. states were surveyed (n = 880; 70% response rate). Outcome measures of FH quality were extent of FH taken and ascertaining age at cancer diagnosis for affected family members. Predictors of quality measured in this survey included: perceived advantages and disadvantages of collecting FH information, knowledge of management options, access to supportive resources, and confidence in ability to interpret FH.

Results

Reported collection of information regarding second degree blood relatives and age of diagnosis among affected relatives was low. All hypothesized predictors were associated with measures of FH quality, but not all were consistent independent predictors. Perceived advantages of taking a family history, access to supportive resources, and confidence in ability to identify and manage higher risk patients were independent predictors of both FH quality measures. Perceived disadvantages of taking a family history was independently associated one measure of FH quality. Knowledge of management options was not independently associated with either quality measure.

Conclusions

Modifiable perception and resource factors were independently associated with quality of FH taking in a large and diverse sample of primary care physicians. Improving FH quality for identification of high risk individuals will require multi-faceted interventions.
Micronutrients attenuate progression of prostate cancer by elevating the endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis, Platelet Factor-4
Authors: Cervi David , Pak Brian , Venier Natalie A , Sugar Linda M , Nam Robert K , Fleshner Neil E , Klotz Laurence H , Venkateswaran Vasundara
Published: June 2010

Background

Longstanding evidence implicates an inadequate diet as a key factor in the onset and progression of prostate cancer. The purpose herein was to discover, validate and characterize functional biomarkers of dietary supplementation capable of suppressing the course of prostate cancer in vivo.

Methods

The Lady transgenic mouse model that spontaneously develops prostate cancer received a diet supplemented with a micronutrient cocktail of vitamin E, selenium and lycopene ad libitum. A proteomic analysis was conducted to screen for serum biomarkers of this dietary supplementation. Candidate peptides were validated and identified by sequencing and analyzed for their presence within the prostates of all mice by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Dietary supplementation with the combined micronutrients significantly induced the expression of the megakaryocyte-specific inhibitor of angiogenesis, platelet factor-4 (P = 0.0025). This observation was made predominantly in mice lacking tumors and any manifestations associated with progressive disease beyond 37 weeks of life, at which time no survivors remained in the control group (P < 0.0001). While prostates of mice receiving standard chow were enlarged and burdened with poorly differentiated carcinoma, those of mice on the supplemented diet appeared normal. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed marked amplifications of both platelet binding and platelet factor-4 within the blood vessels of prostates from mice receiving micronutrients only.

Conclusion

We present unprecedented data whereby these combined micronutrients effectively promotes tumor dormancy in early prostate cancer, following initiation mutations that may drive the angiogenesis-dependent response of the tumor, by inducing platelet factor-4 expression and concentrating it at the tumor endothelium through enhanced platelet binding.
Predictors of positive blood culture and deaths among neonates with suspected neonatal sepsis in a tertiary hospital, Mwanza- Tanzania
Authors: Kayange Neema , Kamugisha Erasmus , Mwizamholya Damas L , Jeremiah Seni , Mshana Stephen E
Published: June 2010

Background

Neonatal sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Appropriate clinical diagnosis and empirical treatment in a given setting is crucial as pathogens of bacterial sepsis and antibiotic sensitivity pattern can considerably vary in different settings. This study was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), Tanzania to determine the prevalence of neonatal sepsis, predictors of positive blood culture, deaths and antimicrobial susceptibility, thus providing essential information to formulate a policy for management of neonatal sepsis.

Methods

This was a prospective cross sectional study involving 300 neonates admitted at BMC neonatal unit between March and November 2009. Standard data collection form was used to collect all demographic data and clinical characteristics of neonates. Blood culture was done on Brain Heart Infusion broth followed by identification of isolates using conventional methods and testing for their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents using the disc diffusion method.

Results

Among 770 neonates admitted during the study period; 300 (38.9%) neonates were diagnosed to have neonatal sepsis by WHO criteria. Of 300 neonates with clinical neonatal sepsis 121(40%) and 179(60%) had early and late onset sepsis respectively. Positive blood culture was found in 57 (47.1%) and 92 (51.4%) among neonates with early and late onset neonatal sepsis respectively (p = 0.466). Predictors of positive blood culture in both early and late onset neonatal sepsis were inability to feed, lethargy, cyanosis, meconium stained liquor, premature rupture of the membrane and convulsion. About 49% of gram negatives isolates were resistant to third generation cephalosporins and 28% of Staphylococcus aureus were found to be Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Deaths occurred in 57 (19%) of neonates. Factors that predicted deaths were positive blood culture (p = 0.0001), gram negative sepsis (p = 0.0001) and infection with ESBL (p = 0.008) or MRSA (p = 0.008) isolates.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that lethargy, convulsion, inability to feed, cyanosis, PROM and meconium stained liquor are significantly associated with positive blood culture in both early and late onset disease. Mortality and morbidity on neonatal sepsis is high at our setting and is significantly contributed by positive blood culture with multi-resistant gram negative bacteria.
Chemopreventive potential of β-Sitosterol in experimental colon cancer model - an In vitro and In vivo study
Authors: Baskar Albert A , Ignacimuthu Savarimuthu , Paulraj Gabriel M , Al Numair Khalid S
Published: June 2010

Background

Asclepias curassavica Linn. is a traditional medicinal plant used by tribal people in the western ghats, India, to treat piles, gonorrhoea, roundworm infestation and abdominal tumours. We have determined the protective effect of β-sitosterol isolated from A. curassavica in colon cancer, using in vitro and in vivo models.

Methods

The active molecule was isolated, based upon bioassay guided fractionation, and identified as β-sitosterol on spectral evidence. The ability to induce apoptosis was determined by its in vitro antiradical activity, cytotoxic studies using human colon adenocarcinoma and normal monkey kidney cell lines, and the expression of β-catenin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in human colon cancer cell lines (COLO 320 DM). The chemopreventive potential of β-sitosterol in colon carcinogenesis was assessed by injecting 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 20 mg/kg b.w.) into male Wistar rats and supplementing this with β-sitosterol throughout the experimental period of 16 weeks at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg b.w.

Results

β-sitosterol induced significant dose-dependent growth inhibition of COLO 320 DM cells (IC50 266.2 μM), induced apoptosis by scavenging reactive oxygen species, and suppressed the expression of β-catenin and PCNA antigens in human colon cancer cells. β-sitosterol supplementation reduced the number of aberrant crypt and crypt multiplicity in DMH-initiated rats in a dose-dependent manner with no toxic effects.

Conclusion

We found doses of 10-20 mg/kg b.w. β-sitosterol to be effective for future in vivo studies. β-sitosterol had chemopreventive potential by virtue of its radical quenching ability in vitro, with minimal toxicity to normal cells. It also attenuated β-catenin and PCNA expression, making it a potential anticancer drug for colon carcinogenesis.
Drive time to cardiac rehabilitation: at what point does it affect utilization?
Authors: Brual Janette , Gravely-Witte Shannon , Suskin Neville , Stewart Donna E , Macpherson Alison , Grace Sherry L
Published: June 2010

Background

A 30 minute drive time threshold has often been cited as indicative of accessible health services. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a chronic disease management program designed to enhance and maintain cardiovascular health, and geographic barriers to utilization are often cited. The purpose of this study was to empirically test the drive time threshold for CR utilization.

Methods

A prospective study, using a multi-level design of coronary artery disease outpatients nested within 97 cardiologists. Participants completed a baseline sociodemographic survey, and reported CR referral, enrollment and participation in a second survey 9 months later. CR utilization was verified with CR sites. Geographic information systems were used to generate drive times at 60, 80 and 100% of the speed limit to the closest CR site from participants' homes, to take into consideration various traffic conditions. Bivariate analysis was used to test for differences in CR referral, enrollment and degree of participation by drive time. Logistic regression was used to test drive time increments where significant differences were found.

Results

Drive times were generated for 1209 outpatients. Overall, CR referral was verified for 523 (43.3%) outpatients, with verified enrollment for 444 (36.7%) participating in a mean of 86.4 ± 25.7% of prescribed sessions. There were significant differences in CR referral and enrollment by drive time (ps < .01), but not degree of participation. Logistic regression analysis (ps < .001) revealed that the drive time threshold at 80% of the posted speed limit for physician referral may be 60 minutes (OR = .26, 95% CI: 0.13-0.55), and the threshold for patient CR enrollment may also be 60 minutes (OR = .11, 95% CI: 0.04-0.33).

Conclusions

Physicians may be taking geography into consideration when referring patients to CR. Empirical consideration also reveals that patients are significantly less likely to enroll in CR where they must drive 60 minutes or more to the closest program. Once enrolled, distance has no significant effect on degree of participation.
HTLV-1 in rural Guinea-Bissau: prevalence, incidence and a continued association with HIV between 1990 and 2007
Authors: van Tienen Carla , van der Loeff Maarten F Schim , Peterson Ingrid , Cotten Matthew , Holmgren Birgitta , Andersson Sören , Vincent Tim , Sarge-Njie Ramu , Rowland-Jones Sarah , Jaye Assan , Aaby Peter , Whittle Hilton
Published: June 2010

Background

HTLV-1 is endemic in Guinea-Bissau, and the highest prevalence in the adult population (5.2%) was observed in a rural area, Caió, in 1990. HIV-1 and HIV-2 are both prevalent in this area as well. Cross-sectional associations have been reported for HTLV-1 with HIV infection, but the trends in prevalence of HTLV-1 and HIV associations are largely unknown, especially in Sub Saharan Africa. In the current study, data from three cross-sectional community surveys performed in 1990, 1997 and 2007, were used to assess changes in HTLV-1 prevalence, incidence and its associations with HIV-1 and HIV-2 and potential risk factors.

Results

HTLV-1 prevalence was 5.2% in 1990, 5.9% in 1997 and 4.6% in 2007. Prevalence was higher among women than men in all 3 surveys and increased with age. The Odds Ratio (OR) of being infected with HTLV-1 was significantly higher for HIV positive subjects in all surveys after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The risk of HTLV-1 infection was higher in subjects with an HTLV-1 positive mother versus an uninfected mother (OR 4.6, CI 2.6-8.0). The HTLV-1 incidence was stable between 1990-1997 (Incidence Rate (IR) 1.8/1,000 pyo) and 1997-2007 (IR 1.6/1,000 pyo) (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 0.9, CI 0.4-1.7). The incidence of HTLV-1 among HIV-positive individuals was higher compared to HIV negative individuals (IRR 2.5, CI 1.0-6.2), while the HIV incidence did not differ by HTLV-1 status (IRR 1.2, CI 0.5-2.7).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the largest community based study that has reported on HTLV-1 prevalence and associations with HIV. HTLV-1 is endemic in this rural community in West Africa with a stable incidence and a high prevalence. The prevalence increases with age and is higher in women than men. HTLV-1 infection is associated with HIV infection, and longitudinal data indicate HIV infection may be a risk factor for acquiring HTLV-1, but not vice versa. Mother to child transmission is likely to contribute to the epidemic.
Severe endothelial injury and subsequent repair in patients after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Fink Katrin , Schwarz Meike , Feldbrügge Linda , Sunkomat Julia N , Schwab Tilmann , Bourgeois Natascha , Olschewski Manfred , von zur Mühlen Constantin , Bode Christoph , Busch Hans-Jörg
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Ischemia and reperfusion after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) induce endothelial activation and systemic inflammatory response, resulting in post-resuscitation disease. In this study we analyzed direct markers of endothelial injury, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial microparticles (EMPs), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as a marker of endothelial repair in patients after CPR.

Methods

First we investigated endothelial injury in 40 patients after CPR, 30 controls with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), and 9 healthy subjects, who were included to measure CECs and EMPs. In a subsequent study, endothelial repair was assessed by EPC measurement in 15 CPR, 9 CAD, and 5 healthy subjects. Blood samples were drawn immediately and 24 hours after ROSC and analyzed by flow cytometry. For all statistical analyses P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

There was a massive rise in CEC count in resuscitated patients compared to CAD (4,494.1 ± 1,246 versus 312.7 ± 41 cells/mL; P < 0.001) and healthy patients (47.5 ± 3.7 cells/mL; P < 0.0005). Patients after prolonged CPR (≥30 min) showed elevated CECs compared to those resuscitated for <30 min (6,216.6 ± 2,057 versus 2,340.9 ± 703.5 cells/mL; P = 0.13/ns). There was a significant positive correlation of CEC count with duration of CPR (R2= 0.84; P < 0.01). EMPs were higher immediately after CPR compared to controls (31.2 ± 5.8 versus 19.7 ± 2.4 events/μL; P = 0.12 (CAD); versus 15.0 ± 5.2 events/μL; P = 0.07 (healthy)) but did not reach significance until 24 hours after CPR (69.1 ± 12.4 versus 22.0 ± 3.0 events/μL; P < 0.005 (CAD); versus 15.4 ± 4.4 events/μL; P < 0.001 (healthy)). EPCs were significantly elevated in patients on the second day after CPR compared to CAD (1.16 ± 0.41 versus 0.02 ± 0.01% of lymphocytes; P < 0.005) and healthy (0.04 ± 0.01; P < 0.005).

Conclusions

In the present study we provide evidence for a severe endothelial damage after successful CPR. Our results point to an ongoing process of endothelial injury, paralleled by a subsequent endothelial regeneration 24 hours after resuscitation.
The Role of Blood Vessels, Endothelial Cells, and Vascular Pericytes in Insulin Secretion and Peripheral Insulin Action
Authors: Richards Oliver C. , Raines Summer M. , Attie Alan D.
Published: June 2010

The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is intimately intertwined with the vasculature. Insulin must efficiently enter the bloodstream from pancreatic β-cells, circulate throughout the body, and efficiently exit the bloodstream to reach target tissues and mediate its effects. Defects in the vasculature of pancreatic islets can lead to diabetic phenotypes. Similarly, insulin resistance is accompanied by defects in the vasculature of skeletal muscle, which ultimately reduce the ability of insulin and nutrients to reach myocytes. An underappreciated participant in these processes is the vascular pericyte. Pericytes, the smooth muscle-like cells lining the outsides of blood vessels throughout the body, have not been directly implicated in insulin secretion or peripheral insulin delivery. Here, we review the role of the vasculature in insulin secretion, islet function, and peripheral insulin delivery, and highlight a potential role for the vascular pericyte in these processes.
IDENTITIES IN TRANSITION: THE USE OF AAVE GRAMMATICAL FEATURES BY HISPANIC ADOLESCENTS IN TWO NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITIES
Authors: DUNSTAN STEPHANY BRETT
Published: June 2010

This Study analyzes the accommodation of certain African American Vernacular English (AAVE) grammatical features by 65 Hispanic middle schoolers in two newly established hispanic communities in North Carolina: Durham (urban) and Zebulon (rural). It examines the extent to which three grammatical features (invariant be, copula deletion, and third-person singular -s deletion) are being adopted, the manner in which they are being used, and the influence of various social factors on usage. The students' use of these variables is then compared with how the variables are used by their African American peers. The study found that Durham Hispanic adolescents were much more likely to use AAVE features than their Zebulon counterparts and that in some cases Durham Hispanic adolescents actually used some AAVE features at a higher rate than their African American peers. Taking various social factors into account, including gender, length of residency, gang affiliation, and contact with African Americans, the data suggest that only gender and gang affiliation are influential in the use of AAVE features within this community: males and students who report gang affiliation being more likely to use these AAVE features. This finding, along with the sharp contrast between the rural and urban speakers, suggests that some Durham Hispanic adolescents may use AAVE features to create—or “index”—an identity associated with urbanity and masculinity.
Computational Methods for Oblivious Equilibrium
Authors: Weintraub Gabriel Y. , Benkard C. Lanier , Van Roy Benjamin
Published: June 2010

Oblivious equilibrium is a new solution concept for approximating Markov-perfect equilibrium in dynamic models of imperfect competition among heterogeneous firms. In this paper, we present algorithms for computing oblivious equilibrium and for bounding approximation error. We report results from computational case studies that serve to assess both efficiency of the algorithms and accuracy of oblivious equilibrium as an approximation to Markov-perfect equilibrium. We also extend the definition of oblivious equilibrium, originally proposed for models with only firm-specific idiosyncratic random shocks, and our algorithms to accommodate models with industry-wide aggregate shocks. Our results suggest that, by using oblivious equilibrium to approximate Markov-perfect equilibrium, it is possible to greatly increase the set of dynamic models of imperfect competition that can be analyzed computationally.
On the formation of uranium(V) species in alkali chloride melts
Authors: Volkovich Vladimir A. , Aleksandrov Denis E. , Griffiths Trevor R. , Vasin Boris D. , Khabibullin Timur K. , Maltsev Dmitri S.
Published: June 2010

Uranyl(V) species are normally unstable in solutions but are here shown to be stable in high-temperature chloride melts. Reactions leading to the formation of UO2Cl43–ions were studied, including thermal decomposition and chemical reduction of uranyl(VI) chloro-species in various alkali chloride melts (LiCl, 3LiCl–2KCl, NaCl–KCl, and NaCl–2CsCl) at 550–850 °C. Decomposition of UO2Cl42–species under reduced pressure, with inert gas bubbling through the melt or using zirconium getter in the atmosphere results in the formation of UO2Cl43–and UO2. Elemental tellurium, palladium, silver, molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, and hydrogen, as well as niobium and zirconium ions were tested as the reducing agents. The outcome of the reaction depends on the reductant used and its electrochemical properties: uranyl(VI) species can be reduced to uranyl(V) and uranium(IV) ions, and to uranium dioxide.
Recent chemoenzymatic total syntheses of natural and unnatural products: Codeine, balanol, pancratistatin, and oseltamivir
Authors: Hudlický Tomáš
Published: June 2010

Presented here is a short summary of the recent accomplishments in total synthesis in our laboratories. In particular, recent generations of the syntheses of pancratistatin derivatives, codeine, balanol, and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are described in relation to their common chemoenzymatic origin in toluene-dioxygenase-mediated dioxygenation of aromatic substrates. Perspectives and projections are discussed in the conclusion.
Lessons from the total synthesis of (±)-phalarine: Insights into the mechanism of the Pictet–Spengler reaction
Authors: Trzupek John D. , Li Chaomin , Chan Collin , Crowley Brendan M. , Heimann Annekatrin C. , Danishefsky Samuel J.
Published: June 2010

The furanobisindole alkaloid, phalarine, possesses a unique structural framework within the alkaloid family of natural products. Our laboratory recently disclosed the racemic total synthesis of phalarine, featuring an efficient azaspiroindolenine rearrangement; this achievement is revisited in detail. Upon completion of the first-generation total synthesis, we explored some interesting mechanism-level issues with regard to the key azaspiroindolenine rearrangement. These investigations provided valuable insights into the mechanism of racemization during the azaspiroindolenine rearrangement en route to synthetic phalarine. In addition, in the course of these studies, we demonstrated the Pictet–Spengler capture reaction for C2-aryl indoles, and successfully isolated the elusive azaspiroindolenine intermediate of the Pictet–Spengler reaction. Key insights into the remarkably subtle stereoelectronics that govern this rearrangement for C2-arylated indoles are discussed.
A novel terminal ampullae peptide is involved in the proteolytic activity of sperm in the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Ma Wen-Ming , Qian Ye-Qing , Wang Mo-Ran , Yang Fan , Yang Wei-Jun
Published: June 2010

As the distal part of the crustacean male reproductive tract, terminal ampullae play important roles in sperm development and storage of mature spermatophores. In the present study, the novel gene terminal ampullae peptide (TAP) was cloned from terminal ampullae of the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The cDNA sequence consists of 768 nucleotides, with an open-reading frame of 264 nucleotides which encodes a putative 88-amino acid precursor protein with a 17-amino acid residue signal peptide. Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that TAP was distributed on terminal ampullae and sperm, and its expression was related to gonad development. To elucidate the functional role of TAP in vivo, we disrupted the TAP gene by RNA interference (RNAi) and evaluated the effect on fertility and several sperm parameters. Although there was no difference in fertility between RNAi-induced prawns and controls, RNAi treatment decreased the sperm gelatinolytic activity and blocked proteolytic activity on the vitelline coat. These data provide evidence that TAP participates in regulating sperm proteolytic activity, and performs a crucial role in sperm maturation and degradation of the vitelline coat during fertilization.
The role of IGFs in the regulation of ovarian follicular growth in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
Authors: Juengel Jennifer L , Haydon Lisa J , Mester Brigitta , Thomson Brian P , Beaumont Michael , Eckery Douglas C
Published: June 2010

IGFs are known to be key regulators of ovarian follicular growth in eutherian mammals, but little is known regarding their role in marsupials. To better understand the potential role of IGFs in the regulation of follicular growth in marsupials, expression of mRNAs encoding IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), IGFBP4 and IGFBP5 was localized by in situ hybridization in developing ovarian follicles of the brushtail possum. In addition, the effects of IGF1 and IGF2 on granulosa cell function were tested in vitro. Both granulosa and theca cells synthesize IGF mRNAs, with the theca expressing IGF1 mRNA and granulosa cell expressing IGF2 mRNA. Oocytes and granulosa cells express IGF1R. Granulosa and theca cells expressed IGFBP mRNAs, although the pattern of expression differed between the BPs. IGFBP5 mRNA was differentially expressed as the follicles developed with granulosa cells of antral follicles no longer expressing IGFBP5 mRNA, suggesting an increased IGF bioavailability in the antral follicle. The IGFBP protease, PAPPA mRNA, was also expressed in granulosa cells of growing follicles. Both IGF1 and IGF2 stimulated thymidine incorporation but had no effect on progesterone production. Thus, IGF may be an important regulator of ovarian follicular development in marsupials as has been shown in eutherian mammals.