bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bronchopulmonary Carcinoid: Phenotype and Long-term Outcome in a Single-Institution Series of Italian Patients
Authors: Rugge Massimo , Fassan Matteo , Clemente Roberto , Rizzardi Giovanna , Giacomelli Luciano , Pennelli Gianmaria , Mescoli Claudia , Segat Daniela , Rea Federico
Published: January 2008

Purpose: The histologic distinction between low-grade typical and intermediate-grade atypical bronchopulmonary carcinoids basically lies on cellular differentiation, mitotic activity, and presence of “neoplastic” necrosis; at single patient level, however, none of these features enables a reliable prediction of the clinicopathologic outcome.

Experimental Design: The long-term postsurgical outcome of a single-institution series of 67 radically treated bronchopulmonary carcinoids was correlated with the tumor phenotype assessed by combining conventional histology with a panel of immunohistochemical markers exploring cell differentiation (chromogranin, NSE, TTF1), cell turnover (Mib1), and apoptosis (Bcl2, Bax).

Results: Fifty-eight (86.6%) carcinoids were assessed as low-grade typical and nine (13.4%) were assessed as intermediate-grade atypical. The mean follow-up was of 85.13 months (range, 28-168; median, 82.0). All cases expressed neuroendocrine markers, whereas TTF1 was never expressed. At univariate analysis, tumor recurrence (n = 6) correlated significantly with the carcinoid histotype (P = 0.002) and with each of the following variables: tumor location (P = 0.01), mitotic index (P = 0.003), necrosis (P = 0.002), tumor vascular invasion (P = 0.0001), Mib1 expression (P = 0.005), Bcl2 expression (P = 0.024), and synchronous node metastasis (P = 0.028). The best cutoffs for Mib1 and Bcl2 expression (calculated by receiver operating characteristic curves) discriminating recurrent versus nonrecurrent tumors were 5.4% for Mib1 and 2.0% for Bcl2 (Mib1: sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 97%; area under curve, 0.844 ± 0.14; Bcl2: sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 65%; area under curve, 0.769 ± 0.12). By stratifying the patients according to the obtained cutoffs, significant differences emerged in the patients' disease-free survival (log-rank test: Mib1, P = 0.0001; Bcl2, P = 0.01).

Conclusions: Mib1 and Bcl2 significantly discriminate between recurrent versus nonrecurrent tumors, producing a biologically plausible, diagnostically suitable immunohistochemical pattern.
The Immunogenicity of the hTERT540-548 Peptide in Cancer
Authors: Wenandy Lynn , Sørensen Rikke Bæk , Sengeløv Lisa , Svane Inge Marie , thor Straten Per , Andersen Mads Hald
Published: January 2008

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase, is an attractive target antigen for cancer immunotherapy due to its expression in the vast majority of human tumors. The first immunogenic peptide described from hTERT was the HLA-A2–restricted peptide hTERT540 (ILAKFLHWL). However, much discrepancy exists about the processing and presentation of this epitope on the surface of neoplastic cells. Originally, it was described that specific CTL can be generated in vitro and that such cells are able to kill a range of hTERT+ tumor cell lines and primary tumors in a peptide-specific, HLA-A2–restricted fashion. Furthermore, it was described that vaccination of cancer patients with hTERT540 introduced functional antitumor CD8+ T cells in patients. More recently, it was described that most patients with cancer have circulating hTERT540-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, several other studies have concluded that hTERT540 is not presented on the surface of tumor cells and that immunization of cancer patients with hTERT540 leads to the introduction of specific T cells that do not recognize tumor cells in vivo. In the present commentary, we summarize these highly contradictive results about this potentially very important T-cell epitope. Furthermore, we describe novel data showing that naturally occurring immune responses against hTERT540 are, although rare, present in cancer patients and that such hTERT540-specific T cells are able to recognize and kill cancer cells. Hence, our data support the findings that hTERT540 peptide is presented by human tumors and can be a target for CTL-mediated tumor lysis.
Usefulness of Pravastatin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Women
Authors: Mizuno Kyoichi , Nakaya Noriaki , Ohashi Yasuo , Tajima Naoko , Kushiro Toshio , Teramoto Tamio , Uchiyama Shinichiro , Nakamura Haruo
Published: January 2008

Background—

It is well known that statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of statins in women for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease has not been determined. We conducted an exploratory analysis of the effect of diet plus pravastatin therapy on the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in women with data from a large-scale primary prevention trial with pravastatin.

Methods and Results—

Patients with hypercholesterolemia (5.7 to 7.0 mmol/L) and no history of coronary heart disease or stroke were randomized to diet or diet plus pravastatin 10 to 20 mg/d and followed up for ≥5 years. We investigated the effect of diet plus pravastatin treatment on cardiovascular events in 5356 women during the 5-year follow-up. The incidence of cardiovascular events in the women was 2 to 3 times lower than that in men. The occurrence of cardiovascular events was 26% to 37% lower in the diet plus pravastatin treatment group than in the diet alone group. Although these differences did not reach statistical significance, the overall risk reductions were similar to those in men. Notably, women ≥60 years of age treated with diet plus pravastatin had markedly higher risk reductions for coronary heart disease (45%), coronary heart disease plus cerebral infarction (50%), and stroke (64%) than did women treated with diet alone.

Conclusions—

Treatment with pravastatin in women with elevated cholesterol but no history of cardiovascular disease provides a benefit similar to that seen in men, and this benefit is more marked in older women. This treatment should be considered routinely for primary cardiovascular protection in women with elevated cholesterol levels.
A Land Data Assimilation System for Soil Moisture and Temperature: An Information Content Study
Authors: Balsamo G. , Mahfouf J-F. , Bélair S. , Deblonde G.
Published: January 2008

A Canadian Land Data Assimilation System (CaLDAS) for the analysis of land surface prognostic variables is designed and implemented at the Meteorological Service of Canada for the initialization of numerical weather prediction and climate models. The assimilation of different data sources for the production of daily soil moisture and temperature analyses is investigated in a set of observing system simulation experiments over North America. A simplified variational technique is adapted to accommodate different observation types at their appropriate time in a 24-h time window. The screen-level observations of temperature and relative humidity, from conventional synoptic surface observations (SYNOP)/aviation routine weather report (METAR)/surface aviation observation (SA) reports, are considered together with presently available satellite observations provided by the Aqua satellite (microwave C-band), Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) [infrared (IR)], and observations available in the future by the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite mission (microwave L-band). The aim of these experiments is to assess the information content brought by each observation type in the land surface analysis. The observation systems are simulated according to their spatial coverage, temporal availability, and nominal or expected errors. The results show that the observable with the largest dynamical response to perturbations of the control variable carries the greatest information content into the analysis. The observational error and the observation frequency counterbalance this feature in the analysis.

If one considers a single observation both for soil moisture and soil temperature analysis, then satellite measurements (L-band, C-band, and IR in decreasing order of importance) are the primary source of information. When observation availability is considered and the highest temporal frequency of screen-level observations is used (1 h), a large amount of information is extracted from SYNOP-like reports. The screen-level observations are shown to provide valuable soil moisture information mainly during the daytime, while during nighttime these observations (and particularly screen-level temperature) are mostly useful for the soil temperature analysis. The results are presented with perspectives for future operational developments and preliminary assimilation experiments are performed with hourly screen-level observations.
The North Dakota Tornadic Supercells of 18 July 2004: Issues Concerning High LCL Heights and Evapotranspiration
Authors: Kellenbenz David J. , Grafenauer Thomas J. , Davies Jonathan M.
Published: January 2008

On the evening of 18 July 2004, several tornadoes occurred with two supercell thunderstorms over eastern North Dakota. The second and smaller in diameter of these storms produced an F4 tornado in an environment with lifting condensation level (LCL) heights that were atypically high according to recent statistical studies about supercell tornado environments. Surface dewpoints were also underforecast by computer models. These two issues are examined in this paper, which provides an overview of this event. The synoptic setting and environment characteristics suggest that evapotranspiration (ET) was responsible in part for enhancing surface moisture. It is likely that ET affected instability and convection initiation. This study also found that the presence of steep low-level lapse rates juxtaposed with low-level convective available potential energy along a surface trough may have contributed to tornado development in a high LCL environment where wind and instability characteristics were otherwise favorable for supporting supercell tornadoes.
Lessons in Survival
Authors: Blustein David L. , Catraio Christine , Coutinho Maria T. , Murphy Kerri A.
Published: January 2008

This article provides a reaction to the three articles that form the Major Contribution on HIV and working (Maguire, McNally, Britton, Werth, & Borges, 2008 [this issue]; Werth, Borges, McNally, Maguire, & Britton, 2008a [this issue], 2008b [this issue]). This reaction explores the lessons in survival so eloquently conveyed and evident in the descriptions and analyses regarding the challenge of working for people with HIV. Using the taxonomy from Blustein's psychology-of-working framework, it examines the complex relationships between working and HIV/AIDS, highlighting the ways in which the needs for survival, relatedness, and self-determination form core experiences for people with HIV.
Intrafamilial Phenotypic Variability in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Lyczkowski David A. , Conant Kerry D. , Pulsifer Margaret B. , Jarrett Delma Y. , Grant P. Ellen , Kwiatkowski David J. , Thiele Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2008

Clinical manifestations were retrospectively assessed in 5 families with tuberous sclerosis complex, including 1 pair of monozygotic twins. Interfamilial variation in tuber count was significantly larger than intrafamilial variation. Severity of epilepsy and cognitive profiles varied both between and within families, particularly between the monozygotic twins, and IQ was inversely related to tuber count. Cutaneous, renal, and cardiac findings did not appear to cluster within families. Although the monozygotic twins displayed similar physical manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex (renal and cardiac hamartomas), they differed markedly in neurocognitive profiles. Phenotypic variation within these families may be explained largely as a function of the randomness of second-hit events that cause hamartomas in tuberous sclerosis complex or by as-yet-unidentified genetic modifiers. Familial variation in tuberous sclerosis complex phenotype has important implications for genetic counseling.
Why Men in the United Kingdom Still Want the Prostate Specific Antigen Test
Authors: Chapple Alison , Ziebland Sue , Hewitson Paul , McPherson Ann
Published: January 2008

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is widely used to screen men for prostate cancer, but its value in diagnosing prostate cancer in asymptomatic men is controversial. In 2001, the U.K. Department of Health introduced the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP), through which men are given relatively detailed information before they make a final decision about a test. Little is known about men's experiences of the test since this program was introduced. We report an analysis of interviews with 30 men who were tested, or considered having a test, since the PCRMP was introduced. Our analysis suggests that men's views of the PSA test are dominated by their construction of testing as responsible health behavior and their perception of PSA as “just a blood test.” Men's accounts also suggest that poor communication about the uncertainty of the test—and about treatment for prostate cancer—also persists.
Intimate Partner Acceptance, Parental Acceptance in Childhood, and Psychological Adjustment Among Turkish Adults in Ongoing Attachment Relationships
Authors: Varan Azmi , Rohner Ronald P. , Eryuksel Gül
Published: January 2008

Drawing stimulus from a central postulate in parental acceptance-rejection theory, this study explored relations among perceived partner acceptance, remembrances of parental (maternal and paternal) acceptance in childhood, and the psychological adjustment of 681 Turkish adults in ongoing attachment relationships. Five self-report questionnaires were used to assess adults' perceptions of partner acceptance, remembrances of parental acceptance in childhood, and adults' psychological adjustment. Results showed that both men and women tended to perceive considerable acceptance from all three attachment figures (i.e., mothers, fathers, and intimate partners). This fact notwithstanding, correlational analyses showed that the less loving either men or women saw any of their attachment figures to be, the more psychologically maladjusted they tended to be. Moreover, multiple regression analyses showed that the level of perceived acceptance by all three attachment figures made significant and independent contributions to the psychological adjustment of both men and women.
Perceived Intimate Partner Acceptance, Remembered Parental Acceptance, and Psychological Adjustment Among Colombian and Puerto Rican Youths and Adults
Authors: Ripoll-Núñez Karen , Alvarez Claudia
Published: January 2008

This study explored the way in which remembered childhood experiences of maternal and paternal acceptance mediated and moderated the relation between perceived intimate-partner acceptance and the psychological adjustment of 222 youths and adults in Colombia and Puerto Rico. These variables were assessed through the use of self-report measures. Participants were involved in a significant intimate relationship at the time of the study. Results of bivariate correlations showed a positive and statistically significant association between both remembered maternal acceptance and intimate partner acceptance with psychological adjustment for both men and women. However, paternal acceptance only had a positive and significant correlation with women's (but not men's) psychological adjustment. Multiple regression analyses showed that for women (but not for men), remembrances of both maternal and paternal acceptance in childhood partially mediated the relation between perceived partner acceptance and women's psychological adjustment. Moreover, multiple regression analyses showed that the effect of remembered maternal acceptance moderated the relation between women's (but not men's) perceived intimate-partner acceptance and psychological adjustment.
How Long to Prosecute Child Sexual Abuse for a Community Using a Children's Advocacy Center and Two Comparison Communities?
Authors: Walsh Wendy A. , Lippert Tonya , Cross Theodore P. , Maurice Danielle M. , Davison Karen S.
Published: January 2008

This article explores the length of time between key events in the criminal prosecution of child sexual abuse cases (charging decision, case resolution process, and total case-processing time), which previous research suggests is related to victims' recovery. The sample included 160 cases in three communities served by the Dallas County District Attorney. Most cases (69%) took at least 60 days for the charging decision, with cases investigated at the Children's Advocacy Center having a quicker time than either comparison community. Only 20% of cases had a case resolution time within the 180-day target suggested by the American Bar Association standard for felonies. Controlling for case characteristics, one of the three communities and cases with an initial arrest had a significantly quicker case resolution time. Total case processing generally took more than 2 years. Implications include the need to better monitor and shorten case resolution time.
The Number of Illegally Abandoned and Legally Surrendered Newborns in the State of Texas, Estimated From News Stories, 1996-2006
Authors: Pruitt Sandi L.
Published: January 2008

In 1999, Texas was the first of 47 states to pass a Safe Haven law allowing for the anonymous surrender of unwanted newborns at designated locations. However, state agencies do not systematically collect data on the number of illegally abandoned infants and infants legally surrendered under the law. Using the LexisNexis database of Texas newspapers, this study estimated the number of illegally abandoned and legally surrendered newborns younger than age 60 days in Texas, 1996 to 2006 and describes their demographic characteristics. Of 93 infants (53% male) identified during the study period, 82 were illegally abandoned (70% found alive) and 11 were legally surrendered. On average, 7.5 (range: 4-16) infants were illegally abandoned each year, with the greatest number found in 1999. Infants continued to be illegally abandoned following passage of the Safe Haven law. A statewide surveillance system should be implemented to evaluate this important public health problem.
Comment: Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Response
Authors: Pertman Adam , Deoudes Georgia
Published: January 2008

It has been 8 years since Texas became the first state in the country to address the discarding of newborns in public places by legalizing anonymous infant abandonment. The central question in the debate over the efficacy of Safe Haven laws remains whether they are succeeding in their stated objective, that is, to reduce the number of unsafe, illegal newborn abandonments. The lack of official recordkeeping makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the law in Texas, or elsewhere in the United States. Furthermore, because the law protects the anonymity of the abandoning adult and does not require any collection of information from or counseling of that adult, there is no way to determine whether people abandoning infants at Safe Havens are those who would have abandoned unsafely in the absence of the law. In addition to the law's dubious effectiveness, it evidently causes multiple troublesome, unintended consequences.
Community Services for People Affected by Violence
Authors: Dillenburger Karola , Akhonzada Rym , Fargas Montserrat
Published: January 2008

• Summary: In this article we explore the extent of services offered by voluntary community groups in Northern Ireland 10 years after the ceasefires.

• Findings: People who have been exposed to community violence and related traumatic life-events often require help in coping with the effects of these experiences. While many people rely on family and friends for support and few require in-depth professional social work and therapeutic help, there is an increasing reliance on community services. Community services now offer a range of services from informal self-help groups, befriending, complementary therapies, respite, narrative work, to psychological therapy.

• Application: We explore how these services are organized, who is using them, how they can be categorized, and finally we suggest minimum standards for good practice.
Triangulation and Mixed Methods Designs: Practicing What We Preach in the Evaluation of an Israel Experience Educational Program
Authors: Kadushin Charles , Hecht Shahar , Sasson Theodore , Saxe Leonard
Published: January 2008

This article clarifies the role of triangulation in mixed methods research designs. Triangulation is used to describe “severe” statistical tests of correlation between alternative quantitative measurements and is employed to test the accuracy of those measurements. In contrast, the broader concept of mixed methods describes the integration of diverse qualitative and quantitative approaches and is employed to build theory. The concepts are developed and demonstrated in relation to a complex field study that evaluated an Israel experience educational program.
Collecting Sketch Maps to Understand Property Land Use and Land Cover in Large Surveys
Authors: De Oliveira D'Antona Álvaro , Cak Anthony D. , VanWey Leah K.
Published: January 2008

This article describes a method to collect data on the spatial organization of land use within a rural property as part of a large-scale project examining the linkages between household demographic change and land use and land cover change in the Brazilian Amazon. Previous studies used several different spatial approaches, including maps and satellite images, to improve the information collected in standard survey questionnaires. However, few used sketch maps to obtain information from the point of view of the survey respondent about the spatial organization of land use and infrastructure. We developed a method of creating sketch maps with respondents to describe their properties. These maps then provided a spatially referenced database of the social and land use organization of the properties from the perspective of the respondent. Systematic rules allowed sketches to be used in subsequent spatial analyses in combination with satellite images and Global Positioning System reference points
Does gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) influence the development of chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis?
Authors: Kelley James M , Hughes Laura B , Bridges S Louis
Published: January 2008

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated a role for spinal p38 MAP kinase (MAPK) in the development of chronic inflammation and peripheral arthritis and a role for GABA in the inhibition of p38 MAPK mediated effects. Integrating these data suggests that GABA may play a role in downregulating mechanisms that lead to the production of proinflammatory agents such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 – agents implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Genetic studies have also associated RA with members of the p38 MAPK pathway.

Hypothesis

We propose a hypothesis for an inefficient GABA signaling system that results in unchecked proinflammatory cytokine production via the p38 MAPK pathway. This model also supports the need for increasing research in the integration of immunology and neuroscience.
Non-traditional lifestyles and prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in Goa, India
Authors: Pillai Aravind , Patel Vikram , Cardozo Percy , Goodman Robert , Weiss Helen A. , Andrew Gracy
Published: January 2008

Background

Adolescents comprise a fifth of the population of India, but there is little research on their mental health. We conducted an epidemiological study in the state of Goa to describe the current prevalence of mental disorders and its correlates among adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years.

Aims

To estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in adolescents.

Method

Population-based survey of all eligible adolescents from six urban wards and four rural communities which were randomly selected. We used a Konkani translation of the Development and Well-Being Assessment to diagnose current DSM-IV emotional and behavioural disorders. All adolescents were also interviewed on socio-economic factors, education, neighbourhood, parental relations, peer and sexual relationships, violence and substance use.

Results

Out of 2684 eligible adolescents, 2048 completed the study. The current prevalence of any DSM-IV diagnosis was 1.81%; 95% CI 1.27–2.48. The most common diagnoses were anxiety disorders (1.0%), depressive disorder (0.5%), behavioural disorder (0.4%) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (0.2%). Adolescents from urban areas and girls who faced gender discrimination had higher prevalence. The final multivariate model found an independent association of mental disorders with an outgoing ‘non-traditional’ lifestyle (frequent partying, going to the cinema, shopping for fun and having a boyfriend or girlfriend), difficulties with studies, lack of safety in the neighbourhood, a history of physical or verbal abuse and tobacco use. Having one's family as the primary source of social support was associated with lower prevalence of mental disorders.

Conclusions

The current prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in our study was very low compared with studies in other countries. Strong family support was a critical factor associated with low prevalence of mental disorders, while factors indicative of adoption of a non-traditional lifestyle were associated with an increased prevalence.
The role of Broad in the development ofTribolium castaneum:implications for the evolution of the holometabolous insect pupa
Authors: Suzuki Yuichiro , Truman James W. , Riddiford Lynn M.
Published: January 2008

The evolution of complete metamorphosis in insects is a key innovation that has led to the successful diversification of holometabolous insects, yet the origin of the pupa remains an enigma. Here, we analyzed the expression of the pupal specifier gene broad (br), and the effect on br of isoform-specific, double-stranded RNA-mediated silencing, in a basal holometabolous insect, the beetle Tribolium castaneum. All five isoforms are weakly expressed during the penultimate instar and highly expressed during the prepupal period of the final instar. Application of hydroprene, a juvenile hormone analog, during the penultimate instar caused a repeat of the penultimate br expression patterns, and the formation of supernumerary larvae. Use of dsRNA against the br core region, or against a pair of either the br-Z2 or br-Z3 isoform with the br-Z1 or br-Z4 isoform, produced mobile animals with well-differentiated adult-like appendages, but which retained larval-like urogomphi and epidermis. Disruption of either the br-Z2 or the br-Z3 isoform caused the formation of shorter wings. Disruption of both br-Z1 and br-Z4 caused the appearance of pupal traits in the adults, but disruption of br-Z5 had no morphological effect. Our findings show that the br isoform functions are broadly conserved within the Holometabola and suggest that evolution of br isoform expression may have played an important role in the evolution of the pupa in holometabolous insects.
Optimal age-replacement policy for renewing warranted products
Authors: Chen J-A , Chien Y-H
Published: January 2008

Preventive replacement is a well-known topic in the literature of operational research and reliability. The effects of a renewing free-replacement warranty (RFRW) on the age replacement policy for a repairable product with a general failure model are discussed. There are two types of failure when the product fails. One is type I failure, which can be removed by a minimal repair, and the other is type II failure, which can be removed only by a replacement. After a minimal repair, the product is operational but the failure rate of the product remains unchanged. For both warranted and non-warranted products, cost models are developed and the corresponding optimal replacement ages are derived based on the minimized long run expected cost rate. The impacts of the RFRW on the optimal replacement age are investigated analytically. Finally, numerical examples are given for the purposes of illustration.
DNA flow cytometry of canine mammary tumors: comparative aspects with human breast tumors
Authors: Cassali G.D. , Salvador A. , Freitas C. , Dutra A.P. , Schmitt F.C.
Published: January 2008

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content was performed on 28 samples of canine mammary tumors. Nine of them were benign and 19 were malignant. All benign tumors and 11 malignant tumors (57.9%) were diploid (P<0.05). Form the aneuploid tumors, five (26.3%) were hyperdiploid, one (5.3%) hypodiploid, one (5.3%) near triploid and one (5.3%) multiploid. The analysis of the expression of the markers PR and CD31 revealed a significant difference between diploid and aneuploid tumors (P<0.05). The immunoreactivity of PR was higher in diploid tumors, while the immunoreactivity of CD31 was stronger in aneuploid tumors. No difference between the markers MIB-1, c-erbB2, p53 and Cyclin D1 was observed (P>0.05). Using the flow cytometry analysis and immunohistochemistry, it was found a close relationship between aneuploidy and malignant character of neoplasias, progesterone receptor (PR) negative immunostaining and higher microvases density. No correlation between DNA content and S phase or immunoreactivity for the markers MIB-1, p53, c-erbB2 and Cyclin D1 was observed.
Expedited Partner Therapy for Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Assessing the Legal Environment
Authors: Hodge James G. , Pulver Amy , Hogben Matthew , Bhattacharya Dhrubajyoti , Brown Erin Fuse
Published: January 2008

An emerging alternative to traditional partner management for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is expedited partner therapy (EPT), which involves the delivery of medications or prescriptions to STD patients for their partners without the clinical assessment of the partners.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended EPT nationally in limited circumstances; however, its implementation may raise legal concerns. We analyzed laws relevant to the distribution of medications to persons with whom clinicians have not personally treated or established a relationship.

We determined that three fourths of states or territories either expressly permit EPT or do not expressly prohibit the practice. We recommend (1) expressly endorsing EPT through laws, (2) creating exceptions to existing prescription requirements, (3) increasing professional board or association support for EPT, and (4) supporting third-party payments for partners’ medications.
Crafts and Generative Expression: A Qualitative Study of the Meaning of Creativity in Women Who Make Jewelry in Midlife
Authors: Adams-Price Carolyn E. , Steinman Bernard A.
Published: January 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine beliefs about creative activity and its psychological and spiritual benefits among middle-aged women who make jewelry, using qualitative measures. Twenty-nine female participants aged 31 to 64 answered questions about the effects of jewelry making on their lives. Qualitative responses provided phenomenological evidence to indicate the role that creative activities play in achieving generativity needs, such as validation from others, and social connection (with God or to others). Creative activities were also said to reduce stress and increase self-esteem. These benefits are discussed from a developmental perspective.
The Clipper Project: Exploring Whether Early Engagement through Web-Based Instruction Can Help Ease High School Students' College Transition
Authors: Bishop M. J. , White Sally A.
Published: January 2008

Colleges are under mounting pressure to increase retention rates by easing incoming students' academic and social transition to college. Finding time in first-year students' busy schedules to provide this additional support can be difficult, however. Thus, the Clipper Project set out to test whether offering online, college level courses to high school seniors might be one way postsecondary institutions could “reach out” to incoming students and help them begin their transition to college before matriculation. We found that early engagement with the University can help participants adjust more quickly, but the best time to engage incoming students may not be during the second semester of the high school senior year.
Atod Prevention Programming in the Non-School Hours and Adolescent Substance Use
Authors: Alter Randi J. , Jun Mi Kyung , J-Mckyer E. Lisako
Published: January 2008

To reduce problems associated with youth substance use, Indiana developed funding streams and infrastructure to facilitate coordination of statewide prevention efforts. These prevention efforts aimed at youth include programming in the non-school hours. To examine the relationship between these efforts and youth substance abuse, students indicating participation in one or more prevention activities were compared to non-participant students. Results revealed that participating middle school students were less likely to have reported use of tobacco than their non-participating peers. Also, participation in prevention activities in the non-school hours was related to a lower likelihood of alcohol use among high school students.
Type of Tobacco Product Used: Are There Differences between University and Community College Students?
Authors: James Delores C. S. , Chen W. William , Sheu Jiunn-Jye
Published: January 2008

This article describes and compares smoking prevalence, types of tobacco products used, and motivation to quit among college students at universities and community colleges. Data were collected using the Florida Annual College Tobacco Survey (FACTS). Nine universities and eight community colleges participated in the study ( n = 4973). Most students (69%) experimented with tobacco. Cigarettes were used more often (57.4%), followed by Black ‘N Mild (31.8%), cigars (30.1%), kreteks/bidis (24.1%), smokeless tobacco (13.9%), and pipe (8.9%). University students were more likely than community college students to have tried kreteks/bidis and cigars (p < .05). University students experimented at a significantly earlier age with cigarettes and pipes while community college experimented at a significantly earlier age with cigars and kreteks/bidis (p < .05). The majority of cigarette smokers (62%) were not interested in quitting. The implications for college tobacco education programs are discussed.
Evaluation in Music Theater: Empirical Results on Content and Structure of the Audience's Quality Judgment
Authors: Boerner Sabine , Neuhoff Hans , Renz Sabine , Moser Volker
Published: January 2008

This article investigated audience judgment of performance quality in opera. On the basis of Boerner's (2004) componential framework of performance quality in opera, a first version of the “questionnaire for the perception of performance quality in music theater” was developed. This questionnaire was validated in two pilot studies with 70 and 39 graduate students in Studies 1 and 2, respectively. In Study 3, the content and the structure of spectators' judgments of performance quality in opera were examined in a field study by interviewing 145 visitors to the opera La forza del destino (Verdi) in Cologne Opera House. Conclusions for further research on reception of opera performance are drawn.
Psychosocial Effects of War Experiences among Displaced Children in Southern Darfur
Authors: Morgos Dorothy , Worden J. William , Gupta Leila
Published: January 2008

This study focused on assessing the psychosocial effects of the long standing, high intensity, and guerrilla-style of warfare among displaced children in Southern Darfur. The goal was to better understand the etiology, prognosis, and treatment implications for traumatic reactions, depression, and grief symptoms in this population. Three hundred thirty-one children aged 6–17 from three IDP Camps were selected using a quota sampling approach and were administered a Demographic Questionnaire, Child Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index, Child Depression Inventory, and the Expanded Grief Inventory. Forty-three percent were girls and 57% were boys. The mean age of the children was 12 years. Results found that children were exposed to a very large number of war experiences with no significant differences between genders for types of exposure, including rape, but with older children (13–17 years) facing a larger number of exposures than younger children (6–12 years). Out of the 16 possible war experiences, the mean number was 8.94 ( SD = 3.27). Seventy-five percent of the children met the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, and 38% exhibited clinical symptoms of depression. The percentage of children endorsing significant levels of grief symptoms was 20%.

Increased exposure to war experiences led to higher levels of: 1) traumatic reactions; 2) depression; and 3) grief symptoms. Of the 16 war experiences, abduction, hiding to protect oneself, being raped, and being forced to kill or hurt family members were most predictive of traumatic reactions. Being raped, seeing others raped, the death of a parent/s, being forced to fight, and having to hide to protect oneself were the strongest predictors of depressive symptoms. War experiences such as abduction, death of one's parent/s, being forced to fight, and having to hide to protect oneself were the most associated with the child's experience of grief. In addition to Total Grief, Traumatic Grief, Existential Grief, and Continuing Bonds were measured in these children. Although trauma, depression, and grief often exist as co-morbid disorders, the mechanisms and pathways of these is less understood. In this study we used Structural Equation Modeling to better understand the complex interaction and trajectories of these three symptoms evolving from war exposure and loss. This study is the first of its kind to assess the psychosocial effects of war experiences among children currently living in war zone areas within Sudan. It identifies some of the most prevalent war-related atrocities and their varying impact on the children's psychological well-being and overall adjustment. Implications for planning mental health interventions are discussed.
Vector fields on the real flag manifolds ℝF(1, 1, n − 2)
Authors: Ilori Samuel , Ajayi Deborah
Published: January 2008

We obtain the span of the real flag manifolds ℝF(1, 1, n−2), n ≥ 3, for the cases n ≡ 2 (mod 4), n ≡ 4 (mod 8) and n ≡ 8 (mod 16) and use the results to deduce that certain Stiefel-Whitney classes of the manifold are zero.
Treatment of Postnasal Drip with Proton Pump Inhibitors: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Pawar Sachin , Lim Hyun J. , Gill Matthew , Smith Timothy L. , Merati Albert , Toohill Robert J. , Loehrl Todd A.
Published: January 2008

Background

Patients commonly present with complaints of postnasal drainage (PND) without objective evidence to support a sinonasal or infectious etiology. PND has been attributed to extra-esophageal reflux (EER), and an empiric trial of antireflux medication often is used to treat PND and associated symptoms. This study was performed to (1) evaluate the relationship between symptoms of EER and PND and (2) assess the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the management of PND.

Methods

Patients with a chief complaint of PND without objective evidence of sinonasal inflammatory disease were enrolled in a prospective, double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial using rabeprazole, 20 mg, orally twice daily or placebo for 90 days. Subjects completed two-site 24-hour pharyngeal pH probe monitoring before treatment. Outcome measures included pre- and posttreatment visual analog scales for PND symptoms, reflux symptom index, and reflux finding score (RFS).

Results

Forty-seven patients were enrolled (mean age, 55 years)—21 patients in the PPI group and 26 in the placebo group. Fifty-six percent of subjects had pH probe confirmed EER using a cutoff of pH < 5.0. Baseline symptom measures between subjects with and without EER were not different. Compared with placebo, subjects receiving rabeprazole reported significant reduction in PND frequency (p = 0.0180), hoarseness (p = 0.0164), and chronic cough (p = 0.0204). The RFS decreased slightly in the placebo group (p = 0.1490) whereas it increased slightly in the PPI group (p = 0.5235). This difference between groups was significant (p = 0.0272).

Conclusion

Although 50% of subjects had evidence of EER, there was no difference in baseline symptoms between subjects with and without. Our findings support the potential benefit of PPI therapy for reducing PND frequency, hoarseness, and chronic cough, and confirm a placebo effect for other laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms. The effect on laryngeal findings is mixed and patients may experience symptomatic improvement before changes in laryngoscopic appearance.
Efficacy of Odiosoft-Rhino in Assessment of Nasal Obstruction: A Comparative Study with Acoustic Rhinometry after Treatment with Budesonide Nasal Spray in Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Tahamiler Rauf , Yener Murat , Canakcioglu Salih
Published: January 2008

Background

Odiosoft-Rhino (OR) is new software and equipment that can be used to measure changes in nasal obstruction after intranasal steroid treatment. OR is a promising method for measuring the degree of nasal obstruction. OR can precisely analyze nasal sound spectra in decibels, which is generated by nasal airflow. We studied the reliability of OR for assessing declining nasal obstruction after budesonide nasal spray treatment.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) were enrolled in the study, and 52 of these patients completed the study. Nasal endoscopic examination, acoustic rhinometry (AR), and OR were performed and symptom scores were compared before and after 3 months of treatment with intranasal budesonide. All of the patients received 7 days of placebo treatment before receiving budesonide.

Results

There was a significant difference in the visual analog scores of nasal obstruction and in the examination scores before and after the treatment for both the right and the left nasal cavities. Pretreatment AR findings and OR findings in the 2000- to 4000-Hz and 4000-to 6000-Hz intervals for both sides were significantly different from the posttreatment measurements (p = 0.000). Both AR and OR can assess the efficacy of budesonide nasal spray treatment for nasal obstruction in patients with PAR.

Conclusion

Both AR and OR are effective for assessing nasal obstruction and monitoring treatment efficacy but, as a simple and noninvasive test, OR can be used with confidence.
Nasal Scraping in Diagnosing Ciliary Dyskinesia
Authors: Caruso Giuseppi , Gelardi Matteo , Passali Giulio C. , de Santi Maria M.
Published: January 2008

Background

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a congenital, clinically and ultrastructurally heterogeneous disease caused by abnormal structure and/or function of cilia. Kartagener's syndrome is one subgroup of PCD. Acquired ciliary dyskinesia is frequent, generally being associated with or following respiratory tract infections.

Methods

From January 2003 to April 2006, nasal mucociliary transport time was measured in 64 patients and specimens obtained by nasal scraping were examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM).

Results

The 64 nasal scrapings led to the diagnosis of 11 (17.2%) cases of PCD and 51 (79.7%) cases of secondary ciliary disorder. In two cases (3.1%) no clear diagnosis was possible.

Conclusion

Nasal scraping is an easy, cheap, and efficient tool for detecting ciliary abnormalities by TEM and for distinguishing acquired and congenital modifications.
Does VQA Certification Matter? A Hedonic Analysis
Authors: Rabkin Danielle E. , Beatty Timothy K.M.
Published: January 2008

The Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) program was established in British Columbia in 1990 in response to international pressure that opened the BC wine market to increased foreign competition. The VQA program aimed at improving the quality of British Columbia-produced wines by outlining standards and regulations for wine produced 100 percent from BC grown grapes. Wine sales in British Columbia are rapidly increasing, with domestically produced Canadian wines having the largest market share. This research examines consumers' valuation of VQA certification through a hedonic price analysis. Results show that consumers are willing to pay a premium for VQA red and white wines. However, the benefits of VQA certification are asymmetric: certification is less important for high-priced wines than for low-priced wines.
Estimating Directional Permeability of Hot-Mix Asphalt by Numerical Simulation of Microscale Water Flow
Authors: Kutay M. Emin , Aydilek Ahmet H. , Masad Eyad
Published: January 2008

Permeability of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) is an important property that influences asphalt's resistance to moisture damage. All current methods used by pavement engineers rely on measuring vertical permeability. Recently, however, it has been shown that horizontal permeability can be much higher than the vertical because of the anisotropic and heterogeneous nature of air void distribution. Laboratory and field measurements of horizontal permeability require sophisticated equipment and detailed procedures that limit the ability to measure this property routinely. This study developed a procedure for estimating the horizontal permeability of asphalt mixes. The procedure requires simple laboratory measurements of vertical permeability and porosity (percent air voids) of sublayers in a specimen. The development of this simple method was supported by numerical simulations of microscale fluid flow in a wide range of HMA mixtures. The simulations helped in understanding the factors that control vertical and horizontal permeabilities. The developed equation and the numerical simulations confirmed that the horizontal permeability is several times higher than the vertical permeability.
Bulk Specific Gravity Measurements of 25.0-mm and 37.5-mm Coarse-Graded Superpave Mixes
Authors: Williams Stacy G.
Published: January 2008

The measurement of specific gravity for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) is critical to almost every activity pertaining to asphalt mixtures. During design and construction, the bulk specific gravity (Gmb) of HMA mixes is used to calculate many properties that indicate pavement quality. Thus, it is important to measure this property accurately and precisely. This study evaluated four methods for measuring Gmb, including the traditional saturated surface dry (SSD) method, the CoreLok method, the height-diameter method, and the CoreReader method. Four aggregate sources were used to create mix designs for 25.0-mm and 37.5-mm nominal maximum aggregate sizes (NMASs). In addition, the level of compactive effort was varied to assess the comparisons for a range of air voids. Results indicate that the traditional method exhibited the lowest levels of variability. Strong correlations were developed to relate the test methods on the basis of the large NMASs. The strongest and most practical relationship was developed between the SSD and CoreLok methods. These models can be used to assess the effects of incorporating new test methods for both design and construction procedures. They can also be used to normalize data from different test methods, should alternative methods be desired. Although some recommend the use of an alternative test method (such as CoreLok), the studies on which these recommendations are based did not include large NMAS mixes (25.0 mm and 37.5 mm). Although alternative methods do possess significant advantages, the results of this study do not support the elimination of the traditional Gmb test method.