bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Region, Race, and Support for the South Carolina Confederate Flag*
Authors: Cooper Christopher A. , Knotts H. Gibbs 
Published: February 2006

Objective. Existing research suggests that conservative racial attitudes are one of the strongest factors explaining support for the Confederate flag, but this conclusion has been reached by examining the attitudes of only white southerners. We provide a more complete understanding of this issue, focusing on both white and black opinion from across the country.Methods. We use a rolling cross‐sectional survey with a large sample size to model support for the South Carolina Confederate flag nationally and then among two groups: southerners and nonsoutherners.Results. Although racial attitudes are important among both southerners and nonsoutherners, region and race also influence support for the Confederate flag. Southern whites have the greatest support for the flag followed by nonsouthern whites, nonsouthern blacks, and southern blacks.Conclusions. Support for the Confederate flag is not simply about racial attitudes, but a more complex phenomenon where region and race exert important influences.
Partisan Gerrymandering and the Voting Rights Act*
Authors: Forgette Richard , Winkle John W. 
Published: February 2006

Objective. The goal of the study is to empirically assess the extent of partisan and incumbent gerrymandering in the 2000 congressional redistricting. Critics of congressional redistricting have argued that recent partisan gerrymandering severely undermines electoral competitiveness to the point of violating constitutional equal protection standards.Method. We first analyze the legal precedents and arguments central to the contemporary redistricting debate. We then analyze district‐level data measuring the change in a congressional incumbent's presidential party vote share before and after the 2000 redistricting. We conduct regression analyses that test for partisan and incumbent gerrymandering effects with an eye toward noting implications for the Voting Rights Act, particularly majority‐minority districting.Results. We find that recent redistricting significantly contributed to a further decline in electoral competitiveness; however, most of this decline in competitiveness came through incumbency protection, not partisan gerrymandering. Majority‐minority districts lost about 5 percent incumbent party vote share, though only 3 percent in southern states.Conclusion. Given these results, we conclude that the logic of partisan gerrymandering is at variance with the mandate of racial redistricting. One effect of establishing a strict judicial standard limiting statewide partisan biases would be to restrict states' capacity to draw majority‐minority districts.
Interstate Competition and Environmental Regulation: A Test of the Race‐to‐the‐Bottom Thesis*
Authors: Woods Neal D. 
Published: February 2006

Objective.This study assesses the effect of interstate competition on the stringency with which states enforce environmental regulations.Method.Pooled cross‐sectional time‐series analysis of state surface‐mining regulation is used to determine if the enforcement gap between a state and competitor states affects the stringency of state enforcement.Results.The results suggest that state enforcement is systematically affected by the behavior of regional competitors. States adjust their enforcement in response to competitor states when their enforcement stringency exceeds that of their competitors. When competitors' enforcement is more stringent, however, their behavior does not have a significant effect.Conclusion.This study provides empirical evidence for a race to the bottom in state environmental regulation.
Smooth muscle pattern is more reliable than the presence or absence of an internal elastic lamina in distinguishing an artery from a vein
Authors: Dalton Scott R. , Fillman Eric P. , Ferringer Tammie , Tyler William , Elston Dirk M. 
Published: February 2006

Background:  Major pathology textbooks suggest that the shape of the vessel and the presence or absence of an internal elastic lamina are the best means to distinguish an artery from a vein. Because the shape of the vessel is highly dependent upon the plane of section, the internal elastic lamina is often cited as a more reliable criterion. After evaluating a patient with superficial thrombophlebitis, in whom these conventional criteria had led to a misdiagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, we sought to determine whether the pattern of smooth muscle in the media is a more sensitive discriminator between an artery and a vein.Methods:  Anatomically identified arteries and veins were harvested from extremity amputation specimens and stored autopsy organ specimens and reviewed by two dermatopathologists who were blinded to the gross pathologist's impression. The biopsies were assessed for the smooth muscle pattern and the presence or absence of an internal elastic lamina.Results:  Forty‐seven of the 50 cases (94%) were concordant with the pathologist's gross impression using only the smooth muscle pattern to differentiate an artery from a vein. On the basis of the presence or absence of an internal elastic lamina, 41 of 50 cases (82%) were concordant with the prosector's designation of the vessel.Limitations:  Vessels were harvested from a variety of sites, with lower extremity vessels predominating. There may be some regional variability not addressed in this study.Conclusion:  In this study, the pattern of muscle fibers within the vascular media discriminated between arteries and veins better than assessment of the presence or absence of an internal elastic lamina. Although no single criterion is 100% reliable, assessment of both these criteria may minimize the risk of misinterpreting vessels in the deep dermis and subcutis.
Characterization of induced mucosal connective tissue separation – a comparison of six different techniques
Authors: Bez Cristina , Moneghini Laura , Nicali Andrea , Cazzaniga Arianna , Lodi Giovanni , Bosari Silvano , Sardella Andrea , Carrassi Antonio 
Published: February 2006

Background:  Artificial separation of oral mucosa into epithelium and connective tissue represents the first step in investigating both the basement membrane zone and its two components (epithelium and connective tissue) separately. It is a useful tool in analysing the possible role of hepatitis C virus in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP). The aim of the present study was to test different methods to separate the epithelium from the connective tissue of oral mucosa affected by OLP as a preliminary step for further immunohistochemical or molecular investigations.Patients and methods:  Fourteen tissue biopsies of the oral mucosa of clinically and histopathologically confirmed OLP lesions underwent epithelial connective separation (ECS) using six different reagents.Results and conclusions:  Among the separation methods tested, CaCl2 1 m at 37 °C for 30 min, NaCl 1 m at 4 °C for 26 h and elastase at 4 °C for 22 h allowed good ECS without structural alteration or tissue loss. The present study provides useful information regarding techniques to separate the epithelium from the connective tissue as a preliminary step to investigate oral mucosa affected by OLP from an immunohistochemical or molecular viewpoint.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a comprehensive clinicopathologic classification
Authors: Cassarino David S. , DeRienzo Damian P. , Barr Ronald J. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract:Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) includes many subtypes with widely varying clinical behaviors, ranging from indolent to aggressive tumors with significant metastatic potential. However, the tendency for pathologists and clinicians alike is to refer to all squamoid neoplasms as generic SCC. No definitive, comprehensive clinicopathological system dividing cutaneous SCCs into categories based upon their aggressiveness has yet been promulgated. Therefore, we have proposed the following based upon the malignant potential of SCC variants, separating them into categories of low (≤2% metastatic rate), intermediate (3–10%), high (greater than 10%), and indeterminate behavior. Low‐risk SCCs include SCC arising in actinic keratosis, HPV‐associated SCC, tricholemmal carcinoma, and spindle cell SCC (unassociated with radiation). Intermediate‐risk SCCs include adenoid (acantholytic) SCC, intraepidermal epithelioma with invasion, and lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma of the skin. High‐risk subtypes includede novoSCC, SCC arising in association with predisposing factors (radiation, burn scars, and immunosuppression), invasive Bowen's disease, adenosquamous carcinoma, and malignant proliferating pilar tumors. The indeterminate category includes signet ring cell SCC, follicular SCC, papillary SCC, SCC arising in adnexal cysts, squamoid eccrine ductal carcinoma, and clear‐cell SCC. Subclassification of SCC into these risk‐based categories, along with enumeration of other factors including tumor size, differentiation, depth of invasion, and perineural invasion will provide prognostically relevant information and facilitate the most optimal treatment for patients.
Use of the oral chelator deferiprone in the treatment of iron overload in patients with Hb H disease
Authors: Chan Joyce C. W. , Chim Chor‐Sang , Ooi Clara G. C. , Cheung Bernard , Liang Raymond , Chan Tai‐Kwong , Chan Vivian 
Published: February 2006

SummarySeventeen non‐transfusion‐dependent Chinese haemoglobin H (Hb H) disease patients (age 29–76 years) with serum ferritin >900 μg/l were treated with deferiprone for up to 18 months. One patient withdrew and data from 16 patients were analysed. Sixteen other Hb H patients with ferritin <900 μg/l, matched for age and genotype, acted as controls. Treatment was well tolerated except for mild arthralgia. Serum ferritin fell with treatment, reaching significance at 6 and 18 months (from 1492·3 ± 901·4 to 519·4 ± 405·4 μg/l at 18 months, P = 0·0008). Nine of 16 patients had levels below 397 μg/l before 18 months. Serum ferritin remained stable 6 months after stopping treatment. In contrast, there was no change in ferritin levels in the control group. Magnetic resonance imaging was used for measurement of liver iron content. Spin echo T1‐signal intensity ratio (T1‐SIR) and gradient echo T2‐signal intensity ratio (T2‐SIR) increased with treatment. T2‐SIR rose from 0·17 ± 0·08 pretreatment to 0·58 ± 0·50 at 2 years (P = 0·0055). Improvement occurred in 12 of 16 patients, reaching normal in three patients. Using echocardiography, peak early diastolic : late diastolic blood flow (E/A) remained unchanged with treatment, but isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was prolonged at 2 years indicating mild impairment of diastolic function. All systolic function parameters were normal. A longer treatment period is desirable to demonstrate improvement in cardiac function.
Phase I/II study of vaccination with dendritic‐like leukaemia cells for the immunotherapy of acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Roddie H. , Klammer M. , Thomas C. , Thomson R. , Atkinson A. , Sproul A. , Waterfall M. , Samuel K. , Yin J. , Johnson P. , Turner M. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryTwenty‐two patients with acute myeloid leukaemia were recruited into a phase I/II clinical trial investigating the vaccination of patients in complete remission (CR) with autologous dendritic‐like leukaemia cells (DLLC). At trial entry, leukaemia cells were harvested and tested for their ability to undergo cytokine‐induced dendritic cell differentiation. Patients were then treated with intensive chemotherapy. Five patients achieved both CR and had leukaemia cells that successfully underwent differentiation and therefore proceeded to vaccination. Four escalating doses of DLLC were administered weekly by subcutaneous injection. Vaccination was generally well tolerated although one patient developed extensive eczema and an increased antinuclear factor titre possibly indicating induction of autoimmunity. Development of anti‐leukaemic T‐cell responses was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunospot analysis of gamma‐interferon secreting T lymphocytes and by human leucocyte antigen tetramer analysis for WT1‐specific T cells. Increases in anti‐leukaemic T‐cell responses were demonstrated in four patients, but only two of the five remained in remission more than 12 months postvaccination. The study has demonstrated that generation of DLLC is feasible in only a subgroup of patients and is currently neither broadly applicable or clinically effective.
Oocyte growth‐dependent progression of maternal imprinting in mice
Authors: Hiura Hitoshi , Obata Yayoi , Komiyama Junichi , Shirai Motomu , Kono Tomohiro 
Published: February 2006

In mammals, some genes categorized as imprinted genes are exclusively expressed either from maternal or paternal allele. This parental‐origin‐specific gene expression is regulated by epigenetic modification of DNA methylation in differentially methylated region (DMR), which is independently imposed during oogenesis and spermatogenesis. It is known that methylation of DMR in the female germ line is established during oocyte growth phase. However, the cause of the progression of methylation on DMR, due to either aging of mice or growth‐size of oocyte was unclear up to now. Here, we analyzed the methylation of DMR for each eight imprinted genes (Igf2r, Lit1, Zac1, Snrpn, Peg1/Mest, Impact, Meg1/Grb10, and H19) by bisulfite sequencing methylation assay, using oocytes from 10 dpp (days post partum), 15 dpp, 20 dpp, and adult mice. To find whether the size of oocytes is the cause of methylation, above oocytes were classified into seven groups (each oocyte diameter ranging from 40 to 75 µm with intervals of 5 µm). The results from juvenile mice oocytes showed that DMR methylation progressed according to oocyte growth each imprinted gene. More than 85% of DMR methylation was achieved for both Igf2r, Zac1 & Lit1 with oocyte size of reaching 55 µm and Snrpn, Peg1/Mest, Impact, and Meg1/Grb10 with oocyte size of reaching 60 µm. Preferential methylation of maternal allele was observed in Zac1 and Peg1/Mest of juvenile oocytes and in Snrpn of juvenile and adult oocytes. The oocyte size‐dependent‐methylation progressed equally for all three different‐age juvenile mice. The size‐dependent‐methylation was also recognized in the growing oocytes collected from adult mice, although the progress is slightly slower than that of juvenile mice. From these results, we concluded that DNA methylation is established with oocyte size dependent manner, not with aging of mice.
Endocrine disrupters and human puberty
Authors: DEN HOND E. , SCHOETERS G. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryIn this overview of the literature, epidemiological research studying the effect of endocrine disrupters on the onset of puberty is summarized. In girls, earlier age at menarche was reported after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), persistent pesticides [dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)] and phthalate esters. However, several other studies found no effect of these compounds on age at menarche or pubertal Tanner stages. One study reported a delaying effect of dioxin‐like compounds on breast development. In boys, exposure to PCBs, PCDFs or the pesticide endosulfan was associated with delayed puberty or decreased penile length. Much of the results found in population studies are in accordance with experimental studies in animals. However, the mixture of different components with antagonistic effects (oestrogenic, anti‐oestrogenic, anti‐androgenic) and the limited knowledge about the most critical window for exposure (prenatal, peri‐natal and pubertal) may hamper the interpretation of results.
Di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP): human metabolism and internal exposure – an update and latest results1
Authors: Koch H. M. , Preuss R. , Angerer J. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryDi(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is a reproductive and developmental toxicant in animals and a suspected endocrine modulator in humans. There is widespread exposure to DEHP in the general population. Patients can be additionally exposed through DEHP‐containing medical devices. Toxicokinetic and metabolic knowledge on DEHP in humans is vital not only for the toxicological evaluation of DEHP but also for exposure assessments based on human biomonitoring data. Secondary oxidized DEHP metabolites like mono‐(2‐ethyl‐5‐hydroxyhexyl)phthalate (5OH‐MEHP), mono‐(2‐ethyl‐5‐oxohexyl)phthalate (5oxo‐MEHP), mono‐(2‐ethyl‐5‐carboxypentyl)phthalate (5cx‐MEPP) and mono‐[2‐(carboxymethyl)hexyl]phthalate (2cx‐MMHP) are most valuable biomarkers of DEHP exposure. They represent the major share of DEHP metabolites excreted in urine (about 70% for these four oxidized metabolites vs. about 6% for MEHP); they are immune to external contamination and possibly the ultimate developmental toxicants. Long half‐times of elimination make 5cx‐MEPP and 2cx‐MMHP excellent parameters to measure the time‐weighted body burden to DEHP. 5OH‐MEHP and 5oxo‐MEHP more reflect the short‐term exposure. We calculated the daily DEHP intake for the general population (n = 85) and for children (n = 254). Children were significantly higher exposed to DEHP than adults. Exposures at the 95th percentile (21 and 25 μg/kg/day, respectively) scooped out limit values like the Reference Dose (RfD, 20 μg/kg/day) and the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI, 20–48 μg/kg/day) to a considerable degree. Up to 20‐fold oversteppings for some children give cause for concern. We also detected significant DEHP exposures for voluntary platelet donors (n = 12, 38 μg/kg/apheresis, dual‐needle technique). Premature neonates (n = 45) were exposed to DEHP up to 100 times above the limit values depending on the intensity of medical care (median: 42 μg/kg/day; 95th percentile: 1780 μg/kg/day).
Breast cancer, oestrogens and environmental pollutants: a re‐evaluation from a mixture perspective
Authors: Kortenkamp Andreas 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe continuing rise in breast cancer incidence rates in almost all Western countries cannot be explained entirely in terms of known risk factors of the disease process. Additional determinants need to be examined, among them exposure to environmental pollutants. With the demonstration that elevated levels of endogenous sex hormones and the use of hormones for the relief of menopausal symptoms are associated with the disease, the oestrogen hypothesis of breast cancer has received further empirical support. This has led to heightened concerns about the possible involvement of oestrogen‐like pollutants, such as p,p′‐Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDE). Case–control studies assessing whether women with breast cancer have elevated burdens of p,p′‐DDE have produced results not suggestive of a link with cancer risks. However, possible effects of p,p′‐DDE and other pollutants cannot be seen in isolation from sex hormones also present in serum. In view of the low potency of p,p′‐DDE, and its low levels in serum, it seems unlikely that the chemical on its own will add significantly to the action of sex hormones. However, chemical analyses show that numerous pollutants with oestrogen‐like effect profiles can be found in human tissues. Thus, the oestrogen hypothesis of breast cancer should be extended to encompass the multitude of these agents. Viewed from such a perspective, a putative role of organochlorines and other agents in breast cancer should not be dismissed prematurely. Instead, breast cancer epidemiology should face the reality of combined exposures and should take account of recent evidence from in vitro models demonstrating that a large number of oestrogen‐like pollutants, all present at low levels, can act together to add to the internal oestrogenic load.
Semen quality in fertile US men in relation to geographical area and pesticide exposure
Authors: Swan Shanna H. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryWe conducted the first US study to compare semen quality among study centres using standardized methods and strict quality control. We present data on semen quality in partners of 493 pregnant women recruited through prenatal clinics in four US cities during 1999–2001. Sperm concentration, semen volume and motility were determined at the centres and morphology was assessed at a central laboratory. While between‐centre differences in sperm morphology and sample volume were small, sperm concentration and motility were significantly reduced in Columbia, MO (MO) relative to men in New York, NY, Minneapolis, MN and Los Angeles, CA; total number of motile sperm was 113 × 106 in MO and 162, 201 and 196 × 106 in CA, MN and NY respectively. Differences among centres remained significant in multivariate models that controlled for abstinence time, semen analysis time, age, race, smoking, history of sexually transmitted disease and recent fever (all p‐values <0.01). We hypothesized that poorer sperm concentration and motility in MO men relative to other centres might be related to agricultural pesticides that are commonly used in the mid‐west. We investigated this hypothesis by conducting a nested case–control study within the MO cohort. We selected 25 men in this cohort for whom all semen parameters (concentration, % normal morphology and % motile) were low as cases and an equal number of men for whom all semen parameters were within normal limits as controls. We measured metabolites of eight non‐persistent, current‐use pesticides in urine samples the men had provided at the time of semen collection. Pesticide metabolite levels were elevated in cases compared with controls for the herbicides alachlor and atrazine, and for the insecticide diazinon (2‐isopropoxy‐4‐methyl‐pyrimidinol) (p‐values for Wilcoxon rank test = 0.0007, 0.012, and 0.0004 for alachlor, atrazine and diazinon respectively). Men with higher levels of alachlor or diazinon were significantly more likely to be cases than men with low levels [odds ratios (OR) = 30.0, 16.7 for alachlor and diazinon respectively], as were men with atrazine over the limit of detection (OR = 11.3). These associations between current‐use pesticides and reduced semen quality suggest that agricultural chemicals may have contributed to the reduced semen quality seen in fertile men from mid‐Missouri.
Ethnic differences in occurrence of TDS – genetics and/or environment?
Authors: Giwercman Aleksander , Rylander Lars , Hagmar Lars , Giwercman Yvonne Lundberg 
Published: February 2006

SummaryIt has been hypothesized that poor semen quality, testis cancer, undescended testis and hypospadias are symptoms of one underlying entity, the so‐called testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). TDS was suggested to be a result of disruption of embryonal programming and gonadal development during foetal life and as aetiological factor, an impact of adverse environmental factors such as hormone disrupters, probably acting upon a susceptible genetic background, was suggested. Extensive studies considering the risk of TDS‐related diseases in Denmark compared with Finland, showed higher sperm counts and lower risk of cryptorchidism and testicular cancer among Finns. However, when comparing these two populations, the question arises, to which degree this difference might be due to discrepancy in genetic background. A more obvious example of the impact of genetic factors on the risk of TDS concerns Afro‐Americans having significantly lower incidence of testicular cancer when compared with Caucasians living in the USA. A yet unexplored scenario is a possible interaction between genetic and environmental/lifestyle‐related factors, certain genotypes making individuals more susceptible to adverse exogenous exposures. Studying such interactions has biological, epidemiological and public health‐related implications. It will help us to understand the background for the defects in male reproductive organs, facilitate proper design of epidemiological studies and add to identifying individuals susceptible to certain environmental and lifestyle‐related hazards. Such ‘susceptibility genes’ need to be identified, those involved in the synthesis, action and metabolism of sex steroids being strong candidates.