bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcoholic Beverage Intake and Risk of Lung Cancer: The California Men's Health Study
Authors: Chao Chun , Slezak Jeff M. , Caan Bette J. , Quinn Virginia P.
Published: October 2008

We investigated the effect of alcoholic beverage consumption on the risk of lung cancer using the California Men's Health Study.

Methods: The California Men's Health Study is a multiethnic cohort of 84,170 men ages 45 to 69 years who are members of the Kaiser Permanente California health plans. Demographics and detailed lifestyle characteristics were collected from surveys mailed between 2000 and 2003. Incident lung cancer cases were identified by health plan cancer registries through December 2006 (n = 210). Multivariable Cox's regression was used to examine the effects of beer, red wine, white wine (including rosé), and liquor consumption on risk of lung cancer adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, body mass index, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, and smoking history.

Results: There was a significant linear decrease in risk of lung cancer associated with consumption of red wine among ever-smokers: hazard ratio (HR), 0.98; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.96-1.00 for increase of 1 drink per month. This relationship was slightly stronger among heavy smokers (≥20 pack-years): HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-1.00. When alcoholic beverage consumption was examined by frequency of intake, consumption of ≥1 drink of red wine per day was associated with an approximately 60% reduced lung cancer risk in ever-smokers: HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.14-1.08. No clear associations with lung cancer were seen for intake of white wine, beer, or liquor.

Conclusion: Moderate red wine consumption was inversely associated with lung cancer risk after adjusting for confounders. Our results should not be extrapolated to heavy alcohol consumption. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2692–9)
A Population-Based, Descriptive Analysis of Malignant Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas
Authors: Le Hoa , Ziogas Argyrios , Rhee Jessica M. , Lee John G. , Lipkin Steven M. , Zell Jason A.
Published: October 2008

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are distinct precursor lesions that can progress to pancreatic adenocarcinoma; thus, it has been of particular interest to cancer prevention researchers. We set out to do a population-based analysis of malignant IPMNs compared with other pancreatic subtypes to better delineate its characteristics and explore implications for prevention and management.

Methods: We conducted a case-only analysis of California Cancer Registry data (2000-2007), including descriptive analysis of relevant clinical variables. Overall survival univariate analyses were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate survival analyses were done using Cox proportional hazards ratios.

Results: Overall, 15,296 pancreatic cancer cases were identified, including incident cases of 10,186 adenocarcinomas, 880 mucinous tumors, 568 endocrine tumors, 3,619 carcinoma not otherwise specified tumors, and 43 malignant IPMNs. Thirty-three (80.5%) IPMN cases had localized disease at presentation, eight had regional disease (19.5%), and no IPMNs were identified with distant disease (two were unstaged). Five-year overall survival was better for malignant IPMN cases (65%) compared with pancreatic endocrine tumors (30%), mucinous tumors (5%), carcinoma not otherwise specified (2%), and adenocarcinoma cases (2%). Compared with adenocarcinoma cases, malignant IPMN cases (hazard ratio = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.10-0.35), endocrine tumors (hazard ratio = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.25-0.32), and mucinous tumors (hazard ratio = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.90) had higher overall survival in a multivariate survival analysis after adjustment for age, gender, stage, race, socioeconomic status, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Conclusions: Pancreatic malignant IPMNs represent an uncommon pancreatic tumor subtype, uniquely characterized by early stage at presentation and better survival. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2737–41)
Multianalyte Profiling of Serum Antigens and Autoimmune and Infectious Disease Molecules to Identify Biomarkers Dysregulated in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Bertenshaw Greg P. , Yip Ping , Seshaiah Partha , Zhao Jinghua , Chen Tzong-Hao , Wiggins Wesley S. , Mapes James P. , Mansfield Brian C.
Published: October 2008

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer in the United States. When detected early, the 5-year survival rate is 92%, although most cases remain undetected until the late stages where 5-year survival rates are 30%. Serum biomarkers may hold promise. Although many markers have been proposed and multivariate diagnostic models were built to fit the data on small, disparate sample sets, there has been no systematic evaluation of these markers on a single, large, well-defined sample set. To address this, we evaluated the dysregulation of 204 molecules in a sample set consisting of serum from 294 patients, collected from multiple collection sites, under a well-defined Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol. The population, weighted with early-stage cancers to assess biomarker value for early detection, contained all stages of ovarian cancer and common benign gynecologic conditions. The panel of serum molecules was assayed using rigorously qualified, high-throughput, multiplexed immunoassays and evaluated for their independent ovarian cancer diagnostic potential. Seventy-seven biomarkers were dysregulated in the ovarian cancer samples, although cancer antigen 125, C-reactive protein, epidermal growth factor receptor, interleukin 10, interleukin 8, connective tissue growth factor, haptoglobin, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 stood out as the most informative. When analyzed by cancer subtype and stage, there were differences in the relative value of biomarkers. In this study, using a large sample cohort, we show that some of the reported ovarian cancer biomarkers are more robust than others, and we identify additional informative candidates. These findings may guide the development of multivariate diagnostic models, which should be tested on additional, prospectively collected samples. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2872–81)
Alcohol Drinking and One-Carbon Metabolism-Related Gene Polymorphisms on Pancreatic Cancer Risk
Authors: Suzuki Takeshi , Matsuo Keitaro , Sawaki Akira , Mizuno Nobumasa , Hiraki Akio , Kawase Takakazu , Watanabe Miki , Nakamura Tsuneya , Yamao Kenji , Tajima Kazuo , Tanaka Hideo
Published: October 2008

Effect of alcohol consumption on pancreatic cancer risk has been investigated in many studies, but results have been inconsistent. We conducted a case-control study to assess the effect of alcohol on pancreatic cancer in conjunction with polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism enzymes, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T), methionine synthase (MTR A2756G), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR A66G), and thymidylate synthase (TS) variable number of tandem repeat. A total of 157 pancreatic cancer patients and 785 age- and sex- matched control subjects were genotyped for polymorphisms. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic models adjusted for potential confounders. Heavy alcohol drinking was marginally associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.00-3.62). None of the polymorphisms showed any significant effect on pancreatic cancer risk by genotype alone. In stratified analysis, effect of alcohol consumption on pancreatic cancer was observed in individuals with the MTHFR 667 CC, MTR 2756 AA, or MTRR 66 G allele. OR (95% CI) of pancreatic cancer for heavy drinkers compared with never drinkers was 4.50 (1.44-14.05) in the MTHFR 667 CC genotype, 2.65 (1.17-6.00) in the MTR 2756 AA genotype, and 3.35 (1.34-8.36) in the MTRR 66 G allele carriers. These results suggest that the folate-related enzyme polymorphism modifies the association between drinking habit and pancreatic cancer risk. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2742–7)
Differences in Estrogen Receptor Subtype According to Family History of Breast Cancer among Hispanic, but not Non-Hispanic White Women
Authors: Hines Lisa M. , Risendal Betsy , Slattery Martha L. , Baumgartner Kathy B. , Giuliano Anna R. , Byers Tim
Published: October 2008

Background: Pathologic differences have been reported among breast tumors when comparing ethnic populations. Limited research has been done to evaluate the ethnic-specific relationships between breast cancer risk factors and the pathologic features of breast tumors.

Methods: Given that genetic variation may contribute to ethnic-related etiologic differences in breast cancer, we hypothesized that tumor characteristics differ according to family history of breast cancer among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White (NHW) women. Logistic regression models were used to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) to assess this relationship in the population-based, case-control 4-Corners Breast Cancer Study (1,537 cases and 2,452 controls).

Results: Among Hispanic women, having a family history was associated with a 2.7-fold increased risk of estrogen receptor (ER) negative (95% CI, 1.59-4.44), but not ER positive tumors (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.71-1.54) when compared with women without breast cancer. In contrast, there was an increased risk for ER positive (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.50-2.38) and a marginally significant increased risk for ER negative tumors (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.92-2.17) among NHW women. When comparing tumor characteristics among invasive cases, those with a family history also had a significantly higher proportion of ER negative tumors among Hispanics (39.2% versus 25.8%; P = 0.02), but not among NHWs (16.3% versus 21.1%; P = 0.13).

Conclusions: These results may reflect ethnic-specific predisposing genetic factors that promote the development of specific breast tumor subtypes, and emphasize the importance of evaluating the relationship between breast cancer risk factors and breast tumor subtypes among different ethnic populations. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2700–6)
Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Absorption-Enhanced 3,3′-Diindolylmethane in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Reed Gregory A. , Sunega Jean M. , Sullivan Debra K. , Gray John C. , Mayo Matthew S. , Crowell James A. , Hurwitz Aryeh
Published: October 2008

We have completed a single ascending dose clinical study of the proposed chemopreventive agent 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM). The study agent was nutritional-grade, absorption-enhanced BioResponse 3,3′-diindolylmethane (BR-DIM). We determined the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single doses of BR-DIM in drug-free, non-smoking, healthy men and women. Groups of four subjects were enrolled for each dose level. After randomization, one subject in each group received placebo whereas three received active BR-DIM. The doses administered were 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mg, with the 300-mg dose repeated in an additional group. No BR-DIM–related adverse effects were reported at doses up to 200 mg. At the 300-mg dose, one of six subjects reported mild nausea and headache and one also reported vomiting. Only the latter effect was judged as probably related to the study agent. Analysis of serial plasma samples showed that only one subject at the 50-mg dose had detectable concentrations of DIM. The single 100-mg dose of BR-DIM resulted in a mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 32 ng/mL and a mean area under the curve (AUC) of 128 h ng/mL, and a single 200-mg dose produced a mean Cmax of 104 ng/mL and a mean AUC of 553 h ng/mL. The single 300-mg dose of BR-DIM resulted in a mean Cmax of 108 ng/mL and a mean AUC of 532 h ng/mL. We conclude that BR-DIM is well tolerated at single doses of up to 200 mg, and that increasing the dose to 300 mg did not result in an increase in Cmax. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2619–24)
A Prospective Study of Dietary Folate and Vitamin B and Colon Cancer According to Microsatellite Instability and KRAS Mutational Status
Authors: Schernhammer Eva S. , Giovannuccci Edward , Fuchs Charles S. , Ogino Shuji
Published: October 2008

Sporadic microsatellite instability (MSI)-high colon cancers are positively associated with MLH1 promoter methylation and inversely with KRAS mutation. One-carbon metabolism is critical for methylation reactions and nucleotide biosynthesis, but the influence of dietary one-carbon nutrients such as folate and B vitamins on molecular changes in colon cancer is not known. Using the database of two independent prospective cohort studies (88,691 women and 47,371 men), we examined the relation between dietary intake of one-carbon nutrients and the incidence of microsatellite instability and KRAS mutation in 669 incident colon cancers. The overall inverse association between folate and colon cancer did not differ significantly according to MSI status [relative ratio (RR), 0.79; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.60-1.03 for microsatellite stable/MSI-low colon cancers; and RR, 0.61, 95% CI, 0.37-1.02 for MSI-high colon cancers; Pheterogeneity = 0.53] or KRAS status (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.87 for KRAS wild-type colon cancers; and RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.68-1.61 for KRAS mutated colon cancers; Pheterogeneity = 0.12), although our analyses had limited power to preclude an effect of folate on KRAS wild-type colon cancers. Similarly, high vitamin B6 or B12 intake was inversely associated with colon cancers, regardless of MSI or KRAS status. No significant effect of methionine intake or alcohol consumption was observed for colon cancers with MSI high or KRAS mutation. In conclusion, the influence of dietary one-carbon nutrient intake on colon cancer risk does not seem to differ according to MSI or KRAS mutational status. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2895–8)
Rituximab-Induced Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Authors: Tonelli Adriano R. , Lottenberg Richard , Allan Robert W. , Sriram P.S.
Published: October 2008

Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody used to treat CD20+ non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although pulmonary adverse reactions such as cough, rhinitis, bronchospasm, dyspnea and sinusitis are relatively common, other respiratory conditions like cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, interstitial pneumonitis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage have rarely been reported. Only 2 possible cases of rituximab-associated hypersensitivity pneumonitis have been described to date. We present a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis with classic radiographic and histopathologic findings in a patient treated with rituximab who responded to prednisone.
Mortality from Occupational Exposure to Relatively Pure Chrysotile: A 39-Year Study
Authors: Sichletidis L. , Chloros D. , Spyratos D. , Haidich A.-B. , Fourkiotou I. , Kakoura M. , Patakas D.
Published: October 2008

Background: Asbestos exposure is related to serious adverse health effects. However, there is disagreement about the relationship between chrysotile exposure and mesothelioma or lung cancer. Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the mortality rate among workers exposed to relatively pure chrysotile in an asbestos cement factory. Patients and Methods: In an asbestos cement plant opened in 1968, we prospectively studied all 317 workers. A quantity of 2,000 tons of chrysotile, with minimal amphibole contamination, was used annually until 1 January 2005. Asbestos fiber concentration was measured regularly. Date and cause of death were recorded among active and retired workers. Results: Asbestos fiber concentration was always below permissible levels. Fifty-two workers died during the study. The cause was cancer in 28 subjects; lung cancer was diagnosed in 16 of them. No case of mesothelioma was reported. Death was attributed to cardiovascular diseases in 23 subjects and to liver cirrhosis in 1. Overall mortality rate was significantly lower than that of the Greek general population, standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 0.71 (95% CI 0.53–0.93). Mortality due to cancer was increased (SMR 1.15, 95% CI 0.77–1.67), mainly due to lung cancer mortality (SMR 1.71, 95% CI 0.98–2.78), but not significantly. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to relatively pure chrysotile within permissible levels was not associated with a significant increase in lung cancer or with mesothelioma. Decreased overall mortality of workers indicates a healthy worker effect, which – together with the relatively small cohort size – could have prevented small risks to be detected.
Spaced Retrieval Significantly Improves Prospective Memory Performance of Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Authors: Ozgis Sesil , Rendell Peter G. , Henry Julie D.
Published: October 2008

Background: Although memory for future intentions (prospective memory, PM) is compromised in older adults with cognitive impairment, the effectiveness of specific training techniques to help these older adults with PM tasks remains unclear. Objective: The present study examined the effectiveness of spaced retrieval (rehearsing at increasingly spaced intervals) as an intervention for improving PM in cognitively impaired older adults. Methods: Healthy older adults (n = 40) and cognitively impaired older adults (n = 30) were randomly assigned to either a spaced retrieval or a standard rehearsal condition. Results: Whilst both groups benefited from the spaced retrieval intervention, enhancement effects were substantial for the cognitively impaired older adults, and no main effect of group was observed in this condition. Conclusion: These data indicate that spaced retrieval may be an effective means of helping cognitively impaired older adults maintain functional independence.
Comparison of Electroanatomic Contact and Noncontact Mapping of Ventricular Scar in a Postinfarct Ovine Model With Intramural Needle Electrode Recording and Histological Validation
Authors: Sivagangabalan Gopal , Pouliopoulos Jim , Huang Kaimin , Lu Juntang , Barry Michael A. , Thiagalingam Aravinda , Ross David L. , Thomas Stuart P. , Kovoor Pramesh
Published: October 2008

Background—

Substrate-based ablation is useful for nonhemodynamically tolerated postinfarct ventricular tachycardia. We assessed the accuracy of the CARTO contact and EnSite noncontact systems at identifying scar in a chronic ovine model with intramural plunge needle electrode recording and histological validation.

Methods and Results—

Scar mapping was performed on 8 male sheep with previous percutaneous-induced myocardial infarction. Up to 20 plunge needles were inserted into the left ventricle of each animal in areas of dense scar, scar border, and normal myocardium. A simultaneous CARTO map and EnSite geometry were acquired using a single catheter, and needle electrode locations were registered. A dynamic substrate map was constructed using ratiometric 50% peak negative voltage. The scar percentage around each needle location was quantified histologically. Analysis was performed on 152 plunge needles and corresponding histological blocks. Spearman correlation with histology was 0.690 (
P
<0.001) for needle electrode peak-to-peak voltage (PPV), 0.362 (
P
<0.001) and 0.492 (
P
<0.001) for CARTO bipolar and unipolar PPV, and 0.381 (
P
<0.001) for EnSite dynamic substrate map (≤40 mm from array). The area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (<50% and ≥50% scar) was 0.896 for needle electrode PPV, 0.726 and 0.697 for CARTO bipolar and unipolar PPV, and 0.703 for EnSite dynamic substrate map (≤40 mm from array).

Conclusions—

Both the CARTO contact and EnSite noncontact systems were moderately accurate in identifying postinfarct scar when compared with intramural electrodes and confirmed with histology. The EnSite dynamic substrate map was comparable to the CARTO contact bipolar PPV when points >40 mm from the array were excluded.
Revealed Comparative Advantage of Malaysian Exports: The Case for Changing Export Composition
Authors: Abidin Mahani Zainal , Loke Wai Heng
Published: October 2008

Since 2000, Malaysian-manufactured exports performance has been declining. The downturn of the global electronic industry and the rise of China's economy are the two major causes of this decline. To improve export performance, Malaysia participates in multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade liberalization. The competitiveness of Malaysian manufactured exports can be improved by examining the pattern of revealed comparative advantage (RCA). Within the non-resource-based manufactured exports, Malaysia still has comparative advantage for electrical and electronic goods and machinery (its largest export item), even though it has been on a decline. Malaysia's export strength has also gradually shifted from non-resource-based to resource-based manufactured exports. The RCA estimates also suggest that trade liberalization must not only lower or eliminate tariffs on final products, but also reduce import duties if exports were to increase their competitiveness.
China's Exchange Rate and Monetary Policies: Structural and Institutional Constraints and Reform Options
Authors: Xiao Geng
Published: October 2008

This paper argues that declining transaction costs in exporting on the one hand and the structural and institutional barriers to importing and consumption on the other hand are the main causes for China's rising current account surplus. Reforms in China's planning, financial, and regulatory systems are more important than adjustment in nominal exchange rate for balancing China's trade and for China's surplus capital to hire more of its surplus labor. Although structural inflation and currency appreciation are necessary for China's price level to catch up step-by-step with those in the advanced economies, the pace of inflation and appreciation need to be compatible with China's underlying productivity growth. An “inflation first and appreciation second” approach would help China avoid the risks of both deflation and runaway inflation. The United States and China can have win–win results if both focus on the real constraints behind their external imbalances.
Understanding the Sources of Friction in U.S.–China Trade Relations: The Exchange Rate Debate Diverts Attention from Optimum Adjustment
Authors: Woo Wing Thye
Published: October 2008

China has been accused of exchange rate manipulation that has caused large U.S. trade deficits, which have reduced U.S. welfare by increasing unemployment and reducing wages. In fact, the strong claims by some observers that the trade imbalances are deeply deleterious to China's welfare almost make it a moral imperative for the United States to use tariffs to force an renminbi (RMB) appreciation for China's own good.
Knowledge and Management of Fever Among Latino Parents
Authors: Crocetti Michael , Sabath Bruce , Cranmer Lisa , Gubser Sasha , Dooley Danielle
Published: October 2008

Fever is a common childhood condition that is often misunderstood and incorrectly managed by parents. This study uses a questionnaire about fever administered to a convenience sample of Spanish-speaking-only parents bringing their child to a hospital-based urban pediatric clinic. The questionnaire elicits information about definition and cause of fever, concerns about fever, methods of temperature measurement, and treatment modalities used by the parents. Latino parents have numerous misconceptions about fever and its role in illness. Educational interventions should target fever definition, clarification of cause and potential harm of elevated temperatures, temperature monitoring, and safe treatment modalities. Owning a thermometer is strongly associated with correct knowledge of temperature values. Providing parents with a thermometer and educating them about its proper use may lead to an increase in appropriate monitoring and medical treatment of the febrile child.
The Blame Game
Authors: Knobloch-Westerwick Silvia , Taylor Laramie D.
Published: October 2008

“Blame game” coverage relates to news about actors in the public arena as they try to deflect, deflate, or diffuse blame for negative events so that the public does not view them as the cause of harm. The current research looks at formal differences in news presentations and how they affect causal attributions of news readers and subsequent support for agents in the news and policy preferences. In Study 1, verb voice was manipulated in four news stories with one key agent; when active voice was used to describe actions relative to an event, that agent was more seen as the cause of that event than when passive voice was used. Study 2 demonstrated, based on three news reports about conflicts, that facets of causal attributions—perceived control and intention— affect perceptions of agents' traits, as well as assent and support for the changes targeted by the news agents.
Exploring Implications of Perceived Media Reinforcement on Third-Person Perceptions
Authors: Oliver Mary Beth , Yang Hyeseung , Ramasubramanian Srividya , Kim Jinhee , Lee Sangki
Published: October 2008

This research explores the idea that when making estimates of media influence on the self and others, individuals often assume reinforcement of existing attitudes rather than assume that media content necessarily creates or changes attitudes. Consequently, perceptions of favorable attitudes on an issue should result in judgments that media strengthen favorable attitudes, and perceptions of unfavorable attitudes should result in judgments that media strengthen unfavorable attitudes. Two studies were conducted: a survey concerning attitudes toward affirmative action in higher education, and an experiment concerning responses to news coverage and responses to media violence. Support for perceived media reinforcement was obtained for both news content and, to a lesser extent, for media violence. Results are discussed in terms of providing a framework for interpreting third-person perceptions.
Psychosocial Predictors of Clinicians' Recommendations and Judges' Placement Orders in a Juvenile Court
Authors: O'Donnell Philip C. , Lurigio Arthur J.
Published: October 2008

A large proportion of youthful offenders who enter the juvenile justice system have psychiatric disorders and psychosocial risk factors that perpetuate delinquency, and addressing these issues has been a growing concern of juvenile courts nationwide. This study examines the relationship between the clinical information provided through comprehensive forensic assessments and clinicians' recommendations for placement (community setting vs. secure facility) and judges' sentencing decisions. The sample included 248 youth, ranging from 11 to 17 years old, who were adjudicated in the Cook County (Chicago) Juvenile Court. A reliable and valid approach for coding psychosocial variables is also presented as a prototype for future research. Consistent with previous studies, results show that judges are inclined to adopt clinical recommendations and that the material provided by comprehensive clinical evaluations could diminish the effects of offense and delinquency-based factors on dispositions.
A Meta-Analysis of Juvenile Justice Risk Assessment Instruments
Authors: Schwalbe Craig S.
Published: October 2008

Juvenile justice systems have widely adopted risk assessment instruments to support judicial and administrative decisions about sanctioning severity and restrictiveness of care. A little explored property of these instruments is the extent to which their predictive validity generalizes across gender. The article reports on a meta-analysis of risk assessment predictive validity with male and female offenders. Nineteen studies encompassing 20 unique samples met inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that predictive validity estimates are equivalent for male and female offenders and are consistent with results of other meta-analyses in the field. The findings also indicate that when gender differences are observed in individual studies, they provide evidence for gender biases in juvenile justice decision-making and case processing rather than for the ineffectiveness of risk assessment with female offenders.
Evaluation of Core Vocabulary intervention for treatment of inconsistent phonological disorder: Three treatment case studies
Authors: McIntosh Beth , Dodd Barbara
Published: October 2008

Children with unintelligible speech differ in severity, underlying deficit, type of surface error patterns and response to treatment. Detailed treatment case studies, evaluating specific intervention protocols for particular diagnostic groups, can identify best practice for children with speech disorder. Three treatment case studies evaluated the efficacy of Core Vocabulary intervention for three boys with inconsistent speech disorder. The cases examined the effects of previous intervention, use of default preferred word plans and behaviour disorder on intervention outcome. Inconsistent speech disorder was diagnosed after Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology assessment. A Core Vocabulary approach to intervention was selected to focus on planning whole word production rather than surface error patterns or specific sound features. Individual differences between cases led to different amounts of intervention and the number of words taught during intervention. All three boys showed gains in intelligibility, accuracy and consistency of word production. Core Vocabulary intervention was shown to be appropriate for all three children, although their individual differences required clinical adaptation of the approach.
Requests for clarification and children's speech responses: Changing `pasghetti' to `spaghetti'
Authors: Gozzard Haley , Baker Elise , McCabe Patricia
Published: October 2008

One way children improve their pronunciation of monosyllabic words is via clarification requests, specifically, the adult saying an incorrect production that differs from the child's incorrect production (Weiner and Ostrowski, 1979). The aim of this study was to investigate children's responses to clarification requests when producing polysyllabic words (three or more syllables). Six typically developing children, aged 4;1 to 4;9 years, produced polysyllabic words during both a single word task and in conversational speech. When participants produced polysyllabic words incorrectly, a predetermined clarification request was used. Following this request, participants improved in their production of polysyllabic words, suggesting that clarification requests may have therapeutic applications.
Investigating adult language input and young children's responses in naturalistic environments: An Observational Framework
Authors: Marinac Julie V. , Woodyatt Gail C. , Ozanne Anne E.
Published: October 2008

This paper reports the design and trial of an original Observational Framework for quantitative investigation of young children's responses to adult language in their typical language learning environments. The Framework permits recording of both the response expectation of the adult utterances, and the degree of compliance in the child's responses. The former are evaluated under the categories of Response Required (RR), Response Not Required (RNR), and Other Directed (OD) spoken to a child other than the one who responds); the latter, based on both verbal and non-verbal behaviours, as Compliance (correct in the context), Valid (correct in another context), Ambiguous (unable to be classified), Acknowledgement, Inappropriate and No Response. Details are given for the initial application of the Observational Framework with 10 children in two- or three-year-old childcare centre classrooms. The findings that RR utterances in the adult input were more frequently addressed to younger children, while RNR utterances were more prevalent in the older classroom are discussed in terms of both adult and child communicative behaviours and the practicality of using the Observational Framework in naturalistic conditions.
Children's reading comprehension and narrative recall in sung and spoken story contexts
Authors: Kouri Theresa , Telander Karen
Published: October 2008

A growing number of reading professionals have advocated teaching literacy through music and song; however, little research exists supporting such practices. The purpose of this study was to determine if sung story book readings would enhance story comprehension and narrative re-tellings in children with histories of speech and language delay. Thirty kindergarten and first grade children listened to story books read in either a sung or spoken voice and were then asked to retell stories and answer story comprehension questions. Findings revealed that story re-telling and comprehension scores did not differ between conditions; however, certain advantages associated with language expression and attentional focus were indicated in both conditions.
Dimensional and Geometric Deviations Induced by Drilling of Polymeric Composite
Authors: Faria P.E. , Campos Rubio J.C. , Abrão A.M. , Davim J.P.
Published: October 2008

Tool material, tool wear, and machining parameters drastically affect the quality of holes produced in polymeric composites and, therefore, the performance of the finished component. This article investigates the influence of the above-mentioned factors on thrust force, diameter, and roundness deviations on holes generated after drilling glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. High speed steel and cemented carbide drills were tested as tool materials and the results indicated that the high speed steel drill presented severe wear after drilling 1000 holes, thus promoting high thrust force and roundness deviation values, in addition to hole diameter figures considerably smaller than the nominal value. On the other hand, after drilling 10,000 holes the carbide drill presented lower wear land and, consequently, lower thrust force values, producing holes with superior dimensional and geometric quality.
Mechanical Strength of Glass-fibers Cloth (GFC) Reinforced Novel Environment Degradable Unsaturated Poly(ester-amide) Composites
Authors: Ai Yong-Ping , Shi Zong-Li , Guo Wen-Xun
Published: October 2008

A new type of degradable unsaturated poly(ester-amide), viz. maleic anhydride-phthalic anhydride-ethylene glycol-neopentylene glycol-caprolactam copolymer was prepared by melt polycondensation and characterization. The glass-fiber cloth (GFC) was used to boost up the new unsaturated poly(ester-amide). Mechanical strength of GFC/unsaturated poly(ester-amide) composites with different GFC content was measured. The results show mechanical strength of GFC/unsaturated poly(ester-amide) composites has maximum values (compressive strength 174.6 MPa, flexural strength 283.8 MPa, impact strength 123.1 KJ/m2), as GFC content increased, the cross-linked unsaturated poly(ester-amide) could be hydrolyzed completely in 1.0 M NaOH standard solution at room temperature.
Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Carbon Black Composites
Authors: Kanbur Yasin , Küçükyavuz Zuhal
Published: October 2008

Polypropylene(PP)/carbon black(CB) composites at different compositions were prepared via melt blending of PP with CB. The effect of CB content on mechanical and electrical properties was studied. Test samples were prepared by injection molding and compression molding techniques. The effect of processing type on mechanical and electrical properties was also investigated. Composites become semi-conductive by addition of 2 wt% CB. The relation between mechanical and electrical properties was discussed. The influence of CB content on morphology and crystallinity was also studied.
Thermal Degradation Parameters and Tensile Properties of Borassus flabellifer Fruit Fiber Reinforcement
Authors: Reddy K. Obi , Maheswari C. Uma , Rajulu A. Varada , Guduri B.R.
Published: October 2008

The fibers were extracted from ripened Borassus fruits. Two types of fibers were found in the fruits — coarse and fine fibers. Some of both these fibers were treated with 5% aq. NaOH solution. The primary thermograms of the untreated and alkali treated fibers were recorded in an inert atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min. Using these thermograms, the initial and final degradation temperatures, and the inflection temperature were determined. Using Doyle’s method, the integral procedural degradation temperature was also determined. The thermal stability of the fibers was found to increase slightly in alkali treatment. The tensile parameters-maximum stress, Young’s modulus, and percent elongation at break of the untreated and alkali treated fibers, were determined using a universal testing machine. The tensile properties of the both fibers were found to increase on alkali treatment.
A New Look at Episodes of Mistaken Identity
Authors: Dran David S.
Published: October 2008

Facility caregivers of persons with dementia in residential facilities often find themselves mistaken by residents for people from the residents' past. Such episodes of mistaken identity are usually considered a sign of impairment and simply ignored. This study presents vignettes in which facility caregivers played roles from the resident's past, briefly and without rehearsal or deliberation. During these episodes, residents were able to experience a continuity of identity, a sense of belonging, and a recognition for past accomplishment. This article argues that these brief episodes of mistaken identity were spontaneous opportunities to preserve the personhood of persons with dementia.
Experimental studies on the bone metabolism of male rats chronically exposed to cadmium intoxication using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Yokota H , Tonami H
Published: October 2008

Cadmium (Cd) has been identified as the etiologic agent of itai-itai disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether chronic Cd exposure affects bone metabolism in a male rat model and to estimate the bone mineral density (BMD) differences in lumbar and femoral bone because of Cd exposure. Six-week-old male Hos Donryu rats were used in this experiment. Cadmium was administered at a dose of 200 ppm to rats in the diet to produce experimental chronic Cd poisoning. Bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) with a high-resolution scan collimator (0.25 mm diameter) (Hologic QDR-2000). The Cd content in renal tissue reached a critical concentration of 128.42 ± 14.38 μg/g 10 months after the administration of the element (Table 3). The average blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value was increased throughout the period of the experiment, and the serum creatinine value of the experimental group showed an increase after 2 months of Cd administration (0.46 ± 0.09 mg/dL). The concentration of urinary calcium changed in the experimental group after exposure to Cd for 12 months (15.4 ± 0.13 mg/dL). DEXA showed a greater reduction in the bone mineral density of the 5th vertebral body (L5) in rats that had ingested Cd for 4 months (0.359 ± 0.013 g/cm2) than in control rats (0.372 ± 0.012 g/cm2, P < 0.01). On the contrary, the difference in bone mineral content between rats ingesting Cd for 6–8 months and control rats was not significant. However, significant reductions in bone mineral content were again noted in rats that had ingested Cd for 12 months (0.339 ± 0.023 g/cm2) compared with the control group (0.385 ± 0.012 g/cm2, P < 0.01). The bone mineral density of the right femoral bone in control rats was 0.328 ± 0.018 g/cm2 and that in experimental rats was 0.306 ± 0.012 g/cm2, and a meaningful difference was recognized ( P < 0.05). Histological examination of the rats exposed to Cd for 12 months showed that the 5th lumbar vertebral body (L5) exhibited osteomalacia. The results of our studies show that Cd stimulated a loss of bone mineral at an early stage to a great extent in male rats. In the examination of male rats, bone injury and renal functional disorder were encountered simultaneously. This study suggested that osteomalacia was induced by a direct action of Cd on the bone through abnormal calcium homeostasis at an early stage in male rats.
Neuropathological changes induced by neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in male Swiss albino mice
Authors: Rajeswari A , Sabesan M
Published: October 2008

We investigated the level of dopamine in the striatum of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated male Swiss albino mice (40 mg/kg), after 7 days, we measured the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, the reduced glutothione (GSH), enzymatic anti-oxidants such as superoxide dismulase (SOD), cataloes (CAT) and also observed the histopathology of the mesencephalic areas after MPTP treatment by transmission electron microscopy (EM). We found that the MPTP treatment in mice caused a significant depletion of GSH, increased the specific activity of SOD, CAT, and thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS) in mesencephalic region after 7 days of treatment, and decreased the striatal dopamine level to 75% by 7 days of MPTP treatment. The EM results also suggested that the mitochondrial alternation, nuclear membrane invagination, condensation of cytoplasm, vacuoles and perinuclear inclusion in the cytoplasm, and nuclear membrane disappearance were observed in MPTP-treated mice.
Metabolic activation of retronecine and retronecine N-oxide – formation of DHP-derived DNA adducts
Authors: Yan J , Xia Q , Chou MW , Fu PP
Published: October 2008

We have previously reported that metabolism of a series of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in vitro and in vivo generated a set of (+/−)6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP)-derived DNA adducts. It has also been shown that the levels of the DHP-derived DNA adduct formation correlated closely with the tumorigenic potencies of the mice fed with different doses of riddelliine. Retronecine is the necine base and the structurally smallest chemical of the retronecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Although it has been reported that microsomal metabolism of retronecine generated DHP as a metabolite, it was yet not known whether metabolism of retronecine in vivo could generate DHP-derived DNA adducts and if formed, whether or not the levels of DNA adducts were comparable with those formed from the other tumorigenic retronecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloids, such as riddelliine, retrorsine, and monocrotaline. In this investigation, the in-vitro and in-vivo metabolic activation of retronecine was studied. Rat liver microsomal metabolism of retronecine in the presence of calf thymus DNA resulted in the formation of a set of DHP–DNA adducts. The metabolism of retronecine N-oxide under similar conditions also formed the similar set of DHP–DNA adducts. The level of DNA adducts from retronecine was enhanced when metabolism by liver microsomes from phenobarbital (PB)-induced rats were used. The DHP–DNA adducts were also found in the liver DNA of female F344 rats treated with retronecine or retronecine N-oxide. The highest level of the total DHP–DNA adducts was found in liver DNA from the rats treated with dehydroretronecine (DHR). The order of the levels of DNA adducts in the liver DNA samples from rats treated with various pyrrolizidine alkaloids was: DHR > riddelliine > riddelliine N-oxide >> retronecine > retronecine N-oxide. The results indicate that 1) retronecine can be metabolized to form DHP by rat liver microsomal enzymes and interacts with DNA to produce DHP–DNA adducts and 2) retronecine N-oxide undergoes the biotransformation to the parent compound, retronecine. The results from this and our previous findings strongly suggest that formation of DHP–DNA adducts may be a potential biomarker for pyrrolizidine alkaloid carcinogenesis.
The Impact of Migration on the Health of Voluntary Migrants in Western Societies
Authors: Lassetter Jane H. , Callister Lynn C.
Published: October 2008

The authors reviewed literature on the health of voluntary migrants to Western societies and factors affecting their health. Health indicators include mortality rates and life expectancy, birth outcomes, risk of illness, patterns of deteriorating health, cardiovascular disease, body mass index, hypertension, and depression. Multiple factors explain variability, including length of residence and acculturation, disease exposure, life style and living conditions, risky behaviors, healthy habits, social support networks, cultural and linguistic barriers, experiences with racism, and levels of awareness of cultural health practices among health care providers. Evidence exists for superior health among many migrants to Western countries relative to native-born persons, but the differential disappears over time. Migration is a dynamic, extended process with effects occurring years after physical relocation. Systemic change is required, including health policies that ensure equity for migrants, culturally appropriate health promotion, and routine assessment of migration history, cultural health practices, and disease exposure.
Women and Nursing in Malaysia
Authors: Birks Melanie J. , Chapman Ysanne , Francis Karen
Published: October 2008

Since the emergence of nursing as a distinct discipline, its status has mirrored that of women in society in general. As a predominantly female profession, nursing has been subject to oppressive forces that have affected women at various stages of history. Despite improvements in the standing of both women and nursing during the past century, nursing has still failed to achieve its full potential. In Malaysia, sociocultural factors combine to further limit the development of the profession. This article explores how such factors merge with the oppression of nursing globally to influence the status of nursing in Malaysia.
SMARTer Music Teaching
Authors: Nolan Karin K.
Published: October 2008

Interactive whiteboard use is rapidly becoming a popular and effective teaching tool in classrooms; this article explores specific uses within music classrooms. Not only do these boards prepare students to function in a technological world, they offer myriad creative uses within the music classroom, allowing for enhanced interaction, instruction, and assessment. The use of interactive whiteboards—similar to large touch-screen tablets linked to computers—allows teachers to plan lessons using technology appropriate for all age levels, abilities, and learning styles. This article presents current research on interactive whiteboard use, numerous teaching ideas for general music educators, and two full-length music lesson plans demonstrating interactive whiteboard use.
Kindergarten Predictors of Recurring Externalizing and Internalizing Psychopathology in the Third and Fifth Grades
Authors: Morgan Paul L. , Farkas George , Qiong Wu
Published: October 2008

This study evaluated the extent to which a range of risk factors (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, low socioeconomic status) predicted kindergarten children's likelihood of later displaying recurring psychopathology. It used multilevel logistic regression to analyze teacher ratings of frequent and recurring externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors in a longitudinal sample of 4,674 children participating in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort, 1998—1999. Results indicated that those most at risk of displaying externalizing problem behaviors in both the third and fifth grade are those entering school already displaying high levels of these behaviors, as well as those displaying low reading readiness. Hispanics are at reduced risk of such problem behaviors. Those most at risk of displaying internalizing behavior problems in the third and fifth grades are those entering kindergarten with such problems and those displaying inattention and other learning-related behavior problems. Asian children are at reduced risk of recurring internalizing behavior problems. Females and children from higher SES families are at reduced risk for both types of psychopathology.