bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal diagnosis of Huntington disease in maternal plasma: direct and indirect study
Authors: Bustamante‐Aragones A. , Trujillo‐Tiebas M. J. , Gallego‐Merlo J. , Rodriguez de Alba M. , Gonzalez‐Gonzalez C. , Cantalapiedra D. , Ayuso C. , Ramos C.
Published: September 2008

Background and purpose:  The presence of cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma could allow performing a non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of Huntington disease (HD). The great advantage of this diagnosis is the absence of risk of fetal loss that it entails.

Methods:  Maternal plasma from four pregnant women in their first trimester of gestation with a fetus at‐risk was studied. In all the four cases, the father was affected.

Results:  The diagnosis was performed both by a direct study of the mutation and an indirect haplotype study. By the direct analysis, three out of the four fetuses could be correctly diagnosed whilst the indirect analysis was only conclusive in one case.

Conclusions:  Non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of HD is possible by the analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma. Direct analysis of the mutation has shown higher accuracy than the haplotype analysis except for long expansions. Haplotype analysis would need to be improved for the study of Juvenile‐onset HD. This diagnostic method would be limited to those couples with an affected male however this situation represents 80–90% of the pregnancies at‐risk of HD. Moreover, it could be used as a confirmation test of healthy embryos transferred on pre‐implantation genetic studies of HD.
‘Teamwork’ or ‘Working as a Team’? The Theory and Practice of Top Team Working in UK Higher Education
Authors: Woodfield Steve , Kennie Tom
Published: September 2008

This article focuses on the theory and practice of teamwork in ‘top management teams’ in UK higher education institutions. It is informed by some of the key findings from a recent two‐year research project sponsored by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education that investigated the different ways in which UK higher education institutions organise their ‘top management’ and ‘senior management’ structures (Kennie and Woodfield, 2008). The authors discuss literature from the corporate and higher education sectors on the meaning of ‘teamwork’ in top teams (e.g. Bensimon and Neumann, 1993; Katzenbach, 1998; Wageman et al., 2008) and relate the findings to the challenges of top level team working in higher education settings. Particular issues discussed include: the terminology related to higher education top teams, areas of decision‐making and time‐management, team orientation and agenda setting, team behaviours and team roles, team performance and evaluation, location, logistical support and resources, and team development. The authors conclude that the challenges of top team working in higher education settings are similar to those found in the corporate sector, albeit nuanced by different organisational cultures, and suggest some key principles to help top teams in higher education institutions improve their ability to work effectively together.
Notional defined contribution pensions with public reserve funds in ageing economies: An application to Japan
Authors: Lu Bei , Mitchell Olivia S. , Piggott John
Published: September 2008

Several developed and developing countries have recently adopted a notional defined contribution (NDC) approach to old‐age pension reform. The NDC is essentially a non‐pre‐funded defined contribution retirement system, in which contributions are credited with a “rate of return” related to aggregate payroll growth, and individual account accruals are maintained in a book‐keeping system. Payouts are annuitized based on the expected mortality of each succeeding retiring cohort. NDC plans may be identified with appropriately calibrated Pay‐As‐You‐Go plans in demographic equilibrium, but the two paradigms diverge when demographic shift is introduced. This paper investigates the key actuarial and economic implications of alternative NDC rules, with a particular focus on Japan, the world's most rapidly ageing economy. We examine the potential role for pension reserves in transitioning to an NDC system, and we show these can be used to smooth the impact of demographic transition to an older society. Finally, we show that countries such as Japan could elect to use pension reserves accumulated in the past to facilitate the transition to an NDC system.
(A‐)typical and (in‐)secure? Social protection and “non‐standard” forms of employment in Europe
Authors: Buschoff Karin Schulze , Protsch Paula
Published: September 2008

Atypical forms of employment (part‐time work, mini‐jobs, fixed‐term contracts and solo self‐employment) have gained in importance overall in recent years in many European countries. They are often part of an irregular career pattern and carry a high risk of unemployment. In a 6‐country comparison (Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Poland) we consider whether and in what way national social protection laws cover the various forms of non‐standard employment and the specific risks these entail. Significant variations were found in coverage standards and practices between countries as well as substantial variability within countries in their responses to different types of non‐standard employment. A need for further and improved coordination of both social legislation and tax law is identified.
Interhemispheric interaction in word‐ and color‐matching of Kanji color words1
Authors: YOSHIZAKI KAZUHITO , SASAKI HIROSHI , KATO KIMIKO
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility that a shift toward a within‐hemisphere advantage would emerge when two stimulus items receive, respectively, different processing (vs. when they receive similar processing). Using right‐handed participants, we briefly presented two Kanji color‐word items as either within‐field or across‐fields. Viewers had to match the two items in terms of ink color (a color‐matching task) or word meaning (a name‐matching task). Each Kanji color word was presented with the same (congruent) or different (incongruent) ink color relative to the word meaning. Our results were twofold. First, a within‐field advantage appeared in the relatively easier color‐matching task, whereas an across‐field advantage tended to occur in the relatively harder name‐matching task. Second, in the word‐matching task an across‐field advantage appeared when both Kanji color words appeared in similar processing manners (both congruent or both incongruent), whereas a within‐field advantage occurred when processing of two Kanji items differed (one congruent and one incongruent). These results suggested that a shift toward a within‐hemisphere advantage occurs when two items are processed in respectively different ways.
Magnification rate of objects in a perspective image to fit to our perception
Authors: NAGATA KAZUMI , OSA ATSUSHI , ICHIKAWA MAKOTO , KINOSHITA TAKESHI , MIIKE HIDETOSHI
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  A landscape photograph may give a different impression from that formed at the real scene, with respect to the size and distance of objects. Researchers have reported that the perceived sizes and distances of objects in a photograph are not identical to those in a real space. In order to develop a method to create a graphic image that is close to our visual impression as seen in the real space, two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, we examined how the magnification rate of the perceived size to the object size on the retina varied with the viewing distance (range was from 1 m to 10 m). In Experiment 2, we examined whether transformation based on the magnification rate is effective for creating an image that matches the perceived size of the object at the scene. Our results indicate that the magnification rate is useful for transforming the perspective image to match our perception of the objects regardless of the viewing distance.
Effect of goal difficulty and feedback seeking on goal attainment and learning1
Authors: YANAGIZAWA SAORI
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  This field study investigated the effect of goal difficulty and feedback seeking on goal attainment and learning in Management by Objectives (MBO) programs. Participants (n = 105) described the degree of their goal difficulty. After 6 months, they answered a questionnaire that inquired about the frequency of the feedback‐seeking and the degree of learning during the 6‐month period. Data about the extent of goal attainment were obtained from the participants’ immediate supervisors. The results indicated that goal difficulty and the frequency of feedback seeking were positively related to the degree of goal attainment and learning.
Impaired conflict resolution and alerting in children with ADHD: evidence from the Attention Network Task (ANT)
Authors: Johnson Katherine A. , Robertson Ian H. , Barry Edwina , Mulligan Aisling , Dáibhis Aoife , Daly Michael , Watchorn Amy , Gill Michael , Bellgrove Mark A.
Published: September 2008

Background:  An important theory of attention suggests that there are three separate networks that execute discrete cognitive functions. The ‘alerting’ network acquires and maintains an alert state, the ‘orienting’ network selects information from sensory input and the ‘conflict’ network resolves conflict that arises between potential responses. This theory holds promise for dissociating discrete patterns of cognitive impairment in disorders where attentional deficits may often be subtle, such as in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods:  The Attentional Network Test (ANT), a behavioural assay of the functional integrity of attention networks, was used to examine the performance of 73 children with ADHD and 73 controls.

Results:  Performance on the ANT clearly differentiated the children with and without ADHD in terms of mean and standard deviation (SD) of reaction time (RT), the number of incorrect responses made and the number of omission errors made. The ADHD group demonstrated deficits in the conflict network in terms of slower RT and a higher number of incorrect responses. The ADHD group showed deficits in the alerting network in terms of the number of omission errors made. There was no demonstration of a deficit in the orienting network in ADHD on this task.

Conclusions:  The children with ADHD demonstrated deficits in the alerting and conflict attention networks but normal functioning of the orienting network.
Construct validity of the five‐factor Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in pre‐, early, and late adolescence
Authors: Van Roy Betty , Veenstra Marijke , Clench‐Aas Jocelyne
Published: September 2008

Background:  The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is designed to measure psychological adjustment in children and adolescents. Psychometric evaluations of the instrument have shown satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity, while factor analysis studies have shown mixed results across countries. In the present study, the construct validity of the five‐factor SDQ is evaluated in a large community sample of Norwegian pre‐, early, and late adolescents.

Methods:  The sample consisted of 26,269 children and adolescents (10–19 years) with valid answers on all 25 items of the SDQ self‐report. Complete parent/proxy data of respective pre‐adolescent children was available for 6,645 cases. A Lisrel approach to Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the five‐factor model and the presence of a positive construal factor. In the sample of pre‐adolescents and their parents/proxies, convergent and discriminant validity was evaluated by a CFA approach to multitrait‐multimethods (MTMM).

Results:  Fit statistics for the hypothesized five‐factor model were satisfactory, but introducing correlated error terms for some of the items led to significant model improvement in all age groups. All factor loadings were higher than .30, except for item 11 (good friend). The loadings differed across age groups and differed markedly between the parent/proxy and self‐report measures. The MTMM showed that the source of ratings made a difference on the validity of all subscale ratings, with self‐reports discriminating more on ratings of emotional and peer problems, and parents/proxies discriminating more on hyperactivity symptoms. A positive construal factor was identified but had a modest effect compared with the original five traits. Results suggested an unclear construct and meaning of the Prosocial behaviour subscale.

Conclusion:  The results of the present study indicated support for the proposed five‐factor structure of the SDQ (Goodman, 2001) across a wide age range (10–19years), including older adolescents and different informants. However, some improvements should be considered to improve internal reliability and conceptual clarity.
The Relationship Between Contact and Child Adjustment in High Conflict Cases after Divorce or Separation
Authors: Trinder Liz , Kellet Joanne , Swift Louise
Published: September 2008

Background:  The study explored the relationship between contact and child adjustment where parents are in legal dispute over contact following divorce.

Method:  The sample consisted of 156, 129 and 108 parents at three different time points. Resident and contact parents reported on child and parent wellbeing, contact, decision‐making and concerns about their former partner’s parenting.

Results:  Children, particularly boys, had above average behaviour problems. Parent wellbeing and concerns about their ex‐partner’s parenting were associated with child adjustment. Contact and child adjustment were not related.

Conclusions:  Parenting education and therapeutic interventions are required to help parents focus on their children’s needs.
TIME‐OF‐FLIGHT NEUTRON DIFFRACTION CHARACTERIZATION OF CERAMIC FINDINGS FROM SOUTHERN AND WESTERN SICILY*
Authors: BARTOLI L. , ALIOTTA F. , IMBERTI S. , LA TORRE G. , PONTERIO R. , TOSCANO RAFFA A. , VASI C. , ZOPPI M.
Published: September 2008

We present the results of a study that is part of a wider research programme regarding knowledge of the initial living phases of Sicilian agricultural and pastoral society. Three sets of ceramic samples were analysed through time‐of‐flight neutron diffraction (TOF‐ND) to derive information about the composition of the clay and the manufacturing techniques. The first two sets of sherds came from an excavation in Licata, close to Agrigento, and are composed of findings dated around the third century bc, while the third set was of samples from prehistoric sites located in the northwestern part of Sicily. Measurements were performed to obtain a quantitative identification of the mineralogical composition of the samples in a totally non‐destructive way. Hints about manufacturing techniques and firing temperatures are derived to provide information on provenance and production processes of the objects.
The Christian Religion in Modern European and World History: A Review of The Cambridge History of Christianity, 1815–2000
Authors: Lindenfeld David
Published: September 2008

Volumes 8 and 9 of the Cambridge History, representing the work of 72 scholars, reflect two major recent historiographical trends: 1) the increased attention paid to religion in modern European history, and 2) the increasing importance of Christianity in as a topic in world history. While these volumes serve to summarize the work already done in the first field, with articles on a wide variety of European countries, they should significantly move the second field forward by bringing together the work of specialists on many different parts of the world in a single place. Volume 8 summarizes scholarship on the Western religious revivals of the nineteenth century, both Catholic and Protestant. By integrating religion and politics, it also presents a more complex picture of the formation of European national identities than Benedict Anderson's Imagined Communities suggests. One third of the volume is devoted to the spread of Christianity to the non‐Western world. In Volume 9, the European and world history perspectives are more evenly interspersed. Major themes include the papacy, ecumenism, colonialism, Pentecostalism, and the independent churches of Africa and Asia. The 1960s emerge as a turning point, if for different reasons in different parts of the world. This was the decisive period of secularization in Europe, and the final section documents the social and cultural impact of that shift, particularly on the arts. Although there are inevitable gaps in coverage, these volumes will serve as an invaluable research tool for years to come.
Enhancing the Engagement of U.S. Private Foundations with Conservation Science
Authors: ZAVALETA ERIKA , MILLER DANIEL C. , SALAFSKY NICK , FLEISHMAN ERICA , WEBSTER MICHAEL , GOLD BARRY , HULSE DAVID , ROWEN MARY , TABOR GARY , VANDERRYN JACK
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  Funding for conservation is limited, and its investment for maximum conservation gain can likely be enhanced through the application of relevant science. Many donor institutions support and use science to pursue conservation goals, but their activities remain relatively unfamiliar to the conservation‐science community. We examined the priorities and practices of U.S.‐based private foundations that support biodiversity conservation. We surveyed 50 donor members of the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity (CGBD) to address three questions: (1) What support do CGBD members provide for conservation science? (2) How do CGBD members use conservation science in their grant making and strategic thinking? (3) How do CGBD members obtain information about conservation science? The 38 donor institutions that responded to the survey made $340 million in grants for conservation in 2005, including $62 million for conservation science. Individual foundations varied substantially in the proportion of conservation funds allocated to science. Foundations also varied in the ways and degree to which they used conservation science to guide their grant making. Respondents found it “somewhat difficult” to stay informed about conservation science relevant to their work, reporting that they accessed conservation science information mainly through their grantees. Many funders reported concerns about the strategic utility of funding conservation science to achieve conservation gains. To increase investment by private foundations in conservation science, funders, researchers, and conservation practitioners need to jointly identify when and how new scientific knowledge will lower barriers to conservation gains. We envision an evolving relationship between funders and conservation scientists that emphasizes primary research and synthesis motivated by (1) applicability, (2) human‐ecosystem interactions, (3) active engagement among scientists and decision makers, and (4) broader communication of relevant scientific information.
A Property Rights Approach to Understanding Human Displacement from Protected Areas: the Case of Marine Protected Areas
Authors: MASCIA MICHAEL B. , CLAUS C. ANNE
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  The physical, economic, and sociocultural displacement of local peoples from protected areas generates intense discussion among scholars and policy makers. To foster greater precision and clarity in these discussions, we used a conceptual framework from the political economy literature to examine different forms of human displacement from protected areas. Using marine protected areas (MPAs) to ground our analysis, we characterized the 5 types of property rights that are reallocated (lost, secured, and gained) through the establishment of protected areas. All forms of MPA “displacement” involve reallocation of property rights, but the specific types and bundles of rights lost, secured, and gained dramatically shape the magnitude, extent, and equity of MPA impacts—positive and negative—on governance, economic well‐being, health, education, social capital, and culture. The impacts of reallocating rights to MPA resources vary within and among social groups, inducing changes in society, in patterns of resource use, and in the environment. To create more environmentally sustainable and socially just conservation practice, a critical next step in conservation social science research is to document and explain variation in the social impacts of protected areas.
Use of Community‐Composition Data to Predict the Fecundity and Abundance of Species
Authors: ELMENDORF SARAH C. , MOORE KARA A.
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  Species distribution models are critical tools for the prediction of invasive species spread and conservation of biodiversity. The majority of species distribution models have been built with environmental data. Community ecology theory suggests that species co‐occurrence data could also be used to predict current and potential distributions of species. Species assemblages are the products of biotic and environmental constraints on the distribution of individual species and as a result may contain valuable information for niche modeling. We compared the predictive ability of distribution models of annual grassland plants derived from either environmental or community‐composition data. Composition‐based models were built with the presence or absence of species at a site as predictors of site quality, whereas environment‐based models were built with soil chemistry, moisture content, above‐ground biomass, and solar radiation as predictors. The reproductive output of experimentally seeded individuals of 4 species and the abundance of 100 species were used to evaluate the resulting models. Community‐composition data were the best predictors of both the site‐specific reproductive output of sown individuals and the site‐specific abundance of existing populations. Successful community‐based models were robust to omission of data on the occurrence of rare species, which suggests that even very basic survey data on the occurrence of common species may be adequate for generating such models. Our results highlight the need for increased public availability of ecological survey data to facilitate community‐based modeling at scales relevant to conservation.
Pioglitazone promotes peripheral nerve remyelination after crush injury through CD36 upregulation
Authors: Eto Masaki , Sumi Hisae , Fujimura Harutoshi , Yoshikawa Hiroo , Sakoda Saburo
Published: September 2008

Abstract  In our previous study, we found that CD36‐deficient mice showed significant delays in peripheral nerve remyelination after sciatic nerve crush injury and suggested that CD36 played an important role in the restoration of injured peripheral nerves. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CD36 upregulation can promote peripheral nerve remyelination. We made crush injury that caused demyelination and mild axonal degeneration to sciatic nerves and investigated the effect of pioglitazone (PIO) on the remyelination post‐injury in C57Bl/6 wild‐type and CD36‐deficient mice. The immunohistochemistry with anti‐CD36 antibody showed that CD36 was upregulated in macrophages infiltrating peripheral nerves from the wild‐type mice by PIO administration at 1 week post‐injury. The lectin histochemistry represented that infiltrating macrophages lessened in the wild‐type mice at 3 weeks post‐injury by PIO administration. General histopathology and morphometry indicated that thinly myelinated fibers and naked axons diminished in PIO‐treated wild‐type mice compared with non‐treated wild‐type mice at 3 weeks post‐injury. No significant differences were observed in remyelination and number of infiltrating macrophages between PIO‐treated and non‐treated CD36‐deficient mice. These results indicate that PIO promotes peripheral nerve remyelination possibly through CD36. It may be possible to apply PIO to the remedy against demyelinating neuropathies.
Neuropeptide Y Receptor Genes Are Associated With Alcohol Dependence, Alcohol Withdrawal Phenotypes, and Cocaine Dependence
Authors: Wetherill Leah , Schuckit Marc A. , Hesselbrock Victor , Xuei Xiaoling , Liang Tiebing , Dick Danielle M. , Kramer John , Nurnberger Jr. John I. , Tischfield Jay A. , Porjesz Bernice , Edenberg Howard J. , Foroud Tatiana
Published: September 2008

Background:  Several lines of evidence in both human and animal studies suggest that variation in neuropeptide Y (NPY) or its receptor genes (NPY1R, NPY2R and NPY5R) is associated with alcohol dependence as well as alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Additional studies suggest that cocaine may affect NPY expression.

Methods:  A total of 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped across NPY and its 3 receptor genes in a sample of 1,923 subjects from 219 multiplex alcoholic families of European American descent recruited as part of the Collaborative Studies on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) study. Family‐based association analysis was performed to test the primary hypothesis that variation in these genes is associated with alcohol dependence. Secondary analyses evaluated whether there was an association of these SNPs with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, cocaine dependence, or comorbid alcohol and cocaine dependence.

Results:  Although variations in NPY itself were not associated with these phenotypes, variations in 2 NPY‐receptor genes were. SNPs in NPY2R provided significant evidence of association with alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, comorbid alcohol and cocaine dependence, and cocaine dependence (all p < 0.03). Haplotype analyses strengthened the evidence for these phenotypes (global 0.0004 < p < 0.005). SNPs in NPY5R demonstrated significant association with alcohol withdrawal characterized by seizures (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:  These results indicate that sequence variations in NPY receptor genes are associated with alcohol dependence, particularly a severe subtype of alcohol dependence characterized by withdrawal symptoms, comorbid alcohol and cocaine dependence, and cocaine dependence.
Differential Effects of Acute Alcohol on Prepulse Inhibition and Event‐Related Potentials in Adolescent and Adult Wistar Rats
Authors: Pian Jerry P. , Criado Jose R. , Ehlers Cindy L.
Published: September 2008

Background:  Previous studies have demonstrated that adolescent and adult rats show differential sensitivity to many of the acute effects of alcohol. We recently reported evidence of developmental differences in the effects of acute alcohol on the cortical electroencephalogram. However, it is unclear whether developmental differences are also observed in other neurophysiological and neurobehavioral measurements known to be sensitive to alcohol exposure. The present study determined the age‐related effects of acute alcohol on behavioral and event‐related potential (ERP) responses to acoustic startle (AS) and prepulse inhibition (PPI).

Methods:  Male adolescent and adult Wistar rats were implanted with cortical recording electrodes. The effects of acute alcohol (0.0, 0.75, and 1.5 g/kg) on behavioral and ERP responses to AS and PPI were assessed.

Results:  Acute alcohol (0.75 and 1.5 g/kg) significantly reduced the behavioral and electrophysiological response to AS in adolescent and adult rats. Both 0.75 and 1.5 g/kg alcohol significantly enhanced the behavioral response to PPI in adolescent, but not in adult rats. During prepulse + pulse trials, 1.5 g/kg alcohol significantly increased the N10 pulse response in the adolescent frontal cortex. Acute alcohol (0.75 and 1.5 g/kg) also increased the N1 ERP pulse response to prepulse stimuli in frontal and parietal cortices in adult rats, but not in adolescent rats.

Conclusions:  These data suggest that alcohol’s effect on behavioral and electrophysiological indices of AS do not differ between adults and adolescents whereas developmental stage does appear to significantly modify alcohol‐influenced response to PPI.
Alterations in Ethyl Alcohol Pharmacokinetics During Oral Consumption of Malt Liquor Beverages in African Americans
Authors: Taylor Robert E. , Raysor Byron R. , Kwagyan John , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Kalu Nnenna , Powell‐Davis Monique , Ferguson Clifford L. , Carr Lucinda , Scott Denise M.
Published: September 2008

Background:  Malt liquor (ML) beverages have become increasingly popular among urban minority groups, due partly to their inexpensive price and targeted advertising. We hypothesized that nonfermented by‐products contained in ML beverages will alter the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of its ethanol content. In addition, we determined the effect of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genotypes on the PK following consumption of ML beverages.

Methods:  The study was conducted in 31 healthy adult African‐American social drinkers, mean  ± SD age of 22.3 ± 1.3 years, and weight of 70.7 ± 10.9 kg. Participants were administered ethanol, in randomized order, 2‐weeks apart, in the form of oral ML beverage (6%v/v), or isocaloric solution of diet soda–ethanol (DS–Etoh) beverage (6%v/v). During each session the beverage was consumed over 4 minutes and breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC) as well as subjective and behavioral effects of ethanol were evaluated over 180 minutes. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ethanol were calculated using Michaelis–Menten elimination kinetics. The effect of ML and ADH genotype on PK was evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test, respectively.

Results:  Results show a slower mean rate of absorption, Ka, (0.12 vs. 0.15 min−1, p = 0.03) and a longer time to reach maximum concentration, Tmax, (28 vs. 23 minute, p < 0.01) for the ML compared with DS–Etoh beverage. The ML beverage resulted in a larger area under the BrAC–time curve compared with DS–Etoh beverage (8.4 vs. 6.8 min g/dl, p = 0.02). There was no difference in the subjective PD effects between the 2 beverages.

Conclusion:  Results show that exposure to ethanol following the consumption of ML beverages is different compared to that following nonmalt beverages in African‐Americans. These differences may be related to nonfermented by‐products present in commercially available ML products. These PK differences do not appear to result in significant perceived alcohol PD changes, nor are they related to ADH genotype.
Nondaily Smoking and Alcohol Use, Hazardous Drinking, and Alcohol Diagnoses Among Young Adults: Findings From the NESARC
Authors: Harrison Emily L.R. , Desai Rani A. , McKee Sherry A.
Published: September 2008

Background:  Nondaily smoking and heavy alcohol use are prevalent behaviors among young adults, with nondaily smoking occurring primarily in the context of alcohol use. Although the relationship between drinking and daily smoking has been well characterized in young adults, few epidemiological investigations have investigated the association between nondaily smoking and drinking behavior.

Methods:  We examined Wave 1 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; Grant et al., 2003b; n = 43,093). Young adults (aged 18 to 25 years; n = 5,838) were stratified on current smoking behavior (daily, nondaily, and nonsmokers in the past 12 months) and differences in weekly quantity of alcohol use, frequency of alcohol use, frequency of binge drinking behavior, rates of NIAAA‐defined hazardous drinking, and rates of DSM‐IV alcohol diagnoses were investigated. College student status was examined.

Results:  Twenty‐five percent were current smokers and 7% were smoking on a nondaily basis. Seventy‐one percent were current drinkers, 39% reported binge drinking at least once a month, 41% met criteria for hazardous drinking, and 18% had alcohol use disorders. Across all measures of alcohol use, there was a significant effect of smoking status, with daily smokers having greater alcohol use patterns, compared with nondaily smokers, with nonsmokers consuming the least. Nondaily smokers were more likely to report any binge drinking in the past 12 months. However, daily smokers were more likely to report daily binge drinking. With regard to hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders, nondaily smoking conferred the greatest risk, followed by daily smoking with nonsmoking as the reference group. Multinomial logistic regression demonstrated that the odds of being a hazardous drinker were 16 times greater (95% CI 9.46–26.48) in a nondaily smoker compared with a nonsmoker, whereas the odds for a daily smoker were increased by 7‐fold (95% CI 5.54–9.36). A similar pattern of results was demonstrated for DSM‐IV alcohol diagnoses. No differences across college student status were observed.

Conclusions:  The increased risk of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders conferred by nondaily smoking supports the findings that nondaily smoking and drinking are highly concomitant behaviors. Results such as these suggest that interventions disengaging alcohol and cigarette use patterns (e.g., smoking bans in alcohol venues) might serve to limit the occurrence of hazardous drinking among young adults at heightened risk for this behavior.
Gender and Age at Drinking Onset Affect Voluntary Alcohol Consumption but Neither the Alcohol Deprivation Effect nor the Response to Stress in Mice
Authors: Tambour Sophie , Brown Lauren L. , Crabbe John C.
Published: September 2008

Background:  Epidemiological studies suggest that initiation of alcohol drinking at an early age is associated with an increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life. Nevertheless, relatively few studies using animal models have investigated the relationship between age of onset of drinking and ethanol drinking patterns in adulthood. Besides age at drinking onset, other factors such as gender could also affect the pattern of development of alcohol consumption. In rodents, many studies have shown that females drink more than males. However, even if it is assumed that hormonal changes occurring at puberty could explain these differences, only one study performed in rats has investigated the emergence of sex‐specific alcohol drinking patterns in adolescence and the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The aim of the present study was to compare the acquisition of voluntary alcohol consumption, relapse‐like drinking (the Alcohol Deprivation Effect—ADE) and stress‐induced alcohol drinking in male and female outbred mice that acquired alcohol consumption during adolescence or adulthood.

Methods:  Separate groups of naïve female and male WSC‐1 mice aged ± 28 days (adolescents) or ±70 days (adults) were given ad libitum access to water and 6% ethanol solution for 8 weeks (1st to 8th week) before undergoing a 2‐week deprivation phase (9th and 10th week). After the deprivation period, 2‐bottle preference testing (ethanol vs. water) resumed for 3 weeks (11th to 13th). During the 13th week, all animals were subjected to restraint stress for 2 consecutive days.

Results:  Over the entire time course of the experiment, ethanol intake and preference increased in females (both adults and adolescents). Adolescent animals (both females and males) showed a transient increase in alcohol consumption and preference compared to adults. However, by the end of continuous alcohol exposure (when all mice were adults), ethanol intake was not affected by age at drinking onset. A deprivation phase was followed by a rise in ethanol intake (ADE) that was not affected by sex or age. Finally, stress did not alter alcohol self‐administration either during or after its occurrence.

Conclusions:  Emergence of greater alcohol consumption in adult females does not seem to be limited to a specific developmental period (i.e., puberty). Age of voluntary drinking onset (adolescence vs. adulthood) does not affect eventual alcohol intake in adult WSC‐1 mice and does not modify the transient increase in ethanol consumption after alcohol deprivation.
Physician Recommendations for Mammography in Women Aged 70 and Older
Authors: Kapp Julie M. , LeMaster Joseph W. , Zweig Steven C. , Mehr David R.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the percentage of U.S. women aged 70 and older who reported a recent mammography recommendation and to identify whether factors suggesting limited life expectancy, such as comorbidities, are associated with a lower probability of a reported recommendation.

DESIGN: A national, population‐based, cross‐sectional survey.

SETTING: United States.

PARTICIPANTS: There were 1,782 screen‐eligible women 70 and older who responded to the National Health Interview Survey in 2005 and met eligibility criteria, including reporting at least one doctor visit in the previous 12 months. Weighted, these women represented almost 9.3 million women nationally.

MEASUREMENTS: Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between demographic, comorbidity, and health services utilization variables on self‐reported physician recommendation for a mammogram.

RESULTS: More than half (58.9%) of the sample reported a recent mammography recommendation (63.0% of those aged 70 to 79 and 51.5% of those aged 80 and older). The strongest multivariable association suggested that women who reported a recent clinical breast examination (CBE) had 5.9 times greater odds of reporting a mammography recommendation than women who reported never having a CBE.

CONCLUSION: This study failed to find negative associations between factors suggesting limited life expectancy and a recent mammography recommendation. Instead, findings revealed a strong positive association between a recent CBE and mammography recommendation. Findings may suggest that recent clinical interactions weigh more heavily on a decision to recommend mammography to older, screen‐eligible women than considerations for the woman's overall long‐term health or may reflect a greater perceived or actual recall of physician recommendations from women with a recent CBE.
Association Between Testosterone and Estradiol and Age‐Related Decline in Physical Function in a Diverse Sample of Men
Authors: Araujo Andre B. , Travison Thomas G. , Bhasin Shalender , Esche Gretchen R. , Williams Rachel E. , Clark Richard V. , McKinlay John B.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between aging and physical function in men by testing a theoretically based model of aging, hormones, body composition, strength, and physical function with data obtained from men enrolled in the Boston Area Community Health/Bone (BACH/Bone) Survey.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional, observational survey.

SETTING: Population‐based.

PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred ten black, Hispanic, and white randomly selected men from the Boston area aged 30 to 79.

MEASUREMENTS: Testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone–binding globulin, lean and fat mass, grip strength, and summated index of physical function (derived from walk and chair stand tests).

RESULTS: Measures of grip strength and physical function declined strongly with age. For instance, 10 years of aging was associated with a 0.49‐point difference (scale 0–7) in physical function. Age differences in total testosterone and estradiol concentrations were smaller than age differences in their free fractions. Weak or nonsignificant age‐adjusted correlations were observed between hormones and measures of physical function, although path analysis revealed a positive association between testosterone and appendicular lean mass and a strong negative association between testosterone and total fat mass. Lean and fat mass, in turn, were strongly associated with grip strength and physical function, indicating the possibility that testosterone influences physical function via indirect associations with body composition.

CONCLUSION: The age‐related decline in serum testosterone concentration in men has a weak association with physical strength and functional outcomes through its associations with lean and fat mass.
Osteochondral Fragmentation in the Synovial Pad of the Fetlock in Warmblood Horses
Authors: DECLERCQ JEROEN , MARTENS ANN , BOGAERT LIES , BOUSSAUW BERNARD , FORSYTH RAMSES , BOENING KARL JOSEF
Published: September 2008

Objectives—To determine clinical and arthroscopic characteristics associated with fragments in the synovial pad of the fetlock and to characterize their morphology.

Study Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—Warmblood horses (n=104) with fragment(s) in the synovial pad.

Methods—Signalment and results of radiographic and clinical examination were collected before surgery. After arthroscopic fragment removal and joint evaluation for synovial and/or cartilage abnormalities, fragments were measured, and evaluated by histopathology.

Results—Synovial pad fragments (n=142) were removed from 127 fetlocks. Two older horses had lameness. During arthroscopy, abnormalities were observed in 40 joints (31.5%) and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the observed arthroscopic abnormalities and the presence of large fragments (P=.016). Fragments were osteochondral bodies completely surrounded by fibrous tissue. At the edges of the hyaline cartilage cap an underlying fibrous structure was obvious in the extracellular matrix giving it a reactive pattern.

Conclusions—Although the impact on lameness was minimal, there was a significant correlation between arthroscopic abnormalities and presence of large synovial pad fragments. On histopathology, these osteochondral fragments are embedded in fibrous tissue and show a reactive pattern. They are not a manifestation of any well‐described joint pathology.

Clinical Relevance—Large synovial pad fragments in Warmblood horses can be associated with synovial and cartilage abnormalities, but further studies are warranted to determine their origin and clinical importance.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Management of Uncomplicated Gall Bladder Mucocele in Six Dogs
Authors: MAYHEW PHILIPP D. , MEHLER STEPHEN J. , RADHAKRISHNAN ANANT
Published: September 2008

Objectives— To describe a technique for, and outcome after, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for management of uncomplicated gall bladder mucocele (GBM) in dogs.

Study Design— Case series.

Animals— Dogs (n=6) with uncomplicated GBM.

Methods— Dogs with ultrasonographic evidence of GBM but without imaging or laboratory signs of gall bladder rupture, peritonitis, or extra‐hepatic biliary tract rupture that had LC were included. A 4 portal technique was used. A fan retractor was used to retract the gall bladder to allow dissection around the cystic duct with 5 or 10 mm right‐angle dissecting forceps. The cystic duct was ligated using extracorporeally tied ligatures supplemented sometimes with hemostatic clips. A harmonic scalpel was used to dissect the gall bladder from its fossa. The gall bladder was placed into a specimen retrieval bag and after bile aspiration the bag was withdrawn through the 11 mm portal incision.

Results— Five dogs had mild intermittent clinical signs including vomiting, inappetence, and lethargy. All dogs had successful LC without conversion to an open approach. All dogs with clinical signs had improvement or resolution of signs postoperatively. No important perioperative complications occurred and all dogs were alive at a median of 8 months postoperatively (range, 3–14 months).

Conclusions— LC can be accomplished safely and effectively in dogs with uncomplicated GBM.

Clinical Relevance— A minimally invasive approach for cholecystectomy can be used for the treatment of GBM in dogs.
Acceleration of Second and Fourth Metatarsal Fracture Healing with Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein‐2/Calcium Phosphate Cement in Horses
Authors: PERRIER MELANIE , LU YAN , NEMKE BRETT , KOBAYASHI HIROHITO , PETERSON ANNA , MARKEL MARK
Published: September 2008

Objective— To compare the efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2)/calcium phosphate (CP) to autogenous cancellous bone graft (CBG) and to no treatment on bone healing, in surgically induced osteotomies and ostectomies of the accessory metatarsal bones in an equine model.

Study Design— Experimental.

Animals— Adult horses (n=9).

Methods— Segmental ostectomies of the second metatarsal bone (MT2) and osteotomies of the fourth metatarsal bone (MT4) were performed bilaterally in 9 horses. There were a total of 35 defects (1 MT4 was previously fractured) created and supplemented randomly either with no treatment (untreated control), rhBMP‐2/CP cement, or matrix (CPC or CPM), or CBG. Radiography was performed every 2 weeks until study endpoint at 12 weeks. After euthanasia, bone healing was evaluated using radiography, mechanical testing, and histology. Data were analyzed with ANOVA followed by the Duncan's Multiple Range Test or nonparametric analyses.

Results— At 12 weeks, radiographic scores for union were significantly greater for the rhBMP‐2 (P<.0001) and CBG (P=.004) groups compared with the untreated control group, for both MT2 ostectomies and MT4 osteotomies. The rhBMP‐2 treated MT2 had greater maximum torque to failure in torsion than CBG and control limbs at 12 weeks (P=.011). Histologic analysis demonstrated increased bone formation and more mature bone at the ostectomy site for MT2 in the rhBMP‐2 and CBG groups compared with the untreated control group.

Conclusion— Injection of rhBMP‐2/CP into surgically induced ostectomies and osteotomies of the accessory metatarsal bones might accelerate early bone healing in the horse.

Clinical Relevance— RhBMP‐2/CP may be as effective if not superior to CBG as an adjuvant treatment to accelerate healing of bone defects.
Mechanical Comparison of 3.5 mm Broad Dynamic Compression Plate, Broad Limited‐Contact Dynamic Compression Plate, and Narrow Locking Compression Plate Systems Using Interfragmentary Gap Models
Authors: UHL JUSTIN M. , SEGUIN BERNARD , KAPATKIN AMY S. , SCHULZ KURT S. , GARCIA TANYA C. , STOVER SUSAN M.
Published: September 2008

Objectives—To compare (1) pullout properties between 3.5 mm cortical and locking screws, and (2) mechanical properties and gap displacements between the 3.5 mm broad limited‐contact dynamic compression plate (LC‐DCP), broad dynamic compression plate (DCP), and narrow locking compression plate (LCP), during axial loading of plate‐stabilized diaphyseal fragments with an interfragmentary gap.

Study Design—In vitro mechanical testing of implanted polyurethane foam (PUF) hollow cylinders that simulated compact or osteopenic diaphyseal bone.

Sample Population—(1) Five cortical and locking screws and (2) 4 PUF‐plate constructs for each plate type; using high‐ and low‐density (0.8 and 0.32 g/cm3) cylinders.

Methods—(1) Screws were completely extracted at 5 mm/min. (2) Plated constructs were axially compressed at 300 N/s for 10 cycles from 5 to 355 N to determine gap displacement during physiologic loading, followed by single cycle increasing load to failure.

Results—Pullout properties were not different between screw types. All plate constructs had yield loads over 3 times trotting loads. Gap closure occurred with LC‐DCP and DCP constructs, but not LCP constructs. LCP construct properties were most similar to LC‐DCP and DCP construct properties in the low‐density model.

Conclusion—All plate systems sustained physiologic limb loads. Only LCP constructs maintained some gap integrity, although LC‐DCP and DCP screws were placed in neutral position.

Clinical Relevance—The LCP system is more likely than LC‐DCP and DCP systems, with neutrally positioned screws, to maintain a planned interfragmentary gap, although gap strains range from 0% to 15% across the 2 mm gap during a trot load.
Piling On: Multilevel Government and the Fiscal Common‐Pool
Authors: Berry Christopher
Published: September 2008

This article discusses the common‐pool problems that arise when multiple territorially overlapping governments share the authority to provide services and levy taxes in a common geographic area. Contrary to the traditional Tiebout model in which increasing the number of competing governments improves efficiency, I argue that increasing the number of overlapping governments results in “overfishing” from the shared tax base. I test the model empirically using data from U.S. counties and find a strong positive relationship between the number of overlapping jurisdictions and the size of the local public sector. Substantively, the “overlap effect” amounts to roughly 10% of local revenue.