bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PREPARATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL SILVER-CONTAINING SILICA NANOCOMPOSITE
Authors: KIM YOUNG HWAN , KIM CHANG WOO , CHA HYUN GIL , JO BYOUNG KEE , AHN GI WOONG , HONG EUN SUK , KANG YOUNG SOO
Published: March 2008

Ag nanoparticle deposition on the surface of spherical SiO 2 nanoparticles was studied to achieve hybrid structure of Ag – SiO 2 nanocomposite. SiO 2 nanoparticles were served as seeds for continuous Ag metal deposition. The ratio of elements and morphology was studied with scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray and transmission electron microscope. The antibacterial properties of Ag – SiO 2 nanocomposite were examined. The homogeneously formed Ag nanoparticles on the surface of SiO 2 nanoparticles without aggregation of Ag nanoparticles showed excellent antibacterial abilities.
INVESTIGATION ON HETEROSTRUCTURAL OPTOELECTRONIC SWITCHES
Authors: GUO DER-FENG , TSAI JUNG-HUI , WENG TZU-YEN , YENG CHIH-HUNG , LAI PO-HSIEN , FU SSU-YI , HUNG CHING-WEN , LIU WEN-CHAU
Published: March 2008

GaAs / InGaP and AlGaAs / GaAs / InAlGaP npn heterostructural optoelectronic switches (HSOSs) have been fabricated to demonstrate the bulk-barrier and potential-spike height effects on the switching. It is seen that the illumination decreases the switching voltage V S and increases the switching current I S in the GaAs / InGaP HSOS characteristics. But in the AlGaAs / GaAs / InAlGaP HSOS, the V S and I S present contrary trends. These characteristic variation differences in the two HSOSs are mainly due to the photogenerated carriers that affect the bulk-barrier and potential-spike heights.
NANOSTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF A GaN-BASED VIOLET LASER DIODE
Authors: YANG J. R. , TSAI H. L. , WANG T. Y. , YEN H. W. , CHEN C. Y. , LI W. C. , CHEN H. R.
Published: March 2008

The nanostructure of p-type AlGaN / GaN strained-layer superlattice (SLS) cladding in a GaN -based violet laser diode (LD) has been investigated by high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) scanning-transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The pairs of the AlGaN and GaN layers in SLS cladding are observed, where the AlGaN and GaN layers appear as dark and bright bands. It is also found that the threading dislocations disappeared within the SLS; this evidence manifests the role of SLS in suppressing threading dislocation propagation.
Industrial Food Animal Production, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Human Health
Authors: Silbergeld Ellen K. , Graham Jay , Price Lance B.
Published: March 2008

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health crisis, eroding the discovery of antimicrobials and their application to clinical medicine. There is a general lack of knowledge of the importance of agricultural antimicrobial use as a factor in antimicrobial resistance even among experts in medicine and public health. This review focuses on agricultural antimicrobial drug use as a major driver of antimicrobial resistance worldwide for four reasons: It is the largest use of antimicrobials worldwide; much of the use of antimicrobials in agriculture results in subtherapeutic exposures of bacteria; drugs of every important clinical class are utilized in agriculture; and human populations are exposed to antimicrobial-resistant pathogens via consumption of animal products as well as through widespread release into the environment.
The Women's Health Initiative: Lessons Learned
Authors: Prentice Ross L. , Anderson Garnet L.
Published: March 2008

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was initiated in 1992 as a major disease-prevention research program among postmenopausal women. The program includes a randomized controlled intervention trial involving 68,132 women and four distinct interventions: conjugated equine estrogens, alone or in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate, for coronary heart disease prevention with breast cancer as an anticipated adverse effect; a low-fat eating pattern for breast and colorectal cancer prevention; and calcium and vitamin D supplementation for hip fracture prevention. Results from this multifaceted trial have made a substantial impact in clinical practice. A companion cohort study among 93,676 women serves as a source for new risk factor information and provides a comparative observational assessment of the clinical trial interventions. A specimen repository and quality-controlled outcome data for a range of diseases are among the resources that support the ongoing research program. WHI clinical trial contributions and challenges are reviewed and discussed.
Corticosteroids mediate fast feedback of the rat hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis via the mineralocorticoid receptor
Authors: Atkinson Helen C. , Wood Susan A. , Castrique Emma S. , Kershaw Yvonne M. , Wiles Crispin C. R. , Lightman Stafford L.
Published: March 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate fast corticosteroid feedback of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis under basal conditions, in particular the role of the mineralocorticoid receptor. Blood samples were collected every 5 min from conscious rats at the diurnal peak, using an automated blood sampling system, and assayed for corticosterone. Feedback inhibition by rapidly increasing concentrations of ligand was achieved with an intravenous bolus of exogenous corticosteroid. This resulted in a significant reduction in plasma corticosterone concentrations within 23 min of the aldosterone bolus and 28 min of methylprednisolone. Evaluation of the pulsatile secretion of corticosterone revealed that the secretory event in progress at the time of administration of exogenous steroid was unaffected, whereas the next secretory event was inhibited by both aldosterone and methylprednisolone. The inhibitory effect of aldosterone was limited in duration (1 secretory event only), whereas that of methylprednisolone persisted for 4–5 h. Intravenous administration of canrenoate (a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) also had rapid effects on the HPA axis, with an elevation of ACTH within 10 min and corticosterone within 20 min. The inhibitory effect of aldosterone was unaffected by pretreatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-38486 but blocked by the canrenoate. These data imply an important role for the mineralocorticoid receptor in fast feedback of basal HPA activity and suggest that mineralocorticoids can dynamically regulate basal corticosterone concentrations during the diurnal peak, a time of day when there is already a high level of occupancy of the cytoplasmic mineralocorticoid receptor.
Polymorphisms in metallothionein-1 and -2 genes associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications
Authors: Yang Lina , Li Hongyan , Yu Ting , Zhao Haijun , Cherian M. George , Cai Lu , Liu Ya
Published: March 2008

Metallothionein (MT) as a potent antioxidant can affect energy metabolism. The present study was undertaken to investigate the association between MT gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Using the PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method, seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MT genes (rs8052394 and rs11076161 in MT1A gene, rs8052334, rs964372 , and rs7191779 in MT1B gene, rs708274 in MT1E gene, and rs10636 in MT2A gene) were detected in 851 Chinese people of Han descent (397 diabetes and 454 controls). Several serum measurements were also examined randomly for 43 diabetic patients and 41 controls. The frequency distributions of the G allele in SNP rs8052394 of MT1A gene were significantly associated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes. There was no difference between patients and controls for the rest of six SNPs. Serum levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were higher, and serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in the diabetic group than those in the control group. For diabetic patients, serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in GG or GA carriers than those of AA carriers of rs8052394 SNP. Increased serum levels in diabetic patients were positively associated with rs964372 SNP, and type 2 diabetes with neuropathy was positively associated with rs10636 and rs11076161. These results suggest that multiple SNPs in MT genes are associated with diabetes and its clinical symptoms. Furthermore, MT1A gene in rs8052394 SNP is most likely the predisposition gene locus for diabetes or changes of serum superoxide dismutase activity.
Numerical Analysis of Inhomogeneous Dielectric Waveguide Using Periodic Fourier Transform
Authors: Moradian M. , Khalaj-Amirhosseini M.
Published: March 2008

A general method is introduced to obtain the propagation constants of the inhomogeneous dielectric waveguide. The periodic Fourier transform is applied to the normalized Maxwell's equations and makes the field components periodic. Then they are expanded in Fourier series. Finally, the trapezoidal rule is applied to approximate the convolution integral which leads to a set of coupled second-order differential equations that can be solved as an eigenvalue-eigenvector problem. The normalized propagation constant can be obtained as the square roots of the eigenvalues of the coefficient matrices. The proposed method is applied to the dielectric waveguide with a two-layered dielectric profile in the transverse direction, and the first four-confined TE modes are obtained. The propagation constants for the mentioned dielectric waveguide are also derived analytically and are then compared with those derived by the proposed method. Comparison of results shows the efficacy of the proposed method.
Are We Overemphasizing Sun Avoidance in Protection from Melanoma?
Authors: Wartman David , Weinstock Martin
Published: March 2008

The public health effect of melanoma in the United States is undeniable as ∼60,000 diagnoses of invasive melanoma and 8,000 deaths from melanoma are expected in 2007. Due to the poor outcomes associated with treating advanced cases of melanoma, substantial public health resources have been devoted to prevention efforts. Of the various factors involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma, including genetic predisposition, immunosuppression, and UV radiation, decreasing UV exposure has attracted the most attention for decreasing the public health effect of melanoma. Although sun avoidance may be an important measure for reducing the public health effect of melanocytic and keratinocytic malignancies, educational and media campaigns to encourage sun avoidance have failed to achieve the desired behavior changes in young people, have had limited effect on elderly patients who have already experienced decades of damaging sun exposure, and most importantly have failed to decrease the incidence of melanoma. We believe the best method to reduce deaths from melanoma is to emphasize early detection and treatment of suspicious lesions through combined efforts of both patients and providers. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):469–70)
Cyclin E Overexpression in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Characterizes an Etiologic Subgroup
Authors: Schildkraut Joellen M. , Moorman Patricia G. , Bland Amy E. , Halabi Susan , Calingaert Brian , Whitaker Regina , Lee Paula S. , Elkins-Williams Tyler , Bentley Rex C. , Marks Jeffrey R. , Berchuck Andrew
Published: March 2008

Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether cyclin E overexpression defines an etiologically distinct subgroup of ovarian cancer.

Methods: We analyzed data from 538 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 629 controls enrolled in a population-based case-control study. Cyclin E protein overexpression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Case-control and case-case comparisons were done to evaluate the relationship between cyclin E overexpression and epidemiologic risk factors. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results: Case-control comparisons showed ovarian cancers with and without cyclin E overexpression have different associations with several epidemiologic risk factors. A dose-response relationship was observed between lifetime ovulatory cycles (LOC) and ovarian cancer that overexpressed cyclin E [OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0 for moderately high LOC (265-390 cycles) and OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.6-4.5 for high LOC (>390 cycles) compared with low LOC (<265 cycles)], but no relationship was seen with cancers that lacked overexpression. The most important components of the LOC variable contributing to the differences in the association with the cyclin E subgroups of ovarian cancer were months of oral contraceptive use and months pregnant.

Conclusions: Cyclin E overexpression is associated with a high number of LOC, largely influenced by oral contraceptive use and pregnancy. This suggests that cyclin E overexpression is a molecular signature characteristic of ovarian cancer cases that may arise via a pathway that involves ovulation-induced alterations. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):585–93)
Issues of Diagnostic Review in Brain Tumor Studies: From the Brain Tumor Epidemiology Consortium
Authors: Davis Faith G. , Malmer Beatrice S. , Aldape Ken , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Bondy Melissa L. , Brännström Thomas , Bruner Janet M. , Burger Peter C. , Collins V. Peter , Inskip Peter D. , Kruchko Carol , McCarthy Bridget J. , McLendon Roger E. , Sadetzki Siegal , Tihan Tarik , Wrensch Margaret R. , Buffler Patricia A.
Published: March 2008

Epidemiologists routinely conduct centralized single pathology reviews to minimize interobserver diagnostic variability, but this practice does not facilitate the combination of studies across geographic regions and institutions where diagnostic practices differ. A meeting of neuropathologists and epidemiologists focused on brain tumor classification issues in the context of protocol needs for consortial studies (http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/btec/). It resulted in recommendations relevant to brain tumors and possibly other rare disease studies. Two categories of brain tumors have enough general agreement over time, across regions, and between individual pathologists that one can consider using existing diagnostic data without further review: glioblastomas and meningiomas (as long as uniform guidelines such as those provided by the WHO are used). Prospective studies of these tumors benefit from collection of pathology reports, at a minimum recording the pathology department and classification system used in the diagnosis. Other brain tumors, such as oligodendroglioma, are less distinct and require careful histopathologic review for consistent classification across study centers. Epidemiologic study protocols must consider the study specific aims, diagnostic changes that have taken place over time, and other issues unique to the type(s) of tumor being studied. As diagnostic changes are being made rapidly, there are no readily available answers on disease classification issues. It is essential that epidemiologists and neuropathologists collaborate to develop appropriate study designs and protocols for specific hypothesis and populations. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):484–9)
UGT1A1 Genetic Polymorphisms, Endogenous Estrogen Exposure, Soy Food Intake, and Endometrial Cancer Risk
Authors: Deming Sandra L. , Zheng Wei , Xu Wang-Hong , Cai Qiuyin , Ruan Zhixian , Xiang Yong-Bing , Shu Xiao-Ou
Published: March 2008

Estrogen exposures play a critical role in the development of endometrial cancer. Genetic variation in the estrogen metabolism UGT1A1 gene may modify the effect of estrogenic exposures on endometrial cancer risk. We tested this hypothesis in a population-based case-control study of 1,047 endometrial cancer cases and 1,035 controls who completed an in-person interview and were genotyped for the UGT1A1 polymorphisms rs2070959 (A/G), rs887829 (G/A), and rs8175347 (6/7 TA repeats). Estrogen exposure-related factors evaluated include menstrual characteristics, oral contraceptive use, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and soy food intake. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The homozygote variant genotype (G/G) of the rs2070959 polymorphism was significantly associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.8). No significant associations between endometrial cancer risk and genotype were seen for the rs887829 and rs8175347 polymorphisms. Analysis of the joint effects of genotype and markers of estrogen exposure found the lowest risk of endometrial cancer among those with the homozygous variant genotype of the rs2070959 polymorphism and who were postmenopausal, had low body mass index, and had low soy food intake, although a test for multiplicative interaction was not significant. Taken together, these data suggest that the G/G genotype (rs2070959) in the UGT1A1 gene may decrease the risk of endometrial cancer and that this effect is most evident among women with low levels of endogenous estrogen exposure or with low soy food intake. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):563–70)
Reproductive Steroid Hormones and Recurrence-Free Survival in Women with a History of Breast Cancer
Authors: Rock Cheryl L. , Flatt Shirley W. , Laughlin Gail A. , Gold Ellen B. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Natarajan Loki , Jones Lovell A. , Caan Bette J. , Stefanick Marcia L. , Hajek Richard A. , Al-Delaimy Wael K. , Stanczyk Frank Z. , Pierce and John P. ,   for the Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study Group
Published: March 2008

Epidemiologic studies fairly consistently show in postmenopausal women that reproductive steroid hormones contribute to primary breast cancer risk, and this association is strongly supported by experimental studies using laboratory animals and model systems. Evidence linking sex hormone concentrations with risk for recurrence in women diagnosed with breast cancer is limited; however, beneficial effects of antiestrogenic therapy on recurrence-free survival suggest that these hormones affect progression and risk for recurrence. This study examined whether baseline serum concentrations of estradiol, testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin were associated with recurrence-free survival in a nested case-control cohort of women from a randomized diet trial (Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study) who were followed for >7 years after diagnosis. In 153 case-control pairs of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in this analysis, total estradiol [hazard ratio (HR), 1.41 per unit increase in log concentration; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.01-1.97], bioavailable estradiol (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.53), and free estradiol (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03-1.65) concentrations were significantly associated with risk for recurrence. Recurred women had an average total estradiol concentration that was double that of nonrecurred women (22.7 versus 10.8 pg/mL; P = 0.05). Testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin concentrations did not differ between cases and controls and were not associated with risk for recurrence. Although genetic and metabolic factors likely modulate the relationship between circulating sex hormones and risk, results from this study provide evidence that higher serum estrogen concentration contributes to risk for recurrence in women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):614–20)
Risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors and Polymorphisms in the Insulin-Like Growth Factor Genes
Authors: Chia Victoria M. , Sakoda Lori C. , Graubard Barry I. , Rubertone Mark V. , Chanock Stephen J. , Erickson Ralph L. , McGlynn Katherine A.
Published: March 2008

Because taller men are at increased risk of developing testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT), it is conceivable that factors that influence adult height could be related to risk of TGCT. Because common genetic variation in genes of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway could influence somatic growth, 43 single nucleotide polymorphisms in four IGF genes (IGF-1, IGF-1R, IGF-2, and IGFALS) were genotyped in 577 case and 707 control participants from the U.S. Servicemen's Testicular Tumor Environmental and Endocrine Determinants Study to assess relationships with TGCT risk; additionally, associations between polymorphisms and adult height were examined. Relationships between polymorphisms and adult height were assessed using adjusted linear regression models, and associations between polymorphisms and TGCT risk were determined by adjusted logistic regression models estimating odds ratios. Although four IGF-1R polymorphisms (rs907806, rs3743258, rs229765, and rs9282714) were associated with height (Ptrend < 0.05), there were no relationships with any other polymorphism. Overall, there were no associations among polymorphisms or haplotypes in the IGF genes and TGCT risk, with odds ratios ranging from 0.55 to 1.50. Similarly, there was no association among the polymorphisms and risk of specific TGCT histologies (seminoma and nonseminoma). There was a suggestion, however, that adult height may modify the relationship between an IGF-1 haplotype and TGCT risk. These results suggest that, in aggregate, genetic variation in IGF loci is not associated with TGCT risk. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):721–6)
Coffee, Tea, Colas, and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Song Yoon Ju , Kristal Alan R. , Wicklund Kristine G. , Cushing-Haugen Kara L. , Rossing Mary Anne
Published: March 2008

Associations of coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages with ovarian cancer risk remain uncertain. In a population-based study in Washington State, 781 women with epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 to 2005 and 1,263 controls completed self-administered questionnaires detailing consumption of caffeinated and noncaffeinated coffee, teas, and colas and in-person interviews regarding reproductive and hormonal exposures. We assessed risk associated with coffee, tea, and cola drinking and with total caffeine consumption using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Neither caffeinated nor decaffeinated coffees were associated with ovarian cancer risk; also, we observed no association of total caffeine with risk using a combined index that summed intake from coffee, tea, and carbonated soft drinks. Among teas, neither herbal/decaffeinated nor black teas were associated with risk; however, women who reported drinking ≥1 cup/d of green tea had a 54% reduction in risk (Ptrend = 0.01). Associations of green tea with risk were similar when invasive and borderline cases were considered separately and when Asian women were excluded from analysis. Green tea, which is commonly consumed in countries with low ovarian cancer incidence, should be further investigated for its cancer prevention properties. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):712–6)
DNA Methylation in Tumor and Matched Normal Tissues from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Feng Qinghua , Hawes Stephen E. , Stern Joshua E. , Wiens Linda , Lu Hiep , Dong Zhao Ming , Jordan C. Diana , Kiviat Nancy B. , Vesselle Hubert
Published: March 2008

We used MethyLight assays to analyze DNA methylation status of 27 genes on 49 paired cancerous and noncancerous tissue samples from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent surgical resection. Seven genes (RARB, BVES, CDKN2A, KCNH5, RASSF1, CDH13, and RUNX) were found to be methylated significantly more frequently in tumor tissues than in noncancerous tissues. Only methylation of CCND2 and APC was frequently detected in both cancerous and noncancerous tissues, supporting the hypothesis that the methylation of these two genes is a preneoplastic change and may be associated with tobacco smoking exposure. Methylation of any one of eight genes (RASSF1, DAPK1, BVES, CDH13, MGMT, KCNH5, RARB, or CDH1) was present in 80% of NSCLC tissues but only in 14% of noncancerous tissues. Detection of methylation of these genes in blood might have utility in monitoring and detecting tumor recurrence in early-stage NSCLC after curative surgical resection. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):645–54)
Flavonoid Intake and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Male Smokers (Finland)
Authors: Bobe Gerd , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Albanes Demetrius , Hirvonen Tero , Ashby Jason , Taylor Phil R. , Virtamo Jarmo , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael Z.
Published: March 2008

Extending research on the protective effect of flavonoids in cell culture and animal studies, we examined the association between consumption of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods and development of exocrine pancreatic cancer within the α-Tocopherol, β-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study cohort. Of the 27,111 healthy male smokers (50-69 years) who completed a self-administered dietary questionnaire at baseline, 306 developed exocrine pancreatic cancer during follow-up (1985-2004; median, 16.1 years). Intakes of total flavonoids, three flavonoid subgroups, seven individual flavonoids, and flavonoid-rich foods were estimated from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Overall, flavonoid intake was not significantly associated with pancreatic cancer. However, in stratified analysis, greater total flavonoid intake was associated with decreased pancreatic cancer risk in participants randomized during the trial to placebo (fourth versus first quartile: hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.78; Ptrend = 0.009) and not to supplemental α-tocopherol (50 mg/d) and/or β-carotene (20 mg/d; Pinteraction = 0.002). Similar patterns and significant interactions were observed for flavonols, flavan-3-ols, kaempferol, quercetin, catechin, and epicatechin. Our data suggest that a flavonoid-rich diet may decrease pancreatic cancer risk in male smokers not consuming supplemental α-tocopherol and/or β-carotene. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):553–62)
Association between Tortilla Consumption and Human Urinary Fumonisin B1 Levels in a Mexican Population
Authors: Gong Yun Yun , Torres-Sanchez Luisa , Lopez-Carrillo Lizbeth , Peng Jian He , Sutcliffe Anne E. , White Kay L. , Humpf Hans-Ulrich , Turner Paul C. , Wild Christopher P.
Published: March 2008

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp. and commonly contaminate maize and maize products worldwide. Fumonisins are rodent carcinogens and have been associated with human esophageal cancer. However, the lack of a valid exposure biomarker has hindered both the assessment of human exposure and the evaluation of disease risk. A sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method to measure urinary fumonisin B1 (FB1) following extraction on Oasis MAX cartridges was established and applied to urine samples from women in a cohort recruited in Morelos County, Mexico. Urinary FB1 was compared with dietary information on tortilla consumption. FB1 recovery in spiked samples averaged 94% as judged by deuterium-labeled FB1 internal standard. Urinary FB1 was determined in 75 samples from women selected based on low, medium, or high consumption of maize-based tortillas. The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) of urinary FB1 was 35.0 (18.8-65.2), 63.1 (36.8-108.2), and 147.4 (87.6-248.0) pg/mL and the frequency of samples above the detection limit (set at 20 pg FB1/mL urine) was 45%, 80%, and 96% for the low, medium, and high groups, respectively. Women with high intake had a 3-fold higher average FB1 levels compared with the “low intake” group (F = 7.3; P = 0.0015). Urinary FB1 was correlated with maize intake (Ptrend = 0.001); the correlation remained significant after adjusting for age, education, and place of residence. This study suggests that measurement of urinary FB1 is sufficiently sensitive for fumonisin exposure assessment in human populations and could be a valuable tool in investigating the associated health effects of exposure. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):688–94)
Glycemic Status and Risk of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Darbinian Jeanne A. , Ferrara Assiamira M. , Van Den Eeden Stephen K. , Quesenberry Charles P. , Fireman Bruce , Habel Laurel A.
Published: March 2008

Background: To examine the risk of prostate cancer and glucose tolerance in a large, racially diverse cohort.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of 47,209 male members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California who had completed at least one Multiphasic Health Checkup (MHC) between 1964 and 1973. The MHC provided information on diabetes, serum glucose 1 h after a 75-g oral glucose challenge test, demographics, and other health conditions. Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate relative risks (RR) while adjusting for confounders.

Results: During a median follow-up of 18.4 years, a total of 2,833 men developed prostate cancer. At baseline, 4.6% (n = 2,159) of the cohort had diabetes and 33% had serum glucose of ≥200 mg/dL. After adjusting for age, race, birth year, and body mass index, RR (95% confidence interval) of prostate cancer associated with 1-h serum glucose ≥200 mg/dL and diabetes were 0.90 (0.81-1.01) and 0.71 (0.62-0.79), respectively, when compared with those with serum glucose <140 mg/dL. During the first 10 years of follow-up, risk was increased among those with serum glucose ≥200 mg/dL or diabetes [RR (95% confidence interval), 1.42 (0.95-2.13) and 1.56 (0.91-2.67), respectively]. In contrast, inverse associations between serum glucose ≥200 mg/dL and diabetes and prostate cancer risk were observed [0.87 (0.77-0.97) and 0.68 (0.52-0.88), respectively] when follow-up began 10 years after MHC.

Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that prostate cancer risk differs by time since diabetes diagnosis or occurrence of metabolic aberrations associated with impaired glucose tolerance. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):628–35)
A Prospective Study of Risk-Reducing Salpingo-oophorectomy and Longitudinal CA-125 Screening among Women at Increased Genetic Risk of Ovarian Cancer: Design and Baseline Characteristics: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study
Authors: Greene Mark H. , Piedmonte Marion , Alberts Dave , Gail Mitchell , Hensley Martee , Miner Zoe , Mai Phuong L. , Loud Jennifer , Rodriguez Gustavo , Basil Jack , Boggess John , Schwartz Peter E. , Kelley Joseph L. , Wakeley Katie E. , Minasian Lori , Skates Stephen
Published: March 2008

Background: Women who are genetically predisposed to ovarian cancer are at very high risk of developing this disease. Although risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) and various screening regimens are currently recommended to reduce ovarian cancer risk, the optimal management strategy has not been established nor have multiple additional issues been adequately addressed. We developed a collaboration among the Clinical Genetics Branch (National Cancer Institute's Intramural Research Program), the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), and the Cancer Genetics Network to address these issues.

Methods: This is a prospective, international, two-cohort, nonrandomized study of women at genetic risk of ovarian cancer, who chose either to undergo RRSO or screening, at study enrollment. Primary study objectives include quantifying and comparing ovarian and breast cancer incidence in the two study groups, assessing feasibility and selected performance characteristics of a novel ovarian cancer screening strategy (the Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm), evaluating various aspects of quality of life and nononcologic morbidity related to various interventions in at-risk women, and creating a biospecimen repository for subsequent translational research.

Results: Study accrual is complete as of November 2006; 2,605 participants enrolled: 1,030 (40%) into the surgical cohort and 1,575 (60%) into the screening cohort. Five years of prospective follow-up ends in November 2011. Verification of BRCA mutation carrier status is under way, either through patient-provided reports from clinical genetic testing done before enrollment or through research-based genetic testing being conducted as part of the protocol. Patient eligibility is currently under evaluation and baseline, surgical, pathology, and outcome data are still being collected. The study design and selected baseline characteristics of cohort members are summarized.

Conclusion: This National Cancer Institute intramural/extramural collaboration will provide invaluable prospectively collected observational data on women at high familial ovarian cancer risk, including substantial numbers of women carrying BRCA1/2 mutations. These data will aid in elucidating the effect of RRSO on breast/ovarian cancer risk and the effects of two management strategies, on quality of life and other issues that may influence patient care, as well as providing preliminary estimates of test specificity and positive predictive value of a novel ovarian cancer screening strategy. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):594–604)
Use of the Prostate-Specific Antigen Test among U.S. Men: Findings from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey
Authors: Ross Louie E. , Berkowitz Zahava , Ekwueme Donatus U.
Published: March 2008

Background: Although evidence that prostate cancer deaths are reduced by screening for elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration coupled with early diagnosis and treatment is insufficient to advocate routine screening for prostate cancer, PSA testing has become more common in the past decade. We examined characteristics that might influence testing and compared test use between men ages 40 to 49 and 50 to 79 years.

Methods: We used data from 7,669 participants with no history of prostate cancer in the 2005 National Health Interview Survey.

Results: Among men reporting about PSA testing, an estimated 16% of 40- to 49-year-old men and 49% of 50- to 79-year-old men had a PSA test in the past 2 years. In multivariate analyses, among men ages 40 to 49 years, non-Hispanic Black men were more likely (P < 0.05) to have had a PSA test than non-Hispanic White men. We found no significant difference by race/ethnicity in men ages 50 to 79 years. Higher education, higher poverty threshold, usual source of medical care, family history of prostate cancer, and comorbid conditions were associated with increased PSA test use in both age groups. Additionally, men ages 50 to 79 years born in the United States, who were married, had private or military health insurance, and had been diagnosed with another cancer type were more likely to be tested.

Conclusions: Findings from the multivariate analyses indicated significantly higher PSA test use among younger non-Hispanic Black men than among non-Hispanic White men. These findings may indicate that healthcare providers are getting and conveying the message of increased risk of prostate cancer among African American men. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):636–44)
No Association between hOGG1, XRCC1, and XPD Polymorphisms and Risk of Reflux Esophagitis, Barrett's Esophagus, or Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Results from the Factors Influencing the Barrett's Adenocarcinoma Relationship Case-Control Study
Authors: Ferguson Heather R. , Wild Christopher P. , Anderson Lesley A. , Murphy Seamus J. , Johnston Brian T. , Murray Liam J. , Watson R.G. Peter , McGuigan Jim , Reynolds John V. , Hardie Laura J.
Published: March 2008

Reflux of gastric contents can lead to development of reflux esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Damage to DNA may lead to carcinogenesis but is repaired through activation of pathways involving polymorphic enzymes, including human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1), X-ray repair cross-complementing 1 (XRCC1), and xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD). Of the single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in these genes, hOGG1 Ser326Cys, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, and XPD Lys751Gln are particularly common in Caucasians and have been associated with lower DNA repair capacity. Small studies have reported associations with XPD Lys751Gln and esophageal adenocarcinoma. XRCC1 Arg399Gln has been linked to Barrett's esophagus and reflux esophagitis. In a population-based case-control study, we examined associations of the hOGG1 Ser326Cys, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms with risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett's esophagus, and reflux esophagitis. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 210), Barrett's esophagus (n = 212), reflux esophagitis (n = 230), and normal population controls frequency matched for age and sex (n = 248). Polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained from logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors. There were no statistically significant associations between these polymorphisms and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett's esophagus, or reflux esophagitis. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(3):736–9)
Comparison of PD0348292, a selective factor Xa inhibitor, to antiplatelet agents for the inhibition of arterial thrombosis
Authors: Karnicki Krzysztof , Leadley Robert , Baxi Sangita , Peterson Thomas , Wysokinski Waldemar , McBane Robert
Published: March 2008

The objective of this study was to determine if orally-administered PD0348292, a direct specific factor Xa inhibitor, inhibits thrombosis following porcine carotid arterial injury comparably to aspirin or clopidogrel alone or in combination. We further sought to determine whether the antithrombotic efficacy in vivo could be predicted using an ex-vivo perfusion chamber. Oral treatments included: PD0348292 (0.4, 0.9, or 4.3 mg/kg); PD0348292 (0.4 mg/kg) plus aspirin (325 mg); aspirin; clopidogrel (75 mg); aspirin plus clopidogrel; or vehicle (n=6–10/group). Aspirin and clopidogrel were administered 27 and four hours pre-injury and PD0348292 or vehicle was administered four hours pre-injury. Both carotid arteries were crush-injured, and thrombus was measured by detection of 111In-platelets over 30 minutes. Prior to injury, the antithrombotic efficacy was assessed by ex-vivo perfusion chamber platelet deposition. PD0348292 produced dose-dependent prothrombin time (0.9- to 2.9-fold) and aPTT (1.4- to 2.5-fold) prolongations. Bleeding times were significantly prolonged in each active drug group compared to vehicle, but were not significantly different between drug groups. PD0348292 significantly inhibited arterial platelet deposition (x106/cm2) at 4.3(549 ± 1,066), 0.9 (399 ± 162) and 0.4 mg/kg (531 ± 470) compared to vehicle (2,242 ± 1,443). Aspirin (992 ± 973), clopidogrel (537 ± 483), clopidogrel plus aspirin (228 ± 66) or PD0348292 plus aspirin (558 ± 317) also significantly inhibited platelet deposition, although these values were not significantly different than with any dose of PD348292. Perfusion chamber platelet deposition correlated significantly with in-vivo anti-thrombotic response. In conclusion, PD0348292 inhibited arterial thrombosis comparable to aspirin plus clopidogrel. Perfusion chamber methodology may be useful in predicting in-vivo antithrombotic efficacy.
Clinical Predictors for Fatal Pulmonary Embolism in 15 520 Patients With Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Laporte Silvy , Mismetti Patrick , Décousus Hervé , Uresandi Fernando , Otero Remedios , Lobo Jose Luis , Monreal Manuel ,   the RIETE Investigators
Published: March 2008

Background—

Clinical predictors for fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with venous thromboembolism have never been studied.

Methods and Results—

Using data from the international prospective Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbolica venosa (RIETE) registry about patients with objectively confirmed symptomatic acute venous thromboembolism, we determined independent predictive factors for fatal PE. Between March 2001 and July 2006, 15 520 consecutive patients (mean age±SD, 66.3±16.9 years; 49.7% men) with acute venous thromboembolism were included. Symptomatic deep-vein thrombosis without symptomatic PE was observed in 58.0% (n=9008) of patients, symptomatic nonmassive PE in 40.4% (n=6264), and symptomatic massive PE in 1.6% (n=248). At 3 months, the cumulative rates of overall mortality and fatal PE were 8.65% and 1.68%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, patients with symptomatic nonmassive PE at presentation exhibited a 5.42-fold higher risk of fatal PE compared with patients with deep-vein thrombosis without symptomatic PE (
P
<0.001). The risk of fatal PE was multiplied by 17.5 in patients presenting with a symptomatic massive PE. Other clinical factors independently associated with an increased risk of fatal PE were immobilization for neurological disease, age >75 years, and cancer.

Conclusion—

PE remains a potentially fatal disease. The clinical predictors identified in the present study should be included in any clinical risk stratification scheme to optimally adapt the treatment of PE to the risk of the fatal outcome.
Combined Inhibition of CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR5 Abrogates Ly6C
hi
and Ly6C
lo
Monocytosis and Almost Abolishes Atherosclerosis in Hypercholesterolemic Mice
Authors: Combadière Christophe , Potteaux Stéphane , Rodero Mathieu , Simon Tabassome , Pezard Adeline , Esposito Bruno , Merval Régine , Proudfoot Amanda , Tedgui Alain , Mallat Ziad
Published: March 2008

Background—

Monocytes are critical mediators of atherogenesis. Deletion of individual chemokines or chemokine receptors leads to significant but only partial inhibition of lesion development, whereas deficiency in other signals such as CXCL16 or CCR1 accelerates atherosclerosis. Evidence that particular chemokine pathways may cooperate to promote monocyte accumulation into inflamed tissues, particularly atherosclerotic arteries, is still lacking.

Methods and Results—

Here, we show that chemokine-mediated signals critically determine the frequency of monocytes in the blood and bone marrow under both noninflammatory and atherosclerotic conditions. Particularly, CCL2-, CX3CR1-, and CCR5-dependent signals differentially alter CD11b
+
Ly6G
−
7/4
hi
(also known as Ly6C
hi
) and CD11b
+
Ly6G
−
7/4
lo
(Ly6C
lo
) monocytosis. Combined inhibition of CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR5 in hypercholesterolemic, atherosclerosis-susceptible apolipoprotein E–deficient mice leads to abrogation of bone marrow monocytosis and to additive reduction in circulating monocytes despite persistent hypercholesterolemia. These effects are associated with a marked and additive 90% reduction in atherosclerosis. Interestingly, lesion size highly correlates with the number of circulating monocytes, particularly the CD11b
+
Ly6G
−
7/4
lo
subset.

Conclusions—

CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR5 play independent and additive roles in atherogenesis. Signals mediated through these pathways critically determine the frequency of circulating monocyte subsets and thereby account for almost all macrophage accumulation into atherosclerotic arteries.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition After Experimental Myocardial Infarct
Authors: Duka Arvi , Kintsurashvili Ekaterina , Duka Irena , Ona Deborah , Hopkins Teresa A. , Bader Michael , Gavras Irene , Gavras Haralambos
Published: March 2008

We sought to define the contribution of each of the 2 kinin receptors (bradykinin 1 receptor [B1R] and bradykinin 2 receptor [B2R]) to the cardioprotection of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition after acute myocardial infarct. Wild-type mice and gene knockout mice missing either B1R or B2R were submitted to coronary ligation with or without concurrent ACE inhibition and had evaluation of left ventricular systolic capacity by assessment of fractional shortening (FS). Baseline FS was similar in all of the animals and remained unchanged in sham-operated ones. At 3 weeks after myocardial infarct, in the wild-type group there was a 27% reduction of FS (P<0.5) without ACE inhibition and 8% with ACE inhibition; in the B1R−/−groups the FS was reduced by 24% and was no different (at 28%) with ACE inhibition; in the B2R−/−groups, however, the FS was decreased by 39% and with ACE inhibition was decreased further by 52%. Analysis of bradykinin receptor gene expression in hearts showed that when one receptor was missing, the other became significantly upregulated; but the B1R remained highly overexpressed in the B2R−/−mice throughout, whereas the overexpressed B2R became significantly suppressed in the B1R−/−mice in a manner quantitatively and directionally similar to that of wild-type mice. We conclude that both bradykinin receptors contribute to the cardioprotective bradykinin-mediated effect of ACE inhibition, not only the B2R as believed previously; but, whereas with potentiated bradykinin in the absence of B1R, the upregulation of B2R is simply insufficient to provide full cardioprotection, in the absence of B2R, the upregulated B1R actually seems to inflict further tissue damage.
Intergovernmental Organizations and the Kantian Peace
Authors: Dorussen Han , Ward Hugh
Published: March 2008

The authors use network analysis to argue that the main contribution of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) to international stability is not necessarily their direct and individual impact, because generally IGOs are institutionally weak. Rather, membership of IGOs creates network ties between states, allowing them, either individually or collectively, to intervene more effectively in latent conflicts. The IGO network also provides direct and indirect communication channels, where indirect links can act as partial substitutes for direct diplomatic ties. Empirically, the authors apply these ideas to the extensive network of international linkages created in the post—World War II period. They demonstrate that indirect links do indeed matter and that they substitute for more direct diplomatic ties. Furthermore, these effects are not limited to ties created by IGOs with specific security functions.
IO Mediation of Interstate Conflicts
Authors: Hansen Holley E. , McLaughlin Mitchell Sara , Nemeth Stephen C.
Published: March 2008

Regional and global intergovernmental organizations have grown both in number and scope, yet their role and effectiveness as conflict managers is not fully understood. Previous research efforts tend to categorize organizations solely by the scope of their membership, which obscures important sources of variation in institutional design at both the regional and global levels. International organizations will be more successful conflict managers if they are highly institutionalized, if they have members with homogeneous preferences, and if they have more established democratic members. These hypotheses are evaluated with data on territorial (1816-2001), maritime (1900-2001), and river (1900-2001) claims from the Issue Correlates of War (ICOW) project in the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and the Middle East. Empirical analysis suggests that international organizations are more likely to help disputing parties reach an agreement if they have more democratic members, if they are highly institutionalized, and when they use binding management techniques.
The Influence of Collaboration on Program Outcomes
Authors: Hicks Darrin , Larson Carl , Nelson Christopher , Olds David L. , Johnston Erik
Published: March 2008

Though collaboration is often required in community initiatives, little evidence documents relationships between collaboration and program success. The authors contend that clarification of the construct collaboration is necessary for investigating its contribution to the success of community initiatives. After respecifying collaboration, they present a study of a multisite program that involved varying degrees of collaboration in the 16 communities adopting a nurse home visitation program. The authors employ hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to test the predictive power of individual participant characteristics and examine the increased accuracy of predictions from a second level model of site qualities—specifically, features of the collaborative process associated with different sites. The first-level model predicted approximately 10% of the variance in attrition, or dropout, of program clients. The second-level model accounted for an additional 28% of the variance in attrition. A theory of commitment transfer is offered as a first explanation of this result.