bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acculturation of Host Individuals: Immigrants and Personal Networks
Authors: Domínguez Silvia , Maya-Jariego Isidro 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThere has been a vast amount of research on the changes experienced by immigrants, but little is known about the changes experienced by host individuals. This article focuses on the role of host individuals in the networks of relations between immigrant populations and the communities from the dominant culture, as well as the changes experienced by host individuals because of their continuous contact with immigrants. This research applied a network approach to the study of the acculturation of host individuals. Two independent studies were carried out: a systematic analysis of the personal networks of Argentinean (n = 67), Ecuadorian (n = 59), Italian (n = 37) and German (n = 37) residents in Seville and Cadiz (Spain) (Study 1); and an ethnographic study with human service workers for Latin American immigrants in Boston (USA) (Study 2). With two different strategies, the role of host individuals in personal networks of foreigners in the United States and Spain was analyzed. The results show that host individuals tend to have less centrality than compatriots, showing an overall secondary role in the personal networks of immigrants. The lowest average centrality was observed in recent and temporal migrants, whereas the highest corresponded to the individuals with more time of residence in Spain. The personal networks of human service providers in the United States vary in ethnic composition and in their structural properties, and therefore shape different types of integrative bridges for immigrants.
Home treatment with Elaprase® and Naglazyme® is safe in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses types II and VI, respectively
Authors: Bagewadi S. , Roberts J. , Mercer J. , Jones S. , Stephenson J. , Wraith J. E. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryEnzyme replacement therapy for lysosomal storage disorders has made an important contribution to improving the quality of life of affected patients. The treatment, however, is invasive and onerous, involving weekly or biweekly intravenous infusions of product over a 3–4 h period. Such therapy can be extremely disruptive of normal family life and the provision of a safe, home treatment regimen is greatly appreciated by affected families. In this report we demonstrate the safety of home treatment with Elaprase for mucopolysaccharidosis type II (17 patients) and Naglazyme for mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (6 patients). Careful patient selection, an experienced home care company and a detailed management plan for potential anaphylaxis and infusion‐associated reactions are important components in a successful home treatment programme.
Factors associated with sexual activity among high‐school students in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Kabiru Caroline W. , Orpinas Pamela 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe high level of HIV infection in sub‐Saharan Africa has led to an increased interest in understanding the determinants of sexual activity among young people, who are at high risk of sexually transmitted infections. The present study examined sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors associated with heterosexual activity among a sample of 3556 male and female high‐school students in Nairobi, Kenya. Approximately 50% of the males and 11% of females reported having had sexual intercourse at least once in their lifetime with a significant proportion reporting multiple sexual partnerships. Sexual activity was associated with various factors including religiosity, perceived parental attitudes towards sex, living arrangements, and school characteristics. However, the pattern of association differed for males and females. Results suggest that adolescents may benefit from sex education programs addressing multiple factors that may predispose adolescents to sexual activity, and that take into account gender differences.
The Significance of Atypical Urine Cytology in the Face of Normal Investigations—Is Extended Investigation and Follow-Up Required?
Authors: Streeter E.H. , Turner G.D.H. , McCormick R. , Roberts I.S. , Crew J. 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To examine the natural history of patients identified with atypical urine cytology in the face of normal investigations, and thus provide guidance on the need for extended follow-up and investigation of such patients. Patients and methods: All patients identified over a 2-year period to have atypical urine cytology on Cytospin analysis and Papanicolaou staining were audited over a 5-year follow-up period. Clinical records, histopathology and radiology databases were independently searched. Patients were intensively investigated with cystoscopy and a range of upper tract imaging. Results: 126 patients were identified to have atypical urine cytology, and 77 of these had no urothelial tumour found. In these normal patients, only 12/48 who had further samples taken showed persistent atypia. 11/77 normal patients had another urological pathology which may have explained their atypical urine cytology. No patient presenting for the first time later went on to develop urothelial malignancy in the face of negative initial investigations. Conclusion: In the group of patients in which cystoscopy and urography show no urothelial malignancy, the finding of atypical urinary cytology does not predict the development of later urothelial tumour, and does not require prolonged follow-up, repeat cytological testing or further imaging.
Effect of 60 Hz electromagnetic fields on the activity of hsp70 promoter: An in vitro study
Authors: Rodríguez de la Fuente Abraham O. , Alcocer‐González Juan M. , Heredia‐Rojas Antonio J. , Balderas‐Candanosa Isaías , Rodríguez‐Flores Laura E. , Rodríguez‐Padilla Cristina , Taméz‐Guerra Reyes S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe have evaluated the effect of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (MF) at 8 and 8 μT on expression of the luciferase gene contained in a gene construct labelled as Electromagnetic Field‐plasmid (pEMF). The vector included the hsp70 promotor containing the 3 nCTCTn sequences previously described for the induction of hsp70 expression by magnetic fields, as well as the reporter of the luciferase gene. We also replicated the study of Lin et al. [Lin H, Blank M, Rossol‐Haseroth K, Goodman R. Regulating genes with electromagnetic response elements. J Cell Biochem 2001;81(1):143–48]. The pEMF plasmid was transfected into HeLa and BMK16 cell lines that were later exposed to either MF or thermal shock (TS). An increased luciferase expression was found in both the cells exposed to MF and TS compared with their control groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the combined effect of MF and TS was also analyzed. A synergistic effect between two factors was observed for this co‐exposure condition in terms of luciferase gene expression.
Sympathetic activation in congestive heart failure: Reproducibility of neuroadrenergic markers
Authors: Grassi Guido , Bolla Gianbattista , Quarti‐Trevano Fosca , Arenare Francesca , Brambilla Gianmaria , Mancia Giuseppe 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective:To assess the reproducibility of the two markers of adrenergic drive, venous plasma norepinephrine (NE) and efferent postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), in reflecting the sympathetic activation characterizing congestive heart failure (CHF).Methods and measurements:In 19 CHF male normotensive patients (mean age: 53.0±2.1 years, NYHA classes II and III, left ventricular ejection fraction 35.9±2.9%), blood pressure (BP, Finapres), heart rate (EKG), plasma NE (HPLC assay) and MSNA (microneurography, peroneal nerve) were measured in two experimental sessions separated by a week interval. At each session, three NE samples were obtained and NE reproducibility between sessions was assessed by considering single NE samples or averaging 2–3 samples.Results:While MSNA values showed a highly significant correlation between sessions (r = 0.85, P<0.001), NE values based on a single blood sample evaluation did not correlate with each other (r = 0.41, P = NS). NE correlation coefficients improved and achieved statistical significance when average data from 2 and 3 blood samples were examined (r = 0.54 and r = 0.57, P<0.02 for both).Conclusions:In CHF, MSNA displays a better reproducibility pattern than plasma NE. The reproducibility of the NE approach, however, can be improved by performing the assay on multiple blood samples.
Effects of Etanercept and Minocycline in a rat model of spinal cord injury
Authors: Marchand Fabien , Tsantoulas Christoforos , Singh Dalbinder , Grist John , Clark Anna K. , Bradbury Elizabeth J. , McMahon Stephen B. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTLoss of function is usually considered the major consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, pain severely compromises the quality of life in nearly 70% of SCI patients. The principal aim of this study was to assess the contribution of Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) to SCI pain. TNF‐α blockers have already been successfully used to treat inflammatory disorders but there are few studies on its effect on neuropathic pain, especially following SCI. Following T13 spinal cord hemisection, we examined the effects on mechanical allodynia and microglial activation of immediate and delayed chronic intrathecal treatment with etanercept, a fusion protein blocker of TNF‐α. Immediate treatment (starting at the time of injury) with etanercept resulted in markedly reduced mechanical allodynia 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after SCI. Delayed treatment had no effect. Immediate etanercept treatment also reduced spinal microglial activation assessed by OX‐42 immunostaining, a putative marker of activated microglia. To assess whether the effects of etanercept were mediated via decreased microglial activation, we examined the effects of the microglial inhibitor, minocycline which significantly reduced the development of pain behaviours at 1 and 2 weeks after SCI compared to saline treatment. Minocycline also significantly reduced microglial OX‐42 expression. Furthermore, minocycline decreased the expression of noxious‐stimulation‐induced c‐Fos, suggesting an effect on evoked neuronal activity. This study demonstrates that TNF‐α plays an important role in the establishment of neuropathic pain following SCI, seemingly dependent on microglial activation. Pharmacological targeting of TNF‐α may offer therapeutic opportunities for treating SCI pain.
Genetic association between −93A/G polymorphism in the Fyn kinase gene and alcohol dependence in Spanish men
Authors: Pastor Isabel J. , Laso F. Javier , Inés Sandra , Marcos Miguel , González-Sarmiento Rogelio 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundFyn tyrosine kinase is a member of the Scr family that phosphorylates the NR2A and NR2B subunits of the NMDA receptors reducing the inhibitory effects of ethanol and therefore may regulate the individual sensitivity to ethanol.ObjectivesTo investigate whether there is any relationship between the polymorphism at position −93 of the Fyn kinase gene and the susceptibility to develop alcoholism.MethodsWe studied the distribution of genotypes and alleles of the polymorphism −93A/G (137346 T/C) in the 5′ UTR region of thefyngene in 207 male heavy drinkers (119 with alcohol dependence and 88 with alcohol abuse) and 100 control subjects from Castilla y León (Spain).ResultsThe frequency of G allele carriers was higher in alcohol dependents than in alcohol abusers (47.9% vs 30.6%;p= 0.015; OR = 2.077; 95% CI 1.165–3.704).ConclusionOur results show that the −93G allele of Fyn kinase gene is associated with higher risk to develop alcohol dependence in Spanish men.
RETRACTED: Calcium supplementation for the prevention of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Devi Salam Gyaneshwori , Batra Swaraj , Singh Chanchal , Shukla Deepak Kumar 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo study the effect of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on blood pressure and maternal and neonatal outcomes.MethodA total of 524 healthy primigravidas with a blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg were randomly assigned between the 12th and 25th weeks to receive 2 g of elemental calcium or placebo and were followed‐up until delivery.ResultsThe incidence of pre‐eclampsia was significantly less in the calcium than in the placebo group (4.0% vs 12.0%; odds ratio [OR], 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15–0.63); the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures at study completion were different in the calcium and placebo group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.02). The risk for preterm delivery was less in the calcium (7.0%) than in the placebo (12.7%) group (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28–0.93). The mean baseline calcium intake was 313.83 ± 203.25 mg/day (range, 85.71–910.71 mg/day), which is lower than the recommended dietary intake of 1000 mg, and the 24‐hour urinary calcium excretion was 130.82 ± 67.44 mg/dL (range, 40.5–387 mg/dL).ConclusionCalcium supplementation appears to reduce the occurrence of pre‐eclampsia and preterm delivery in primigravidas who have a daily dietary calcium intake less than the recommended dietary allowances.
Global issues in women's health
Authors: Sciarra John J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWorld population growth in the past century has taxed the ability of healthcare systems in low‐income countries to provide reproductive health care. Maternal mortality and morbidity, sexually transmitted diseases, and cervical cancer are major problems. Expansion of reproductive health services, training of appropriate medical personnel, and elevating the status of women in society are all necessary and appropriate solutions to improve the health of women in low‐income countries.
Helminths parasitizing larval fish from Pantanal, Brazil
Authors: Lacerda A.C.F. , Santin M. , Takemoto R.M. , Pavanelli G.C. , Bialetzki A. , Tavernari F.C. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractFish larvae of ‘corvinas’ (Pachyurus bonariensis and Plagioscion ternetzi) from Sinhá Mariana Lagoon, Mato Grosso State, were collected from March 2000 to March 2004, in order to determine the parasitic fauna of fishes. Larvae from the two species were parasitized by the same endoparasites: Contracaecum sp. Type 2 (larvae) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in the mesentery and Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) paraguayensis (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in the stomach and the terminal portion of the intestine. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the standard length of hosts and the abundance of acanthocephalans and nematodes, and that the prevalence of nematodes presented a significant positive correlation with the standard length of the two species of hosts, indicating the presence of a cumulative process of infection. The present study constitutes the first record of nematodes and acanthocephalans parasitizing larval fish, as well as the first record of endoparasites in fish larvae in Brazil. In addition, it lists a new locality and two species of hosts for Contracaecum sp. Type 2 (larva) and N. (N.) paraguayensis.
Dimensions of compact invariant sets of some expanding maps
Authors: YAYAMA YUKI 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe study the Hausdorff dimension and measures of full Hausdorff dimension for a compact invariant set of an expanding non-conformal map on the torus given by an integer-valued diagonal matrix. The Hausdorff dimension of a ‘general Sierpiński carpet’ was found by McMullen and Bedford and the uniqueness of the measure of full Hausdorff dimension in some cases was proved by Kenyon and Peres. We extend these results by using compensation functions to study a general Sierpiński carpet represented by a shift of finite type. We give some conditions under which a general Sierpiński carpet has a unique measure of full Hausdorff dimension and study the properties of the unique measure.
Building language towers with Ziggurat
Authors: FISHER DAVID , SHIVERS OLIN 
Published: October 2008

AbstractZiggurat is a meta-language system that permits programmers to develop Scheme-like macros for languages with nontrivial static semantics, such as C or Java (suitably encoded in an S-expression concrete syntax). Ziggurat permits language designers to construct ‘towers’ of language levels with macros; each level in the tower may have its own static semantics, such as type systems or flow analyses. Crucially, the static semantics of the languages at two adjacent levels in the tower can be connected, allowing improved reasoning power at a higher level to be reflected down to the static semantics of the language level below. We demonstrate the utility of the Ziggurat framework by implementing higher level language facilities as macros on top of an assembly language, utilizing static semantics such as termination analysis, a polymorphic type system and higher order flow analysis.
Chirped porous silicon reflectors for thin-film epitaxial silicon solar cells
Authors: Kuzma-Filipek Izabela J. , Duerinckx Filip , Van Kerschaver Emmanuel , Van Nieuwenhuysen Kris , Beaucarne Guy , Poortmans Jef 
Published: October 2008

The studies of porous silicon as a one-dimensional photonic crystal have led to solutions allowing the fabrication of broad photonic band gaps as large as several hundreds nanometers for various types of applications. In this work we demonstrate the use of the chirping process, i.e., the gradual increase in the spatial period of the structure, as it is used in image processing, to design porous silicon broad-band reflectors for thin-film silicon solar cells. Modeling of those layers is done using linear design method and a simulation software. Such chirped structures are fabricated by an anodization process. Samples are prepared on mono and multicrystalline silicon substrates with 15, 40, 60, and 80 layers. The reflectance spectra of such prepared porous reflectors are evaluated and the results show an increase in bandwidth of over 50% of the total width in comparison with the conventional, unchirped reflectors. We demonstrate clear advantages of introducing chirped multilayer structures over conventional ones. Although some understanding of chirping exists mainly in the field of image processing and photonics, detailed study of chirped porous structures as broad-band reflectors is needed for their implementation in thin-film epitaxial silicon solar cells.
A record efficiency of almost 14% was reached for those types of reflectors on a large area 71 cm2 epitaxial Si solar cell, giving a boost in efficiency of 0.6% absolute in comparison with the solar cells containing conventional reflectors.
A commonNOS1APgenetic polymorphism is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in users of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers
Authors: Becker Matthijs L. , Visser Loes E. , Newton‐Cheh Christopher , Hofman Albert , Uitterlinden André G. , Witteman Jacqueline C. M. , Stricker Bruno H. Ch. 
Published: October 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) regulates intracellular calcium handling• A polymorphism in theNOS1APgene (rs10494366), a regulator of nNOS, is associated with QTc prolongation• Calcium channel blockers also affect calcium handling by blocking the L‐type calcium channelWHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• We assessed the association between the polymorphism rs10494366 in theNOS1APgene and mortality in calcium channel blocker users• The TG and GG genotype are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker usersAIMRecently, a polymorphism in theNOS1APgene (rs10494366), a regulator of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), was associated with QTc prolongation. Both nNOS and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) regulate intracellular calcium levels and have an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis. The aim was to investigate whether this polymorphism is associated with cardiovascular mortality in users of CCBs.METHODSThe data from the Rotterdam study, a population‐based closed cohort study of Caucasian individuals of ≥55 years of age, were used. We identified 1113 participants in the Rotterdam Study who were prescribed CCBs for the first time between 1991 and 2005. All‐cause and cardiovascular mortality was assessed in participants who were prescribed CCBs with differentNOS1APrs10494366 genotypes using Cox proportional hazard models.RESULTSIn participants starting on dihydropyridine CCBs (amlodipine, nifedipine and others) all‐cause mortality (n = 79) risks were higher in participants with the TG [hazard ratio (HR) 2.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24, 5.34] or the GG genotype (HR 3.18, 95% CI 1.18, 8.58) than in participants with the referent TT genotype. Cardiovascular mortality (n = 54) risks were 3.51 (95% CI 1.41, 8.78) for the TG genotype and 6.00 (95% CI 1.80, 20.0) for the GG genotype. No differences in all‐cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality were seen in participants starting with the nondihydropyridine CCBs verapamil or diltiazem.CONCLUSIONThe minor G allele of rs10494366 in theNOS1APgene is associated with increased all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in Caucasian users of dihydropyridine CCBs. The mechanism underlying the observed association is unknown.
Immunomodulation by mercuric chloridein vitro: application of different cell activation pathways
Authors: Hemdan N Y A , Lehmann I , Wichmann G , Lehmann J , Emmrich F , Sack U 
Published: October 2008

SummaryEvidence is emerging that exposure to mercury (Hg) may elicit many pathological manifestations, including immunomodulation. We tested whether changing cellular activation pathways may affect the immunomodulation by Hg. Human cell cultures were set up where isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, activated by monoclonal antibodies (MoAb: anti-CD3/-CD28/-CD40) or heat-killed Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (hk-SE), exposed to mercuric chloride (HgCl2) for 24 h. Cell vitality was assessed by MTT assay, and modulation of cytokine profiles were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), intracellular cytokine staining and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). Results show that Hg doses above 15 ng/ml significantly reduced cell vitality (P &lt; 0·05). Lower doses elicited distinct effects on T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine expression depending on cellular activation pathways. In MoAb-stimulated cells, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 production was reduced. Doses up to 0·150 and 0·5 µg/ml increased IL-10 and IL-4 production, respectively, resulting in significantly reduced Th1/Th2 ratios. Stimulation by hk-SE, however, elevated Th1/Th2 ratios due to induction of IFN-γversus IL-10 production. Taken together, we conclude that low-level exposure to Hg, in the absence of inflammation, polarizes the immune response toward Th2, but not in the case of Th1-polarized responses elicited by Salmonella antigens that can be promoted instead. This demonstrates differential in vitro effects of Hg on the Th1/Th2 balance produced by different stimuli, which may have important experimental and scientific implications.