bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causal Mechanisms: Yes, But…
Authors: Gerring John
Published: July 2010

In recent years, the importance of mechanism-centered explanation has become an article of faith within the social sciences, uniting researchers from a wide variety of methodological traditions—quantitative and qualitative, experimental and nonexperimental, nomothetic and idiographic, formal models and narrative prose. Despite its many virtues, there are reasons to be skeptical of social science’s newfound infatuation with causal mechanisms. First, the concept of a mechanism-centered (“mechanismic”) explanation is fundamentally ambiguous, meaning different things to different people. Second, the minimal objectives associated with the turn to mechanisms—to specify causal mechanisms and engage in detailed causal reasoning—are not at variance with traditional practices in the social sciences and thus hardly qualify as a distinct approach to causal assessment. Finally, the more demanding goal of rigorously testing causal mechanisms in causal arguments is admirable but often unrealistic. To clarify, this is not a polemic against mechanisms. It is a polemic against a dogmatic interpretation of the mechanismic mission. Causal mechanisms are rightly regarded as an important, but secondary, element of causal assessment—by no means a necessary condition.
Factors Affecting Juror Decisions in Historic Child Sexual Abuse Cases Involving Continuous Memories
Authors: Pozzulo Joanna D. , Dempsey Julie L. , Crescini Charmagne
Published: July 2010

The study investigated how jurors perceived historic child sexual abuse (HCSA) cases involving continuous rather than repressed memories of the abuse. Mock jurors ( N = 295) read a simulated trial transcript involving a case of HCSA that varied the length of delay between the end of the alleged abuse and time of reporting (2 vs. 15 vs. 30 years), relationship to the alleged victim (uncle vs. former coach), and abuse frequency (1 vs. 12 times). The effects of these variables on mock jurors’ decisions were investigated. The shorter delay led to significantly higher guilt ratings and lengthier sentence recommendations compared with longer delays. Mock jurors assigned higher guilt ratings when the defendant was the uncle rather than the coach but only when the abuse was perpetrated once rather than 12 times. Mock jurors were more confident in their verdict decisions when the defendant was the uncle rather than the coach and when the abuse occurred 12 times rather than once.
Cumulative and Career-Stage Citation Impact of Social-Personality Psychology Programs and Their Members
Authors: Nosek Brian A. , Graham Jesse , Lindner Nicole M. , Kesebir Selin , Hawkins Carlee Beth , Hahn Cheryl , Schmidt Kathleen , Motyl Matt , Joy-Gaba Jennifer , Frazier Rebecca , Tenney Elizabeth R.
Published: July 2010

Number of citations and the h-index are popular metrics for indexing scientific impact. These, and other existing metrics, are strongly related to scientists’ seniority. This article introduces complementary indicators that are unrelated to the number of years since PhD. To illustrate cumulative and career-stage approaches for assessing the scientific impact across a discipline, citations for 611 scientists from 97 U.S. and Canadian social psychology programs are amassed and analyzed. Results provide benchmarks for evaluating impact across the career span in psychology and other disciplines with similar citation patterns. Career-stage indicators provide a very different perspective on individual and program impact than cumulative impact, and may predict emerging scientists and programs. Comparing social groups, Whites and men had higher impact than non-Whites and women, respectively. However, average differences in career stage accounted for most of the difference for both groups.
Violent and victimized bodies: Sexual violence policy in England and Wales
Authors: Phipps Alison
Published: July 2010

This paper uses the notion of the body to frame an archaeology of sexual violence policy in England and Wales, applying and developing Pillow’s ideas. It argues that the dominant construction is of sexual violence as an individualized crime, with the solution being for a survivor to report, and with support often instrumentalized in relation to criminal justice objectives. However, criminal justice proceedings can intensify or create further trauma for sexual violence survivors. Furthermore, in addition to criminalizing the violent body and supporting the victimized one, there is a need for policy to produce alternative types of bodies through preventative interventions. Much sexual violence is situated within (hetero) sexual dynamics constructing a masculine aggressor and a feminine body which eventually yields. Prevention must therefore focus on developing embodied boundaries, and narratives at the margins of policy could underpin such efforts.
Using the Jazz Metaphor to Enhance Student Learning and Skill Development in the Marketing Research Course
Authors: Mills Michael Kenneth
Published: July 2010

The marketing research course is often a very challenging one both for students and instructors. This article discusses how the jazz metaphor can aid the instructor in both facilitating students’ learning of the more basic as well as the more specific skills that make up the course, in addition to contributing more to student enjoyment of the marketing research subject. Reflective, experiential learning-based classroom illustrations and suggestions for jazz metaphor implementation by students and instructor are also provided.
Seismic stability analysis of expanded MSW landfills using pseudo-static limit equilibrium method
Authors: Choudhury Deepankar , Savoikar Purnanand
Published: July 2010

Capacity expansion of existing landfills is the most economical alternative to constructing new landfills where cost of land is prohibitive. From the safety point of view, the stability analyses of existing landfills expanded either vertically and/or laterally are required for different stages of construction, operation and during closure of a landfill. In the present study, a pseudo-static limit equilibrium seismic stability analysis was performed for a typical side-hill type municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill expanded using an engineered berm. Seismic stability analyses were performed for the two critical cases, namely when the failure surface passes below the berm (under berm) and when the failure surface passes over the back slope of the berm (over berm). Close-form solutions were developed for the upper bound and lower bound factor of safety and the yield acceleration of such slopes under both failure conditions. From parametric analyses it was observed that as the height of the berm increased, the factor of safety for both the over-berm failure and the under-berm failure conditions also increased. The average factor of safety and yield acceleration coefficient were found and the under-berm failure condition became critical for a back slope steeper than 1.7H : 1V. The average factor of safety decreased as both horizontal and vertical seismic accelerations increased. Comparisons between the present results and those in the literature for the static case showed good agreement and the present results of the pseudo-static seismic case were found to be of particular importance.
Recycling of hazardous waste from tertiary aluminium industry in a value-added material
Authors: Gonzalo-Delgado Laura , López-Delgado Aurora , López Félix Antonio , Alguacil Francisco José , López-Andrés Sol
Published: July 2010

The recent European Directive on waste, 2008/98/EC seeks to reduce the exploitation of natural resources through the use of secondary resource management. Thus the main objective of this study was to explore how a waste could cease to be considered as waste and could be utilized for a specific purpose. In this way, a hazardous waste from the tertiary aluminium industry was studied for its use as a raw material in the synthesis of an added-value product, boehmite. This waste is classified as a hazardous residue, principally because in the presence of water or humidity, it releases toxic gases such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane and hydrogen sulfide. The low temperature hydrothermal method developed permits the recovery of 90% of the aluminium content in the residue in the form of a high purity (96%) AlOOH (boehmite). The method of synthesis consists of an initial HCl digestion followed by a gel precipitation. In the first stage a 10% HCl solution is used to yield a 12.63 g L-1 Al 3+ solution. In the second stage boehmite is precipitated in the form of a gel by increasing the pH of the acid Al3+ solution by adding 1 mol L-1 NaOH solution. Several pH values were tested and boehmite was obtained as the only crystalline phase at pH 8. Boehmite was completely characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy. A study of its thermal behaviour was also carried out by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis.
Is Sleep Duration Associated With Obesity in Older Australian Adults?
Authors: Magee Christopher A. , Caputi Peter , Iverson Don C.
Published: July 2010

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between sleep duration and obesity in older Australian adults. Method: Self-reported health data were collected through the 45 and Up Study. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to test the relationship between sleep duration and body mass index, controlling for a range of demographic and health-related variables. Results: The sample included 45,325 Australian adults aged 55 to 95 years. The regression models demonstrated that short and long sleep were associated with obesity in 55- to 64-year-olds but not in those aged 65 years and above. Discussion: The present results suggest that the relationships between sleep duration and obesity previously reported in young and middle-aged adults are not evident in older adults. The absence of these relationships could reflect a combination of age-related factors that impact on sleep and body composition.
Voracious Cultural Consumption
Authors: Katz-Gerro Tally , Sullivan Oriel
Published: July 2010

This article contributes to the study of stratification in consumption activities by focusing on the association between ‘voracious’ leisure, gender and social status. Cultural voraciousness is a measure of the pace and pattern of leisure activities designed to complement the concept of cultural omnivorousness. We show that men are more voracious than women but that the pattern of the relationship with social status is not significantly different: individuals with higher levels of human, economic and cultural capital are more voracious than others regardless of gender. However, we find support for a reinforcement effect of gender and social status, which creates the greatest differential in voraciousness between men with the highest social status and women with the lowest, lending support to the idea that voracious cultural consumption acts as a marker of social boundaries and a sign of social exclusion.
Gendered Divisions in Domestic Work Time
Authors: Kilkey Majella , Perrons Diane
Published: July 2010

Drawing on quantitative analysis of three data sets — the Worker Registration Scheme, the Labour Force Survey, and the UK2000 Time Use Survey — and through an analysis of gendered use of time, this article provides an investigation of the small but growing phenomenon of male (migrant) domestic workers, and more specifically, of what we term the ‘(migrant) handyman phenomenon’, in the UK. The article provides some preliminary documentation and discussion of the scale, characteristics, and drivers of the supply of and demand for these workers. By handymen we are referring to men doing traditionally ‘masculine’ domestic jobs such as home maintenance and gardening. We explore the gender-differentiated character of household work, including care, the implications for the gendered forms and quality of time experienced by women and men, and the ensuing feasibility of and demand for outsourcing these stereotypically masculine activities. In so doing we acknowledge the potential of current expectations of men to be both breadwinners and hands-on fathers to generate new time pressures for households . We also document the supply of migrant handymen coming from the accession countries of the European Union. By focusing on stereotypically masculinized forms of domestic work the article seeks to make a modest contribution to the literature on globalization, migration and social reproduction, which to date has largely focused on the more prevalent phenomenon of migrants engaged in traditionally female domestic work such as cleaning and caring.
Dieting Temporalities
Authors: Coleman Rebecca
Published: July 2010

In the context of a concern with achieving a healthy and desirable weight, this article explores the temporalities that underpin dieting and that are produced through interaction with a dieting web site. In contrast to a linear progressive temporality that successful dieting is often understood through, I suggest that the dieting website at stake here attends to and creates new kinds of dieting temporalities, where time is understood as potontial rather than as something which can necessarily be planned. Acknowledging the multiple temporalities of dieting involves an understanding of agency that is not (only) repressed but enabled through interaction with the website’s interface. As such, it becomes important to trace the relationship between temporalities and the kinds of measure involved in online dieting.
Pure Erythropoiesis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Talmon Geoffrey A.
Published: July 2010

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a phenomenon in which benign immature hematopoietic cells are found in sites other than the bone marrow. Although usually associated with an underlying hematologic abnormality such as myelofibrosis, it can be found in some physiologic states or occasionally within solid tumors. In most instances, foci of EMH contain elements of all cell lineages. Presented here is the second reported case of EMH occurring in a low-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma in a patient without evidence of hematologic disease. As previously, it manifested as pure erythropoiesis as confirmed by morphology and immunohistochemistry. It is possible that this finding is related to erythropoietin secretion by the tumor and not hematologic malignancy.
An Integrated Perspective of Service Recovery: A Sociotechnical Systems Approach
Authors: Smith Jeffery S. , Fox Gavin L. , Ramirez Edward
Published: July 2010

This study examines service recovery from an internal, operations-oriented perspective. Specifically, a model grounded in sociotechnical systems (STS) theory is developed and tested to investigate the relationships between service recovery systems, recovery climates, employee abilities and actions, and recovery performance. A sample of 221 general service employees is used to empirically test the proposed model. Results support the STS perspective and suggest that an integrated recovery system is essential in establishing a recovery climate, which in turn enables employee efficacy and reduces avoidance behaviors. Additionally, employee efficacy has a positive effect on performance, while avoidance leads to ineffective failure correction. The results presented herein highlight the need for service practitioners to consider designing and implementing integrated recovery systems in order to enhance the abilities of employees, while heightening the likelihood of failure correction. Furthermore, this study provides an initial step in moving the recovery literature into a more theory-driven direction.
The Impact of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) on Mexican American Students Enrolled in a 4-Year University
Authors: Mendiola Irma Doris , Watt Karen M. , Huerta Jeffery
Published: July 2010

This qualitative study investigates the postsecondary progress of 42 Mexican American students who participated in Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) in high school and are now attending a Hispanic-serving institution in South Texas. Findings from student surveys, high school and university transcripts, and small group interviews indicate that AVID program components had “staying power” for students navigating through college and were positively related to students’ academic experiences.
Between Dominance, Dependence, Negotiation, and Compromise: European Architecture and Urban Planning Practices in Colonial India
Authors: Sen Siddhartha
Published: July 2010

The article discusses the imposition of European models of architecture and urban planning within India, as well as the negotiations and compromises that took place in shaping colonial urbanism. Insights from multiple analytical and theoretical frameworks are used in the article, and it draws from post-structuralism and theories of dependent urbanism to provide an explanation for imposition architecture and urban planning as instruments of domination, subjugation, and control, and the discourses that accompanied such practices. Postcolonial theory provides the analytical inspiration for explaining the resistance offered by the indigenous population against the domination, subjugation, control and negotiations and compromises that took place in shaping colonial urbanism. Insights of postcolonial theory are also used for discourse analysis carried out in the article. Drawing from theories of dependent urbanism, the article examines how the changing nature of the international political and economic landscape, and internal political situation, as well as motives for colonization, influenced the European settlement patterns.
Food safety: Unfinished business
Authors: Pennington Hugh
Published: July 2010

Hugh Pennington is Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen. Here he highlights similarities between the South Wales E. coli outbreak in 2005 and the Nimrod MR2 crash in Afghanistan a year later, and emphasises the need to learn more about ‘super shedders’
Customer involvement in food hygiene
Authors: Leach Jeremy
Published: July 2010

Dr Jeremy Leach, FRSPH, Public Health Development Manager and Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner at Wealden District Council in East Sussex, advocates a more active involvement by customers to improve food hygiene
Accounting Research in the Cornell Quarterly: A Review with Suggestions for Future Research
Authors: Hesford James W. , Potter Gordon
Published: July 2010

An analysis of accounting-related articles published in the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly shows a shift from prescription to description, with an increasing use of scientific research methods. The authors found that the literature has examined the industry’s use of the Uniform System of Accounts, cost management, and management control systems, including the effects of nonfinancial measures and the balanced scorecard. Although a uniform system of accounts offers consistency, it may limit a hotel manager’s ability to match costs with departmental revenues. Budgeting and capital budgeting are particularly difficult issues for the hospitality industry, due to the fact that most hotels involve independent parties as ownership and management. One oddity of the hospitality industry is that few managers adjust budgets to reflect operational outcomes. In addition to their review, the authors provide suggestions for future research.
Inverse analysis of flow behaviour of AISI 304 stainless steel casing and Nd–Fe–B magnet at different strain rates
Authors: Narayan S. P. , Pathak K. K. , Mishra D. D.
Published: July 2010

Nanocrystalline Nd–Fe–B magnets are the most promising permanent magnets for high value applications. Strain rate and temperature have been established as the important parameters under dynamic processing for the development of texture and optimisation of magnetic properties. Experiments have been carried out at the constant true strain rates of 0·01, 0·5 and 5·0 s–1 at 800°C. Flow stress generated from the experiments represents the combined effect of casing and magnet. To isolate the effect of stainless steel casing, composite deformation has been studied using finite element method. In this way, flow behaviour of steel and Nd–Fe–B magnet has been evaluated.
Study on nanocrystalline dual phase Ni–Co alloy with high strength and excellent ductility
Authors: Xu W. C. , Dai P. Q. , Wu X. L. , Tang D.
Published: July 2010

In the present study, the room temperature mechanical properties of nanocrystalline Ni and Ni–75 wt-Co alloy, prepared by pulse electrodeposition, were contrasted. Both higher strength and higher ductility were obtained for the Ni–75Co alloy with a dual phase structure and an average grain size of 7·2 nm. By means of TEM observations of grain structures before and after tensile deformation for Ni and Ni–75Co samples, a link between the ductility and the variation of stress induced grain growth during tensile deformation was established. Observations of TEM showed stress induced grain growth during tensile deformation, subjected to very high stresses and large strains, is very insignificant for the Ni–75Co alloy in sharp contrast to the significant stress induced grain growth occurring in Ni. It was proposed that suppression of stress induced grain growth during tensile deformation can delay and even prohibit formation of shear banding plastic instability and thus enhances uniform strain leading to an enhanced ductility.
Intensive chemotherapy does not benefit most older patients (age 70 years or older) with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop , Ravandi Farhad , O'Brien Susan , Cortes Jorge , Faderl Stefan , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Jabbour Elias , Wierda William , Kadia Tapan , Pierce Sherry , Shan Jianqin , Keating Michael , Freireich Emil J.
Published: July 2010

Patients ≥ 70 years of age with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a poor prognosis. Recent studies suggested that intensive AML-type therapy is tolerated and may benefit most. We analyzed 446 patients ≥ 70 years of age with AML (≥ 20% blasts) treated with cytarabine-based intensive chemotherapy between 1990 and 2008 to identify risk groups for high induction (8-week) mortality. Excluding patients with favorable karyotypes, the overall complete response rate was 45%, 4-week mortality was 26%, and 8-week mortality was 36%. The median survival was 4.6 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 28%. Survival was similar among patients treated before 2000 and since 2000. A multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for 8-week mortality identified the following to be independently adverse: age ≥ 80 years, complex karyotypes, (≥ 3 abnormalities), poor performance (2-4 Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group), and elevated creatinine > 1.3 mg/dL. Patients with none (28%), 1 (40%), 2 (23%), or ≥ 3 factors (9%) had estimated 8-week mortality rates of 16%, 31%, 55%, and 71% respectively. The 8-week mortality model also predicted for differences in complete response and survival rates. In summary, the prognosis of most patients (72%) ≥ 70 years of age with AML is poor with intensive chemotherapy (8-week mortality ≥ 30%; median survival < 6 months).
Eradication of B-lineage cells and regression of lymphoma in a patient treated with autologous T cells genetically engineered to recognize CD19
Authors: Kochenderfer James N. , Wilson Wyndham H. , Janik John E. , Dudley Mark E. , Stetler-Stevenson Maryalice , Feldman Steven A. , Maric Irina , Raffeld Mark , Nathan Debbie-Ann N. , Lanier Brock J. , Morgan Richard A. , Rosenberg Steven A.
Published: July 2010

Adoptive transfer of genetically modified T cells is an attractive approach for generating antitumor immune responses. We treated a patient with advanced follicular lymphoma by administering a preparative chemotherapy regimen followed by autologous T cells genetically engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that recognized the B-cell antigen CD19. The patient's lymphoma underwent a dramatic regression, and B-cell precursors were selectively eliminated from the patient's bone marrow after infusion of anti–CD19-CAR-transduced T cells. Blood B cells were absent for at least 39 weeks after anti–CD19-CAR-transduced T-cell infusion despite prompt recovery of other blood cell counts. Consistent with eradication of B-lineage cells, serum immunoglobulins decreased to very low levels after treatment. The prolonged and selective elimination of B-lineage cells could not be attributed to the chemotherapy that the patient received and indicated antigen-specific eradication of B-lineage cells. Adoptive transfer of anti–CD19-CAR-expressing T cells is a promising new approach for treating B-cell malignancies. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00924326.
Differential behaviour of normal, transformed and Fanconi's anemia lymphoblastoid cells to modeled microgravity
Authors: Cuccarolo Paola , Barbieri Francesca , Sancandi Monica , Viaggi Silvia , Degan Paolo
Published: July 2010

Background

Whether microgravity might influence tumour growth and carcinogenesis is still an open issue. It is not clear also if and how normal and transformed cells are differently solicited by microgravity. The present study was designed to verify this issue.

Methods

Two normal, LB and HSC93, and two transformed, Jurkat and 1310, lymphoblast cell lines were used as representative for the two conditions. Two lymphoblast lines from Fanconi's anemia patients group A and C (FA-A and FA-C, respectively), along with their isogenic corrected counterparts (FA-A-cor and FA-C-cor) were also used. Cell lines were evaluated for their proliferative ability, vitality and apoptotic susceptibility upon microgravity exposure in comparison with unexposed cells. Different parameters correlated to energy metabolism, glucose consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular ATP content, red-ox balance and ability of the cells to repair the DNA damage product 8-OHdG induced by the treatment of the cells with 20 mM KBrO3 were also evaluated.

Results

Transformed Jurkat and 1310 cells appear resistant to the microgravitational challenge. On the contrary normal LB and HSC93 cells display increased apoptotic susceptibility, shortage of energy storages and reduced ability to cope with oxidative stress. FA-A and FA-C cells appear resistant to microgravity exposure, analogously to transformed cells. FA corrected cells did shown intermediate sensitivity to microgravity exposure suggesting that genetic correction does not completely reverts cellular phenotype.

Conclusions

In the light of the reported results microgravity should be regarded as an harmful condition either when considering normal as well as transformed cells. Modeled microgravity and space-based technology are interesting tools in the biomedicine laboratory and offer an original, useful and unique approach in the study of cellular biochemistry and in the regulation of metabolic pathways.
Inference on population history and model checking using DNA sequence and microsatellite data with the software DIYABC (v1.0)
Authors: Cornuet Jean-Marie , Ravigné Virgine , Estoup Arnaud
Published: July 2010

Background

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is a recent flexible class of Monte-Carlo algorithms increasingly used to make model-based inference on complex evolutionary scenarios that have acted on natural populations. The software DIYABC offers a user-friendly interface allowing non-expert users to consider population histories involving any combination of population divergences, admixtures and population size changes. We here describe and illustrate new developments of this software that mainly include (i) inference from DNA sequence data in addition or separately to microsatellite data, (ii) the possibility to analyze five categories of loci considering balanced or non balanced sex ratios: autosomal diploid, autosomal haploid, X-linked, Y-linked and mitochondrial, and (iii) the possibility to perform model checking computation to assess the "goodness-of-fit" of a model, a feature of ABC analysis that has been so far neglected.

Results

We used controlled simulated data sets generated under evolutionary scenarios involving various divergence and admixture events to evaluate the effect of mixing autosomal microsatellite, mtDNA and/or nuclear autosomal DNA sequence data on inferences. This evaluation included the comparison of competing scenarios and the quantification of their relative support, and the estimation of parameter posterior distributions under a given scenario. We also considered a set of scenarios often compared when making ABC inferences on the routes of introduction of invasive species to illustrate the interest of the new model checking option of DIYABC to assess model misfit.

Conclusions

Our new developments of the integrated software DIYABC should be particularly useful to make inference on complex evolutionary scenarios involving both recent and ancient historical events and using various types of molecular markers in diploid or haploid organisms. They offer a handy way for non-expert users to achieve model checking computation within an ABC framework, hence filling up a gap of ABC analysis. The software DIYABC V1.0 is freely available athttp://www1.montpellier.inra.fr/CBGP/diyabc.
Comparative genome analysis of a large Dutch Legionella pneumophila strain collection identifies five markers highly correlated with clinical strains
Authors: Yzerman Ed , den Boer Jeroen W , Caspers Martien , Almal Arpit , Worzel Bill , van der Meer Walter , Montijn Roy , Schuren Frank
Published: July 2010

Background

Discrimination between clinical and environmental strains within many bacterial species is currently underexplored. Genomic analyses have clearly shown the enormous variability in genome composition between different strains of a bacterial species. In this study we have used Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaire's disease, to search for genomic markers related to pathogenicity. During a large surveillance study in The Netherlands well-characterized patient-derived strains and environmental strains were collected. We have used a mixed-genome microarray to perform comparative-genome analysis of 257 strains from this collection.

Results

Microarray analysis indicated that 480 DNA markers (out of in total 3360 markers) showed clear variation in presence between individual strains and these were therefore selected for further analysis. Unsupervised statistical analysis of these markers showed the enormous genomic variation within the species but did not show any correlation with a pathogenic phenotype. We therefore used supervised statistical analysis to identify discriminating markers. Genetic programming was used both to identify predictive markers and to define their interrelationships. A model consisting of five markers was developed that together correctly predicted 100% of the clinical strains and 69% of the environmental strains.

Conclusions

A novel approach for identifying predictive markers enabling discrimination between clinical and environmental isolates of L. pneumophila is presented. Out of over 3000 possible markers, five were selected that together enabled correct prediction of all the clinical strains included in this study. This novel approach for identifying predictive markers can be applied to all bacterial species, allowing for better discrimination between strains well equipped to cause human disease and relatively harmless strains.
Effects of MCF2L2, ADIPOQ and SOX2 genetic polymorphisms on the development of nephropathy in type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zhang Dongying , Efendic Suad , Brismar Kerstin , Gu Harvest F
Published: July 2010

Background

MCF2L2, ADIPOQ and SOX2 genes are located in chromosome 3q26-27, which is linked to diabetic nephropathy (DN). ADIPOQ and SOX2 genetic polymorphisms are found to be associated with DN. In the present study, we first investigated the association between MCF2L2 and DN, and then evaluated effects of these three genes on the development of DN.

Methods

A total of 1177 type 1 diabetes patients with and without DN from the GoKinD study were genotyped with TaqMan allelic discrimination. All subjects were of European descent.

Results

Leu359Ile T/G variant in the MCF2L2 gene was found to be associated with DN in female subjects (P = 0.017, OR = 0.701, 95%CI 0.524-0.938) but not in males. The GG genotype carriers among female patients with DN had tendency decreased creatinine and cystatin levels compared to the carriers with either TT or TG genotypes. This polymorphism MCF2L2-rs7639705 together with SNPs of ADIPOQ-rs266729 and SOX2-rs11915160 had combined effects on decreased risk of DN in females (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The present study provides evidence that MCF2L2, ADIPOQ and SOX2 genetic polymorphisms have effects on the resistance of DN in female T1D patients, and suggests that the linkage with DN in chromosome 3q may be explained by the cumulated genetic effects.
The relationship between staff skill mix, costs and outcomes in intermediate care services
Authors: Dixon Simon , Kaambwa Billingsley , Nancarrow Susan , Martin Graham P , Bryan Stirling
Published: July 2010

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between skill mix, patient outcomes, length of stay and service costs in older peoples' intermediate care services in England.

Methods

We undertook multivariate analysis of data collected as part of the National Evaluation of Intermediate Care Services. Data were analysed on between 337 and 403 older people admitted to 14 different intermediate care teams. Independent variables were the numbers of different types of staff within a team and the ratio of support staff to professionally qualified staff within teams. Outcome measures include the Barthel index, EQ-5D, length of service provision and costs of care.

Results

Increased skill mix (raising the number of different types of staff by one) is associated with a 17% reduction in service costs (p = 0.011). There is weak evidence (p = 0.090) that a higher ratio of support staff to qualified staff leads to greater improvements in EQ-5D scores of patients.

Conclusions

This study provides limited evidence on the relationship between multidisciplinary skill mix and outcomes in intermediate care services.
Low temperature of radiofrequency ablation at the target sites can facilitate rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma
Authors: Ke Shan , Ding Xue-mei , Kong Jian , Gao Jun , Wang Shao-hong , Cheng Yan , Sun Wen-bing
Published: July 2010

Background

Rapid progression of residual tumor after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma has been observed increasingly. However, its underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. The present study was designed to determine whether low temperature of RFA at the target sites facilitates rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma and to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The residual VX2 hepatoma model in rabbits was established by using RFA at 55, 70 and 85°C. Rabbits that were implanted with VX2 hepatoma but did not receive RFA acted as a control group. The relationship between rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma and low temperature of RFA at the target sites was carefully evaluated. A number of potential contributing molecular factors, such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured.

Results

The focal tumor volume and lung metastases of RFA-treated rabbits increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and the greatest changes were seen in the 55°C group (P < 0.05). Expression of PCNA, MMP-9, VEGF, HGF and IL-6 in tumor tissues increased significantly in the RFA-treated groups compared with the control group, and of the increases were greatest in the 55°C group (P < 0.05). These results were consistent with gross pathological observation. Tumor re-inoculation experiments confirmed that low temperature of RFA at the target sites facilitated rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma.

Conclusions

Insufficient RFA that is caused by low temperature at the target sites could be an important cause of rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma. Residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma could facilitate its rapid progression through inducing overexpression of several molecular factors, such as PCNA, MMP-9, VEGF, HGF and IL-6.
An H5N1 M2e-based multiple antigenic peptide vaccine confers heterosubtypic protection from lethal infection with pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus
Authors: Zhao Guangyu , Sun Shihui , Du Lanying , Xiao Wenjun , Ru Zhitao , Kou Zhihua , Guo Yan , Yu Hong , Jiang Shibo , Lone Yuchun , Zheng Bo-Jian , Zhou Yusen
Published: July 2010

Background

A 2009 global influenza pandemic caused by a novel swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus has posted an increasing threat of a potential pandemic by the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, driving us to develop an influenza vaccine which confers cross-protection against both H5N1 and H1N1 viruses. Previously, we have shown that a tetra-branched multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) vaccine based on the extracellular domain of M2 protein (M2e) from H5N1 virus (H5N1-M2e-MAP) induced strong immune responses and cross-protection against different clades of HPAI H5N1 viruses. In this report, we investigated whether such M2e-MAP presenting the H5N1-M2e consensus sequence can afford heterosubtypic protection from lethal challenge with the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus.

Results

Our results demonstrated that H5N1-M2e-MAP plus Freund's or aluminum adjuvant induced strong cross-reactive IgG antibody responses against M2e of the pandemic H1N1 virus which contains one amino acid variation with M2e of H5N1 at position 13. These cross-reactive antibodies may maintain for 6 months and bounced back quickly to the previous high level after the 2nd boost administered 2 weeks before virus challenge. H5N1-M2e-MAP could afford heterosubtypic protection against lethal challenge with pandemic H1N1 virus, showing significant decrease of viral replications and obvious alleviation of histopathological damages in the challenged mouse lungs. 100% and 80% of the H5N1-M2e-MAP-vaccinated mice with Freund's and aluminum adjuvant, respectively, survived the lethal challenge with pandemic H1N1 virus.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that H5N1-M2e-MAP has a great potential to prevent the threat from re-emergence of pandemic H1N1 influenza and possible novel influenza pandemic due to the reassortment of HPAI H5N1 virus with the 2009 swine-origin H1N1 influenza virus.
Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Shargorodsky Marina , Debby Ortal , Matas Zipora , Zimlichman Reuven
Published: July 2010

Background

Antioxidant supplementations have the potential to alleviate the atherosclerotic damage caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study evaluated the effects of prolonged antioxidant treatment on arterial elasticity, inflammatory and metabolic measures in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Study participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 received oral supplementation with 2 capsules per day of Mid Life Guard, SupHerb, Israel. In each capsule vitamin C (500 mg) vitamin E (200 iu), co-enzyme Q10 (60 mg) and selenium (100 mcg), Group 2 received matching placebo(SupHerb) for 6 months. Patients were evaluated for lipid profile, HbA1C, insulin, C-peptide, hs-CRP, endothelin, aldosterone, plasma renin activity and Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Arterial elasticity was evaluated using pulse wave contour analysis (HDI CR 2000, Eagan, Minnesota).

Results

Antioxidant-treated patients exhibited significant increases in large arterial elasticity index (LAEI) as well as small arterial elasticity index (SAEI). A significant decline HbA1C and a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol were also observed. In the placebo group, significant changes in LAEI, SAEI or metabolic measures were not observed.

Conclusions

Antioxidant supplementation significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. This beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as decrease in blood pressure.
Determinants of breastfeeding initiation among mothers in Kuwait
Authors: Dashti Manal , Scott Jane A , Edwards Christine A , Al-Sughayer Mona
Published: July 2010

Background

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended as the optimal way to feed infants for the first six months of life. While overall breastfeeding rates are high, exclusive breastfeeding is relatively uncommon among Middle Eastern women. The objective of this study was to identify the incidence of breastfeeding amongst women in the six governorates of Kuwait and the factors associated with the initiation of breastfeeding.

Methods

A sample of 373 women (aged 17-47 years), recruited shortly after delivery from four hospitals in Kuwait, completed a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify those factors independently associated with the initiation of breastfeeding.

Results

In total, 92.5% of mothers initiated breastfeeding and at discharge from hospital the majority of mothers were partially breastfeeding (55%), with only 30% of mothers fully breastfeeding. Prelacteal feeding was the norm (81.8%) and less than 1 in 5 infants (18.2%) received colostrum as their first feed. Only 10.5% of infants had been exclusively breastfed since birth, the remainder of the breastfed infants having received either prelacteal or supplementary infant formula feeds at some time during their hospital stay. Of the mothers who attempted to breastfeed, the majority of women (55.4%) delayed their first attempt to breastfeed until 24 hours or more after delivery. Breastfeeding at discharge from hospital was positively associated with paternal support for breastfeeding and negatively associated with delivery by caesarean section and with the infant having spent time in the Special Care Nursery.

Conclusions

The reasons for the high use of prelacteal and supplementary formula feeding warrant investigation. Hospital policies and staff training are needed to promote the early initiation of breastfeeding and to discourage the unnecessary use of infant formula in hospital, in order to support the establishment of exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Kuwait.
An aggressive chondroblastoma of the knee treated with resection arthrodesis and limb lengthening using the Ilizarov technique
Authors: Tomić Slavko , Lešić Aleksandar , Bumbaširević Marko , Sopta Jelena , Rakočević Zoran , Atkinson Henry D.
Published: July 2010

This case report describes the management of a 15 year old male with a biologically aggressive chondroblastoma of the knee. Following CT, bone scan, angiography and an open biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. The patient underwent a 13 cm en-bloc excision of the knee, and knee arthrodesis with simultaneous bone transport using an Ilizarov ring fixator. Following 136 days of bone transport, the patient achieved radiological and clinical bony union after a total frame time of 372 days. He then commenced 50% partial weight-bear in a protective knee brace and gradually worked up to full weight-bearing by 4 months. The patient developed superficial pin tract infections around the k-wires on 2 occasions; these settled with a cephalosporin antibiotic spray and local dressings. At 13 years follow-up there are no signs of disease recurrence or failure at the fusion site. The patient is able to fully weight bear and stand independently on the operated leg. Knee arthrodesis with simultaneous limb-lengthening is an effective treatment modality following en-bloc resection of an aggressive chondroblastoma. The case is discussed with reference to the literature.
Regulation of early signaling and gene expression in the α-particle and bystander response of IMR-90 human fibroblasts
Authors: Ghandhi Shanaz A , Ming Lihua , Ivanov Vladimir N , Hei Tom K , Amundson Sally A
Published: July 2010

Background

The existence of a radiation bystander effect, in which non-irradiated cells respond to signals from irradiated cells, is well established. To understand early signaling and gene regulation in bystander cells, we used a bio-informatics approach, measuring global gene expression at 30 minutes and signaling pathways between 30 minutes and 4 hours after exposure to α-particles in IMR-90 fibroblasts.

Methods

We used whole human genome microarrays and real time quantitative PCR to measure and validate gene expression. Microarray analysis was done using BRB-Array Tools; pathway and ontology analyses were done using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and PANTHER, respectively. We studied signaling in irradiated and bystander cells using immunoblotting and semi-quantitative image analysis.

Results

Gene ontology suggested signal transduction and transcriptional regulation responding 30 minutes after treatment affected cell structure, motility and adhesion, and interleukin synthesis. We measured time-dependent expression of genes controlled by the NF-κB pathway; matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3; chemokine ligands 2, 3 and 5 and interleukins 1β, 6 and 33. There was an increased response of this set of genes 30 minutes after treatment and another wave of induction at 4 hours. We investigated AKT-GSK3β signaling and found both AKT and GSK3β are hyper-phosphorylated 30 minutes after irradiation and this effect is maintained through 4 hours. In bystander cells, a similar response was seen with a delay of 30 minutes. We proposed a network model where the observed decrease in phosphorylation of β-catenin protein after GSK3β dependent inactivation can trigger target gene expression at later times after radiation exposure

Conclusions

These results are the first to show that the radiation induced bystander signal induces a widespread gene expression response at 30 minutes after treatment and these changes are accompanied by modification of signaling proteins in the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β pathway.
The Role of Mitochondria in Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolism and Signaling
Authors: Starkov Anatoly A.
Published: July 2010

Oxidative stress is considered a major contributor to the etiology of both “normal” senescence and severe pathologies with serious public health implications. Several cellular sources, including mitochondria, are known to produce significant amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may contribute to intracellular oxidative stress. Mitochondria possess at least 10 known sites that are capable of generating ROS, but they also feature a sophisticated multilayered ROS defense system that is much less studied. This review summarizes the current knowledge about major components involved in mitochondrial ROS metabolism and factors that regulate ROS generation and removal at the level of mitochondria. An integrative systemic approach is applied to analysis of mitochondrial ROS metabolism, which is “dissected” into ROS generation, ROS emission, and ROS scavenging. The in vitro ROS‐producing capacity of several mitochondrial sites is compared in the metabolic context and the role of mitochondria in ROS‐dependent intracellular signaling is discussed.