bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Fat, Fatty Acids, and Risk of Prostate Cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study
Authors: Pelser Colleen , Mondul Alison M. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Park Yikyung
Published: April 2013

Background: Observational studies report inconsistent associations of fat and fatty acids with prostate cancer.

Methods: We investigated associations between dietary fats and fatty acids and risk of prostate cancer in the NIH-American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Diet and Health Study. Diet was assessed at baseline with self-administered food-frequency questionnaires. Cases were determined by linkage with state cancer registries. HR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated with Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: Among 288,268 men with average follow-up of nine years, 23,281 prostate cancer cases (18,934 nonadvanced and 2,930 advanced including 725 fatal cases) were identified. Total fat and mono- and polyunsaturated fat intakes were not associated with incidence of prostate cancer. Saturated fat intake was related to increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (HRQuintile 5 vs. Qunitile 1 (Q1 vs. Q5), 1.21; 95% CI, 1.00–1.46; Ptrend = 0.03) and fatal prostate cancer (HRQ5 vs. Q1, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.01–2.15; Ptrend = 0.04). α-Linolenic acid (ALA) intake was related to increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (HRQ5 vs. Q1, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04–1.31; Ptrend = 0.01). Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) intake was related to decreased risk of fatal prostate cancer (HRQ5 vs. Q1, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.64–1.04; Ptrend = 0.02).

Conclusion: Our study suggests that the associations of fat and fatty acids differ by prostate cancer severity. Saturated fat, ALA, and EPA intakes were related to the risk of advanced or fatal prostate cancer but not to nonadvanced prostate cancer.

Impact: Identifying factors associated with advanced prostate cancer could reduce morbidity and mortality. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(4); 697–707. ©2013 AACR.
Dysplastic Nevi and Melanoma
Authors: Goldstein Alisa M. , Tucker Margaret A.
Published: April 2013

Dysplastic nevi are described as being on a continuum between common acquired nevi and melanoma because they are morphologically and biologically intermediate between these 2 entities. Since initially being reported as histologic lesions observed in melanoma-prone families, there has been considerable debate about the definition of dysplastic nevi, the histologic and clinical criteria used to define them, and their biologic importance. Their role as precursor lesions for melanoma is not their primary role in their relationship to melanoma because of the rarity of transformation of any individual nevus to a melanoma. Although there is still no single, universally agreed upon histologic or clinical definition or even name for these nevi, dysplastic nevi should be considered important because of their association with an increased risk for melanoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(4); 528–32. ©2013 AACR.
MicroRNA-150
Authors: Devaux Yvan , Vausort Melanie , McCann Gerry P. , Zangrando Jennifer , Kelly Dominic , Razvi Naveed , Zhang Lu , Ng Leong L. , Wagner Daniel R. , Squire Iain B.
Published: April 2013

Background—

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after acute myocardial infarction is associated with adverse prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of several genes involved in LV remodeling. Our aim was to identify miRNAs associated with LV remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

We studied 90 patients after first ST-segment–elevation acute myocardial infarction. A derivation cohort consisted of 60 patients characterized by echocardiography predischarge and at 6-month follow-up. Thirty patients characterized by magnetic resonance imaging predischarge and at 4-month follow-up were the validation cohort. Remodeling was defined as an increase in LV end-diastolic volume (ΔEDV>0) between discharge and follow-up. Circulating miRNAs were measured by microarrays and polymerase chain reaction. Using a systems-based approach, we identified several miRNAs potentially involved in LV remodeling. In the derivation cohort, one of these miRNAs, miR-150, was downregulated in patients with remodeling (ΔEDV>0) compared with patients without remodeling (ΔEDV≤0). In the validation cohort, patients with remodeling had 2-fold lower levels of miR-150 than those without (
P
=0.03). miR-150 outperformed N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to predict remodeling (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.74 and 0.60, respectively). miR-150 reclassified 54% (95% confidence interval, 5–102;
P
=0.03) of patients misclassified by N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and 59% (95% confidence interval, 9–108;
P
=0.02) of patients misclassified by a multiparameter clinical model, including age, sex, and admission levels of troponin I, creatine kinase, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

Conclusions—

Low circulating levels of miR-150 are associated with LV remodeling after first ST-segment–elevation acute myocardial infarction. miR-150 has potential as a novel biomarker in this setting.
Is the Washington Consensus Dead? Growth, Openness, and the Great Liberalization, 1970s–2000s
Authors: Estevadeordal Antoni , Taylor Alan M.
Published: April 2013

According to the Washington Consensus, developing countries' growth would benefit from reductions in barriers to trade. However, the empirical basis for judging trade reforms is weak. Econometrics are mostly ad hoc, results are typically not judged against models, policies are poorly measured, and most studies are based on pre-1990 experience. We address these concerns by employing a model with capital and intermediate goods, compiling new disaggregated tariff measures, and employing treatment and control regression analysis with differences-in-differences. We find that a specific treatment, liberalizing tariffs on imported capital and intermediate goods, led to faster growth, consistent with the model.
Are Household Surveys Like Tax Forms? Evidence from Income Underreporting of the Self-Employed
Authors: Hurst Erik , Li Geng , Pugsley Benjamin
Published: April 2013

A large literature shows that the self-employed underreport their income to tax authorities. In this paper, we quantify the extent to which the self-employed also systematically underreport their income in U.S. household surveys. We use the Engel curve describing the relationship between income and expenditures of wage and salary workers to infer the actual income, and thus the reporting gap, of the self-employed based on their reported expenditures. On average, the self-employed underreport their income by about 25%. We show that failing to account for such income underreporting leads to biased conclusions in a variety of settings.
Competition and Innovation: The Inverted-U Relationship Revisited
Authors: Hashmi Aamir Rafique
Published: April 2013

I reexamine the inverted-U relationship between competition and innovation (modeled and tested by Aghion et al. (2005)) by using data from publicly traded manufacturing firms in the United States. I control for the possible endogeneity of competition by using a trade-weighted average of industry exchange rates as an instrument. I find a mildly negative relationship between competition (as measured by the inverse of markups) and innovation (as measured by citation-weighted patents). The negative relationship is robust to many alternative assumptions and specifications. To reconcile the mildly negative relationship in the U.S. data with the inverted-U relationship that Aghion et al. (2005) find in the U.K. data, I modify their theoretical model and show that the modified model can explain both negative and inverted-U relationships. The key theoretical assumption is that the U.K. manufacturing industries are technologically more neck-and-neck than their counterparts in the United States. I find support for this assumption in the data. The different empirical results between the two countries may also arise because of differences in data and samples.
A new red-eyed treefrog of Agalychnis (Anura: Hylidae: Phyllomedusinae) from middle Magdalena River valley of Colombia with comments on its phylogenetic position
Authors: RIVERA-CORREA MAURICIO , DUARTE-CUBIDES FELIPE , RUEDA-ALMONACID JOSÉ VICENTE , DAZA JUAN M.
Published: April 2013

We describe a new species of the charismatic red-eyed treefrogs (genus Agalychnis) from middle Magdalena River valley of Colombia (05°50’8.04’’N, 74°50’16.55’’W, 380 m a.s.l.). The new species is readily distinguished from all species members of the group by having orange flanks with small white warts. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences of 16S rRNA gene recovered the new species as a member of the Agalychnis callidryas group. The presence of a red hue in the iris and a golden reticulated palpebral membrane, putative synapomorphies of the clade, support this hypothesis. Our anal-ysis suggests that Agalychnis terranova sp. nov is closely related to A. callidryas from Central America and is proposed as its sister species with an uncorrected genetic distance of 5.69% between these taxa. The phylogenetic position and the geographic distribution of the new taxon add new lights to the presence of a biogeographic disjunction between Middle America lowlands, the Pacific region and Magdalena River valley of Colombia.
A new species of African Mole-rat (Fukomys, Bathyergidae, Rodentia) from the Zaire-Zambezi Watershed
Authors: VAN DAELE PAUL A.A.G. , BLONDÉ PIETER , STJERNSTEDT ROBERT , ADRIAENS DOMINIQUE
Published: April 2013

A new species of bathyergid mole-rat, Fukomys vandewoestijneae, is described from an area on the Zaïre-Zambezi wa-tershed, centred on the Ikelenge pedicle in the North-Western province of Zambia. It is diagnosed by a unique combination of morphological (size, lack of clear headmarks), chromosomal (2n= 44) and DNA sequence characteristics. This medi-um-sized species belongs to the Giant mole-rat “F. mechowii” clade, which was hitherto considered monotypic. Its known distribution is limited to the Ikelenge pedicle of Zambia and adjacent areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and presumably Angola. Colonies of this social mole-rat were observed in the chanas (dambos), degraded miombo wood-land and in villages. Although presumably sympatric in historical times with F. mechowii, no overlap in the species current distribution could be established. This local endemic species adds further evidence to the conservation importance of the two-pedicle region (Ikelenge pedicle (Zambia)
Rainwater harvesting system using a non-parametric stochastic rainfall generator
Authors: Fulton Lawrence V , Bastian Nathaniel D , Mendez Francis A , Musal R Muzaffer
Published: April 2013

With water becoming an even scarcer resource, rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems are becoming increasingly more commonplace as mechanisms to capture and store rainwater for both agricultural and domestic use. Three important engineering considerations associated with the construction of RWH systems are the capture surface area, the tank volume required for specific demand levels, and the number of expected occupants. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the engineering design of a RWH system in a semi-arid Texas region using a non-parametric stochastic rainfall generator based on 64 years of data and to provide engineering charts and equations for future use. We model the RWH system using simulation techniques in order to estimate requirements for building a system capable of providing a family with 100% of its water requirements with demand never exceeding available supply (100% demand satisfaction).
The Timing of Exposure in Clinic-Based Treatment for Childhood Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Gryczkowski Michelle R. , Tiede Michael S. , Dammann Julie E. , Jacobsen Amy Brown , Hale Lisa R. , Whiteside Stephen P. H.
Published: April 2013

The present study examines treatment length and timing of exposure from two child anxiety disorders clinics. Data regarding symptoms and treatment characteristics for 28 youth were prospectively obtained through self, parent, and therapist report at each session. Information regarding length of treatment, timing of exposure initiation, and drop-out rates were compared with those obtained through efficacy and effectiveness trials of manualized treatment for anxious youth. Findings from the authors’ clinical data revealed significantly shorter treatment duration with exposures implemented sooner than in the previous studies. Dropout rates were significantly higher than in the efficacy trial but comparable with the effectiveness trial. Outcome data from a subset of eight patients revealed large effect sizes. These findings suggest that effective treatment can be shorter and more focused on exposure than is often outlined in manuals and have important implications for outcome research and dissemination.
Determining the Influence of Type 1 Diabetes on Two Common Eating Disorder Questionnaires
Authors: Powers Margaret A. , Richter Sara , Ackard Diann , Critchley Stephanie , Meier Marcia , Criego Amy
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This research evaluated the level of influence that having type 1 diabetes (T1DM) has on responses to questions about food choices, eating concerns, dietary restraint, and others that are included on two widely used, validated eating disorder (ED) questionnaires and examined responses to these two questionnaires from patients with T1DM and an eating disorder (ED-T1DM) and an ED-no-diabetes.

Method

An expert panel rated each item on the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Eating Disorders Inventory, version 3 (EDI-3) regarding T1DM level of influence on item interpretation. These questionnaires were completed by 2 matched samples (ED-T1DM, n = 48 and ED-no-diabetes, n = 96); responses were compared between the samples with particular attention to items of high T1DM influence.

Results

The expert panel identified that 50% (19/38) of the items on the EDE-Q and 6.6% (6/91) on the EDI-3 could be highly influenced by having T1DM. Before Bonferroni correction, the 2 groups responded statistically different on 9 out of 38 items on the EDE-Q and 27 out of 91 items on the EDI-3; generally responses were healthier for those with ED-T1DM than ED-no-diabetes. Of these items, on the EDE-Q, 5 were rated high T1DM influence and on the EDI-3, 3 were rated high.

Conclusion

Having T1DM influences responses on ED questionnaires developed for the general population. This influence may be greater when questionnaires focus on eating, weight, and shape and result in misinterpretation of total and subscale scores by even well-trained clinicians. A careful review of individual item responses by the treatment team is warranted.
The Role of Parents and Families in Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Authors: Silk Jessica , Romero Diana
Published: April 2013

Parent involvement (PI) is considered necessary in teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) and preventing other adolescent risk behaviors. However, controversy exists regarding the extent to which families are responsible for adolescent sexual decision making. We adapted two frameworks (Kirby’s risk and protective factors and the Parent–Child Connectedness model) to examine parent- and family-based programs and policies relevant to TPP. There is evidence that PI is an important and effective component of TPP; however, the evidence for PI programs is less strong. Although the United States has legislated various PI-related policies in the context of adolescent sexuality, most have hindered the health of adolescents. Furthermore, the United States falls behind other Western industrialized nations when it comes to healthy family-based policies. PI in TPP is important; however, TPP requires multiple levels of intervention beyond the involvement of parents. We make recommendations for how various stakeholders can effectively use healthy family-based interventions in TPP.
Parental Absence, Academic Competence, and Expectations in Latino Immigrant Youth
Authors: Wright Chrysalis L. , Levitt Mary J.
Published: April 2013

Academic outcomes as a function of parental absence were examined among 268 newly immigrant Latino youth from Argentina, Colombia, and Cuba. Participants experienced parental absence as a result of divorce, parental death, and serial migration. Students who experienced parental absence reported lower achievement expectations. Parental death, prolonged parental absence, and serial migration negatively affected the academic competence and expectations of students. The extent to which parental absence related to competence and expectations through potential mediating factors was assessed with structural equation modeling. Overall, the model was able to explain some of the relationship between parental absence and the academic competence and expectations of these Latino immigrant students.
Information literacy and inquiry-based learning: Evaluation of a five-year programme of curriculum development
Authors: McKinney Pamela
Published: April 2013

Inquiry-based learning describes a range of learner-centred pedagogies increasingly employed in higher education where students learn through engaging in open-ended research and inquiry. It is acknowledged that this type of pedagogical approach requires advanced information literacy capabilities in students, and that there is a need to support the development of information literacy in inquiry-based learning curricula. This paper reports on the evaluation of a selection of curriculum development projects undertaken at a UK university that implemented inquiry-based learning and information literacy development. Data was collected using a ‘Theory of Change’ evaluation methodology and analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. It was found that educators need to make explicit to students the need to develop information literacy to support their inquiries, and that dedicated approaches to facilitation from peers, librarians and academics are helpful when designing inquiry-based learning.
Through the Eyes of the Other
Authors: Kozub Mary L.
Published: April 2013

Cultural competence requires more than the accumulation of information about cultural groups. An awareness of the nurse’s own culture, beliefs, and values is considered by several transcultural nursing theorists to be essential to the development of cultural competence and the provision of quality patient care. Using Transformational Learning Theory, this article describes event analysis, an active learning tool that uses the nurse’s own practice to explore multiple perspectives of an experience, with the goal of transforming the nurse’s approach to diversity from an ethnocentric stance, to one of tolerance and consideration for the patient’s needs, values, and beliefs with regard to quality of care. Furthermore, the application of the event analysis to multiple settings, including inpatient, educational, and administrative environments, is discussed.
Project ReSpecT
Authors: Marshall Kathleen J. , Karvonen Meagan , Yell Mitchell L. , Lowrey Alisa , Drasgow Erik , Seaman Michael A.
Published: April 2013

School districts have struggled with special education teacher shortages for over a decade. Special education teachers who leave the profession after a few years certainly contribute to the shortage. Project ReSpecT ( Retaining Special Education Teachers) was a federally funded project to develop and implement a mentoring model designed to retain 1st-year special education teachers. The purpose of this article is to describe the first two phases of Project ReSpecT, including the research that led to the development of the model and the pilot test phase. We also discuss the preliminary findings from this study in the context of results from similar programs. We end by discussing implications for educational policy and practice for mentoring models.
Ethnic Differences in Offense Patterns and the Prevalence and Impact of Risk Factors for Recidivism
Authors: Put Claudia van der , Stams Geert-Jan , Deković Maja , Hoeve Machteld , Laan Peter van der
Published: April 2013

This study examined differences in offense patterns and the prevalence and importance of risk factors for recidivism between Dutch ( n = 542), Moroccan ( n = 292), Surinamese ( n = 133), Turkish ( n = 97), and Antillean youth ( n = 72). Results showed differences in offense patterns, the prevalence of risk factors, and the impact of these risk factors on recidivism between the ethnic groups. Public-order offenses were most common in the Dutch group, nonviolent property offenses in the Moroccan and Turkish groups, violent property offenses in the Surinamese group, and both public-order and nonviolent property offenses in the Antillean group. In the case of ethnic majority youth, risk factors in most domains (family, school, friends, use of free time, and mental health) were associated with recidivism, whereas only a small number of risk factors were associated with recidivism among ethnic minority youth. Interventions aimed at these risk factors may therefore be less effective in reducing recidivism in ethnic minority youth.
Worksite Wellness
Authors: Michaels Carol Noel , Greene Amanda Marie
Published: April 2013

Worksite wellness programs are important interventions to protect and promote employee health. They help reduce direct and indirect health care costs, absenteeism, and presenteeism; avoid illness or injury; and improve the quality of work life and morale. This Tool introduces key concepts and strategic tips for planning workplace-based wellness programs rather than individual health promotion events, while highlighting organizational change and development theories central to introducing and implementing effective proactive worksite wellness programs.
Fabrication and characterization of PSA nanofibers via electrospinning
Authors: Wen-Jie Chen , Bin-Jie Xin , Xiang-Ji Wu
Published: April 2013

Polysulfonamide (PSA) is one of the functional materials with excellent heat and flame resistance properties, which can be potentially utilized in aerospace field and other civil fields. This work presents a feasible method for the preparation and characterization of the electrospun polysulfonamide fibers at nanoscale. The micro-surface morphology and micro-structure of the manufactured polysulfonamide fibers were characterized using the scanning electron microscope. The effects of electrospinning parameters on fibers’ micro-surface morphology and properties were investigated accordingly. It was found that high solution concentration favors the formation of smooth fibers and the low solution concentration leads to the formation of beaded fibers or beads. Small diameter fibers can be spun by increasing applied voltage. A considerable number of thin fibers with diameters <100 nm can be spun with the setting of 12 wt% concentration, 28 kV applied voltage and 15 cm tip–target distance. The crystallinity of the polysulfonamide fibers was measured by X-ray diffraction and its thermal property was investigated based on the thermogravimetric analysis. The experimental data show that the crystallinity and thermal behavior of polysulfonamide fibers can be influenced by the electrospinning parameters, including the solution concentration, applied voltage and tip–target distance, while the applied voltage has no significant effects on the crystallinity of fibers.
General Strain Theory, Gender, and the Conditioning Influence of Negative Internalizing Emotions on Youth Risk Behaviors
Authors: Francis Kimberly A.
Published: April 2013

Girls’ maladaptive responses to strain may be more likely to manifest in self-directed deviance than externally directed deviance, partly due to the role of depression/anxiety in girls’ lives. These assertions are tested using the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. Gendered maladaptive outcomes—aggressive delinquency, running away, substance use, and suicidal behavior—are regressed on negative emotions and serious strain. The moderating effects of depression/anxiety are also tested. Depression/anxiety is associated with less aggressive delinquency for girls and amplifies the effects of strain and anger on nonaggressive maladaptive outcomes. The results help explain how gender influences relationships among strain, externalizing and internalizing negative emotions, and risk behaviors.
Lambda Waves and Occipital Generators
Authors: Tatum William O. , Ly Reynold C. , Sluzewska-Niedzwiedz Monika , Shih Jerry J.
Published: April 2013

The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between lambda waves (LWs) and other occipital waveforms, in a retrospective analysis of electroencephalograms (EEGs) of clinic and hospitalized patients at a single center. The LWs were correlated with α rhythm, photic driving, and positive occipital sharp transients of sleep (POSTS). A computer-generated cursor quantified amplitude and duration of POSTS and LWs (3 waveforms and both hemispheres). Fisher exact test was used for significance ( P ≤ .05). A total of 116 patients were evaluated. Of 111 patients, with interpretable results, 74 (66.67%) had visual scanning during EEG, with 37 (50.0%) having LWs. The LWs (17.69 µV) were consistently smaller than POSTS (31.40 µV) despite similar morphology. Patients with an α rhythm of >8.5 Hz were strongly correlated with the presence of LWs ( P < .0001), and those with LWs were strongly predictive of normal EEG ( P = .001). Of the 37 patients, 27 (73.0%) with LWs had photic driving ( P = .0496). No correlation was found between LWs and POSTS ( P = .45). The presence of LWs and a low normal posterior dominant rhythm (PDR) suggests intact electrocerebral health. LWs and the photic driving response suggest similar generators but stimulus-specific networks. POSTS differ from LWs despite similar morphology, suggesting different network activation of occipital generators. LWs have clinical significance in excluding encephalopathy. Occipital generators are differentiated by state and stimulus-dependent network activation and not by location and morphology.
‘No one knows what will happen after these five years’: narratives of ART, access and agency in Nigeria
Authors: Omenka Charity , Zarowsky Christina
Published: April 2013

Rural Nigerians pursue a range of strategies to maximize current and future access to HIV treatment in the context of securing livelihoods and minimizing the social and economic risks of stigma. This study reports on qualitative interviews with service providers and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) patients accessing care in Benue State, Nigeria, or travelling several hours to Abuja for treatment ( n = 34). Nigerians living with HIV are keenly aware of the fragility and complex global and local politics of funding. Their narratives of pervasive stigma, economic and health system barriers to access, growing fears that free ART will cease, and strategies to secure access to care reveal a sophisticated synthesis of social determinants of health and clinical care, and challenge practitioners, planners, and scholars to take a similarly robust and nuanced approach to vulnerability, access, and agency.
Exacerbation of vulnerability in a hospital setting in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Authors: Kakudji Kyungu Aimé
Published: April 2013

This article presents an ethnographic study of the pseudonymous Saint Amand Hospital in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and of the way in which struggles for control of the hospital’s resources contributed to shape certain practices that were damaging to the institution. We examine how, following the disengagement of both the State and a large bankrupt mining enterprise, the ‘atypical’ governance of the hospital and the institutional instability it generated led to professional vulnerability among care providers. We also look at how, in turn, this situation exacerbated the vulnerability of the helpless and uneducated patients attending that hospital.
From bulldozing to housing rights: reducing vulnerability and improving health in African slums
Authors: Mohindra Katia S. , Schrecker Ted
Published: April 2013

Forced evictions heighten vulnerability among slum dwellers who already face multiple risks of ill health. They constitute a well-documented violation of economic and social rights and are reaching epidemic proportions in sub-Saharan Africa as economic globalization creates and strengthens incentives for forced evictions. We describe evictions in the slums of four African metropolitan areas: Accra (Ghana), Lagos (Nigeria), Luanda (Angola) and Nairobi (Kenya). We survey diverse strategies used in responding to forced evictions and outline the challenges and barriers encountered. We conclude that the international human rights framework offers an important approach for protecting the health of vulnerable populations.
Ir más allá de los “grupos vulnerables”: contextos y dinámica de la vulnerabilidad
Authors: Zarowsky Christina , Haddad Slim , Nguyen Vinh-Kim
Published: April 2013

Resumen

Este artículo repasa los enfoques a la vulnerabilidad en el campo de la salud pública y presenta 10 trabajos sobre cómo abordarla en África. Entendemos la vulnerabilidad a la vez como situación y como proceso. Las desigualdades sociales son evidentes y se exacerban en tres dimensiones clave de la vulnerabilidad: el nivel inicial de bienestar, el grado de exposición al riesgo y la capacidad de gestionar el riesgo de manera efectiva. Subrayamos las interacciones dinámicas en virtud de las cuales se genera una relación entre la privación material y social, la pobreza, la impotencia y la mala salud: los riesgos o percances (shocks) y sus repercusiones sobre la salud están íntimamente interrelacionados y se refuerzan mutuamente en un círculo que multiplica la vulnerabilidad a menos que se realicen intervenciones eficaces. Gracias a un proceso inductivo que no empieza con una definición o una medición a priori de la “vulnerabilidad” y que no presupone la existencia de “grupos vulnerables” fijos, pudimos por un lado reafirmar los aspectos centrales de los marcos conceptuales existentes y por otro considerar de forma diferente la literatura que aborda específicamente la vulnerabilidad y la resiliencia a nivel de la población así como otro tipo de literatura - por ejemplo, en materia de ecología y en torno al concepto de fragilidad en los estudios sobre envejecimiento - con la que posiblemente no estén familiarizados los investigadores sobre salud y pobreza en África. Invitamos a realizar una labor conceptual y empírica sobre la vulnerabilidad en marcos de sistemas complejos. Estas perspectivas subrayan los contextos y la causalidad no lineal, dando más peso por lo tanto a los análisis de vulnerabilidad y de resiliencia en tanto que marcadores de las interacciones dinámicas y como propiedades emergentes de estas interacciones. Aceptamos una definición operativa de vulnerabilidad y reconocemos que algunos grupos de personas susceptibles de ser definidos tienen más probabilidades que otros de sufrir perjuicio como consecuencia de su exposición a los riesgos para la salud. Pero sugerimos que de lo que se trata en realidad – tanto a nivel intelectual como político y en materia de elaboración de políticas- es de comprender la dinámica, los significados y las relaciones de poder que subyacen a las instancias y procesos reales de vulnerabilidad y perjuicio y darles respuesta.
Beyond ‘vulnerable groups’: contexts and dynamics of vulnerability
Authors: Zarowsky Christina , Haddad Slim , Nguyen Vinh-Kim
Published: April 2013

This paper reviews approaches to vulnerability in public health, introducing a series of 10 papers addressing vulnerability in health in Africa. We understand vulnerability as simultaneously a condition and a process. Social inequalities are manifest in and exacerbate three key dimensions of vulnerability: the initial level of wellbeing, the degree of exposure to risk, and the capacity to manage risk effectively. We stress the dynamic interactions linking material and social deprivation, poverty, powerlessness and ill health: risks or shocks and their health impacts are intimately interconnected and reinforce each other in a cycle which in the absence of effective interventions, increases vulnerability. An inductive process which does not begin with an a priori definition or measurement of ‘vulnerability’ and which does not assume the existence of fixed ‘vulnerable groups’ allowed us both to re-affirm core aspects of existing conceptual frameworks, and to engage in new ways with literature specifically addressing vulnerability and resilience at the population level as well as with literature – for example in ecology, and on the concept of frailty in research on aging – with which researchers on health and poverty in Africa may not be familiar. We invite conceptual and empirical work on vulnerability in complex systems frameworks. These perspectives emphasize contexts and nonlinear causality thus supporting analyses of vulnerability and resilience as both markers and emergent properties of dynamic interactions. We accept a working definition of vulnerability, and recognize that some definable groups of people are more likely than others to suffer harm from exposure to health risks. But we suggest that the real work – at both intellectual and policy/political levels – lies in understanding and responding to the dynamics, meanings and power relations underlying actual instances and processes of vulnerability and harm.
Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of sclerosis in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Inamoto Yoshihiro , Storer Barry E. , Petersdorf Effie W. , Nelson J. Lee , Lee Stephanie J. , Carpenter Paul A. , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Hansen John A. , Martin Paul J. , Flowers Mary E. D.
Published: April 2013

Key Points

Incidence of sclerotic GVHD is 20% by 3 years after initial systemic treatment for chronic GVHD. The use of mobilized blood cell graft and total body irradiation conditioning are associated with an increased risk of sclerotic GVHD.
Tribbles in acute leukemia
Authors: Liang Kai Ling , Rishi Loveena , Keeshan Karen
Published: April 2013

There is growing research interest in the mammalian Tribbles (Trib) family of serine/threonine pseudokinases and their oncogenic association with acute leukemias. This review is to understand the role of Trib genes in hematopoietic malignancies and their potential as targets for novel therapeutic strategies in acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We discuss the role of Tribs as central signaling mediators in different subtypes of acute leukemia and propose that inhibition of dysregulated Trib signaling may be therapeutically beneficial.
Alcohol ingestion disrupts alveolar epithelial barrier function by activation of macrophage-derived transforming growth factor beta1
Authors: Curry-McCoy Tiana V , Venado Aida , Guidot David M , Joshi Pratibha C
Published: April 2013

Background

Chronic alcohol abuse causes oxidative stress and impairs alveolar epithelial barrier integrity, thereby rendering the lung susceptible to acute edematous injury. Experimentally, alcohol-induced oxidative stress increases the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in the lung; however, we do not know the precise contribution of various alveolar cells in this process. In the present study, we focused on cell-cell interactions between alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells and the potential mechanisms by which TGFβ1 may become activated in the alveolar space of the alcoholic lung.

Methods

Primary alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells were isolated from control- and alcohol-fed Sprague–Dawley rats. Expression of TGFβ1 and the epithelial integrin αvβ6 were examined by real time PCR and either immunocytochemistry or flow cytometry. Alveolar epithelial cells were cultured on transwell supports in the presence of macrophage cell lysate from control- or alcohol-fed rats or in the presence of viable macrophages ± alcohol. Epithelial barrier function was assessed by transepithelial resistance (TER) and paracellular flux of Texas Red dextran.

Results

TGFβ1 expression was increased in alveolar macrophages from alcohol-fed rats, and TGFβ1 protein was predominantly membrane-bound. Importantly, alveolar macrophage cellular lysate from alcohol-fed rats decreased TER and increased paracellular dextran flux in primary alveolar epithelial cell monolayers as compared to the lysates from control-fed rats. Alcohol-induced epithelial barrier dysfunction was prevented by anti-TGFβ1 antibody treatment, indicating the presence of bioactive TGFβ1 in the macrophage lysate. In addition, co-culturing macrophages and epithelial cells in the presence of alcohol decreased epithelial barrier function, which also was prevented by anti-TGFβ1 and anti-αvβ6 treatment. In parallel, chronic alcohol ingestion in vivo, or direct treatment with active TGFβ1 in vitro, increased the expression of αvβ6 integrin, which is known to activate TGFβ1, in alveolar epithelial cells.

Conclusions

Taken together, these data suggest that interactions between alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages contribute to the alcohol-mediated disruption of epithelial barrier function via the expression and activation of TGFβ1 at points of cell-cell contact.
CAMTA 1 regulates drought responses in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pandey Neha , Ranjan Alok , Pant Poonam , Tripathi Rajiv K , Ateek Farha , Pandey Haushilla P , Patre Uday V , Sawant Samir V
Published: April 2013

Background

Transcription factors (TF) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and are fit to regulate diverse cellular processes by interacting with other proteins. A TF named calmodulin binding transcription activator (CAMTA) was identified in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtCAMTA1-6). To explore the role of CAMTA1 in drought response, the phenotypic differences and gene expression was studied between camta1 and Col-0 under drought condition.

Results

In camta1, root development was abolished showing high-susceptibility to induced osmotic stress resulting in small wrinkled rosette leaves and stunted primary root. In camta1 under drought condition, we identified growth retardation, poor WUE, low photosystem II efficiency, decline in RWC and higher sensitivity to drought with reduced survivability. The microarray analysis of drought treated camta1 revealed that CAMTA1 regulates “drought recovery” as most indicative pathway along with other stress response, osmotic balance, apoptosis, DNA methylation and photosynthesis. Interestingly, majority of positively regulated genes were related to plasma membrane and chloroplast. Further, our analysis indicates that CAMTA1 regulates several stress responsive genes including RD26, ERD7, RAB18, LTPs, COR78, CBF1, HSPs etc. and promoter of these genes were enriched with CAMTA recognition cis-element. CAMTA1 probably regulate drought recovery by regulating expression of AP2-EREBP transcription factors and Abscisic acid response.

Conclusion

CAMTA1 rapidly changes broad spectrum of responsive genes of membrane integrity and photosynthetic machinery by generating ABA response for challenging drought stress. Our results demonstrate the important role of CAMTA1 in regulating drought response in Arabidopsis, thus could be genetically engineered for improving drought tolerance in crop.
Anti-tumor necrosis factor VNAR single domains reduce lethality and regulate underlying inflammatory response in a murine model of endotoxic shock
Authors: Bojalil Rafael , Mata-González María Teresa , Sánchez-Muñoz Fausto , Yee Yepci , Argueta Iván , Bolaños Lucía , Amezcua-Guerra Luis Manuel , Camacho-Villegas Tanya Amanda , Sánchez-Castrejón Edna , García-Ubbelohde Walter Jakob , Licea-Navarro Alexei Fedorovish , Márquez-Velasco Ricardo , Paniagua-Solís Jorge Fernando
Published: April 2013

Background

In sepsis, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is the key factor triggering respiratory burst, tissue injury and disseminated coagulation. Anti-TNF strategies based on monoclonal antibodies or F(ab’)2 fragments have been used in sepsis with contradictory results. Immunoglobulin new antigen receptors (IgNAR) are a unique subset of antibodies consisting of five constant (CNAR) and one variable domains (VNAR). VNAR domains are the smallest, naturally occurring, antibody-based immune recognition units, having potential use as therapy.

Our aim was to explore the impact of an anti-TNF VNAR on survival in an experimental model of endotoxic shock. Also, mRNA expression and serum protein of several inflammatory molecules were measured.

Results

Endotoxic shock was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in male Balb/c mice. Animals were treated with anti-TNF VNAR domains, F(ab’)2 antibody fragments, or saline solution 15 minutes before, 2 h and 24 h after lethal dose100 (LD100) LPS administration. TNF blockade with either VNAR domains or F(ab’)2 fragments were associated with lower mortality (60% and 75%, respectively) compared to LD100. Challenge with LPS induced significant production of serum TNF and interleukins -10 and -6 at 3 h. After that, significant reduction of IL-6 at 24 h (vs 3 h) was shown only in the VNAR group. Nitrites level also increased in response to LPS.

In liver, TNF and IL-10 mRNA expression showed a pro-inflammatory imbalance in response to LPS. Blocking TNF was associated with a shift towards an anti-inflammatory status; however, polarization was more pronounced in animals receiving F(ab’)2 fragments than in those with VNAR therapy. With regard to IL-6, gene expression was increased at 3 h in all groups. TNF blockade was associated with rapid and sustained suppression of IL-6 expression, even more evident in the VNAR group. Finally, expression of inducible-nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increased in response to LPS at 3 h, but this was decreased at 24 h only in the anti-TNF VNAR group.

Conclusions

Anti-TNF VNAR single domains improved survival in a murine model of endotoxic shock. Protection was associated with regulation in the TNF/IL-10 balance, attenuation of IL-6 and iNOS gene expression in the liver as well as decreased serum IL-6 concentration.
Chronic kidney diseases in mixed ancestry south African populations: prevalence, determinants and concordance between kidney function estimators
Authors: Matsha Tandi E , Yako Yandiswa Y , Rensburg Megan A , Hassan Mogamat S , Kengne Andre P , Erasmus Rajiv T
Published: April 2013

Background

Population-based data on the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in sub-Saharan Africa is still very limited. We assessed the prevalence and determinants of CKD, and evaluated the concordance of commonly advocated estimators of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in a mixed ancestry population from South Africa.

Methods

Participants were a population-based sample of adults selected from the Bellville-South community in the metropolitan city of Cape Town. eGFR was based on the Cockroft-Gault (CG), Modification of Diet in Kidney Disease (MDRD) and CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations (with and without adjustment for ethnicity). Kidney function staging used the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) classification. Logistic regressions and kappa statistic were used to investigate determinants of CKD and assess the agreement between different estimators.

Results

The crude prevalence of CKD stage 3–5 was 14.8% for Cockcroft-Gault, 7.6% and 23.9% respectively for the MDRD with and without ethnicity correction, and 7.4% and 17.3% for the CKD-EPI equations with and without ethnicity correction. The highest agreement between GFR estimators was between MDRD and CKD-EPI equations, both with ethnicity correction, Kappa 0.91 (95% CI: 0.86-0.95), correlation coefficient 0.95 (95% CI: 0.94-0.96). In multivariable logistic regression models, sex, age and known hypertension were consistently associated with CKD stage 3–5 across the 5 estimators.

Conclusions

The prevalence of CKD stages greater than 3 is the highest reported in Africa. This study provides evidence for support of the CKD-EPI equation for eGFR reporting and CKD classification.
Membrane Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase induces an epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell-like properties in SCC9 cells
Authors: Yang Cong-Chong , Zhu Li-Fang , Xu Xiao-Hui , Ning Tian-Yun , Ye Jin-Hai , Liu Lai-Kui
Published: April 2013

Background

Tissue invasion and metastasis are acquired abilities of cancer and related to the death in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Emerging observations indicate that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with tumor progression and the generation of cells with cancer stem cells (CSCs) properties. Membrane Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is a cell surface proteinase, which is involved in degrading extracellular matrix components that can promote tumor invasion and cell migration.

Methods

In the current study, we utilized SCC9 cells stably transfected with an empty vector (SCC9-N) or a vector encoding human MT1-MMP (SCC9-M) to study the role of MT1-MMP in EMT development.

Results

Upon up-regulation of MT1-MMP, SCC9-M cells underwent EMT, in which they presented a fibroblast-like phenotype and had a decreased expression of epithelial markers (E-cadherin, cytokeratin18 and β-catenin) and an increased expression of mesenchymal markers (vimentin and fibronectin). We further demonstrated that MT1-MMP-induced morphologic changes increased the level of Twist and ZEB, and were dependent on repressing the transcription of E-cadherin. These activities resulted in low adhesive, high invasive abilities of the SCC9-M cells. Furthermore, MT1-MMP-induced transformed cells exhibited cancer stem cell (CSC)-like characteristics, such as low proliferation, self-renewal ability, resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and apoptosis, and expression of CSCs surface markers.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our study indicates that overexpression of MT1-MMP induces EMT and results in the acquisition of CSC-like properties in SCC9 cells. Our growing understanding of the mechanism regulating EMT may provide new targets against invasion and metastasis in OSCC.