bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma Phospholipid Concentration of
Cis
-Palmitoleic Acid and Risk of Heart Failure
Authors: Djoussé Luc , Weir Natalie L. , Hanson Naomi Q. , Tsai Michael Y. , Gaziano J. Michael
Published: October 2012

Background—

Although plasma palmitoleic acid has been positively associated with blood pressure, inflammation, and insulin resistance, its association with heart failure has not been investigated. We assessed whether plasma phospholipid
cis
-palmitoleic acid was associated with heart failure risk.

Methods and Results—

This ancillary study of the Physicians’ Health Study used a risk set sampling method to select 788 matched pairs. For each case of incident heart failure, we randomly selected a control among subjects that were free of heart failure and alive at the time of index case diagnosis and matched on age, year of birth, race, and time of blood collection. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids were measured using gas chromatography. Heart failure was ascertained using annual follow-up questionnaire and validated in a subsample. In a multivariable conditional logistic regression, odds ratios (95% CI) for heart failure were 1.0 (ref), 1.06 (0.75–1.48), 1.20 (0.85–1.68), and 1.58 (1.11–2.25) across consecutive quartiles of
cis
-palmitoleic acid (
P
for trend 0.009). Each SD increase in plasma
cis
-palmitoleic acid was associated with 17% higher odds of heart failure (95% CI: 2% to 33%) in a multivariable model. In a secondary analysis, each SD increase of log-stearoyl-coA desaturase activity (16:1n-7/16:0 ratio) was positively associated with the risk of heart failure (odds ratio: 1.14 [95% CI: 1.00 to 1.29]), whereas oleic acid and
cis
-vaccenic acid concentrations were not related to heart failure risk.

Conclusions—

Our data showed a positive association between plasma phospholipid
cis
- palmitoleic acid and heart failure risk in male physicians.
Evaluating Treatment Efficacy by Multiple End Points in Phase II Acute Heart Failure Clinical Trials
Authors: Sun Hengrui , Davison Beth A. , Cotter Gad , Pencina Michael J. , Koch Gary G.
Published: October 2012

Background—

To assess concomitant simultaneous effects on multiple end points using global statistical methods in phase II acute heart failure studies.

Methods and Results—

Using simulations we have assessed different statistical methods to evaluate concomitant effects of a new intervention on dyspnea relief (using 2 measures), length of hospital stay, worsening heart failure to 5 days, mortality, and heart failure readmission to 30 days. Treatment effect scenarios included large (20% to 28% relative improvements) and very large (30% to 43% relative improvements) effects among others. Placebo responses and correlations among end points typical in recent acute heart failure clinical trials were used. Powers for the average Z score exceeded 70% with ≥75 patients per group for 35% relative improvement across all 6 end points. Assessing dyspnea alone generally provides lower power than the average Z score approach, with power deducted ≈50% under most of scenarios. Other approaches generally provide lower power than the average Z score method.

Conclusions—

Assessing the effects of new therapies on multiple clinical end points using the average Z score enables detection of therapeutic efficacy using sample sizes of 100 to 150 patients per group, approximately double the power achievable assessing the effects on dyspnea alone.
Effects of Intracoronary CD34
+
Stem Cell Transplantation in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients
Authors: Vrtovec Bojan , Poglajen Gregor , Lezaic Luka , Sever Matjaz , Domanovic Dragoslav , Cernelc Peter , Socan Aljaz , Schrepfer Sonja , Torre-Amione Guillermo , Haddad François , Wu Joseph C.
Published: October 2012

Rationale:

CD34
+
transplantation in dilated cardiomyopathy was associated with short-term improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and exercise tolerance.

Objective:

We investigated long-term effects of intracoronary CD34
+
cell transplantation in dilated cardiomyopathy and the relationship between intramyocardial cell homing and clinical response.

Methods and Results:

Of 110 dilated cardiomyopathy patients, 55 were randomized to receive CD34
+
stem cell transplantation (SC group) and 55 received no cell therapy (controls). In the SC group, CD34
+
cells were mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and collected via apheresis. Patients underwent myocardial scintigraphy and cells were injected in the artery supplying segments with the greatest perfusion defect. At baseline, 2 groups did not differ in age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, or N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide levels. At 5 years, stem cell therapy was associated with increased left ventricular ejection fraction (from 24.3 ± 6.5% to 30.0 ± 5.1%;
P
=0.02), increased 6-minute walk distance (from 344 ± 90 m to 477 ± 130 m;
P
<0.001), and decreased N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (from 2322 ± 1234 pg/mL to 1011 ± 893 pg/mL;
P
<0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction improvement was more significant in patients with higher myocardial homing of injected cells. During follow-up, 27 (25%) patients died and 9 (8%) underwent heart transplantation. Of the 27 deaths, 13 were attributed to pump failure and 14 were attributed to sudden cardiac death. Total mortality was lower in the SC group (14%) than in controls (35%;
P
=0.01). The same was true of pump failure (5% vs 18%;
P
=0.03), but not of sudden cardiac death (9% vs 16%;
P
=0.39).

Conclusions:

Intracoronary stem cell transplantation may be associated with improved ventricular function, exercise tolerance, and long-term survival in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Higher intramyocardial homing is associated with better stem cell therapy response.
Secretory Products From Epicardial Adipose Tissue of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Induce Cardiomyocyte Dysfunction
Authors: Greulich Sabrina , Maxhera Bujar , Vandenplas Guy , de Wiza Daniella Herzfeld , Smiris Konstantinos , Mueller Heidi , Heinrichs Jessica , Blumensatt Marcel , Cuvelier Claude , Akhyari Payam , Ruige Johannes B. , Ouwens D. Margriet , Eckel Juergen
Published: October 2012

Background—

Secreted factors from epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) have been implicated in the development of cardiomyocyte dysfunction. This study aimed to assess whether alterations in the secretory profile of EAT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) affect contractile function and insulin action in cardiomyocytes.

Methods and Results—

Contractile function and insulin action were analyzed in primary adult rat cardiomyocytes incubated with conditioned media (CM) generated from explants of EAT biopsies obtained from patients without and with DM2. CM from subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissue biopsies from the same patients served as the control. Cardiomyocytes treated with CM (EAT) from DM2 patients showed reductions in sarcomere shortening, cytosolic Ca
2+
fluxes, expression of sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum ATPase 2a, and decreased insulin-mediated Akt-Ser473-phosphorylation as compared with CM from the other groups. Profiling of the CM showed that activin A, angiopoietin-2, and CD14 selectively accumulated in CM-EAT-DM2 versus CM-EAT in patients without DM2 and CM from the other fat depots. Accordingly, EAT biopsies from DM2 patients were characterized by clusters of CD14-positive monocytes. Furthermore, SMAD2-phosphorylation, a downstream target of activin A signaling, was elevated in cardiomyocytes treated with CM (EAT) from DM2 patients, and the detrimental effects of CM (EAT) from DM2 patients were partially abolished in cardiomyocytes pretreated with a neutralizing antibody against activin A. Finally, both recombinant activin A and angiopoietin-2 reduced cardiomyocyte contractile function, but only activin A reduced the expression of sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum ATPase 2a.

Conclusions—

Collectively, our data implicate DM2-related alterations in the secretory profile of EAT in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus–related heart disease.
Ribosomal Protein L17, RpL17, is an Inhibitor of Vascular Smooth Muscle Growth and Carotid Intima Formation
Authors: Smolock Elaine M. , Korshunov Vyacheslav A. , Glazko Galina , Qiu Xing , Gerloff Janice , Berk Bradford C.
Published: October 2012

Background—

Carotid intima-media thickening is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in humans. We discovered that intima formation and cell proliferation in response to carotid injury is greater in SJL/J (SJL) in comparison with C3HeB/FeJ (C3H/F) mice. The purpose of this study was to identify candidate genes contributing to intima formation.

Methods and Results—

We performed microarray and bioinformatic analyses of carotid arteries from C3H/F and SJL mice. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the ribosome pathway was significantly up-regulated in C3H/F in comparison with SJL mice. Expression of a ribosomal protein, RpL17, was >40-fold higher in C3H/F carotids in comparison with SJL. Aortic vascular smooth muscle cells from C3H/F grew slower in comparison to SJL. To determine the role of RpL17 in vascular smooth muscle cell growth regulation, we analyzed the relationship between RpL17 expression and cell cycle progression. Cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from mice, rats, and humans showed that RpL17 expression inversely correlated with growth as shown by decreased cells in S phase and increased cells in G
0
/G
1
. To prove that RpL17 acted as a growth inhibitor in vivo, we used pluronic gel delivery of RpL17 small interfering RNA to C3H/F carotid arteries. This resulted in an 8-fold increase in the number of proliferating cells. Furthermore, following partial carotid ligation in SJL mice, RpL17 expression in the intima and media decreased, but the number of proliferating cells increased.

Conclusions—

RpL17 acts as a vascular smooth muscle cell growth inhibitor (akin to a tumor suppressor) and represents a potential therapeutic target to limit carotid intima-media thickening.
Circulation
Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: October 2012

The following articles are being highlighted as part of
Circulation's
Topic Review series. This series will summarize the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation
and the
Circulation
subspecialty journals. The studies included in this article represent the most read manuscripts published on the topic of cardiovascular interventions within the last year.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Functional MRI Reveal Cortical and Subcortical Interactions during Stop-signal Response Inhibition
Authors: Zandbelt Bram B. , Bloemendaal Mirjam , Hoogendam Janna Marie , Kahn René S. , Vink Matthijs
Published: October 2012

Stopping an action requires suppression of the primary motor cortex (M1). Inhibitory control over M1 relies on a network including the right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC) and the supplementary motor complex (SMC), but how these regions interact to exert inhibitory control over M1 is unknown. Specifically, the hierarchical position of the rIFC and SMC with respect to each other, the routes by which these regions control M1, and the causal involvement of these regions in proactive and reactive inhibition remain unclear. We used off-line repetitive TMS to perturb neural activity in the rIFC and SMC followed by fMRI to examine effects on activation in the networks involved in proactive and reactive inhibition, as assessed with a modified stop-signal task. We found repetitive TMS effects on reactive inhibition only. rIFC and SMC stimulation shortened the stop-signal RT (SSRT) and a shorter SSRT was associated with increased M1 deactivation. Furthermore, rIFC and SMC stimulation increased right striatal activation, implicating frontostriatal pathways in reactive inhibition. Finally, rIFC stimulation altered SMC activation, but SMC stimulation did not alter rIFC activation, indicating that rIFC lies upstream from SMC. These findings extend our knowledge about the functional organization of inhibitory control, an important component of executive functioning, showing that rIFC exerts reactive control over M1 via SMC and right striatum.
Inversion Effects in Face-selective Cortex with Combinations of Face Parts
Authors: James Thomas W. , Arcurio Lindsay R. , Gold Jason M.
Published: October 2012

The face inversion effect has been used as a basis for claims about the specialization of face-related perceptual and neural processes. One of these claims is that the fusiform face area (FFA) is the site of face-specific feature-based and/or configural/holistic processes that are responsible for producing the face inversion effect. However, the studies on which these claims were based almost exclusively used stimulus manipulations of whole faces. Here, we tested inversion effects using single, discrete features and combinations of multiple discrete features, in addition to whole faces, using both behavioral and fMRI measurements. In agreement with previous studies, we found behavioral inversion effects with whole faces and no inversion effects with a single eye stimulus or the two eyes in combination. However, we also found behavioral inversion effects with feature combination stimuli that included features in the top and bottom halves (eyes-mouth and eyes-nose-mouth). Activation in the FFA showed an inversion effect for the whole-face stimulus only, which did not match the behavioral pattern. Instead, a pattern of activation consistent with the behavior was found in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, which is a component of the extended face-preferring network. The results appear inconsistent with claims that the FFA is the site of face-specific feature-based and/or configural/holistic processes that are responsible for producing the face inversion effect. They are more consistent with claims that the FFA shows a stimulus preference for whole upright faces.
Reward Associations Magnify Memory-based Biases on Perception
Authors: Doallo Sonia , Patai Eva Zita , Nobre Anna Christina
Published: October 2012

Long-term spatial contextual memories are a rich source of predictions about the likely locations of relevant objects in the environment and should enable tuning of neural processing of unfolding events to optimize perception and action. Of particular importance is whether and how the reward outcome of past events can impact perception. We combined behavioral measures with recordings of brain activity with high temporal resolution to test whether the previous reward outcome associated with a memory could modulate the impact of memory-based biases on perception, and if so, the level(s) at which visual neural processing is biased by reward-associated memory-guided attention. Data showed that past rewards potentiate the effects of spatial memories upon the discrimination of target objects embedded within complex scenes starting from early perceptual stages. We show that a single reward outcome of learning impacts on how we perceive events in our complex environments.
Where Does the Irrigation Water Go? An Estimate of the Contribution of Irrigation to Precipitation Using MERRA
Authors: Wei Jiangfeng , Dirmeyer Paul A. , Wisser Dominik , Bosilovich Michael G. , Mocko David M.
Published: October 2012

Irrigation is an important human activity that may impact local and regional climate, but current climate model simulations and data assimilation systems generally do not explicitly include it. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) shows more irrigation signal in surface evapotranspiration (ET) than the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) because ERA-Interim adjusts soil moisture according to the observed surface temperature and humidity while MERRA has no explicit consideration of irrigation at the surface. But, when compared with the results from a hydrological model with detailed considerations of agriculture, the ET from both reanalyses show large deficiencies in capturing the impact of irrigation. Here, a back-trajectory method is used to estimate the contribution of irrigation to precipitation over local and surrounding regions, using MERRA with observation-based corrections and added irrigation-caused ET increase from the hydrological model. Results show substantial contributions of irrigation to precipitation over heavily irrigated regions in Asia, but the precipitation increase is much less than the ET increase over most areas, indicating that irrigation could lead to water deficits over these regions. For the same increase in ET, precipitation increases are larger over wetter areas where convection is more easily triggered, but the percentage increase in precipitation is similar for different areas. There are substantial regional differences in the patterns of irrigation impact, but, for all the studied regions, the highest percentage contribution to precipitation is over local land.
On the Effects of Large-Scale Environment and Surface Types on Convective Cloud Characteristics over Darwin, Australia
Authors: Kumar Vickal V. , Protat Alain , May Peter T. , Jakob Christian , Penide Guillaume , Kumar Sushil , Davies Laura
Published: October 2012

Two seasons of Darwin, Australia, C-band polarimetric (CPOL) research radar, radiosoundings, and lightning data are examined to study the relative influence of the large-scale atmospheric regimes and the underlying surface types on tropical convective cloud properties and their diurnal evolution. The authors find that in the “deep westerly” regime, which corresponds to the monsoon period, the convective cloud occurrence rate is highest, consistent with its highest relative humidity. However, these convective clouds have relatively low cloud-top heights, smaller-than-average cell volumes, and are electrically least active. In this regime, the cloud cell volume does not vary significantly across different underlying surfaces and afternoon convective activity is suppressed. Thus, the picture emerging is that the convective cloud activity in the deep westerly regime is primarily regulated by the large-scale conditions. The remaining regimes (“easterly,” “shallow westerly,” and “moist easterly”) also demonstrate strong dependence on the large-scale forcing and a secondary dependence on the underlying surface type. The easterly regime has a small convective cloud occurrence rate and low cloud heights but higher lightning counts per convective cloud. The other two regimes have moderate convective cloud occurrence rates and larger cloud sizes. The easterly, shallow westerly, and moist easterly regimes exhibit a strong, clearly defined semidiurnal convective cloud occurrence pattern, with peaks in the early morning and afternoon periods. The cell onset times in these three regimes depend on the combination of local time and the underlying surface.
Stigma for Seeking Therapy
Authors: Owen Jesse , Thomas LeKeldric , Rodolfa Emil
Published: October 2012

The current study examined the associations among clients’ perceptions of self- and social stigma for seeking help, session outcomes, and working alliance. Ninety-one clients were treated by 26 therapists, at a large university counseling center. All clients were currently in therapy. We expected that clients’ perceptions of self- and social stigma would be negatively associated with session outcomes and working alliance, after controlling for number of sessions, psychological well-being, and client and therapist race/ethnicity and sex. The results showed that clients’ perceptions of self-stigma (but not social stigma) were negatively associated with working alliance. Counter to our expectations, clients’ perceptions of social stigma were positively associated with session outcomes. Although clients’ perceptions of self-stigma did not have a direct association with session outcomes, there was an indirect effect between self-stigma and session outcomes via working alliance.
Means to Meaning in Cancer-Related Bereavement
Authors: MacKinnon Christopher J. , Milman Evgenia , Smith Nathan Grant , Henry Melissa , Berish Mel , Copeland Laura S. , Körner Annette , Chochinov Harvey M. , Cohen S. Robin
Published: October 2012

The search for meaning in bereavement is a topic of increasing scholarly interest. Nonetheless, literature has not yet appeared that examines the intersections of diverse theories of meaning, corresponding empirical findings, and clinical implications for counseling psychologists engaged in cancer-related bereavement psychotherapy. Meaning theories drawn from several domains of scholarship including existential, spirituality, stress, and bereavement are surveyed followed by a review of related empirical trends in the scholarship. A hypothetical case vignette is then presented to highlight potential strategies for counseling psychologists to integrate a broadened meaning-based approach to bereavement psychotherapy related to the loss of a loved one from cancer. The article concludes by identifying limitations of a meaning-based approach, as well as directions for further research.
A Social Cognitive Perspective on Coping With Cancer
Authors: Hoffman Mary Ann , Lent Robert W. , Raque-Bogdan Trisha L.
Published: October 2012

With increases in the number of cancer survivors, many persons now experience cancer as a chronic disease followed by adaptation to a new reality of what is normal in their lives. In response, cancer survivorship researchers have begun attending to the multidimensional needs of survivors, including the need to promote optimal psychological adaptation and health. Theoretical models of well-being that account for the complexity of survivorship issues are needed. We present a social cognitive model of restorative well-being as a framework for reviewing recent research on coping with early stage adult cancer (i.e., stages I and II) and optimizing post-treatment adjustment. We focus on research on cancer-related coping strategies, efficacy beliefs, personality traits, and environmental supports, which have been linked to adjustment outcomes and which may inform psychosocial interventions. By grounding this research in a theoretical base, we highlight the potential for counseling psychologists’ contributions to cancer survivorship research.
Sexual Coercion Among Black and White Teenagers
Authors: French Bryana H. , Neville Helen A.
Published: October 2012

The relations between type of sexual coercion (i.e., verbal, substance-facilitated, physical) and psychological and behavioral health were examined among Black ( n = 107) and White ( n = 114) young women. We also explored the moderating role of sexual stereotypes in understanding the relations between sexual coercion and health. Over half (53%) of the total sample reported experiencing at least one sexually coercive incident. Direct relations were found between sexual coercion type and psychological and behavioral health correlates. Specifically, for both Black and White young women, greater verbal coercion was related to increased risky sexual behaviors. Substance-facilitated sexual coercion was related to lower levels of two indicators of mental health among Black participants (i.e., psychological distress and self-esteem). Endorsement of sexual stereotypes moderated the relations between total sexual coercion experiences and self-esteem for Black young women and between total sexual coercion experiences and psychological distress for White young women.
Oil elite networks in a transforming global oil market
Authors: de Graaff Naná
Published: October 2012

This article analyses oil elite formation in light of the wider transformation that is taking place in the global oil order due to the rise of powers from the Global South, including Russia: in particular, the expansion and integration of the state-owned oil companies into the global oil market. This is done by analysing the networks that the directors of the world’s largest oil companies create through their affiliations with a) other corporations, b) policy planning bodies and c) with the state. The most important finding is that the increased cooperation between the Western private oil companies and the non-Western state-owned oil companies has not yet translated into increased integration between their respective elite networks. It is argued that this indicates we are witnessing a transition towards a more multi-polar global oil order that increasingly needs to take into account the rising powers of the Global South.
Challenges and Conflicts . . . Strengths and Supports
Authors: Phillips Tommy M. , Wilmoth Joe D. , Marks Loren D.
Published: October 2012

Most studies of marriage among African Americans have adhered to a problem-oriented perspective. Consequently, relatively little is known about enduring African American marriages. As marriage confers numerous psychosocial and economic benefits, there is merit in studying the characteristics of African American marriages that stand the test of time. Seventy-one married African American couples (mean length of marriage = 32 years) provided information regarding their religious practices, perceived reasons for their marital longevity, challenges encountered, marital happiness, and common areas of disagreement. Participant couples reported being happily married, attending church frequently, praying frequently, and believing that their faith has played a large role in their marital longevity. Responses also indicated that these couples have faced and overcome challenges and disagreements to remain married.
Requirement of Integrin β3 for Iron Transportation during Enamel Formation
Authors: Yoshida T. , Kumashiro Y. , Iwata T. , Ishihara J. , Umemoto T. , Shiratsuchi Y. , Kawashima N. , Sugiyama T. , Yamato M. , Okano T.
Published: October 2012

Rodent incisors exhibit pigmentation on their labial surfaces. Although previous studies have shown that this pigment is composed of iron, the existence of other elements has not been investigated. This study found that the lower incisors of CD61, also known as integrin β3, null mice ( CD61-/-) lacked pigmentation. Although ameloblasts differentiated and formed enamel normally, no ferric ion accumulation was observed in maturation-stage ameloblasts in CD61-/- mice. Surface elements of control and CD61-/- lower incisors were compared by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS analysis detected C, Ca, N, O, and P on the labial surfaces of lower incisors of both mice, whereas Fe was detected only in control samples. No peak of non-ferrous metal or other element was detected in either group. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of 18 iron-transportation-related genes with mRNA from maturation-stage ameloblasts and ALC, a pre-ameloblastic cell line, was performed. The results suggested that CD61 regulates the expressions of Slc11a2 and Slc40a1, both of which are involved in iron transportation in epithelial tissues. These results suggested that the pigment on the labial surface of mouse incisors is composed of Fe and that both anemia and reduction of iron-transporting proteins may cause the loss of pigmentation in CD61-/- mice.
Clustering Tooth Surfaces into Biologically Informative Caries Outcomes
Authors: Shaffer J.R. , Feingold E. , Wang X. , Weeks D.E. , Weyant R.J. , Crout R. , McNeil D.W. , Marazita M.L.
Published: October 2012

Dental caries affects most adults worldwide; however, the risk factors for dental caries do not necessarily exert their effects uniformly across all tooth surfaces. Instead, the actions of some risk factors may be limited to a subset of teeth/surfaces. Therefore, we used hierarchical clustering on tooth surface-level caries data for 1,068 Appalachian adults (ages 18-75 yrs) to group surfaces based on co-occurrence of caries. Our cluster analysis yielded evidence of 5 distinct groups of tooth surfaces that differ with respect to caries: (C1) pit and fissure molar surfaces, (C2) mandibular anterior surfaces, (C3) posterior non-pit and fissure surfaces, (C4) maxillary anterior surfaces, and (C5) mid-dentition surfaces. These clusters were replicated in a national dataset (NHANES 1999-2000, N = 3,123). We created new caries outcomes defined as the number of carious tooth surfaces within each cluster. We show that some cluster-based caries outcomes are heritable ( i.e., under genetic regulation; p < 0.05), whereas others are not. Likewise, we demonstrate the association between some cluster-based caries outcomes and potential risk factors such as age, sex, educational attainment, and toothbrushing habits. Together, these results suggest that the permanent dentition can be subdivided into groups of tooth surfaces that are useful for understanding the factors influencing cariogenesis. Abbreviations: COHRA, Center for Oral Health in Appalachia, the principal study sample; C1-5, clusters 1-5, groups of similarly behaving tooth surfaces identified through hierarchical clustering; DMFS index, decayed, missing, or filled surfaces, a traditional caries measure representing the number of affected surfaces across the entire dentition; DMFS1-5, partial DMFS indices representing the number of affected surfaces within a hierarchical cluster; and NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the secondary study sample.
GWAS of Dental Caries Patterns in the Permanent Dentition
Authors: Shaffer J.R. , Feingold E. , Wang X. , Lee M. , TCuenco K. , Weeks D.E. , Weyant R.J. , Crout R. , McNeil D.W. , Marazita M.L.
Published: October 2012

The importance of susceptibility genes in the risk for dental caries has been clearly established. While many candidate caries genes have been proposed, to date, few of them have been rigorously validated through observational and experimental studies. Moreover, most genetic epidemiological studies have analyzed global caries phenotypes that ignore the possibility that genes may exert differential effects across tooth surfaces of the dentition. Therefore, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 5 novel dental caries phenotypes (developed by clustering the permanent dentition into categories of tooth surfaces based on co-occurrence of caries) to nominate new candidate caries genes. GWAS was performed in 920 self-reported white participants, aged 18 to 75 years, with genotype data on 518,997 genetic variants. We identified a significant genetic association between dental caries of the anterior mandibular teeth and LYZL2 (p value = 9e-9), which codes a bacteriolytic agent thought to be involved in host defense. We also identified a significant genetic association between caries of the mid- dentition tooth surfaces and AJAP1 (p value = 2e-8), a gene possibly involved in tooth development. Suggestive genetic associations were also observed for ABCG2, PKD2, the dentin/bone SCPP sub-family, EDNRA, TJFBR1, NKX2-3, IFT88, TWSG1, IL17D, and SMAD7 (p values < 7e-6). We nominate these novel genes for future study.
Best Practice Models of Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery in the Public Rehabilitation Program
Authors: Fleming Allison R. , Del Valle Roy , Kim Muwoong , Leahy Michael J.
Published: October 2012

Rehabilitation counselors and practitioners are under increased pressure to adopt and pursue evidenced-based practices, and the rehabilitation counseling literature has been criticized for a lack of empirical work providing support for individual-level interventions. The purpose of this literature review was to examine the last 25 years of rehabilitation research with specific attention to empirical studies related to active employment-focused interventions and present models of best practices that already exist within the literature. Findings indicated that 35 empirical studies met the search criteria of presenting services or models with initial evidence of supporting employment outcomes. In the review process, studies were classified into seven categories based on topic, including interagency collaboration, counselor education and customer outcomes, services to a targeted group, supported employment and evidence-based practice (EBP), empowerment and customer self-concept, essential elements of service delivery, and miscellaneous vocational rehabilitation services and outcomes. A review and synthesis of studies within these topical areas are presented, along with implications within the context of the critical need for EBPs in rehabilitation counseling.
Social Housing in England: Testing the Logics of Reform
Authors: Robinson David
Published: October 2012

The role and function of social housing in England are being recast. A radical programme of reform is being pursued in response to the apparent failure of the sector to serve as an effective welfare service, promoting dependency rather than social mobility. This paper examines the underlying logics and considers some of the potential consequences of this reform agenda, through an exploration of the relationship between social housing and worklessness. Drawing on evidence from qualitative interviews with over 150 tenants, questions are raised regarding the veracity of the charge sheet levelled against social housing. Risks associated with on-going efforts to reconstitute the role and function of social housing in England are also highlighted. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence challenging the pathologising and problematising of social housing through the detailed analysis of the perspectives and experiences of social tenants.
Can We Do Better?
Authors: Parent Geneviève , Guay Jean-Pierre , Knight Raymond A.
Published: October 2012

Clinicians have at their disposal a variety of instruments with which to evaluate the risk presented by sex offenders. These measures yield similar predictive potency, and combining them does not appear to enhance prediction. The present study examined whether classification and regression tree analysis could identify new combinations of predictors that would improve predictive validity. Items from seven actuarial instruments were used to construct classification trees. Overall, classification trees achieved slightly higher predictive accuracy than did actuarial instruments. In addition, these analyses highlight the heterogeneity among sex offenders. Despite this improvement, one should consider the incorporation of other predictors into the instruments—including dynamic factors, protective factors, and measures with strong theoretical justification.
Looking Up
Authors: Gau Jacinta M. , Terrill William , Paoline Eugene A.
Published: October 2012

Organizations benefit when employees are motivated and aspiring. Within policing, this is especially important given contemporary philosophies asking officers to take ownership and be proactive. A desire to ascend through the police ranks may inspire greater engagement in the police role. Extant research has noted that promotional aspirations vary among police officers, but unknown at this point are the factors that shape this variation. The current study helps fill this void by analyzing multiple-agency data assessing the impact of demographic, work environment, and organizational factors on patrol officers’ aspirations. The focus is on the importance officers place on being promoted to a higher rank (i.e., valence), as well as their long-term aspirations in terms of projected rank at retirement. The findings reveal that the most consistent predictors are gender, race, education, and experience; job satisfaction; and organizational size. The implications of these findings for police research and practice are considered.
Prescription of Trace Elements in Adults on Home Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Abdalian R. , Fernandes G. , Duerksen D. , Jeejeebhoy K. N. , Whittaker S. , Gramlich L. , Allard J. P.
Published: October 2012

Background: Since the introduction of long‐term parenteral nutrition (PN), morbidity due to inadequate replacement or toxicity of routinely administered trace elements has been well described. After decades of experience, much debate still exists about optimal supplementation. In practice, trace elements (TEs) seem to be frequently provided by prescribing an all‐inclusive commercial multi‐TE admixture with little dosage flexibility. Aim: Our goal was to review TE supplementation practice among 5 PN support centers across Canada, through a retrospective review of the Canadian Home PN Registry. Methods: Baseline demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters along with information regarding the PN prescription of 135 patients with complete records were retrieved from the registry database collected between 2005 and 2007. TE supplementation prescriptions were compared with recent guidelines as well as between groups of patients with different PN indications and dietary intake status. Consent was signed by all participating patients. Results: The average daily PN concentrations of TE were as follows: zinc, 8.6 ± 5.5 mg (130.92 ± 84.23 µmol); manganese, 452 ± 184 µg (8.22 ± 3.34 µmol); selenium, 78 ± 45 µg (0.99 ± 0.57 µmol); chromium, 11 ± 5 µg (0.21 ± 0.10 µmol); copper, 0.64 ± 0.35 mg (10.11 ± 5.58 µmol); and iodine, 77 ± 42 µg (0.61 ± 0.33 µmol). The mean daily supplementation of zinc, manganese, copper, and selenium exceeded published recommendations. Patients’ underlying anatomy or indication for PN did not significantly influence decisions regarding replacement standards. Conclusion: Parenteral TE supplementation in Canadian PN programs needs to be reviewed and adjusted according to most current guidelines. This may require a reevaluation of the commercial TE preparations currently available in Canada and potential new products worldwide to avoid oversupplementation and potential toxicity.
Low Energy Intakes Are Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Infants After Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Larsen Bodil M. K. , Goonewardene Laksiri A. , Field Catherine J. , Joffe Ari R. , Van Aerde John E. , Olstad Dana Lee , Clandinin Michael T.
Published: October 2012

Background: Infants with congenital heart lesions who undergo open heart surgery may experience physiologic and metabolic stress in the postoperative period, leading to altered metabolism and hypercatabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between energy intake and hospital outcomes during the first 10 days following neonatal open heart surgery. Materials and Methods: A post hoc analysis of all patients in a prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. Nutrition intake and hospital outcomes were assessed in 32 infants (40 ± 2.2 weeks, 3.4 ± 0.5 kg) in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. Infants received parenteral nutrition (PN) for 1–4 days before and 10 days after open heart surgery. Infants were separated into those who received a cumulative energy intake of <689 kcal (average 63 kcal/kg/d) and those who received an intake ≥689 kcal during postoperative days 0–10. Results: Lower energy intake was associated with a significantly increased duration of artificial ventilation (5 ± 1.2 days), time to chest closure (1.4 ± 0.5 days), time in intensive care (5 ± 1.8 days), and stay in the hospital (25 ± 6.4 days). Lower energy intake was also associated with a significant increase in the length of time infants required PN (8 ± 2.9 days) and longer time to achieve full enteral intake of 100 mL/kg/d (7 ± 2.2 days) and before enteral feeds could be initiated (5 ± 1.5 days). Conclusions: Providing <63 kcal/kg/d to infants after open heart surgery was associated with adverse pediatric intensive care outcomes.
Cranberry Proanthocyanidins Improve the Gut Mucous Layer Morphology and Function in Mice Receiving Elemental Enteral Nutrition
Authors: Pierre Joseph F. , Heneghan Aaron F. , Feliciano Rodrigo P. , Shanmuganayagam Dhanansayan , Roenneburg Drew A. , Krueger Christian G. , Reed Jess D. , Kudsk Kenneth A.
Published: October 2012

Background: Lamina propria Th2 cytokines, interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13, stimulate goblet cell (GC) proliferation and MUC2 production, which protect the intestinal mucosa. Elemental enteral nutrition (EEN) reduces tissue IL‐4 and impairs barrier function. Proanthocyanidins (PACs) stimulate oral mucin levels. We hypothesized that adding PAC to EEN would maintain Th2–without stimulating Th1–cytokines and preserve luminal MUC2 vs EEN alone. Materials and Methods: Seventy mice were randomized to 5 diet groups–standard chow, intragastric EEN, or EEN with lowPAC, midPAC (50 mg), or highPAC (100 mg PAC/kg BW)–for 5 days, starting 2 days after gastric cannulation. Ileal tissue was analyzed for histomorphology and the cytokines IL‐4, IL‐13, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. MUC2 was measured in intestinal washes. Results: EEN lowered IL‐13 (P < .05) compared with standard chow, whereas IL‐4 was not significant (P < .07). LowPAC and midPAC increased IL‐13 (P < .05), whereas highPAC increased both IL‐4 and IL‐13 (P < .05) compared with EEN. All EEN diets reduced (P < .05) crypt depth compared with the chow group. Compared with standard chow, GC numbers and luminal MUC2 were reduced with EEN (P < .05). These effects were attenuated (P < .05) with midPAC and highPAC. No changes were observed in tissue Th1 cytokines. Conclusions: Adding PACs to EEN reverses impaired intestinal barrier function following EEN by improving the gut mucous layer and function through increased GC size and number as well as levels of MUC2 and ileal IL‐4 and IL‐13.
The Effects of Probiotics in Early Enteral Nutrition on the Outcomes of Trauma
Authors: Gu Wan‐Jie , Deng Teng , Gong Yi‐Zhen , Jing Rui , Liu Jing‐Chen
Published: October 2012

Background: The role of probiotics in trauma patients remains unclear. We undertook a meta‐analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of probiotics on the clinical outcomes of trauma patients. Methods: A systematic electronic literature search was conducted to identify RCTs comparing the use of probiotics with a control in trauma patients. Results were expressed as risk ratios (RRs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with accompanying 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome measurement was the incidence of nosocomial infections. Secondary outcome measurements included the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP), length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and mortality. The meta‐analysis was performed with the fixed‐effect or random‐effect model according to the heterogeneity. Results: Five studies involving 281 patients met our inclusion criteria. The use of probiotics was associated with a reduction in the incidence of nosocomial infections (5 trials; RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45–0.94, P = .02), VAP (3 trials; RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.42–0.81, P = .001), and length of ICU stay (2 trials; SMD, −0.71; 95% CI, −1.09 to −0.34, P < .001) but no reduction in mortality (4 trials; RR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.32–1.26, P = .19). Conclusions: The use of probiotics is associated with a reduction in the incidence of nosocomial infections, VAP, and length of ICU stay but is not associated with an overall mortality advantage. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the heterogeneity among study designs. Further large‐scale, well‐designed RCTs are needed.
Walter Isard’s Contributions to Environmental Economics and Ecological Economics
Authors: Rose Adam , Folmer Henk , Nijkamp Peter
Published: October 2012

This article summarizes Walter Isard’s important contributions to environmental economics and ecological economics. The former is the traditional field that incorporates some limited aspects of the environment into neoclassical economic theory, while the latter is a more comprehensive integration of economic and ecological principles in a set of eclectic frameworks. Walter’s contributions include pioneering research, primarily in a spatial context, and the mentoring of prominent researchers in these fields during the period of 1965–75. We examine these contributions in the context of the state of the art of knowledge in these fields at the time and today. We also discuss Walter’s influence in Europe in these areas. We conclude with a discussion of some promising new directions, with an emphasis on regional science dimensions.
Behavioral Housing Search Choice Set Formation
Authors: Rashidi Taha H. , Mohammadian Abolfazl (Kouros)
Published: October 2012

The housing search process, a topic of interest to both practitioners and researchers, starts with an alternative formation and screening practice. Due to the limitation of cognitive capacity, household members at this level evaluate potential alternatives based on many factors, such as lifestyle, preferences, and so on, to form a manageable choice set. This article attempts to provide a detailed study of this screening and filtering practice to develop a modeling framework that can replicate the choice set formation process. In order to show the potential of the method, one prospective decision criteria—the average desired commute to work distance—is considered the potential attribute that the household evaluates for feasible housing alternatives. It is postulated that alternatives will only be included in the choice set if the average work distance satisfies the household distance threshold. This article explores the viability of using proportional hazard models in the housing search process. Some of the specifications of hazard-based models that are typically used on temporal data are examined on average work distance. Several household sociodemographic attributes from eight waves of the Seattle Metropolitan Area’s Puget Sound Transportation Panel (PSTP) are utilized for model estimation, along with built environment variables, characteristics of the supply side of the market, and several other economic indicators. The approach presented in this article provides a remedy for the large choice set problem typically faced in discrete choice modeling.
Role-Identity Salience, Purpose and Meaning in Life, and Well-Being among Volunteers
Authors: Thoits Peggy A.
Published: October 2012

Theoretically, the more important a role-identity is to a person, the more it should provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Believing one’s life to be purposeful and meaningful should yield greater mental and physical well-being. These hypotheses are tested with respect to the volunteer role, specifically, Mended Hearts visitor, in which former heart patients visit current heart patients and their families in the hospital. Analyses of survey data from Mended Hearts visitors (N = 458) confirm that a sense of meaningful, purposeful life mediates the positive influences of role-identity salience on mental and physical health. The results hint at an unfolding process: the more time spent in volunteer activities, the more important the volunteer identity. The greater the identity importance, the more one perceives one matters to other people, which in turn enhances purpose and meaning. The more life seems purposeful and meaningful, the better one’s well-being.
Rorty, religion and the public–private distinction
Authors: Barthold Lauren Swayne
Published: October 2012

This article explores the question of the role of religion in the public square through the lens of Richard Rorty’s more general public–private distinction. When we note his various positions over the years on the role of religion in the public square we observe a shift that yields a more favorable public role for religion so long as it limits itself to social action and refrains from making knowledge-claims that serve as tools of the powerful. But if, according to Rorty, religion per se is no longer the problem, then what becomes of his efforts to endorse a more general public–private distinction? The argument set forth assesses the inadequacies and limitations of Rorty’s assumptions about the public–private split and suggests another way of framing the issue that will prove productive in debates concerning the role of religion in the public square.