bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method to Assess the Potential Effects of Air Pollution Mitigation on Healthcare Costs
Authors: Sætterstrøm Bjørn , Kruse Marie , Brønnum-Hansen Henrik , Bønløkke Jakob Hjort , Meulengracht Flachs Esben , Sørensen Jan
Published: September 2012

Objective. The aim of this study was to develop a method to assess the potential effects of air pollution mitigation on healthcare costs and to apply this method to assess the potential savings related to a reduction in fine particle matter in Denmark.Methods. The effects of air pollution on health were used to identify “exposed” individuals (i.e., cases). Coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer were considered to be associated with air pollution. We used propensity score matching, two-part estimation, and Lin’s method to estimate healthcare costs. Subsequently, we multiplied the number of saved cases due to mitigation with the healthcare costs to arrive to an expression for healthcare cost savings.Results. The potential cost saving in the healthcare system arising from a modelled reduction in air pollution was estimated at €0.1–2.6 million per 100,000 inhabitants for the four diseases.Conclusion. We have illustrated an application of a method to assess the potential changes in healthcare costs due to a reduction in air pollution. The method relies on a large volume of administrative data and combines a number of established methods for epidemiological analysis.
Impact of Thermal Annealing under Nitrogen Ambient on Structural, Micro-Raman, and Thermogravimetric Analyses of Camphoric-CNT
Authors: Shamsudin M. S. , Suriani A. B. , Abdullah S. , Yahya S. Y. S. , Rusop M.
Published: September 2012

A systematical study of the effects on thermal annealing treatment under nitrogen ambient on the structural, micro-Raman, and thermogravimetric analyses of camphoric-carbon nanotubes (CNT) has been undertaken. Heat treatment of camphoric-CNT under nitrogen ambient was found to be an efficient technique of removing noncrystalline carbon and residual transition metal. Based on structural analysis, the heat-treated samples showed a clear view of overall camphoric-CNT structure.
miRNA-34 Prevents Cancer Initiation and Progression in a Therapeutically Resistant K-ras and p53-Induced Mouse Model of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kasinski Andrea L. , Slack Frank J.
Published: September 2012

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and current therapies fail to treat this disease in the vast majority of cases. The RAS and p53 pathways are two of the most frequently altered pathways in lung cancers, with such alterations resulting in loss of responsiveness to current therapies and decreased patient survival. The microRNA-34 (mir-34) gene family members are downstream transcriptional targets of p53, and miR-34 expression is reduced in p53 mutant tumors; thus, we hypothesized that treating mutant Kras;p53 tumors with miR-34 would represent a powerful new therapeutic to suppress lung tumorigenesis. To this end we examined the therapeutically resistant KrasLSL-G12D/+;Trp53LSL-R172H/+ mouse lung cancer model. We characterized tumor progression in these mice following lung-specific transgene activation and found tumors as early as 10 weeks postactivation, and severe lung inflammation by 22 weeks. Tumors harvested from these lungs have elevated levels of oncogenic miRNAs, miR-21 and miR-155; are deficient for p53-regulated miRNAs; and have heightened expression of miR-34 target genes, such as Met and Bcl-2. In the presence of exogenous miR-34, epithelial cells derived from these tumors show reduced proliferation and invasion. In vivo treatment with miR-34a prevented tumor formation and progression in KrasLSL-G12D/+;Trp53LSL-R172H/+ mice. Animals infected with mir-34a-expressing lentivirus at the same time as transgene activation had little to no evidence of tumorigenesis, and lentivirus-induced miR-34a also prevented further progression of preformed tumors. These data support the use of miR-34 as a lung tumor-preventative and tumor-static agent. Cancer Res; 72(21); 5576–87. ©2012 AACR.
Differential Gene Expression Profile Associated to Apoptosis Induced by Dexamethasone in CLL Cells According to IGHV/ZAP-70 Status
Authors: Baptista Maria Joao , Muntañola Ana , Calpe Eva , Abrisqueta Pau , Salamero Olga , Fernández Eva , Codony Carles , Giné Eva , Kalko Susana G. , Crespo Marta , Bosch Francesc
Published: September 2012

Purpose: Glucocorticoids are part of the therapeutic armamentarium of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) where it has been suggested that cells with unmutated IGHV genes exhibit higher sensitivity. The mechanisms by which glucorticoids are active in CLL are not well elucidated. We aimed to ascertain the activity of dexamethasone in CLL cells according to prognosis and to identify the molecular mechanisms that are influencing the response to this drug.

Experimental Design: Sensitivity to dexamethasone was analyzed ex vivo in 50 CLL and compared according to IGHV mutational status and/or ZAP-70 expression. The response was further compared by gene expression profiling (GEP) of selected cases. Expression of genes of interest was validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.

Results: Response to dexamethasone was higher in cases with unmutated IGHV/high ZAP-70 expression, and the levels of induction of the pro-apoptotic Bim protein correlated with the degree of cell death. GEP analysis showed few genes differentially expressed after dexamethasone treatment between mutated and unmutated cases. However, functional annotation analysis showed that unmutated cases had significant enrichment in terms related to apoptosis. Specific analysis of genes of interest conducted in a large series disclosed that in unmutated IGHV cells, FKBP5 expression was higher at baseline and after dexamethasone exposure and that GILZ was more induced by dexamethasone treatment in these cases.

Conclusions: Unmutated IGHV/high ZAP-70 CLL cells exhibit better response to dexamethasone treatment, which is accompanied by a differential expression of genes involved in the glucocorticoid receptor pathway and by an increased induction of genes related to apoptosis. Clin Cancer Res; 18(21); 5924–33. ©2012 AACR.
Functional, Genetic, and Epigenetic Aspects of Base and Nucleotide Excision Repair in Colorectal Carcinomas
Authors: Slyskova Jana , Korenkova Vlasta , Collins Andrew R. , Prochazka Pavel , Vodickova Ludmila , Svec Jiri , Lipska Ludmila , Levy Miroslav , Schneiderova Michaela , Liska Vaclav , Holubec Lubos , Kumar Rajiv , Soucek Pavel , Naccarati Alessio , Vodicka Pavel
Published: September 2012

Purpose: DNA repair capacity (DRC) is a determinant not only of cancer development but also of individual response to therapy. Previously, altered base and nucleotide excision repair (BER and NER) have been described in lymphocytes of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer. We, for the first time, evaluate both excision repair capacities in human colon biopsies to study their participation in colorectal tumorigenesis.

Experimental design: Seventy pairs of tumor and adjacent healthy tissues were analyzed for BER- and NER-specific DRC by a comet repair assay. Tissue pairs were further compared for expression levels of a panel of 25 BER and NER genes complemented by their promoter methylation status.

Results: We observed a moderate increase of NER-DRC (P = 0.019), but not of BER-DRC in tumors. There was a strong correlation between both tissues for all investigated parameters (P < 0.001). However, 4 NER (CSB, CCNH, XPA, XPD) and 4 BER (NEIL1, APEX1, OGG1, PARP1) genes showed a 1.08- to 1.28-fold change difference in expression in tumors (P < 0.05). Individual gene expression levels did not correlate with overall DRC, and we did not detect any aberrant methylation of the investigated genes.

Conclusions: Our complex analysis showed that tumor cells are not deficient in BER and NER, but rather follow patterns characteristic for each individual and are comparable with adjacent tissue. Alteration of excision repair pathways is not a pronounced event in colorectal carcinogenesis. This study shows the feasibility of DRC evaluation in human solid tissues, representing a complex marker of multigene DNA repair processes. Clin Cancer Res; 18(21); 5878–87. ©2012 AACR.
Dietary Administration of δ- and γ-Tocopherol Inhibits Tumorigenesis in the Animal Model of Estrogen Receptor–Positive, but not HER-2 Breast Cancer
Authors: Smolarek Amanda K. , So Jae Young , Burgess Brenda , Kong Ah-Ng Tony , Reuhl Kenneth , Lin Yong , Shih Weichung Joe , Li Guangxun , Lee Mao-Jung , Chen Yu-Kuo , Yang Chung S. , Suh Nanjoo
Published: September 2012

Tocopherol, a member of the vitamin E family, consists of four forms designated as α, β, γ, and δ. Several large cancer prevention studies with α-tocopherol have reported no beneficial results, but recent laboratory studies have suggested that δ- and γ-tocopherol may be more effective. In two different animal models of breast cancer, the chemopreventive activities of individual tocopherols were assessed using diets containing 0.3% of tocopherol (α-, δ-, or γ-) or 0.3% of a γ-tocopherol rich mixture (γ-TmT). Although administration of tocopherols did not prevent human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu)-driven tumorigenesis, δ- and γ-tocopherols inhibited hormone-dependent mammary tumorigenesis in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-treated female Sprague-Dawley rats. NMU-treated rats showed an average tumor burden of 10.6 ± 0.8 g in the control group at 11 weeks, whereas dietary administration of δ- and γ-tocopherols significantly decreased tumor burden to 7.2 ± 0.8 g (P < 0.01) and 7.1 ± 0.7 g (P < 0.01), respectively. Tumor multiplicity was also reduced in δ- and γ-tocopherol treatment groups by 42% (P < 0.001) and 32% (P < 0.01), respectively. In contrast, α-tocopherol did not decrease tumor burden or multiplicity. In mammary tumors, the protein levels of proapoptotic markers (BAX, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP) were increased, whereas antiapoptotic markers (Bcl-2, XIAP) were inhibited by δ-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and γ-TmT. Furthermore, markers of cell proliferation (PCNA, PKCα), survival (PPAR-γ, PTEN, phospho-Akt), and cell cycle (p53, p21) were affected by δ- and γ-tocopherols. Both δ- and γ-tocopherols, but not α-tocopherol, seem to be promising agents for the prevention of hormone-dependent breast cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 5(11); 1310–20. ©2012 AACR.
A Randomized Clinical Trial of the Effects of Supplemental Calcium and Vitamin D3 on the APC/β-Catenin Pathway in the Normal Mucosa of Colorectal Adenoma Patients
Authors: Ahearn Thomas U. , Shaukat Aasma , Flanders W. Dana , Rutherford Robin E. , Bostick Roberd M.
Published: September 2012

APC/β-catenin pathway perturbation is a common early event in colorectal carcinogenesis and is affected by calcium and vitamin D in basic science studies. To assess the effects of calcium and vitamin D on adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression in the normal appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial. Pathology-confirmed colorectal adenoma cases were treated with 2 g/day elemental calcium and/or 800 IU/day vitamin D3 versus placebo over 6 months (N = 92; 23/group). Overall APC, β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression and distributions in colon crypts in normal-appearing rectal mucosa biopsies were detected by standardized automated immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis. In the vitamin D3-supplemented group relative to placebo, the proportion of APC in the upper 40% of crypts (Φh APC) increased 21% (P = 0.01), β-catenin decreased 12% (P = 0.18), E-cadherin increased 72% (P = 0.03), and the Φh APC/β-catenin ratio (APC/β-catenin score) increased 31% (P = 0.02). In the calcium-supplemented group Φh APC increased 10% (P = 0.12), β-catenin decreased 15% (P = 0.08), and the APC/β-catenin score increased 41% (P = 0.01). In the calcium/vitamin D3-supplemented group, β-catenin decreased 11% (P = 0.20), E-cadherin increased 51% (P = 0.08), and the APC/β-catenin score increased 16% (P = 0.26). These results support (i) that calcium and vitamin D modify APC, β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression in humans in directions hypothesized to reduce risk for colorectal neoplasms, (ii) calcium and vitamin D as potential chemopreventive agents against colorectal neoplasms, and (iii) the potential of APC, β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression as modifiable, preneoplastic risk biomarkers for colorectal neoplasms. Cancer Prev Res; 5(10); 1247–56. ©2012 AACR.
A Genetic Snapshot of Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Rosell Rafael , Wannesson Luciano
Published: September 2012

Summary: Overexpression of PARP1 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been identified in an integrated analysis of multiple proteins involved in intracellular signaling pathways in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines. The knockdown of PARP1 and EZH2 abrogated SCLC growth. These findings provide the basis for novel predictive markers and new treatment strategies in SCLC, for which there is now a paucity of available therapies. Cancer Discov; 2(9); 769–71. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Byers et al., p. 798.
Whole-Genome Sequencing and Cancer Therapy: Is Too Much Ever Enough?
Authors: Garraway Levi A. , Baselga José
Published: September 2012

Summary: This issue of Cancer Discovery features an article that describes the use of whole-genome sequencing to discover an actionable genetic alteration that was not detected using a lower resolution diagnostic approach. This finding highlights the growing debate surrounding the optimal deployment of powerful new genomics technologies in the clinical oncology arena. Cancer Discov; 2(9); 766–8. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Dahlman et al., p. 791.
Development of a New Optical Device and Its Feasibility in Prostate Cancer Detection
Authors: Panteliou Sofia D. , Tzortzis Vassilios , Anagnostopoulos George T. , Sunaric M.M. , Sarris J. , Hatzimouratidis Konstantinos , Hatzichristou Dimitris
Published: September 2012

Aim: To develop a new optical device (prostate optical device, POD) for assessment of prostate tissue stiffness and evaluate its sensitivity and specificity in prostate cancer detection. Patients and Methods: POD was tested in prostate phantoms and in patients with indications for prostate biopsy. Its sensitivity and specificity were compared to digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). Results: POD was able to identify stiffness differences on each prostate phantom. 45 patients were included in the study. Sensitivity of TRUS (40%) was significantly lower to POD (85.7%) and DRE (74.3%) (p = 0.000 and p = 0.003, respectively). There was no statistical difference between POD and DRE (p = 0.221). The combination of POD and DRE showed the highest sensitivity (88.6%), positive predictive value (81.6%), and negative predictive value (42.9%) among all diagnostic tests. Conclusions: POD identified prostatic stiffness differences with the same sensitivity of DRE performed by an experienced urologist providing an objective indication for prostate biopsy and early prostate cancer detection.
Vitamin D Status and Changes in Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Prospective Study of a General Population
Authors: Skaaby Tea , Husemoen Lise Lotte Nystrup , Pisinger Charlotta , Jørgensen Torben , Thuesen Betina Heinsbæk , Fenger Mogens , Linneberg Allan
Published: September 2012

Objectives: A low vitamin D level has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk but possible mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the association between vitamin D levels and 5-year changes in blood pressure, lipid profile and incidence of the metabolic syndrome, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Methods: A random sample of 6,784 individuals aged 30–60 years from a general population was investigated in the Inter99 study in 1999–2001. Vitamin D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) was measured at baseline by high-performance liquid chromatography, and 4,330 individuals participated at the 5-year follow-up and were included in the present study. Results: The median baseline vitamin D concentration was 48.0 nmol/l. In multivariable linear regression analyses, a 10 nmol/l higher baseline level of vitamin D was associated with a decrease in triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 0.52 (p = 0.03) and 0.66% (p = 0.005), respectively. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios per 10 nmol/l higher baseline vitamin D level were 0.95 (p < 0.05) and 0.94 (p = 0.01) for the development of the metabolic syndrome and hypercholesterolemia, respectively. There was no association between vitamin D and blood pressure. Conclusions: An optimal vitamin D status may influence cardiovascular health by changing the lipid profile in a favorable direction and decreasing the incidence of the metabolic syndrome.
Isolation of Side Population Cells in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas
Authors: Lee Mi Ran , Ju Hyun-Jeong , Kim Byung Soo , Ko Young Hyeh , Kim Won Seog , Kim Seok Jin
Published: September 2012

Background: Side population (SP) cells are characterized by the ability to exclude Hoechst 33342 dye due to high expression of the ATP-binding cassette transporter. This ability is associated with drug-resistant characteristics of cancer stem cells. Methods: We analyzed SP cells from human B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell lines and primary cells derived from patients and compared them with non-SP (NSP) cells. Results: SP cells comprised a minor fraction of all cells ranging from 1.5 ± 1.8 to 8.3 ± 5.7% in cell lines and had higher ABCG2 expression than NSP cells. SP cells had better cell viability, colony-forming ability and drug resistance than NSP cells. The SP cells also showed stem cell-like characteristics, including elevated telomerase activity and higher expression of OCT4 and NANOG. A cDNA microarray demonstrated that SP cells had decreased expression of genes associated with apoptosis and cell death compared to NSP cells. Conclusions: The presence of SP cells might imply the possibility of lymphoma stem cells and be associated with a malignant potential of B-cell lymphoma.
The Combination of Mycophenolate Mofetil with Corticosteroids Induces Remission of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Nephritis
Authors: Ren Pingping , Han Fei , Chen Liangliang , Xu Yu , Wang Ying , Chen Jianghua
Published: September 2012

Background: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a form of systemic vasculitis that can progress to Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN), and the most effective treatment remains controversial. Our aim was to compare the effects of oral mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with low-dose prednisone and the full-dose corticosteroids (CS; prednisone) for the induction therapy of HSPN with large proteinuria. Methods: Fifty-three patients with biopsy-proved HSPN with large proteinuria (>2.0 g/24 h) were divided into two groups: the MMF group (n = 27) who received oral MMF 1.0 g/day (1.5 g/day for patients with a body weight >70 kg) combined with low-dose prednisone (0.4–0.5 mg/kg/day), and the CS group (n = 26) who received the full-dose prednisone (0.8–1.0 mg/kg/day). We compared the effects of inducing remission at 6-month follow-up and the overall remission rate at the end of the follow-up between the two groups. Results: At 6 months, the estimated glomerular filtration rate level remained stable, while the urine protein decreased significantly in both groups, and the remission rate was 76.9% in the CS group and 55.5% in the MMF group (p = 0.101). With a median follow-up of 28.8 months in the CS group and 28.2 months in the MMF group, the overall remission rate was 80.8% in the CS group and 77.8% in the MMF group (p = 0.788). The MMF group had less side effects than the CS group (48.1 vs. 76.9%, p = 0.031). The relapse was 4/21 (19.0%) in the CS group and 0/21 in the MMF group (p = 0.115). Conclusion: MMF is useful for inducing remission and maintaining remission in Chinese HSPN, and may be used as a steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of HSPN.
Effectiveness of the Computed Analysis of Electroglottographic Signals in Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Authors: Hosokawa K. , Yoshida M. , Yoshii T. , Takenaka Y. , Hashimoto M. , Ogawa M. , Inohara H.
Published: September 2012

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of electroglottography (EGG) parameters in the diagnosis and estimation of efficacy of voice therapy for muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Patients and Methods: Nineteen MTD participants, an equivalent number of dysphonic (‘organic’) patients with vocal fold lesions and as many normal speakers were enrolled. Acoustic (Ac) and EGG signals during sustained phonation were recorded simultaneously. The period and amplitude perturbation quotient of both signals, the closed quotient (CQ) of EGG signals (mean CQ) and its standard deviation (CQSD) were calculated, and subsequently compared among the three groups. These parameters in the MTD group were compared before and after voice therapy. Results: The perturbation measures of both signals in the MTD group were either as high as or significantly higher than those in the organic group or the control group, respectively. Both the Ac and EGG parameters after therapy significantly decreased. The CQSD, but not mean CQ, also decreased after therapy. Conclusion: EGG parameters related to the regularity of vocal fold vibration, but not to the degree of vocal fold contact (mean CQ), are useful for the diagnosis and estimation of voice therapy outcome in MTD.
Spatial Working Memory Impairment in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: An fMRI Study
Authors: Yin Jing-Jing , Liao Ling-Min , Luo Dong-Xue , Xu Ke , Ma Shu-Hua , Wang Zhao-Xin , Le Hong-Bo , Huang Ran-Ran , Cai Ze-Long , Zhang Jiong
Published: September 2012

Objective: Using a block-designed BOLD-fMRI to explore the neural basis of spatial working memory impairment in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) performing an n-back task. Methods: Sixteen patients with SCH before and after being treated with levothyroxine (LT4) for 6 months and 16 matched euthyroid subjects were scanned by fMRI under the n-back task. Results: The fMRI scan found that a neural network consisting of bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), bilateral premotor area (PreMA), supplementary motor area/anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral parietal lobe (PA) and right caudate nucleus/thalamus was activated, with right hemisphere dominance. In euthyroid subjects, all these regions of interest (ROIs) showed load effect; however, only left DLPFC, left PA, bilateral PreMA and right caudate nucleus/thalamus showed the same effect in Pre-SCH patients. Furthermore, activation intensities of most ROIs (especially DLPFC and right PA) for Pre-SCH patients were lower than those in the euthyroid subjects (F <3.046, p > 0.062). Importantly, after a 6-month treatment with LT4, the load effect in SCH patients appeared the same as in the euthyroid subjects in all the ROIs (F >13.176, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our previous study shows that verbal working memory of SCH patients is impaired with abnormal activity in bilateral frontal areas. In this study, the results indicated that SCH patients may also have spatial working memory impairments, and the altered activities of right DLPFC and right posterior parietal lobe may be one of the underlying neural mechanisms. Most importantly, this study shows that LT4 replacement therapy can improve the memory impairment and reverse the altered neural activity network.
A Critical Role for Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-Trisphosphate–Dependent Rac Exchanger 1 in Endothelial Junction Disruption and Vascular Hyperpermeability
Authors: Naikawadi Ram P. , Cheng Ni , Vogel Stephen M. , Qian Feng , Wu Dianqing , Malik Asrar B. , Ye Richard D.
Published: September 2012

Rationale:

The small GTPase Rac is critical to vascular endothelial functions, yet its regulation in endothelial cells remains unclear. Understanding the upstream pathway may delineate Rac activation mechanisms and its role in maintaining vascular endothelial barrier integrity.

Objective:

By investigating phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate–dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1), one of the Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors previously known for G protein–coupled receptor signaling, we sought to determine whether Rac-guanine nucleotide exchange factor is nodal for signal integration and potential target for drug intervention.

Methods and Results:

Using gene deletion and small interference RNA silencing approach, we investigated the role of P-Rex1 in human lung microvascular endothelial cells. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) exposure led to disruption of endothelial junctions, and silencing P-Rex1 protected junction integrity. TNF-α stimulated Rac activation and reactive oxygen species production in a P-Rex1–dependent manner. Removal of P-Rex1 significantly reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression, polymorphonuclear leukocyte transendothelial migration, and leukocyte sequestration in TNF-α–challenged mouse lungs. The P-Rex1 knockout mice were also refractory to lung vascular hyperpermeability and edema in a lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis model.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate for the first time that P-Rex1 expressed in endothelial cells is activated downstream of TNF-α, which is not a G protein–coupled receptor agonist. Our data identify P-Rex1 as a critical mediator of vascular barrier disruption. Targeting P-Rex1 may effectively protect against TNF-α– and lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial junction disruption and vascular hyperpermeability.
Responding to Pediatric Providers’ Perceived Barriers to Adolescent Weight Management
Authors: Yarborough Bobbi Jo H. , DeBar Lynn L. , Wu Philip , Pearson John , Stevens Victor J.
Published: September 2012

Primary care clinics are an ideal setting for early identification and possibly treatment of adolescent obesity. However, despite practice recommendations promoting preventive screening and monitoring of obesity, implementation has been modest. In this study, we interviewed providers to determine barriers to managing pediatric obesity, perceived skill in obesity interventions, and interest in additional training. The sensitivity of weight-related discussions and time were the 2 most significant barriers reported. We designed a brief training program, implemented it within a larger randomized controlled trial, and surveyed providers regarding its utility. The training was satisfactory to attendees and led to reported changes in practice patterns. Providers who received more complete training reported greater ease working with overweight teens and greater confidence that they could motivate teen patients to make healthy lifestyle changes compared with those who received less training. A fairly modest training intervention could improve patient care in the primary care setting.
The Politics of Postindustrial Social Policy
Authors: Fleckenstein Timo , Lee Soohyun Christine
Published: September 2012

Recent welfare reforms across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have sought to make social policies more “employment friendly.” Although “old” social policies of the Golden Age (namely, unemployment protection and old-age security, which were typically geared toward the male breadwinner model) were subject to comprehensive retrenchment, “new” social policies, especially family policies facilitating work–family reconciliation and female employment participation, experienced substantial expansion. Following the Swedish “pioneer,” strong male breadwinner countries have expanded employment-oriented family policies since the late 1990s. Against the case of early family policy expansion in Sweden (typically associated with social democracy and an organized women’s movement), they examine whether the drivers of employment-oriented family policy have changed since the end of the Golden Age. The authors highlight party competition as key political driver in policy expansion in “latecomer” countries, whereas postindustrialization (in particular the rise of the new social risk of work–family conflicts, as well as wider changes in the skills profile and needs of postindustrial economies) provides the functional underpinnings for these policies.
Attitude Variability Among Latin American Publics
Authors: Harbers Imke , de Vries Catherine E. , Steenbergen Marco R.
Published: September 2012

Political scientists often describe party competition, political behavior or public preferences in left/right terms. Nevertheless, the usefulness of the concepts “left” or “right” is rarely explored. This study assesses whether the left/right continuum resonates with publics in developing Latin American democracies. Using data from the 2008 wave of the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), the authors measure variability in left/right self-placement in three Latin American countries, namely, Ecuador, Mexico, and Chile. Building on the approach developed by Alvarez and Brehm for public opinion in the United States, the authors explore (a) the extent to which voters in Ecuador, Mexico, and Chile possess predicable left/right positions and (b) whether predictability can be attributed to individual- and country-level characteristics. At the individual level, the authors show that variability decreases with political sophistication. At the country level, they find that a lower degree of programmatic party system structuration leads to higher levels of response variation. Mapping the variability in left/right preferences provides important insights into the structure of public opinion and contours of political behavior in Latin America and how they differ from those of other regions such as North America. In addition, this study brings to bear important new individual-level insights into recent political developments in the Latin American region, especially the so-called left turn in Latin American politics.
Does Legitimacy Matter?
Authors: LaFree Gary , Morris Nancy A.
Published: September 2012

Legitimacy is conceptualized as subjective individual attitudes and expectations about formal institutional authority and is often thought of as a reservoir of trust or goodwill that formal governing authorities draw on to secure acceptance and compliance with the law. Recent public opinion surveys in predominantly Muslim countries report declining support for U.S. government and policy, as well as increasing support for Muslim-based groups that attack the United States. Based on prior research within the United States showing that perceptions of legitimacy are related to both acceptance and compliance with the law, we examine whether perceptions about the legitimacy of the U.S. government may also be related to support for anti-American transnational terrorist attacks. Using data from more than 3,600 face-to-face interviews with respondents from three Muslim countries, we examine the effects of support for the American government, people, and culture on support for Muslim-based groups that attack Americans. In addition, we examine the effects of perceived domestic institutional legitimacy on support for Muslim-based groups that attack Americans. Our results indicate that individuals who have more favorable attitudes toward American citizens and culture are less likely to support attacks against Americans by Muslim-based groups. We also find that perceived legitimacy in one’s own political institutions, including government, police, and the criminal justice system, is associated with lower levels of support for groups that attack Americans. We discuss the implications of the results for research and policy.
Elements of Terrorism Preparedness in Local Police Agencies, 2003-2007
Authors: Roberts Aki , Roberts John M. , Liedka Raymond V.
Published: September 2012

Different elements of local police agencies’ terrorism preparedness may be associated with different organizational/environmental variables. We use 2003-2007 data (showing considerable adoption and desistance of practices) on medium-to-large-sized local agencies to examine relationships between contingency (vulnerability, organizational characteristics) and contagion (network/isomorphic influence) measures and preparedness elements, including terrorism special units, dedicated assignment of personnel, terrorism-related community outreach, computerized intelligence files, and interagency-shared radio frequencies. Modeling 2007 preparedness revealed consistencies and some differences in the associations between these measures and the different preparedness elements. The finding of no association between objective vulnerability score and any terrorism preparedness action particularly warrants further research attention. It will also be important to extend preparedness research into the recent period of economic recession.
Does Watching the News Affect Fear of Terrorism? The Importance of Media Exposure on Terrorism Fear
Authors: Nellis Ashley Marie , Savage Joanne
Published: September 2012

Several authors have proposed that media hype elevates perceptions of risk and fear of crime. Research suggests that fear of crime is related to the overall amount of media consumption, resonance of news reports, how much attention the individual pays to the news, and how credible he or she believes it to be. The present study examines whether the same applies for terrorism. We use telephone survey data ( N = 532) of New Yorkers and Washingtonians to test whether perceived risk and fear of terrorism are associated with several media-related variables. We find that exposure to terrorism-related news is positively associated with perceived risk of terrorism to self and others and with fear for others, but not for self.
“Why Can’t We Learn About This?” Sexual Minority Students Navigate the Official and Hidden Curricular Spaces of High School
Authors: Castro Ingrid E. , Sujak Mark Conor
Published: September 2012

In the spaces of high school, sexual minority youth often find that their needs for inclusion are not met by their institutions and those employed within. Through interviews with sexual minority high school students and written questionnaires with high school teachers and other faculty, we find that sexual minority youth are faced with exclusion on a number of curricular levels. Here, we expand the notion of the “official” curriculum to include not only academic curriculums (classrooms), but also campus curriculums (groups) and social curriculums (relationships). Through examining each of these school spaces, we find that the “hidden” heteronormative curriculum directly and adversely affects sexual minority youth on a number of personal and educational levels. Suggestions are provided for changes and additions to high school policies and procedures in order to better serve sexual minority high school populations.
The Relationship Between Root Mean Square Error of Approximation and Model Misspecification in Confirmatory Factor Analysis Models
Authors: Savalei Victoria
Published: September 2012

The fit index root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) is extremely popular in structural equation modeling. However, its behavior under different scenarios remains poorly understood. The present study generates continuous curves where possible to capture the full relationship between RMSEA and various “incidental parameters,” such as factor loadings and model size, for different types of misspecification. Population RMSEA is studied, removing the influence of sampling fluctuations and making the findings directly applicable to tests of close fit and not-close fit, which require the specification of a population cutoff value. Confirmatory factor analysis models are studied. The results introduce many new findings, including that RMSEA is often insensitive to multiple omitted cross-loadings and to clusters of correlated residuals, that it sometimes behaves counterintuitively as a function of model size, and that it is insensitive to the underlying number of latent factors when a model with one factor is fit.
Beauty, Belief, and Trust
Authors: Ford Rebecca M. , Williams Kathryn J. H. , Smith Eric L. , Bishop Ian D.
Published: September 2012

In this study, the authors develop a model of the formation of public acceptability judgments. The model suggests that in judging environmental management, people apply their values for the natural environment through psychological processes involving beliefs, aesthetic experience, and trust. A key aim of the study was to explore relationships among these processes. Through a mail survey, 487 Australians judged the acceptability of forest landscape management in Southern Tasmania. Structural equation modeling with these data provided general support for the model, confirming that all of the psychological processes are significant in the formation of acceptability judgments. The most important factor was found to be beliefs about consequences for the natural environment. A new finding to emerge from exploration of the model is that aesthetic experience is informed by values, particularly use/intrinsic values for nature, and in turn influences acceptability judgments mainly by influencing beliefs about consequences for the natural environment.
Capturing sociality in the movement between frames: An illustration from leadership development
Authors: Carroll Brigid , Simpson Barbara
Published: September 2012

In this article we offer a dynamic relational perspective in which frames and framing work together in the practice of leadership development. Mead’s (1932) notion of sociality is introduced as a way of engaging with movements within and between frames, where it is these framing movements that we argue hold the potentiality of emergent practice. The article responds to a growing interest in the delineation, conceptualization and practice of leadership as opposed to leader development, where we understand leadership development in terms of the creation of social capital, relational capacity and collaboration. However, there is little, if any, research into how these dimensions may be developed intentionally in practice. Using online forum data from an 18-month-long leadership development programme, we demonstrate three different sociality movements, which we have labelled kindling, stretching and spanning. Our analysis positions sociality at the core of leadership development interventions, and practice more generally.
Perceptual Market Orientation Gap and Its Impact on Relationship Quality and Patient Loyalty
Authors: Huang Jin-An , Weng Rhay-Hung , Lai Chi-Shiun , Hu Jer-San
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptual market orientation gaps between physician and patients and its impact on relationship quality and patient loyalty, and to verify the critical role of internal marketing on developing market orientation. Self-administered questionnaires were then employed to collect the data. We used a convenience sample of physicians and patients at a medical center in central Taiwan, and 90 usable questionnaires from physicians and 450 usable questionnaires from patients were returned. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to validate the research hypotheses. Physicians’ perceptual market orientation had a positive influence on physician–patient relationship quality, hospital–patient relationship quality, and patient loyalty, but the perceptual market orientation gap between physicians and their patients had a direct negative impact on these constructs. Finally, internal marketing was found to have an influence on relationship quality and patient loyalty through the mediation of market orientation. In order to enhance relationship quality and patient loyalty, hospital managers should focus their efforts on improving employees’ market orientation and reducing patients’ perceptual market orientation gap. In addition, internal marketing was found to be a useful pathway in developing market orientation.
Listening to voices of children with a visual impairment: A focus group study
Authors: Khadka Jyoti , Ryan Barbara , Margrain Tom H , Woodhouse J Margaret , Davies Nathan
Published: September 2012

The purpose of the study was to identify the educational, social and leisure activities and issues that matter to school children and young people with a visual impairment and to compare their lifestyle with fully sighted counterparts. Thirteen focus groups were conducted and the groups were stratified by age, gender, visual status and school location (urban and non-urban). The sessions were audio taped, transcribed verbatim, coded using NVivo software and a qualitative data analysis was carried out to identify the main themes. Eighty-one children and young people aged between 5–18 years participated in the focus groups; 34 were visually impaired (22 boys) and 47 were fully sighted (24 boys). In total, 121 different daily living activities important to children and young people were discussed in the focus groups. Results suggested that children and young people with a visual impairment have similar lifestyles to their fully sighted counterparts but are more restricted in some specific activities. The children and young people also reported that sometimes these restrictions were imposed by those supporting them rather than their own abilities. This information provided an in-depth understanding of the impact of visual impairment in school-aged children and young people.
Entrepreneurial orientation, firm strategy and small firm performance
Authors: Lechner Christian , Gudmundsson Sveinn Vidar
Published: September 2012

This article explores how individual entrepreneurial orientation dimensions influence the relationship between competitive strategy and firm performance. The findings show the different impacts of individual entrepreneurial orientation dimensions on competitive strategy and the effects of cost leadership and differentiation on performance. Innovativeness is related most highly to differentiation strategy. Risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness are negatively associated with both differentiation and cost leadership strategies. Both differentiation and cost leadership strategies are positively related to performance. This study refines our understanding of the effects of entrepreneurial orientation on small firm performance.
Out of the box – Quantum information: Releasing the information from books
Authors: James Roger
Published: September 2012

We are all very familiar with the miniaturization of technology, but in this article I develop the case for the miniaturization of published information. With the introduction of Gdrive there is a universal infrastructure for the intimate integration of content, accessible as a continuous stream of information delivered to a new generation of tablet devices. The technological revolution is dismantling the old bulk handling of information in files and books into a new micro quantum based on integrating MicroFormats. It demands new thinking and, for those currently working as information professionals, a new metaphor – of Quantum information. Coming with this change is much improved usability, improved scholarship, better information flow and new opportunities for publishers.
Mechanical left ventricular support using a 50 cc 8 Fr fibre-optic intra-aortic balloon technology: a case report
Authors: Mulholland J , Yarham G , Clements A , Morris C , Loja D
Published: September 2012

Introduction:

More than four decades have passed since the first clinical use of an (IABP) to improve the clinical scenario for patients with chronic left ventricular failure. The original IAB catheter size was 15 French (Fr), requiring an open surgical insertion and removal. This therapy has now become the most widely used mechanical device for failure of the left ventricle. The introduction of an 8 Fr fibre-optic IAB catheter with a 50 cc diastolic blood volume displacement has further increased the potential clinical impact of this technology. This new catheter can be used for all patients over 162 cm in height, allowing a broader spectrum of patients to benefit from increased diastolic blood volume displacement and fibre-optic pressure monitoring. The catheter has been designed on an 8 Fr shaft platform, potentially reducing the incidence of vascular complications. We present our case report on the world’s first implant of this 50cc 8 Fr IAB catheter.

Case Report:

Cardiac investigations on a 53-year-old man showed the patient to have ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25%. An 8 Fr 50cc Sensation PlusTM IAB catheter was inserted pre-operatively, prior to coronary artery bypass grafting.

Results:

The world’s first insertion of this 8 Fr 50 cc IAB catheter was a complete success, with no complications. The patient’s pre-, peri- and post-operative courses were as we expected and event free, underpinned by IABP support.

Conclusion:

This new 50 cc, 8 Fr IAB expands the patient group that can benefit from greater diastolic blood volume delivery, improved distal perfusion, more accurate monitoring, subsequent better beat-per-beat support and, finally, the reduced complication rates associated with an 8 Fr shaft.
A port-Hamiltonian approach to image-based visual servo control for dynamic systems
Authors: Mahony Robert , Stramigioli Stefano
Published: September 2012

This paper introduces a port-Hamiltonian framework for the design of image-based visual servo control for dynamic mechanical systems. The approach taken introduces the concept of an image effort and provides an interpretation of energy exchange between the dynamics of the physical system and virtual potentials or ‘image Hamiltonians’ posed in the image space. The port-Hamiltonian framework leads to an elegant algorithm to estimate unknown image depth on-line even when the translational velocity of the camera is not measured.
Motion planning under uncertainty using iterative local optimization in belief space
Authors: van den Berg Jur , Patil Sachin , Alterovitz Ron
Published: September 2012

We present a new approach to motion planning under sensing and motion uncertainty by computing a locally optimal solution to a continuous partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP). Our approach represents beliefs (the distributions of the robot’s state estimate) by Gaussian distributions and is applicable to robot systems with non-linear dynamics and observation models. The method follows the general POMDP solution framework in which we approximate the belief dynamics using an extended Kalman filter and represent the value function by a quadratic function that is valid in the vicinity of a nominal trajectory through belief space. Using a belief space variant of iterative LQG (iLQG), our approach iterates with second-order convergence towards a linear control policy over the belief space that is locally optimal with respect to a user-defined cost function. Unlike previous work, our approach does not assume maximum-likelihood observations, does not assume fixed estimator or control gains, takes into account obstacles in the environment, and does not require discretization of the state and action spaces. The running time of the algorithm is polynomial (O[n6]) in the dimension n of the state space. We demonstrate the potential of our approach in simulation for holonomic and non-holonomic robots maneuvering through environments with obstacles with noisy and partial sensing and with non-linear dynamics and observation models.