bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different intestinal permeability patterns in relatives and spouses of patients with Crohn’s disease: an inherited defect in mucosal defence?
Authors: Söderholm J D , Olaison G , Lindberg E , Hannestad U , Vindels A , Tysk C , Järnerot G , Sjödahl R
Published: June 2010

Background

A familial defect in intestinal barrier function has been found in Crohn’s disease.

Aim

To investigate possible genetic and environmental influences on this barrier defect by studying intestinal permeability in both relatives and spouses of patients with Crohn’s disease.

Subjects

The study included 39 patients with Crohn’s disease, 34 healthy first degree relatives, and 22 spouses. Twenty nine healthy volunteers served as controls.

Methods

Intestinal permeability was assessed as the lactulose:mannitol ratio in five hour urinary excretion after oral load, both before (baseline) and after ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid. The permeability response represents the difference between the two tests. A ratio above the 95th percentile for controls was classified as abnormal.

Results

Baseline permeability was higher in patients and spouses than in controls. An abnormal baseline permeability was seen in 36% of the patients, 23% of the spouses, 18% of the relatives, and 3% of the controls. After ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid, permeability increased significantly in all groups. Relatives were similar to patients with regard to permeability after exposure to acetylsalicylic acid, whereas spouses were similar to controls. The proportions with an abnormal permeability response to acetylsalicylic acid were 32% in patients, 14% in spouses, 41% in relatives, and 3% in controls.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that baseline permeability is determined by environmental factors, whereas permeability provoked by acetylsalicylic acid is a function of the genetically determined state of the mucosal barrier, and support the notion that environmental and hereditary factors interact in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease.
Detection of anti-colon antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease using human cultured colonic cells
Authors: Lee J C W , Cevallos A M , Naeem A , Lennard-Jones J E , Farthing M J G
Published: June 2010

Background

Investigation of anti-colon antibodies may be simplified if a sensitive method and homogeneous source of antigen were available.

Aims

To examine the anti-colon antibody response using human colonic carcinoma cell lines as antigen.

Subjects

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal disorders and healthy controls were studied.

Methods

Comparative enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed to assess the value of whole Caco-2, HT-29, and LS-180 cells as antigen. The antigenic determinants of the immune response were characterised by western blot analysis.

Results

Sera demonstrated immunoreactivity against each of the cell lines, but different epitopes were recognised. Applying whole Caco-2 cells as antigen in an ELISA, the prevalence of anti-colon antibodies was significantly greater in patients with ulcerative colitis (36%) than Crohn’s disease (13%), other gastrointestinal disorders (13%) and healthy controls (0) (p<0.05). The immune response was not associated with one predominant antigen.

Conclusions

Fixed whole cell ELISA is a simple and feasible method for studying the anti-colon antibody response. This response is non-specific, being directed against multiple antigens, and is likely to be an epiphenomenon of inflammatory bowel disease, more so for ulcerative colitis than Crohn’s disease.
Relation between GB virus C/hepatitis G virus and fulminant hepatic failure may be secondary to treatment with contaminated blood and/or blood products
Authors: Halasz R , Barkholt L , Lara C , Hultgren C , Ando Y , Broomé U , Fischler B , Nemeth A , Ericzon B-G , Sönnerborg A , Sällberg M
Published: June 2010

Background

The role of the recently discovered GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) has been debated. Although GBV-C RNA has been detected in many cases of FHF, recent data suggest that the relation between GBV-C and FHF may be accidental.

Aims

To retrospectively investigate the possible relation between the presence of GBV-C markers (RNA or antibodies to the GBV-C envelope 2 (E2) glycoprotein) and FHF.

Methods

The presence of GBV-C RNA was determined in serum samples from 58 patients diagnosed with FHF using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Amplified genetic fragments were directly sequenced by the dideoxy chain termination method. Antibodies to GBV-C in serum samples were detected by enzyme immunoassay based on a recombinant GBV-C E2 protein.

Results

Nine (16%) patients with FHF had GBV-C RNA and 14 (24%) had GBV-C E2 antibodies, which are higher frequencies than in healthy subjects (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). Seven of ten patients with GBV-C markers during FHF tested negative for these markers before therapy with blood and/or blood products. Sequence analysis of the GBV-C NS3 region fragments of six FHF patients showed no common sequence pattern or motif.

Conclusions

The frequencies of both GBV-C RNA and antibodies are higher in patients with FHF than in healthy subjects. However, these increased frequencies may in many cases be explained by the use of contaminated blood and/or blood products given as therapy.
Toxic bile acids in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: influence of gastric acidity
Authors: Nehra D , Howell P , Williams C P , Pye J K , Beynon J
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND

Bile acid toxicity has been shown in the gastric, colonic, and hepatic tissues; the effect on oesophageal mucosa is less well known.

AIMS

To determine the spectrum of bile acids refluxing in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and its relation to oesophageal pH using a new technique of combined oesophageal aspiration and pH monitoring.

METHODS

Ten asymptomatic subjects and 30 patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (minimal mucosal injury, erosive oesophagitis (grade 2 or 3 Savary-Miller), Barrett’s oesophagus/stricture; n=10 in each group) underwent 15 hour continuous oesophageal aspiration with simultaneous pH monitoring. Bile acid assay of the oesophageal samples was performed using modified high performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

The peak bile acid concentration and DeMeester acid scores were significantly higher in the patients with oesophagitis (median bile acid concentration 124 μmol/l; acid score 20.2) and Barrett’s oesophagus/stricture (181 μmol/l; 43.3) than patients with minimal injury (14 μmol/l; 12.5) or controls (0 μmol/l; 11.1). The predominant bile acids detected were cholic, taurocholic, and glycocholic acids but there was a significantly greater proportion of secondary bile acids, deoxycholic and taurodeoxycholic acids, in patients with erosive oesophagitis and Barrett’s oesophagus/stricture. Although bile acid reflux episodes occurred at variable pH, a temporal relation existed between reflux of taurine conjugates and oesophageal acid exposure (r=0.58, p=0.009).

CONCLUSION

Toxic secondary bile acid fractions have been detected in patients with extensive mucosal damage. Mixed reflux is more harmful than acid reflux alone with possible toxic synergism existing between the taurine conjugates and acid.
Randomised controlled trial shows that glyceryl trinitrate heals anal fissures, higher doses are not more effective, and there is a high recurrence rate
Authors: Carapeti E A , Kamm M A , McDonald P J , Chadwick S J D , Melville D , Phillips R K S
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND

Topical application of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) ointment heals chronic anal fissures, providing an alternative to the traditional first line treatment of surgical sphincterotomy.

AIMS

To determine the most effective dose of topical GTN for treatment of chronic anal fissures and to assess long term results.

METHODS

Seventy consecutive patients with chronic anal fissure, were randomly allocated to eight weeks treatment with placebo, 0.2% GTN three times daily, or GTN starting at 0.2% with weekly 0.1% increments to a maximum of 0.6%, in a double blind study.

RESULTS

After eight weeks fissure had healed in 67% of patients treated with GTN compared with 32% with placebo (p=0.008). No significant difference was seen between the two active treatments. Headaches were reported by 72% of patients on GTN compared with 27% on placebo (p<0.001). Maximum anal sphincter pressure reduced significantly from baseline by GTN treatment (p=0.02), but not placebo (p=0.8). Mean pain scores were lower after treatment with GTN compared with placebo (NS). Of fissures healed with placebo 43% recurred, compared with 33% of those healed with 0.2% GTN and 25% healed with escalating dose GTN (p=0.7).

CONCLUSIONS

GTN is a good first line treatment for two thirds of patients with anal fissure. An escalating dose of GTN does not result in earlier healing. Significant recurrence of symptomatic fissures and a high incidence of headaches are limitations of the treatment.
Evaluation of laser Doppler flowmetry for the study of benign and malignant gastric blood flow in vivo
Authors: Schilling M K , Redaelli C , Friess H , Blum B , Signer C , Maurer C A , Büchler M W
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND

Tumour vascularisation is a determinant of the development of metastases.

AIMS

To measure blood flow in normal stomach and gastric adenocarcinomas by laser Doppler flowmetry and correlate blood flow with vascularisation after immunohistochemical staining of resected specimens for CD31 and von Willebrand factor.

PATIENTS

Twenty two undergoing resection for gastric adenocarcinoma and 10 undergoing cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) gastric blood flow was 208 (35) perfusion units (PU) in patients undergoing cholecystectomy and 190 (75) PU in the undiseased part of the stomach in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Gastric blood flow was higher in the border of gastric adenocarcinomas (322 (120) PU, p<0.01 v normal stomach) but lower in the centre (74 (27) PU, p<0.01 v normal stomach and tumour border). Blood flow was higher in tumours staged T⩾3 than in those staged T<3. Blood vessel density in normal stomach was 41 (8) stained cells/field viewed and was 1.9–3.4 times higher in gastric adenocarcinomas.

CONCLUSION

Laser Doppler flowmetry is a valuable tool for studying the pathophysiological alterations of malignant blood flow in the human stomach in vivo.
More than just counting eosinophils: proximal oesophageal involvement and subepithelial sclerosis are major diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic oesophagitis
Authors: Lee Stephen , de Boer W Bastiaan , Naran Anupam , Leslie Connull , Raftopoulous Spiro , Ee Hooi , Kumarasinghe M Priyanthi
Published: June 2010

Background

According to American Gastroenterological Association Institute criteria, the diagnosis of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EOE) requires clinicopathological correlation. In the appropriate clinical context, a high eosinophil count (HEC, defined as ≥15/HPF) is considered pathological evidence of EOE. However, HEC may not always be identified in biopsies given its patchy distribution, and there may be histological overlap between EOE and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in the distal oesophagus.

Aims

To evaluate the utility of subepithelial sclerosis and HEC in proximal oesophageal biopsies as additional diagnostic criteria.

Methods

Cases between 2004 and 2008 with paired proximal and distal oesophageal biopsies and the mention of eosinophils in the reports were retrieved from PathWest Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre archives. Biopsies were reviewed and assessed for eosinophilic count and presence of subepithelial stroma and sclerosis. A final diagnosis was made after review of both biopsy and clinical details.

Results

There were 23 cases of EOE and 20 cases of GORD in an adult cohort. In comparison to GORD, cases of EOE had significantly higher eosinophil counts in proximal (39.4 vs 0.6 eosinophils/HPF) and distal biopsies (35.6 vs 1.9), with HEC in proximal biopsies a feature exclusive to EOE (83% vs 0%). Subepithelial sclerosis was identified in at least one biopsy in 74% of EOE and in only a single case of GORD.

Conclusions

HEC in proximal oesophageal biopsies and subepithelial sclerosis should be considered major diagnostic findings in EOE.
Coded aperture projection
Authors: Grosse Max , Wetzstein Gordon , Grundhöfer Anselm , Bimber Oliver
Published: June 2010

Coding a projector's aperture plane with adaptive patterns together with inverse filtering allow the depth-of-field of projected imagery to be increased. We present two prototypes and corresponding algorithms for static and programmable apertures. We also explain how these patterns can be computed at interactive rates, by taking into account the image content and limitations of the human visual system. Applications such as projector defocus compensation, high-quality projector depixelation, and increased temporal contrast of projected video sequences can be supported. Coded apertures are a step towards next-generation auto-iris projector lenses.
Possible Implication of Local Immune Response in Darier's Disease: An Immunohistochemical Characterization of Lesional Inflammatory Infiltrate
Authors: Miracco Clelia , Pietronudo Francesco , Mourmouras Vasileios , Pellegrino Michele , Onorati Monica , Mastrogiulio Maria Grazia , Cantarini Luca , Luzi Pietro
Published: June 2010

Cell-mediated immunity is considered to be normal in Darier's Disease (DD), an inherited skin disorder complicated by skin infections. To date, there are no investigations on the local inflammatory infiltrate in DD skin lesions. In this immunohistochemical study we characterized and quantified it, making comparisons with two other inflammatory skin disorders, that is, pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and lichen ruber planus (LRP), and with the normal skin (NSk). We found a significant () decrease of CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LCs) in DD, compared to PV, LRP, and NSk, and of CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), compared to PV and LRP. We hypothesize that the genetic damage of keratinocytes might result in a loss of some subsets of dendritic cells and, consequently, in an impaired local immune response, which might worsen the infections that inevitably occur in this disease.
ERK5 Contributes to VEGF Alteration in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Wu Yuexiu , Zuo Yufeng , Chakrabarti Rana , Feng Biao , Chen Shali , Chakrabarti Subrata
Published: June 2010

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common causes of blindness in North America. Several signaling mechanisms are activated secondary to hyperglycemia in diabetes, leading to activation of vasoactive factors. We investigated a novel pathway, namely extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) mediated signaling, in modulating glucose-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) were exposed to glucose. In parallel, retinal tissues from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were examined after 4 months of follow-up. In HMVECs, glucose caused initial activation followed by deactivation of ERK5 and its downstream mediators myocyte enhancing factor 2C (MEF2C) and Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) mRNA expression. ERK5 inactivation further led to augmented VEGF mRNA expression. Furthermore, siRNA mediated ERK5 gene knockdown suppressed MEF2C and KLF2 expression and increased VEGF expression and angiogenesis. On the other hand, constitutively active MEK5, an activator of ERK5, increased ERK5 activation and ERK5 and KLF2 mRNA expression and attenuated basal- and glucose-induced VEGF mRNA expression. In the retina of diabetic rats, depletion of ERK5, KLF2 and upregulation of VEGF mRNA were demonstrated. These results indicated that ERK5 depletion contributes to glucose induced increased VEGF production and angiogenesis. Hence, ERK5 may be a putative therapeutic target to modulate VEGF expression in diabetic retinopathy.
Determination of Complex-Valued Parametric Model Coefficients Using Artificial Neural Network Technique
Authors: Aibinu A. M. , Salami M. J. E. , Shafie A. A.
Published: June 2010

A new approach for determining the coefficients of a complex-valued autoregressive (CAR) and complex-valued autoregressive moving average (CARMA) model coefficients using complex-valued neural network (CVNN) technique is discussed in this paper. The CAR and complex-valued moving average (CMA) coefficients which constitute a CARMA model are computed simultaneously from the adaptive weights and coefficients of the linear activation functions in a two-layered CVNN. The performance of the proposed technique has been evaluated using simulated complex-valued data (CVD) with three different types of activation functions. The results show that the proposed method can accurately determine the model coefficients provided that the network is properly trained. Furthermore, application of the developed CVNN-based technique for MRI K-space reconstruction results in images with improve resolution.
ABT-737 Overcomes Resistance to Immunotoxin-Mediated Apoptosis and Enhances the Delivery of Pseudomonas Exotoxin–Based Proteins to the Cell Cytosol
Authors: Traini Roberta , Ben-Josef Gal , Pastrana Diana V. , Moskatel Elizabeth , Sharma Ashima K. , Antignani Antonella , FitzGerald David J.
Published: June 2010

Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE)–based immunotoxins (antibody-toxin fusion proteins) have achieved frequent complete remissions in patients with hairy cell leukemia but far fewer objective responses in other cancers. To address possible mechanisms of resistance, we investigated immunotoxin activity in a model system using the colon cancer cell line, DLD1. Despite causing complete inhibition of protein synthesis, there was no evidence that an immunotoxin targeted to the transferrin receptor caused apoptosis in these cells. To address a possible protective role of prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins, the BH3-only mimetic, ABT-737, was tested alone or in combination with immunotoxins. Neither the immunotoxin nor ABT-737 alone activated caspase 3, whereas the combination exhibited substantial activation. In other epithelial cell lines, ABT-737 enhanced the cytotoxicity of PE-related immunotoxins by as much as 20-fold, but did not enhance diphtheria toxin or cycloheximide. Because PE translocates to the cytosol via the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the other toxins do not, ABT-737–mediated effects on the ER were investigated. ABT-737 treatment stimulated increased levels of ER stress response factor, ATF4. Because of its activity in the ER, ABT-737 might be particularly well suited for enhancing the activity of immunotoxins that translocate from the ER to the cell cytosol. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(7); 2007–15. ©2010 AACR.
Blood Pressure Course in Acute Stroke Relates to Baroreflex Dysfunction
Authors: Sykora Marek , Diedler Jennifer , Poli Sven , Rupp Andre , Turcani Peter , Steiner Thorsten
Published: June 2010

Background: Acute hypertension frequently occurs in acute stroke and is associated with unfavorable outcome. However, despite the high prevalence, the pathophysiology remains unclear. Baroreflex dysfunction has repeatedly been reported in stroke patients. We hypothesize that blood pressure (BP) derangements in the acute phase relate to the impairment of baroreflex. Methods: We assessed baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in 109 acute stroke patients with both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke using the sequential cross-correlation method. Admission BP and BP values derived from continuous 72-hour monitoring were recorded. Demographic and clinical data including stroke volumes and admission NIHSS scores were included into the analysis. Results: The BRS significantly correlated with admission BP (r = –0.24, p = 0.01), with the occurrence of acute hypertension (≧220mm Hg/≧ 110 mm Hg) on admission (r = –0.37, p < 0.001) and with the number of episodes with ≧220 mm Hg/≧110 mm Hg in the first 72 h after admission (r = –0.44, p < 0.001). Admission NIHSS or lesion volume did not correlate with acute hypertension on admission or hypertensive episodes within the first 72 h. In a multivariable model, BRS remained a significant, independent predictor for both the occurrence of acute hypertension on admission and hypertensive episodes within the first 72 h. Conclusions: In acute stroke, decreased BRS was independently associated with the occurrence of acute hypertension on admission. In addition, BRS seemed to be a valid predictor of the BP course in the first 72 h. As some antihypertensives may ameliorate BRS, therapeutic relevance of this finding warrants further attention.
Comparison of plasma-derived and recombinant von Willebrand factor by atomic force microscopy
Authors: Seyfried Birgit , Friedbacher Gernot , Rottensteiner Hanspeter , Schwarz Hans Peter , Ehrlich Hartmut , Allmaier Günter , Turecek Peter
Published: June 2010

Human plasma protein von Willebrand factor (VWF) is composed of a series of multimers with molecular weights ranging from 600 to 20,000 kDa or even more. Plasma-derived VWF (pdVWF) and recombinant VWF (rVWF) differ in that the ultra-large molecular weight multimer portion present in rVWF is usually missing in pdVWF due to partial cleavage of VWF by the plasma protease ADAMTS13. Here, tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM) was used to visualise the shape and size of rVWF and pdVWF. The morphology of the variants of VWF was comparable, containing both globular and stretched domains. Mean chain lengths of the filaments and diameters of the core globular domains were determined and analysed on a statistical basis. About 72% of the pdVWF molecules and 70% of the rVWF molecules were 100–300 nm long. The portion of very long molecules (>300 nm) was only slightly greater in rVWF than in pdVWF (20% vs. 18%). The diameters of the globular core structures were in the range of 12 to 30 nm for both types of VWF. Inspection of a purified rVWF dimer revealed a similar range for the globular domain (14–32 nm). Finally, we demonstrate a dramatic conformational change for rVWF upon exposure to high shear stress, as has been reported for pdVWF. Our TM-AFM data show that the overall structure of rVWF is similar to that of pdVWF and that rVWF will extend its conformation under shear stress, which is required to exert its function in primary haemostasis.
Apixaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor, inhibits tissue-factor induced human platelet aggregation in vitro: Comparison with direct inhibitors of factor VIIa, XIa and thrombin
Authors: Jiang Xiaosui , Wong Pancras
Published: June 2010

Apixaban is an oral, direct and highly selective factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor in late-stage clinical development. This study evaluated the in vitro effect of apixaban on human platelet aggregation induced by thrombin derived via the extrinsic pathway. Direct inhibitors of FXa (rivaroxaban), FVIIa (BMS-593214), thrombin (dabigatran, argatroban) and FXIa (BMS-262084) were included for comparison. Citrated human plateletsrich plasma (PRP) was treated with 50 μg/ml corn trypsin inhibitor (to block the contact factor pathway) and 3 mM H-Gly-Pro-Arg- Pro-OH-AcOH (to prevent fibrin polymerisation). Human tissue factor (TF) (Innovin®; dilution 1:1,000 to 1:1,500) plus 7.5 mM CaCl2 was added to PRP pre-incubated with vehicle or increasing concentrations of inhibitors. The TF-induced platelet aggregation was measured by optical aggregometry. TF produced 85 ± 3% aggregation of human platelets in the vehicle-treated group (n=10). Apixaban and other factor inhibitors, except the FXIa inhibitor, inhibited TF-induced platelet aggregation with IC50 (nM) values as follows: 4 ± 1 (apixaban), 8 ± 2 (rivaroxaban), 13 ± 1 (BMS-593214), 46 ± 1 (dabigatran) and 79 ± 1 (argatroban). BMS-262084 (IC50 = 2.8 nM vs. human FXIa) had no effect on TF-induced platelet aggregation at 10 μM. These inhibitors at 10 μM had no effect on platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen, as expected from their mechanism of action. This study demonstrates that inhibition of thrombin generation by blocking upstream proteases (FVIIa and FXa) in the blood coagulation cascade is as effective as direct thrombin inhibition in preventing TF-induced platelet aggregation. Under these experimental conditions, a FXIa inhibitor did not prevent TF-induced platelet aggregation.
A Comparative Political Economy of Rural Capitalism
Authors: Phyne John
Published: June 2010

This article draws from field research conducted from 1993 to 2003 examining the impact of political regimes and economic globalization on the development of salmon aquaculture in Norway, Chile and Ireland. Norway underwent salmon aquaculture industrialization under the auspices of social democracy, whereas Chile and Ireland did so through the influence of neoliberalism. Social democracy imposes limits on the economic and geographical concentration of capital, whereas neo-liberalism facilitates the economic and geographical concentration of capital. This is because social democracy uses salmon aquaculture to foster the redistribution of benefits, whereas neo-liberalism uses salmon aquaculture to foster economic growth. Nevertheless, some evidence shows the strength of regional development interests in containing the full brunt of neo-liberalism in rural Ireland. The article concludes with suggestions for deepening the comparative political economy discussion of rural capitalism.
Multiple Audiences and Reputation Building in International Conflicts
Authors: Clare Joe , Danilovic Vesna
Published: June 2010

Reputational theory of conflict behavior dates back to Schelling’s seminal work on bargaining and continues to find both its advocates and critics to date. The authors do not take sides in this debate about the relevance of reputation for bargaining behavior but rather take a modified approach to reputations for resolve and probe some aspects that were largely underexplored in past research. The authors develop the argument that, if facing multiple strategic rivals and having failed in past disputes, a state has an incentive to invest in its reputation for resolute behavior by initiating and escalating conflicts. Their focus is then on both general and immediate deterrence, and while it was standard to tie reputation to a deterrer’s past, the authors direct the attention to the challenger’s reputation as a potential motivator for its conflictual behavior. This new focus is validated, and the related expectations supported, in the findings from their empirical analysis of strategic rivalries from 1816 to 1999.
Gentrification and Community Fabric in Chicago
Authors: Betancur John
Published: June 2010

Critical authors of gentrification point to its deleterious impacts on displaced residents. Research on the nature or actual forms of impacts has not advanced much, however. This paper attempts to specify impacts on low-income racial/ethnic groups (Latinos in particular) in five Chicago neighbourhoods, with a particular focus on neighbourhood-based fabrics of support and advancement. Limited in their mobility and exchange value resources, lower-income groups depend on such fabrics far more than do the higher income. In fact, they have fewer choices and are most vulnerable to place-based shifts. The case seems especially challenging for minorities who, like European immigrants before them, depend largely on place-based platforms/social fabrics but, unlike them, confront the added factors of race and urban restructuring.
Democracy’s “Free School”: Tocqueville and Lieber on the Value of the Jury
Authors: Dzur Albert W.
Published: June 2010

This essay discusses the jury’s value in American democracy by examining Alexis de Tocqueville’s analysis of the jury as a free school for the public. His account of jury socialization, which stressed lay deference to judges and trust in professional knowledge, was one side of a complex set of ideas about trust and authority in American political thought. Tocqueville’s contemporary Francis Lieber held juries to have important competencies and to be ambivalent rather than deferential regarding court professionals. The nineteenth-century courtroom exhibited such ambivalence and was marked by institutional conflict involving increasing professional authority demanded by the bench and populist counter-pressures. Assessing the value of the jury today may require some of the conceptual tools Tocqueville offers, but must also renew an appreciation of the jury as a site that utilizes already existing juridical capabilities of lay people and thus re-conceive the relationship between lay people and court professionals.
Predicting Antisocial Behavior in High-Risk Male Adolescents
Authors: Vitacco Michael J. , Neumann Craig S. , Caldwell Michael F.
Published: June 2010

The study of the downward extension of psychopathy to adolescents is limited by a lack of research focusing on its predictive validity in high-risk samples. The current study presents data on a sample of 120 ethnically diverse male offenders released from a maximum-security correctional treatment facility and followed for an average of 5 years. Dichotomized follow-up criminal charges consisted of both misdemeanor and felony charges. Structural equation modeling results found that the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version accounted for a modest, but significant, amount of variance. Adding a measure that assessed previous instrumental violence increased variance accounted for in the criminal charges outcome factor, but the relationship was in an unexpected direction. Implications for predicting violent behavior with psychopathy and criminal conduct in adolescent male offenders are discussed.
Experience of using a chilled water circuit design to expedite in situ chiller performance measurement
Authors: Yik Fwh , Lee SH , Lai Jhk , Chan KT
Published: June 2010

A chilled water circuit design that can facilitate expeditious in situ chiller performance measurement has been adopted in a chiller plant and its effectiveness has been demonstrated. Before chiller tests commenced, the measurement accuracies of the sensors in the plant were checked by simple measurements and an analysis of the plant operation records. The analysis unveiled that the chilled water flow rate through the chillers was lower than the design flow rate and the chilled water return temperature often stayed below the design level due to excessive flow rate demand, which would hinder full load tests on the chillers. After the causes of the problems were diagnosed and the problems resolved as far as possible, measurement of the full- and part-load performance of the newly installed chillers was successfully conducted. This work demonstrated that the chilled water circuit design is effective in facilitating expeditious in situ chiller performance measurement but its use requires a properly functioning chilled water system.

Practical applications: As the results presented in the paper show, the proposed chilled water circuit design is effective in reducing the time and effort required for measurement and verification of the full- and part-load performance of water chillers. This, in turn, allows more frequent chiller performance measurements to be made for detecting system or sensor faults and deterioration in chiller performance, which would help upkeep chiller energy efficiency and reliability. Described in the paper includes also several practical methods for verification of sensor accuracy and some common problems with chilled water systems where fan-coil units with on/off control are adopted.
Effects of Hepatic Drug-metabolizing Enzyme Induction on Clinical Pathology Parameters in Animals and Man
Authors: Ennulat Daniela , Walker Dana , Clemo Frances , Magid-Slav Michal , Ledieu David , Graham Mark , Botts Suzanne , Boone Laura
Published: June 2010

Hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme (DME) induction is an adaptive response associated with changes in preclinical species; this response can include increases in liver weight, hepatocellular hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and upregulated tissue expression of DMEs. Effects of DME induction on clinical pathology markers of hepatobiliary injury and function in animals as well as humans are not well established. This component of a multipart review of the comparative pathology of xenobiotically mediated induction of hepatic metabolizing enzymes reviews pertinent data from retrospective and prospective preclinical and clinical studies. Particular attention is given to studies with confirmation of DME induction and concurrent evaluation of liver and/or serum hepatobiliary marker enzyme activities and histopathology. These results collectively indicate that in the rat, when histologic findings are limited to hepatocellular hypertrophy, DME induction is not expected to be associated with consistent or substantive changes in serum or plasma activity of hepatobiliary marker enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyltransferase. In the dog and the monkey, published studies also do not demonstrate a consistent relationship across DME-inducing agents and changes in these clinical pathology parameters. However, increased liver alkaline phosphatase or gamma glutamyltransferase activity in dogs treated with phenobarbital or corticosteroids suggests that direct or indirect induction of select hepatobiliary injury markers can occur both in the absence of liver injury and independently of induction of DME activity. Although correlations between tissue and serum levels of these hepatobiliary markers are limited and inconsistent, increases in serum/plasma activities that are substantial or involve changes in other markers generally reflect hepatobiliary insult rather than DME induction. Extrahepatic effects, including disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, can also occur as a direct outcome of hepatic DME induction in humans and animals. Importantly, hepatic DME induction and associated changes in preclinical species are not necessarily predictive of the occurrence, magnitude, or enzyme induction profile in humans.
The Early Pathogenesis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Cattle After Aerosol Inoculation
Authors: Arzt J. , Pacheco J. M. , Rodriguez L. L.
Published: June 2010

To characterize the early events of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in cattle subsequent to simulated natural exposure, 16 steers were aerosol inoculated with FMDV and euthanized at various times. Samples were collected from each steer antemortem (serum, nasal swabs, and oral swabs) and postmortem (up to 40 tissues per animal) and screened for FMDV by virus isolation and for FMDV RNA by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Tissues that tested positive for FMDV or viral RNA were examined by immunohistochemistry and multichannel immunofluorescence microscopy. In previremic steers, FMDV was most consistently localized to nasopharyngeal tissues, thereby indicating this region as the most important site of primary viral replication. The earliest site of microscopic localization of FMDV antigens was the lymphoid follicle-associated epithelium of the pharyngeal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue of the nasopharynx at 6 hours postaerosolization. At early time points after aerosol inoculation, viral antigens colocalized with cytokeratin-positive pharyngeal epithelial cells; intraepithelial FMDV-negative, MHCII/CD11c-double-positive dendritic cells were present in close proximity to FMDV-positive cells. Onset of viremia coincided with marked increase of viral loads in pulmonary tissues and with substantial decrease of viral detection in nasopharyngeal tissues. These data indicate that subsequent to aerogenous exposure to FMDV, the temporally defined critical pathogenesis events involve (1) primary replication in epithelial cells of the pharyngeal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue crypts and (2) subsequent widespread replication in pneumocytes in the lungs, which coincides with (3) the establishment of sustained viremia.
A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Meniscectomy
Authors: Salata Michael J. , Gibbs Aimee E. , Sekiya Jon K.
Published: June 2010

Knee meniscectomy is the most common procedure performed by orthopaedic surgeons. While it is generally believed that loss of meniscal tissue leads to osteoarthritis and poor knee function, many variables may significantly influence this outcome. Through literature search engines including PubMed and Ovid, 4 randomized controlled trials, 2 prospective cohorts, and 23 retrospective cohorts that fit the criteria for level I, II, and III level of evidence were included in this systematic review. For the level III evidence studies, follow-up of 5 years or more was required. Preoperative and intraoperative predictors of poor clinical or radiographic outcomes included total meniscectomy or removal of the peripheral meniscal rim, lateral meniscectomy, degenerative meniscal tears, presence of chondral damage, presence of hand osteoarthritis suggestive of genetic predisposition, and increased body mass index. Variables that were not predictive of outcome or were inconclusive or had mixed results included meniscal tear pattern, age, mechanical alignment, sex of patient, activity level, and meniscal tears associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. While an intact meniscus or meniscal repair was generally favorable in the ACL-reconstructed knees, meniscal repair of degenerative meniscal tissue was not favorable. There is a lack of uniformity in the literature on this subject with a preponderance of lower level evidence. Although randomized controlled trials are considered to be the gold standard in medical research, a multicenter prospective cohort design may be more appropriate in assessing the long-term outcome of meniscal surgery and the role that multiple preoperative and intraoperative variables may play in clinical outcomes. In addition, future studies should include factors not assessed or adequately evaluated by several of the included studies, such as meniscal tear pattern, age, mechanical alignment, sex of the patient, activity level, meniscal tears associated with other injuries such as the ACL, smoking, and the effect of previous surgery.
Substance Abuse Among High-Risk Sexual Offenders: Do Measures of Lifetime History of Substance Abuse Add to the Prediction of Recidivism Over Actuarial Risk Assessment Instruments?
Authors: Looman Jan , Abracen Jeffrey
Published: June 2010

There has been relatively little research on the degree to which measures of lifetime history of substance abuse add to the prediction of risk based on actuarial measures alone among sexual offenders. This issue is of relevance in that a history of substance abuse is related to relapse to substance using behavior. Furthermore, substance use has been found to be related to recidivism among sexual offenders. To investigate whether lifetime history of substance abuse adds to prediction over and above actuarial instruments alone, several measures of substance abuse were administered in conjunction with the Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide (SORAG). The SORAG was found to be the most accurate actuarial instrument for the prediction of serious recidivism (i.e., sexual or violent) among the sample included in the present investigation. Complete information, including follow-up data, were available for 250 offenders who attended the Regional Treatment Centre Sex Offender Treatment Program (RTCSOTP). The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) were used to assess lifetime history of substance abuse. The results of logistic regression procedures indicated that both the SORAG and the MAST independently added to the prediction of serious recidivism. The DAST did not add to prediction over the use of the SORAG alone. Implications for both the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders are discussed.
Latent Profiles of Risk Among a Community Sample of Men: Implications for Sexual Aggression
Authors: Logan Greene Patricia , Cue Davis Kelly
Published: June 2010

Of the proposed theoretical explanations for the perpetration of sexual assault, Malamuth’s confluence theory remains the most prominent. Further development of this theory has incorporated alcohol use into the original pathways of impersonal sex and hostile masculinity. This study uses data from a nationwide online survey ( n = 289) to examine the relationship of these three risk factors to sexual aggression using person-oriented methods, specifically latent profile analysis (LPA). Four statistically significant risk profiles were identified: low risk, moderate impersonal sex, high hostile masculinity, and high on all risk. All groups with elevated risk factors reported increased levels of sexual aggression. Groups 3 and 4 reported the highest levels. Implications for intervention and research are discussed.
Outcomes of Child Sexual Abuse as Predictors of Later Sexual Victimization
Authors: Reese-Weber Marla , Smith Dana M.
Published: June 2010

The association between a history of child sexual abuse (CSA) and specific negative outcomes (attachment, feelings of power, and self-esteem) was explored as was the relationship between those negative outcomes and sexual victimization during the first semester of college. Two groups of freshman college women (67 who had experienced CSA and 55 who had not) completed measures of attachment, feelings of power, and self-esteem at the beginning of their freshman year of college. At the end of their first semester of college, participants ( n = 93) provided information about whether they had been sexually assaulted during their first semester of college. The results indicated that participants in the CSA group did not differ on reported attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, feelings of power, or self-esteem as compared to the control group. However, participants in the CSA group were more like to be sexually victimized during their first semester of college. Finally, logistic regression indicated that the negative outcomes of CSA were significantly related to sexual victimization during the first semester of college, with attachment anxiety playing an important role. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
The Psychosocial Consequences of Child Sexual Abuse in Ethiopia: A Case-Control Comparative Analysis
Authors: Wondie Yemataw , Zemene Workie , Tafesse Biruk , Reschke Konrad , Schröder Harry
Published: June 2010

Child sexual abuse (CSA) continues to be a pressing public health concern around the globe. Few existing reports, however, indicate the alarming rate at which the problem is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study is designed to investigate the psychosocial consequences of sexual abuse among child survivors in Ethiopia who were abused mainly through early marriage, rape, and child prostitution. Data are collected from 318 such CSA survivors—and 318 matched, non—sexually abused, normal controls— using the Children’s Impact of Traumatic Events Scale-Revised and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results reveal the CSA survivors to be significantly more symptomatic than the control group: They demonstrated a lower degree of social support, a lower degree of empowerment, as well as a higher degree of guilt and increased likelihood of viewing the world as dangerous. Finally, these CSA survivors show a lower degree of positive self-worth than their non—sexually abused counterparts. These findings have important implications for the formulation of appropriate preventions and interventions to be undertaken by various stakeholders ranging from family to policy makers.
Intimate Partner Violence Among General and Urban Poor Populations in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Oshiro Azusa , Poudyal Amod K. , Poudel Krishna C. , Jimba Masamine , Hokama Tomiko
Published: June 2010

Comparative studies are lacking on intimate partner violence (IPV) between urban poor and general populations. The objective of this study is to identify the prevalence and risk factors of physical IPV among the general and poor populations in urban Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted by structured questionnaire interview. Participants included 905 ever-married women in Kathmandu aged 15 to 49 years. Of the 905 participants, 680 were randomly selected from general population and 225 were recruited from urban poor population, who lived in purposively selected two communities. The prevalence and association between ever experiencing physical IPV and sociodemographic variables were examined. Results showed that the prevalence of physical IPV was 33.8% among the urban poor population ( n = 225) and 19.9% among the general population ( n = 680; p < .01). Several factors were significantly associated with physical IPV in both populations: the frequency of the husband’s drinking, polygyny, and lower household economic status. However, two factors were associated with physical IPV only among the general population: the husband’s lower educational level and early marriage. The conclusions of this study are that compared to the general population, the urban poor population showed a significantly higher prevalence of physical IPV and differences in the associated risk factors. The urban poor population requires focused data collection as well as tailored interventions to reduce IPV.
Association between Early Marriage and Intimate Partner Violence in India: A Focus on Youth from Bihar and Rajasthan
Authors: Speizer Ilene S. , Pearson Erin
Published: June 2010

The relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and early marriage is explored using the 2005-2006 India National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3). The NFHS-3 collected data from a representative sample of women and men in India with a large enough sample size to have a representative sample at the state level. The focus is on youth from Bihar and Rajasthan, two states with high IPV and early marriage. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrate that women aged 20 to 24 who married before age eighteen, the legal age at marriage in India, are more likely to have ever experienced IPV in their lifetime and recently experienced IPV (in the last 12 months) than their counterparts who married later. The results were significant in Rajasthan but not in Bihar. To reduce IPV, targeted efforts must be made to decrease the proportion of India’s girls who are married under the legal age of marriage.
Gender Differences in Depression and Anxiety Among Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: The Moderating Effect of Shame Proneness
Authors: Shorey Ryan C. , Sherman Amanda E. , Kivisto Aaron J. , Elkins Sara R. , Rhatigan Deborah L. , Moore Todd M.
Published: June 2010

The current study examined the moderating role of shame proneness on the association between physical, psychological, and sexual intimate partner violence victimization and depressive and anxious symptoms among male and female college students ( N = 967). Students completed self-report measures of dating violence, depression, anxiety, and shame proneness. Results showed that shame proneness moderated the association between all forms of victimization and mental health symptoms. A three-way interaction revealed that sexual victimization predicted symptoms of anxiety to a greater extent for men than for women at high levels of shame proneness. Furthermore, results showed that gender moderated the association between physical and psychological victimization and health outcomes, such that victimization was related to increased depressive and anxious symptoms for men but not for women. Interpretations of these findings are discussed in relation to violence interventions, including primary prevention, and men’s health.
Early Exposures to Ecogenomics: Effects of Priming and Web Site Interactivity Among Adolescents
Authors: Bos Mark J. W. , Koolstra Cees M. , Willems Jaap T. J. M.
Published: June 2010

In the context of public introductions to emerging technologies, this study examined effects of priming and Web site interactivity on adolescents’ attitude development and information processing. In a four (priming) by three (interactivity levels) experiment, participants ( N = 273) were required to search for and process Web-based information about ecogenomics. Results showed that priming ecogenomics as biotechnology, ecology, economy, or science in general did not affect attitude development. Interactivity levels, manipulated as low, medium, and high, were found to influence adolescents’ time invested in the information-processing task, perceived cognitive load, and Web site evaluations.