bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract B63: Unraveling the paradoxes of ATM resensitized dynamics in LNCaP cell line via epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)
Authors: Farooqi Ammad A. , Bhatti Shahzad
Published: December 2010

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major ingredient of green tea (GT) and Silibinin, the active component of Silymarin presumably hold a potential to prevent pathogenomics. Prostate cancer aggressiveness is triggered by fusion transcripts formed because of genomic instability induced by juxtapositioning of two genes. An abolished ATM dynamics is incapable of safeguarding integrity of DNA. In agreement with this assumption ATM and DNA PK were impaired in LNCaP cell line to confirm a tight interaction of ATM and DNA PK with the expression profile of TMPRSS2-ERG. Abolished ATM proved instrumental to expression of the fusion transcript. Similarly blunting of DNA PK downregulated the expression of the fusion transcript giving a notion that it is involved in the chromosomal translocation. LNCaP cell lines were analyzed for the effect of EGCG and silibinin on the expression profile of TMPRSS2-ERG. In this particular unprecedented study treatment of the LNCaP cell line with EGCG and Silibilin recapitulated ATM expression and activity and downregulated the fusion transcript generation. These results underscore the therapeutic effect of EGCG and SB in attenuating the exacerbation of the disease.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B63.
Abstract B96: Increasing access and utilization of supportive cancer care activities through health information technology: A prostate cancer example
Authors: Victorson David , Block Phoebe , Buono Sarah , Mason Thomas , Thomas Pete , Murray Marcus
Published: December 2010

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and certain racial/ethnic groups, such as African American men, are disproportionately affected. Treatment for clinically localized PCa can cause physical and functional problems like bowel, urinary and sexual dysfunction, as well as emotional symptoms such as anxiety, uncertainty and fear. Although not entirely avoidable, many of these negative aftereffects may be prevented or lessened through patient initiated behaviors. Symptom monitoring and self management (SMSM) support programs may increase access and utilization of needed supportive care and help men gain a greater sense of personal efficacy to address some of the associated difficulties of PCa.

Objective: To present patient focus group and expert survey findings that are the basis of a novel information technology-based application to increase access and utilization of self-care and symptom management in clinically localized PCa.

Study Design: We are currently developing culturally tailored multimedia-assisted self management interventions for bowel, urinary, sexual and anxiety domains based on a literature review, expert survey and patient focus groups. We are also using patient reported outcome measures of bowel, urinary and sexual function and anxiety for weekly symptom monitoring activity. Following this first study phase, we will beta test this system with a diverse sample of community end-users and pilot the new system in medical and community clinics with men representing primary PCa treatment approaches for localized disease (n=100). Over a 4 week period, participants will receive a weekly email with a link to complete brief self report questions on treatment side effects and disease symptoms. When a patient's scores surpass a designated severity cut-point in a given area, a multimedia-assisted self management intervention will be triggered. Participants will be able to read, listen to or watch interventions in real time or download them for later use.

Cancer Disparities Relevance: The proposed work can benefit men diagnosed with PCa gain increased access to utilization of important supportive care services though leveraging an innovative, culturally tailored information technology application. This study will offer new information on the feasibility, acceptance, and preliminary effectiveness of a patient-centered, internet-based system to provide real-time SMSM support during and following treatment.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B96.
Suppression of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Activation by Butein Inhibits Growth of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Vivo
Authors: Rajendran Peramaiyan , Ong Tina H. , Chen Luxi , Li Feng , Shanmugam Muthu K. , Vali Shireen , Abbasi Taher , Kapoor Shweta , Sharma Ashish , Kumar Alan Prem , Hui Kam M. , Sethi Gautam
Published: December 2010

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the third cause of global cancer mortality. Increasing evidence suggest that STAT3 is a critical mediator of oncogenic signaling in HCC and controls the expression of several genes involved in proliferation, survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Thus, the novel agents that can suppress STAT3 activation have potential for both prevention and treatment of HCC.

Experimental Design: The effect of butein on STAT3 activation, associated protein kinases, STAT3-regulated gene products, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis was investigated. The in vivo effect of butein on the growth of human HCC xenograft tumors in male athymic nu/nu mice was also examined.

Results: We tested an agent, butein, for its ability to suppress STAT3 activation in HCC cells and nude mice model along with prospectively testing the hypothesis of STAT3 inhibition in a virtual predictive functional proteomics tumor pathway technology platform. We found that butein inhibited both constitutive and inducible STAT3 activation in HCC cells. The suppression was mediated through the inhibition of activation of upstream kinases c-Src and Janus-activated kinase 2. Butein inhibited proliferation and significantly potentiated the apoptotic effects of paclitaxel and doxorubicin in HCC cells. When administered intraperitoneally, butein inhibited the growth of human HCC xenograft tumors in male athymic nu/nu mice.

Conclusions: Overall, cumulative results from experimental and predictive studies suggest that butein exerts its antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects through suppression of STAT3 signaling in HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Clin Cancer Res; 17(6); 1425–39. ©2010 AACR.
Phase I Safety, Pharmacokinetic, and Pharmacodynamic Study of ENMD-2076, a Novel Angiogenic and Aurora Kinase Inhibitor,in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Diamond Jennifer R. , Bastos Bruno R. , Hansen Ryan J. , Gustafson Daniel L. , Eckhardt S. Gail , Kwak Eunice L. , Pandya Shuchi S. , Fletcher Graham C. , Pitts Todd M. , Kulikowski Gillian N. , Morrow Mark , Arnott Jamie , Bray Mark R. , Sidor Carolyn , Messersmith Wells , Shapiro Geoffrey I.
Published: December 2010

Purpose: ENMD-2076 is a unique orally bioavailable Aurora kinase and VEGFR inhibitor. The purpose of this phase 1 study of ENMD-2076 was to determine the MTD, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles and preliminary antitumor activity.

Experimental Design: Patients with refractory advanced solid malignancies were treated with ENMD-2076 orally with continuous once daily dosing. Doses from 60 to 200 mg/m2 were evaluated using a standard 3 (to 4) + 3 design. Pharmacokinetic parameters were studied on days 1, 28, and 30 to 35 of cycle 1. Expanded MTD cohorts included patients with ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and refractory solid tumors.

Results: A total of 67 patients (46 F, 21M; ages 30–76) entered the study. Dose levels of 60, 80, 120, 200, and 160 mg/m2 were evaluated. Two patients experienced grade 3 hypertension at 200 mg/m2, and additional grade 3 neutropenia events limited tolerability at this dose. An intermediate dose of 160 mg/m2 was determined to be the MTD. The most common drug-related adverse events included hypertension, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue. The pharmacokinetics of ENMD-2076 were characterized by a rapid absorption phase (Tmax 3–7.8 hours), a t1/2 of 27.3 to 38.3 hours after a single dose, and dose proportional exposure. Decreased plasma sVEGFR2 was observed posttreatment. Two patients with platinum refractory/resistant ovarian cancer had RECIST partial responses.

Conclusions: ENMD-2076 was well tolerated, had a linear pharmacokinetic profile, and showed promising antitumor activity, particularly in ovarian cancer. The recommended phase 2 dose of ENMD-2076 is 160 mg/m2 administered orally once daily with continuous dosing. Clin Cancer Res; 17(4); 849–60. ©2010 AACR.
Distinctive Mechanism for Sustained TGF-β Signaling and Growth Inhibition: MEK1 Activation-Dependent Stabilization of Type II TGF-β Receptors
Authors: Chen Gang , Ghosh Paritosh , Longo Dan L.
Published: December 2010

There are multiple mechanisms by which cells evade TGF-β–mediated growth inhibitory effects. In this report, we describe a novel mechanism by which cells become resistant to TGF-β–mediated growth suppression. Although having all the components of the TGF-β signaling pathway, different cell lines, RL, HaCaT, and BJAB, have different sensitivities toward TGF-β–induced growth suppression. The TGF-β resistance of RL, a B-cell lymphoma cell line, was due to ligand-induced downregulation of TGF-β receptor II (TβRII) and only transient TGF-β induced nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3. With low-dose phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or anti-IgM treatment, TGF-β sensitivity was restored by stabilizing TβRII expression and sustaining TGF-β signaling. The MEK inhibitor, U0126, blocked both PMA- and anti-IgM–induced upregulation of TβRII. In HaCaT and BJAB, two TGF-β–sensitive cell lines, which had higher basal levels of phospho-MEK and TβRII compared with RL, U0126 induced downregulation of TβRII and blocked subsequent TGF-β signaling. Similar results were also obtained with normal B cells, where MEK1 inhibitor downregulated TβRII and subsequent TGF-β signaling. Constitutively active MEK1, but not constitutively active ERK2, induced upregulation of TβRII. Furthermore, TβRII physically interacted with the constitutively active MEK1, but not with wild-type MEK1, indicating involvement of active MEK1 in stabilizing TβRII. Collectively, our data suggest a novel mechanism for MEK1 in regulating the sensitivity to TGF-β signaling by stabilizing TβRII. Mol Cancer Res; 9(1); 78–89 ©2010 AACR.
Interactions with Fibroblasts Are Distinct in Basal-Like and Luminal Breast Cancers
Authors: Camp J. Terese , Elloumi Fathi , Roman-Perez Erick , Rein Jessica , Stewart Delisha A. , Harrell J. Chuck , Perou Charles M. , Troester Melissa A.
Published: December 2010

Basal-like breast cancers have several well-characterized distinguishing molecular features, but most of these are features of the cancer cells themselves. The unique stromal–epithelial interactions, and more generally, microenvironmental features of basal-like breast cancers have not been well characterized. To identify characteristic microenvironment features of basal-like breast cancer, we performed cocultures of several basal-like breast cancer cell lines with fibroblasts and compared these with cocultures of luminal breast cancer cell lines with fibroblasts. Interactions between basal-like cancer cells and fibroblasts induced expression of numerous interleukins and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, CXCL3, and TGFβ. Under the influence of fibroblasts, basal-like breast cancer cell lines also showed increased migration in vitro. Migration was less pronounced for luminal lines; but, these lines were more likely to have altered proliferation. These differences were relevant to tumor biology in vivo, as the gene set that distinguished luminal and basal-like stromal interactions in coculture also distinguishes basal-like from luminal tumors with 98% accuracy in 10-fold cross-validation and 100% accuracy in an independent test set. However, comparisons between cocultures where cells were in direct contact and cocultures where interaction was solely through soluble factors suggest that there is an important impact of direct cell-to-cell contact. The phenotypes and gene expression changes invoked by cancer cell interactions with fibroblasts support the microenvironment and cell–cell interactions as intrinsic features of breast cancer subtypes. Mol Cancer Res; 9(1); 3–13 ©2010 AACR.
Reference Ranges for Blood Concentrations of Nucleated Red Blood Cells in Neonates
Authors: Christensen Robert D. , Henry Erick , Andres Robert L. , Bennett Sterling T.
Published: December 2010

Background: Previous studies reported a relationship between high nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) in neonates and the development of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and/or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Objective: We sought to (1) establish reference ranges for NRBC in neonates based on a large data set, (2) compare NRBC from automated versus manual counts, (3) determine the effect of an elevated NRBC, on the day of birth, on the odds of developing grade ≧3 IVH or ROP. Methods: We analyzed all NRBC obtained during 8.5 years in a multihospital system, displaying the 5th and 95th percentile limits according to gestational age and postnatal age. Results: NRBC counts were retrieved from 61,932 neonates, 26,536 of which were excluded from the data set. Comparing 9,000 samples run simultaneously on manual versus automated methods, the manual counts yielded slightly higher counts, but the difference is likely insignificant clinically. Altitude of the birth hospital did not correlate with NRBC, and no correlations were observed with cord pH or 1- or 5-min Apgar. An NRBC count >95th percentile limit was associated with higher odds of developing a grade ≧3 IVH (OR 4.28; 95% CI 3.17–5.77) and grade ≧3 ROP (OR 4.18; 95% CI 2.74–6.38). Conclusion: The figures of this report display reference ranges for NRBC according to gestational age and postnatal age. An NRBC count above the 95% limit at birth is associated with a higher risk of subsequently developing severe IVH and severe ROP. We speculate that this association is because an elevated NRBC count is a marker for prenatal hypoxia.
Rethinking Classification of Prematurity: A New Clinical Algorithm That Improves Etiologic Assignment of Preterm Births
Authors: Balaguer Albert , Alvarez-Serra Javier , Iriondo Marti , Gómez-Roig María Dolores , Krauel Xavier
Published: December 2010

Background: There is a need for a better etiologic classification of preterm births and for tools to help to determine the possible etiologies of these births. Objective: Having previously developed the Barcelona Etiology of Prematurity (BEP) algorithm, based on a new classification for preterm births, we sought to validate this algorithm in clinical studies whereby doctors retrospectively assigned the etiology of preterm birth according to principal cause and associated causes. Method: In phase 1 of the study, 91 preterm neonates consecutively admitted to a tertiary hospital were etiologically classified by doctors using the BEP algorithm. In phase 2, another 29 cases, representing the full spectrum of standard clinical scenarios, were classified by 20 doctors randomly divided into two groups of 10: one group used the algorithm and the other did not. Results: In phase 1, the doctors were able to assign the etiology of all 91 clinical cases using the BEP algorithm, showing a 95.6% level of agreement with the etiologies set by the authors. In phase 2, for the 572 total evaluations, the group that used the BEP algorithm had significantly fewer errors in assigning the principal cause of prematurity than the group that did not use the algorithm (4.51 vs. 16.20%, respectively; p < 0.0001), and also demonstrated a higher level of correlation in assigning the associated causes. Conclusions: The proposed classification may be used to retrospectively categorize the etiology of preterm births, and the BEP algorithm facilitates this task enabling greater accuracy and precision in clinical data.
Trends in Stroke Incidence in Hong Kong Differ by Stroke Subtype
Authors: Chau Pui Hing , Woo Jean , Goggins William B. , Tse Yee Kit , Chan Kam Che , Lo Sui Vi , Ho Suzanne C.
Published: December 2010

Background: The population in Hong Kong is mainly Chinese, but their lifestyle is increasingly westernized. It is uncertain whether the trends of stroke in Hong Kong would follow a Chinese or Western pattern. This is the first study to examine the trends of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in Hong Kong between 1999 and 2007 with a view to providing data for planning preventive programs and resources for treatment. Methods: Data from the Clinical Management System database of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority for 1999–2007 were used to examine incidence rates of stroke by subtypes among the Hong Kong population aged 35 and above. Poisson regression models were used to examine the trends in the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke incidence in different subgroups. Results: During 1999–2007, while the age-adjusted incidence of ischemic stroke has decreased, that of hemorrhagic stroke has remained fairly stable. In the younger age group (35–44 years), the incidence of ischemic stroke remained stable, whereas that of hemorrhagic stroke has increased. Furthermore, the incidence of all stroke among Hong Kong Chinese is much higher than in many other developed countries. Conclusions: There were different trends of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke incidence in Hong Kong. The findings highlight the public health importance of further research into the underlying causes of the increasing trend in hemorrhagic stroke in the younger age group, and the higher overall age-adjusted stroke incidence in Hong Kong compared with other developed countries.
School Leadership Policy Trends and Developments: Policy Expediency or Policy Excellence?
Authors: Roach Virginia , Smith L. Wes , Boutin James
Published: December 2010

Background: Institutional theorists suggest environmental stakeholders in the organizational field have a symbiotic relationship with governing agencies, leading to institutional isomorphism. Hence state policy makers copy the work of their colleagues across states to create a sense of legitimacy, certainty, and professionalization rather than developing policy based on metrics of efficiency and/or effectiveness. It can stifle innovation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends in state policy for school-based education administrators as an indicator of institutional isomorphism. Research Design: A “cohesive leadership system” for school leaders that has been operationalized by researchers through a five-segment continuum of standards, preparation program approval, assessment and licensure, mentoring and induction, and ongoing professional development coupled with licensure renewal. Researchers in this study reviewed published state regulations in all 50 states with respect to each of these five segments. Findings: Key trends include universal standards-based preparation, continuous renewal, increasing assessment and accountability, a wider breadth of providers for administrator development, tiered licensure, and renewal linked to school improvement, as measured by student standardized assessments. The establishment of the continuum itself as well as the trends within each facet of the continuum reflect high degrees of field conformity (isomorphism) and diminishing policy space for alternative paradigms. Conclusions: This trend is likely to continue because of the tight coupling of the environmental field related to educational administration. The conclusions suggest methods for injecting change into state policy to ensure advances in the field rather than simply replication of the status quo.
Who Prepares for Terrorism?
Authors: Bourque Linda B. , Mileti Dennis S. , Kano Megumi , Wood Michele M.
Published: December 2010

The National Survey of Disaster Experiences and Preparedness (NSDEP) examined whether households in the United States have engaged in proactive preparedness and avoidance activities since September 11, 2001, and whether the activities reported were done because of terrorism, natural disasters, other reasons, or any combination of reasons. Reported activities were examined by geographic area of exposure to or threat of 9/11, gender, race/ethnic identification, and income. The sample was drawn using random-digit-dialing (RDD) supplemented with surname lists. Data were collected between April 13, 2007, and February 13, 2008. Few households did preparedness and avoidance activities exclusively because of concerns about terrorism. Rather decisions were motivated by a combination of reasons. Residents of New York City and Washington, DC, men, and high-income respondents reported more preparedness activities, whereas low-income respondents, African Americans, and Hispanics reported more avoidance activities.
Imbalanced Sex Ratios, Men’s Sexual Behavior, and Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infection in China
Authors: South Scott J. , Trent Katherine
Published: December 2010

China has been experiencing pronounced changes in its sex ratio, but little research has explored the consequences of these changes for sexual behavior and health. We merge data from the 1999–2000 Chinese Health and Family Life Survey with community-level data from the 1982, 1990, and 2000 Chinese censuses to examine the relationship between the local sex ratio and several dimensions of men’s sexual behavior and sexual health. Multilevel logistic regression models show that, when faced with a relative abundance of age-matched women in their community, Chinese men are slightly less likely to have intercourse with commercial sex workers, but are more likely to engage in premarital noncommercial intercourse and to test positive for a sexually transmitted infection. These findings are consistent with hypotheses derived from demographic-opportunity theory, which suggests that an abundance of opposite-sex partners will increase the risk of early, frequent, and multi-partner sex and, through this, sexually transmitted infection risk.
Gender, Acculturation, and Health among Mexican Americans
Authors: Gorman Bridget K. , Read Jen’nan Ghazal , Krueger Patrick M.
Published: December 2010

This study examines whether the relationship between acculturation and physical health varies by gender among Mexican Americans, and if the mechanisms that mediate the acculturation-health relationship operate differently by gender. Using the 1998–2007 National Health Interview Study, we construct a composite measure of acculturation and estimate regression models for the total number of health conditions, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Immigrants with the lowest levels of acculturation are the healthiest, but this association is stronger for men. Medical care plays a central role in accounting for gender and acculturation differences across health outcomes—increased access to and utilization of medical care is associated with worse health, which suggests that better health among recent arrivals (particularly men) partially results from their lack of knowledge about their own poor health.
Mental Health Differences between Young Adults with and without Same-Sex Contact
Authors: Ueno Koji
Published: December 2010

Previous research has documented that sexual minorities are more likely than heterosexual people to experience mental health problems, but little is known about how these disparities emerge. Analysis of data from Miami–Dade County, Florida, shows that young adults reporting same-sex contact have higher levels of depressive symptoms and drug use than those without such contact, but that different processes explain the disparities in the two outcomes. A substantial portion of the gap in depressive symptoms is explained by sexual minorities’ higher levels of stress exposure and their lower levels of family support and psychological resources. The gap in drug use is not explained by these processes, but is partially explained by self-exploratory attitudes and permissiveness of drug use in social networks. This study highlights the importance of using multiple outcome measures in research that examines mechanisms underlying mental health disparities across social groups.
Race and Psychological Distress
Authors: Jackson Pamela Braboy , Williams David R. , Stein Dan J. , Herman Allen , Williams Stacey L. , Redmond Deidre L.
Published: December 2010

We analyze data from the South African Stress and Health Study, a nationally representative in-person psychiatric epidemiologic survey of 4,351 adults conducted as part of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative between January 2002 and June 2004. All blacks (Africans, Coloreds, and Indians) initially report higher levels of non-specific distress and anger/hostility than whites. Access to socioeconomic resources helps explain differences in non-specific distress between Coloreds and whites and Indians and whites. However, only when social stressors are considered do we find few differences in psychological distress (i.e., non-specific distress and anger/hostility) between Africans and whites. In addition, self-esteem and mastery have independent effects on non-specific distress and anger/hostility, but differences between Coloreds and whites in feelings of anger/hostility are not completely explained by self-esteem and mastery. The findings contribute to the international body of work on social stress theory, challenge underlying assumptions of the minority status perspective, and raise a series of questions regarding mental health disparities among South Africans.
A Case Study of Principal Leadership in an Effective Inclusive School
Authors: Hoppey David , McLeskey James
Published: December 2010

This investigation examined the role of the principal in school change during the current era of high-stakes accountability. Qualitative methods were used to conduct a case study of one principal who had a record of success in leading school change efforts and developing a model inclusive program in his school. The results of the case study revealed that the principal viewed his primary role as “lubricating the human machinery,” or providing support for teachers so that they could do their best work. He enacted this role by nurturing and caring for his staff, buffering his faculty from external pressures associated with high-stakes accountability, providing high-quality professional development, and ensuring that teachers had opportunities to assume leadership roles in the school. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed.
Locus of Control and Metabolic Control of Diabetes
Authors: Hummer Kimberly , Vannatta Jerry , Thompson David
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether locus of control (LOC) for internal LOC, powerful others, or chance is correlated with how well people control diabetes (measured by H1C).

Methods

The literature search included Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PsychArticles, Health Source, Academic Search Elite, EMBASE, Current Contents, and BIOsis databases, which yielded 296 articles. Selection criteria for inclusion were adult participants with diabetes mellitus, use of glycosylated hemoglobin (H1C) as a measure of glycemic control, measurement of a locus-of control scale, and a Pearson correlation (r) value. Seventeen articles met all inclusion criteria. The R package “metacor,” was used to perform a random effects meta-analysis and estimate correlation coefficients between the 3 LOC measurements and H1C.

Results

The strength of subjects ascribing an internal LOC (across 13 studies) was uncorrelated with H1C ( r = −0.0099; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.1092, 0.0893). A LOC ascribed to powerful others LOC (across 9 studies) was similarly uncorrelated with H1C (r = 0.0928; 95% CI, −0.0136, 0.1993). Ascribing LOC to chance (across 9 studies) was also uncorrelated with H1C (r = 0.0926; 95% CI, −0.0398, 0.2250).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis of 17 studies found no correlation between the control of diabetes and LOC. At best, there may be a weak correlation between powerful others and chance LOC with the metabolic control of diabetes. The use of LOC as a means of designing diabetes care can be discarded as this random effects meta-analysis found no significant correlation with effectiveness of diabetes control in adult patients.
Eating at Fast-Food Restaurants and Dietary Quality in Low-Income Pregnant Women
Authors: Fowles Eileen R. , Timmerman Gayle M. , Bryant Miranda , Kim SungHun
Published: December 2010

Little is known about how fast-food consumption affects dietary quality in women during the first trimester of pregnancy, which may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes. An observational design compared high versus low frequency of fast-food consumption in low-income pregnant women ( N = 50) during the first trimester. Although high-frequency fast-food consumers ate significantly more vegetables, they also consumed more gravies, less fruit, and more daily calories, with a higher percentage of total calories from fats. Those with high-frequency fast-food consumption were more likely to be obese, depressed, and stressed and they skipped more meals. In addition, the combination of depression, stress, and emotional eating depression and anxiety subscale scores explained 45% of the variance in dietary quality. High frequency of fast-food consumption contributed to poor dietary quality and excessive caloric intake, which may lead to excessive gestational weight gain.
Goal setting and action planning in the rehabilitation setting: development of a theoretically informed practice framework
Authors: Scobbie Lesley , Dixon Diane , Wyke Sally
Published: December 2010

Background: Setting and achieving goals is fundamental to rehabilitation practice but has been criticized for being a-theoretical and the key components of replicable goal-setting interventions are not well established.

Purpose: To describe the development of a theory-based goal setting practice framework for use in rehabilitation settings and to detail its component parts.

Methods: Causal modelling was used to map theories of behaviour change onto the process of setting and achieving rehabilitation goals, and to suggest the mechanisms through which patient outcomes are likely to be affected. A multidisciplinary task group developed the causal model into a practice framework for use in rehabilitation settings through iterative discussion and implementation with six patients.

Results: Four components of a goal-setting and action-planning practice framework were identified: (i) goal negotiation, (ii) goal identification, (iii) planning, and (iv) appraisal and feedback. The variables hypothesized to effect change in patient outcomes were self-efficacy and action plan attainment.

Conclusions: A theory-based goal setting practice framework for use in rehabilitation settings is described. The framework requires further development and systematic evaluation in a range of rehabilitation settings.
Documentary With Ephemeral Media: Curation Practices in Online Social Spaces
Authors: Erickson Ingrid
Published: December 2010

New hardware such as mobile handheld devices and digital cameras; new online social venues such as social networking, microblogging, and online photo sharing sites; and new infrastructures such as the global positioning system are beginning to establish new practices—what the author refers to as “sociolocative”—that combine data about a physical location, such as a geotag, with a virtual social act. This research investigates the phenomenon of documentary broadcasting, whereby individuals curate lasting descriptions and commentaries about a location for a public audience, often using the photo sharing site, Flickr. Unlike many photographs shared online, the subject of a documentary post is always a place and not the activities nor identity of the broadcaster himself or herself. When presented together as curated narratives, posted images transform Flickr into a virtual public “gallery space” that captures, presents, and preserves aspects of a place that may last longer than the physical location itself.
“Elections” or “Selections”? Blogging and Twittering the Nigerian 2007 General Elections
Authors: Ifukor Presley
Published: December 2010

This article examines the linguistic construction of textual messages in the use of blogs and Twitter in the Nigerian 2007 electoral cycle comprising the April 2007 general elections and rerun elections in April, May, and August 2009. A qualitative approach of discourse analysis is used to present a variety of discursive acts that blogging and microblogging afford social media users during the electoral cycle. The data are culled from 245 blog posts and 923 tweets. The thesis of the study is that citizens’ access to social media electronically empowers the electorates to be actively involved in democratic governance. Electronic empowerment is a direct result of access to social media (and mobile telephony) by more citizens who constitute the electorates. This encourages more public discussions about politics and makes the democratic process more dynamic than in the pre—social media era. An analysis of the data shows that there is a dialectical relationship between social media discourse and the process of political empowerment.
The Relative Importance of Quality of Care Information When Choosing a Hospital for Surgical Treatment
Authors: Marang-van de Mheen P. J. , Dijs-Elsinga J. , Otten W. , Versluijs M. , Smeets H. J. , Vree R. , van der Made W. J. , Kievit J.
Published: December 2010

Objective: To assess the impact of quality of care and other hospital information on patients’ choices between hospitals. Methods: 665 former surgical patients were invited to respond to an Internet-based questionnaire including a choice-based conjoint analysis. Each patient was presented with 12 different comparisons of 2 hospitals, with each hospital characterized by 6 attributes containing 2 levels. Hospital attributes were included if frequently reported by patients as most important for future hospital choices. These included both general hospital information (e.g., atmosphere), information on quality of care (e.g., percentage of patients with “textbook outcome”), and surgery-specific information (e.g., possibility for minimally invasive procedure). Hierarchial Bayes estimation was used to estimate the utilities for each attribute level for each patient. Based on the ranges of these utilities, the relative importance of each hospital attribute was determined for each participant as a measure of the impact on patients’ choices. Results: 308 (46.3%) questionnaires were available for analysis. Of the hospital attributes that patients considered, surgery-specific information on average had the highest relative importance (25.7 [23.9–27.5]), regardless of gender, age, and education. Waiting time and hospital atmosphere were considered least important. The attribute concerning the percentage of patients with “textbook outcomes” had the second greatest impact (18.3 [16.9–19.6]), which was similar for patients with different adverse outcome experience. Conclusions: Surgery-specific and quality of care information are more important than general information when patients choose between hospitals.
Toward a Classification of Juvenile Offenders: Subgroups of Serious Juvenile Offenders and Severity of Recidivism
Authors: Mulder Eva , Brand Eddy , Bullens Ruud , van Marle Hjalmar
Published: December 2010

The aim of this study was to identify subgroups of serious juvenile offenders on the basis of their risk profiles, using a data-driven approach. The sample consists of 1,147 of the top 5% most serious juvenile offenders in the Netherlands. A part of the sample, 728 juvenile offenders who had been released from the institution for at least 2 years, was included in analyses on recidivism and the prediction of recidivism. Six subgroups of serious juvenile offenders were identified with cluster analysis on the basis of their scores on 70 static and dynamic risk factors: Cluster 1, antisocial identity; Cluster 2, frequent offenders; Cluster 3, flat profile; Cluster 4, sexual problems and weak social identity; Cluster 5, sexual problems; and Cluster 6, problematic family background. Clusters 4 and 5 are the most serious offenders before treatment, committing mainly sex offences. However, they have significantly lower rates of recidivism than the other four groups. For each of the six clusters, a unique set of risk factors was found to predict severity of recidivism. The results suggest that intervention should aim at different risk factors for each subgroup.
Electrospun biohybrid materials for plant biocontrol containing chitosan andTrichoderma viridespores
Authors: Spasova Mariya , Manolova Nevena , Naydenov Mladen , Kuzmanova Jordanka , Rashkov Iliya
Published: December 2010

Nanofibrous mats containing chitosan and Trichoderma viride spores were successfully prepared by electrospinning. The presence of the fungal spores in the nanofibrous mats was determined by scanning electron microscopy. The viability of the incorporated spores was estimated by cultivating the obtained biohybrids and studying the fungus growth. The fungal spores incorporated into the chitosan-containing fibrous mats were viable; the T. viride developed and reproduced normally. The electrospun biohybrid materials inhibited the growth of diverse phytopathogenic strains ( Fusarium, Alternaria) when placed at suitable growth conditions. Coating the plant sprouts with the biohybrids by direct electrospinning was easily done.
New biodegradable drug-eluting stents for urethral strictures in a rabbit model
Authors: Wang Zhong-Xin , Hong Bao-Fa , Xu Zhang  , Fu Wei-Jun , Cui Fu-Zhai , Kun Hu
Published: December 2010

In this study, the feasibility and the effect of a new biodegradable drug-eluting urethral stents for the treatment of urethral stricture in a rabbit model were evaluated, and the biocompatibility properties of the new biodegradable drug-eluting urethral stents in the rabbit urethral assessed. A total of 34 male New Zealand White rabbits with urethral strictures were used, and equally divided into two groups: with drug stents and drug-free stents. The urethral strictures were made by using a self-control explosion device as the control. Stents were surgically implanted into the stenotic urethras of rabbits under direct vision. Reparative effects, including biocompatibility assessment, were evaluated by urethroscopy, retrograde urethrography, and histology at different intervals at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Although retrograde urethrography and urodynamic results at 12 weeks showed no comparable differences among the three groups, urethroscopic and histological follow-up indicated that the drug stents had minimized the stent-related inflammatory responses, urothelial hyperplasia, and scar formation compared with the drug-free stents. The new biodegradable paclitaxel-eluting stents were more biocompatible and effective for treating urethral strictures in the rabbit model than the drug-free stents.
Two Cheers for Institutional Work
Authors: Kraatz Matthew S.
Published: December 2010

This article responds to the preceding Lawrence, Suddaby, and Leca paper and offers comments that are both laudatory and critical. It also poses three key questions about the emerging field of institutional work.
Meaningful Use of School Health Data
Authors: Johnson Kathleen Hoy , Bergren Martha Dewey
Published: December 2010

Meaningful use (MU) of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is an important development in the safety and security of health care delivery in the United States. Advancement in the use of EHRs occurred with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provides incentives for providers to support adoption and use of EHRs. School nurses play an important role in alerting the public and key decision makers to the value of school health data to the MU of EHRs. The timeline for adopting MU of EHRs is short and school nurses must participate in the process to assure MU of school health data. This article describes MU and the importance of this federal action to school health.
Estimating and Comparing Specific Mediation Effects in Complex Latent Variable Models
Authors: Lau Rebecca S. , Cheung Gordon W.
Published: December 2010

This teaching note starts with a demonstration of a straightforward procedure using M plus Version 6 to produce a bias-corrected (BC) bootstrap confidence interval for testing a specific mediation effect in a complex latent variable model. The procedure is extended to constructing a BC bootstrap confidence interval for the difference between two specific mediation effects. The extended procedure not only tells whether the strengths of any direct and mediation effects or any two specific mediation effects in a latent variable model are significantly different but also provides an estimate and a confidence interval for the difference. However, the M plus procedures do not allow the estimation of a BC bootstrap confidence interval for the difference between two standardized mediation effects. This teaching note thus demonstrates the LISREL procedures for constructing BC confidence intervals for specific standardized mediation effects and for comparing two standardized mediation effects. Finally, procedures combining M plus and PRELIS are demonstrated for constructing BC bootstrap confidence intervals for the difference between the between-part and within-part path coefficients in multilevel models and for examining models with interactions of latent variables.
The Willingness to Pay to Keep a Football Club in a City: How Important are the Methodological Issues?
Authors: Castellanos Pablo , García Jaume , Sánchez José Manuel
Published: December 2010

The contingent valuation method (CVM) is used to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) to keep a football club in a city in Spain (R. C. Deportivo de A Coruña). The authors pay attention to the distinction between genuine and protest zeros in the answer to an open-ended question. The authors propose the use of a Double Hurdle model where the information in the questionnaire for identifying the zeros is not used. The estimated nonuse value represents more than 81% of the total value. Nevertheless, when aggregating the sample estimates to population figures, the WTP is far below the amount of money of some potential decisions of the public authorities.
The Singer or the Singing: Who Sings Individually to Persons With Dementia and What Are the Effects?
Authors: Chatterton Wendy , Baker Felicity , Morgan Kylie
Published: December 2010

‘‘Live’’ singing to persons with dementia (PWDs) may be an underused but highly accessible resource for their caregivers, regardless of qualifications. A systematic literature review sought to illuminate who sings to PWDs, and with what objectives and effects, to address the question of whether it is the singer or the singing which is effective. The literature revealed that music therapists seek to address cognitive, behavioral, physiological, and social factors through one-to-one singing, whereas other caregivers are more broadly concerned with quality of life, often through facilitating activities of daily living. All included studies concurred that individual singing to PWDs can be effective in a variety of ways, depending on contexts and goals. PWD’s perceptions of situations may influence the effectiveness of singing interventions. Music therapists are urged to empower professional caregivers to sing sensitively to PWDs during caregiving activities.
Reviews: Effects of Transdermal Rivastigmine on ADAS-Cog Items in Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Grossberg George T. , Schmitt Frederick A. , Xiangyi Meng  , Tekin Sibel , Olin Jason
Published: December 2010

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients treated with rivastigmine transdermal patch have shown statistically significant differences versus placebo on the AD Assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). In this retrospective analysis of a double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, 24-week clinical trial, the specific effects of rivastigmine patch on individual ADAS-cog items and cognitive domains (memory, language, and praxis) were explored. The mean baseline to week 24 changes were calculated for each ADAS-cog item and domain in this exploratory, hypothesis-generating analysis. Patients on 9.5 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch, 17.4 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch, and 3 to 12 mg/d rivastigmine capsules showed improvements over placebo on the memory and praxis ADAS-cog subscales. The rivastigmine patch groups also showed improvements on the language subscale. Significant differences versus placebo were seen on several individual item scores in the rivastigmine-treated groups. Rivastigmine patch was associated with improvements on the memory, praxis, and language domains of cognition in patients with mild-to-moderate AD.
Multisensory Stimulation to Improve Functional Performance in Moderate to Severe Dementia—Interim Results
Authors: Collier Lesley , McPherson Kathryn , Ellis-Hill Caroline , Staal Jason , Bucks Romola
Published: December 2010

Dementia is a growing problem worldwide and interventions to effectively manage and promote function are urgently required. Multisensory environments (MSEs) have been used extensively with people with dementia; however, no studies have been conducted to explore the efficacy of sensory stimulation on functional performance. This study explores to what extent multisensory stimulation influences functional performance in people with moderate-to-severe dementia using an MSE compared with a control activity. Thirty participants with moderate-to-severe dementia were recruited from the South of England. Following baseline assessment and design of a bespoke intervention, each participant attended their allocated intervention (3 x week, for 4 weeks). Assessments were carried out pre and postsession using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills. Results indicate significant improvement in functional performance in both the MSE and the control activity. Findings support the use of MSEs as a strategy for enhancing functional performance in dementia.
Coverage of Alzheimer’s Disease From 1984 to 2008 in Television News and Information Talk Shows in the United States: An Analysis of News Framing
Authors: Kang Seok , Gearhart Sherice , Bae Hyuhn-Suhck
Published: December 2010

This study examined 1371 TV news transcripts on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from 6 TV news networks during a 25-year period (1984-2008) employing the news framing perspective. Issues, sources, and episodic-thematic news about AD derived from the news framing perspective were analyzed. Results revealed that AD issues, such as treatments, personal stories, celebrities, and policy increased over time, whereas other issues including facts, causes, signs, and diagnosis received relatively limited news attention. Correlation analyses among episodic-thematic frames, issues, and sources found that episodic-thematic frames were positively linked with such issues as personal stories and policy and sources, including patients and politicians. The results suggest that although TV news covers episodic frames more than thematic ones, both frames can interact with each other to influence personal and social news about AD. Particularly, the role of celebrity affecting AD news at both individual and social levels is salient.