bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes From a Culturally Tailored Diabetes Prevention Program in Hispanic Families From a Low-Income School
Authors: Coleman Karen J. , Ocana Leticia L. , Walker Chris , Araujo Rachel A. , Gutierrez Veronica , Shordon Maggie , Oratowski-Coleman Jesica , Philis-Tsimikas Athena
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a minimal, tailored diabetes prevention program for families that could be delivered in elementary school settings.

Methods

Families were eligible for the program if they had at least one child aged 8 to 12 years old attending the elementary school who was at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Families attended ten 90-minute sessions with exercise, cooking demonstrations, and healthy life-style lessons. Height, weight, and self-reported behavior were assessed in parents and height and weight in children before and after classes.

Results

A total of 82 parents (2% men, 98% women) and 62 children (47% boys and 53% girls) enrolled in the program across 3 replications. Parents had an average weight loss from baseline to the end of the program of 1.5 lb (P = .05). There was a large increase in the number of parents who self-reported engaging in leisure-time physical activity as a result of participating in the program (14% vs 64%; P < .01). There were no changes in children’s body mass index percentile or z score as a result of the program.

Conclusions

Delivering a diabetes prevention program in an elementary school setting was effective for increasing diabetes-related knowledge, chronic disease awareness, and self-reported healthy behavior in low-income Spanish-speaking families.
Cyclic Morphological Changes in the Beagle Mammary Gland
Authors: Chandra Sundeep A. , Mark Cline J. , Adler Rick R.
Published: July 2010

Interpretation of chemical-induced effects on the female beagle mammary gland can be difficult owing to the wide variation of normal glandular morphology. In this retrospective study, morphological features of the gland in four (proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus) phases of the cycle are described. The gland was quiescent (inactive) in proestrus and estrus. In diestrus, with the rise of progesterone, four (I–IV) distinct morphological changes were evident. In phase I, there was exuberant stromal and ductal proliferation. In phase II, there was early lobular development with branching ducts and alveolar proliferation. In phase III, there was an abundance of glandular tissue with large lobules containing secretory material, whereas phase IV had features of early regression, increased interlobular connective tissue, and eosinophilic secretions in distended ducts and acini. In early anestrus, ducts were distended, with eosinophilic secretions with alveolar regression, whereas regression was complete in late anestrus. Glandular morphology was slightly variable in the mammary chain within the same dog. Progesterone receptor expression was prominent in estrus and early diestrus, and peak estrogen receptor expression was noted in diestrus II. Expression of proliferation marker ki-67 was highest in diestrus I, followed by diestrus II. There was excellent concordance between the estrous stage and the glandular morphology.
Contesting the Global Consumption Ethos: Reterritorialization of Rock in Turkey
Authors: Taçlı Yazıcıoğlu E.
Published: July 2010

This article contributes to the debates on globalization by studying the reterritorialization of rock music in Turkey to illustrate why and how heterogeneity exists in markets. Four years of data collection suggest that in Turkey, rockers have discovered ways to create their own modes of producing and consuming rock music that is no longer regarded as foreign. Such reterritorialization suggests that the authors reconsider the categories to interpret the meanings in and across global—local contexts and micro— macro linkages. The article also illustrates and discusses rock as a postmodern self-marketing commodity with a dialogical evolution.
Parenting Strategies as Influences of Teen Drinking via Self Esteem: An Important Area for Family Policy
Authors: Zhiyong Yang  , Schaninger Charles M.
Published: July 2010

Globally, in developing as well as developed countries, rampant increases in teen drinking are widely recognized as major threats to individual, family, and societal well-being. Parenting strategies influence drinking and related behaviors, leading to their incorporation in national family, health, and substance abuse policy programs. Drinking teens become drinking adults, harming current and future family generations in a vicious ‘‘recycling.’’ Longitudinal micro-level analyses from late grade to late high school shows that parenting strategies lead to, or can curb teen drinking, both directly and indirectly, through self-esteem. Parenting often overemphasizes control and underemphasizes positive communications (responsiveness). Particular parenting strategies decrease teen drinking directly or indirectly, by enhancing or detracting child self-esteem, or both. Policies targeting parents via communication and intervention campaigns, to reduce their teens’ drinking, offer a fruitful complementary tool to targeting teens directly, and to traditional policy tools. The emphasis of ‘‘extant’’ parent-targeted public policy campaigns is misplaced. We must reach parents earlier, in mid-grade-school years. Behavioral control should not be the dominant theme—psychological control must be strongly discouraged, and responsiveness encouraged, fostering long-term self-esteem and family health.
The Impact of Host Country Policies on the Overseas Chinese Family in Singapore
Authors: Beng Yap Kenneth
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this article is to account for changes in the family construct of the Singaporean Overseas Chinese resulting from migration and settlement. The family institution then changes in response to family policy, so that today it bears little resemblance to the traditional blueprint. Differences between the family institutions of the three major racial groups in Singapore have emerged as a result of discriminatory policy pressures. The Singaporean government has used family planning policies to create the ideal social structure and human resource capital, possibly at the expense of Malays and women with less education. The fate of the Chinese family institution in Singapore may also differ to its counterparts in Malaysia and China. In Malaysia, the pro-Malay affirmative action program contributed to a dramatic reduction in Overseas Chinese fertility, while creating unintended consequences that are not easily reversible. The article concludes with issues for marketing scholars to ponder.
Investigating the degree of “stigma” associated with nuclear energy technologies: A cross-cultural examination of the case of fusion power
Authors: Horlick-Jones Tom , Prades Ana , Espluga Josep
Published: July 2010

The extent to which nuclear energy technologies are, in some sense, “stigmatised” by historical environmental and military associations is of particular interest in contemporary debates about sustainable energy policy. Recent claims in the literature suggest that despite such stigmatisation, lay views on such technologies may be shifting towards a “reluctant acceptance,” in the light of concerns about issues like anthropogenic climate change. In this paper, we report on research into learning and reasoning processes concerned with a largely unknown nuclear energy technology; namely fusion power. We focus on the role of the nuclear label, or “brand,” in informing how lay citizens make sense of the nature of this technology. Our findings derive from a comparative analysis of data generated in Spain and Britain, using the same methodology.
Examining Argument in a Naturally Occurring Jury Deliberation
Authors: Meyers Renee A. , Seibold David R. , Kang Paul
Published: July 2010

In this article, the authors examine argument in the interactions of members of a naturally occurring jury ( State of Ohio v. Mark Ducic). Using the structurational concept of contradictions and a thematic analysis, the authors examine the forms and functions of group argument structures and the role of argument structuring in the jury’s penalty deliberation. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical and methodological implications for structuration argument theory.
Exploring Conflict Management Processes in Jury Deliberations Through Interaction Analysis
Authors: Poole Marshall Scott , Dobosh Melissa
Published: July 2010

This study employs interaction analysis to explore micro-level conflict processes and macro-level phasic structures of conflict management in two jury deliberations. Results indicate that the deliberations have fundamentally different conflict management processes. Differences in the tasks posed by the two deliberations and in the norms enacted in them, as well as microinteractional patterns, are posited to account for the divergent interaction processes.
Examining Laughter Functionality in Jury Deliberations
Authors: Keyton Joann , Beck Stephenson J.
Published: July 2010

Despite a presumption that laughter and a death penalty decision seem incompatible, transcript data of jury deliberations from both the guilt-or-innocence and penalty phases of the State of Ohio v. Mark Ducic trial demonstrate that jurors do laugh. Working from the disparate literature on laughter, we problematized laughter from a group communication perspective and analyzed its functionality in jury interaction. The authors identified and analyzed 51 laughter sequences across 414 transcript pages. Three categories of laughter functions (i.e., relational, processual, and informational) were identified; these categories were further detailed by 6, 10, and 10 subfunctions, respectively. Based on these findings, the authors revised their definition of laughter to incorporate its multifunctionality as vocalic and public emotional displays that (a) can be read as positive, negative, or ambiguous and (b) question, control, and regulate relationships, procedures, and information in the group. That laughter can be read in so many ways suggests that one role of laughter may be to create ambiguity to allow the group a chance to figure out what to do next.
Children’s experience of living with a craniofacial condition: Perspectives of children and parents
Authors: Roberts Rachel M. , Shute Rosalyn
Published: July 2010

This is the first study to examine the range of experiences of children living with a wide range of craniofacial anomalies (CFAs), from the perspectives of children and parents. We interviewed 26 young people and 28 parents about both stressors and positive aspects for young people of living with a CFA. Thematic analysis revealed four major stress-related themes (self-acceptance, responses of others, disabilities and impairments, and treatment). Positive themes included personal qualities and support. Psychological theories often applied to those with CFAs relate to attractiveness, stigma and teasing, but the present findings suggest that these are not as useful as the conceptualization of CFAs as chronic conditions which influence adaptive tasks. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Classroom-Based Phonological Sensitivity Intervention (PSI) Using a Narrative Platform
Authors: Ritter Michaela J. , Saxon Terrill F.
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of classroom-based phonological sensitivity intervention (PSI) using a narrative platform for children in first grade who are at risk for a reading disability. Participants consisted of 59 first graders identified as at risk for later reading impairments. At-risk designation was dictated by one or both of the following factors: (a) economically disadvantaged socioeconomic status background and/or (b) speech-language impairment. Using an experimental group design, four first-grade classrooms were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group’s performance on the pre- and posttest reading measures was compared to that of the control group. Findings suggest that phonological sensitivity intervention using a narrative platform promoted positive early reading skill outcomes for first-grade participants at risk for reading disabilities.
Augmentation therapy in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: advances and controversies
Authors: Tonelli Adriano R. , Brantly Mark L.
Published: July 2010

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a hereditary condition characterized by low levels of AAT in plasma and hence diffusion into tissues. One of the most relevant characteristics of the disease is the development of panacinar emphysema due to an imbalance between proteases and antiproteases in the presence of environmental triggers. Left untreated, severe obstructive lung disease may develop. Avoidance of environmental triggers such as cigarette smoking constitutes a critical component of AAT deficiency treatment. Intravenous augmentation therapy is the only specific therapy for the condition that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While this therapy likely slows the rate of progression of emphysema and may improve survival in selected individuals with severe AAT deficiency, the gold standard for proof of efficacy is lacking. Areas where controversy exists regarding the use of AAT augmentation therapy include: (1) indications for treatment, (2) selection of specific AAT augmentation therapy, (3) appropriate dose and interval of administration, (4) cost effectiveness, (5) frequency and mode of follow up of treated patients, (6) use of augmentation therapy after lung transplantation, (7) use of recombinant AAT supplementation, (8) alternative delivery routes, and (9) genetic therapy. In this review we describe the advances in treatment and try to address some of the current controversies in AAT deficiency management.
Native Chondrocyte Viability during Cartilage Lesion Progression
Authors: Ganguly Kumkum , McRury Ian D. , Goodwin Peter M. , Morgan Roy E. , Augé Wayne K.
Published: July 2010

Objective:

Early surgical intervention for articular cartilage disease is desirable before full-thickness lesions develop. As early intervention treatments are designed, native chondrocyte viability at the treatment site before intervention becomes an important parameter to consider. The purpose of this study is to evaluate native chondrocyte viability in a series of specimens demonstrating the progression of articular cartilage lesions to determine if the chondrocyte viability profile changes during the evolution of articular cartilage disease to the level of surface fibrillation.

Design:

Osteochondral specimens demonstrating various degrees of articular cartilage damage were obtained from patients undergoing knee total joint replacement. Three groups were created within a patient harvest based on visual and tactile cues commonly encountered during surgical intervention: group 1, visually and tactilely intact surfaces; group 2, visually intact, tactilely soft surfaces; and group 3, surface fibrillation. Confocal laser microscopy was performed following live/dead cell viability staining.

Results:

Groups 1 to 3 demonstrated viable chondrocytes in all specimens, even within the fibrillated portions of articular cartilage, with little to no evidence of dead chondrocytes. Chondrocyte viability profile in articular cartilage does not appear to change as disease lesion progresses from normal to surface fibrillation.

Conclusions:

Fibrillated partial-thickness articular cartilage lesions are a good therapeutic target for early intervention. These lesions retain a high profile of viable chondrocytes and are readily diagnosed by visual and tactile cues during surgery. Early intervention should be based on matrix failure rather than on more aggressive procedures that further corrupt the matrix and contribute to chondrocyte necrosis of contiguous untargeted cartilage.
Highly porous metals and ceramics
Authors: Colombo P. , Degischer H. P.
Published: July 2010

Cellular solids are a class of highly porous materials that covers a wide range of structures, such as foamed materials, replicated porous or additive manufactured structures, honeycombs, lattice structures, interconnected fibres or hollow spheres and syntactic foams. The pores can be more or less closed or completely open. Depending on their morphology and composition, these materials possess unique properties and are used as components in special and advanced engineering applications. These include filtering liquids and particles in gas streams, porous burners, biomedical devices, lightweight stiff structures, impact absorbers, sound damping modules, thermal management components, etc. The present paper gives an overview on the main fabrication methods and the resulting architectures, in relation to applications of metals and ceramics with >50 vol.-% porosity.
Systematic review and meta-analysis methodology
Authors: Crowther Mark , Lim Wendy , Crowther Mark A.
Published: July 2010

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are being increasingly used to summarize medical literature and identify areas in which research is needed. Systematic reviews limit bias with the use of a reproducible scientific process to search the literature and evaluate the quality of the individual studies. If possible the results are statistically combined into a meta-analysis in which the data are weighted and pooled to produce an estimate of effect. This article aims to provide the reader with a practical overview of systematic review and meta-analysis methodology, with a focus on the process of performing a review and the related issues at each step.
Beneficial effects of synthetic KL4surfactant in experimental lung transplantation
Authors: Sáenz A. , Álvarez L. , Santos M. , López-Sánchez A. , Castillo-Olivares J.L. , Varela A. , Segal R. , Casals C.
Published: July 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate whether intratracheal administration of a new synthetic surfactant that includes the cationic, hydrophobic 21-residue peptide KLLLLKLLLLKLLLLKLLLLK (KL4), might be effective in reducing ischaemia–reperfusion injury after lung transplantation.

Single left lung transplantation was performed in Landrace pigs 22 h post-harvest. KL4surfactant at a dose of 25 mg total phospholipid·kg body weight−1(2.5 mL·kg body weight−1) was instilled at 37°C to the donor left lung (n = 8) prior to explantation. Saline (2.5 mL·kg body weight−1; 37°C) was instilled into the donor left lung of the untreated group (n = 6). Lung function in recipients was measured during 2 h of reperfusion. Recipient left lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) provided native cytometric, inflammatory marker and surfactant data.

KL4surfactant treatment recovered oxygen levels in the recipient blood (mean±sdarterial oxygen tension/inspiratory oxygen fraction 424±60versus263±101 mmHg in untreated group; p=0.01) and normalised alveolar–arterial oxygen tension difference. Surfactant biophysical function was also recovered in KL4surfactant-treated lungs. This was associated with decreased C-reactive protein levels in BAL, and recovery of surfactant protein A content, normalised protein/phospholipid ratios, and lower levels of both lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls in large surfactant aggregates.

These findings suggest an important protective role for KL4surfactant treatment in lung transplantation.
Predictive accuracy of patient-reported exacerbation frequency in COPD
Authors: Quint J.K. , Donaldson G.C. , Hurst J.R. , Goldring J.J.P. , Seemungal T.R. , Wedzicha J.A.
Published: July 2010

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation frequency is important for clinical risk assessment and trial recruitment. In order to accurately establish exacerbation frequency, patients need to be followed for 1 yr, although this is not always practical. 1) Patient recall of exacerbation number during the year prior to recruitment to the London COPD cohort was compared with the number of exacerbations recorded on diary cards during the subsequent year; and 2) patient recall of their exacerbation number after 1 yr of follow-up was compared with documented exacerbations over the same year.

A total of 267 patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 s 1.14 L) recorded worsening of respiratory symptoms on daily diary cards for 1 yr. Exacerbations were defined according to previously validated criteria.

There was no difference between the exacerbation number recalled by patients prior to recruitment and the number detected during the first year (median 2.0 (interquartile range 1.0–4.0) and 2.0 (1.0–4.0); expected agreement 76.4%; agreement 84.6%; κ = 0.3469). There was no difference between the number of exacerbations remembered by patients and the number recorded on diary cards over the same 1-yr period (2.0 (1.0–4.0) for both groups; expected agreement 74.9%; actual agreement 93.3%; κ = 0.6146).

Patients remember the number of exacerbations they have in a year. Accuracy is increased when comparing the same 1-yr period. Patient recall is sufficiently robust for stratification into frequent and infrequent exacerbator groups for subsequent years.
Modelling asthma in macaques: longitudinal changes in cellular and molecular markers
Authors: Ayanoglu G. , Desai B. , Fick R.B. , Grein J. , de Waal Malefyt R. , Mattson J. , McClanahan T. , Olmstead S. , Reece S.P. , Van Scott M.R. , Wardle R.L.
Published: July 2010

The aim of the present study was to determine whether systemic sensitisation and chronic aeroallergen challenge in macaques replicate the classical and emerging immunology and molecular pathology of human asthma.

Macaques were immunised and periodically challenged over 2 yrs with house dust mite allergen. At key time-points, serum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial biopsies were assayed for genes, proteins and lymphocyte subpopulations relevant to clinical asthma.

Immunisation and periodic airway challenge induced changes in immunoglobulin E, airway physiology and eosinophilia consistent with chronic, dual-phase asthma. Sensitisation increased interleukin (IL)-1β and -6 concentrations in serum, and IL-13 expression in BAL cells. Airway challenge increased: early expression of IL-5, -6, -13 and -19, and eotaxin; and variable late-phase expression of IL-4, -5 and -13, and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine in BAL cells. CD4+ lymphocytes comprised 30% of the CD3+ cells in BAL, increasing to 50% in the late phase. Natural killer T-cells represented <3% of the CD3+ cells. Corticosteroid treatment reduced serum histamine levels, percentage of CD4+ cells and monocyte-derived chemokine expression, while increasing CD3+ and CD8+ cells in BAL.

Sensitisation and periodic aeroallergen challenge of cynomolgus macaques results in physiological, cellular, molecular and protein phenotypes, and therapeutic responses observed in human asthma, providing a model system useful in target and biomarker discovery, and translational asthma research.
Estimation of relatedness among non-pedigreed Yakutian cryo-bank bulls using molecular data: implications for conservation and breed management
Authors: Tapio Ilma , Tapio Miika , Li Meng-Hua , Popov Ruslan , Ivanova Zoya , Kantanen Juha
Published: July 2010

Background

Yakutian cattle, the last remaining native cattle breed in Siberia, are well adapted to the extreme sub-arctic conditions. Nowadays onlyca. 1200 purebred animals are left in Yakutia. The semen of six Yakutian bulls was stored in a cryo-bank without any pedigree documentation because of the traditional free herding style of the population.

Methods

To clarify the genetic relatedness between these bulls and to provide recommendations to use their semen in future conservation and breed management programs, we have analysed 30 autosomal microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA sequences in 60 individuals including the six for which semen has been stored. Four relatedness estimators were calculated. In addition, we assessed the value of the cryo-bank bulls for the preservation of genetic variation of the contemporary Yakutian cattle by calculating allelic and gene diversity estimates and mean molecular coancestries.

Results

On the basis of microsatellite variability, including the Yakutian cryo-bank bulls increases the allelic variation in the contemporary population by 3% and in the male subpopulation by 13%. In terms of the mean molecular coancestries, they are less related to the contemporary cow population than the breeding bulls and therefore could be used to reduce inbreeding in the living population. Although 30 loci are insufficient to resolve definitely their relatedness categories, the data suggest four pairs of cryo-bank bulls as possible half-sibs.

Conclusions

Our results show that even relatively limited cryo-bank storage of semen can carry allelic variation through a bottleneck. We propose a breeding scheme based on the rotation of breeding females and the division of cryo-bank bulls into three groups. Thus, if molecular data (e.g. autosomal microsatellite genotypes) for the contemporary population are available and based on relatively small-scale laboratory analyses, it is possible to avoid serious mistakes in their use for breeding applications. The approach suggested here based on the use of Yakutian cryo-bank semen can be easily extended to cryo-bank materials of other animals in future breeding programs.
Inference of sparse combinatorial-control networks from gene-expression data: a message passing approach
Authors: Bailly-Bechet Marc , Braunstein Alfredo , Pagnani Andrea , Weigt Martin , Zecchina Riccardo
Published: July 2010

Background

Transcriptional gene regulation is one of the most important mechanisms in controlling many essential cellular processes, including cell development, cell-cycle control, and the cellular response to variations in environmental conditions. Genes are regulated by transcription factors and other genes/proteins via a complex interconnection network. Such regulatory links may be predicted using microarray expression data, but most regulation models suppose transcription factor independence, which leads to spurious links when many genes have highly correlated expression levels.

Results

We propose a new algorithm to infer combinatorial control networks from gene-expression data. Based on a simple model of combinatorial gene regulation, it includes a message-passing approach which avoids explicit sampling over putative gene-regulatory networks. This algorithm is shown to recover the structure of a simple artificial cell-cycle network model for baker's yeast. It is then applied to a large-scale yeast gene expression dataset in order to identify combinatorial regulations, and to a data set of direct medical interest, namely the Pleiotropic Drug Resistance (PDR) network.

Conclusions

The algorithm we designed is able to recover biologically meaningful interactions, as shown by recent experimental results [1]. Moreover, new cases of combinatorial control are predicted, showing how simple models taking this phenomenon into account can lead to informative predictions and allow to extract more putative regulatory interactions from microarray databases.
A novel transgenic zebrafish model for blood-brain and blood-retinal barrier development
Authors: Xie Jing , Farage Eric , Sugimoto Masahiko , Anand-Apte Bela
Published: July 2010

Background

Development and maintenance of the blood-brain and blood-retinal barrier is critical for the homeostasis of brain and retinal tissue. Despite decades of research our knowledge of the formation and maintenance of the blood-brain (BBB) and blood-retinal (BRB) barrier is very limited. We have established anin vivomodel to study the development and maintenance of these barriers by generating a transgenic zebrafish line that expresses a vitamin D-binding protein fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (DBP-EGFP) in blood plasma, as an endogenous tracer.

Results

The temporal establishment of the BBB and BRB was examined using this transgenic line and the results were compared with that obtained by injection of fluorescent dyes into the sinus venosus of embryos at various stages of development. We also examined the expression of claudin-5, a component of tight junctions during the first 4 days of development. We observed that the BBB of zebrafish starts to develop by 3 dpf, with expression of claudin-5 in the central arteries preceding it at 2 dpf. The hyaloid vasculature in the zebrafish retina develops a barrier function at 3 dpf, which endows the zebrafish with unique advantages for studying the BRB.

Conclusion

Zebrafish embryos develop BBB and BRB function simultaneously by 3 dpf, which is regulated by tight junction proteins. TheTg(l-fabp:DBP-EGFP)zebrafish will have great advantages in studying development and maintenance of the blood-neural barrier, which is a new application for the widely used vertebrate model.
Decreased expression of GST pi is correlated with a poor prognosis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhihui , He Wei , Yang Guanrui , Wang Junsheng , Wang Zhong , Nesland Jahn M , Holm Ruth , Suo Zhenhe
Published: July 2010

Background

Glutathione S-transferase pi (GST pi) is a subgroup of GST family, which provides cellular protection against free radical and carcinogenic compounds due to its detoxifying function. Expression patterns of GST pi have been studied in several carcinomas and its down-regulation was implicated to be involved in malignant transformation in patients with Barrett's esophagus. However, neither the exact role of GST pi in the pathogenesis nor its prognostic impact in squamous esophageal carcinoma is fully characterized.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate GST pi expression on 153 archival squamous esophageal carcinoma specimens with a GST pi monoclonal antibody. Statistic analyses were performed to explore its association with clinicopathological factors and clinical outcome.

Results

The GST pi expression was greatly reduced in tissues of esophageal carcinomas compared to adjacent normal tissues and residual benign tissues. Absent of GST pi protein expression in cytoplasm, nuclear and cytoplasm/nucleus was found in 51%, 64.7% and 48% of all the carcinoma cases, respectively. GST pi deficiency in cytoplasm, nucleus and cytoplasm/nucleus was significantly correlated to poor differentiation (p< 0.001,p< 0.001 andp< 0.001, respectively). UICC stage and T stage were found significantly correlated to negative expression of GST pi in cytoplasm (p< 0.001 andp= 0.004, respectively) and cytoplasm/nucleus (p= 0.017 andp= 0.031, respectively). In univariate analysis, absent of GST pi protein expression in cytoplasm, nucleus and cytoplasm/nucleus was significantly associated with a shorter overall survival (p< 0.001,p< 0.001 andp< 0.001, respectively), whereas only GST pi cytoplasmic staining retained an independent prognostic significance (p< 0.001) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our results show that GST pi expression is down regulated in the squamous esophageal carcinoma, and that the lack of GST pi expression is associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, deficiency of GST pi protein expression may be an important mechanism involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of the squamous esophageal carcinoma, and the underlying mechanisms leading to decreased GST pi expression deserve further investigation.
The reliability of side to side measurements of upper extremity activity levels in healthy subjects
Authors: Acuna Miguel , Amasay Tal , Karduna Andrew R
Published: July 2010

Background

In both clinical and occupational settings, ambulatory sensors are becoming common for assessing all day measurements of arm motion. In order for the motion of a healthy, contralateral side to be used as a control for the involved side, the inherent side to side differences in arm usage must be minimal. The goal of the present study was to determine the reliability of side to side measurements of upper extremity activity levels in healthy subjects.

Methods

Thirty two subjects with no upper extremity pathologies were studied. Each subject wore a triaxial accelerometer on both arms for three and a half hours. Motion was assessed using parameters previously reported in the literature. Side to side differences were compared with the intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of the mean, minimal detectable change scores and a projected sample size analysis.

Results

The variables were ranked based on their percentage of minimal detectable change scores and sample sizes needed for paired t-tests. The order of these rankings was found to be identical and the top ranked parameters were activity counts per hour (MDC% = 9.5, n = 5), jerk time (MDC% = 15.8, n = 8) and percent time above 30 degrees (MDC% = 34.7, n = 9).

Conclusions

In general, the mean activity levels during daily activities were very similar between dominant and non-dominant arms. Specifically, activity counts per hour, jerk time, and percent time above 30 degrees were found to be the variables most likely to reveal significant difference or changes in both individuals and groups of subjects. The use of ambulatory measurements of upper extremity activity has very broad uses for occupational assessments, musculoskeletal injuries of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand as well as neurological pathologies.
First-line chemoimmunotherapy in metastatic breast carcinoma: combination of paclitaxel and IMP321 (LAG-3Ig) enhances immune responses and antitumor activity
Authors: Brignone Chrystelle , Gutierrez Maya , Mefti Fawzia , Brain Etienne , Jarcau Rosana , Cvitkovic Frédérique , Bousetta Nabil , Medioni Jacques , Gligorov Joseph , Grygar Caroline , Marcu Manon , Triebel Frédéric
Published: July 2010

Background

IMP321 is a recombinant soluble LAG-3Ig fusion protein that binds to MHC class II with high avidity and mediates APC and then antigen-experienced memory CD8+ T cell activation. We report clinical and biological results of a phase I/II in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) receiving first-line paclitaxel weekly, 3 weeks out of 4.

Methods

MBC patients were administered one dose of IMP321 s.c. every two weeks for a total of 24 weeks (12 injections). The repeated single doses were administered the day after chemotherapy at D2 and D16 of the 28-day cycles of paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 at D1, D8 and D15, for 6 cycles). Blood samples were taken 13 days after the sixth and the twelfth IMP321 injections to determine sustained APC, NK and memory CD8 T cell responses.

Results

Thirty MBC patients received IMP321 in three cohorts (doses: 0.25, 1.25 and 6.25 mg). IMP321 induced both a sustained increase in the number and activation of APC (monocytes and dendritic cells) and an increase in the percentage of NK and long-lived cytotoxic effector-memory CD8 T cells. Clinical benefit was observed for 90% of patients with only 3 progressors at 6 months. Also, the objective tumor response rate of 50% compared favorably to the 25% rate reported in the historical control group.

Conclusions

The absence of toxicity and the demonstration of activity strongly support the future development of this agent for clinical use in combined first-line regimens.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00349934
The effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on obesity in postmenopausal women: secondary analysis for a large-scale, placebo controlled, double-blind, 4-year longitudinal clinical trial
Authors: Zhou Jiapeng , Zhao Lan-Juan , Watson Patrice , Zhang Qin , Lappe Joan M
Published: July 2010

Background

It is undetermined whether calcium supplementation has an effect on obesity or body composition in postmenopausal women. The purpose of the study is to detect the effect of calcium supplementation on indices of obesity and body composition.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data from a population-based, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial designed to determine the effects of calcium and vitamin D on osteoporotic fractures. The cohort included 1179 postmenopausal women who were randomly assigned into one of three groups: 1) supplemental calcium (1400 mg/d or 1500 mg/d) plus vitamin D placebo (Ca-only group); 2) supplemental calcium (1400 mg/d or 1500 mg/d) plus supplemental vitamin D3 (1100 IU/d) (Ca + D group); or, 3) two placebos (placebo group). After applying the exclusion criteria for this analysis, 870 subjects were included in this study. The primary outcomes for the present study were changes in body mass index, trunk fat, trunk lean, and percentage of trunk fat after calcium supplementation.

Results

Changes in trunk fat, trunk lean, and percentage of trunk fat were significantly different between the calcium intervention groups (Ca-only group or Ca + D group) and the placebo group during the trial (P < 0.05). The calcium intervention groups gained less trunk fat and maintained more trunk lean when compared to the placebo group. No significant difference was observed for body mass index between groups.

Conclusion

Calcium supplementation over four years has a beneficial effect on body composition in postmenopausal women.
Impaired vascular function after exposure to diesel exhaust generated at urban transient running conditions
Authors: Barath Stefan , Mills Nicholas L , Lundbäck Magnus , Törnqvist Håkan , Lucking Andrew J , Langrish Jeremy P , Söderberg Stefan , Boman Christoffer , Westerholm Roger , Löndahl Jakob , Donaldson Ken , Mudway Ian S , Sandström Thomas , Newby David E , Blomberg Anders
Published: July 2010

Background

Traffic emissions including diesel engine exhaust are associated with increased respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Controlled human exposure studies have demonstrated impaired vascular function after inhalation of exhaust generated by a diesel engine under idling conditions.

Objectives

To assess the vascular and fibrinolytic effects of exposure to diesel exhaust generated during urban-cycle running conditions that mimic ambient 'real-world' exposures.

Methods

In a randomised double-blind crossover study, eighteen healthy male volunteers were exposed to diesel exhaust (approximately 250 μg/m3) or filtered air for one hour during intermittent exercise. Diesel exhaust was generated during the urban part of the standardized European Transient Cycle. Six hours post-exposure, vascular vasomotor and fibrinolytic function was assessed during venous occlusion plethysmography with intra-arterial agonist infusions.

Measurements and Main Results

Forearm blood flow increased in a dose-dependent manner with both endothelial-dependent (acetylcholine and bradykinin) and endothelial-independent (sodium nitroprusside and verapamil) vasodilators. Diesel exhaust exposure attenuated the vasodilatation to acetylcholine (P < 0.001), bradykinin (P < 0.05), sodium nitroprusside (P < 0.05) and verapamil (P < 0.001). In addition, the net release of tissue plasminogen activator during bradykinin infusion was impaired following diesel exhaust exposure (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Exposure to diesel exhaust generated under transient running conditions, as a relevant model of urban air pollution, impairs vasomotor function and endogenous fibrinolysis in a similar way as exposure to diesel exhaust generated at idling. This indicates that adverse vascular effects of diesel exhaust inhalation occur over different running conditions with varying exhaust composition and concentrations as well as physicochemical particle properties. Importantly, exposure to diesel exhaust under ETC conditions was also associated with a novel finding of impaired of calcium channel-dependent vasomotor function. This implies that certain cardiovascular endpoints seem to be related to general diesel exhaust properties, whereas the novel calcium flux-related effect may be associated with exhaust properties more specific for the ETC condition, for example a higher content of diesel soot particles along with their adsorbed organic compounds.
Nociceptive Stimulation Induces Expression of Arc/Arg3.1 in the Spinal Cord with a Preference for Neurons Containing Enkephalin
Authors: Hossaini Mehdi , Jongen Joost LM , Biesheuvel Karla , Kuhl Dietmar , Holstege Jan C
Published: July 2010

Background:

In pain processing, long term synaptic changes play an important role, especially during chronic pain. The immediate early gene Arc/Arg3.1 has been widely implicated in mediating long-term plasticity in telencephalic regions, such as the hippocampus and cortex. Accordingly, Arc/Arg3.1 knockout (KO) mice show a deficit in long-term memory consolidation. Here, we identify expression of Arc/Arg3.1 in the rat spinal cord using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization following pain stimuli.

Results:

We found that Arc/Arg3.1 is not present in naïve or vehicle treated animals, and is de novo expressed in dorsal horn neurons after nociceptive stimulation. Expression of Arc/Arg3.1 was induced in an intensity dependent manner in neurons that were located in laminae I (14%) and II (85%) of the spinal dorsal horn. Intrathecal injection of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) also induced expression of Arc/Arg3.1. Furthermore, 90% of Arc/Arg3.1 expressing neurons also contained the activity marker c-Fos, which was expressed more abundantly. Preproenkephalin mRNA was found in the majority (68%) of the Arc/Arg3.1 expressing neurons, while NK-1 was found in only 19% and GAD67 mRNA in 3.6%. Finally, pain behavior in Arc/Arg3.1 KO mice was not significantly different from their wild type littermates after application of formalin or after induction of chronic inflammatory pain.

Conclusions:

We conclude that Arc/Arg3.1 is preferentially expressed in spinal enkephalinergic neurons after nociceptive stimulation. Therefore, our data suggest that Arc/Arg3.1 dependent long term synaptic changes in spinal pain transmission are a feature of anti-nociceptive, i.e. enkephalinergic, rather than pro-nociceptive neurons.
Identification of novel exons and transcribed regions by chimpanzee transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Wetterbom Anna , Ameur Adam , Feuk Lars , Gyllensten Ulf , Cavelier Lucia
Published: July 2010

Background

We profile the chimpanzee transcriptome by using deep sequencing of cDNA from brain and liver, aiming to quantify expression of known genes and to identify novel transcribed regions.

Results

Using stringent criteria for transcription, we identify 12,843 expressed genes, with a majority being found in both tissues. We further identify 9,826 novel transcribed regions that are not overlapping with annotated exons, mRNAs or ESTs. Over 80% of the novel transcribed regions map within or in the vicinity of known genes, and by combining sequencing data with de novo splice predictions we predict several of the novel transcribed regions to be new exons or 3' UTRs. For approximately 350 novel transcribed regions, the corresponding DNA sequence is absent in the human reference genome. The presence of novel transcribed regions in five genes and in one intergenic region is further validated with RT-PCR. Finally, we describe and experimentally validate a putative novel multi-exon gene that belongs to the ATP-cassette transporter gene family. This gene does not appear to be functional in human since one exon is absent from the human genome. In addition to novel exons and UTRs, novel transcribed regions may also stem from different types of noncoding transcripts. We note that expressed repeats and introns from unspliced mRNAs are especially common in our data.

Conclusions

Our results extend the chimpanzee gene catalogue with a large number of novel exons and 3' UTRs and thus support the view that mammalian gene annotations are not yet complete.
Regulatory T cells induced by Mycobacterium chelonae sensitization influence murine responses to bacille Calmette-Guérin
Authors: Ho Peiying , Wei Xing , Seah Geok Teng
Published: July 2010

5CD4+CD25+ cells in Mycobacterium chelonae-sensitized mice functionally suppress BCG-induced inflammation, providing one explanation for how immune priming by environmental mycobacteria affects subsequent BCG vaccination responses.

The efficacy of live Mycobacterium bovis BCG as a tuberculosis vaccine is highly varied globally. Differential sensitization to environmental mycobacteria prior to BCG vaccination may prime immune effects leading to this variation, but the precise immune mechanisms and cell types involved in this phenomenon are unknown. We hypothesized that pre-vaccination sensitization to environmental mycobacteria induces mycobacterium-specific Tregs that suppress responses to BCG. This was investigated by testing Treg responses following priming of BALB/c mice by i.p. immunization with heat-killed CHE. Such mice produced higher levels of IL-10 before and after intranasal, live BCG administration and had fewer lung inflammatory cells post-BCG, relative to nonsensitized mice. In CHE-sensitized mice, the percentage of splenic CD4+CD25+ cells expressing Foxp3 amongst total lymphocytes was not elevated significantly, but these cells limited nonspecific proliferation of CD4+CD25– effector cells upon coculture and promoted higher expression levels of CD103 and Foxp3 in response to BCG antigen stimulation than CD4+CD25+ cells from nonsensitized mice. In adoptive transfer experiments, naïve, WT mice receiving CD4+CD25+ cells from CHE-sensitized mice and then given live BCG intranasally had significantly elevated lung IL-10 levels, reduced frequencies of lung IL-2-producing cells, and lower lymphocyte numbers in the BAL. Therefore, CHE sensitization induced CD4+CD25+ Tregs with functional, suppressive activity on BCG responses in vitro and in vivo. Treg induction could therefore be one mechanism underlying how environmental mycobacteria priming modulates host responses to the BCG vaccine.
Pelvic vein incompetence influences pain levels in patients with lower limb varicosity
Authors: Asciutto G , Mumme A , Asciutto K C , Geier B
Published: July 2010

Purpose

To detect the influence of pelvic vein incompetence (PVI) on pain levels in patients with varicosity of the lower limb.

Materials and methods

Women of child-bearing age with symptomatic primary or recurrent varicosity of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) were prospectively included in two groups depending on the presence or absence of phlebographic signs of PVI. Pain assessment was carried out with the help of a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results

Forty women were included in the study. Nineteen of them had phlebographic evidence of PVI (group A), whereas 21 were included in the control group (group B). Patients of group A reported a higher median total pain level than patients of group B (group A median 62, range 25–100; group B median 32, range 0–100; P = 0.001). In group A, patients experienced a median level of pain of 67.2 at the lower limb in the standing position (range 40–100) versus a median of 50.3 (range 36–81) in patients of group B ( P = NS). The median level of leg pain in the sitting position was 41.2 (range 0–67) in patients of group A and 38.1 (range 0–46) in women of group B ( P = NS). Pelvic pain level in the standing position was higher ( P = NS) in patients of group A (median 72.2, range 50–91), than in women of group B (median 20.1, range 0–41). In patients of group A, statistically significant ( P = 0.0001) higher VAS scores for pelvic pain level in sitting (group = A median 67.2, range 59–71; group B median 18.1 range 0–35) were reported.

Conclusions

In a small population of patients with GSV varicosity, overall pain levels were significantly higher in a subgroup of patients with phlebographic signs of PVI. This finding suggests that the presence of PVI might influence the intensity of varicosity symptoms.