bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Religion as Cultural Power: The Role of Religion in Influencing Americans’ Symbolic Boundaries around Gender and Sexuality
Authors: Tranby Eric , Zulkowski Samantha E. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn this article, we describe recent research that explores the power of religion to influence understandings of gender and sexuality in the United States. We argue that sociologists of religion should draw from symbolic boundaries theory, a theoretical innovation in the sociology of culture. In particular, we discuss a rich body of research in the sociology of religion to show how Americans use religious tools to draw boundaries around ideal and stigmatized gender norms, family forms and sexual identification. We combine symbolic boundaries literature and this literature to show that religion is a source of cultural power that assigns meaning to, and draws boundaries around, certain cultural categories. We end by describing some productive directions for future research in this area.
Arantius’ ligament approach for the left extrahepatic Glissonean pedicle in pure laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy
Authors: Cho Akihiro , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Kainuma Osamu , Ota Takumi , Park SeongJin , Yanagibashi Hiroo , Arimitsu Hidehito , Ikeda Atsushi , Souda Hiroaki , Nabeya Yoshihiro , Takiguchi Nobuhiro , Nagata Matsuo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIntroductionLaparoscopic hemihepatectomy has not yet become widely accepted because of the technical difficulties in controlling each Glissonean pedicle laparoscopically.Materials and Surgical TechniqueThe subjects in the present study included 12 patients who underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy between August 2007 and June 2011. Arantius' ligament was divided. Retracting the caudal stump of the ligament revealed a space between the left Glissonean pedicle and the liver parenchyma. The left Glissonean pedicle could be easily encircled by using an Endo Retract Maxi. No Glissonean injuries, including bleeding or biliary leakage, occurred in any of the 12 patients.DiscussionTherefore, the Arantius' ligament approach for the left extrahepatic Glissonean pedicle appears to be feasible and safe for successfully performing pure laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy.
Detecting offence paralleling behaviours in a medium secure psychiatric unit
Authors: Kadra Giouliana , Daffern Michael , Campbell Colin 
Published: October 2012

PurposeOffence paralleling behaviour (OPB) is a relatively new concept that emphasizes the assessment and modification of behavioural patterns that parallel criminal offending. Extant empirical research into OPB has typically focussed on the similarity between aggressive behaviours observed in custody and violent index offences perpetrated in the community; the results of these studies have been inconsistent, with the degree of similarity varying within subjects and across studies; (Daffern, Howells, Stacey, Hogue, & Mooney, 2008; Daffern, Howells, Mannion, & Tonkin, 2009). The aim of this study was to establish the level of similarity between OPB predictions and actual in‐patient aggressive behaviours.MethodThis prospective pilot study used a novel practice algorithm (Jones, 2010a) to develop a reference formulation from which OPBs and Pro‐social alternate behaviours (PABs), the pro‐social variants of OPBs, were predicted. Participants were five mentally disordered offenders resident in a UK medium secure psychiatric unit. Following generation of a reference formulation and OPB and PAB predictions the participants were monitored for 6 months. The degree of similarity between predicted and actual OPBs and PABs was calculated using Jaccard's coefficient.ResultsResults indicated considerable similarity between matched (pairing predictions and their corresponding actual behaviours) OPBs, which were also more similar than random pairs (pairing randomly selected predictions and aggressive behaviours).ConclusionThis study revealed the existence of OPB in mentally disordered offenders and has provided the first test of a novel practice algorithm, revealing its potential to guide OPB formulations.
Metabolic Syndrome Enhances Prostate Contractility and In Vitro Phenylephrine‐induced α1‐Adrenoceptor Protein Expression in the Fructose‐fed Rat
Authors: CHEN I‐Hung , CHUNG Hsien‐Hui , CHENG Juei‐Tang , TONG Yat‐Ching 
Published: October 2012

Objectives: To study the effects of metabolic syndrome on prostate α‐adrenergic contractile function using fructose‐fed rats (FR).Methods: Age‐matched male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: group I, normal control rats; and group II, 9‐week FR. Animal body weight, blood pressure and serum metabolic parameters were monitored. The prostate was removed 9 weeks after induction of metabolic syndrome in the FR. The contractile responses of prostatic strips to phenylephrine (10−7 to 10−6 M) and KCl (50 mM) were tested. Prostate α1‐adrenoceptor (α1‐AR) protein expression was studied by Western blotting analysis with a polyclonal antiserum.Results: At week 9, the FR showed significant increases in body weight, blood pressure, plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels. The FR prostate weight was significantly higher than that of the controls (610.5 ± 13.2 vs 422.3 ± 7.7 mg, P < 0.05 for n = 8). FR prostate contractile responses to phenylephrine and KCl were both significantly increased. Interestingly, prostate α1‐AR protein expression level was lower in the FR. However, after in vitro 10−6 M phenylephrine stimulation, FR prostate α1‐AR protein expression was significantly increased.Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome in FR significantly increases prostate contractile responses to KCl and α‐adrenergic stimulation. Paradoxically, FR prostate α1‐AR protein expression is decreased, but significantly enhanced after in vitro phenylephrine stimulation.
A unique gender difference in early onset melanoma implies that in addition to ultraviolet light exposure other causative factors are important
Authors: Liu Feng , Bessonova Leona , Taylor Thomas H. , Ziogas Argyrios , Meyskens Frank L. , Anton‐Culver Hoda 
Published: October 2012

SummaryUsing US SEER17 Registry data, age‐specific melanoma incidence rates were calculated and comparisons were made between males and females. Relative Risk (RR) for males and females in each age group was computed and compared with that from Nordic Cancer Registry data set and to that for non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). For age groups 44 and younger, females showed higher incidence rates, with a peak difference at age 20–24 (RR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.21–3.33). Males exhibited higher incidence rates after age 44. The same bimodal gender difference was confirmed by the Nordic Cancer Registry data set, but it was not observed for NMSC, which is known to be strongly associated with cumulative exposure to solar UV radiation. We conclude that exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the major causative factor for melanoma at older age (>44 yr), but that other factors may play a role in early onset melanomas, particularly in females.
Exercise efficiency is reduced by mitochondrial uncoupling in the elderly
Authors: Conley Kevin E. , Jubrias Sharon A. , Cress M. Elaine , Esselman Peter 
Published: October 2012

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?A key part of the debilitation that comes with age is the decline in exercise efficiency. This study examines the role of metabolic efficiency in this decline.
What is the main finding and its importance?Here we show that mitochondrial energy inefficiency is the basis of the decline in exercise efficiency with age. These findings identify mitochondrial dysfunction as a key factor in the reduced exercise efficiency with age and also identify mitochondria as the target for intervention to reverse this source of debilitation in the elderly.
A reduction in exercise efficiency accompanies ageing in humans. Here we evaluated the impact of changes in the contractile‐coupling and mitochondrial‐coupling efficiencies on the reduction in exercise efficiency in the elderly. Nine adult (mean, 38.8 years old) and 40 elderly subjects (mean, 68.8 years old) performed a cycle ergometer test to measure O2 uptake and leg power output up to the aerobic limit (). Reduced leg power output per unit O2 uptake was reflected in a drop in delta efficiency (ɛD) from 0.27 ± 0.01 (mean ± SEM) in adults to 0.22 ± 0.01 in the elderly group. Similar declines with age were apparent for both the leg power output at and the ATP generation capacity (ATPmax) determined in vivo using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These similar declines resulted in unchanged contractile‐coupling efficiency values (ɛC) in the adult (0.50 ± 0.05) versus the elderly group (0.58 ± 0.04) and agreed with independent measures of muscle contractile‐coupling efficiency in human quadriceps (0.5). The mitochondrial‐coupling efficiency calculated from the ratio of delta to contractile‐coupling efficiencies in the adults (ɛD/ɛC= 0.58 ± 0.08) corresponded to values for well‐coupled mitochondria (0.6); however, ɛD/ɛC was significantly lower in the elderly subjects (0.44 ± 0.03). Conversion of ATPmax per mitochondrial volume (ATPmax/Vv[mt,f]) reported in these groups into thermodynamic units confirmed this drop in mitochondrial‐coupling efficiency from 0.57 ± 0.08 in adults to 0.41 ± 0.03 in elderly subjects. Thus, two independent methods revealed that reduced mitochondrial‐coupling efficiency was a key part of the drop in exercise efficiency in these elderly subjects and may be an important part of the loss of exercise performance with age.
Schistosoma mansoni Hemozoin Modulates Alternative Activation of Macrophages via Specific Suppression of Retnla Expression and Secretion
Authors: Truscott Martha , Evans D. Andrew , Gunn Matt , Hoffmann Karl F. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThe trematodeSchistosoma mansoniis one of the etiological agents of schistosomiasis, a key neglected tropical disease responsible for an estimated annual loss of 70 million disability-adjusted life years. Hematophagy represents the primary nutrient acquisition pathway of this parasite, but digestion of hemoglobin also liberates toxic heme. Schistosomes detoxify heme via crystallization into hemozoin, which is subsequently regurgitated into the host's circulation. Here we demonstrate that during experimental schistosomiasis, hemozoin accumulating in the mouse liver is taken up by phagocytes at a time coincident with the development of the egg-induced T-helper 2 (Th2) granulomatous immune response. Furthermore, the uptake of hemozoin also coincides with the hepatic expression of markers of alternative macrophage activation. Alternatively activated macrophages are a key effector cell population associated with protection against schistosomiasis, making hemozoin well placed to play an important immunomodulatory role in this disease. To systematically explore this hypothesis,S. mansonihemozoin was purified and added toin vitrobone marrow-derived macrophage cultures concurrently exposed to cytokines chosen to reflect the shifting state of macrophage activationin vivo. Macrophages undergoing interleukin-4 (IL-4)-induced alternative activation in the presence of hemozoin developed a phenotype specifically lacking inRetnla, a characteristic alternatively activated macrophage product associated with regulation of Th2 inflammatory responses. As such, in addition to its important detoxification role during hematophagy, we propose that schistosome hemozoin also provides a potent immunomodulatory function in the coevolved network of host-parasite relationships during schistosomiasis.
Modulation of Kingella kingae Adherence to Human Epithelial Cells by Type IV Pili, Capsule, and a Novel Trimeric Autotransporter
Authors: Porsch Eric A. , Kehl-Fie Thomas E. , St. Geme Joseph W. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Kingella kingae
is an emerging bacterial pathogen that is being recognized increasingly as an important etiology of septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and bacteremia, especially in young children. Colonization of the posterior pharynx is a key step in the pathogenesis of
K. kingae
disease. Previous work established that type IV pili are necessary for
K. kingae
adherence to the respiratory epithelium. In this study, we set out to identify additional factors that influence
K. kingae
interactions with human epithelial cells. We found that genetic disruption of the gene encoding a predicted trimeric autotransporter protein called Knh (

K
ingella

N
hhA
h
omolog) resulted in reduced adherence to human epithelial cells. In addition, we established that
K. kingae
elaborates a surface-associated polysaccharide capsule that requires a predicted ABC-type transporter export operon called
ctrABCD
for surface presentation. Furthermore, we discovered that the presence of a surface capsule interferes with Knh-mediated adherence to human epithelial cells by nonpiliated organisms and that maximal adherence in the presence of a capsule requires the predicted type IV pilus retraction machinery, PilT/PilU. On the basis of the data presented here, we propose a novel adherence mechanism that allows
K. kingae
to adhere efficiently to human epithelial cells while remaining encapsulated and more resistant to immune clearance.

IMPORTANCE
Kingella kingae
is a Gram-negative bacterium that is being recognized increasingly as a cause of joint and bone infections in young children. The pathogenesis of disease due to
K. kingae
begins with bacterial colonization of the upper respiratory tract, and previous work established that surface hair-like fibers called type IV pili are necessary for
K. kingae
adherence to respiratory epithelial cells. In this study, we set out to identify additional factors that influence
K. kingae
interactions with respiratory epithelial cells. We discovered a novel surface protein called Knh that mediates
K. kingae
adherence and found that a surface-associated carbohydrate capsule interferes with the Knh-mediated adherence of organisms lacking pili. Further analysis revealed that pilus retraction is necessary for maximal Knh-mediated adherence in the presence of the capsule. Our results may lead to new strategies to prevent disease due to
K. kingae
and potentially other pathogenic bacteria.
Childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: cross-sectional insight into small-scale geographical inequalities from Census data
Authors: Kazembe Lawrence , Clarke Aileen , Kandala Ngianga-Bakwin 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo estimate and quantify childhood mortality, its spatial correlates and the impact of potential correlates using recent census data from three sub-Saharan African countries (Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda), where evidence is lacking.DesignCross-sectional.SettingNation-wide census samples from three African countries participating in the 2010 African Census round. All three countries have conducted recent censuses and have information on mortality of children under 5 years.Participants111 288 children under the age of 5 years in three countries.Primary and secondary outcome measuresUnder-five mortality was assessed alongside potential correlates including geographical location (where children live), and environmental, bio-demographic and socioeconomic variables.ResultsMultivariate analysis indicates that in all three countries the overall risk of child death in the first 5 years of life has decreased in recent years (Rwanda: HR=0.04, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.09; Senegal: HR=0.02 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.05); Uganda: HR=0.011 (95% CI 0.006 to 0.018). In Rwanda, lower deaths were associated with living in urban areas (0.79, 0.73, 0.83), children with living mother (HR=0.16, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.17) or living father (HR=0.38, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.39). Higher death was associated with male children (HR=1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.08) and Christian children (HR=1.14, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.27). Children less than 1 year were associated with higher risk of death compared to older children in the three countries. Also, there were significant spatial variations showing inequalities in children mortality by geographic location. In Uganda, for example, areas of high risk are in the south-west and north-west and Kampala district showed a significantly reduced risk.ConclusionsWe provide clear evidence of considerable geographical variation of under-five mortality which is unexplained by factors considered in the data. The resulting under-five mortality maps can be used as a practical tool for monitoring progress within countries for the Millennium Development Goal 4 to reduce under-five mortality in half by 2015.
Surgical endoscopy training: the Joint Advisory Group on gastrointestinal endoscopy national review
Authors: Hammond John S , Watson Nicholas F S , Lund Jon N , Barton J Roger 
Published: October 2012

Background and aimsEndoscopy performance is dependent on the technical ability and experience of the operator. There is anxiety among surgical trainees that certification to perform independent endoscopy to agreed national standards by the date of award of certificate of completion of training is not achievable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the delivery of endoscopy training to UK-based general surgery trainees.Materials and methodsAn electronic survey of general surgery trainees holding a national training number or in a locum appointment to training post between July and September 2010 was undertaken.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty-three trainees responded from all UK training regions. Stated subspeciality interests included coloproctology (47%), oesophagogastric/bariatric (22%) and hepatobiliary/pancreatic (10%) general surgery. 92% of trainees were training or planned to train in endoscopy, 62% of whom had registered with the Joint Advisory Group (JAG). Thirteen trainees had JAG certification in diagnostic upper GI endoscopy and eight in colonoscopy. There were high rates of dissatisfaction with endoscopy training nationally. Two thirds of trainees had no scheduled training lists. Conflicting elective/emergency commitments, competition and absence of training lists were the most common reasons for a failure to access endoscopy training.ConclusionsHigher surgical trainees are failing to achieve national standards for endoscopy practice. There is an urgent need to address the deficiencies in endoscopy training to ensure a competent cohort of surgical endoscopists.
Duration of unemployment and suicide in Australia over the period 1985–2006: an ecological investigation by sex and age during rising versus declining national unemployment rates
Authors: Milner Allison , Page Andrew , LaMontagne Anthony D 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe relationship between unemployment and suicide may be sensitive to demographic factors, national unemployment rates, and length of time without employment. This study investigated these factors in relation to suicide in Australia for the period 1985–2006, in an ecological study.MethodsThe outcome variable was annual suicide rate by age group, sex and the eight states and territories over 22 years of observation (total observations=1760). The main predictor variable was the average duration of unemployment in the population, categorised into three time periods (<2 weeks, 2–4 weeks, >4 weeks). Poisson regression models were used to investigate the relationship between duration of unemployment and suicide over the years 1985–2006 in a series of cross-sectional analyses. Interaction analyses indicated significant differences during periods of declining or increasing labour market opportunity and by age group.ResultsDuring periods of declining unemployment rates in the country, longer durations of unemployment were associated with higher male suicide rates. During periods of increasing unemployment in the country, longer unemployment duration was associated with lower male suicide rates. Effect modification was also apparent by age-group, with stronger associations between unemployment duration and male suicide evident in those aged 25–34 and 55–64, and weaker associations in those aged 15–24 and 44–54 years. Longer length of unemployment was not associated with an increase in female suicide rates.ConclusionsThe labour market opportunities in Australia modified the effect of duration of unemployment on suicide, and the effect was more prominent in men and older age groups. This may reflect social norms and acceptability about unemployment, as well as life-stage influences associated with transitions into and out of the labour market.
Grey matter correlates of clinical variables in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a neuroimaging study of ALS motor phenotype heterogeneity and cortical focality
Authors: Bede Peter , Bokde Arun , Elamin Marwa , Byrne Susan , McLaughlin Russell L , Jordan Norah , Hampel Harald , Gallagher Laura , Lynch Catherine , Fagan Andrew J , Pender Niall , Hardiman Orla 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundBody region of onset and functional disability are key components of disease heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).ObjectivesTo evaluate patterns of grey matter pathology in the motor cortex and correlate focal structural changes with functional disability.MethodsWe conducted a single-centre neuroimaging study of a cohort of 33 cognitively normal patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 44 healthy controls. A voxel-wise generalised linear model was used to investigate the distribution of disease burden within the motor cortex in relation to clinical disability.ResultsPatients with bulbar onset have bilateral focal atrophy in the bulbar segment of the motor homunculus compared with patients with limb onset who have focal cortical changes in the limb segment of their motor strip. Furthermore, the extent to which different body regions are affected in ALS corresponds to the extent of focal grey matter loss in the primary motor cortex. Cortical ALS pathology also extends beyond the motor cortex affecting frontal, occipital and temporal regions.ConclusionsFocal grey matter atrophy within the motor homunculus corresponds with functional disability in ALS. The findings support the existing concepts of cortical focality and motor phenotype heterogeneity in ALS.
Point-of-care tests for the diagnosis ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaeinfection: a systematic review of operational and performance characteristics
Authors: Watchirs Smith Lucy Alexandra , Hillman Richard , Ward James , Whiley David M , Causer Louise , Skov Steven , Donovan Basil , Kaldor John , Guy Rebecca 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesSystematic review of the performance and operational characteristics of point-of-care (POC) tests for the diagnosis ofNeisseria gonorrhoeae.MethodsWe searched PubMed and Embase until August 2010 using variations of the terms: ‘rapid test’, ‘Neisseria gonorrhoeae’ and ‘evaluation’.ResultsWe identified 100 papers, 14 studies were included; nine evaluated leucocyte esterase (LE) dipsticks and three immunochromatographic strips, and two clinical audits of microscopy were identified. Of the field evaluations the gold standard was nucleic acid amplification technology in six studies and bacterial culture in the other six. In four studies, 50% or more of the patients were symptomatic. The median sensitivity of LE dipsticks was 71% (range 23–85%), median specificity was 70% (33–99%), median positive predictive value (PPV) was 19% (5–40%) and median negative predictive value (NPV) was 95% (56–99%). One LE study found a sensitivity of 23% overall, increasing to 75% in symptomatic women. LE dipsticks mostly involved three steps and took under 2 min. The median sensitivity of immunochromatographic tests (ICT) was 70% (60–94%), median specificity was 96% (89–97%), median PPV was 56% (55–97%) and median NPV was 93% (92–99%). Immunochromatic strips involved five to seven steps and took 15–30 min. Specificity of microscopy ranged from 38% to 89%.ConclusionsICT and LE tests had similar sensitivities, but sensitivity results may be overestimated as largely symptomatic patients were included in some studies. ICT had a higher specificity in women than LE tests. The findings highlight the need for improved POC tests for diagnosis ofN gonorrhoeaeand more standardised evaluations.