bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Health Care Organizations Better Contribute to Quality of Life by Focusing on Preventive Health Knowledge?
Authors: Rahtz Don R. , Szykman Lisa R.
Published: March 2008

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of programs developed by health care providers and public domain entities to enlighten consumers about the benefits of learning more about healthy behaviors. In this study, the authors share a model developed and tested to explore the relationships among an individual's health knowledge, health, and overall quality of life (QOL) assessment. Data were collected as part of a large mail survey. Results support the relationships hypothesized and provide preliminary support for the notion of improving QOL by creating “expert” patients. These results have implications for public policy and future research.
A Biomechanical Comparison of 2 Technical Variations of Double-Row Rotator Cuff Fixation
Authors: Busfield Benjamin T. , Glousman Ronald E. , McGarry Michelle H. , Tibone James E. , Lee Thay Q.
Published: March 2008

Background

Previous studies have shown comparable biomechanical properties of double-row fixation versus double-row fixation with a knotless lateral row. SutureBridge is a construct that secures the cuff with medial row mattress suture anchors and knotless lateral row fixation of the medial suture ends. Recent completely knotless constructs may lead to lesser clinical outcomes if the construct properties are compromised from lack of suture knots.

Hypothesis

A completely knotless construct without medial row knots will compromise the biomechanical properties in both cyclic and failure-testing parameters.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Six matched pairs of cadaveric shoulders were randomized to 2 groups of double row fixation with SutureBridge: group 1 with medial row knots, and group 2 without medial row knots. The specimens were placed in a materials test system at 30° of abduction. Cyclic testing to 180 N at 1 mm/sec for 30 cycles was performed, followed by tensile testing to failure at 1 mm/sec.

Results

Data included cyclic and failure data from the materials test system and gap data using a video digitizing system. All data from paired specimens were compared using paired Student t tests. Group 1 had a statistically significant difference ( P < .05) for gap formation for the 1st (3.47 vs 5.05 mm) and 30th cycle (4.22 vs 8.10 mm) and at yield load (5.2 vs 9.1 mm). In addition, there was a greater energy absorbed (2805 vs 1648 N-mm), yield load (233 vs 183.1 N), and ultimate load (352.9 vs 253.9 N) for group 1. The mode of failure for the majority (4/6) of group 2 was lateral row failure, whereas all group 1 specimens failed at the clamp.

Conclusion

Although lateral row knotless fixation has been shown not to sacrifice structural integrity of this construct, the addition of a knotless medial row compromises the construct leading to greater gapping and failure at lower loads.

Clinical Relevance

This may raise concerns regarding recently marketed completely knotless double row constructs.
Individual Skill Progression on a Virtual Reality Simulator for Shoulder Arthroscopy
Authors: Gomoll Andreas H. , Pappas George , Forsythe Brian , Warner Jon J. P.
Published: March 2008

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between surgical experience and performance on a virtual reality arthroscopy simulator but only provided single time point evaluations. Additional longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm the validity of virtual reality simulation before these teaching aids can be more fully recommended for surgical education.

Hypothesis

Subjects will show improved performance on simulator retesting several years after an initial baseline evaluation, commensurate with their advanced surgical experience.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

After gaining further arthroscopic experience, 10 orthopaedic residents underwent retesting 3 years after initial evaluation on a Procedicus virtual reality arthroscopy simulator. Using a paired t test, simulator parameters were compared in each subject before and after additional arthroscopic experience. Subjects were evaluated for time to completion, number of probe collisions with the tissues, average probe velocity, and distance traveled with the tip of the simulated probe compared to an optimal computer-determined distance. In addition, to evaluate consistency of simulator performance, results were compared to historical controls of equal experience.

Results

Subjects improved significantly ( P < .02 for all) in the 4 simulator parameters: completion time (−51 %), probe collisions (−29%), average velocity (+122%), and distance traveled (−;32%). With the exception of probe velocity, there were no significant differences between the performance of this group and that of a historical group with equal experience, indicating that groups with similar arthroscopic experience consistently demonstrate equivalent scores on the simulator.

Conclusion

Subjects significantly improved their performance on simulator retesting 3 years after initial evaluation. Additionally, across independent groups with equivalent surgical experience, similar performance can be expected on simulator parameters; thus it may eventually be possible to establish simulator benchmarks to indicate likely arthroscopic skill.

Clinical Relevance

These results further validate the use of surgical simulation as an important tool for the evaluation of surgical skills.
The Influence of Soccer-Specific Fatigue on Peak Isokinetic Torque Production of the Knee Flexors and Extensors
Authors: Greig Matt
Published: March 2008

Background

Epidemiological findings of higher muscular thigh strain injury incidence during the latter stages of soccer match play have been attributed to fatigue.

Hypothesis

Soccer-specific fatigue will significantly reduce peak isokinetic torque of the knee flexors and extensors.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

Ten male professional soccer players (mean age, 24.7 ± 4.4 years; body mass, 77.1 ± 8.3 kg; maximum oxygen consumption [VO2 max], 63.0 ± 4.8 mlVkg/min) completed an intermittent treadmill protocol replicating the activity profile of match Play. Before exercise and at 15-minute intervals, each player completed 1 of 2 randomized isokinetic dynamometer protocols. The first protocol quantified peak concentric knee extensor and flexor torque, while the second quantified peak concentric and eccentric knee flexor torque at isokinetic speeds of 180, 300, and 60 deg/s (3.14, 5.25, and 1.05 rad/s) with 5 repetitions at each speed.

Results

Concentric knee extensor and flexor peak torque were maintained throughout the duration of the exercise protocol, irrespective of movement speed. However, peak eccentric knee flexor torques at the end of the game (T300eccH105 = 127 ± 25 N.m) and at the end of the passive half-time interval (T300eccH60 = 133 ± 32 N.m) were significantly reduced relative to the first 15 minutes (T300eccH00 = 167 ± 35 N·m, P < .01; T300ecoH15 = 161 ± 35 N·m, P = .02).

Conclusion

Eccentric knee flexor strength decreases as a function of time and after the half-time interval.

Clinical Relevance

This suggests a greater risk of injuries at these specific times, especially for explosive movements, in accord with epidemiological observations.
In-School Victimization
Authors: Esbensen Finn-Aage
Published: March 2008

In this article, the author draws on his experience conducting school-based research to reflect on the state of knowledge regarding in-school victimizations. Following a brief review of relevant literature and identification of key research findings, the author offers recommendations for program and policy development and suggestions for future research directions.
The Quest for Evidence-Based Practice?: We Are All Positivists!
Authors: Thyer Bruce A.
Published: March 2008

Throughout the history of professional social work in the United States, the field has embraced a positivistic view of science, a view continuing to be held by the mainstream of the profession. All social workers, to some extent, embrace the fundamental tenets of positivism. However, the rhetoric espousing positivistic science has not been matched by corresponding actions on the part of our professional associations. The rise of the evidence-based practice movement provides the field with a wonderful opportunity to dramatically increase the extent to which professional activities in the realms of policy and practice can be more solidly grounded in scientific research. Several specific suggestions are provided to enhance the linkages between science and social work, so that we can move forward in the quest of evidence-based practice.
Using Staff Training to Decrease the Use of Restrictive Procedures at Two Facilities for Foster Care Children
Authors: Crosland Kimberly A. , Cigales Maricel , Dunlap Glen , Neff Bryon , Clark Hewitt B. , Giddings Tamela , Blanco Alfredo
Published: March 2008

Objective: Use of some restrictive procedures, including physical restraint, has been controversial. For children within the foster care system, who have already suffered various degrees of abuse and neglect, restrictive procedures could add to their emotional and behavioral problems. The current study was conducted to determine whether a behavioral staff training program would help reduce the use of restrictive procedures at two group facilities housing children in the foster care system. Method: Pre- and posttraining measures (incident reports) were obtained within a nonconcurrent multiple-baseline design to document the use of restrictive procedures. Results: The data revealed decreases in reports of several restrictive procedures (e.g., take downs, physical holds, and physical and pharmacological restraints) at both facilities. Conclusions: The results suggest that training direct care staff personnel, including social workers, in positive behavioral strategies might reduce staff use of restrictive procedures and result in fewer injuries to both children and staff.
Behavioral Parent Training in Child Welfare: Evaluations of Skills Acquisition
Authors: Van Camp Carole M. , Vollmer Timothy R. , Goh Han-Leong , Whitehouse Cristina M. , Reyes Jorge , Montgomery Jan L. , Borrero John C.
Published: March 2008

Objective: Behavioral parent training has been proven effective through years of research with a variety of groups. However, little research has been conducted to systematically evaluate the extent to which behavioral parent training may improve parenting skills of foster and other caregivers of dependent children. The Behavior Analysis Services Program (BASP) has been charged with providing behavioral parent training to foster parents and other caregivers of dependent children throughout the state of Florida through a variety of services focusing primarily on a group-class-based training curriculum. This article examines the extent to which behavioral parent training was effective in increasing skills of caregivers who were trained in 2001 and 2002. Methods: Study 1 evaluated skills acquisition via a large-scale analysis of precourse and postcourse assessments, as well as observations of in-home parent-child interactions. Study 2 assessed skills acquisition via controlled analyses using repeated measures and multiple baseline designs. Results: Results showed increases in parenting skills in both studies as a function of curriculum training. Discussion: Implications of the results, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Cultural Competence of North Carolina Nurses
Authors: Lampley Tammy M. , Little Kimberly E. , Beck-Little Rebecca , Xu Yu
Published: March 2008

This study reports the survey findings of self-reported cultural competence of a convenience sample of 66 registered nurses of varying ages, gender, ethnicity, educational backgrounds, and experience in North Carolina. Campinha-Bacote's model of cultural competence and Benner's model of clinical skills acquisition serve as the conceptual frameworks. The process of cultural competence among health care professionals, developed by Campinha-Bacote, is used to measure cultural competence in participants. In addition to descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis of variance was conducted to compare means of cultural competence scores of different groups. Findings indicate that level of education, nursing experience, and continuing education are factors that promote cultural competence, whereas gender and race/ethnicity have no bearing. In addition, qualitative data generated four themes: language or verbal communication barrier, religious beliefs, different health beliefs and behaviors, and culturally inappropriate nonverbal communication. Implications of these findings for nursing education, practice, and future research are elaborated.
`Taking it Like a Man': Masculinity and Barebacking Online
Authors: Dowsett Gary W. , Williams Herukhuti , Ventuneac Ana , Carballo-Diéguez Alex
Published: March 2008

Gay men's use of the internet for social and sexual purposes is now so common that some predict an end to gay bars. In New York City, where this study took place, the use of the internet by men to meet other men seeking sex without condoms, called bareback sex, has created concerns among public health and gay community HIV/AIDS workers. This study of six popular bareback internet sites seeks to understand the nature of this new online sexual culture, initially by investigating the sites themselves through the methodology of cyber-cartography. That investigation suggested that masculinity as an analytic in gender studies might offer some value in understanding what was happening on these sites. Issues of race and ethnicity also emerged to challenge any singular notion of masculinity. This paper suggests that masculinity itself might need some recalibration, and that we may also need to rethink these sites as evolving ethical sexual cultures.
'Elvis Died and I was Born': Black African Men Negotiating Same-Sex Desire in London
Authors: Doyal Lesley , Paparini Sara , Anderson Jane
Published: March 2008

This article reports on the first study of gay/bisexual men in the African diaspora. It is based on a focus group and in-depth individual interviews with eight men living in London. The main focus of the study was on the development of the men's sexual identity in their African countries of origin and the ways in which these identities and practices were reshaped and renegotiated by the move to London. The central themes to emerge were the tensions for these individuals between being African and being gay and between their same-sex preferences and mainstream religious beliefs and practices. The article demonstrates the need for further research on similar groups in different parts of the world as well as highlighting the need for reflexive methodologies that can accurately represent the complex realities of these men's lives.
Legalizing Love in a Cold Climate: The History, Consequences and Recent Developments of Registered Partnership in Scandinavia
Authors: Rydström Jens
Published: March 2008

Why was Scandinavia the first place in the world to introduce national laws allowing registered partnership between same-sex couples? This article is a survey and historical documentation of the registered partnership laws throughout Scandinavia, documenting their origin in Denmark in 1989 and their subsequent adoption by every Nordic country. The origins of the laws are traced to the 1970s criticism of the nuclear family, the AIDS epidemic, a general cultural emphasis of consensus, and the structure of the welfare state. The article investigates what the new homosexual family unit is permitted to be, and asks whether the new laws have proven to be liberatory, or a means of subtle repression and control.
Negotiating Social Stigma Among Gay Asian Men
Authors: Poon Maurice Kwong-Lai , Ho Peter Trung-Thu
Published: March 2008

It has long been argued that stereotypes have led many gay Asian men to have negative feelings about themselves and other gay Asians, to the idealization of white men as potential partners, hostility towards other gay Asians, internalization of the stereotypes as passive and submissive, and being sexually objectified by some white men. To counter the effects of the stereotypes, critics and theorists of the gay Asian experience suggest increasing the visibility of Asian role models in the gay community, developing a strong sense of self-identity by choosing Asian men as potential partners, and encouraging involvement with the mainstream gay community. In contrast, we explore resistance to the stereotypes at a personal level, using narratives obtained through a series of interviews to analyze the ways in which gay Asian men negotiate and (re)frame the social stigma associated with their bodies and desire for white men. We argue that gay Asian men do not simply accept the negative stereotypes imposed by the dominant culture; rather, they actively resist and continuously reconstruct meanings about their bodies and desires.
Health behaviour among non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship
Authors: Hansen Anne R. , Ekholm Ola , Kjøller Mette
Published: March 2008

Aims: To compare belief in own effort to stay healthy, health behaviour and body mass index (BMI) among non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship and citizens with Danish background. Methods: Based on the National Health Interview Survey 2005, logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences in belief in own effort to stay healthy, in health behaviour and in BMI between 136 non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship and 9,901 citizens with Danish background in the age group 25—64 years. Results: Non-Western immigrants had lower odds for reporting that own effort is very important to maintain good health (odds ratio (OR) 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32—0.62) and for reporting consuming more alcohol on a weekly basis than recommended by the Danish National Board of Health (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09—0.51). The odds were higher for non-Western immigrants for than citizens with Danish background for reporting sedentary spare-time activities (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.96—4.17), daily consumption of boiled vegetables (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.77—3.53), and daily consumption of salad/raw vegetables (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.02—3.99). We found no differences in daily smoking, daily fruit consumption, BMI≥25 or BMI≥30. Conclusions: The non-Western immigrants are healthier in terms of alcohol and vegetable consumption and unhealthier with regard to leisure-time physical activity. The non-Western immigrants are less likely to report that their own effort is important in maintaining good health.
Underweight, overweight and obesity as risk factors for mortality and hospitalization
Authors: Ringbäck Weitoft Gunilla , Eliasson Mats , Rosén Måns
Published: March 2008

Aims: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in many countries. We aimed to investigate differences in mortality and severe morbidity between underweight people (body mass index (BMI)<18.5), overweight people (BMI 25 to <30), obese people (BMI≥30), and those with normal weights (BMI 18.5 to <25). Methods: Random samples of the Swedish population aged 16—74 years in 1980—81 and 1988—89 were followed for 12 years with regard to all-cause mortality and mortality from circulatory diseases, all inpatient care, and inpatient care for circulatory and musculoskeletal diseases. Relative risks (RRs) for different levels of BMI were adjusted for age, longstanding illness, smoking, and educational level at baseline. In addition, analyses were made with delayed entry until the fourth-year after interview. Results: Obesity and underweight, but not overweight, was associated with higher all-cause mortality. Among underweight men, the adjusted RR for all-cause mortality was 2.4 (95% confidence interval 1.6—3.6), and among underweight women it was 2.0 (1.5—2.7), but population attributable risks (PARs) were small, at 1.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Overweight was associated with increased risks for inpatient care for circulatory diseases, with PARs being 13.4% among men and 8.1% among women, and musculoskeletal diseases (PARs were 12.7% and 12.9%, respectively). Obese men and women had about 50% higher risks of all-cause mortality than normal-weight people, PARs being 3.2% and 3.8% respectively. Conclusions: This study supports the findings of other studies, in that overweight seems to be an exaggerated risk factor for all-cause mortality, but is related to other chronic disease. Underweight and obesity generally implies greater increases of RRs, but avoidance of overweight may have greater effect on the population level with regard to reduced cardiovascular and locomotor disease.
Variations in prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum by country of birth: A study of 900,074 pregnancies in Norway, 1967—2005
Authors: Vikanes Ase , Grjibovski Andrej M. , Vangen Siri , Magnus Per
Published: March 2008

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in women living in Norway by their country of birth, and explore whether the variations in the occurrence of HG could be explained by the differences in maternal sociodemographic factors. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Methods: All primiparous women registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN) from 1967 through June 2005 (N=900,074) comprised the sample. Data on HG, age, plurality and sex of the fetus were obtained from the MBRN and linked to the data on country of birth and maternal education obtained from Statistics Norway. Independent associations between country of birth and HG were studied by multiple logistic regression with and without adjustment for potential confounders. Results: The overall prevalence of HG in primiparous women in Norway during the study period was 0.89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88—0.92). Women born in Western Europe had the lowest prevalence of HG (0.8%), whereas those born in India and Sri Lanka had the highest (3.2%). Women born in Africa (except North Africa) and India or Sri Lanka were 3.4 (95% CI 2.7— 3.5) and 3.3 (95% CI 2.6—3.4) times more likely to develop HG than women born in Norway, after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions: Substantial variations in the prevalence of HG in Norway by country of birth cannot be explained by the differences in maternal sociodemographic factors.
Access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the WHO European Region 2003—2005
Authors: Bollerup Annemarie R. , Donoghoe Martin C. , Lazarus Jeffrey V. , Nielsen Stine , Matic Srdan
Published: March 2008

Aims: To assess changes in access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) between the end of 2002 and the end of 2005, and to review the capacity for further HAART scale-up in the then 52 Member States of the WHO European Region. Methods: Analysis of data from four surveys evaluating access to HAART, supplemented by regional estimates of the number of people receiving HAART. Changes in access to HAART are evaluated in terms of changes in the number of people receiving HAART over time and changes in country-level HAART coverage. Results: During 2003—2005, the total number of individuals receiving HAART increased by an estimated 101,000, from 242,000 to 343,000 (a 42% increase); 85,000 were in the west region (a 36% increase) and 16,000 in the centre and east regions (a 229% increase). The number of countries providing "high'' coverage with HAART (>75% of those in need receiving it) increased from 29 to 38, and the number of countries providing no HAART declined from eight to four. Conclusions: Despite high and increasing coverage in many European countries, access to HAART remained inequitable in terms of geographical location. By the end of 2005, all countries in the west provided "high'' HAART coverage as compared with half of countries in the centre and east. Six east countries still provided poor or no HAART coverage. Countries must address how to further equitably increase the number of people receiving HAART.
The socioeconomic characteristics of risky sexual behaviour among reproductive-age women in St Petersburg
Authors: Regushevskaya E. , Dubikaytis T. , Nikula M. , Kuznetsova O. , Hemminki E.
Published: March 2008

Aims: To examine the sexual behaviour of reproductive age women in St Petersburg and its variation according to socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a self-administered questionnaire. A random sample of women aged 18—44 in two districts in St Petersburg in 2004 were invited to a woman's clinic to complete a questionnaire. Of those women who were contacted (n=1719), 67% completed the anonymous questionnaire either in a clinic or at home. Results were analyzed according to three age-groups (18—24, 25—34, 35—44 years). Predictive characteristics were studied by use of multivariate models. Results: Younger respondents had on average started sexual life much earlier than the oldest (mean age 17.6 and 19.7 years respectively). The use of contraception at first coitus had become more common for each consecutive generation, though 25% of women aged 18—25 used no contraception, and only 45% used reliable contraception at first intercourse. Around 16% of the women had had two or more sex partners during the previous year, 55% of the youngest and 43% of the oldest had used reliable contraceptive methods. Older women were less likely to use contraceptives in last intercourse. High personal income, having children and low education were related to early age at first intercourse. Being single (women over 24 years) or having high income (women in all ages) was correlated with having had multiple sexual partners. Conclusions: In addition to youth, sexual education should be targeted to older women, many of whom practice risky sexual behaviour.
The Rhetoric and Reality of the 'Risk Factor Prevention Paradigm' Approach to Preventing and Reducing Youth Offending
Authors: Haines Kevin , Case Stephen
Published: March 2008

The Risk Factor Prevention Paradigm (RFPP) has become increasingly influential upon government responses to youth offending. This paper critically evaluates `evidence-based' risk-focused research and prevention that coalesces around the RFPP. We highlight the significant issues that surround defining and measuring risk factors, difficulties in interpreting risk factor evidence, the `psycho-reductionism' of much risk-focused research, implementation problems regarding early intervention and methodological debates around evaluating `what works' in risk-focused crime prevention. A discussion of the promising, progressive nature of the RFPP is tempered by an evaluation of the practical and political concerns that impact upon the paradigm.
Risks, Rights and Justice: Understanding and Responding to Youth Risk
Authors: Kemshall Hazel
Published: March 2008

This article reviews current social policy and penal policy responses to risk, with particular attention to how policies of responsibilization have implications for rights leading to an increased emphasis upon conditional rights. Responsibilization has also framed risk policies as increasingly preventative (and potentially exclusionary) and the limits of this `risk factorology' approach are examined. The article concludes with a brief review of the implications for current youth justice practice and the possibility for practitioner resistance to current policy responses to `problematic' and `risky' youth.
Should arranged marriages for teenage girls be allowed?
Authors: McAvoy Paula
Published: March 2008

In this article I offer a framework for thinking about how public schools in liberal societies ought to respond to instances of arranged marriages for girls from deeply communitarian cultural groups. Focusing on three cases of culturally and religiously arranged marriages from the Hmong, Islamic fundamentalist and Mormon fundamentalist communities, I show that neither the type of tolerance demanded by group rights theorists, nor Susan Okin's claim that liberals should `enforce' women's rights, provides liberals with a satisfactory response. Instead, I argue that Rawls' concept of overlapping consensus provides us with a more just way to think through these tensions between cultural values.Through this discussion it becomes clear that: (a) specifics matter; and (b) what we must not do when making policies is move girls from one autonomy-limiting situation into a different non-autonomous situation.
How political is the personal?
Authors: Lecce Steven
Published: March 2008

According to one recently influential version of liberalism, law and public policy in a democracy should be justified independently of the controversial ethical or religious beliefs that divide citizens, because political membership is coercive, involuntary and profoundly influential to our overall well-being. For children, however, the parent—child relationship shares these three salient features of the political domain: it is also necessarily coercive, involuntary and profoundly influential. In this article, I examine the case for extending the ideal of public reason to parental conduct in connection with religious upbringing. After distinguishing several senses in which the personal is political, and several modes of applying political principles to personal conduct, I reject the proposed extension, and conclude that liberalism is ultimately compatible with `fundamentalist' upbringings.
Educational justice and the gifted
Authors: Merry Michael S.
Published: March 2008

This article examines two basic questions: first, what constitutes a gifted person, and secondly, is there justification in making special educational provision for gifted children, where special provision involves spending more on their education than on the education of `normal' children? I consider a hypothetical case for allocating extra resources for the gifted, and argue that gifted children are generally denied educational justice if they fail to receive an education that adequately challenges them. I further argue that an adequately challenging education is essential to human flourishing, but that most children can be adequately challenged in schools in ways that promote flourishing without doing so at the expense of other children.
Educating for well-being and autonomy
Authors: Cuypers Stefaan E. , Haji Ishtiyaque
Published: March 2008

Liberals champion the view that promoting autonomy — seeing to it that our children develop into individuals who are self-governing in the conduct of their lives — is a vital aim of education, though one generally accredited as being subsidiary to well-being. Our prime goal in this article is to provide a partial validation of this liberal ideal against the backdrop of a freedom-sensitive attitudinal hedonism — our favored life-ranking axiology.We propose that there is a pivotal connection between the concept of maximizing well-being and another concept central in the philosophy of education and in the literature on free agency: the concept of our springs of action, such as our desires or beliefs, being `truly our own' or, alternatively, autonomous. We suggest that it is the freedom that moral responsibility requires that bridges the overarching aim of securing well-being, on the one hand, and the subsidiary aim of promoting autonomy, on the other.
Beyond coexistence
Authors: Rosenblith Suzanne
Published: March 2008

If a pluralistic democratic state such as the United States wishes to move beyond coexistence and toward a more reflective religious pluralism, then public schools must take epistemic issues seriously. Taking a cue from multicultural education, many have called for including the study of religion from a cultural perspective. I argue instead that, while studying religion from a cultural perspective is necessary, for a comprehensive education in religious studies it is not sufficient. In order to enable our youngest generation with the skills and tools to be knowledgeable, thoughtful and respectful citizens, students must grapple with the thorny matter of religious truths.
Assessing the Scientific Accuracy, Readability, and Cultural Appropriateness of a Culturally Targeted Smoking Cessation Program for American Indians
Authors: Makosky Daley Christine , Cowan Paul , Nollen Nicole L. , Greiner K. Allen , Choi Won S.
Published: March 2008

This study assesses educational materials developed for the All Nations Breath of Life smoking cessation program (targeted for American Indians and Alaska Natives) for scientific accuracy, readability and other literacy factors, and cultural appropriateness. The authors used a scientific review panel of experts in smoking cessation representing epidemiology, medicine, and psychology; the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) and the simplified measure of gobbledygook (SMOG) reading grade level formulas; and review by Native program facilitators and pilot participants. Materials were scientifically accurate and culturally appropriate. The mean SAM score was 80% (superior rating), and the average reading grade level was 7.1 using the Fry formula (part of the SAM) and 8.4 using the SMOG formula (difference was not statistically significant). Based on this project, the SAM can be used in combination with scientific review and input from community members during formative research to assess and modify educational materials for a targeted population.
Storage and stability of IgG and IgM monoclonal antibodies dried on filter paper and utility in Neisseria meningitidis serotyping by Dot-blot ELISA
Authors: Ferraz Aline S , Belo Elza FT , Coutinho Ligia MCC , Oliveira Ana P , Carmo Andréia MS , Franco Daniele L , Ferreira Tatiane , Yto André Y , Machado Marta SF , Scola Monica CG , De Gaspari Elizabeth
Published: March 2008

Background

A simple filter paper method was developed for, the transport and storage of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) at room temperature or -20°C after spotting on filter paper, for subsequent serotyping of outer membrane antigens ofN.meningitidisby dot-blot ELISA.

Methods

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were spotted within a 0.5–1 cm diameter area of Whatman grade 903 paper, which were stored individually at room temperature or at -20°C. These MAbs were stored and analyzed after periods of one week, 4 weeks, 12 months, or 13 years in the case of frozen Mab aliquots, or after 4 weeks at -20°C or at room temperature (RT) in the case of Mabs dried on filter paper strips. Assays were performed in parallel using dot-blot ELISA. In addition to the MAbs specific for serotyping class 1, 2 or 3, we used a larger number of Mabs for polysaccharides, lipooligosaccharides (LOS), class 5 and cross-reactive antigens for native outer membrane ofN.meningitidis. The Mabs dried on filter paper were eluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.2% gelatin.

Results

Mabs of the isotypes IgG and IgM dried on filter papers were not affected by duration of storage. The detection by serotyping Mabs was generally consistent for dried filter paper MAb samples stored frozen for over 1 year at -20°C, and although decreased reactive antibody titers were found after storage, this did not interfere with the specificity of the Mabs used after 13 years as dry spots on filter paper.

Conclusion

The use of filter paper is an inexpensive and convenient method for collecting, storing, and transporting Mab samples for serotyping studies. In addition, the samples occupy little space and can be readily transported without freezing. The efficiency of using immunoglobulin G (IgG) or M (IgM) eluted was found to be consistent with measurement of IgG or IgM titers in most corresponding, ascites Mabs stored frozen for over 1 year. The application of meningococcal typing methods and designations depend on the question being asked.
GANDivAWeb: A web server for detecting early folding units ("foldons") from protein 3D structures
Authors: Laborde Thomas , Tomita Masaru , Krishnan Arun
Published: March 2008

Background

It has long been known that small regions of proteins tend to fold independently and are then stabilized by interactions between these distinct subunits or modules. Such units, also known as autonomous folding units (AFUs) or"foldons" play a key role in protein folding. A knowledge of such early folding units has diverse applications in protein engineering as well as in developing an understanding of the protein folding process. Such AFUs can also be used as model systems in order to study the structural organization of proteins.

Results

In an earlier work, we had utilized a global network partitioning algorithm to identify modules in proteins. We had shown that these modules correlate well with AFUs. In this work, we have developed a webserver, GANDivAWeb, to identify early folding units or "foldons" in networks using the algorithm described earlier. The website has three functionalities: (a) It is able to display information on the modularity of a database of 1420 proteins used in the original work, (b) It can take as input an uploaded PDB file, identify the modules using the GANDivA algorithm and email the results back to the user and (c) It can take as input an uploaded PDB file and a results file (obtained from functionality (b)) and display the results using the embedded viewer. The results include the module decomposition of the protein, plots of cartoon representations of the protein colored by module identity and connectivity as well as contour plots of the hydrophobicity and relative accessible surface area (RASA) distributions.

Conclusion

We believe that the GANDivAWeb server, will be a useful tool for scientists interested in the phenomena of protein folding as well as in protein engineering. Our tool not only provides a knowledge of the AFUs through a natural graph partitioning approach but is also able to identify residues that are critical during folding. It is our intention to use this tool to study the topological determinants of protein folding by analyzing the topological changes in proteins over the unfolding/folding pathways.
Exceptional molecular and coreceptor-requirement properties of molecular clones isolated from an Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 subtype C infection
Authors: Dash Prasanta K , Siddappa Nagadenahalli B , Mangaiarkarasi Asokan , Mahendarkar Aruna V , Roshan Padmanabhan , Anand Krishnamurthy Kumar , Mahadevan Anita , Satishchandra Parthasarathy , Shankar Susarla K , Prasad Vinayaka R , Ranga Udaykumar
Published: March 2008

Background

The pathogenic significance of coreceptor switch in the viral infection of HIV-1 is not completely understood. This situation is more complex in subtype C infection where coreceptor switch is either absent or extremely rare. To gain insights into the mechanisms that underlie coreceptor requirement of subtype C, we screened several primary viral isolates and identified a clinical sample that demonstrated a potential to grow on standard T-cell lines with no detectable CCR5 expression. The subject was diagnosed with HIV-1 associated dementia in the absence of opportunistic infections of the brain. To isolate molecular clones from this virus, we devised a novel strategy based on anchor primers that target a sequence in the reverse transcriptase, highly conserved among diverse subtypes of HIV-1.

Results

Using this strategy, we isolated 8 full-length molecular clones from the donor. Two of the eight molecular clones, 03In94_D17 and 03In94_D24, (D17 and D24) generated replication-competent viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the full-length viral sequences revealed that both clones were non-recombinant subtype C viruses. They contain intact open reading frames in all the viral proteins. Both the viral clones are endowed with several unique molecular and biological properties. The viral promoter of the clones is characterized by the presence of four NF-kB binding elements, a feature rarely seen in the subtype C HIV-1 LTR. Interestingly, we identified the coexistence of two different forms of Rev, a truncated form common to subtype C and a full-length form less common for this subtype, in both proviral and plasma virus compartments. An exceptional property of the viruses, atypical of subtype C, is their ability to use a wide range of coreceptors including CCR5, CXCR4, and several others tested. Sequence analysis of Env of D17 and D24 clones identified differences within the variable loops providing important clues for the expanded coreceptor use. The V1, V2 and V4 loops in both of the molecular clones are longer due to the insertion of several amino acid residues that generated potential N-linked glycosylation sites.

Conclusion

The exceptional biological and molecular properties of these clones make them invaluable tools to understand the unique pathogenic characteristics of subtype C.
The evolution of human influenza A viruses from 1999 to 2006: A complete genome study
Authors: Bragstad Karoline , Nielsen Lars P , Fomsgaard Anders
Published: March 2008

Background

Knowledge about the complete genome constellation of seasonal influenza A viruses from different countries is valuable for monitoring and understanding of the evolution and migration of strains. Few complete genome sequences of influenza A viruses from Europe are publicly available at the present time and there have been few longitudinal genome studies of human influenza A viruses. We have studied the evolution of circulating human H3N2, H1N1 and H1N2 influenza A viruses from 1999 to 2006, we analysed 234 Danish human influenza A viruses and characterised 24 complete genomes.

Results

H3N2 was the prevalent strain in Denmark during the study period, but H1N1 dominated the 2000–2001 season. H1N2 viruses were first observed in Denmark in 2002–2003. After years of little genetic change in the H1N1 viruses the 2005–2006 season presented H1N1 of greater variability than before. This indicates that H1N1 viruses are evolving and that H1N1 soon is likely to be the prevalent strain again. Generally, the influenza A haemagglutinin (HA) of H3N2 viruses formed seasonal phylogenetic clusters. Different lineages co-circulating within the same season were also observed. The evolution has been stochastic, influenced by small "jumps" in genetic distance rather than constant drift, especially with the introduction of the Fujian-like viruses in 2002–2003. Also evolutionary stasis-periods were observed which might indicate well fit viruses. The evolution of H3N2 viruses have also been influenced by gene reassortments between lineages from different seasons. None of the influenza genes were influenced by strong positive selection pressure. The antigenic site B in H3N2 HA was the preferred site for genetic change during the study period probably because the site A has been masked by glycosylations. Substitutions at CTL-epitopes in the genes coding for the neuraminidase (NA), polymerase acidic protein (PA), matrix protein 1 (M1), non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and especially the nucleoprotein (NP) were observed. The N-linked glycosylation pattern varied during the study period and the H3N2 isolates from 2004 to 2006 were highly glycosylated with ten predicted sequons in HA, the highest amount of glycosylations observed in this study period.

Conclusion

The present study is the first to our knowledge to characterise the evolution of complete genomes of influenza A H3N2, H1N1 and H1N2 isolates from Europe over a time period of seven years from 1999 to 2006. More precise knowledge about the circulating strains may have implications for predicting the following season strains and thereby better matching the vaccine composition.
Amplification of neural stem cell proliferation by intermediate progenitor cells in Drosophila brain development
Authors: Bello Bruno C , Izergina Natalya , Caussinus Emmanuel , Reichert Heinrich
Published: March 2008

Background

In the mammalian brain, neural stem cells divide asymmetrically and often amplify the number of progeny they generate via symmetrically dividing intermediate progenitors. Here we investigate whether specific neural stem cell-like neuroblasts in the brain of Drosophila might also amplify neuronal proliferation by generating symmetrically dividing intermediate progenitors.

Results

Cell lineage-tracing and genetic marker analysis show that remarkably large neuroblast lineages exist in the dorsomedial larval brain of Drosophila. These lineages are generated by brain neuroblasts that divide asymmetrically to self renew but, unlike other brain neuroblasts, do not segregate the differentiating cell fate determinant Prospero to their smaller daughter cells. These daughter cells continue to express neuroblast-specific molecular markers and divide repeatedly to produce neural progeny, demonstrating that they are proliferating intermediate progenitors. The proliferative divisions of these intermediate progenitors have novel cellular and molecular features; they are morphologically symmetrical, but molecularly asymmetrical in that key differentiating cell fate determinants are segregated into only one of the two daughter cells.

Conclusion

Our findings provide cellular and molecular evidence for a new mode of neurogenesis in the larval brain of Drosophila that involves the amplification of neuroblast proliferation through intermediate progenitors. This type of neurogenesis bears remarkable similarities to neurogenesis in the mammalian brain, where neural stem cells as primary progenitors amplify the number of progeny they generate through generation of secondary progenitors. This suggests that key aspects of neural stem cell biology might be conserved in brain development of insects and mammals.
Echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary artery occlusion pressure in ventilated patients: a transoesophageal study
Authors: Vignon Philippe , AitHssain Ali , François Bruno , Preux Pierre-Marie , Pichon Nicolas , Clavel Marc , Frat Jean-Pierre , Gastinne Hervé
Published: March 2008

Background

Non-invasive evaluation of left ventricular filling pressure has been scarcely studied in critically ill patients. Accordingly, we prospectively assessed the ability of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) Doppler to predict an invasive pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) ≤ 18 mmHg in ventilated patients.

Methods

During two consecutive 3-year periods, TEE Doppler parameters were compared to right heart catheterisation derived PAOP used as reference in 88 ventilated patients, haemodynamically stable and in sinus rhythm (age: 63 ± 14 years; simplified acute physiologic score (SAPS) II: 45 ± 12). During the initial period (protocol A), threshold values of pulsed-wave Doppler parameters to predict an invasive PAOP ≤ 18 mmHg were determined in 56 patients. Derived Doppler values were prospectively tested during the subsequent period (protocol B) in 32 patients.

Results

In protocol A, Doppler parameters had similar area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. In protocol B, mitral E/A ≤ 1.4, pulmonary vein S/D > 0.65 and systolic fraction > 44% best predicted an invasive PAOP ≤ 18 mmHg. Lateral E/E' ≤ 8.0 or E/Vp ≤ 1.7 predicted a PAOP ≤ 18 mmHg with a sensitivity of 83% and 80%, and a specificity of 88% and 100%, respectively. Areas under ROC curves of lateral E/E' and E/Vp were similar (0.91 ± 0.07 vs 0.92 ± 0.07: p = 0.53), and not significantly different from those of pulsed-wave Doppler indices.

Conclusion

TEE accurately predicts invasive PAOP ≤ 18 mmHg in ventilated patients. This further increases its diagnostic value in patients with suspected acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome.