bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lone Motherhood as a Category of Practice
Authors: May Vanessa
Published: July 2010

This paper offers a critical examination of the category ‘lone mother’, which tends to be viewed as an identity category by both ‘lay’ people and social scientists. This in turn leads to the category ‘lone mother’ becoming reified, while the socially constructed nature of it remains hidden. The aim of this paper is to find a way of analyzing the lives of lone mothers without making totalizing claims about these women as individuals, but at the same time without depoliticizing the category ‘lone mother’. I argue that adopting Young's (1995) , concept of ‘serial collectivity’ in the study of lone motherhood would enable social scientists to avoid positing that ‘lone motherhood’ is a unified category or the basis of self-understanding, while at the same time being able to make pragmatic political claims regarding the inequalities that lone mothers face. Furthermore, this paper argues for studying ‘lone motherhood’ as a category of practice, focusing on how the category is defined, by whom, and to what ends, and the effects this has on the lives of ‘lone mothers’.
Cultural Transmission, Educational Attainment and Social Mobility
Authors: Scherger Simone , Savage Mike
Published: July 2010

This paper examines the relationship between cultural socialisation, educational attainment and intergenerational social mobility. Picking up on debates about the transmission of cultural capital and social advantage, we use data from the Taking Part Survey of England to analyse how far socialisation into cultural activities and encouragement play a role in educational attainment, intergenerational mobility and in the reproduction of class. This survey has unprecedented data on whether respondents had been taken to museums/art galleries, theatre/dance/classical music performances, sites of historic interest, and libraries when they were growing up. This is buttressed by information on how much parents or other adults encouraged the respondents to read books or to be creatively active in different domains of the arts, literature and music. Using these rich measures of childhood socialisation, we can show that part of the effect of parental class on educational attainment is due to the transmission of this kind of cultural capital. Moreover, this transmission also has a direct effect on the level of educational attainment. In a similar fashion, respondents who have experienced a higher intensity of cultural socialisation are more likely to be upwardly mobile, and likewise, cultural transmission has a positive effect on the prevention of downward mobility among service class children. These results are discussed in the light of current issues in British mobility research and its treatment of cultural aspects of class and mobility.
State of Imagination: Embodiments of Immigration Canada
Authors: Culic Irina
Published: July 2010

This paper investigates Romanians' immigration to Canada after the fall of the communist regime, focusing on the case of applicants under the ‘skilled workers and professionals’ category. The empirical study of Canadian immigration policy constitutes the ground for a critical analysis of the nature of the state and modalities of state power. Selecting candidates for immigration involves a refined politics of making subjects, whereby the state is ‘effected’ through disciplinary inscriptions on migrants and projects of the self, materialized in extraterritorial social spaces, and objectified in a form of governmentality over ‘external populations’. It also opens a space to explore the workings of the self in a globalized world. Rights to international mobility may generate not only hybrid sorts of legal subjects incompletely and imprecisely tied to two states, but also highly reflexive individuals, performatively enacting themselves as subjects of policies, discourses, and knowledges from positions of ontological and emotional liminality.
THE CONCEPT OF HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE REALISTIC UTOPIA OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Authors: HABERMAS JÜRGEN
Published: July 2010

Abstract: Human rights developed in response to specific violations of human dignity, and can therefore be conceived as specifications of human dignity, their moral source. This internal relationship explains the moral content and moreover the distinguishing feature of human rights: they are designed for an effective implementation of the core moral values of an egalitarian universalism in terms of coercive law. This essay is an attempt to explain this moral‐legal Janus face of human rights through the mediating role of the concept of human dignity. This concept is due to a remarkable generalization of the particularistic meanings of those “dignities” that once were attached to specific honorific functions and memberships. In spite of its abstract meaning, “human dignity” still retains from its particularistic precursor concepts the connotation of depending on the social recognition of a status—in this case, the status of democratic citizenship. Only membership in a constitutional political community can protect, by granting equal rights, the equal human dignity of everybody.
TRUTH TELLING AS REPARATIONS
Authors: WALKER MARGARET URBAN
Published: July 2010

Abstract: International instruments now defend a “right to the truth” for victims of political repression and violence and include truth telling about human rights violations as a kind of reparation as well as a form of redress. While truth telling about violations is obviously a condition of redress or repair for violations, it may not be clear how truth telling itself is a kind of reparations. By showing that concerted truth telling can satisfy four features of suitable reparations vehicles, I defend the idea that politically implemented modes of truth telling to, for, and by those who are victims of gross violation and injustice may with good reason be counted as a kind of reparations. Understanding the doubly symbolic character of reparations, however, makes clearer why truth telling is unlikely to be sufficient reparation for serious wrongs and is likely to be sensitive to the larger context of reparative activity and its social, political, and historical background.
GENOCIDAL MUTATION AND THE CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION
Authors: THERIAULT HENRY C.
Published: July 2010

Abstract:The optimum definition of the term “genocide” has been hotly contested almost since the term was coined. Definitional boundaries determine which acts are covered and excluded and thus to a great extent which cases will benefit from international attention, intervention, prosecution, and reparation. The extensive legal, political, and scholarly discussions prior to this article have typically (1) assumed “genocide” to be a fixed social object and attempted to define it as precisely as possible or (2) assumed the need for a fixed convention and sought to stipulate the range of events that should be denoted by the term. Even if its meaning is a matter of convention, however, “genocide” is not a fixed object but varies by context and evolves in methods and forms over time. In fact, as relevant laws, legal interpretations, and political commitments develop, so do would‐be perpetrators modify what genocide is in order to avoid political and legal consequences. This article advances an approach to a definition of “genocide” that allows even legal definitions to keep pace with this evolutionary process.
RECONCILIATION AND REPARATIONS
Authors: MCGARY HOWARD
Published: July 2010

Abstract: This article provides an account of the meaning of reparations and presents a brief explanation as to why African Americans believe they are entitled to reparations from the United States government. It then goes on to explain why reparations are necessary to address the distrust that is thought to exist between many African Americans and their government. Finally, it rejects the belief that reparations require reconciliation.
H63D polymorphism in the hemochromatosis gene is associated with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China
Authors: He X. , Lu X. , Hu J. , Xi J. , Zhou D. , Shang H. , Liu L. , Zhou H. , Yan B. , Yu L. , Hu F. , Liu Z. , He L. , Yao X. , Xu Y.
Published: July 2010

Background and purpose:  The H63D polymorphism in the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene has been reported as a risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Europe and America, but no data have been reported for Asia. Here, we investigated the possible association between H63D and sporadic ALS (sALS) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods:  A total of 195 individuals with sALS from three centers in China and 405 unrelated healthy controls were recruited. All subjects were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

Results:  Sporadic ALS was significantly related to the H63D polymorphism in heterozygous carriers (odds ratio 3.10, 95%CI: 1.49–6.47, P = 0.002).

Conclusions:  The HFE H63D polymorphism may contribute to the development of sALS in Chinese.
Treatment of pigmented purpuric dermatoses with Narrow‐band UVB: a report of six cases
Authors: Fathy H , Abdelgaber S
Published: July 2010

Background  Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) are a group of chronic disorders that pose a therapeutic challenge.

Objective  In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of narrow band ultraviolet B (NB UVB) in the treatment of PPD.

Patients and methods  Six patients of PPD were treated with NB UVB: one patient had Majocchi's purpura and five had Schamberg's disease. NB UVB was given on three weekly basis till clearance, then maintenance treatments were scheduled as twice weekly for 3 weeks and once weekly for another 3 weeks. The patients were followed up to 1 year.

Results  Successful treatment was achieved in all treatment patients after 24–28 NB UVB treatments and maintenance of nine treatments. Only two patients showed flare of their lesions after stoppage of NB UVB and efficiently controlled with further 14 NB UVB treatments.

Conclusion  NB UVB is effective in the treatment of PPD and should be considered as a treatment option for PPD.
An association of TLR2–16934A>T polymorphism and severity/phenotype of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Potaczek DP , Nastalek M , Okumura K , Wojas‐Pelc A , Undas A , Nishiyama C
Published: July 2010

Background  Toll‐like receptor 2 gene (TLR2) –16934A>T polymorphism has been shown to be associated with severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) as measured using severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Moreover, TLR2–16934A>T polymorphism has been associated with atopy and allergic disorders in farmers’ children.

Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate an association between TLR2–16934A>T polymorphism and AD phenotype, including disease severity and concomitant atopic diseases, or potential serum markers of AD severity and also to find a molecular background of the clinical associations.

Methods  Genotyping for TLR2–16934A>T polymorphism was performed in 130 consecutive adult ambulatory patients with AD. Total serum (TS) IgE levels, serum tryptase, plasma interleukin‐6 and C‐reactive protein were measured. In addition, luciferase assay and electrophoretic‐mobility shift assay were conducted to assess the effect of –16934A>T polymorphism on transcriptional activity.

Results  There was an inverse association of TLR2–16934TT genotype and/or –16934T allele with SCORAD, but not with TS IgE, tryptase or inflammatory markers. Interestingly, –16934AA genotype and/or –16934A allele were overrepresented in AD patients with concomitant asthma or a family history of atopy. In a subgroup analysis, TLR2–16934A>T polymorphism was associated with SCORAD, asthma, allergic conjunctivitis or family history of atopy in AD patients with TS IgE ≥106 IU/mL but not in those having TS IgE <106 IU/mL. Functional analyses showed that TLR2–16934T allele is associated with higher luciferase activity in human monocytic THP‐1 cells and preferential binding of the THP‐1‐derived nuclear protein.

Conclusion  TLR2–16934A>T polymorphism could be a genetic predictor of AD severity, the coexistence of asthma or atopic conjunctivitis as well as a family history of atopic diseases, especially in subjects having higher TS IgE. TLR2–16934A>T polymorphism affects transcriptional activity, which may at least in part account for the clinical associations observed for the –16934A>T polymorphism.
‘I Feel Pain’– audit of communication skills and understanding of pain and health needs with people with learning disabilities
Authors: Beacroft Monica , Dodd Karen
Published: July 2010

Accessible summary

 People with learning disabilities describe pain in terms of feelings or emotions.

 Staff and doctors do not use pain recognition tools or communication aids.

 People with learning disabilities often do not tell staff or family carers that they are in pain. If they do, they are unlikely to be given pain medication, and more likely to be taken to the doctors.

 People with learning disabilities mostly know who is their doctor and understand what the doctor does. The majority of people said that the doctor explained what was wrong with them, what the medication was for and how often they needed to take it.

 This research matters to people with learning disabilities. It is important that staff and carers recognise and manage pain well. Since this audit a pain training pack for staff and carers has been developed and is being used and booklets for both people with learning disabilities and staff and carers have been developed and given out.

An audit was conducted across Surrey to investigate pain recognition and management with people with learning disabilities. This section of the audit looked at what people with learning disabilities understood and experienced when they had pain compared to good practice from the literature. The results show that people with learning disabilities struggle to discuss pain effectively, and that little use is made of additional communication aids. People with learning disabilities rely on others to deal with their pain, but may not tell people that they are in pain. The most common response to having pain is to go to the doctors, and many people were not offered pain medication by staff. It was also reported that other alternative strategies were not used to manage pain. Although most people did not make the decision as to whether they needed to see their doctor, most people knew who their doctor was and reported good experiences in terms of information sharing once at the appointment. Further work has since been undertaken in Surrey to address the concerns raised in this audit through the development of information booklets on pain recognition and management for people with learning disabilities and for staff and family carers, together with the development and roll out of pain training.
Self‐efficacy and stress of staff managing challenging behaviours of people with learning disabilities
Authors: Cudré‐Mauroux Annick
Published: July 2010

Accessible summary

The professional caregivers of persons with learning disabilities are the focus of this research. They have been shown to experience high levels of stress when they have to face challenging behaviours. This stress may also affect the persons under their care as they can respond to them in an inappropriate way.

The way professional caregivers believe in their competencies to help the persons showing challenging behaviours plays a great role in their stress experience.

Some ideas for research are presented to help professional caregivers to increase their feeling of competency in situations of challenging behaviours.

Self‐efficacy has been reported to play a significant role in stress levels of parents facing challenging behaviours of their children with learning disabilities. The role of self‐efficacy has also been found to affect the stress levels of professional caregivers in such situations. To understand the implications of staff self‐efficacy in stressful situations of challenging behaviours, its inscription in transactional stress process will be considered. As a result, this study investigates this relationship through a qualitative design. Semi‐structured interview format was selected. Theoretical indicators of self‐efficacy regarding particular stress stages were identified in a categorical analysis. A case study method was used to promote the apparition of ecological data and enhance comprehension of inter‐influences. Findings highlight the importance of adequate measures of self‐efficacy regarding its insertion in particular contexts. Moreover, different forms of self‐efficacy related to the coping process are suggested.
Community and Individual Race/Ethnicity and Home Health Care Use among Elderly Persons in the United States
Authors: Kirby James B. , Lau Denys T.
Published: July 2010

Objective. To investigate whether the interaction between individual race/ethnicity and community racial/ethnic composition is associated with health‐related home care use among elderly persons in the United States.

Data Sources. A nationally representative sample of community‐dwelling elders aged 65+ from the 2000 to 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (N=23,792) linked to block group‐level racial/ethnic information from the 2000 Decennial Census.

Design. We estimated the likelihood of informal and formal home health care use for four racial/ethnic elderly groups (non‐Hispanic [NH] whites, NH‐blacks, NH‐Asians, and Hispanics) living in communities with different racial/ethnic compositions.

Principal Findings. NH‐Asian and Hispanic elders living in block groups with ≥25 percent of residents being NH‐Asian or Hispanic, respectively, were more likely to use informal home health care than their counterparts in other block groups. No such effect was apparent for formal home health care.

Conclusions. NH‐Asian and Hispanic elders are more likely to use informal home care if they live in communities with a higher proportion of residents who share their race/ethnicity. A better understanding of how informal care is provided in different communities may inform policy makers concerned with promoting informal home care, supporting informal caregivers, or providing formal home care as a substitute or supplement to informal care.
Time Is Money: Opportunity Cost and Physicians' Provision of Charity Care 1996–2005
Authors: Wright David Bradley
Published: July 2010

Objective. To test whether physicians' provision of charity care depends on their hourly wage.

Data Sources. Secondary data from four rounds of the Community Tracking Study (CTS) Physician Survey (1996–2005). Data are nationally representative of nonfederal office‐ and hospital‐based physicians spending at least 20 hours per week on patient care.

Study Design. A two‐part model with site‐level fixed effects, time trend variables, and site–year interactions is used to model the relationship between physicians' hourly wage and both their decision to provide any charity care and the amount of charity care provided. Salaried and nonsalaried physicians are modeled separately.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Data from each round of the CTS were merged into a single cross‐sectional file with 38,087 physician‐year observations.

Principal Findings. The association between physician's hourly wage and the likelihood of providing charity care is positive for salaried physicians and negative for nonsalaried physicians. Among physicians providing any charity care, hourly wage is positively associated with the amount of charity care provided regardless of salaried status. Practice characteristics are also significant.

Conclusions. The financial considerations of salaried physicians differ significantly from those of nonsalaried physicians in the decision to provide charity care, but factor similarly into the amount of charity care provided.
Restoring Ecological Function to a Submerged Salt Marsh
Authors: Stagg Camille L. , Mendelssohn Irving A.
Published: July 2010

Impacts of global climate change, such as sea level rise and severe drought, have altered the hydrology of coastal salt marshes resulting in submergence and subsequent degradation of ecosystem function. A potential method of rehabilitating these systems is the addition of sediment‐slurries to increase marsh surface elevation, thus ameliorating effects of excessive inundation. Although this technique is growing in popularity, the restoration of ecological function after sediment addition has received little attention. To determine if sediment subsidized salt marshes are functionally equivalent to natural marshes, we examined above‐ and belowground primary production in replicated restored marshes receiving four levels of sediment addition (29–42 cm North American Vertical Datum of 1988 [NAVD 88]) and in degraded and natural ambient marshes (4–22 cm NAVD 88). Moderate intensities of sediment‐slurry addition, resulting in elevations at the mid to high intertidal zone (29–36 cm NAVD 88), restored ecological function to degraded salt marshes. Sediment additions significantly decreased flood duration and frequency and increased bulk density, resulting in greater soil drainage and redox potential and significantly lower phytotoxic sulfide concentrations. However, ecological function in the restored salt marsh showed a sediment addition threshold that was characterized by a decline in primary productivity in areas of excessive sediment addition and high elevation (>36 cm NAVD 88). Hence, the addition of intermediate levels of sediment to submerging salt marshes increased marsh surface elevation, ameliorated impacts of prolonged inundation, and increased primary productivity. However, too much sediment resulted in diminished ecological function that was equivalent to the submerged or degraded system.
Demographic characteristics and prevalence of serologic markers among blood donors who use confidential unit exclusion (CUE) in São Paulo, Brazil: implications for modification of CUE polices in Brazil
Authors: de Almeida‐Neto Cesar , Liu Jing , Wright David J. , Mendrone‐Junior Alfredo , Takecian Pedro L. , Sun Yu , Ferreira Joao Eduardo , de Alencar Fischer Chamone Dalton , Busch Michael P. , Sabino Ester Cerdeira ,   For the NHLBI Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study‐II (REDS‐II), International Component
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated demographic profiles and prevalence of serologic markers among donors who used confidential unit exclusion (CUE) to assess the effectiveness of CUE and guide public policies regarding the use of CUE for enhancing safety versus jeopardizing the blood supply by dropping CUE.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of whole blood donations at a large public blood center in São Paulo from July 2007 through June 2009, compared demographic data, and confirmed serologic results among donors who used and who have never used CUE (CUE never).

RESULTS: There were 265,550 whole blood units collected from 181,418 donors from July 2007 through June 2009. A total of 9658 (3.6%) units were discarded, 2973 (1.1%) because CUE was used at the current donation (CUE now) and 6685 (2.5%) because CUE was used in the past (CUE past). The CUE rate was highest among donors with less than 8 years of education (odds ratio [OR], 2.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.51‐3.08). CUE now donations were associated with higher positive infectious disease marker rates than CUE never donations (OR, 1.41; CI, 1.13‐1.77), whereas CUE past donations were not (OR, 1.04; CI, 0.75‐1.45).

CONCLUSION: The CUE process results in a high rate of unit discard. CUE use on an individual donation appears predictive of a high‐risk marker‐positive donation and, thus, appears to contribute modestly to blood safety. The policy of discarding units from donors who have previously CUE‐positive donations does not improve safety and should be discontinued.
Obama Plan May Spur Proliferation
Authors: WOOLSEY R. JAMES
Published: July 2010

Is President Barack Obama's proposal for zero nuclear weapons realistic? Will it make the world more secure, or more prone to wars since they are no longer unthinkable?

To evaluate this bold strategic initiative, we have invited comments from two former US secretaries of state, a former director of the CIA and the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency who led the hunt for Saddam's non‐existent weapons of mass destruction on the eve of the Iraq war.
Melatonin effect on plasma adiponectin, leptin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol in normal and high fat–fed rats
Authors: Ríos‐Lugo María J. , Cano Pilar , Jiménez‐Ortega Vanesa , Fernández‐Mateos María P. , Scacchi Pablo A. , Cardinali Daniel P. , Esquifino Ana I.
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Melatonin effect on body weight progression, mean levels and 24‐hr pattern of circulating adiponectin, leptin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol were examined in rats fed a normal or a high‐fat diet. In experiment 1, rats fed a normal diet were divided into two groups: receiving melatonin (25 μg/mL drinking water) or vehicle for 9 wk. In experiment 2, animals were divided into three groups: two fed with a high‐fat diet (35% fat) and melatonin (25 μg/mL) or vehicle in drinking water for 11 wk, while a third group was given a normal diet (4% fat). At the end of experiments, groups of eight rats were killed at six different time intervals throughout a 24‐ hr period. Melatonin administration for 9 wk decreased body weight gain from the 3rd wk on without affecting food intake. A significant reduction in circulating insulin, glucose and triglyceride mean levels and disrupted daily patterns of plasma adiponectin, leptin and insulin were observed after melatonin. In high fat–fed rats, melatonin attenuated body weight increase, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, as well as the increase in mean plasma adiponectin, leptin, triglycerides and cholesterol levels. The high‐fat diet disrupted normal 24‐ hr patterns of circulating adiponectin, insulin and cholesterol, the effects on insulin and cholesterol being counteracted by melatonin. Nocturnal plasma melatonin concentration in control and obese rats receiving melatonin for 11 wk attained values 21–24‐fold greater than controls. The results indicate that melatonin counteracts some of the disrupting effects of diet‐induced obesity in rats.
Urokinase and its receptor in follicular and inflammatory cysts of the jaws
Authors: Serratì Simona , Panzardi Irene , Margheri Francesca , Chillà Anastasia , Torre Eugenio , Fibbi Gabriella , Tonelli Paolo , Del Rosso Mario
Published: July 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 753–759

Objective:  Proteases are considered critical in peri‐cystic tissue degradation required in jaw cyst expansion. We studied the expression of the plasminogen activation system (plasminogen activators; their inhibitor type‐1, PAI‐1; the receptor for the urokinase‐type plasminogen activator, uPAR) in follicular and inflammatory cysts of the jaw, to identify a possible role of this system in jaw cyst enlargement.

Materials and Methods:  Jaw cysts were collected by therapeutic enucleation. ELISA and casein zymography were used to measure and characterize plasminogen activators in cyst fluid. By immunohistochemistry we examined the presence of uPAR in cyst walls and inflammatory cells, and by Western blotting the molecular forms of uPAR within the cyst fluid.

Results:  Inflammatory cysts fluid contained higher amounts of plasminogen activators of the urinary‐type (uPA), and lower amounts of PAI‐1, when compared to follicular cysts fluid. Epithelial layers of both types of cysts and inflammatory cells expressed uPAR. Native 3‐domain uPAR was scarcely detectable within cysts, where its cleavage was accounted for by uPA.

Conclusion:  These data suggest a plasminogen activation‐dependent mechanism of cyst enlargement, where only the outward uPAR expressed on epithelial cells and on inflammatory cells direct the peri‐cystic protease cascade, in a way similar to tumor enlargement within tissues.
The road to ruin: the formation of disease‐associated oral biofilms
Authors: Jakubovics NS , Kolenbrander PE
Published: July 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 729–739

The colonization of oral surfaces by micro‐organisms occurs in a characteristic sequence of stages, each of which is potentially amenable to external intervention. The process begins with the adhesion of bacteria to host receptors on epithelial cells or in the salivary pellicle covering tooth surfaces. Interbacterial cell–cell binding interactions facilitate the attachment of new species and increase the diversity of the adherent microbial population. Microbial growth in oral biofilms is influenced by the exchange of chemical signals, metabolites and toxic products between neighbouring cells. Bacterial cells on tooth surfaces (dental plaque) produce extracellular polymers such as complex carbohydrates and nucleic acids. These large molecules form a protective matrix that contributes to the development of dental caries and, possibly, to periodontitis. The identification of key microbial factors underlying each step in the formation of oral biofilms will provide new opportunities for preventative or therapeutic measures aimed at controlling oral infectious diseases.
Smoking and matrix metalloproteinases, neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase in chronic periodontitis
Authors: Özçaka Ö , Bıçakcı N , Pussinen P , Sorsa T , Köse T , Buduneli N
Published: July 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 17, 68–76

Objectives:  To investigate possible relationship between smoking and serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase‐8,‐9 (MMP‐8, MMP‐9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1), neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase (MPO) in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients relative to periodontally healthy subjects.

Methods:  Serum samples were obtained from 111 subjects before initiation of any periodontal intervention. Fifty‐five CP patients (39 non‐smokers, 16 smokers) and 56 periodontally healthy subjects (39 non‐smokers, 17 smokers) were recruited. Serum concentrations of MMP‐8 were determined by IFMA and MPO, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, NE concentrations by ELISA. ANCOVA and Pearson correlation analysis was utilized for statistical analysis.

Results:  Serum MPO, NE concentrations were higher in smoker CP than non‐smoker CP patients (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas these were similar in smoker, non‐smoker periodontally healthy groups (P > 0.05). TIMP‐1 concentration was higher in non‐smoker CP than smoker CP group (P < 0.05). MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratios were higher in smoker CP than non‐smoker CP group (P = 0.01). MMP‐8 concentrations, MMP‐8/TIMP‐1 and MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratios in CP group were not significantly different from those in periodontally healthy group (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:  Our findings of significantly elevated serum MMP‐9, MPO, NE together with decreased TIMP‐1 in smoker CP patients than non‐smokers support that smoking together with periodontal destruction may expose/predispose to cardiovascular diseases.
NO production in RAW264 cells stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis extracellular vesicles
Authors: Imayoshi R , Cho T , Kaminishi H
Published: July 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 17, 83–89

Objective:  This experiment was carried out in order to prove the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and the nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse macrophage cells (RAW264) which were stimulated by vesicles released from Porphyromonas gingivalis, and discussed about the role of vesicles in advance periodontal diseases.

Materials and Methods:  Production of NO2− in RAW264 cells was investigated after 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 h of stimulation with P. gingivalis vesicles. NO was analyzed by HPLC‐based flow reactor system with Griess reagent. The cells stained by the enzyme‐labeled antibody method, after being stimulated with vesicles for 12 h. The iNOS proteins, which were expressed in RAW264 cells after 12 h of stimulation with vesicles, were detected by western blot.

Results:  When stimulated with vesicles from W83 and from ATCC33277, the RAW264 cells produced NO, but cell proteins that came in contact with the vesicles were degraded by protease activities in vesicles. When stimulated with vesicles from gingipain‐deficient mutant strain KDP136, the RAW264 cells produced NO, but the quality was about 60%, compared with the vesicles from ATCC33277.

Conclusion:  The results suggest that vesicles are not only just a part of bacterial component, but also are a toxic complex of lipopolysaccharide and protease, and one of the putative virulence factor for periodontal diseases that continue inflammation and cause chronic conditions.
The standardization–generalization dilemma: a way out
Authors: Josef van der Staay F. , Arndt S. S. , Nordquist R. E.
Published: July 2010

Recently, a debate has emerged on the use and necessity of standardization in experimental testing using animal subjects. The difficulties encountered when trying to reconcile standardization and generalization largely underlie this debate. The more specific the testing procedures are, the less one can generalize to more naturalistic situations, including to human clinical populations. If the goal of a study is to generalize to a larger population, there may be a higher risk attached to false‐positive than false‐negative results; thus the balance sways toward generalization. Heterogenization of housing conditions and of genetic makeup of experimental animals has been suggested as a possible method to increase the generalizability of results. It is important to remain cognizant, however, of situations in which false negatives can be counterproductive or even dangerous, such as when the goal is to elucidate a physiological mechanism, when expected effect sizes are small, in toxicological studies and in drug safety testing. In such cases, experiments based on standardization may provide more useful information. We pose that it is essential that the goal of the specific experiment conducted is clearly defined and that the decision to balance between standardization and generalization must be made based on the specific needs to meet the intended goal. In this light, we discuss a multi‐tiered approach to animal experimentation, in which standardization and generalizability are each given precedence during different phases of a project, depending upon the goal of the experiment.
Acute locomotor responses to cocaine in adolescents vs. adults from four divergent inbred mouse strains
Authors: Zombeck J. A. , Swearingen S. P. , Rhodes J. S.
Published: July 2010

Growing evidence suggests that adolescent mice display differential sensitivity to the acute locomotor activating effects of cocaine as compared to adults, but the direction of the difference varies across studies and the reasons are not clear. Few studies have directly examined genetic contributions to age differences in locomotor stimulation from cocaine. The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which reduced stimulation in C57BL/6J adolescents as compared to adults generalizes to other strains. Therefore, we examined male and female mice from four genetically divergent inbred stains (BALB/cByJ, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J and FVB/NJ) at two ages, postnatal day 30 and postnatal day 65. Mice received either saline or cocaine (15 or 30 mg/kg), and then immediately were placed back into their home cages. Locomotor activity was recorded continuously in the home cage by video tracking. Adolescents displayed reduced stimulation as compared to adults for C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ and female FVB/NJ mice. No age differences were observed for DBA/2J or male FVB/NJ. No main effects of sex were observed. Strain differences in pharmacokinetics, neural development or physiology could contribute to the observed differences between ages across strains. Future comparative studies could discover biological differences between strains that explain age differences in cocaine sensitivity.
Bilateral areolar and periareolar pityriasis versicolor
Authors: Sárdy Miklós , Korting Hans Christian , Ruzicka Thomas , Wolff Hans
Published: July 2010

An adolescent boy presented with isolated, symmetrical, bilateral areolar and periareolar pityriasis versicolor. This extremely rare condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of light brown patches on the areolae.
Dermatologic diseases and their effects on male sexual functions
Authors: Ermertcan Aylin Türel , Temeltaş Gökhan
Published: July 2010

Chronic skin diseases may result in a variety of psychological problems, including distress, demoralization, poor self esteem, sleep disturbances, social phobia, anxiety, depression and obsessive‐compulsive disorder. It is known that skin diseases may also cause sexual problems.

Sexual activity remains important for most men throughout their adult lives and into old age. Impairment in their sexual experience can cause significant personal and interpersonal distress at any age. Sexual dysfunction in chronic systemic diseases has become a popular and important health concern in recent years. This subject is quite new in the specialty of dermatology. We explore the relationships between dermatologic diseases and male sexual dysfunction.
Examination of facilitators and barriers to home‐based supplemental feeding with ready‐to‐use food for underweight children in western Uganda
Authors: Ickes Scott Bradley , Jilcott Stephanie B. , Myhre Jennifer A. , Adair Linda S. , Thirumurthy Harsha , Handa Sudhanshu , Bentley Margaret E. , Ammerman Alice S.
Published: July 2010

Poor complementary feeding practices and low‐quality complementary foods are significant causes of growth faltering and child mortality throughout the developing world. Ready‐to‐use foods (RUF) are energy‐dense, lipid‐based products that do not require cooking or refrigeration that have been used to prevent and treat malnutrition among vulnerable children. The effectiveness of these products in improving child nutritional status depends on household use by caregivers. To identify the key facilitators and barriers that influence appropriate in‐home RUF consumption by supplemental feeding program beneficiaries, we conducted individual interviews among caregivers (n = 80), RUF producers (n = 8) and program staff (n = 10) involved in the Byokulia Bisemeye mu Bantu supplemental feeding program in Bundibugyo, Uganda. By documenting caregiver perceptions and feeding practices related to RUF, we developed a conceptual framework of factors that affect appropriate feeding with RUF. Findings suggest that locally produced RUF is well received by caregivers and children, and is perceived by caregivers and the community to be a healthy supplemental food for malnourished children. However, child feeding practices, including sharing of RUF within households, compromise the nutrient delivery to the intended child. Interventions and educational messages informed by this study can help to improve RUF delivery to targeted beneficiaries.
Where Do Social Ties Come From: Institutional Framework and Governmental Tie Distribution among Chinese Managers
Authors: Li Stan Xiao , Yao Xiaotao , Sue-Chan Christina , Xi Youmin
Published: July 2010

This study identifies the societal institutional framework as the cause for the tie distribution issue — the sizes of ego-networks of social actors are unevenly distributed across social categories of these social actors. The analysis of 250 Chinese firms showed that managers employed by state-owned enterprises possess more governmental tie channels – conduits to get acquainted with government officials – than those employed by non-state-owned enterprises. Governmental tie channels completely mediated the relationship between ownership types and the number of government ties in the manager's social network.
Creativity in Eastern and Western Civilizations: The Lessons of Historiometry
Authors: Simonton Dean Keith , Ting Shing-Shiang
Published: July 2010

What are the fundamental factors that promote highly influential creativity? How do these factors differ in Western and Far Eastern civilizations? Many researchers have addressed these questions using historiometrics, a method that tests nomothetic hypotheses about human behaviour by subjecting historical and biographical data to objective and quantitative analyses. These investigations may entail either aggregate-level analyses (e.g., generational time series of creative activity) or individual-level analyses (e.g., cross-sectional studies of creative achievement). Moreover, the empirical findings in each of these two approaches fall into two categories of East-West comparisons: (i) shared variables and convergent results and (ii) shared variables and divergent results. After reviewing representative findings in each of these categories, we discuss what the results imply about the nature of high-impact creativity in the East and West and also explore areas of potential future historiometric research.
Nonpoint‐Source Pollution Reduction for an Iowa Watershed: An Application of Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Rabotyagov Sergey S. , Jha Manoj , Campbell Todd D.
Published: July 2010

We apply an integrated simulation‐optimization framework to search for cost‐efficient mix and location of agricultural conservation practices in a typical agricultural watershed for two types of nitrogen reduction targets: control of mean annual nitrogen loadings, and a “safety‐first” type constraint, insisting that nitrogen targets be met in every weather realization (weather‐resilient solutions). Evolutionary algorithms are developed for each of the appropriate water quality targets. Our approach allows for the derivation of a watershed‐level total and marginal nitrogen abatement cost curve. Controlling for the probability of meeting water quality targets (looking for weather‐resilient solutions) is found to be significantly more costly than controlling the average nitrogen loadings. Both types of solutions are assessed for robustness with respect to weather uncertainty: solutions selected to reduce average loadings do well under weather uncertainty, while the robustness of solutions selected to be resilient decreases with the stringency of the water quality goal.

Nous avons appliqué un modèle intégré de simulation‐optimisation pour trouver des combinaisons de pratiques agricoles de conservation efficaces en terme de coûts et les endroits où elles devraient être adoptées dans un bassin versant agricole typique pour deux types de cibles de réduction des charges d’azote : la surveillance des charges moyennes annuelles d’azote et une contrainte du type « sécurité d’abord », selon laquelle les cibles d’azote doivent être respectées peu importe les conditions météorologiques (solutions robustes aux changements météorologiques). Nous avons élaboré des algorithmes évolutifs pour chaque cible relative à la qualité de l’eau. Notre approche a permis de dériver la courbe de coût liéà la réduction marginale et totale de l’azote dans un bassin versant. L’ajustement de la probabilité que les cibles relatives à la qualité de l’eau soient respectées (solutions robustes aux changements météorologiques) s’est révélé significativement plus coûteux que de contrôler les charges moyennes d’azote. Nous avons évalué les deux types de solutions afin de vérifier leur performance dans des conditions météorologiques incertaines : les solutions retenues pour réduire les charges moyennes fonctionnent bien dans des conditions météorologiques incertaines, tandis que la performance des solutions robustes aux conditions météorologiques diminue avec le niveau visé de qualité de l’eau.
Fish and boats: Fisheries management issues in Northland
Authors: Winder Gordon M. , Rees Eugene
Published: July 2010

New Zealand fisheries management has been the focus of a great deal of research, largely because of the early, and very successful, introduction of a neoliberal property regime in the country's commercial fisheries. Less attention has been paid to the other management activities of New Zealand's Ministry of Fisheries. This paper outlines the fisheries management issues arising over the last decade in the region to the north of Auckland and the practices of the Ministry as it worked to address them.
Surveillance of vivax malaria vectors and civilian patients for malaria high‐risk areas in northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces near the demilitarized zone, Republic of Korea, 2003–2006
Authors: SHIM Jae Chul , LEE Dong‐Kyu , KLEIN Terry A. , KIM Heung‐Chul , LEE Won‐Ja , IM Heung Ku
Published: July 2010

After re‐emergence of malaria in 1993, a continued increase in Plasmodium vivax cases was observed from 1993 to 2006 in northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces adjacent to the demilitarized zone separating North from South Korea. Annual parasite incidence per 1000 people ranged from 0.33 in 2004 to 0.89 in 2006. While malaria case rates declined (22.6%) in 2004, they increased 75.1% in 2005 and 51.7% in 2006 from the previous years. An initial incorrect diagnosis of 46.8% of malaria cases as common cold resulted in a mean delay of 1.3 days for the detection malarial parasites. Of the total cases, 10.2% from December to May were due to latent intrinsic incubation infections acquired the previous malaria season and the rest of the cases from June to November were either latent or short incubation infections. Overall, the peak anopheline population occurred from July to September, resulting in a similar peak in malaria cases. While malaria cases increased during 2005–2006, anopheline populations, based on trap indices, were not significantly different during 4 years of surveillance. To decrease the malaria patient infective period to mosquitoes, public health centers in Paju and Cheorwon in 2006 prescribed chloroquine + primaquine at days 0–3 after initial malaria diagnosis followed by an additional 11 days of primaquine (early primaquine treatment), rather than chloroquine on days 0–3 and primaquine on days 4–17 (delayed primaquine treatment). A reduction in the malaria parasite incidence during 2007 was recorded for the two locations offering the early primaquine treatment relative to other locations using the delayed primaquine treatment.
Subtle visits despite guards: Theft from nest of stingless bee (Meliponini) by orchid bee (Euglossini)
Authors: SANTOS Charles Fernando dos , BOFF Samuel
Published: July 2010

The theft of food items and building materials from nests of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) is most commonly carried out by other Meliponini bee species, especially by those related to genus Lestrimelitta Friese, 1903. In this note, we recorded the theft of cerumen and propolis made by a species of the orchid bee, Euglossa annectans Dressler, 1982 (Apidae: Euglossini) from the nest of the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille, 1811). We noticed that the guard workers of T. angustula did not attack the thief bee even though it did not come sufficiently close to the entrance tube of the nest.