bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Sound Sensitivity in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Stiegler Lillian N. , Davis Rebecca
Published: April 2010

Literature on sound sensitivity in individuals with and without autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is reviewed in this article. Empirical evidence is examined, and physiologic and psychoemotional-behavioral perspectives are described.There is virtually no evidence of true physiological differences in auditory systems of individuals with ASD. It is evident, however, that many people with ASD (a) feel fearful and anxious about sound, and (b) may experience unpleasant physiological sensations because of autonomic and/or behavioral responses to nonpreferred sounds, but (c) can learn to react in less stigmatizing, more effectively self-regulating ways. Current assessment and intervention practices are discussed, and a case is presented. Heightened understanding of this issue among caregivers and interventionists may ultimately improve life participation for individuals with ASD.
Gender Labor: Transmen, Femmes, and Collective Work of Transgression
Authors: Ward Jane
Published: April 2010

This article takes femme/FTM sexual relationships as a point of departure to consider gender itself as a form of labor, or to illustrate how gender subjectivities are constituted by various labors required of, and provided by, intimate others. Analysis focuses on the work that women do in relationships with transgendered men, specifically the work that they do to validate and celebrate their partners’ masculinity. ‘Gender labor’ extends beyond the work people do to achieve our own gender coherence; it also describes emotional, physical, and sexual care-taking efforts aimed at suspending self-focus and helping others achieve the varied forms of gender recognition they long for. Though gender labor is both given and received by all people, the author argues that it weighs down most heavily on feminine subjects, the people for whom caring, sex and other ‘labors of love’ are naturalized, expected or forced.
Thoughts on Finding and Assisting Individuals in Forced Labor in the USA
Authors: Brennan Denise
Published: April 2010

This article draws from interviews with formerly trafficked persons who have resettled in the USA. It has not been easy finding trafficked persons in the USA. The author contends that this is due, in part, to a focus of most antitrafficking activities on one industry — the sex industry — to the exclusion of investigations into exploitation of migrant workers in other labor sectors. At the same time, undocumented workers stay quiet about workplace abuses because of a fear of deportation. ICE raids on workplaces where undocumented migrants may labor and the passage of local ordinances that empower local police officers to enforce immigration laws (287g agreements), have increased distrust between law enforcement and migrant communities. Forced underground, migrants working in vulnerable situations will be harder to find and to assist. This environment of threat shapes the resettlement of formerly trafficked persons since they typically enter the same low-wage, insecure and possibly exploitative work after being trafficked. More meaningful rights-based alliances with community-based organizations that focus on migrants’ rights is a critical step to preventing forced labor and to assisting formerly trafficked persons. The fight against trafficking is a fight for migrants’ rights.
Screening Sexual Slavery? Southeast Asian Gonzo Porn and US Anti-Trafficking Law
Authors: Parreñas Shimizu Celine
Published: April 2010

Do videotaped scenes of Southeast Asian prostitutes intimately engaging western sex tourists provide evidence of victimization by sex trafficking? Scenes presented in popular ‘gonzo’ or professional—amateur pornography of Southeast Asian sex tourism tell a more complex story that requires a critical visual reading practice not only of prostitution but of pornography and slavery. Looking at the particular case of the sexual imaging of Asian women, I show how we need to develop ways of critical reading that do not simply diagnose pornography as racism, prostitution as victimization, or sex as slavery, but as complex scenes of power, agency, and difference. I illustrate the historical use of Asian women’s images to establish how sexuality is tied to racial sexual difference and interrogate scenes of gonzo porn in which the prostitutes engage the camera. I argue that by employing ‘intimate literacy’, we can attend to what the prostitute might be saying through pornography.
Little India, Next Exit
Authors: Sheth Anup
Published: April 2010

■ In Southern California, as in many other metropolitan regions across the US, some places are identified as ethnic destinations: publicly labeled or branded urban spaces designed to highlight an ethnic area to city residents and tourists. This article analyzes the social and political processes that are critical to the ethnic branding of urban places by examining a political dispute in 2003 over the placement of a freeway sign in the City of Artesia, in southeastern Los Angeles County, that would have identified the area as ‘Little India’ to passing motorists. This article shows that ethnic labeling does not arise simply from an area’s demographic composition; ethnic entrepreneurs play an important role. Ethnic tensions, which can emerge when labeling is proposed, can fragment residents and businesses in the locality. If this occurs, the decisions of political actors and their relationships to one another are critical to resolving — or exacerbating — the dispute.
A team field study of the appeal of megachurches
Authors: Snow David A. , Bany James A. , Peria Michelle , Stobaugh James E.
Published: April 2010

■ Through an ongoing team fieldwork project that entails ethnographic observations and interviews at multiple research sites in southern California, this study seeks an understanding of the growth of contemporary megachurches by examining how they go about the business of attracting new members and retaining old ones. In this article, we focus on how the megachurches assist members in addressing personal issues through diagnostic and prognostic framing within large congregational gatherings and problem-oriented small groups. These processes are elaborated through the intensive examination of a small group dealing with ‘the problem of same-sex attraction’. The study explains the appeal of megachurches at two levels: for individuals, megachurches sharpen and fine-tune an expanding array of personal problems or issues; and, at the organizational and institutional level, they have become major players in the self-help market.
Sým-bolon
Authors: Willis Paul
Published: April 2010

■ The Greek roots for the word symbol are sým (thrown) and bolon (together). In the recent idealized and abstract turn of the social sciences towards ‘discourse’, it has been forgotten how in their production meanings carried by symbols are precisely thrown together with material, social, and interactive circumstances. Urban ethnographers are well equipped to see the signifier not as ‘free-floating’ but as always engaged — through its intransigent opacities as well as its transparent relevancies — in socially situated context and social action as it finds its signified. Utilizing examples from my own ethnographic work, this article presents an urban and class-specific view of how symbols are thrown together with the circumstances of material want, social pressure, and ideological abjection suffered by young people at the bottom of social space in deprived urban areas. The struggle for survival here produces cultural forms and meanings which are no less creative and complex than the recognized formal creations of ‘art’ but are formed in quite different ways under pressure and compression, rather than in ‘choice’ and ‘freedom’.
Cinema halls, locality and urban life
Authors: Srinivas Lakshmi
Published: April 2010

■ Drawing on ethnographic field research in Bangalore, a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual city in South India, this article explores the relationship between cinema and the city and the significance of the urban setting for the cinema experience, for moviegoers and film business insiders. Contrary to received understandings of cinema as a universal and placeless experience, interviews with audiences, filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors reveal that locality is important for the framing and embedding of cinema, for the meanings associated with any particular film or genre. The article suggests that urban space-cultures which situate cinema are consequential for both the box office performance of the film and the audiences’ experience.
The randomized response log linear model as a composite link model
Authors: van den Hout Ardo , Gilchrist Robert , van der Heijden Peter GM
Published: April 2010

In randomized response (RR) designs, misclassification is used to protect the privacy of respondents when sensitive questions are asked. A generalized linear model with a composite link function is presented to formulate log linear models that take the RR design into account. The approach is extended to model the situation where some respondents do not follow the instructions of the RR design. For example, if there are three binary RR variables with regard to practicing fraud, the 2 × 2 × 2 cross-classification of the true answers is latent due to the misclassification. Using composite link functions, log linear models can be specified for the latent table to investigate possible association between the variables. Fast iteratively re-weighted least squares algorithms are presented.
Causal hidden variable model of pathogenic contamination from pig to pork
Authors: Ranta Jukka , Siekkinen Kirsi-Maarit , Nuotio Lasse , Laukkanen Riikka , Hellström Sanna , Korkeala Hannu , Maijala Riitta
Published: April 2010

Risk assessments relating to food safety over more than one step along a production chain are frequently hampered by lack of detailed quantitative data. This study set out to develop a Bayesian hidden variable model to integrate available limited data of the combined occurrence of three bacterial pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, with causal assumptions along three steps of pork production chain. The pathogen occurrence data were animal specific both on conventional and organic pig farms and at the abattoir, but merely farm specific at meat cutting plants. The model was able to incorporate all data concerning different types of testing at different steps of the chain, and missing data values were dealt with in a straightforward manner. It provides a tool for quantitative risk assessments and for estimating the causal risk mitigation effects by combining external data with the specific follow-up data. Intervention effects are provided with Bayesian credible intervals indicating the uncertainty due to all information sources included in the model. Combined prevalence in Finnish pork was estimated to be 1–11% and it could be reduced to 0–2% if head was removed intact and rectum sealed off.
Gaining and Maintaining Access
Authors: Clark Tom
Published: April 2010

Gatekeepers occupy increasingly important positions within qualitative social work research and their engagement with research is crucial to the ongoing development of a useable knowledge base. However, while some studies have hinted at the mechanisms that support and challenge the relationship between gatekeepers and researchers, there is a paucity of systematic research concerning how these relationships can be maintained more effectively for all concerned. This article aims to develop the literature in this respect by examining how researchers in the child and families research arena (n = 13) understand the mechanisms that support and challenge the engagement of gatekeepers. Several mechanisms that support engagement are identified. These are: political representation, civic and moral responsibility to engage, and the identification of good practice. Similarly, a number of mechanisms that can challenge engagement are also explored. These include: methodology, representation, intrusion, and, disruption. These results are discussed in relation to the current developments within the field of qualitative social work that have seen a rise in collectivized responses to research requests.
Can hip fracture prediction in women be estimated beyond bone mineral density measurement alone?
Authors: Geusens Piet , van Geel Tineke , van den Bergh Joop
Published: April 2010

The etiology of hip fractures is multifactorial and includes bone and fall-related factors. Low bone mineral density (BMD) and BMD-related and BMD-independent geometric components of bone strength, evaluated by hip strength analysis (HSA) and finite element analysis analyses on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images, and ultrasound parameters are related to the presence and incidence of hip fracture. In addition, clinical risk factors contribute to the risk of hip fractures, independent of BMD. They are included in the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) case finding algorithm to estimate in the individual patient the 10-year risk of hip fracture, with and without BMD. Fall risks are not included in FRAX, but are included in other case finding tools, such as the Garvan algorithm, to predict the 5- and 10-year hip fracture risk. Hormones, cytokines, growth factors, markers of bone resorption and genetic background have been related to hip fracture risk. Vitamin D deficiency is endemic worldwide and low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] predict hip fracture risk. In the context of hip fracture prevention calculation of absolute fracture risk using clinical risks, BMD, bone geometry and fall-related risks is feasible, but needs further refinement by integrating bone and fall-related risk factors into a single case finding algorithm for clinical use.
Using hand bone mass measurements to assess progression of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hoff Mari , Haugeberg Glenn
Published: April 2010

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) bone involvement presents as joint erosions in addition to generalized and periarticular osteoporosis. Joint erosions on radiographs of the hands and feet are considered to be the gold standard to evaluate progression of bone and joint damage in RA, even though erosions on radiographs are not used as a marker of early bone involvement. Periarticular bone loss seen on radiographs may be the first sign of bone involvement in RA. Over the last decade there has been an increased awareness of the importance of early aggressive treatment in RA, leading to a need for methods which can identify bone involvement in the early stages of RA. As inflammatory bone loss, especially at the hand, has been shown to occur early in RA, quantitative measures of hand bone loss have been proposed as an outcome measure for the detection of bone involvement. In this review article we present data supporting the hypothesis that both erosions and osteoporosis in RA occur as a result of the same pathophysiological mechanisms activating the osteoclast. Furthermore the role of hand bone loss as an early marker of inflammatory bone involvement, a predictor of subsequent radiographic joint damage and a response variable to anti-inflammatory treatment is discussed.
Canonical BMP signaling is dispensable for hematopoietic stem cell function in both adult and fetal liver hematopoiesis, but essential to preserve colon architecture
Authors: Singbrant Sofie , Karlsson Göran , Ehinger Mats , Olsson Karin , Jaako Pekka , Miharada Ken-ichi , Stadtfeld Matthias , Graf Thomas , Karlsson Stefan
Published: April 2010

Numerous publications have described the importance of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in the specification of hematopoietic tissue in developing embryos. Here we investigate the full role of canonical BMP signaling in both adult and fetal liver hematopoiesis using conditional knockout strategies because conventional disruption of components of the BMP signaling pathway result in early death of the embryo. By targeting both Smad1 and Smad5, we have generated a double-knockout mouse with complete disruption of canonical BMP signaling. Interestingly, concurrent deletion of Smad1 and Smad5 results in death because of extrahematopoietic pathologic changes in the colon. However, Smad1/Smad5-deficient bone marrow cells can compete normally with wild-type cells and display unaffected self-renewal and differentiation capacity when transplanted into lethally irradiated recipients. Moreover, although BMP receptor expression is increased in fetal liver, fetal liver cells deficient in both Smad1 and Smad5 remain competent to long-term reconstitute lethally irradiated recipients in a multilineage manner. In conclusion, canonical BMP signaling is not required to maintain either adult or fetal liver hematopoiesis, despite its crucial role in the initial patterning of hematopoiesis in early embryonic development.
An evolutionarily conserved PTEN-C/EBPα-CTNNA1 axis controls myeloid development and transformation
Authors: Fu Chun-Tang , Zhu Kang-Yong , Mi Jian-Qing , Liu Yuan-Fang , Murray Susan T. , Fu Yan-Fang , Ren Chun-Guang , Dong Zhi-Wei , Liu Yi-Jie , Dong Mei , Jin Yi , Chen Yi , Deng Min , Zhang Wu , Chen Bin , Breslin Peter , Chen Sai-Juan , Chen Zhu , Becker Michael W. , Zhu Jiang , Zhang Ji-Wang , Liu Ting Xi
Published: April 2010

Loss of function of tumor suppressor genes, such as PTEN, CEBPΑ, and CTNNA1 (encoding the α-catenin protein), has been found to play an essential role in leukemogenesis. However, whether these genes genetically interact remains largely unknown. Here, we show that PTEN-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling acts upstream to dictate the ratio of wild-type p42 C/EBPα to its dominant-negative p30 isoform, which critically determines whether p30 C/EBPα (lower p42/p30 ratio) or p42 C/EBPα (higher p42/p30 ratio) binds to the proximal promoter of the retained CTNNA1 allele. Binding of p30 C/EBPα recruits the polycomb repressive complex 2 to suppress CTNNA1 transcription through repressive H3K27me3 modification, whereas binding of p42 C/EBPα relieves this repression and promotes CTNNA1 expression through activating H3K4me3 modification. Loss of Pten function in mice and zebrafish induces myelodysplasia with abnormal invasiveness of myeloid progenitors accompanied by significant reductions in both wild-type C/EBPα and α-catenin protein. Importantly, frame-shift mutations in either PTEN or CEBPA were detected exclusively in the primary LICs with low CTNNA1 expression. This study uncovers a novel molecular pathway, PTEN-C/EBPα-CTNNA1, which is evolutionarily conserved and might be therapeutically targeted to eradicate LICs with low CTNNA1 expression.
DNIC-mediated analgesia produced by a supramaximal electrical or a high-dose formalin conditioning stimulus: roles of opioid and α2-adrenergic receptors
Authors: Wen Yeong-Ray , Wang Chia-Chuan , Yeh Geng-Chang , Hsu Sheng-Feng , Huang Yung-Jen , Li Yen-Li , Sun Wei-Zen
Published: April 2010

Background

Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) can be produced by different types of conditioning stimuli, but the analgesic properties and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to differentiate the induction of DNIC analgesia between noxious electrical and inflammatory conditioning stimuli.

Methods

First, rats subjected to either a supramaximal electrical stimulation or an injection of high-dose formalin in the hind limb were identified to have pain responses with behavioral evidence and spinal Fos-immunoreactive profiles. Second, suppression of tail-flick latencies by the two noxious stimuli was assessed to confirm the presence of DNIC. Third, an opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone) and an α2-adrenoreceptor antagonist (yohimbine) were injected, intraperitoneally and intrathecally respectively, before conditioning noxious stimuli to test the involvement of descending inhibitory pathways in DNIC-mediated analgesia.

Results

An intramuscular injection of 100 μl of 5% formalin produced noxious behaviors with cumulative pain scores similar to those of 50 μl of 2% formalin in the paw. Both electrical and chemical stimulation significantly increased Fos expression in the superficial dorsal horns, but possessed characteristic distribution patterns individually. Both conditioning stimuli prolonged the tail-flick latencies indicating a DNIC response. However, the electrical stimulation-induced DNIC was reversed by yohimbine, but not by naloxone; whereas noxious formalin-induced analgesia was both naloxone- and yohimbine-reversible.

Conclusions

It is demonstrated that DNIC produced by different types of conditioning stimuli can be mediated by different descending inhibitory controls, indicating the organization within the central nervous circuit is complex and possibly exhibits particular clinical manifestations.
Response network analysis of differential gene expression in human epithelial lung cells during avian influenza infections
Authors: Tatebe Ken , Zeytun Ahmet , Ribeiro Ruy M , Hoffmann Robert , Harrod Kevin S , Forst Christian V
Published: April 2010

Background

The recent emergence of the H5N1 influenza virus from avian reservoirs has raised concern about future influenza strains of high virulence emerging that could easily infect humans. We analyzed differential gene expression of lung epithelial cells to compare the response to H5N1 infection with a more benign infection with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). These gene expression data are then used as seeds to find important nodes by using a novel combination of the Gene Ontology database and the Human Network of gene interactions. Additional analysis of the data is conducted by training support vector machines (SVM) with the data and examining the orientations of the optimal hyperplanes generated.

Results

Analysis of gene clustering in the Gene Ontology shows no significant clustering of genes unique to H5N1 response at 8 hours post infection. At 24 hours post infection, however, a number of significant gene clusters are found for nodes representing "immune response" and "response to virus" terms. There were no significant clusters of genes in the Gene Ontology for the control (Mock) or RSV experiments that were unique relative to the H5N1 response. The genes found to be most important in distinguishing H5N1 infected cells from the controls using SVM showed a large degree of overlap with the list of significantly regulated genes. However, though none of these genes were members of the GO clusters found to be significant.

Conclusions

Characteristics of H5N1 infection compared to RSV infection show several immune response factors that are specific for each of these infections. These include faster timescales within the cell as well as a more focused activation of immunity factors. Many of the genes that are found to be significantly expressed in H5N1 response relative to the control experiments are not found to cluster significantly in the Gene Ontology. These genes are, however, often closely linked to the clustered genes through the Human Network. This may suggest the need for more diverse annotations of these genes and verification of their action in immune response.
Directionality in protein fold prediction
Authors: Ellis Jonathan J , Huard Fabien PE , Deane Charlotte M , Srivastava Sheenal , Wood Graham R
Published: April 2010

Background

Ever since the ground-breaking work of Anfinsen et al. in which a denatured protein was found to refold to its native state, it has been frequently stated by the protein fold prediction community that all the information required for protein folding lies in the amino acid sequence. Recent in vitro experiments and in silico computational studies, however, have shown that cotranslation may affect the folding pathway of some proteins, especially those of ancient folds. In this paper aspects of cotranslational folding have been incorporated into a protein structure prediction algorithm by adapting the Rosetta program to fold proteins as the nascent chain elongates. This makes it possible to conduct a pairwise comparison of folding accuracy, by comparing folds created sequentially from each end of the protein.

Results

A single main result emerged: in 94% of proteins analyzed, following the sense of translation, from N-terminus to C-terminus, produced better predictions than following the reverse sense of translation, from the C-terminus to N-terminus. Two secondary results emerged. First, this superiority of N-terminus to C-terminus folding was more marked for proteins showing stronger evidence of cotranslation and second, an algorithm following the sense of translation produced predictions comparable to, and occasionally better than, Rosetta.

Conclusions

There is a directionality effect in protein fold prediction. At present, prediction methods appear to be too noisy to take advantage of this effect; as techniques refine, it may be possible to draw benefit from a sequential approach to protein fold prediction.
CC3/TIP30 affects DNA damage repair
Authors: Fong Sylvia , King Frank , Shtivelman Emma
Published: April 2010

Background

The pro-apoptotic protein CC3/TIP30 has an unusual cellular function as an inhibitor of nucleocytoplasmic transport. This function is likely to be activated under conditions of stress. A number of studies support the notion that CC3 acts as a tumor and metastasis suppressor in various types of cancer. The yeast homolog of CC3 is likely to be involved in responses to DNA damage. Here we examined the potential role of CC3 in regulation of cellular responses to genotoxic stress.

Results

We found that forced expression of CC3 in CC3-negative cells strongly delays the repair of UV-induced DNA damage. Exogenously introduced CC3 negatively affects expression levels of DDB2/XPE and p21CIP1, and inhibits induction of c-FOS after UV exposure. In addition, exogenous CC3 prevents the nuclear accumulation of P21CIP in response to UV. These changes in the levels/localization of relevant proteins resulting from the enforced expression of CC3 are likely to contribute to the observed delay in DNA damage repair. Silencing of CC3 in CC3-positive cells has a modest delaying effect on repair of the UV induced damage, but has a much more significant negative affect on the translesion DNA synthesis after UV exposure. This could be related to the higher expression levels and increased nuclear localization of p21CIP1 in cells where expression of CC3 is silenced. Expression of CC3 also inhibits repair of oxidative DNA damage and leads to a decrease in levels of nucleoredoxin, that could contribute to the reduced viability of CC3 expressing cells after oxidative insult.

Conclusions

Manipulation of the cellular levels of CC3 alters expression levels and/or subcellular localization of proteins that exhibit nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. This results in altered responses to genotoxic stress and adversely affects DNA damage repair by affecting the recruitment of adequate amounts of required proteins to proper cellular compartments. Excess of cellular CC3 has a significant negative effect on DNA repair after UV and oxidant exposure, while silencing of endogenous CC3 slightly delays repair of UV-induced damage.
The RNA binding protein HuR differentially regulates unique subsets of mRNAs in estrogen receptor negative and estrogen receptor positive breast cancer
Authors: Calaluce Robert , Gubin Matthew M , Davis J Wade , Magee Joseph D , Chen Jing , Kuwano Yuki , Gorospe Myriam , Atasoy Ulus
Published: April 2010

Background

The discordance between steady-state levels of mRNAs and protein has been attributed to posttranscriptional control mechanisms affecting mRNA stability and translation. Traditional methods of genome wide microarray analysis, profiling steady-state levels of mRNA, may miss important mRNA targets owing to significant posttranscriptional gene regulation by RNA binding proteins (RBPs).

Methods

The ribonomic approach, utilizing RNA immunoprecipitation hybridized to microarray (RIP-Chip), provides global identification of putative endogenous mRNA targets of different RBPs. HuR is an RBP that binds to the AU-rich elements (ARE) of labile mRNAs, such as proto-oncogenes, facilitating their translation into protein. HuR has been shown to play a role in cancer progression and elevated levels of cytoplasmic HuR directly correlate with increased invasiveness and poor prognosis for many cancers, including those of the breast. HuR has been described to control genes in several of the acquired capabilities of cancer and has been hypothesized to be a tumor-maintenance gene, allowing for cancers to proliferate once they are established.

Results

We used HuR RIP-Chip as a comprehensive and systematic method to survey breast cancer target genes in both MCF-7 (estrogen receptor positive, ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor negative, ER-) breast cancer cell lines. We identified unique subsets of HuR-associated mRNAs found individually or in both cell types. Two novel HuR targets,CD9andCALM2mRNAs, were identified and validated by quantitative RT-PCR and biotin pull-down analysis.

Conclusion

This is the first report of a side-by-side genome-wide comparison of HuR-associated targets in wild type ER+ and ER- breast cancer. We found distinct, differentially expressed subsets of cancer related genes in ER+ and ER- breast cancer cell lines, and noted that the differential regulation of two cancer-related genes by HuR was contingent upon the cellular environment.
Validation of a Farsi version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (F-ECOHIS)
Authors: Jabarifar Seyed-Ebrahim , Golkari Ali , IJadi Mohammad H , Jafarzadeh Mehdi , Khadem Parvin
Published: April 2010

Background

The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) has recently been developed to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of pre-school children in English speaking communities. This study aimed to translate the ECOHIS into Farsi and test its psychometric properties for use on 2- to 5-year-old children of Farsi speaking Iranian families.

Methods

EHOHIS questionnaire was translated into Farsi using a standardized forward-backward linguistic translation method. Its face and content validity was tested in two small pilot studies. In the main study, a convenience sample of 260 parents of 2- to 5-year-old children in Isfahan and Tehran were invited to complete the final Farsi version of the ECOHIS (F-ECOHIS) and answer two global self-rating questions about their children's dental appearance and oral health. Association between F-ECOHIS scores and answers to the two self-rating questions, and the correlation between child (9 items) and family (4 items) sections of the F-ECOHIS were used to assess the concurrent and convergent validity of the questionnaire. Internal consistency reliability of the F-ECOHIS was tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient test and item total and inter-item correlations. One third of participants were invited to complete the F-ECOHIS again after 2 weeks to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the questionnaire.

Results

Two hundred and forty six parents were included in the main study. The association between the F-ECOHIS scores and the two self-rating questions and the correlation between its child and family sections were significant (P < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the F-ECOHIS and its child and family sections were 0.93, 0.89, and 0.85 respectively. Coefficients did not increase by deleting any item. The corrected item total correlation coefficient ranged from 0.52 to 0.74. The inter-item correlation coefficient ranged between 0.30 and 0.73. Seventy three parents participated in the follow up study for re-testing the questionnaire. Comparison of their test and re-test scores had a weighted kappa of 0.81 and inter-class correlation (ICC) of 0.82.

Conclusion

The F-ECOHIS questionnaire was valid and reliable for assessing the OHRQoL of 2- to 5-year-old pre-school children of Farsi speaking parents.
Measurement of intrinsic optical backscattering characteristics of cells using fiber-guided near infrared light
Authors: Hsu Ching-Huang , Chang Gwo-Ching , Li En-Ting , Lin Yu-Jing , Chen Jia-Jin Jason
Published: April 2010

Background

Intrinsic optical signals (IOS), which reflect changes in transmittance and scattering light, have been applied to characterize the physiological conditions of target biological tissues. Backscattering approaches allow mounting of the source and detector on the same side of a sample which creates a more compact physical layout of device. This study presents a compact backscattering design using fiber-optic guided near-infrared (NIR) light to measure the amplitude and phase changes of IOS under different osmotic challenges.

Methods

High-frequency intensity-modulated light was guided via optic fiber, which was controlled by micromanipulator to closely aim at a minimum cluster of cortical neurons. Several factors including the probe design, wavelength selection, optimal measuring distance between the fiber-optical probe and cells were considered. Our experimental setup was tested in cultured cells to observe the relationship between the changes in backscattered NIR light and cellular IOS, which is believed mainly caused by cell volume changes in hypo/hyperosmotic solutions (± 20, ± 40 and ± 60 mOsm).

Results

The critical parameters of the current setup including the optimal measuring distance from fiber-optical probe to target tissue and the linear relationship between backscattering intensity and cell volume were determined. The backscattering intensity was found to be inversely proportional to osmotic changes. However, the phase shift exhibited a nonlinear feature and reached a plateau at hyperosmotic solution.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that the backscattering NIR light guided by fiber-optical probe makes it a potential alternative for continuous observation of intrinsic optical properties of cell culture under varied physical or chemical challenges.
Maslinic acid potentiates the anti-tumor activity of tumor necrosis factor α by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Li Chenghai , Yang Zhengfeng , Zhai Chunyan , Qiu Wenwei , Li Dali , Yi Zhengfang , Wang Lei , Tang Jie , Qian Min , Luo Jian , Liu Mingyao
Published: April 2010

Background

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) has been used to treat certain tumors in clinic trials. However, the curative effect of TNFα has been undermined by the induced-NF-κB activation in many types of tumor. Maslinic acid (MA), a pharmacological safe natural product, has been known for its important effects as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral activities. The aim of this study was to determine whether MA potentiates the anti-tumor activity of TNFα though the regulation of NF-κB activation.

Results

In this study, we demonstrate that MA significantly enhanced TNFα-induced inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and potentiated TNFα-induced cell apoptosis by suppressing TNFα-induced NF-κB activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Addition of MA inhibited TNFα-induced IκBα degradation, p65 phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, MA decreased the expression levels of NF-κB-regulated genes, including genes involved in tumor cell proliferation (Cyclin D1, COX-2 and c-Myc), apoptosis (Survivin, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, XIAP, IAP-1), invasion (MMP-9 and ICAM-1), and angiogenesis (VEGF). In athymic nu/nu mouse model, we further demonstrated that MA significantly suppressed pancreatic tumor growth, induced tumor apoptosis, and inhibited NF-κB-regulated anti-apoptotic gene expression, such as Survivin and Bcl-xl.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that MA can potentiate the anti-tumor activities of TNFα and inhibit pancreatic tumor growth and invasion by activating caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway and by suppressing NF-κB activation and its downstream gene expression. Therefore, MA together with TNFα could be new promising agents in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Part I, Patient perspective: activating patients to engage their providers in the use of evidence-based medicine: a qualitative evaluation of the VA Project to Implement Diuretics (VAPID)
Authors: Pilling Stacey A , Williams Monica B , Brackett Rachel Horner , Gourley Ryan , Weg Mark W Vander , Christensen Alan J , Kaboli Peter J , Reisinger Heather Schacht
Published: April 2010

Background

This qualitative evaluation follows a randomized-control trial of a patient activation intervention in which hypertensive patients received a letter in the mail asking them to discuss thiazide diuretics with their provider. Results of the parent study indicated that the intervention was effective at facilitating discussions between patients and providers and enhancing thiazide prescribing rates. In the research presented here, our objective was to interview patients to determine their receptivity to patient activation, a potential leverage point for implementing interventions.

Methods

Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 54 patients, purposefully sampled from a randomized controlled trial of a patient activation intervention. All subjects had a history of hypertension and received primary care from one of twelve Veterans Affairs primary care clinics. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and reviewed by the interviewer. Interviews were independently coded by three qualitative researchers until consensus was attained, and relevant themes and responses were identified, grouped, and compared. NVivo 8.0 was used for data management and analysis.

Results

Data from this qualitative study revealed that most participants held favorable opinions toward the patient activation intervention used in the clinical trial. Most (82%) stated they had a positive reaction. Patients emphasized they liked the intervention because it was straightforward and encouraged them to initiate discussions with their provider. Also, by being active participants in their healthcare, patients felt more invested. Of the few patients offering negative feedback (11%), their main concern was discomfort with possibly challenging their providers' healthcare practices. Another outcome of interest was the patients' perceptions of why they were or were not prescribed a thiazide diuretic, for which several clinically relevant reasons were provided.

Conclusion

Patients' perceptions of the intervention indicated it was effective via the encouragement of dialogue between themselves and their provider regarding evidence-based treatment options for hypertension. Additionally, patients' experiences with thiazide prescribing discussions shed light on the facilitators and barriers to implementing clinical practice guidelines regarding thiazides as first-line therapy for hypertension.

Trial registration

National Clinical Trial Registry number NCT00265538
Dynamics of glutamatergic signaling in the mushroom body of young adult Drosophila
Authors: Sinakevitch Irina , Grau Yves , Strausfeld Nicholas J , Birman Serge
Published: April 2010

Background

The mushroom bodies (MBs) are paired brain centers located in the insect protocerebrum involved in olfactory learning and memory and other associative functions. Processes from the Kenyon cells (KCs), their intrinsic neurons, form the bulk of the MB's calyx, pedunculus and lobes. In young adult Drosophila, the last-born KCs extend their processes in the α/β lobes as a thin core (α/β cores) that is embedded in the surrounding matrix of other mature KC processes. A high level of L-glutamate (Glu) immunoreactivity is present in the α/β cores (α/βc) of recently eclosed adult flies. In a Drosophila model of fragile X syndrome, the main cause of inherited mental retardation, treatment with metabotropic Glu receptor (mGluR) antagonists can rescue memory deficits and MB structural defects.

Results

To address the role of Glu signaling in the development and maturation of the MB, we have compared the time course of Glu immunoreactivity with the expression of various glutamatergic markers at various times, that is, 1 hour, 1 day and 10 days after adult eclosion. We observed that last-born α/βc KCs in young adult as well as developing KCs in late larva and at various pupal stages transiently express high level of Glu immunoreactivity in Drosophila. One day after eclosion, the Glu level was already markedly reduced in the α/βc neurons. Glial cell processes expressing glutamine synthetase and the Glu transporter dEAAT1 were found to surround the Glu-expressing KCs in very young adults, subsequently enwrapping the α/β lobes to become distributed equally over the entire MB neuropil. The vesicular Glu transporter DVGluT was detected by immunostaining in processes that project within the MB lobes and pedunculus, but this transporter is apparently never expressed by the KCs themselves. The NMDA receptor subunit dNR1 is widely expressed in the MB neuropil just after eclosion, but was not detected in the α/βc neurons. In contrast, we provide evidence that DmGluRA, the only Drosophila mGluR, is specifically expressed in Glu-accumulating cells of the MB α/βc immediately and for a short time after eclosion.

Conclusions

The distribution and dynamics of glutamatergic markers indicate that newborn KCs transiently accumulate Glu at a high level in late pupal and young eclosed Drosophila, and may locally release this amino acid by a mechanism that would not involve DVGluT. At this stage, Glu can bind to intrinsic mGluRs abundant in the α/βc KCs, and to NMDA receptors in the rest of the MB neuropil, before being captured and metabolized in surrounding glial cells. This suggests that Glu acts as an autocrine or paracrine agent that contributes to the structural and functional maturation of the MB during the first hours of Drosophila adult life.
Hodgkin's lymphoma masquerading as vertebral osteomyelitis in a man with diabetes: a case report
Authors: Bender Ignacio Rachel A , Liu Anne Y , Sohani Aliyah R , Vyas Jatin M
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Infection and malignancy often have common characteristics which render the differential diagnosis for a prolonged fever difficult. Imaging and tissue biopsy are crucial in making a correct diagnosis, though differentiating between chronic osteomyelitis and malignancy is not always straightforward as they possess many overlapping features.

Case Presentation

A 52-year-old Caucasian man was treated with antibiotics for his diabetic foot infection after a superficial culture showed Staphylococcus aureus. He had persistent fevers for several weeks and later developed acute onset of back pain which was treated with several courses of antibiotics. Radiographic and pathological findings were atypical, and a diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma was made 12 weeks later.

Conclusion

Clinicians should maintain a suspicion for Hodgkin's lymphoma or other occult malignancy when features of presumed osteomyelitis are atypical. Chronic vertebral osteomyelitis in particular often lacks features common to acute infectious disease processes, and the chronic lymphocytic infiltrates seen on histopathology have very similar features to Hodgkin's lymphoma, highlighting a similar inflammatory microenvironment sustained by both processes.
Hepatoprotective effects of Spirulina maxima in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case series
Authors: Ferreira-Hermosillo Aldo , Torres-Duran Patricia V , Juarez-Oropeza Marco A
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases range from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The "two hits" hypothesis is widely accepted for its pathogenesis: the first hit is an increased fat flux to the liver, which predisposes our patient to a second hit where increasing free fatty acid oxidation into the mitochondria leads to oxidative stress, lipoperoxidation and a chain reaction with increased ROS. Clinical indications include abdominal cramps, meteorism and fatigue. Most patients, however, are asymptomatic, and diagnosis is based on aminotransferase elevation and ultrasonography (or "brilliant liver"). Spirulina maxima has been experimentally proven to possess in vivo and in vitro hepatoprotective properties by maintaining the liver lipid profile. This case report evaluates the hepatoprotective effects of orally supplied Spirulina maxima.

Case presentation

Three Hispanic Mexican patients (a 43-year-old man, a 77-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman) underwent ultrasonography and were treated with 4.5 g/day of Spirulina maxima for three months. Their blood samples before and after the treatment determined triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The results were assessed using ultrasound.

Conclusion

Treatment had therapeutic effects as evidenced by ultrasonography and the aminotransferase data. Hypolipidemic effects were also shown. We conclude that Spirulina maxima may be considered an alternative treatment for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases and dyslipidemic disorder.
Synthetic sex pheromone attracts the leishmaniasis vector Lutzomyia longipalpis to experimental chicken sheds treated with insecticide
Authors: Bray Daniel P , Alves Graziella B , Dorval Maria E , Brazil Reginaldo P , Hamilton J GC
Published: April 2010

Background

Current strategies for controlling American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) have been unable to prevent the spread of the disease across Brazil. With no effective vaccine and culling of infected dogs an unpopular and unsuccessful alternative, new tools are urgently needed to manage populations of the sand fly vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz and Neiva (Diptera: Psychodidae). Here, we test two potential strategies for improving L. longipalpis control using the synthetic sand fly pheromone (±)-9-methylgermacrene-B: the first in conjunction with spraying of animal houses with insecticide, the second using coloured sticky traps.

Results

Addition of synthetic pheromone resulted in greater numbers of male and female sand flies being caught and killed at experimental chicken sheds sprayed with insecticide, compared to pheromone-less controls. Furthermore, a ten-fold increase in the amount of sex pheromone released from test sheds increased the number of females attracted and subsequently killed. Treating sheds with insecticide alone resulted in a significant decrease in numbers of males attracted to sheds (compared to pre-spraying levels), and a near significant decrease in numbers of females. However, this effect was reversed through addition of synthetic pheromone at the time of insecticide spraying, leading to an increase in number of flies attracted post-treatment.

In field trials of commercially available different coloured sticky traps, yellow traps caught more males than blue traps when placed in chicken sheds. In addition, yellow traps fitted with 10 pheromone lures caught significantly more males than pheromone-less controls. However, while female sand flies showed a preference for both blue and yellow pheromone traps sticky traps over white traps in the laboratory, neither colour caught significant numbers of females in chicken sheds, either with or without pheromone.

Conclusions

We conclude that synthetic pheromone could currently be most effectively deployed for sand fly control through combination with existing insecticide spraying regimes. Development of a standalone pheromone trap remains a possibility, but such devices may require an additional attractive host odour component to be fully effective.