bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Food Restriction on Testis and Accessory Sex Glands in Maturing Rats
Authors: Rehm Sabine , White Tacey E. , Zahalka Eias A. , Stanislaus Dinesh J. , Boyce Rogely W. , Wier Patrick J.
Published: July 2008

Reduced food consumption and associated lower body weights may occur in subacute toxicity studies. The short-term effects of food restriction (FR) on body and reproductive organ weights, hormones, and testis histology were assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats fed 20% to 36% less (21 g feed/day) than rats fed ad libitum (AL) starting at six, eight, ten, or twelve weeks of age for two or six weeks. Body weight and relative seminal vesicle, ventral prostate, and/or epididymis weights were reduced in rats FR for two or six weeks. Degeneration of stage VII pachytene spermatocytes was seen in rats FR for six weeks when initiated at eight, ten, and twelve weeks of age. Plasma testosterone concentrations were lower in rats FR at ages six to eight weeks, eight to ten weeks, six to twelve weeks, and eight to fourteen weeks. Luteinizing hormone was not statistically different in FR rats compared with AL counterparts. Therefore, duration of lower food intake had a greater impact on spermatogenesis, whereas a younger initial age of lower food intake was more influential on testosterone levels. These interactions are important in the interpretation of subacute toxicology studies employing FR or when test articles lower food consumption relative to AL-fed rats.
Mid-gestation Exposure of C57BL/6 Mice to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Causes Postnatal Morphologic Changes in the Spleen and Liver
Authors: Weinstein Danielle A. , Gogal Robert M. , Mustafa Amjad , Prater M. Renee , Holladay Steven D.
Published: July 2008

Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 5 μg/kg 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD) or vehicle by oral gavage between gestation days (GDs) 11 and 13. The thymus, spleen, and liver of the pups were examined histologically, and cell surface antigen expression was assessed on postnatal days (PNDs) 1, 14, 25, and 46. In addition to the expected decrease in thymic weight on PND 1, TCDD caused an increase in splenic weight on PND 14 and in hepatic weight on PNDs 14 and 25. The apoptotic index was increased and the corticomedullary border poorly defined in thymuses of TCDD-exposed mice on PND 1, but not at later endpoints. T lymphocytes were increased and B lymphocytes decreased in spleens of the TCDD-exposed mice on PND 46. TCDD-exposed mice had a nearly significant ( p =.051) decrease in the number of splenic germinal centers on PND 46. Foci of extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) were increased in number in the livers of TCDD-exposed mice on PND 14, suggesting possible increased production of immune cells of unknown phenotype and function in this organ. These results suggest that late-gestation thymic architectural changes caused by TCDD resolve shortly after birth: however, abnormalities in other immunologically important areas may appear later in postnatal life.
Genetic Alterations in K-ras and p53 Cancer Genes in Lung Neoplasms from B6C3F1 Mice Exposed to Cumene
Authors: Hong Hue-Hua L. , Ton Thai-Vu T. , Kim Yongbaek , Wakamatsu Nobuko , Clayton Natasha P. , Chan Po-Chuen , Sills Robert C. , Lahousse Stephanie A.
Published: July 2008

The incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas and carcinomas in cumene-treated B6C3F1 mice were significantly greater than those of the control animals. We evaluated these lung neoplasms for point mutations in the K -ras and p53 genes that are often mutated in humans. K -ras and p53 mutations were detected by cycle sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded neoplasms. K -ras mutations were detected in 87% of cumene-induced lung neoplasms, and the predominant mutations were exon 1 codon 12 G to T transversions and exon 2 codon 61 A to G transitions. P53 protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in 56% of cumene-induced neoplasms, and mutations were detected in 52% of neoplasms. The predominant mutations were exon 5, codon 155 G to A transitions, and codon 133 C to T transitions. No p53 mutations and one of seven (14%) K -ras mutations were detected in spontaneous neoplasms. Cumene-induced lung carcinomas showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 4 near the p16 gene (13%) and on chromosome 6 near the K -ras gene (12%). No LOH was observed in spontaneous carcinomas or normal lung tissues examined. The pattern of mutations identified in the lung tumors suggests that DNA damage and genomic instability may be contributing factors to the mutation profile and development of lung cancer in mice exposed to cumene.
Global Recognition of Qualified Toxicologic Pathologists: Where We Are Now and Where We Need to Go
Authors: Ettlin Robert A. , Bolon Brad , Pyrah Ian , Konishi Yoichi , Black Hugh E.
Published: July 2008

Although there are a few national schemes for accreditation/certification of toxicologic pathologists (e.g., in Japan and the United Kingdom), a global recognition system for bench toxicologic pathologists is missing, as are universal standards defining their core competencies. This paper summarizes basic means regarding how proficiency in toxicologic pathology is acquired, provides an overview over examinations of interest to toxicologic pathologists, and emphasizes the value of practical experience in the field. The paper then discusses basic approaches to evaluate the proficiency of toxicologic pathologists and examines potential means to recognize qualified toxicologic pathologists. With progressive globalization, it is important that the toxicologic pathology community deepens the discussion regarding a global recognition mechanism for their discipline.
Gene Expression Studies Demonstrate that the K-ras/Erk MAP Kinase Signal Transduction Pathway and Other Novel Pathways Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Cumene-induced Lung Tumors
Authors: Wakamatsu Nobuko , Collins Jennifer B. , Parker Joel S. , Tessema Mathewos , Clayton Natasha P. , Ton Thai-Vu T. , Hong Hue-Hua L. , Belinsky Steven , Devereux Theodora R. , Sills Robert C. , Lahousse Stephanie A.
Published: July 2008

National Toxicology Program (NTP) inhalation studies demonstrated that cumene significantly increased the incidence of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas and carcinomas in B6C3F1 mice. Cumene or isopropylbenzene is a component of crude oil used primarily in the production of phenol and acetone. The authors performed global gene expression analysis to distinguish patterns of gene regulation between cumene-induced tumors and normal lung tissue and to look for patterns based on the presence or absence of K- ras and p53 mutations in the tumors. Principal component analysis segregated the carcinomas into groups with and without K- ras mutations, but failed to separate the tumors based on p53 mutation status. Expression of genes associated with the Erk MAP kinase signaling pathway was significantly altered in carcinomas with K- ras mutations compared to tumors without K- ras mutations or normal lung. Gene expression analysis also suggested that cumene-induced carcinomas with K- ras mutations have greater malignant potential than those without mutations. In addition, significance analysis of function and expression (SAFE) demonstrated expression changes of genes regulated by histone modification in carcinomas with K- ras mutations. The gene expression analysis suggested the formation of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas in cumene-exposed mice typically involves mutation of K- ras, which results in increased Erk MAP kinase signaling and modification of histones.
Early Stellate Cell Activation and Veno-occlusive-disease (VOD)–like Hepatotoxicity in Dogs Treated with AR-H047108, an Imidazopyridine Proton Pump Inhibitor
Authors: Berg Anna-Lena , Böttcher Gerhard , Andersson Kjell , Carlsson Enar , Lindström Anna-Karin , Huby Russell , Håkansson Helen , Skånberg-Wilhelmsson Inger , Hellmold Heike
Published: July 2008

Dogs treated with AR-H047108, an imidazopyridine potassium competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), developed clinical signs of hepatic dysfunction as well as morphologically manifest hepatotoxicity in repeat-dose toxicity studies. An investigative one-month study was performed, with interim euthanasia after one and two weeks. A detailed histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of the liver lesions was conducted, including markers for fibrosis, Kupffer cell activation, apoptosis, and endothelial injury. In addition, hepatic retinoid and procollagen 1α2 mRNA levels in livers of dogs treated with AR-H047108 were analyzed. The results showed an early inflammatory process in central veins and centrilobular areas, present after one week of treatment. This inflammatory reaction was paralleled by activation of stellate/Ito cells to myofibroblasts and was associated with sinusoidal and centrivenular fibrosis. The early activation of stellate cells coincided with a significant decrease in retinyl ester levels, and a significant increase in procollagen 1α2 mRNA levels, in the liver. At later time points (three and six months), there was marked sinusoidal fibrosis in centrilobular areas, as well as occlusion of central veins resulting from a combination of fibrosis and increased thickness of smooth muscle bundles in the vessel wall. The pattern of lesions suggests a veno-occlusive-disease (VOD)–like scenario, possibly linked to the imidazopyridine chemical structure of the compound facilitated by specific morphological features of the dog liver.
Ultrasensitive Cross-species Measurement of Cardiac Troponin-I Using the Erenna Immunoassay System
Authors: Schultze A. Eric , Konrad Robert J. , Credille Kelly M. , Lu Quynh Anh , Todd John
Published: July 2008

Serum cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) has been validated as a biomarker for cardiotoxicity in numerous animal models; however, owing to sensitivity issues cTnI concentrations in healthy, resting animals used in toxicology studies have not been established. Serum from healthy and isoproterenol hydrochloride (iso)-treated rats, dogs, and monkeys were assayed using the Erenna system. The Erenna cTnI assay provided sensitivity < 1 ng/L across human, rat, dog, and monkey cTnI. Linear responses ( R2= 0.99) were observed for all species. Precision studies yielded interassay CVs of curve fit quantification from 2% to 4% between 1.6 and 5000 ng/L, and 23% at 0.78 ng/L. Strong correlation ( R2= 0.99) was obtained between Erenna and Beckman Access cTnI. Concentrations of cTnI in healthy animals ranged from 1 to 9 ng/L. In longitudinal studies of iso-treated animals, the concentrations of cTnI in the control vehicle-treated groups were 10–20 ng/L for rats (N = 10) and predose values of 2–3 ng/L for dogs (N = 3). Measured with the Erenna assay system, cTnI was quantifiable at all time intervals tested in all animals treated with iso. The Erenna system provides sensitive measurement of cTnI in rats, dogs, and monkeys, makes it possible to determine small changes from normal concentrations, and provides cTnI values from small volumes of serum.
Factors of success and failure in the acquisition of grammatical gender in Dutch
Authors: Cornips Leonie , Hulk Aafke
Published: July 2008

The goal of this article is to examine the factors that are proposed in the literature to explain the success—failure in the child L2 (second language) acquisition of grammatical gender in Dutch definite determiners. Focusing on four different groups of bilingual children, we discuss four external success factors put forward in the literature: (1) early age of onset, (2) lengthy and intensive input, (3) the quality of the input and (4) the role of the other language. We argue that the first two factors may indeed contribute to explaining the differences in success between the less and more successful bilingual children. However, the influence of the quality of the input in (standard) Dutch appears to be inconclusive, whereas the (structural) similarity of the gender systems in the two languages may reinforce the children's awareness of the grammatical gender category. Moreover, it appears that individual bilingualism vs. societal bilingualism, that is the sociolinguistic context in which Dutch is acquired, is not a factor for failure or success with respect to the acquisition of grammatical gender. In the final part of this article, we hypothesize that the important role of the input is related to a language internal factor, which distinguishes the Dutch gender system of the definite determiner from that of other languages, resulting in different acquisition paths.
Dutch gender in specific language impairment and second language acquisition
Authors: Orgassa Antje , Weerman Fred
Published: July 2008

In this article we compare five groups of learners acquiring Dutch gender as marked on determiners and adjectival inflection. Groups of L1 (first language) children and L1-SLI (first-language specific-language-impairment) children are compared to three Turkish-Dutch L2 (second language) groups: adult L2, child L2 and child L2-SLI. Overall, our findings show that gender is vulnerable in both SLI and L2 groups. More particularly, they suggest that all child groups basically make the same type of errors and that they all differ from the adult group. It is suggested that any differences between the child learners can best be understood in terms of factors that influence intake (in both SLI and L2) rather than in terms of access to grammatical principles: SLI children have a (major) processing deficit and L2 children have received less input to Dutch, both factors causing poorer intake. That problems with the intake are crucial is further supported by the clear cumulative effect of bilingualism and SLI: the L2-SLI group not only differs from the child L2 controls but also from the Dutch L1-SLI group.
Age and input in the acquisition of grammatical gender in Dutch
Authors: Unsworth Sharon
Published: July 2008

This article investigates the effect of age of first exposure and the quantity and quality of input to which non-native acquirers (L2ers) are exposed in their acquisition of grammatical gender in Dutch. Data from 103 English-speaking children, preteens and adults were analysed for gender agreement on definite determiners. It was observed that although most learners regularly overgeneralized the common gender definite determiner de to neuter nouns, there also existed child and adult L2ers who consistently produced the target neuter determiner het with these nouns ( contra Carroll, 1989; Hawkins and Franceschina, 2004; Franceschina, 2005). Participants in all three groups produced het equally frequently with non-derived nouns as with diminutives, one of the few reliable morphophonological cues for neuter gender (compare Carroll, 1999). The present findings are evaluated in light of previous research (Hulk and Cornips, 2006a) suggesting that the quality of input to which L2ers are exposed may significantly affect their ability to proceed beyond the aforementioned stage of overgeneralization. Evidence for frequency effects and the observation that targetlike performance correlated with length of exposure suggests that quantity of input is a significant factor in the acquisition of Dutch gender. This is to be expected if the acquisition of gender is for a large part word-learning (Carroll, 1989; Montrul and Potowski, 2007)
Organ Procurement After Cardiocirculatory Death: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Rady Mohamed Y. , Verheijde Joseph L. , McGregor Joan
Published: July 2008

To shorten the transplantation waiting time in the United States, federal regulations have been introduced requiring hospitals to develop policies for organ donation after cardiac (or circulatory) death (DCD). The practice of DCD is invoked based on the validity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) protocol and relies on the accuracy of the University of Wisconsin (UW) evaluation tool to appropriately identify organ donors. There is little evidence to support the position that the criteria for organ procurement adopted from the UPMC protocol complies with the dead donor rule. A high false-positive rate of the UW evaluation tool can expose many dying patients to unnecessary perimortem interventions because of donation failure. The medications and/or interventions for the sole purpose of maintaining organ viability can have unintended negative consequences on the timing and quality of end-of-life care offered to organ donors. It is essential to address and manage the evolving conflict between optimal end-of-life care and the necessary sacrifices for the procurement of transplantable organs from the terminally ill. The recipients of marginal organs recovered from DCD can also suffer higher mortality and morbidity than recipients of other types of donated organs. Finally, transparent disclosure to the public of the risks involved to both organ donors and recipients may contribute to open societal debate on the ethical acceptability of DCD.
Antioxidant potential of thyme extract: alleviation of N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced oxidative stress
Authors: Rana P , Soni G
Published: July 2008

Protective role of thyme extract against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced oxidative stress has been evaluated in albino rats. For this, one group of rats were fed diet supplemented with thyme extract (0.5%) and served as the test group, whereas animals of the other group fed on normal diet served as the control group. The rats were fed on respective diets for a period of 2 weeks after which stress was induced to half the animals of each group by i.p. administration of NDEA at 200 mg/kg body weight. Animals were killed 48 h post stress-induction period. Feed intake and body weight decreased significantly in both test and control groups, the effect being less in test group. Increase in osmotic fragility and in-vitro lipid peroxidation (LPO) on stress induction was of lower degree in the test group. NDEA toxicity was mainly reflected in liver as evidenced by increased activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The effect was of lower degree in test group as compared with that in the control group. Increase in urea levels observed following NDEA administration was also of lower degree in test groups. Blood glutathione (GSH) levels increased more so in test group compared with control group on stress induction. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (Px), and catalase (CAT) activities decreased significantly on stress induction in erythrocytes. LPO increased in all the tissues through varying degree, and the increase was appreciably of lower degree in test group. The activity of SOD increased significantly in both test and control group on stress induction, whereas activities of Px and CAT decreased following NDEA treatment, and the effects were of lower degree in test group. Thus, supplementation of diet with thyme extract can improve antioxygenic potential and hence help to prevent oxidative stress.
Oral exposure of male and female mice to formulations of organophosphorous pesticides: congenital malformations
Authors: Gomes J , Lloyd OL , Hong Z
Published: July 2008

Birth outcome was studied in pre-partum litters of mice exposed to oral doses of organophosphorous pesticides at low and high concentrations before mating. Exposed and unexposed pregnant dams were delivered by Caesarean section 1 day before partum, the fetuses were collected, counted and weighed, and the numbers of resorptions were recorded. Live litter sizes were non-significantly higher in all the exposed groups compared with the control group. The numbers of resorptions were significantly higher in all the exposed groups than in the comparison groups. The incidence of intra-uterine growth retardation was significantly higher in all the exposed groups than in the comparison groups. The incidences of congenital malformations were significantly higher in the exposed groups than in one or more of the comparison groups for the defects of the ears, eyes, jaws, brain, and tongue in all the exposed groups. Low set microtia, cataract or open eyelids, microcephaly or anencephaly, maxillary or mandibular hypoplasia, and protruding tongue were observed in all groups, but the numbers were significantly higher in the exposed groups compared with one or more of the comparison groups. Curled or missing tail and intra-auricular septal or intra-ventricular septal defects were observed in higher numbers in the groups in which both the males and the females were exposed than in the comparison groups. Male:female sex ratios were significantly higher in the groups in which males only and females only were exposed.
Tramadol intoxication: a review of 114 cases
Authors: Shadnia S , Soltaninejad K , Heydari K , Sasanian G , Abdollahi M
Published: July 2008

Tramadol as a centrally acting analgesic is extensively used in the management of moderate to severe pain. It slightly affects opioid receptors and inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrin and serotonin in the CNS. There are reports about toxicity and abuse of tramadol. The objective of the present study was to evaluate epidemiology of intentional tramadol intoxications. All poisoning cases that admitted to Loghman-Hakim Hospital Poison Center from April to May 2007 were studied. A total of 114 cases (82 men and 32 women) of intentional tramadol intoxications with the median age of 23.66 ± 6.87 years (range 16–54 years) were identified. Other illicit drugs were found to be used in combination with tramadol in some of the cases, which among them benzodiazepines were the most common. Tramadol overdose has been one of the most frequent causes of drug poisoning in the country in the recent years, especially in male young adults with history of substance abuse and mental disorders. Nausea, vomiting, Central Nervous System (CNS) depression, tachycardia, and seizure are the most common findings in this kind of poisoning. Cardiopulmonary arrest was found as the cause of death in cases who had ingested more than 5000 mg tramadol.
A nutrient mixture prevents acetaminophen hepatic and renal toxicity in ICR mice
Authors: Roomi MW , Kalinovsky T , Ivanov V , Rath M , Niedzwiecki A
Published: July 2008

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is often fatal, leading to fulminant hepatic and renal tubular necrosis in humans and animals. We studied the effect of a nutrient mixture (NM) containing, among other nutrients, lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, and green tea extract, which has previously been demonstrated to exhibit a broad spectrum of therapeutic properties on APAP-induced hepatic and renal damage in ICR (Imprinting Control Region) mice. Seven-week-old male ICR mice were divided into four groups (A–D) of five animals each. Groups A and C mice were fed a regular diet for 2 weeks, while groups B and D mice were supplemented with 0.5% NM (w/w) during that period. Groups A and B received saline i.p., while groups C and D received APAP (600 mg/kg) i.p. All animals were killed 24 h after APAP administration, serum was collected to assess the liver and kidney functions, and the livers and kidneys were excised for histology. Mean serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen), creatinine, and BUN/creatinine ratios were comparable in groups A and B, increased markedly in group C and significantly lower in group D compared with group C. APAP caused significant centrilobular necrosis and glomerular damage in unsupplemented animals, while NM prevented these alterations. The results indicate that NM has potential to protect against APAP-induced liver and kidney damage.
Decrease of muscarinic cholinergic receptors expression in placenta from rats exposed to methyl parathion
Authors: González-García B , Olave ME , Ramos-Martínez E , González-Horta C , Levario-Carrillo M , Sánchez-Ramírez B
Published: July 2008

Placental transfer of methyl parathion (MP), an organophosphate pesticide, could involve effects on cholinergic system. To analyze whether placental cholinergic system is altered by prenatal exposure to MP, expression of muscarinic cholinergic receptors (M1 and M2 subtypes; mAChR) was determined in pregnant rats exposed to MP at 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/kg. An immunohistochemical analysis for M1 and M2 mAChR was performed, and the density of the mAChR signal was measured by image analysis. M1 and M2 mAChR were found in the trophoblast present in the labyrinth, with an 18% predominance of M2 over M1 in the non-exposed group. The expression of M1 and M2 mAChR in placentas exposed to MP showed a decrease when compared with the non-exposed group ( P < 0.05); a dose–response effect was not detected. These results demonstrate that prenatal exposure to MP causes changes in the placental expression of mAChR M1 and M2, suggesting that related placental cholinergic functions could be affected.
Nutritional Issues in Adolescents After Bone Marrow Transplant: A Literature Review
Authors: Rodgers Cheryl , Walsh Teresa
Published: July 2008

Bone marrow transplantation and related complications can cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects that can lead to poor nutrition, which has been associated with several morbidity and mortality issues. Adolescents require adequate nutrition not only to maintain health but to advance with normal growth and development. This article synthesizes the bone marrow transplant (BMT) literature regarding adolescents' nutritional needs, etiologies of altered oral intake, GI symptoms, nutritional assessments, nutritional interventions, and quality of life associated with poor nutrition. In addition, gaps in knowledge in the literature are identified. To provide effective and thorough care to patients during their BMT recovery, the knowledge base of nutritional and eating issues after transplant needs to become more comprehensive. Nurses play an important role in gathering and reporting clinical information. By anticipating potential risk factors, assessing and identifying symptoms, and initiating appropriate interventions promptly, patients can experience a more positive BMT experience.
Health-Related Quality of Life Relates to School Attendance in Children on Treatment for Cancer
Authors: af Sandeberg Margareta , Johansson Eva , Björk Olle , Wettergren Lena
Published: July 2008

The aims of this study are to follow health-related quality of life (HRQOL), school attendance, and social interaction with friends in children with cancer and to explore potential relationships between HRQOL and school attendance. The study also describes self-reported reasons for not attending school and not meeting friends. During a 2-year period, all schoolchildren in Sweden starting treatment for cancer were invited to participate in the study. Participants (N = 101) were assessed 3 times during the first 5 months of treatment using 2 questionnaires: DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Module (DCGM-37) and a study-specific questionnaire. The results indicate a diminished HRQOL that remained stable over the study period, with girls rating worse HRQOL compared with boys. School attendance significantly increased over time, and approximately half of the children attended school 5 months after start of treatment. Self-reported HRQOL was positively correlated to days of school attendance. The results emphasize the importance of psychosocial care and nursing for children diagnosed with cancer, especially for girls. Research to further explore gender differences in HRQOL among children diagnosed for cancer is recommended.
Depression, Anxiety, Hopelessness, and Social Support Levels of the Parents of Children With Cancer
Authors: Bayat Meral , Erdem Emine , Gül Kuzucu Emine
Published: July 2008

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, family members are affected both socially and psychologically. This study was conducted to determine the depression, anxiety (state and trait), hopelessness, and perceived social support levels of 94 parents of children with cancer followed up at a university hospital. Data were collected using a questionnaire form and included descriptive characteristics, Beck Depression Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, State—Trait Anxiety Inventory, and The Hopelessness Scale. A positive relationship was found between depression and hopelessness scores and between state and trait anxiety scores for both mothers and fathers. Also, a negative relationship was found between social support and depression scores and between hopelessness and social support scores. Apart from fathers, a positive relationship between depression and trait anxiety scores and a negative relationship between state anxiety and hopelessness scores were found in mothers. Based on these results, it seems that it would be highly beneficial to provide psychological and social support and social support groups to help parents cope with these problems.
Accepting Disability: The Parenting Experience of Fathers With Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Authors: Duvdevany Ilana , Buchbinder Eli , Yaacov Ilanit
Published: July 2008

This qualitative study describes and analyzes the perceptions and experiences of fathers with spinal cord injury (SCI) regarding their relationship with their children, in the context of social attitudes toward parenting by persons with SCI. The study was conducted within the phenomenological-constructivist paradigm. The sample included 12 males with SCI. All participants were paraplegic Type D1-D12; 2 have incomplete injury to D11 and D12. Data were collected through in-depth semistructured interviews designed to understand participants' meanings. Interviews included a brief questionnaire containing sociodemographic items and an interview guide based on the research topics. The model addresses how fathers with SCI cope with negative social attitudes toward their parenting and their actions to facilitate their children's acceptance of and adjustment to the father's disability.
Endangered Womanhood: Women's Experiences With HIV/AIDS in China
Authors: Zhou Yanqiu Rachel
Published: July 2008

Women in China are increasingly affected by HIV/AIDS. Current AIDS studies have examined the HIV risks faced by this gender group, paying inadequate attention to women's actual experiences with the disease. This oversight has inhibited our ability to understand the impact of gender on women's capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS in their postinfection lives. Based on a qualitative study on illness experiences of HIV-infected people, this article examines the interactions between HIV/AIDS and gender roles in the Chinese context. It was found that traditional gender norms have played a key role for HIV-infected women in their efforts to tackle this disease and to make sense of their daily lives. HIV infection has created a conflict between women's intention to fulfill their conception of “womanhood” and a decreased ability to do so, which, in turn, has adversely affected their self-perceptions and well-being. To avoid worsening the inequality women experience, therefore, we must also work on the socioeconomic conditions, for example, through delivering comprehensive care to affected families and developing a gender-sensitive welfare policy, so that the gender imparity that permeates this epidemic can be challenged and transformed.
Storying Childhood Sexual Abuse
Authors: Draucker Claire Burke , Martsolf Donna S.
Published: July 2008

A theoretical framework that explains how survivors of childhood sexual abuse tell others about their abuse experiences is presented. Data are drawn from open-ended interviews conducted with 74 individuals who experienced ongoing childhood sexual abuse by a family member or close acquaintance. Grounded theory methods were used to develop the framework. The psychosocial problem shared by the participants is that childhood sexual abuse both demands and defies explanation. The core psychosocial process used in response to this problem is storying childhood sexual abuse. The framework includes five processes, and the stories associated with each process vary in their nature and function. The processes and associated stories are (a) starting the story: the story-not-yet-told, (b) coming out with the story: the story-first-told, (c) shielding the story: the story-as-secret, (d) revising the story: the story-as-account, and (e) sharing the story: the story-as-message. Clinical applications of the framework are discussed.
Caregivers' Experiences With Major Depression Concealed by Physical Illness in Patients Recruited From Central Ugandan Primary Health Care Centers
Authors: Muhwezi Wilson Winstons , Okello Elialilia Sarikiaeli , Neema Stella , Musisi Seggane
Published: July 2008

In this article, we present caregivers' grapples with major depression seen among their physically ill patients. A thematic analysis of 29 in-depth caregiver interviews identified four themes: (a) caregivers' perceptions of depression, (b) barriers to caregivers' focus on depression, (c) resources and opportunities for managing depression, and (d) caregivers' perspectives on consequences of depression. Patients' physical illnesses concealed depressive episodes. Caregivers could not apply the label of “depression” but enumerated its indicative features. Stigmatization of depression, common with other mental illnesses and poverty, undermined caregiving. Vital caregiving resources included caregivers' willingness to meet patients' basic needs, facilitating patients' access to health care, informal counseling of patients, and ensuring patients' spiritual nourishment. Caregivers' management of depression in physically ill patients was expensive, but they coped; however, caregiving was burdensome. Ongoing support should be given not only to patients but caregivers, as well. To provide appropriate care, caregivers deserve sensitization about depression in the context of physical illness.
Helping Young Adult Children With Traumatic Brain Injury: The Life-World of Mothers
Authors: Wongvatunyu Suporn , Porter Eileen J.
Published: July 2008

Few scholars have described the personal–social context of the maternal experience of helping young adult children who have survived a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Viewing context as life-world, we used a descriptive phenomenological method to explore the life-world of 7 mothers whose young adult children had suffered a moderate or severe TBI at least 6 months earlier. Conducting three interviews with each mother, we discerned five features of life-world: having a child who survived a TBI as a young adult, perceiving that life has really changed, having sufficient support/feeling bereft of any help, believing that my child is still able, and believing that I can help my child. Compared to the literature, findings led to more definitive practice implications about postinjury uncertainty and maternal role change. In studies with such mothers, researchers should focus on the continuity of mothering rather than the initiation of caregiving.
Living in a World of Our Own: The Experience of Parents Who Have a Child With Autism
Authors: Woodgate Roberta L. , Ateah Christine , Secco Loretta
Published: July 2008

In this article, we discuss findings of a hermeneutic phenomenological study that sought to describe the experiences of parents who have a child with autism. Qualitative interviews were conducted with parents from 16 families of children with autism residing in a western Canadian province. “Living in a world of our own” emerged as the essence of the parents' experiences. In “living in a world of our own,” parents described a world of isolation. Three themes representing the essential challenging elements of the parents' experiences included vigilant parenting, sustaining the self and family, and fighting all the way. Although much is known about the fundamental importance of support to parents of children with chronic conditions and/or disabilities, findings from this study indicate that knowledge has not been adequately transferred to the care of children with autism.
Failing Bodies: Body Image and Multiple Chronic Conditions in Later Life
Authors: Clarke Laura Hurd , Griffin Meridith ,   The PACC Research Team
Published: July 2008

There is a rich qualitative tradition of examining the lived experience of singular chronic conditions as well as the relationship between illness and identity in chronic disease. There has been little exploration of the experience of multiple chronic conditions or how these health issues may influence body image in later life. Building on the extant research and providing an alternative lens for understanding the experience of health issues, this article examines the body images of older adults with five or more chronic conditions. We use data from in-depth interviews with 10 men and 10 women aged 68 to 88 to analyze how older adults perceive their bodies to be failing in terms of their appearances, functional abilities, and impending mortality. We discuss how the participants view their bodies as both aesthetic and instrumental entities and how gender norms and discourses of successful aging and healthism shape their body evaluations.
Using Written Vignettes in Focus Groups Among Older Adults to Discuss Oral Health as a Sensitive Topic
Authors: Brondani Mario A. , MacEntee Michael I. , Bryant S. Ross , O'Neill Brian
Published: July 2008

When the mouth yields pain and distress, it can impact psychosocially the lives of older adults and might constitute a sensitive topic for open disclosure. In this article, we describe our use of a written vignette in focus groups for discussion of oral health and disablement. Six focus groups were conducted with 42 older men and women with an average age of 75 years who were purposefully selected through advertisements posted in community centers and retirement homes. In discussions lasting for an average of 90 min, groups of up to 9 participants commented positively and negatively on the vignette's story and voluntarily discussed their personal experiences, family histories, and testimonies about the mouth and coping and adapting strategies to disabilities. The discussion about oral health can be sensitive, but the vignette shifted the focus away from the participants and allowed them to share personal experiences with oral health and disablement.
Children's Perceptions of Living With a Parent With a Mental Illness: Finding the Rhythm and Maintaining the Frame
Authors: Mordoch Elaine , Hall Wendy A.
Published: July 2008

In this article, we explain how children managed their experiences of living with a parent with a mental illness. Symbolic interactionism served as the theoretical framework. The sample comprised 22 children between 6 and 16 years of age, who were living part- or full-time with a parent with depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar illness. Data collection included interviews, participant observation, and drawing. Concurrent data collection and constant comparative analysis were undertaken to generate two core variables: finding the rhythm and maintaining the frame. Finding a rhythm with their parents required children to monitor and adjust to their parents' behaviors so they could maintain connections with parents and family stability. Maintaining the frame allowed children to create safe distances between themselves and their parents so they could preserve themselves while trying to stay connected. The children were managing their lives and identities to avoid being engulfed by their parents' mental illnesses.
Ethos as Market Maker
Authors: Mara Andrew
Published: July 2008

This study examines how a very light jet start-up, Eclipse Aviation, changed its ethos appeals in order to survive the loss of its principally declared innovation, a jet aircraft engine. Eclipse Aviation's corporate transformation from a spin-off company to a convergence-of-innovation company hinged on modifying an early marketing strategy. To overcome the loss of the jet engine, employees had to radically modify earlier expert representations and adopt rhetorical appeals that more closely parallel what Miller described as “cyborg discourse.” To understand how Eclipse Aviation survived the typically fatal loss of a stated primary innovation and to explore the implications that this particular start-up's rupture has for technology transfer and technical marketing, this study centers its analysis on a Web site that marketers used to “ventilate” the company and prevent financial collapse. The transformation in the company's marketing strategy illustrates how cyborg ethos appeals aggregate and discipline distributed stakeholder roles.
It Takes a Village
Authors: Hoyman Michele , Faricy Christopher
Published: July 2008

Richard Florida argues that the “creative class” is inextricably connected with surges in urban growth. This article, using data from 276 metropolitan statistical areas, empirically tests the creative class theory as compared to the human and social capital models of economic growth. Our results demonstrate that the creative class is not related to growth, whereas human capital predicts economic growth and development and social capital predicts average wage but not job growth. Additionally, we found that clusters of universities correlated highly with economic growth. Our findings should warn policy makers against the use of “creative” strategies for urban economic development.
Merck's Open Letters and the Teaching of Ethos
Authors: Griffin Frank
Published: July 2008

In fall 2004, Merck faced a significant threat to the company's public image because of the withdrawal of VIOXX, and Merck executives were forced to defend the company's actions, its motivation for those actions, and its reputation. Confronted with enormous rhetorical challenges, Merck tried to generate public goodwill toward the company by creating a personalized image of a corporate giant worthy of understanding, sympathy, and trust. Open letters released during the initial response to the VIOXX crisis rely on the intimacy of interpersonal communication and demonstrate to students of business communication arguments based on ethos. The syntax and diction of these documents are analyzed to demonstrate how they create a secondary narrative of Merck's good sense, good moral character, and goodwill. Finally, the study presents apparently contradictory narratives of this pharmaceutical giant's responsibility, narratives that summarize the arguments in the VIOXX litigation. Analysis of Merck's open letters underscores the relevance of many concepts covered in the business communications classroom.
Cultural Precincts, Creative Spaces
Authors: Baker Sarah , Bennett Andy , Homan Shane
Published: July 2008

This article examines the role of three community-based music projects—in Newcastle (Australia), Thanet (United Kingdom), and the City of Playford (Australia)—in engendering notions of regionalism, locality, and identity. Through their involvement in these projects, young people are placed at the intersection of music program management, city mythologies, and national policy. Each of the three projects examined attempts to facilitate urban regeneration through supplying their target community with what one regional arts development officer has coined a “musical spin.” However, within wider cultural frameworks, youth's lived experience is often at odds with grander ideals of community arts space. Thus, although the discourses of “creative” urban regeneration articulated by the facilitators of community-based music projects may appear credible at the level of cultural policy, their practical implementation is problematized by competing local narratives that are grounded in established local knowledges and often highly resistant to intervention by outside sources.
Migration and self-rated health: a comparison between Finns living in Sweden and Finns living in Finland
Authors: Westman Jeanette , Martelin Tuija , Härkänen Tommi , Koskinen Seppo , Sundquist Kristina
Published: July 2008

Aims: There is a lack of studies comparing health among immigrant groups with health among the population in their country of origin. This study compared the prevalence of self-rated poor health between Finns living in Sweden and Finns living in Finland. Methods: Data were obtained from the Swedish Annual Level of Living Survey between 1996 and 2003 and the Finnish national survey "Health 2000''. Odds ratios (OR) of self-rated poor health were estimated adjusting for age, marital status, education, employment and smoking. The participants were 21,991 Swedes and 836 Finns living in Sweden, and 5,096 Finns living in Finland. Results: For Finnish women living in Sweden the odds of self-rated poor health was significantly higher (OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.02—1.54) than for Finnish women living in Finland. An opposite pattern appeared among men; Finnish men living in Finland tended to have higher odds of self-rated poor health than Finnish men living in Sweden, although not to a statistically significant extent. In addition, Finns in Finland and in Sweden rated their health poorer than Swedes. Conclusions: Migration may have a different effect on Finnish men's and women's self-rated health. Further studies are needed to investigate the complex pathways between country of residence and self-rated health among immigrants.
Increased abdominal obesity, adverse psychosocial factors and shorter telomere length in subjects reporting early ageing; the MONICA Northern Sweden Study
Authors: Nordfjäll K. , Eliasson M. , Stegmayr B. , Lundin S. , Roos G. , Nilsson P.M.
Published: July 2008

Background: The rate of biological ageing is individual and represents the steady decrease in physiological and mental functions. Adverse social factors have been shown to influence this process. Self-perceived early ageing (SEA) might be a useful indicator of early biological ageing and increased mortality risk. The aim of this population-based study was to identify markers of SEA, including telomere length. Methods: We studied 1502 subjects (744 men, 758 women) from Northern Sweden. These subjects underwent a physical examination, blood sampling (including telomere length) and completed a self-administered questionnaire about their subjective age, social situation, lifestyle, and self-rated health (SRH). Age- and SRH-adjusted statistical analyses were made comparing SEA subjects with same-sex controls. Results: In all, 7.9% of men and 12.1% of women reported SEA. These subjects had significantly (p<0.0001) wider waist circumference and higher body mass index than controls. SEA men showed higher fasting glucose and SEA women showed higher total cholesterol levels than controls (p=0.020 and p=0.015, respectively). In addition, SEA women more often reported infrequent physical exercise (p=0.006), mental problems (p=0.064) and worse SRH (p=0.001) than controls. In a random sub-sample, telomere length was significantly shorter in SEA subjects (n=139) than controls (n=301; p=0.02), but not after full adjustment for BMI. Conclusions: Self-perceived early ageing is not uncommon and is associated with abdominal obesity, poor self-rated health, lower education, and shorter telomere length. This could link adverse social factors with features of the metabolic syndrome as well as with early biological ageing, of importance for targeting preventive programmes.
Measuring and Accounting for the Intensity of Nursing Care
Authors: Finkler Steven A.
Published: July 2008

In June 2007, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation sponsored a conference titled “The Economics of Nursing: Paying for Quality Nursing Care.” The second topic at the conference was “the appropriateness and feasibility of measuring and accounting for the intensity of nursing care.” Drs. Welton and Sermeus presented papers on that topic. This response to those papers focuses on why the hospital industry has not always accounted for and measured nursing intensity. Then it asks, “Why do we want more accurate information about nursing resources used by different patients?” It is not sufficient to say the data regarding nursing costs are not accurate. Nor is it sufficient to say that we now can improve the accuracy of the data. To move forward in this area, we need to develop compelling evidence and arguments that indicate that nursing-cost data of greater accuracy have a benefit that will exceed the costs of that data collection.