bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CC chemokine receptor 5 gene polymorphisms in beryllium disease
Authors: Sato H. , Silveira L. , Spagnolo P. , Gillespie M. , Gottschall E.B. , Welsh K.I. , Du Bois R.M. , Newman L.S. , Maier L.A.
Published: January 2010

CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is expressed on type-1 T-helper cells, which are involved in the pathogenesis of the granulomatous lung disease chronic beryllium disease (CBD). CCR5 gene (CCR5) polymorphisms are associated with sarcoidosis severity. The present study explores associations betweenCCR5polymorphisms and CBD and its disease progression.

EightCCR5polymorphisms were genotyped in CBD (n = 88), beryllium sensitisation (BeS; n = 86) and beryllium-exposed nondiseased controls (n = 173) using PCR with sequence-specific primers. Pulmonary function and bronchoalveolar lavage data were examined for associations with genotypes.

There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequency between CBD, BeS individuals and controls. In CBD, associations were found with decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity and theCCR5-3458 thymidine (T)T genotype (p<0.0001), and an increase in alveolar–arterial oxygen tension difference at rest (p = 0.003) and at maximum exercise (p = 0.01) and the -5663 adenine allele. Increased bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocyte numbers were associated withCCR5-2459 guanine/-2135T (p = 0.01) only in the combined CBD and BeS group.

This is the first study showing thatCCR5polymorphisms are associated with worsening pulmonary function over time in CBD, suggesting thatCCR5is important in the progression of pulmonary function in CBD. Further studies would be useful to clarify the mechanism whereby CCR5 polymorphisms affect progression of CBD.
Genetic and environmental influences on objective intermediate asthma phenotypes in Dutch twins
Authors: Wu T. , Boezen H.M. , Postma D.S. , Los H. , Postmus P.E. , Snieder H. , Boomsma D.I.
Published: January 2010

It is unclear to what extent the same set of environmental or genetic factors regulate objective intermediate asthma phenotypes. We examined heritabilities of these phenotypes and estimated their environmental and genetic overlap.

We studied baseline lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC), bronchial hyperresponsiveness, number of positive skin prick tests (SPT) to 11 allergens, serum total immunoglobulin (Ig)E, number of positive specific IgE tests to four allergens and eosinophil counts. 103 twin pairs were studied (46 monozygotic and 57 dizygotic; mean age: 22.5 yrs, range: 17.0–27.0 yrs). Univariate and bivariate genetic analyses were performed after adjustment for significant covariates.

All intermediate asthma phenotypes showed significant heritabilities (47–83%). Most phenotypes were substantially correlated, which was mainly due to shared genetic factors. Pairs of phenotypes with the largest genetic correlations were specific IgE and SPT (0.98), and total IgE with specific IgE (0.87), with SPT (0.72), and with eosinophils (0.62). SPT showed significant environmental correlations with total IgE (0.65), specific IgE (0.70) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (0.44).

Genetic effects explain the majority of the variation in objective intermediate asthma phenotypes. Additionally, correlations between pairs of these traits are also mainly explained by genetic rather than environmental factors.
Effectiveness of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in preventing pneumonia in the elderly
Authors: Domínguez A. , Izquierdo C. , Salleras L. , Ruiz L. , Sousa D. , Bayas J-M. , Nebot M. , Varona W. , Celorrio J-M. , Carratalà J.
Published: January 2010

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) in preventing hospital admission for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in people ≥65 yrs of age.

We conducted a matched case–control study in patients with CAP admitted to five Spanish hospitals. Cases were persons aged ≥65 yrs admitted to hospital through the emergency department, who presented a clinical and radiological pattern compatible with pneumonia, assessed using established criteria. We matched each case with three control subjects by sex, age (±5 yrs), date of hospitalisation (±30 days) and underlying disease. The study period was May 1, 2005 to January 31, 2007. The PPV immunisation status of cases and controls was investigated. Adjusted ORs for vaccination were calculated using logistic regression analysis.

A total of 489 cases and 1,467 controls were included in the final analysis. The overall adjusted vaccination effectiveness for all patients was 23.6% (95% CI 0.9–41.0). The adjusted vaccination effectiveness for immunosuppressed patients was 21.0% (95% CI -18.7–47.5).

Our results suggest that the PPV may potentially reduce hospitalisations for pneumonia in the elderly and supports vaccination programmes in this age group.
Characterization of the Six1 homeobox gene in normal mammary gland morphogenesis
Authors: Coletta Ricardo D , McCoy Erica L , Burns Valerie , Kawakami Kiyoshi , McManaman James L , Wysolmerski John J , Ford Heide L
Published: January 2010

Background

TheSix1homeobox gene is highly expressed in the embryonic mammary gland, continues to be expressed in early postnatal mammary development, but is lost when the mammary gland differentiates during pregnancy. However,Six1is re-expressed in breast cancers, suggesting that its re-instatement in the adult mammary gland may contribute to breast tumorigenesis via initiating a developmental process out of context. Indeed, recent studies demonstrate that Six1 overexpression in the adult mouse mammary gland is sufficient for initiating invasive carcinomas, and that its overexpression in xenograft models of mammary cancer leads to metastasis. These data demonstrate that Six1 is causally involved in both breast tumorigenesis and metastasis, thus raising the possibility that it may be a viable therapeutic target. However, because Six1 is highly expressed in the developing mammary gland, and because it has been implicated in the expansion of mammary stem cells, targeting Six1 as an anti-cancer therapy may have unwanted side effects in the breast.

Results

We sought to determine the role of Six1 in mammary development using two independent mouse models. To study the effect of Six1 loss in early mammary development when Six1 is normally expressed,Six1-/-embryonic mammary glands were transplanted intoRag1-/-mice. In addition, to determine whether Six1 downregulation is required during later stages of development to allow for proper differentiation, we overexpressed Six1 during adulthood using an inducible, mammary-specific transgenic mouse model. Morphogenesis of the mammary gland occurred normally in animals transplanted withSix1-/-embryonic mammary glands, likely through the redundant functions of other Six family members such asSix2andSix4, whose expression was increased in response to Six1 loss. Surprisingly, inappropriate expression of Six1 in the adult mammary gland, when levels are normally low to absent, did not inhibit normal mammary differentiation during pregnancy or lactation.

Conclusions

Six1 is not critical for normal mammary gland development, since neither loss nor inappropriate overexpression of Six1 adversely affects normal mammary gland development or function. However, as bothSix2andSix4levels are increased inSix1-/-mammary glands, we postulate that these Six family members are functionally redundant in the gland, as is true of many homeobox gene families. This data, in conjunction with recent findings that Six1 is capable of promoting breast cancer initiation and progression, suggest that Six1 may serve as a reasonable chemotherapeutic target in a clinical setting, particularly for those women diagnosed with breast cancer in their childbearing years.
New insights into two distinct nucleosome distributions: comparison of cross-platform positioning datasets in the yeast genome
Authors: Feng Jihua , Dai Xianhua , Xiang Qian , Dai Zhiming , Wang Jiang , Deng Yangyang , He Caisheng
Published: January 2010

Background

Recently, a number of high-resolution genome-wide maps of nucleosome locations in S. cerevisiae have been derived experimentally. However, nucleosome positions are determined in vivo by the combined effects of numerous factors. Consequently, nucleosomes are not simple static units, which may explain the discrepancies in reported nucleosome positions as measured by different experiments. In order to more accurately depict the genome-wide nucleosome distribution, we integrated multiple nucleosomal positioning datasets using a multi-angle analysis strategy.

Results

To evaluate the contribution of chromatin structure to transcription, we used the vast amount of available nucleosome analyzed data. Analysis of this data allowed for the comprehensive identification of the connections between promoter nucleosome positioning patterns and various transcription-dependent properties. Further, we characterised the function of nucleosome destabilisation in the context of transcription regulation. Our results indicate that genes with similar nucleosome occupancy patterns share general transcription attributes. We identified the local regulatory correlation (LRC) regions for two distinct types of nucleosomes and we assessed their regulatory properties. We also estimated the nucleosome reproducibility and measurement accuracy for high-confidence transcripts. We found that by maintaining a distance of ~13 bp between the upstream border of the +1 nucleosome and the transcription start sites (TSSs), the stable +1 nucleosome may form a barrier against the accessibility of the TSS and shape an optimum chromatin conformation for gene regulation. An in-depth analysis of nucleosome positioning in normally growing and heat shock cells suggested that the extent and patterns of nucleosome sliding are associated with gene activation.

Conclusions

Our results, which combine different types of data, suggest that cross-platform information, including discrepancy and consistency, reflects the mechanisms of nucleosome packaging in vivo more faithfully than individual studies. Furthermore, nucleosomes can be divided into two classes according to their stable and dynamic characteristics. We found that two different nucleosome-positioning characteristics may significantly impact transcription programs. Besides, some positioned-nucleosomes are involved in the transition from stable state to dynamic state in response to abrupt environmental changes.
The transforming acidic coiled coil (TACC1) protein modulates the transcriptional activity of the nuclear receptors TR and RAR
Authors: Guyot Romain , Vincent Séverine , Bertin Julie , Samarut Jacques , Ravel-Chapuis Patrick
Published: January 2010

Background

The transcriptional activity of Nuclear hormone Receptors (NRs) is regulated by interaction with coactivator or corepressor proteins. Many of these cofactors have been shown to have a misregulated expression or to show a subcellular mislocalization in cancer cell lines or primary tumors. Therefore they can be factors involved in the process of oncogenesis.

Results

We describe a novel NR coregulator, TACC1, which belongs to the Transforming Acidic Coiled Coil (TACC) family. The interaction of TACC1 with Thyroid Hormone Receptors (TR) and several other NRs has been shown in a yeast two-hybrid screen and confirmed by GST pulldown, colocalization and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. TACC1 interacts preferentially with unliganded NRs. In F9 cells, endogenous TACC1 localized in the chromatin-enriched fraction of the nucleus and interacted with Retinoid Acid Receptors (RARα) in the nucleus. TACC1 depletion in the cell led to decreased RARα and TRα ligand-dependent transcriptional activity and to delocalization of TR from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

Conclusions

From these experimental studies we propose that TACC1 might be a scaffold protein building up a transcriptional complex around the NRs we studied. This function of TACC1 might account for its involvement in several forms of tumour development.
Gel versus capillary electrophoresis genotyping for categorizing treatment outcomes in two anti-malarial trials in Uganda
Authors: Gupta Vinay , Dorsey Grant , Hubbard Alan E , Rosenthal Philip J , Greenhouse Bryan
Published: January 2010

Background

Molecular genotyping is performed in anti-malarial trials to determine whether recurrent parasitaemia after therapy represents a recrudescence (treatment failure) or new infection. The use of capillary instead of agarose gel electrophoresis for genotyping offers technical advantages, but it is unclear whether capillary electrophoresis will result in improved classification of anti-malarial treatment outcomes.

Methods

Samples were genotyped using both gel and capillary electrophoresis from randomized trials of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) vs. dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) performed in two areas of Uganda: Kanungu, where transmission is moderate, and Apac, where transmission is very high. Both gel and capillary methods evaluated polymorphic regions of the merozoite surface protein 1 and 2 and glutamine rich protein genes.

Results

Capillary electrophoresis detected more alleles and provided higher discriminatory power than agarose gel electrophoresis at both study sites. There was only moderate agreement between classification of outcomes with the two methods in Kanungu (kappa = 0.66) and poor agreement in Apac (kappa = 0.24). Overall efficacy results were similar when using gel vs. capillary methods in Kanungu (42-day risk of treatment failure for AL: 6.9% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.4; DP 2.4% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.5). However, the measured risk of recrudescence was significantly higher when using gel vs. capillary electrophoresis in Apac (risk of treatment failure for AL: 17.0% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.02; DP: 8.5% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.03). Risk differences between AL and DP were not significantly different whether gel or capillary methods were used.

Conclusions

Genotyping with gel electrophoresis overestimates the risk of recrudescence in anti-malarial trials performed in areas of high transmission intensity. Capillary electrophoresis provides more accurate outcomes for such trials and should be performed when possible. In areas of moderate transmission, gel electrophoresis appears adequate to estimate comparative risks of treatment failure.
Semi-automatic algorithm for construction of the left ventricular area variation curve over a complete cardiac cycle
Authors: Melo Salvador A , Macchiavello Bruno , Andrade Marcelino M , Carvalho João LA , Carvalho Hervaldo S , Vasconcelos Daniel F , Berger Pedro A , da Rocha Adson F , Nascimento Francisco AO
Published: January 2010

Background

Two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-echo) allows the evaluation of cardiac structures and their movements. A wide range of clinical diagnoses are based on the performance of the left ventricle. The evaluation of myocardial function is typically performed by manual segmentation of the ventricular cavity in a series of dynamic images. This process is laborious and operator dependent. The automatic segmentation of the left ventricle in 4-chamber long-axis images during diastole is troublesome, because of the opening of the mitral valve.

Methods

This work presents a method for segmentation of the left ventricle in dynamic 2D-echo 4-chamber long-axis images over the complete cardiac cycle. The proposed algorithm is based on classic image processing techniques, including time-averaging and wavelet-based denoising, edge enhancement filtering, morphological operations, homotopy modification, and watershed segmentation. The proposed method is semi-automatic, requiring a single user intervention for identification of the position of the mitral valve in the first temporal frame of the video sequence. Image segmentation is performed on a set of dynamic 2D-echo images collected from an examination covering two consecutive cardiac cycles.

Results

The proposed method is demonstrated and evaluated on twelve healthy volunteers. The results are quantitatively evaluated using four different metrics, in a comparison with contours manually segmented by a specialist, and with four alternative methods from the literature. The method's intra- and inter-operator variabilities are also evaluated.

Conclusions

The proposed method allows the automatic construction of the area variation curve of the left ventricle corresponding to a complete cardiac cycle. This may potentially be used for the identification of several clinical parameters, including the area variation fraction. This parameter could potentially be used for evaluating the global systolic function of the left ventricle.
Chronic arthritis leads to disturbances in the bone collagen network
Authors: Caetano-Lopes Joana , Nery Ana M , Canhão Helena , Duarte Joana , Cascão Rita , Rodrigues Ana , Perpétuo Inês P , Abdulghani Saba , Amaral Pedro M , Sakaguchi Shimon , Konttinen Yrjö T , Graça Luís , Vaz Maria F , Fonseca João E
Published: January 2010

Introduction

In this study we used a mice model of chronic arthritis to evaluate if bone fragility induced by chronic inflammation is associated with an imbalance in bone turnover and also a disorganization of the bone type I collagen network.

Methods

Serum, vertebrae and femur bones were collected from eight-month-old polyarthritis SKG mice and controls. Strength of the femoral bones was evaluated using three-point bending tests and density was assessed with a pycnometer. Bone turnover markers carboxy-terminal collagen cross-linking telopeptides (CTX-I) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) were measured in serum. The organization and density of bone collagen were analyzed in vertebrae using second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging with a two-photon microscope and trabecular bone microstructure was assessed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Results

Femoral bones of SKG mice revealed increased fragility expressed by deterioration of mechanical properties, namely altered stiffness (P = 0.007) and reduced strength (P = 0.006), when compared to controls. Accordingly, inter-trabecular distance and trabecular thickness as observed by SEM were reduced in SKG mice. PINP was significantly higher in arthritic mice (9.18 ± 3.21 ng/ml) when compared to controls (1.71 ± 0.53 ng/ml, P < 0.001). Bone resorption marker CTX-I was 9.67 ± 3.18 ng/ml in arthritic SKG mice compared to 6.23 ± 4.11 ng/ml in controls (P = 0.176). The forward-to-backward signal ratio measured by SHG was higher in SKG animals, reflecting disorganized matrix and loose collagen structure, compared to controls.

Conclusions

We have shown for the first time that chronic arthritis by itself impairs bone matrix architecture, probably due to disturbed bone remodeling and increased collagen turnover. This effect might predispose patients to bone fragility fractures.
Type I gamma phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase modulates invasion and proliferation and its expression correlates with poor prognosis in breast cancer
Authors: Sun Yue , Turbin Dmitry A , Ling Kun , Thapa Narendra , Leung Samuel , Huntsman David G , Anderson Richard A
Published: January 2010

Introduction

The loss of E-cadherin based cell-cell contacts and tumor cell migration to the vasculature and lymphatic system are hallmarks of metastasis of epithelial cancers. Type I gamma phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPKIγ), an enzyme that generates phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI4,5P2) a lipid messenger and precursor to many additional second messengers, was found to regulate E-cadherin cell-cell contacts and growth factor-stimulated directional cell migration, indicating that PIPKIγ regulates key steps in metastasis. Here, we assess the expression of PIPKIγ in breast cancers and have shown that expression correlated with disease progression and outcome.

Methods

Using a tissue microarray, we analyzed 438 breast carcinomas for the levels of PIPKIγ and investigated the correlation of PIPKIγ expression with patient survival via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Moreover, via knockdown of the expression of PIPKIγ in cultured breast cancer cells with siRNA, the roles of PIPKIγ in breast cancer migration, invasion, and proliferation were examined.

Results

Tissue microarray data shows that ~18% of the cohort immunostained showed high expression of PIPKIγ. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between strong PIPKIγ expression and overall patient survival. Expression of PIPKIγ correlated positively with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, which regulates breast cancer progression and metastasis. In cultured breast cancer cells, PIPKIγ is required for growth factor stimulated migration, invasion, and proliferation of cells.

Conclusions

The results reveal a significant correlation between PIPKIγ expression and the progression of breast cancer. This is consistent with PIPKIγ 's role in breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and proliferation.
(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate sensitizes breast cancer cells to paclitaxel in a murine model of breast carcinoma
Authors: Luo Ting , Wang Jiao , Yin Yancun , Hua Hui , Jing Jing , Sun Xiangming , Li Minjing , Zhang You , Jiang Yangfu
Published: January 2010

Introduction

Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is a microtubule-targeted agent that is widely used for cancer treatment. However, resistance to paclitaxel is frequently encountered in the clinic. There is increasing interest in identifying compounds that may increase the sensitivity to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we investigated whether green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could sensitize breast carcinoma to paclitaxel in vivo.

Methods

Breast cancer cells were treated with or without EGCG and paclitaxel followed by detection of cell survival and apoptosis. c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) expression were detected by Western blotting. For in vivo study, 4T1 breast cancer cells were inoculated into Balb/c mice to establish a transplantation model. The tumor-bearing mice were treated with or without EGCG (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and paclitaxel (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Tumor growth was monitored. Apoptosis in tumor tissues was detected. Cell lysates from tumors were subjected to Western blot analysis of GRP78 expression and JNK phosphorylation.

Results

EGCG synergistically sensitized breast cancer cells to paclitaxel in vitro and in vivo. EGCG in combination with paclitaxel significantly induced 4T1 cells apoptosis compared with each single treatment. When tumor-bearing mice were treated with paclitaxel in combination with EGCG, tumor growth was significantly inhibited, whereas the single-agent activity for paclitaxel or EGCG was poor. EGCG overcame paclitaxel-induced GRP78 expression and potentiated paclitaxel-induced JNK phosphorylation in 4T1 cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

EGCG may be used as a sensitizer to enhance the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel.
Preparation of Novel Fluoroalkyl End-Capped Trimethoxyvinylsilane Oligomeric Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Binaphthol: Encapsulated Binaphthol Remaining Thermally Stable Even at 800 °C
Authors: Sawada Hideo , Matsuki Yusuke , Goto Yuki , Kodama Shun , Sugiya Masashi , Nishiyama Yusuke
Published: January 2010

Novel cross-linked fluoroalkyl end-capped trimethoxyvinylsilane oligomeric nanoparticles [RF–(VM-SiO2)n–RF]-encapsulated 1,1′-bi(2-naphthol) (BINOL) were prepared by the hydrolysis of fluoroalkyl end-capped trimethoxyvinylsilane oligomer in the presence of BINOL under alkaline conditions. RF–(VM-SiO2)n–RF-encapsulated BINOL nanocomposite thus obtained afforded no weight loss corresponding to the presence of BINOL in the composite at 800 °C. Interestingly, RF–(VM-SiO2)n–RF/BINOL nanocomposite did not show absorption peaks before calcination however this nanocomposite was found to exhibit similar absorption and fluorescence peaks to those of the parent BINOL after calcination at 800 °C. More interestingly, RF–(VM-SiO2)n–RF/BINOL nanocomposite after calcination exhibited a releasing characteristic into methanol although before calcination this nanocomposite showed no such characteristic at all. In particular, FT-IR spectra of the released molecules showed typical bands related to both the parent BINOL and silica gel, indicating that the released guest molecules should be thermally stable even at 800 °C through the architecture of rigid BINOL-containing silica gel matrices.
Synthesis of an Advanced Intermediate Bearing Two Hydroxy Groups for (−)-Tetrodotoxin and Its Analogs
Authors: Nishikawa Toshio , Koide Yuya , Adachi Masaatsu , Isobe Minoru
Published: January 2010

A new intermediate for tetrodotoxin and its analogs was synthesized from a bicyclic lactam intermediate, which was prepared from a known enone compound by a novel neighboring group participation as a key step.
Liquid Junction Potential between Electrolyte Solutions in Different Solvents: Some Consideration on the Component Due to Solvent–Solvent Interactions
Authors: Izutsu Kosuke
Published: January 2010

The liquid junction potential between different solvents contains three components, i.e., (a) related to ionic concentrations and mobilities, (b) related to ion solvations, and (c) related to solvent–solvent interactions at the junction. In order to understand the characteristics of component (c), we formerly introduced a model that the two solvents at the junction directly interact each other as a Lewis acid and a Lewis base and some parts of the solvent molecules are oriented perpendicularly to the boundary. However, this direct-interaction model deviates from reality in that the actual junction has a transition layer; its solvent composition gradually varies from that on one side to that on the other and its thickness expands with time, usually between 0.05 and 1 mm. In this report, we show that this direct-interaction model is applicable also in the presence of such transition layer. For this, we divide the transition layer in steps and get the total component (c) by summing up component (c) at each step. Here, the value at each step is obtained from the experimental results for component (c) at mixed solvent/mixed solvent junctions. The extent of the solvent orientation at the boundary was also roughly estimated.
High-dose methylprednisolone in children with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
Authors: Dilber Embiya , Cakir Murat , Erduran Erol , Koksal Iftihar , Bahat Elif , Mutlu Mehmet , Celtik Ahmet Yilmaz , Okten Aysenur
Published: January 2010

Treatment options for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) are limited and based on general supportive managements. Thrombocytopenia is the major risk factor of CCHF. We report our experience with high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP). This study included five patients with CCHF. Patients were given HDMP if there were findings compatible with virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome and the effects of HDMP were evaluated. Following this, HDMP fever subsided and platelet counts increased within 24 hours. Leukocyte counts began to increase and visceral bleedings were improved. HDMP treatment was discontinued within approximately five days. After HDMP, only one patient required blood products. HDMP is effective in CCHF, especially on fever and platelet counts. Dependency on blood products was decreased. Further controlled randomized studies with large series are needed in order to analyse the timing and duration of HDMP treatment and its effect on outcome.
Association of postprandial and fasting triglycerides with traits of the metabolic syndrome in the Metabolic Intervention Cohort Kiel
Authors: Rubin Diana , Helwig Ulf , Nothnagel Michael , Fölsch Ulrich R , Schreiber Stefan , Schrezenmeir Jürgen
Published: January 2010

Objective

Postprandial (pp) lipid metabolism is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In young men, pp triglycerides (TGs) are more strongly associated with traits of metabolic syndrome (MS) than fasting TGs. We established a cohort of middle-aged men selected for traits of MS and pp lipid metabolism to determine if fasting TGs or pp TGs are more closely related to MS.

Research design and methods

A total of 1558 men were characterized for MS. A total of 755 men underwent an oral metabolic tolerance test consisting of a standardized high-fat meal and an oral glucose tolerance test. Blood samples were drawn in the fasting state and hourly until 9 h to determine pp TGs and free fatty acids. Glucose and insulin were analyzed until 5 h pp.

Results

In the overall cohort, 329 subjects (21.1%) had a complete MS based on the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, and 650 subjects (41.7%) had a complete MS based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria. The association of pp TGs with MS parameters was not stronger than the association of fasting TGs with them. Pp TGs were independently associated with β-cell function.

Conclusions

Pp TGs did not show a higher correlation with MS traits than fasting TGs. This finding is probably due to the high incidence of overweight subjects in this middle-aged cohort.
Surveillance in New Religious Movements
Authors: Raine Susan
Published: January 2010

Contemporary discourse on surveillance tends not to account for the types of surveillance and security measures that both traditional and alternative religions adopt. Certainly, many religions have for centuries recorded, and thus, monitored, the lives of their followers. English parish records noting lives, baptisms, deaths and so forth is one such example originating in the sixteenth century. When one thinks of contemporary surveillance, however, more sophisticated strategies involving new technologies typically comes to mind. This article offers an examination of the numerous traditional and newer surveillance techniques of one particular new religious movement—Scientology. This movement employs a variety of stratagems in order to preserve a high level of secrecy regarding both its central doctrines and some of its activities. This article suggests that Scientology’s surveillance methods are driven not only by the group’s desire to protect its interests, but also by the quest for control (and hence, for power) that the group’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, sought throughout his life and left as an institutional legacy after his death.
Developing a care bundle for the management of suspected placenta accreta
Authors: Paterson‐Brown Sara , Singh Claire
Published: January 2010

Key content:

Care bundles are an established method of improving health care but they have not been used in obstetrics to date.

The NPSA, RCOG and RCM set up an expert group to explore whether care bundles could be a useful tool in the management of women with a low‐lying placenta who have had a previous caesarean section.

A care bundle was designed and piloted in six obstetric units over a 5‐month period and was found to be achievable in all of them.

Learning objectives:

To learn about the risks of morbidly adherent placenta.

To learn about the methods of developing a care bundle.

To examine the evidence for the usefulness of a care bundle for placenta praevia after previous caesarean section.

Ethical issues:

Once introduced to a unit, would failure to use a care bundle constitute substandard care?

Will the standards of care outlined in care bundles be unrealistic in some units with limited resources?

Please cite this article as: Paterson‐Brown S, Singh C. Developing a care bundle for the management of suspected placenta accreta. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2010;12:21–27.
Dermatoglyphic Analysis in Parents with Nonfamilial Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Children
Authors: Jahanbin Arezoo , Mahdavishahri Naser , Naseri Mohammad Mahdi , Sardari Yasaman , Rezaian Sareh
Published: January 2010

Objectives

To test the hypothesis that unaffected parents with nonsyndromic bilateral cleft lip and palate children possess greater levels of dermatoglyphic asymmetry than the normal population and to test for the difference in the distribution of pattern types.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Participants

Forty-five unaffected parents (45 men and 45 women) of children with nonfamilial bilateral cleft lip and palate anomaly were enlisted. A control group of 45 unaffected parents with at least two unaffected children and no prior family history of clefting were also simultaneously selected.

Main Outcome Measures

Palm prints and fingerprints were taken from each participant, and total ridge counts, atd angles, and pattern types were determined. For each of the three dermatoglyphic measures, asymmetry scores between right and left hands were defined, and then asymmetry scores of unaffected parents and pattern types were compared statistically with the controls, using Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests.

Results

In contrast to total ridge count asymmetry, the asymmetry of atd angles in unaffected parents and the asymmetry of patterns (in unaffected mothers) were significantly higher in comparison with the controls. Furthermore, unaffected fathers had significantly more arches than the controls, but there were no significant differences in dermatoglyphic patterns of unaffected mothers and the controls.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that an increase in the asymmetry of atd angles and pattern types in parents of sporadically affected children may reflect more the genetic base of this congenital malformation.
A Biomechanical Study on the Effect of Premature Fusion of the Frontosphenoidal Suture on Orbit Asymmetry in Unilateral Coronal Synostosis
Authors: Nagasao Tomohisa , Miyamoto Junpei , Uchikawa Yumiko , Tamaki Tamotsu , Yamada Akira , Kaneko Tsuyoshi , Jiang Hua , Issiki Yasushige
Published: January 2010

Objective

The coronal ring of patients with unilateral coronal synostosis (UCS) presents premature fusion. This study aims to elucidate whether or not the dynamic behavior of the orbit in response to intracranial pressure (ICP) differs between patients in whom the premature fusion exists only in the frontoparietal suture (FPS) and those in whom the premature fusion extends to the frontosphenoidal suture (FSS).

Methods

A total of 15 UCS patients were included in the present study. Patients in whom premature fusion was seen inside the FPS and those in whom premature fusion extended to the FSS were categorized as FP Only (4.2 ± 1.4 m/o) and FP + FS groups (4.6 ± 2.2 m/o), respectively. On the basis of computed tomography (CT) data, computer-aided design models were produced. Pressure of 15 mm Hg was applied to the neurocranium of each skull model to simulate ICP. Using the finite element method, the displacements presented by each model's orbits were calculated. Displacements of the two groups were compared.

Results

The orbit demonstrated greater displacement in the FP Only group than in the FP + FS group, suggesting that premature closure of the FSS disturbs growth of the orbit in response to ICP.

Conclusion

In performing surgical treatment for UCS, the degree of fusion that the FSS presents should be evaluated carefully. In cases in which the FSS presents premature fusion, it is recommended to release the fusion at an early stage of cranial growth to improve the appearance of the orbital region.
Rethinking Gender, Heterosexual Men, and Women's Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
Authors: Higgins Jenny A. , Hoffman Susie , Dworkin Shari L.
Published: January 2010

Most HIV prevention literature portrays women as especially vulnerable to HIV infection because of biological susceptibility and men's sexual power and privilege. Conversely, heterosexual men are perceived as active transmitters of HIV but not active agents in prevention. Although the women's vulnerability paradigm was a radical revision of earlier views of women in the epidemic, mounting challenges undermine its current usefulness. We review the etiology and successes of the paradigm as well as its accruing limitations. We also call for an expanded model that acknowledges biology, gender inequality, and gendered power relations but also directly examines social structure, gender, and HIV risk for heterosexual women and men.
Like Father, Like Son: The Intergenerational Cycle of Adolescent Fatherhood
Authors: Sipsma Heather , Biello Katie Brooks , Cole-Lewis Heather , Kershaw Trace
Published: January 2010

Objectives. Strong evidence exists to support an intergenerational cycle of adolescent fatherhood, yet such a cycle has not been studied. We examined whether paternal adolescent fatherhood (i.e., father of study participant was age 19 years or younger when his first child was born) and other factors derived from the ecological systems theory predicted participant adolescent fatherhood.

Methods. Data included 1496 young males who were interviewed annually from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. Cox regression survival analysis was used to determine the effect of paternal adolescent fatherhood on participant adolescent fatherhood.

Results. Sons of adolescent fathers were 1.8 times more likely to become adolescent fathers than were sons of older fathers, after other risk factors were accounted for. Additionally, factors from each ecological domain—individual (delinquency), family (maternal education), peer (early adolescent dating), and environment (race/ethnicity, physical risk environment)—were independent predictors of adolescent fatherhood.

Conclusions. These findings support the need for pregnancy prevention interventions specifically designed for young males who may be at high risk for continuing this cycle. Interventions that address multiple levels of risk will likely be most successful at reducing pregnancies among partners of young men.
Design of New Load Balancers for Modern High Speed Railway Systems
Authors: Chu Wen-Shyan , Gu Jhy-Cherng , Lee Sanyi , Chen Bin-Kwie
Published: January 2010

Traditional electric trains have a low power factor, high loading variation change and inefficiency, generating both negative sequence current and the imaginary part of positive sequence current. Delta type Load Balancer associated with specially connected transformers is generally adopted to correct power factor and voltage imbalance. However, the modern trains used in High Speed Railway (HSR) have a power factor approximately close to unity, and therefore only need voltage imbalance correction. This study presents novel Load Balancer schemes, which are a modification of the Delta-type Load Balancer, with various connected transformers to correct imbalance. The symmetric component method is also adopted to determine the installation capacity of the proposed Load Balancer schemes.
Efficient Market Design and Public Goods, Part I: Economic Models
Authors: Toomey David , Schulze William D , Thomas Robert , Thorp James S , Tylavsky Daniel J , Schuler Richard E
Published: January 2010

The theory used by economists to support restructuring of the electric power industry has ignored several important technological constraints and public goods that affect the way in which power is delivered. Similarly, engineers, by using security-constrained optimization to incorporate the demand for reliability, have failed to properly define the economic problem. In this two-part paper we attempt to remedy the deficiencies of both the economists approach and the security-constrained optimization approach through a collaboration of economists and engineers to examine the theoretical properties of a networked power system that provides optimal resource allocation.
Medical Nutrition Therapy: A Key to Diabetes Management and Prevention
Authors: Morris Sara F. , Wylie-Rosett Judith
Published: January 2010

IN BRIEF

Because of the direct correlation between diet and diabetes management, medical nutrition therapy (MNT) provided by a registered dietitian is a key complement to traditional medical interventions in diabetes treatment. This article describes MNT, summarizes evidence for the effectiveness of MNT in preventing and treating diabetes, and provides physicians with information about how to refer patients for MNT.
Evaluation of trends in urolith composition and characteristics of dogs with urolithiasis: 25,499 cases (1985–2006)
Authors: Low Winnie W. , Uhl Justin M. , Kass Philip H. , Ruby Annette L. , Westropp Jodi L.
Published: January 2010

Objective—To evaluate trends in urolith composition and urolithiasis in dogs during the past 21 years.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Sample Population—25,499 uroliths and the dogs from which they were obtained.

Procedures—Database of the Gerald V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory was searched from January 1985 through December 2006. All uroliths from dogs and the accompanying submission forms were evaluated. Age, sex, breed, and urolith location were recorded.

Results—Minerals identified in uroliths included struvite, calcium oxalate (CaOx), urate, apatite, brushite, cystine, silica, potassium magnesium pyrophosphate, sulfa drug, xanthine, and newberyite. Although more struvite-containing uroliths were submitted during this period, a significant decrease in the proportion of struvite-containing uroliths submitted as a percentage of all uroliths submitted was detected. Also, a significant increase in the proportion of CaOx-containing uroliths submitted over time was detected. There was a significant nonlinear decrease in submission of urate-, silica-, and cystine-containing uroliths. The CaOx-, cystine-, and silica-containing uroliths were obtained significantly more often from male dogs; struvite- and urate-containing uroliths were obtained significantly more often from female dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—An increase in the proportion of CaOx uroliths submitted over time was detected. Reasons for long-term changes in this trend were likely multifactorial and could have included alterations in diet formulations and water consumption and possibly the fact that people favor ownership of breeds more prone to developing CaOx-containing uroliths. The decrease in metabolic uroliths could have been related to better breeding practices and increased awareness of results of genetic studies.
Subfocal Color Categorization and Naming: The Role of Exposure to Language and Professional Experience
Authors: Malinowska Monika , Haman Maciej
Published: January 2010

Subfocal Color Categorization and Naming: The Role of Exposure to Language and Professional Experience

The current state of the debate on the linguistic factors in color perception and categorization is reviewed. Developmental and learning studies were hitherto almost ignored in this debate. A simple experiment is reported in which 20 Academy of Fine Arts, Faculty of Painting students' performance in color discrimination and naming tasks was compared to the performance of 20 Technical University students. Subfocal colors (different hues of red and blue) were used. While there was no difference in overall discrimination ability, AFA students had a much richer and specialized color vocabulary. Both groups also applied different strategies of discrimination and naming. However, naming system in neither group was coherent. This suggests that naming played primarily the role of markers for control processes rather than names for categories. It is concluded that up-to-date debate is too simplified and a complex model of interrelations between perceptual categorization and naming framed in the developmental context is needed rather than the search for a simple answer "language", "environment", or "perceptual universals".
Toward a Shared Metaphoric Meaning in Children's Discourse: The Role of Argumentation
Authors: Bokus Barbara , Garstka Tomasz
Published: January 2010

Toward a Shared Metaphoric Meaning in Children's Discourse: The Role of Argumentation

The text deals with the phenomenon of understanding and interpreting metaphoric expressions in children. Of the many metaphoric figures, one type was selected: the ‘so-called’ psychological-physical metaphors that illuminate a psychological experience by appealing to an event in the physical domain. The data consist of children's discussions in pairs, in which they make a joint interpretation of metaphors including a dual-function adjective, e.g., a hard person, a sweet person, an empty person. A hundred and forty-four dialogues between peer dyads were recorded from three age groups (48 dialogues from each group): 6;6-7;6, 8;6-9;6, and 10;6-11;6. The children's task was to prepare an interpretation of metaphorical expressions for two television quiz shows, one for peers and one for young preschoolers. The research design was balanced for age, gender, and order of metaphoric interpretation in the two experimental variants. Following Quignard's model (2005), we analyzed children's argumentation as a particular case of dialogical problem solving, whereby children had to understand the metaphoric meaning and convey it to the potential addressee. The results show an interesting dynamic in the argumentative orientation of the pro and the contra type, depending on the age of interlocutors. The frequency of metaphoric interpretations in opposition to those presented by the partner decreases with the children's age, but the frequency of compound proposals with the use of the partner's contribution increases. For the younger addressee, children most frequently interpret metaphors as descriptions of magical situations.
The Efficacy of Three Interventions Modifying Stereotypes and Prejudice Towards People with Schizophrenia
Authors: Wałachowska Karolina , Janowski Konrad , Tatala Małgorzata
Published: January 2010

The Efficacy of Three Interventions Modifying Stereotypes and Prejudice Towards People with Schizophrenia

Little is known about the efficacy of various interventions aimed at fighting stereotypes and prejudice towards people with schizophrenia. This study evaluated the efficacy of three interventions: film, meeting a person with schizophrenia, and educational presentation, in reducing stereotypes and prejudice towards people with schizophrenia. Three groups of students were assessed by the Stereotypes and Prejudice Questionnaire before, directly after, and one month after the intervention. A reduction in both stereotypes and prejudice was observed following the educational presentation, and a further decrease in the unfavorable attitudes was observed a month later. Watching the film was found effective in reducing prejudice, however it did not lower stereotypes. Meeting a person suffering from schizophrenia was found to minimize stereotypes but its effects on prejudice were relatively insignificant and temporary. The findings from this study showed that various types of intervention had diverse effects in reducing stereotypes and prejudice.
Popular Traditions, Folklore and Politics
Authors: Danglová Olga
Published: January 2010

Popular Traditions, Folklore and Politics

The article studies how the "language" of folk traditions and folklore continues to be a tried-and-tested means for the representation and propagation of political concepts and ideas. The author notes transformations in the significance of folklore and folk traditions in historically changing both political and socio-cultural contexts. Attention is drawn to the significance of folklore in the nation-forming thinking of the 19th century, the place of honour accorded to it as an expression of the working people during the period of socialism, and its contradictory perception in the post-socialist context today.