bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common mental disorders in immigrant and second-generation respondents: Results from the Israel-based World Mental Health Survey
Authors: Nakash Ora , Levav Itzhak , Gal Gilad
Published: May 2012

Background:

The contrasting social status of ethnic groups differentially impacts the mental health of their members. This may be the case in Israel despite its egalitarian ideology. However, studies are a few and limited in scope.

Aim:

To study mental health disparities between immigrant and second-generation disadvantaged and advantaged Jewish groups.

Methods:

Data were extracted from the Israel World Mental Health Survey. This included the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the General Health Questionnaire. We compared 547 first-generation immigrants born in North Africa/Asia and 708 born in Europe/America; and 707 second-generation immigrants of North African/Asian origin and 449 of European/American origin.

Results:

The prevalence rate of common mental disorders in the preceding year was approximately double for respondents of North African/Asian origin compared with their European/American counterparts following adjustment for socio-demographic confounders. Inmigrants: North African/Asian 12.4%, SE = 1.5; European/American 6.4%, SE = 1.0 (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.4). Second generation: North African/Asian 10.1%, SE = 1.2; European/American 5.4%, SE = 1.1 (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–3.2). Significant differences in emotional distress mean scores were observed only among second-generation respondents: North African/Asian respondents reported higher emotional distress ( M = 18.7, SE = 0.5) compared with European/American ( M = 17.3, SE = 0.4) (Wald F = 13.31, p < .001).

Conclusions:

Results showed disparities in the mental health measures in both generations. It is likely that social causation factors, such as restricted opportunities in the context of higher aspirations, partially account for the findings.
In Defense of Blinders
Authors: Goldman Loren
Published: May 2012

Kant’s progressive philosophy of history is an integral aspect of his critical system, yet it is often ignored or even treated as an embarrassment by contemporary scholars. In this article, I defend Kant and argue for the continuing relevance of his regulative assumption of historical progress. I suggest, furthermore, that the first-person stance of practical belief exemplified in Kant’s conception of hope offers new resources for thinking about the relationship between the ideal and the real in political theory.
A Multilevel Assessment of Local Contract Management Capacity and Management Reform Nested in State Contexts Over Time
Authors: Hsieh Jun Yi
Published: May 2012

This research assesses how state and local factors combine to influence the adoption of performance measurement for local service contracting nested in state contexts over time. Using a multilevel linear growth model to analyze local survey and official data, the findings demonstrate that local adoption of performance measurements nested in state contexts changed significantly; local contract management capability are significantly linked to the adoption of performance measurement. State contexts have a large impact on that adoption as well. The findings, which may have been unobserved by previous studies, suggest that local practices are indeed embedded in state governance across time.
An Uneven Burden
Authors: Lahaie Claudia , Earle Alison , Heymann Jody
Published: May 2012

Using data from a large, nationally representative U.S. survey, the authors examine differences in adult caregiving responsibilities, working conditions, and caregiver outcomes by gender, ethnicity, immigration status, and educational attainment. Women, Hispanics, and first-generation immigrant caregivers are more likely to have worse working conditions including an unsupportive culture at work, less schedule flexibility, and less access to paid vacation leave. Women and first-generation immigrant caregivers are more likely to report caregiving contributing to poor job outcomes including quitting work, retiring early, or reducing hours involuntarily. Caregivers with less than a college degree experience both worse working conditions including lack of access to paid sick days and worse job outcomes including having lost wages or a job. Women, second-generation immigrants, and those with a high school diploma or less are more likely to report that their caregiving responsibilities interfere with their quality of life including negative impacts on their ability to spend time with friends. Research and policy implications are discussed.
Child Health, Maternal Marital and Socioeconomic Factors, and Maternal Health
Authors: Garbarski Dana , Witt Whitney P.
Published: May 2012

Although maternal socioeconomic status and health predict in part children’s future health and socioeconomic prospects, it is possible that the intergenerational association flows in the other direction such that child health affects maternal outcomes. Previous research demonstrates that poor child health increases the risk of adverse maternal physical and mental health outcomes. The authors hypothesize that poor child health may also increase the risk of poor maternal health outcomes through an interaction between child health and factors associated with health outcomes, such as marital status, marital quality, and socioeconomic status. Using data on women in the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 cohort ( N = 2,279), the authors find evidence that the effects of certain maternal marital quality and socioeconomic factors on maternal physical and mental health depend on child health status and vice versa.
Effects of Divorce and Cohabitation Dissolution on Preschoolers’ Literacy
Authors: Fagan Jay
Published: May 2012

Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey–Birth cohort ( N = 6,450), the present study hypothesized that 48-month-old children of divorced mothers would score lower on emerging literacy than the children of formerly cohabiting mothers, compared with the children of mothers in stable marriage. The children of mothers who divorced or exited cohabitation but then remained single did not have significantly lower literacy than children of mothers in stable marriage. The children of divorced parents who then cohabited with another man fared significantly more poorly on literacy tests than children of continuously married parents. The children in the divorce → cohabitation group also had significantly lower literacy than the children in the divorce → noncohabitation and cohabitation → noncohabitation groups. Mothers in consistent cohabiting relationships were also more likely than mothers in stable marriage to have children with low literacy. The association between stable cohabitation and child literacy was mediated by change in socioeconomic status.
Strategic Framing
Authors: Park Vicki , Daly Alan J. , Guerra Alison Wishard
Published: May 2012

Although there is an emerging body of research that examines data-driven decision making (DDDM) in schools, little attention has been paid to how local leaders strategically frame sensemaking around data use. This exploratory case examines how district and school leaders consciously framed the implementation of DDDM in one urban high school. Leaders strategically constructed diagnostic, motivating, and prognostic frames to promote a culture of using data for continuous improvement. Our findings demonstrate that leaders developed (a) diagnostic frames centered on the need to confront student achievement and opportunity gaps; (b) motivating frames concentrated on school improvement as shared collective responsibility; and (c) prognostic frames focused on making incremental change to sustain reform efforts and the creation of common goals to monitor progress. The findings suggest that framing is an important leadership tactic that needs careful consideration when reforms are introduced and implemented.
Didier Eribon, restive rationalist: The limits of sociological self-understanding in Retour à Reims
Authors: Davis Oliver
Published: May 2012

This article suggests that Eribon’s autobiography is most engaging (as literature) and valuable (as social document) in those moments when the author loses his interpretative grip on the meaning of his own experience. Although a concerted attempt is made by Eribon to account for his problematic relationship to his working-class family background, in particular his father, in purely sociological terms, a restive textual indeterminacy at key junctures unwittingly exposes the limitations of this approach. By allowing us to glimpse the limits of its author’s sociological rationalism, the autobiography calls into question Eribon’s strategic rejection of psychoanalytic forms of understanding and a number of his other longstanding theoretical and political commitments. This is just as it should be: its restive moments and the critical consequences which follow from them make Eribon’s autobiography much more than a mere exercise in self-validation.
The PaCS debates: From ‘le retour à la barbarie’ to ‘le droit d’être ceux que l’on est’
Authors: Johnston Cristina
Published: May 2012

This paper seeks to analyse the ways in which the partnership legislation introduced through the French parliament in 1999 (the ‘Pacte Civil de Solidarité’ or PaCS) has brought in its wake a re-examination of contemporary models of Republicanism and citizenship. Viewed by some as a threat to social cohesion (for Philippe de Villiers, for instance, the PaCS represented ‘le retour à la barbarie’), for others the PaCS represents a means to examine, but also to strengthen, the ‘elasticity’ (Gunther, 2009) of the Republic, thus illustrating the ability of the latter to adapt to social and political change. Through an analysis of the evolution of the definitions of key terms in the PaCS debates, this paper charts the ways in which the partnership legislation can be seen to offer a practical, political and social means for a queering of citizenship in the contemporary Republic with its roots in the realm of sexual citizenship, but a reach that extends far beyond it.
A non-isothermal phase-field model for shape memory alloys: Numerical simulations of superelasticity and shape memory effect under stress-controlled conditions
Authors: Maraldi Mirko , Molari Luisa , Grandi Diego
Published: May 2012

A phase-field–based model has been employed for numerical tests on the mechanical response of a shape memory alloy. The model consists of a time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation for a scalar order parameter describing the local phase of the material (austenite or martensite), coupled with the balance of linear momentum and the heat equations; the mechanical effect of the martensitic phase transition is described in terms of a uniaxial deformation strain along a fixed direction, making the model suited for predictions over monodimensional specimens. A number of numerical simulations under stress-controlled conditions have been performed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of the model; the results obtained are analysed in relation to the experimental evidences available in the literature and previous investigations under strain-controlled conditions.
Improving functionality of vibration energy harvesters using magnets
Authors: Tang Lihua , Yang Yaowen , Soh Chee-Kiong
Published: May 2012

In recent years, several strategies have been proposed to improve the functionality of energy harvesters under broadband vibrations, but they only improve the efficiency of energy harvesting under limited conditions. In this work, a comprehensive experimental study is conducted to investigate the use of magnets for improving the functionality of energy harvesters under various vibration scenarios. First, the nonlinearities introduced by magnets are exploited to improve the performance of vibration energy harvesting. Both monostable and bistable configurations are investigated under sinusoidal and random vibrations with various excitation levels. The optimal nonlinear configuration (in terms of distance between magnets) is determined to be near the monostable-to-bistable transition region. Results show that both monostable and bistable nonlinear configurations can significantly outperform the linear harvester near this transition region. Second, for ultra-low-frequency vibration scenarios such as wave heave motions, a frequency up-conversion mechanism using magnets is proposed. By parametric study, the repulsive configuration of magnets is found preferable in the frequency up-conversion technique, which is efficient and insensitive to various wave conditions when the magnets are placed sufficiently close. These findings could serve as useful design guidelines when nonlinearity or frequency up-conversion techniques are employed to improve the functionality of vibration energy harvesters.
Design of thin-film polyvinylidene fluoride sensor rosettes for isolation of various strain components
Authors: Ma Lei , Melkote Shreyes N , Morehouse John B , Castle James B , Fonda James W , Johnson Melissa A
Published: May 2012

Thin-film polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric sensors have long been recognized as a promising alternative to traditional metal foil strain gauges in applications where only dynamic or quasistatic signals are of interest. Compared to metal foil strain gauges, polyvinylidene fluoride sensors feature high sensitivity, high dynamic range, and broad frequency bandwidth. However, transverse sensitivity of the polyvinylidene fluoride sensor is higher than that of a metal foil strain gauge, making it more difficult to isolate a particular strain component or a deformation mode when the host structure is under complex loading. In addition, polyvinylidene fluoride films are sensitive to changes in ambient temperature due to the pyroelectric effect. In this article, three temperature-compensated polyvinylidene fluoride sensor rosette designs are proposed for isolating specific strain component(s) and deformation mode(s) of interest. First-principles based models are derived to relate the polyvinylidene fluoride sensor rosette output to the actual elastic strain component of interest. Experimental validation is conducted to verify the proposed models and to compare the performance of the polyvinylidene fluoride sensor rosettes with their metal foil strain gauge counterparts.
A real vibration database for kinetic energy harvesting application
Authors: Neri Igor , Travasso Flavio , Mincigrucci Riccardo , Vocca Helios , Orfei Francesco , Gammaitoni Luca
Published: May 2012

In this article, we discuss the project of a vibration signal database for energy harvesting purpose. After a brief description where we present the technologies used to create the database and the procedures to acquire the signals, we show some results obtained using selected environmental noises from the database to characterize nonlinear energy harvesters.
Are U.S. Cities Losing Power and Authority? Perceptions of Local Government Actors
Authors: Bowman Ann O’M. , Kearney Richard C.
Published: May 2012

Have the power and discretionary authority enjoyed by U.S. local governments changed over the past decade? The answer to the question is sought not through creating a metric that gauges the legal or structural power possessed by cities and counties but rather by surveying well-placed actors who are in a position to know. Their assessments, for the most part, suggest that local jurisdictions, especially cities, have experienced an erosion of authority at the hands of their state governments.
Cultural Planning in the United States
Authors: Redaelli Eleonora
Published: May 2012

In the United States, an important objective of cultural planning is creating a sense of place based on the needs and visions of the people living there through public involvement. However, the processes used to involve the community need more theoretical and methodological attention. The aim of this article is to suggest strategies, based on a clear definition of participation, that local governments can use to ensure community involvement. A review of the literature about public participation highlights the importance of educating and informing all the participants to incentivize a dialogical encounter. The objective is to go beyond one-way communication, where community members merely provide their input. In this article, the author demonstrates how a geographical information system (GIS) could be used by a local government to educate and inform all the participants delivering technical and scientific knowledge. The communicative strengths of a GIS could create the foundation for a planning process based on a dialogical exchange. The author provides two suggestions for such a process using Madison, Wisconsin, as an example. Finally, she recommends the use of these suggestions as an operational model for future cultural planning processes and suggests directions for future research.
A U.K. Cost-Benefit Analysis of Circles of Support and Accountability Interventions
Authors: Elliott Ian A. , Beech Anthony R.
Published: May 2012

Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) aim to augment sex offender risk management at the point of community reentry by facilitating “Circles” of volunteers who provide support, guidance, and advice, while ensuring that the offender remains accountable for their actions. In this study, the authors provide (a) a rapid evidence assessment of the effectiveness of CoSA in reducing reoffending, and (b) a U.K. cost-benefit analysis for CoSA when compared to the criminal justice costs of reoffending. From the study analysis, the average cost of a “Circle” was estimated to be £11,303 per annum and appears to produce a 50% reduction in reoffending (sexual and nonsexual), as the estimated cost of reoffending was estimated to be £147,161 per offender, per annum. Based on a hypothetical cohort of 100 offenders—50 of whom receive CoSA and 50 of whom do not—investment in CoSA appears to provide a cost saving of £23,494 and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.04. Accounting for estimates that the full extent of the cost to society may be 5 to 10 times the tangible costs substantially increases estimated cost savings related to CoSA.
Questions of intersectionality: Reflections on the current debate in German gender studies
Authors: Kerner Ina
Published: May 2012

Over the last few years, intersectionality has become not only one of the most prominent topics of feminist theory in Europe, but also one of its most serious challenges, pressing us to acknowledge that European nations are not homogeneous entities and calling for more complex accounts of gender relations and forms of gender injustice. Currently, many scholars embrace intersectionality as a concept, but there is no consensus about what adequate theoretical accounts of intersectionality with regard to European contexts should look like. Drawing on theoretical positions that have been put forward within the current intersectionality debate in German-speaking countries, this article addresses two questions that are currently at stake: the what-question of intersectionality, asking what it is, which forms of inequality we focus on as intersecting; and the how-question of intersectionality, focusing on how we should conceptualize what is happening when forms of inequality intersect.
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
Authors: Hinthorne Lauren Leigh
Published: May 2012

This article introduces the visual interpretation narrative exercise, an innovative visual research technique piloted in 2008 during doctoral fieldwork in Madagascar. Designed in the field in response to challenging research conditions, this technique uses cartoons to address sensitive subjects while establishing rapport with non-elite research participants. A three-tiered approach to qualitative data analysis emphasizes indigenous codes of meaning to reveal how concepts commonly associated with democracy are often reappropriated by local actors. Results from this research provide context for why local actors maintain particular attitudes and expectations.
R&D Intensity and Economic Recession
Authors: Yunlu Dilek Gulistan , Murphy Dianne D.
Published: May 2012

The authors employ the upper echelons theory and contingency theory in understanding the moderating effect of the chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics on the relationship between recession and research and development (R&D) intensity. The authors selected 2004 (nonrecession) and 2008 (recession) years for the analysis. Evidence was found that during recession, indeed, organizations decreased their R&D spending. The findings supported that CEOs with a shorter career horizon decreased R&D spending more dramatically than CEOs with a longer career horizon during recession. No evidence was found for the moderating effects of CEO tenure and insider status.
Multicultural Shared Leadership
Authors: Ramthun Alex J. , Matkin Gina S.
Published: May 2012

This conceptual article reviews relevant literature to develop propositions forming a model of multicultural shared leadership. First, an examination of the definitions of culture finds consensus on culture as a system. Second, a review of the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity introduces the concept of intercultural competence. Third, an exploration into the theoretical foundations of vertical and shared leadership develops primary themes. Finally, the formation of propositions and a conceptual model invites researchers to study the moderating impact of intercultural competence on culturally diverse teams and shared leadership. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and recommendations are discussed.
Setbp1 promotes the self-renewal of murine myeloid progenitors via activation of Hoxa9 and Hoxa10
Authors: Oakley Kevin , Han Yufen , Vishwakarma Bandana A. , Chu Su , Bhatia Ravi , Gudmundsson Kristbjorn O. , Keller Jonathan , Chen Xiongfong , Vasko Vasyl , Jenkins Nancy A. , Copeland Neal G. , Du Yang
Published: May 2012

Acquisition of self-renewal capability by myeloid progenitors to become leukemic stem cells during myeloid leukemia development is poorly understood. Here, we show that Setbp1 overexpression efficiently confers self-renewal capability to myeloid progenitors in vitro, causing their immortalization in the presence of stem cell factor and IL-3. Self-renewal after immortalization requires continuous Setbp1 expression. We also found that Hoxa9 and Hoxa10 mRNA are present at dramatically higher levels in Setbp1-immortalized cells compared with other immortalized cells, and are induced shortly after Setbp1 expression in primary myeloid progenitors. Suppression of either gene in Setbp1-immortalized cells drastically reduces their colony-forming capability. Interestingly, Setbp1 protein associates with Hoxa9 and Hoxa10 promoters in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in these cells, suggesting that both are direct transcriptional targets of Setbp1. Setbp1 also promotes self-renewal of myeloid progenitors in vivo as its coexpression with BCR/ABL transforms primary mouse myeloid progenitors, generating aggressive leukemias in recipient mice resembling chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) myeloid blast crisis. Increased SETBP1 mRNA levels were also detected in a subset of CML advanced phase/blast crisis patients with high levels of HOXA9 and HOXA10 expression. Thus, Setbp1 activation represents a novel mechanism conferring self-renewal capability to myeloid progenitors in myeloid leukemia development.
Augmented annotation and orthologue analysis for Oryctolagus cuniculus: Better Bunny
Authors: Craig Douglas B , Kannan Sujatha , Dombkowski Alan A
Published: May 2012

Background

The rabbit is an important model organism used in a wide range of biomedical research. However, the rabbit genome is still sparsely annotated, thus prohibiting extensive functional analysis of gene sets derived from whole-genome experiments. We developed a web-based application that provides augmented annotation and orthologue analysis for rabbit genes. Importantly, the application allows comprehensive functional analysis through the use of orthologous relationships.

Results

Using data extracted from several public bioinformatics repositories we created Better Bunny, a database and query tool that extensively augments the available functional annotation for rabbit genes. Using the complete set of target genes from a commercial rabbit gene expression microarray as our benchmark, we are able to obtain functional information for 88 % of the genes on the microarray. Previously, functional information was available for fewer than 10 % of the rabbit genes.

Conclusions

We have developed a freely available, web-accessible bioinformatics tool that enables investigators to quickly and easily perform extensive functional analysis of rabbit genes (http://cptweb.cpt.wayne.edu). The software application fills a critical void for a wide range of biomedical research that relies on the rabbit model and requires characterization of biological function for large sets of genes.
Exploring drug combinations in genetic interaction network
Authors: Wang Yin-Ying , Xu Ke-Jia , Song Jiangning , Zhao Xing-Ming
Published: May 2012

Background

Drug combination that consists of distinctive agents is an attractive strategy to combat complex diseases and has been widely used clinically with improved therapeutic effects. However, the identification of efficacious drug combinations remains a non-trivial and challenging task due to the huge number of possible combinations among the candidate drugs. As an important factor, the molecular context in which drugs exert their functions can provide crucial insights into the mechanism underlying drug combinations.

Results

In this work, we present a network biology approach to investigate drug combinations and their target proteins in the context of genetic interaction networks and the related human pathways, in order to better understand the underlying rules of effective drug combinations. Our results indicate that combinatorial drugs tend to have a smaller effect radius in the genetic interaction networks, which is an important parameter to describe the therapeutic effect of a drug combination from the network perspective. We also find that drug combinations are more likely to modulate functionally related pathways.

Conclusions

This study confirms that the molecular networks where drug combinations exert their functions can indeed provide important insights into the underlying rules of effective drug combinations. We hope that our findings can help shortcut the expedition of the future discovery of novel drug combinations.
High mobility group B1 impairs hepatocyte regeneration in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity
Authors: Yang Runkuan , Zhang Shutian , Cotoia Antonella , Oksala Niku , Zhu Shengtao , Tenhunen Jyrki
Published: May 2012

Background

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose induces massive hepatocyte necrosis. Necrotic tissue releases high mobility group B1 (HMGB1), and HMGB1 contributes to liver injury. Even though blockade of HMGB1 does not protect against APAP-induced acute liver injury (ALI) at 9 h time point, the later time points are not studied and the role of HMGB1 in APAP overdose is unknown, it is possible that neutralization of HMGB1 might improve hepatocyte regeneration. This study aims to test whether blockade of HMGB1 improves hepatocyte regeneration after APAP overdose.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with a single dose of APAP (350 mg/kg). 2 hrs after APAP administration, the APAP challenged mice were randomized to receive treatment with either anti-HMGB1 antibody (400 μg per dose) or non-immune (sham) IgG every 24 hours for a total of 2 doses.

Results

24 hrs after APAP injection, anti-HMGB1 therapy instead of sham IgG therapy significantly improved hepatocyte regeneration microscopically; 48 hrs after APAP challenge, the sham IgG treated mice showed 14.6% hepatic necrosis; in contrast, blockade of HMGB1 significantly decreased serum transaminases (ALT and AST), markedly reduced the number of hepatic inflammatory cells infiltration and restored liver structure to nearly normal; this beneficial effect was associated with enhanced hepatic NF-κB DNA binding and increased the expression of cyclin D1, two important factors related to hepatocyte regeneration.

Conclusion

HMGB1 impairs hepatocyte regeneration after APAP overdose; Blockade of HMGB1 enhances liver recovery and may present a novel therapy to treat APAP overdose.
Anti-NMDA-receptor antibody detected in encephalitis, schizophrenia, and narcolepsy with psychotic features
Authors: Tsutsui Ko , Kanbayashi Takashi , Tanaka Keiko , Boku Shuken , Ito Wakako , Tokunaga Jun , Mori Akane , Hishikawa Yasuo , Shimizu Tetsuo , Nishino Seiji
Published: May 2012

Background

Causative role of encephalitis in major psychotic features, dyskinesias (particularly orofacial), seizures, and autonomic and respiratory changes has been recently emphasized. These symptoms often occur in young females with ovarian teratomas and are frequently associated with serum and CSF autoantibodies to the NMDA receptor (NMDAR).

Methods

The study included a total of 61 patients from age 15 to 61 and was carried out between January 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2010. The patients were divided into the following three clinical groups for comparison. Group A; Patients with typical clinical characteristics of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Group B; Patients with narcolepsy with severe psychosis. Group C; Patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorders.

Results

Ten out of 61 cases were anti-NMDAR antibody positive in typical encephalitis cases (group A: 3 of 5 cases) and cases in a broader range of psychiatric disorders including narcolepsy (group B: 3 of 5 cases) and schizophrenia (group C: 4 of 51 cases).

Conclusion

In addition to 3 typical cases, we found 7 cases with anti-NMDAR antibody associated with various psychotic and sleep symptoms, which lack any noticeable clinical signs of encephalitis (seizures and autonomic symptoms) throughout the course of the disease episodes; this result suggest that further discussion on the nosology and pathophysiology of autoimmune-mediated atypical psychosis and sleep disorders is required.
Investigating maternal risk factors as potential targets of intervention to reduce socioeconomic inequality in small for gestational age: a population-based study
Authors: Hayward Irene , Malcoe Lorraine Halinka , Cleathero Lesley A , Janssen Patricia A , Lanphear Bruce P , Hayes Michael V , Mattman Andre , Pampalon Robert , Venners Scott A
Published: May 2012

Background

The major aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal risk factors associated with socioeconomic status and small for gestational age (SGA) might be viable targets of interventions to reduce differential risk of SGA by socioeconomic status (socioeconomic SGA inequality) in the metropolitan area of Vancouver, Canada.

Methods

This study included 59,039 live, singleton births in the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (Vancouver) from January 1, 2006 to September 17, 2009. To identify an indicator of socioeconomic SGA inequality, we used hierarchical logistic regression to model SGA by area-level variables from the Canadian census. We then modelled SGA by area-level average income plus established maternal risk factors for SGA and calculated population attributable SGA risk percentages (PAR%) for each variable. Associations of maternal risk factors for SGA with average income were investigated to identify those that might contribute to SGA inequality. Finally, we estimated crude reductions in the percentage and absolute differences in SGA risks between highest and lowest average income quintiles that would result if interventions on maternal risk factors successfully equalized them across income levels or eliminated them altogether.

Results

Average income produced the most linear and statistically significant indicator of socioeconomic SGA inequality with 8.9% prevalence of SGA in the lowest income quintile compared to 5.6% in the highest. The adjusted PAR% of SGA for variables were: bottom four quintiles of height (51%), first birth (32%), bottom four quintiles of average income (14%), oligohydramnios (7%), underweight or hypertension, (6% each), smoking (3%) and placental disorder (1%). Shorter height, underweight and smoking during pregnancy had higher prevalence in lower income groups. Crude models assuming equalization of risk factors across income levels or elimination altogether indicated little potential change in relative socioeconomic SGA inequality and reduction in absolute SGA inequality for shorter height only.

Conclusions

Our findings regarding maternal height may indicate trans-generational aetiology for socioeconomic SGA inequalities and/or that adult height influences social mobility. Conditions affecting foetal and childhood growth might be viable targets to reduce absolute socioeconomic SGA inequality in future generations, but more research is needed to determine whether such an approach is appropriate.
Paternal education status significantly influences infants’ measles vaccination uptake, independent of maternal education status
Authors: Rammohan Anu , Awofeso Niyi , Fernandez Renae C
Published: May 2012

Background

Despite increased funding of measles vaccination programs by national governments and international aid agencies, structural factors encumber attainment of childhood measles immunisation to levels which may guarantee herd immunity. One of such factors is parental education status. Research on the links between parental education and vaccination has typically focused on the influence of maternal education status. This study aims to demonstrate the independent influence of paternal education status on measles immunisation.

Methods

Comparable nationally representative survey data were obtained from six countries with the highest numbers of children missing the measles vaccine in 2008. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the influence of paternal education on uptake of the first dose of measles vaccination, independent of maternal education, whilst controlling for confounding factors such as respondent’s age, urban/rural residence, province/state of residence, religion, wealth and occupation.

Results

The results of the analysis show that even if a mother is illiterate, having a father with an education of Secondary (high school) schooling and above is statistically significant and positively correlated with the likelihood of a child being vaccinated for measles, in the six countries analysed. Paternal education of secondary or higher level was significantly and independently correlated with measles immunisation uptake after controlling for all potential confounders.

Conclusions

The influence of paternal education status on measles immunisation uptake was investigated and found to be statistically significant in six nations with the biggest gaps in measles immunisation coverage in 2008. This study underscores the imperative of utilising both maternal and paternal education as screening variables to identify children at risk of missing measles vaccination prospectively.
Self-medication in university students from the city of Rio Grande, Brazil
Authors: Corrêa da Silva Marília Garcez , Soares Maria Cristina Flores , Muccillo-Baisch Ana Luiza
Published: May 2012

Background

Self-medication is the use of medication without prescription, orientation, or supervision of a physician or dentist. Self-medication might become a serious health problem. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication among first and last-year students enrolled in healthcare and non-healthcare programs.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Of 830 students in the sample, 95% answered the questionnaire – 789 students enrolled in 10 undergraduate programs. Mean age was 22 ± 6.17 years. The students answered a questionnaire covering socio-economic and demographic variables, use of medication, and medication knowledge. Information was collected on the conditions treated with medication, the medications used, and attitude towards self-medication.

Results

Of 789 students, 86.4% self-medicated (88.5% of 446 healthcare students). There were no significant differences in self-medication between healthcare and non-healthcare students, nor between first and last-year students. Bivariate and multivariate analyses showed a significant association between self-medication and having children (p = 0.01), having a home pharmacy (p < 0.001) and adequate medication knowledge (p = 0.01). The most frequently used active ingredients were acetaminophen (paracetamol), dipyrone, aspirin, phytotherapic compounds, and tea. Illicit drug use was significantly associated with self-medication in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

The fact that being a healthcare student was associated with higher medication knowledge, but not with less self-medication, suggests that medication knowledge might contribute to increase self-medication. This should be taken into account when designing educational interventions relating to self-medication.
SHuffle, a novel Escherichia coli protein expression strain capable of correctly folding disulfide bonded proteins in its cytoplasm
Authors: Lobstein Julie , Emrich Charlie A , Jeans Chris , Faulkner Melinda , Riggs Paul , Berkmen Mehmet
Published: May 2012

Background

Production of correctly disulfide bonded proteins to high yields remains a challenge. Recombinant protein expression in Escherichia coli is the popular choice, especially within the research community. While there is an ever growing demand for new expression strains, few strains are dedicated to post-translational modifications, such as disulfide bond formation. Thus, new protein expression strains must be engineered and the parameters involved in producing disulfide bonded proteins must be understood.

Results

We have engineered a new E. coli protein expression strain named SHuffle, dedicated to producing correctly disulfide bonded active proteins to high yields within its cytoplasm. This strain is based on the trxB gor suppressor strain SMG96 where its cytoplasmic reductive pathways have been diminished, allowing for the formation of disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm. We have further engineered a major improvement by integrating into its chromosome a signal sequenceless disulfide bond isomerase, DsbC. We probed the redox state of DsbC in the oxidizing cytoplasm and evaluated its role in assisting the formation of correctly folded multi-disulfide bonded proteins. We optimized protein expression conditions, varying temperature, induction conditions, strain background and the co-expression of various helper proteins. We found that temperature has the biggest impact on improving yields and that the E. coli B strain background of this strain was superior to the K12 version. We also discovered that auto-expression of substrate target proteins using this strain resulted in higher yields of active pure protein. Finally, we found that co-expression of mutant thioredoxins and PDI homologs improved yields of various substrate proteins.

Conclusions

This work is the first extensive characterization of the trxB gor suppressor strain. The results presented should help researchers design the appropriate protein expression conditions using SHuffle strains.
Genetic variation of aldolase from Korean isolates of Plasmodium vivax and its usefulness in serodiagnosis
Authors: Kim Jung-Yeon , Kim Hyung-Hwan , Shin Hyun-ll , Sohn Youngjoo , Kim Hyuck , Lee Sang-Wook , Lee Won-Ja , Lee Hyeong-Woo
Published: May 2012

Background

The malaria aldolase is widely used as rapid diagnostic test (RDT), but the efficacy in aspect of its serological effectiveness in diagnosis is not known. The genetic variation of Korean isolates was analysed and recombinant aldolase was evaluated as a serological antigen in Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Methods

Genomic DNA was purified and the aldolase gene of P. vivax from 25 patients’ blood samples was amplified. The samples came from 5 epidemic areas; Bucheon-si, Gimpo-si, Paju-si of Gyeonggido, Gangwha-gun of Incheon metropolitan city, and Cheorwon of Gangwon-do, South Korea. The antigenicity of the recombinant aldolase was tested by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Sequence analysis of 25 Korean isolates of P. vivax showed that the open reading frame (ORF) of 1,110 nucleotides encoded a deduced protein of 369 amino acids (aa). This ORF showed 100% homology with the P. vivax Sal I strain (XM_00165894) and P. vivax WDK strain (AF247063), 87.4% homology with Plasmodium falciparum (AF179421), 90.6% homology with Plasmodium chabaudi (AF247060), 89.5% homology with Plasmodium vinckei (AF247061), and 96.7% homology with Plasmodium knowlesi. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at nucleotide 180 (G to A, n = 5) was also observed in the isolates. The expressed recombinant protein had a molecular weight of approximately 31 kDa (monomeric form) and 62 kDa (dimeric form) as analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. Among 109 P. vivax patients, 32 (29.4%) had positive in an enzyme-linked absorbance assay (ELISA). This result showed significant correlation between ELISA and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The aldolase gene from Korean isolates of P. vivax showed one SNP at nucleotide position 180; this SNP mutant was discovered in only the western part of Han River, and included the regions of Ganghwa, Gimpo, and Bucheon. Based on the results, the relationship between antibody production against aldolase and the pattern of disease onset should be more investigated before using aldolase for serodiagnosis.
Time dependent neuroprotection of mycophenolate mofetil: effects on temporal dynamics in glial proliferation, apoptosis, and scar formation
Authors: Ebrahimi Fahim , Koch Marco , Pieroh Philipp , Ghadban Chalid , Hobusch Constance , Bechmann Ingo , Dehghani Faramarz
Published: May 2012

Background

Immunosuppressants such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have the capacity to inhibit microglial and astrocytic activation and to reduce the extent of cell death after neuronal injury. This study was designed to determine the effective neuroprotective time frame in which MMF elicits its beneficial effects, by analyzing glial cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.

Methods

Using organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs), temporal dynamics of proliferation and apoptosis after N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated excitotoxicity were analyzed by quantitative morphometry of Ki-67 or cleaved caspase-3 immunoreactive glial cells. Treatment on NMDA-lesioned OHSCs with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)100 μg/mL was started at different time points after injury or performed within specific time frames, and the numbers of propidium iodide (PI)+degenerating neurons and isolectin (I)B4+microglial cells were determined. Pre-treatment with guanosine 100 μmol/l was performed to counteract MMF-induced effects. The effects of MMF on reactive astrocytic scar formation were investigated in the scratch-wound model of astrocyte monolayers.

Results

Excitotoxic lesion induction led to significant increases in glial proliferation rates between 12 and 36 hours after injury and to increased levels of apoptotic cells between 24 and 72 hours after injury. MMF treatment significantly reduced glial proliferation rates without affecting apoptosis. Continuous MMF treatment potently reduced the extent of neuronal cell demise when started within the first 12 hours after injury. A crucial time-frame of significant neuroprotection was identified between 12 and 36 hours after injury. Pre-treatment with the neuroprotective nucleoside guanosine reversed MMF-induced antiproliferative effects on glial cells. In the scratch-wound model, gap closure was reached within 48 hours in controls, and was potently inhibited by MMF.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that immunosuppression by MMF significantly attenuates the extent of neuronal cell death when administered within a crucial time frame after injury. Moreover, long-lasting immunosuppression, as required after solid-organ transplantation, does not seem to be necessary. Targeting inosine 5-monophosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme of purine synthesis, is an effective strategy to modulate the temporal dynamics of proliferation and migration of microglia and astrocytes, and thus to reduce the extent of secondary neuronal damage and scar formation.
Increased burst size in multiply infected cells can alter basic virus dynamics
Authors: Cummings Kara W , Levy David N , Wodarz Dominik
Published: May 2012

Background

The dynamics of viral infections have been studied extensively in a variety of settings, both experimentally and with mathematical models. The majority of mathematical models assumes that only one virus can infect a given cell at a time. It is, however, clear that especially in the context of high viral load, cells can become infected with multiple copies of a virus, a process called coinfection. This has been best demonstrated experimentally for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), although it is thought to be equally relevant for a number of other viral infections. In a previously explored mathematical model, the viral output from an infected cell does not depend on the number of viruses that reside in the cell, i.e. viral replication is limited by cellular rather than viral factors. In this case, basic virus dynamics properties are not altered by coinfection.

Results

Here, we explore the alternative assumption that multiply infected cells are characterized by an increased burst size and find that this can fundamentally alter model predictions. Under this scenario, establishment of infection may not be solely determined by the basic reproductive ratio of the virus, but can depend on the initial virus load. Upon infection, the virus population need not follow straight exponential growth. Instead, the exponential rate of growth can increase over time as virus load becomes larger. Moreover, the model suggests that the ability of anti-viral drugs to suppress the virus population can depend on the virus load upon initiation of therapy. This is because more coinfected cells, which produce more virus, are present at higher virus loads. Hence, the degree of drug resistance is not only determined by the viral genotype, but also by the prevalence of coinfected cells.

Conclusions

Our work shows how an increased burst size in multiply infected cells can alter basic infection dynamics. This forms the basis for future experimental testing of model assumptions and predictions that can distinguish between the different scenarios.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by RJdeB, RMR and MK.