bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Laws of Hospitality, Asylum Seekers and Cosmopolitan Right
Authors: Brown Garrett W.
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this article is to respond to Jacques Derrida’s reading of Immanuel Kant’s laws of hospitality and to offer a deeper exploration into Kant’s separation of a cosmopolitan right to visit ( Besuchsrecht) and the idea of a universal right to reside ( Gastrecht). Through this discussion, the various laws of hospitality will be examined, extrapolated and outlined, particularly in response to the tensions articulated by Derrida. By doing so, this article will offer a reinterpretation of the laws of hospitality, arguing that hospitality is not meant to capture all the conditions necessary for cosmopolitan citizenship or for a thoroughgoing condition of cosmopolitan justice as Derrida assumes. This is because hospitality could be understood as the basic normative requirement necessary to establish an ethical condition for intersubjective communication at the global level, where discursive communication regarding the substance of a future condition of cosmopolitan justice is to be subjected to global public reason.
Equality and Singularity in Justification and Application Discourses
Authors: Fritsch Matthias
Published: July 2010

To respond to the charge of context-insensitivity, discourse ethics distinguishes justification discourses, which only require that we consider what is equally good for all, and subsequent application discourses, in which the perspective of concrete others must be adopted. This article argues that, despite its pragmatic attractiveness, the separation of justification and application neglects the co-constitutive role that applicability plays for the meaning of normativity. Norms that do not, in a machine-like fashion, produce their cases, cannot already contain their appropriateness to the cases that nonetheless alone justify the existence of norms in th first place. The higher-order norm of appropriateness that enters normativity with th dependence on applications is one that remains implicit, and impossible to determine in advance. Thus, the justification of a norm is always incomplete for conceptual and not merely empirical reasons, as fallibilism typically has it.
Between idealism and reality: Meeting the challenges of participatory action research
Authors: Smith Laura , Bratini Lucinda , Chambers Debbie-Ann , Jensen Russell Vance , Romero LeLaina
Published: July 2010

Participatory action research (PAR) is a methodological stance that researchers can find both inspiring and daunting. Community-based PAR offers a platform by which social scientists can contribute to the democratization of knowledge and its production, but also requires that they go beyond conventional roles and procedures to interact with community co-researchers in ways that may leave university-based researchers feeling exposed and rudderless. In this article, the authors present episodes from three different PAR projects that illustrate some of the challenges that PAR presents for university-based researchers, as well as what can be learned from them.
Effects of residential history on commercial robbers’ crime location choices
Authors: Bernasco Wim , Kooistra Thessa
Published: July 2010

Many offenders offend near their home. But what about their former homes? Extending crime pattern theory, and combining data on police recorded robberies with data on the residential histories of the robbers and with a database of postal code areas, we demonstrate that offenders are more likely to commit commercial robberies in their former residential areas than in otherwise similar areas they have never lived in. To investigate the role of the residential history in greater detail, we assess whether duration and recency of past and current residence differentially affect the choice of target areas. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and make recommendations for future research.
Risk factors for delinquency in adolescent and young adult females: A European review
Authors: Wong Thessa M. L. , Slotboom Anne-Marie , Bijleveld Catrien C. J. H.
Published: July 2010

This article reviews 30 European studies on risk factors for delinquency in adolescent and young adult females. Risk factors are compared with those for (adolescent) male delinquency. Risk factors unique to females are identified, as well as risk factors shared by males and females. Sex differences in risk factors are mainly found for individual and family factors. Females and males differ less in school and peer risk factors. As studies zoom in more on specific domains of risk factors or specific types of delinquent behaviour, more differences emerge between males and females. The limitations of studies examining female delinquency are discussed and future research areas proposed.
Attitudes, delinquency and peers: The role of social norms in attitude-behaviour inconsistency
Authors: Megens Kim C. I. M. , Weerman Frank M.
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we investigate attitude—behaviour inconsistency as well as the effect of social norms and other peer-related factors on the translation of attitudes into behaviour. We draw upon social psychological perspectives, in particular from the social identity approach. Data were used from two waves of 1385 secondary school students in the School Study of the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR). The results show that almost half of the respondents did not act in accordance with their previously measured attitudes on delinquency. Respondents who were exposed to an attitude-congruent social norm supportive of their own attitude reported significantly more attitude-consistent behaviour than respondents who were exposed to an incongruent norm. The effect of normative support was significantly moderated by attachment to peers but not by time spent with peers.
Exercise and Cognitive Function: Can Working Out Train the Brain, Too?
Authors: Zoeller Robert F.
Published: July 2010

Studies exploring the relationship between physical activity, fitness, and cognitive function vary across the lifespan in terms of both their number and the apparent strength of the associations. Studies of children are relatively few in number but generally show a positive association between physical activity and cognitive function. Studies of younger adults are even more scarce; findings are equivocal and do not support the hypothesis that greater physical activity or fitness benefits cognitive function. Studies of older adults suggest that greater physical activity and fitness may improve or at least maintain cognitive function. Increasing physical activity may improve cognitive function, especially executive function in elderly persons. A veritable handful of studies suggest that long-term strength training may have cognitive benefits for elderly persons. Regular exercise and greater aerobic fitness are associated with greater brain volume, improved neurophysiological responses to stimuli as measured by electroencephalography (EEG), and higher levels of growth factors that promote growth of brain tissue, neurogenesis, and angiogenesis. However, the findings are not unequivocal (EEG), often based on animal studies (growth factors), and the physiological significance is not well understood. Therefore, while promising, much work remains to validate these findings in humans and to determine their physiological significance for brain health and function. Current evidence does not support the cardiovascular fitness hypothesis and suggests that the neural activity during exercise itself may initiate changes in the brain, independent of the nature of the exercise. More studies are needed to establish a causal relationship, not merely associations, between exercise and cognitive function. These studies need to better quantify physical activity. Likewise, more work is needed to determine the mechanisms by which exercise alters brain function.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control as a tool for advancing health promotion: perspective from the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: El Awa Fatimah
Published: July 2010

The paper addresses the impact of the adoption and implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and how successful the FCTC is as a tool for health promotion. The FCTC implementation has impacted areas such as surveillance systems for tobacco control, increasing political commitment, development of legislation and addressing new social norms in tobacco consumption. These developments help to overcome many challenges for better health promotion in the region. However, there are still other challenges such as the tobacco industry influence, but those challenges will not undermine the gains already achieved through both the negotiation process and implementation process of the FCTC. In conclusion, implementation of the FCTC has contributed positively to advancing health promotion in the region, and the continuation of strong implementation will lead to even better outcomes.
Gender equity and tobacco control: bringing masculinity into focus
Authors: Morrow Martha , Barraclough Simon
Published: July 2010

Gender is a key — but often overlooked — determinant of tobacco use, especially in Asia, where sex-linked differences in prevalence rates are very large. In this article we draw upon existing data to consider the implications of these patterns for gender equity and propose approaches to redress inequity through gender-sensitive tobacco control activities. International evidence demonstrates that, in many societies, risk behaviours (including tobacco use) are practised substantially more by men and boys, and are also viewed as expressions of masculine identity. While gender equity focuses almost exclusively on the relative disadvantage of girls and women that exists in most societies, disproportionate male use of tobacco has profound negative consequences for men (as users) and for women (nonusers). Surprisingly, health promotion and tobacco control literature rarely focus on the role of gender in health risks among boys and men. However, tobacco industry marketing has masterfully incorporated gender norms, and also other important cultural values, to ensure its symbols are context-specific. By addressing gender-specific risks within the local cultural context — as countries are enjoined to do within the Framework Convention’s Guiding Principles — it may be possible to accelerate the impact of mechanisms such as tobacco pricing, restrictions on marketing, smoking bans and provision of accurate information. It is essential that we construct a new research-to-policy framework for gender-sensitive tobacco control. Successful control of tobacco can only be strengthened by bringing males, and the concept of gender as social construction, back into our research and discussion on health and gender equity.
Global health, equity and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Authors: Collin Jeff
Published: July 2010

The report of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health demonstrates the renewed salience of health inequalities within the international health policy agenda. The tobacco pandemic is characterized by an escalating burden of death and disease that is increasingly being borne by developing countries. Efforts to promote global health equity must therefore prioritize reductions in tobacco consumption. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) offers a remarkable opportunity to address the health inequalities associated with tobacco use, and represents an important innovation within global governance. But the FCTC’s failure to adequately address the health impacts of trade liberalization highlights the difficulties of ensuring policy coherence across international health, development and economic policies. Recognition of such limitations is important both to inform the further development of the FCTC and to ensure that appropriate lessons are drawn for future initiatives.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and health promotion: strengthening the ties
Authors: Lin Vivian
Published: July 2010

Successful tobacco control efforts in developed countries have provided an illustration of the application of health promotion principles, most notably the critical value of social mobilization for change and use of comprehensive health promotion strategies. Tobacco control efforts in developed countries are now starting to grapple with the challenge of closing the health equity gap. In developed countries, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), though derived from a global social movement, is facing challenges in implementation because of relatively little support from the population as a whole, along with weak government infrastructure. Furthermore, developing countries are often more concerned about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and access to primary health care, not to mention poverty alleviation in general, than tobacco use and non-communicable diseases. Health promotion and the FCTC have shared interests in relation to both health equity and capacity building. Therefore, a civil society coalition built around these common interests — and broader issues — may provide a stronger support for FCTC implementation. Strengthening the ties between health promotion and the FCTC could lead to stronger advocacy, better knowledge management systems, more integrated community-based programs, and stronger workforce capacity. These, in turn, could reduce tobacco smoking and other risks to health, as well as help close the health equity gap in developed and developing countries. (Global Health Promotion, 2010; Supp (1): pp. 76—80)
Need for a multi-factorial, multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary approach to NCD prevention and control in Africa
Authors: Amuyunzu-Nyamongo Mary
Published: July 2010

The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries is a big challenge to the governments, which are still struggling with a myriad of communicable diseases (e.g. malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS). There are common risk factors for the four major NCDs in Africa (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease [CVD] and chronic respiratory infections), which are: obesity; lack of physical activity (PA); tobacco consumption; and inappropriate use of alcohol. Furthermore, NCDs are determined by individual and societal level factors, and the general socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions (e.g. agriculture and food production, education, working and living conditions, transport, housing and unemployment) which can be addressed by use of health promotion. Thus, in order to address the multiple factors comprehensively, there is need for multi-pronged approaches that bring together multiple disciplines, sectors and partners focused on addressing NCDs in an effective, efficient and sustainable manner.
Addressing non-communicable diseases in the Seychelles: towards a comprehensive plan of action
Authors: Bovet Pascal , Viswanathan Bharathi , Shamlaye Conrad , Romain Sarah , Gedeon Jude
Published: July 2010

This article reviews the different steps taken during the past 20 years for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Seychelles. National surveys revealed high levels of several cardiovascular risk factors and prompted an organized response, starting with the creation of an NCD unit in the Ministry of Health. Information campaigns and nationwide activities raised awareness and rallied increasingly broad and high-level support. Significant policy was developed including comprehensive tobacco legislation and a School Nutrition Policy that bans soft drinks in schools. NCD guidelines were developed and specialized ‘NCD nurses’ were trained to complement doctors in district health centers. Decreasing smoking prevalence is evidence of success, but the raising so-called diabesity epidemic calls for an integrated multi-sector policy to mould an environment conducive to healthy behaviors. Essential components of these efforts include: effective surveillance mechanisms supplemented by focused research; generating broad interest and consensus; mobilizing leadership and commitment at all levels; involving local and international expertise; building on existing efforts; and seeking integrated, multi-disciplinary and multi-sector approaches.
Community-based advocacy opportunities for tobacco control: experience from Tanzania
Authors: Kagaruki Lutgard K.
Published: July 2010

Tanzania is third in Africa in tobacco production after Malawi and Zimbabwe. In spite of increased production, Tanzania remains a poor country, with tobacco farmers getting poorer and the country losing more than 16,500 hectares of forests annually from tobacco curing alone. Tanzania grows fire-cured and air-cured tobacco. Regarding tobacco use, 35% of Tanzanians smoke tobacco regularly and about 32% of all cancers at Ocean Road Cancer Institute are attributed to tobacco use, with the country spending more than $30m annually to treat tobacco-related cancers. Unfortunately, knowledge on tobacco-related hazards is limited even among policy/decision makers. However, surveys indicate that more than 65% of resource-poor tobacco farmers favour alternative livelihoods when assured of sustainable markets. There is need of intensifying advocacy campaigns against tobacco, in order to improve the socio-economic status of tobacco farmers, enhance public health and sustain the environment in Tanzania.
Évaluation d’un programme de nutrition prénatale portant sur l’état nutritionnel des Béninoises enceintes et sur le poids de leurs enfants à la naissance
Authors: Villalon Lita , Couture-Léger Mélissa , Acakpo Alfred
Published: July 2010

Une étude quasi-expérimentale a été effectuée dans la République du Bénin, en Afrique entre 2004 et 2007. La population étudiée était constituée de 47 béninoises enceintes. Cette étude avait pour but d’évaluer un programme de nutrition prénatale portant sur l’état nutritionnel des mères et sur le poids de leurs enfants à la naissance. La population étudiée a été répartie en deux groupes : un groupe expérimental qui a subi l’intervention et un groupe témoin qui servait de groupe contrôle. Les femmes du groupe expérimental ont bénéficié d’une intervention nutritionnelle de la 12ème semaine de gestation à l’accouchement. Les résultats de l’étude ont démontré que la fréquence de consommation des aliments provenant du groupe constructeur et énergétique était similaire avant et après l’intervention chez les femmes enceintes du groupe expérimental. En revanche, les femmes enceintes qui avaient reçu une éducation nutritionnelle prénatale avaient tendance à gagner le poids recommandé et avaient obtenu des enfants avec un meilleur indice d’Apgar à une minute après l’accouchement (p < 0,05). De plus, les nouveau-nés des mères ayant reçu l’intervention nutritionnelle avaient un poids de naissance de 88 g plus élevé que ceux du groupe témoin. Néanmoins, l’étude n’a pas démontré une relation statistiquement significative entre le programme d’intervention nutritionnelle et l’amélioration de l’état nutritionnel des femmes enceintes d’une part et la diminution du petit poids à la naissance d’autre part. Enfin, une nouvelle relation significative a toutefois été soulevée par cette étude entre l’intervention nutritionnelle et l’état de santé du nouveau-né.
Réseau d’éducation en santé communautaire pour la prévention des maladies cardiovasculaires et du diabète au Burundi: mise en place et premiers résultats
Authors: Debussche Xavier , Balcou-Debussche Maryvette , Baranderaka Nelly-Ange , Ndayirorere Samson , La Hausse de Lalouviére Véronique , Nitunga Nestor
Published: July 2010

Dans les pays en voie de développement aux ressources limitées, l’augmentation de la prévalence des maladies cardiovasculaires constitue un problème émergent majeur. Au Burundi, la fragilité du système de santé après la fin des conflits rend primordiale la mise en place d’actions de prévention en direction des personnes à risque. En 2007, un programme structuré de prévention des sujets à haut risque a été mis en place dans le cadre d’un réseau de santé communautaire à Bujumbura, la capitale. Dans 10 structures de santé et ONG et dans 3 associations de patients a été effectué un dépistage gratuit du risque à partir de critères cliniques et de la détermination de la glycémie capillaire. De juin 2007 à décembre 2008, 377 séances de groupe pour 1318 personnes à risque et 2457 participations (1 à 3 séances par personne sur un cycle comportant 3 thématiques) ont été réalisées par 19 infirmières et pairs éducateurs formés conjointement par un diabétologue et une ethnosociologue. Les situations d’apprentissage de groupe permettent un choix personnalisé et éclairé d’action(s) par les personnes à risque. Une évaluation intermédiaire du suivi éducatif réalisé chez 292 personnes ayant terminé le cycle éducatif et bénéficié d’un 2ème bilan éducatif a montré une évolution favorable des facteurs de risque modifiables. L’inscription rapide de cette approche dans le tissu burundais et l’implication des pairs éducateurs aux ĉotés des professionnels de santé laissent supposer un fort potentiel de développement dans d’autres pays.
Sickle cell disease resulting from uniparental disomy in a child who inherited sickle cell trait
Authors: Swensen Jeffrey J. , Agarwal Archana M. , Esquilin Jose M. , Swierczek Sabina , Perumbeti Ajay , Hussey Dottie , Lee Margaret , Joiner Clinton H. , Pont-Kingdon Genevieve , Lyon Elaine , Prchal Josef T.
Published: July 2010

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a classic example of a disorder with recessive Mendelian inheritance, in which each parent contributes one mutant allele to an affected offspring. However, there are exceptions to that rule. We describe here the first reported case of conversion of inherited sickle cell trait to SCD by uniparental disomy (UPD) resulting in mosaicism for SS and AS erythrocytes. A 14-year-old boy presented with splenomegaly and hemolysis. Although his father has sickle cell trait, his mother has no abnormal hemoglobin (Hb). DNA sequencing, performed to rule out Hb S/β-thalassemia, detected homozygous Hb SS. Further studies revealed mosaic UPD of the β-globin locus, more SS erythroid progenitors than AS, but a reverse ratio of erythrocytes resulting from the survival advantage of AS erythrocytes. This report exemplifies non-Mendelian genetics wherein a patient who inherited sickle cell trait has mild SCD resulting from postzygotic mitotic recombination leading to UPD.
Knowledge-based annotation of small molecule binding sites in proteins
Authors: Thangudu Ratna R , Tyagi Manoj , Shoemaker Benjamin A , Bryant Stephen H , Panchenko Anna R , Madej Thomas
Published: July 2010

Background

The study of protein-small molecule interactions is vital for understanding protein function and for practical applications in drug discovery. To benefit from the rapidly increasing structural data, it is essential to improve the tools that enable large scale binding site prediction with greater emphasis on their biological validity.

Results

We have developed a new method for the annotation of protein-small molecule binding sites, using inference by homology, which allows us to extend annotation onto protein sequences without experimental data available. To ensure biological relevance of binding sites, our method clusters similar binding sites found in homologous protein structures based on their sequence and structure conservation. Binding sites which appear evolutionarily conserved among non-redundant sets of homologous proteins are given higher priority. After binding sites are clustered, position specific score matrices (PSSMs) are constructed from the corresponding binding site alignments. Together with other measures, the PSSMs are subsequently used to rank binding sites to assess how well they match the query and to better gauge their biological relevance. The method also facilitates a succinct and informative representation of observed and inferred binding sites from homologs with known three-dimensional structures, thereby providing the means to analyze conservation and diversity of binding modes. Furthermore, the chemical properties of small molecules bound to the inferred binding sites can be used as a starting point in small molecule virtual screening. The method was validated by comparison to other binding site prediction methods and to a collection of manually curated binding site annotations. We show that our method achieves a sensitivity of 72% at predicting biologically relevant binding sites and can accurately discriminate those sites that bind biological small molecules from non-biological ones.

Conclusions

A new algorithm has been developed to predict binding sites with high accuracy in terms of their biological validity. It also provides a common platform for function prediction, knowledge-based docking and for small molecule virtual screening. The method can be applied even for a query sequence without structure. The method is available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Structure/ibis/ibis.cgi.
Cardiovascular effects of sub-daily levels of ambient fine particles: a systematic review
Authors: Burgan Omar , Smargiassi Audrey , Perron Stéphane , Kosatsky Tom
Published: July 2010

Background

While the effects of daily fine particulate exposure (PM) have been well reviewed, the epidemiological and physiological evidence of cardiovascular effects associated to sub-daily exposures has not. We performed a theoretical model-driven systematic non-meta-analytical literature review to document the association between PM sub-daily exposures (≤6 hours) and arrhythmia, ischemia and myocardial infarction (MI) as well as the likely mechanisms by which sub-daily PM exposures might induce these acute cardiovascular effects. This review was motivated by the assessment of the risk of exposure to elevated sub-daily levels of PM during fireworks displays.

Methods

Medline and Elsevier's EMBase were consulted for the years 1996-2008. Search keywords covered potential cardiovascular effects, the pollutant of interest and the short duration of the exposure. Only epidemiological and experimental studies of adult humans (age > 18 yrs) published in English were reviewed. Information on design, population and PM exposure characteristics, and presence of an association with selected cardiovascular effects or physiological assessments was extracted from retrieved articles.

Results

Of 231 articles identified, 49 were reviewed. Of these, 17 addressed the relationship between sub-daily exposures to PM and cardiovascular effects: five assessed ST-segment depression indicating ischemia, eight assessed arrhythmia or fibrillation and five considered MI. Epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to sub-daily levels of PM is associated with MI and ischemic events in the elderly. Epidemiological studies of sub-daily exposures suggest a plausible biological mechanism involving the autonomic nervous system while experimental studies suggest that vasomotor dysfunction may also relate to the occurrence of MI and ischemic events.

Conclusions

Future studies should clarify associations between cardiovascular effects of sub-daily PM exposure with PM size fraction and concurrent gaseous pollutant exposures. Experimental studies appear more promising for elucidating the physiological mechanisms, time courses and causes than epidemiological studies which employ central pollution monitors for measuring effects and for assessing their time course. Although further studies are needed to strengthen the evidence, given that exposure to sub-daily high levels of PM (for a few hours) is frequent and given the suggestive evidence that sub-daily PM exposures are associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular effects, we recommend that persons with cardiovascular diseases avoid such situations.
Physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents: a prospective study
Authors: Rothon Catherine , Edwards Phil , Bhui Kamaldeep , Viner Russell M , Taylor Stephanie , Stansfeld Stephen A
Published: July 2010

Background

The frequency of mental illness amongst adolescents and its potential long-term consequences make it an important topic to research in relation to risk and protective factors. Research on the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents is limited. There is a particular lack of evidence from longitudinal studies. This study examines the relationship between depression and physical activity using the Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey (RELACHS).

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study. Participants were recruited from three Local Education Authority boroughs in East London in 2001 from year 7 (aged 11-12) and year 9 (aged 13-14) and were followed-up in 2003. All pupils in the 28 schools that took part were eligible for the study. Of the total 3,322 pupils eligible for the survey the overall response rate was 84% (2,789 pupils). A total of 2,093 (75%) pupils were also followed-up in 2003. The sample was multiethnic (73% of respondents were non-white) and deprived. Just under half of the sample was male (49%). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ). Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

Results

After adjustments, there was evidence for a cross-sectional association between physical activity and depressive symptoms for both boys and girls at baseline, with a decrease in the odds of depressive symptoms of about 8% for each additional hour of exercise undertaken per week (boys: odds ratio (OR) = 0.92, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.99; girls: OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.00). There was no evidence for an association between a change in physical activity from baseline to follow-up and depressive symptoms at follow-up.

Conclusions

This study provides some evidence for an association between level of physical activity and decreased depressive symptoms in adolescents. Further longitudinal research of these associations is required before physical activity can be recommended as an intervention for depression in adolescents.
Exercise increases interleukin-10 levels both intraarticularly and peri-synovially in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Helmark Ida C , Mikkelsen Ulla R , Børglum Jens , Rothe Anders , Petersen Marie CH , Andersen Ove , Langberg Henning , Kjaer Michael
Published: July 2010

Introduction

The microdialysis method was applied to the human knee joint with osteoarthritis (OA) in order to reveal changes in biochemical markers of cartilage and inflammation, intraarticularly and in the synovium, in response to a single bout of mechanical joint loading.

Methods

Thirty-one female subjects with OA of the knee were randomized to non-exercise (NEx) or exercise (Ex) groups. Following acute resistance exercise (25 sets of 10 repetitions at 60% of 1 Repetition Maximum) or none (NEx), peripheral nerve blocks just below the inguinal ligament were applied and two microdialysis catheters were positioned in two different compartments, intraarticularly and peri-synovially. The microdialysis catheters were perfused at a slow rate (2 μl/minute) with a solution of Ringer-acetate and radioactively labelled glucose allowing for determination of relative recovery (RR) and calculation of interstitial concentrations of inflammatory and cartilage biomarkers over a three-hour period.

Results

A significant increase of Interleukin (IL) -10 was discovered in both positions of the knee in the Ex group over the three hours post exercise, whereas IL-10 remained stationary over time in the NEx group. IL-6 and IL-8 displayed significant increases over time regardless of group and position of the catheter. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) decreased intraarticularly in the post exercise period in the Ex group compared to the NEx group.

Conclusions

Exercise caused an increase in both intraarticular and peri-synovial concentrations of IL-10 in a group of human females with knee OA. This suggests a positive effect of exercise on a chondroprotective anti-inflammatory cytokine response in patients with knee OA and might contribute to explaining the beneficial effect that exercise has on OA.

Trial registration

NCT01090375.
Increased duration of mechanical ventilation is associated with decreased diaphragmatic force: a prospective observational study
Authors: Hermans Greet , Agten Anouk , Testelmans Dries , Decramer Marc , Gayan-Ramirez Ghislaine
Published: July 2010

Introduction

Respiratory muscle weakness is an important risk factor for delayed weaning. Animal data show that mechanical ventilation itself can cause atrophy and weakness of the diaphragm, called ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD). Transdiaphragmatic pressure after magnetic stimulation (TwPdi BAMPS) allows evaluation of diaphragm strength. We aimed to evaluate the repeatability of TwPdi BAMPS in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients and to describe the relation between TwPdi and the duration of mechanical ventilation.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study in critically ill and mechanically ventilated patients, admitted to the medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. Nineteen measurements were made in a total of 10 patients at various intervals after starting mechanical ventilation. In seven patients, measurements were made on two or more occasions, with a minimum interval of 24 hours.

Results

The TwPdi was 11.5 ± 3.9 cm H2O (mean ± SD), indicating severe respiratory muscle weakness. The between-occasion coefficient of variation of TwPdi was 9.7%, comparable with data from healthy volunteers. Increasing duration of mechanical ventilation was associated with a logarithmic decline in TwPdi (R = 0.69; P = 0.038). This association was also found for cumulative time on pressure control (R = 0.71; P = 0.03) and pressure-support ventilation (P = 0.05; R = 0.66) separately, as well as for cumulative dose of propofol (R = 0.66; P = 0.05) and piritramide (R = 0.79; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Duration of mechanical ventilation is associated with a logarithmic decline in diaphragmatic force, which is compatible with the concept of VIDD. The observed decline may also be due to other potentially contributing factors such as sedatives/analgesics, sepsis, or others.
Evidence for natural antisense transcript-mediated inhibition of microRNA function
Authors: Faghihi Mohammad Ali , Zhang Ming , Huang Jia , Modarresi Farzaneh , Van der Brug Marcel P , Nalls Michael A , Cookson Mark R , St-Laurent Georges , Wahlestedt Claes
Published: July 2010

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have the potential to regulate diverse sets of mRNA targets. In addition, mammalian genomes contain numerous natural antisense transcripts, most of which appear to be non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). We have recently identified and characterized a highly conserved non-coding antisense transcript for beta-secretase-1 (BACE1), a critical enzyme in Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology. The BACE1-antisense transcript is markedly up-regulated in brain samples from Alzheimer's disease patients and promotes the stability of the (sense) BACE1 transcript.

Results

We report here that BACE1-antisense prevents miRNA-induced repression of BACE1 mRNA by masking the binding site for miR-485-5p. Indeed, miR-485-5p and BACE1-antisense compete for binding within the same region in the open reading frame of the BACE1 mRNA. We observed opposing effects of BACE1-antisense and miR-485-5p on BACE1 protein in vitro and showed that Locked Nucleic Acid-antimiR mediated knockdown of miR-485-5p as well as BACE1-antisense over-expression can prevent the miRNA-induced BACE1 suppression. We found that the expression of BACE1-antisense as well as miR-485-5p are dysregulated in RNA samples from Alzheimer's disease subjects compared to control individuals.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate an interface between two distinct groups of regulatory RNAs in the computation of BACE1 gene expression. Moreover, bioinformatics analyses revealed a theoretical basis for many other potential interactions between natural antisense transcripts and miRNAs at the binding sites of the latter.
CYP24A1 Inhibition Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Calcitriol
Authors: Muindi Josephia R. , Yu Wei-Dong , Ma Yingyu , Engler Kristie L. , Kong Rui-Xian , Trump Donald L. , Johnson Candace S.
Published: July 2010

High systemic exposures to calcitriol are necessary for optimal antitumor effects. Human prostate cancer PC3 cells are insensitive to calcitriol treatment. Therefore, we investigated whether the inhibition of 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1), the major calcitriol inactivating enzyme, by ketoconazole (KTZ) or RC2204 modulates calcitriol serum pharmacokinetics and biologic effects. Dexamethasone (Dex) was added to minimize calcitriol-induced hypercalcemia and as a steroid replacement for the KTZ inhibition of steroid biosynthesis cytochrome P450 enzymes. KTZ effectively inhibited time-dependent calcitriol-inducible CYP24A1 protein expression and enzyme activity in PC3 cells and C3H/HeJ mouse kidney tissues. Systemic calcitriol exposure area under the curve was higher in mice treated with a combination of calcitriol and KTZ than with calcitriol alone. KTZ and Dex synergistically potentiated calcitriol-mediated antiproliferative effects in PC3 cells in vitro; this effect was associated with enhanced apoptosis. After treatment with calcitriol and KTZ/Dex, although caspase-9 and caspase-3 were not activated and cytochrome c was not released by mitochondria, caspase-8 was activated and the truncated Bid protein level was increased. Translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor to the nucleus was observed, indicating a role of the apoptosis-inducing factor-mediated and caspase-independent apoptotic pathways. Calcitriol and KTZ/Dex combination suppressed the clonogenic survival and enhanced the growth inhibition observed with calcitriol alone in PC3 human prostate cancer xenograft mouse model. Our results show that the administration of calcitriol in combination with CYP24A1 inhibitor enhances antiproliferative effects, increases systemic calcitriol exposure, and promotes the activation of caspase-independent apoptosis pathway.
Periovulatory Leukocyte Infiltration in the Rat Ovary
Authors: Oakley Oliver R. , Kim HeyYoung , El-Amouri Ismail , Patrick Lin Po-Ching , Cho Jongki , Bani-Ahmad Mohammad , Ko CheMyong
Published: July 2010

Ovulation is preceded by intraovarian inflammatory reactions that occur in response to the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. As a main inflammatory event, leukocytes infiltrate the ovary and release proteolytic enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix weakening the follicular wall, a required step for follicle rupture. This study aimed to quantitatively measure the infiltrating leukocytes, determine their cell types, and localize infiltration sites in the periovulatory rat ovary. Cycling adult and gonadotropin-stimulated immature rats were used as animal models. Ovaries were collected at five different stages of estrous cycle in the adult rats (diestrus, 1700 h; proestrus, 1500 h; proestrus, 2400 h; estrus, 0600 h; and metestrus, 1700 h) and at five different time points after superovulation induction in the immature rats (pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin, 0 h; pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin, 48 h; human chorionic gonadotropin, 6 h; human chorionic gonadotropin, 12 h; and human chorionic gonadotropin, 24 h). The ovaries were either dissociated into a single cell suspension for flow cytometric analysis or fixed for immunohistochemical localization of the leukocytes. Similar numbers of leukocytes were seen throughout the estrous cycle (∼500,000/ovary), except proestrus 2400 when 2-fold higher numbers of leukocytes were found (∼1.1 million/ovary). A similar trend of periovulatory rise of leukocyte numbers was seen in the superovulation-induced immature rat model, recapitulating a dramatic increase in leukocyte numbers upon gonadotropin stimulation. Both macrophage/granulocytes and lymphocytes were among the infiltrating leukocytes and were localized in the theca and interstitial tissues, where platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 may play roles in the transmigration of leukocytes, because their expressions correlates spatiotemporally with the infiltrating leukocytes. In addition, a strong inverse relationship between leukocyte numbers in the ovary and spleen, as well as significant reduction of leukocyte infiltration in the splenectomized rats, were seen, indicating that the spleen may serve as an immediate supplier of leukocytes to the periovulatory ovary.
A Nonlinear Relationship of Generalized and Central Obesity with Diurnal Cortisol Secretion in the Whitehall II Study
Authors: Kumari Meena , Chandola Tarani , Brunner Eric , Kivimaki Mika
Published: July 2010

Context: Evidence for an association of measures of generalized and central obesity with salivary cortisol secretion is equivocal.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and salivary cortisol.

Design: The design was a cross-sectional study of BMI, waist circumference, and salivary cortisol from phase 7 (2002–2004) of the Whitehall II study.

Setting: The occupational cohort was originally recruited in 1985–1988.

Participants: Participants included 2915 men and 1041 women aged 50–74 yr with complete information on height, weight and waist circumference, and cortisol secretion.

Outcome Measures: Saliva samples were taken on waking, waking plus 0.5, 2.5, 8, and 12 h, and bedtime for the assessment of cortisol. The cortisol awakening response and slope in diurnal secretion were calculated.

Results: After adjustment for age, sex, social position, waking time, and time since waking of sample collection, increasing central and generalized obesity was associated with lower waking cortisol (P = 0.001). U-shaped associations were apparent between diurnal slope in salivary cortisol and both BMI and waist circumference (P < 0.0001 for quadratic term). For example, the shallowest (most adverse) slopes in salivary cortisol were associated with highest (>31 kg/m2) and lowest (<21 kg/m2) levels of BMI, and the steepest slopes were apparent for those with BMI of 26 kg/m2, independently of the 12 covariates examined. No associations were apparent for the cortisol awakening response (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The associations of measures of generalized and central obesity with diurnal slope in salivary cortisol are not linear in older adults. These nonlinear associations may explain previously described mixed findings.
Machine Vision Condition Monitoring of Heavy-Axle Load Railcar Structural Underframe Components
Authors: Schlake B W , Todorovic S , Edwards J R , Hart J M , Ahuja N , Barkan C P L
Published: July 2010

To ensure the safe and efficient operation of the approximately 1.6 million freight cars (wagons) in the North American railroad network, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requires periodic inspection of railcars to detect structural damage and defects. Railcar structural underframe components, including the centre sill, sidesills, and crossbearers, are subject to fatigue cracking due to periodic and/or cyclic loading during service and other forms of damage. The current railcar inspection process is time-consuming and relies heavily on the acuity, knowledge, skill, and endurance of qualified inspection personnel to detect these defects. Consequently, technologies are under development to automate critical inspection tasks to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Research was conducted to determine the feasibility of inspecting railcar underframe components using machine vision technology. A digital video system was developed to record images of railcar underframes and computer software was developed to identify components and assess their condition. Tests of the image recording system were conducted at several railroad maintenance facilities. The images collected there were used to develop several types of machine vision algorithms to analyse images of railcar underframes and assess the condition of certain structural components. The results suggest that machine vision technology, in conjunction with other automated systems and preventive maintenance strategies, has the potential to provide comprehensive and objective information pertaining to railcar underframe component condition, thereby improving utilization of inspection and repair resources and increasing safety and network efficiency.
Evaluation of Synthetic Composite Tibias for Fracture Testing Using Impact Loads
Authors: Quenneville C E , Greeley G S , Dunning C E
Published: July 2010

Composite synthetic bones are a commercially available substitute for cadaveric specimens, and they have previously been validated to replicate natural bone under quasi-static, non-destructive testing. Synthetic tibias could be used to analyse injury risk to the lower leg during impact events, but their failure mode must be validated by way of comparative tests to human bone. Synthetic tibias were instrumented with strain gauges and subjected to axial impact loading. Two different projectile masses were used for the tests, and the effects of force, momentum, and energy on failure were compared with previous cadaveric data. The composite tibias failed at forces between 37—45 per cent of those from cadavers, and failed via cortical delamination in combination with fracture. A Weibull analysis generated a survivability curve based on axial force at failure, and was shown to be lower than previous cadaveric curves. Failure was dependent on both the momentum and energy applied. Strain distributions through the synthetic tibias were significantly different from those of cadavers. The convex distal articular surface of the synthetic bones may partially account for the lower fracture tolerance. As a result of the many differences in response, these synthetic tibias are not recommended for use in impact fracture studies.
Who's that sleeping in my bed? Potential and actual utilization of public and private in-patient beds in Irish acute public hospitals
Authors: O'Reilly Jacqueline , Wiley Miriam
Published: July 2010

Objective:

To examine the impact of the unusual public/private mix on public and private in-patient bed utilization within Irish acute public hospitals.

Methods:

Data from the Department of Health and Children and the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry were used to estimate and compare potential and actual utilization of public and private designated in-patient beds in 54 acute public hospitals from 2000 to 2004.

Results:

Private in-patients used more bed days than were potentially available to them in 14.1% of hospital-year observations. The equivalent figure for public in-patients was 12.6%. Although the prevalence of excess utilization of private beds was relatively small, it did increase over the study period. Hospitals with excess private utilization were characterized by a relatively low proportion of private- or non-designated beds despite their patient profile being broadly similar to that of hospitals where there was no excess private utilization.

Conclusions:

Despite policies designed to limit private practice in Irish acute public hospitals, some hospitals have apparently been able to overcome these restrictions. In a system where financial incentives to treat private patients exist both for consultants and hospitals, it is not clear whether this excess private practice in public hospitals reflects a more efficient utilization of resources (when demand from public patients is low) or the displacement of public patients in favour of private patients. However, that a smaller number on hospital waiting lists possess private health insurance provides some support for the displacement hypothesis. Thus, it appears that policy-makers may need to reconsider attempts to ensure an appropriate division of acute public hospital resources between public and private patients.