bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SPINK1, ADH2, and ALDH2 gene variants and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis in Japan
Authors: Shimosegawa Tooru , Kume Kiyoshi , Masamune Atsushi 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) is a potent antiprotease and an important inactivation factor of intrapancreatic trypsin activity. Loss of function by the SPINK1 mutations leads to decreased inhibitory capacity. The significance of SPINK1 mutations in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (CP) in Japan and its functional role remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to clarify the incidence of SPINK1, alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) variants in CP patients in Japan. One hundred and 86 patients with CP, and 527 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Mutational analyses were performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing. Serum pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) level was measured by radioimmunoassay. The frequencies of N34S and IVS3 + 2T > C in the SPINK1 gene were significantly higher in patients with non‐alcoholic CP (12.9% and 8.6%, respectively) than in normal subjects (0.37% and 0%). In total, 18 of 93 (19.4%) patients with non‐alcoholic CP had at least one SPINK1 mutation. Concerning alcoholic CP, we found IVS3 + 2T > C in a small number of patients (3.9%). Serum PSTI concentration was decreased in patients with the IVS3 + 2T > C mutation. The frequency of the ADH2*2 allele in the alcoholic CP group was significantly higher than that in alcoholics without pancreatitis. The frequency of the ALDH2*2 allele was significantly low in patients with alcoholic CP compared with healthy controls. In conclusion, SPINK1 mutations were associated with non‐alcoholic CP. Furthermore, we revealed the amount of wild‐type PSTI was decreased in patients with IVS3 + 2T > C mutation. Variants of alcohol‐metabolizing enzymes appeared in the relation to alcoholic CP.
The potential of hormones and selective oestrogen receptor modulators in preventing voiding dysfunction in rats
Authors: Tantiwongse Kavirach , Fandel Thomas M. , Wang Guifang , Breyer Benjamin N. , Walsh Thomas J. , Bella Anthony J. , Lue Tom F. 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether oestrogen, selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and growth hormone (GH) can prevent the development of voiding dysfunction in a postpartum postmenopausal rat model of voiding dysfunction.MATERIALS AND METHODSImmediately after spontaneous delivery, nine primiparous Sprague‐Dawley rats served as uninjured controls (sham group) and 54 underwent intravaginal balloon dilation. On day 7, the 54 subject rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy. A week later, six treatment groups of nine rats were randomized to receive: normal saline (injured control group), 17β‐oestradiol (E2), raloxifene, levormeloxifene, GH, or GH + E2. The treatment groups received daily subcutaneous injections for 3 weeks. The effects of hormone treatment were examined by conscious cystometry at the end of the study. Voiding dysfunction was defined to include overactive bladder and sphincter deficiency.RESULTSThe sham rats had a mean (sd) voiding frequency of 3 (0.87) times in 10 min and a bladder capacity of 0.43 (0.13) mL with smooth cystometry curves. The number of rats in each treatment group (each group contained nine rats) that had voiding dysfunction was as follows: E2, three; raloxifene, six; levormeloxifene, four; and controls, four (P > 0.05 among the groups). Only one rat in the GH‐treated group and no rats in the GH + E2‐treated group had voiding dysfunction, which was significantly less in the GH + E2‐treated group than in the controls (P = 0.041).CONCLUSIONThis functional data suggest that the development of voiding dysfunction can be prevented by short‐term administration of GH and GH + E2 in our rat model. SERMs and E2 alone seem to have no therapeutic effect.
Early results of bladder‐cancer screening in a high‐risk population of heavy smokers
Authors: Steiner Hannes , Bergmeister Maria , Verdorfer Irmgard , Granig Thomas , Mikuz Gregor , Bartsch Georg , Stoehr Brigitte , Brunner Andrea 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo report first results of an early bladder‐cancer detection programme, and to evaluate the detection rate and the diagnostic value of the tests used.SUBJECTS AND METHODSUrine samples of 183 screened subjects with a history of smoking of ≥40 pack‐years were collected for analysis with a urinary dipstick test for haematuria, the nuclear matrix protein‐22 test (BladderChek®, Matritech, Inc., Newton, MA, USA), voided urine cytology and a molecular cytology test (UroVysion, Abbott Molecular Inc., Des Plaines, IL, USA). Participants with at least one positive test result had a further evaluation including cystoscopy and radiological imaging. The subjects’ risk factors, test results and histological findings were analysed.RESULTSIn all, 75 subjects had at least one positive test result and were evaluated further; abnormal histological findings were detected in 18 (24% of those who had cystoscopy, 9.8% of the original 183), 15 of those in the urinary bladder, with pTaG1 (one), carcinoma in situ (two), dysplastic lesions (11) and one an inverted papilloma. In the upper urinary tract, two urothelial tumours (pTaG1 and pTxN2G3) and one renal cell carcinoma (pT1G2) were detected by computed tomography. In summary, six of 183 subjects (3.3%) had a histologically confirmed malignant tumour and another 12 (6.6%) were identified with a possible pre‐cancerous lesion of the urinary tract. The urinary dipstick, BladderChek, cytology and UroVysion detected (i.e. were true‐positive in) nine (50%), one (6%), seven (39%) and 11 (61%) of the 18 tumours found, while they failed to detect nine (50%), 17 (94%), 11 (61%) and seven (39%) of these lesions, respectively. Omitting the urine dipstick test, the BladderChek, cytology or UroVysion from the test setting could have spared 40, five, two or one subjects(s) from unnecessary invasive interventions; however, three, none, two or six lesions, would have been missed. More positive screening tests per subject was associated with a higher probability of a (pre)‐malignant lesion.CONCLUSIONScreening a high‐risk group with a history of smoking of ≥40 pack‐years showed a significant proportion (3.3%) with malignancy. These first results are encouraging and warrant continuation of the screening programme. In this series the most efficient screening tool was the combination of UroVysion, cytology and urinary dipstick testing. Of special scientific interest will be the follow‐up of those patients with a possible pre‐cancerous lesion.
The Fundamental Problems of Philosophy
Authors: Rhees Rush , Tessin Timothy 
Published: March 2008

EDITOR'S NOTEThe essay published here is edited from the Rush Rhees Nachlass, which is now in the possession of the University College of Swansea, under the direction of Professor D. Z. Phillips. The Nachlass is not at present open to students and scholars, apart from commissioned editing. The sources of the essay are three letters and three typescripts. The letters are from Rhees to M. O'C. Drury, who was a student of Wittgenstein's and a friend of Rhees's. They are dated 21 March 1959, 21 July 1963, and 30 September 1964. (Readers familiar with Rhees's Without Answers will recognize certain expressions which occur in this essay. Chapter 17 of that book was draw from the 1963 letter to Drury.)One of the typescripts is dated 17 October 1965; the other two are undated, but I would guess they were written at about the same time. The title and footnotes are my own. T. T.
EUROPE: SUPER‐STATE OR BAG OF MARBLES?
Authors: Puchala Donald J. 
Published: March 2008

The European Community: A Superpower in the Making, by Johan Galtung. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, Allen & Unwin, London, 1973. 195 pp. £3.75 £1.85, paperback). Europe: Journey to an Unknown Destination, by Andrew Shon‐field. Allen Lane, Penguin Books, London, 1973. 96 pp. £0.30.
A Community of Europeans: The Requisite Underpinnings
Authors: HOW PAUL 
Published: March 2008

AbstractScholars often presume that cultural homogeneity is an essential building block for any community. This, if correct, would represent an insurmountable obstacle to the type of European integration envisaged in the Maastricht Treaty. Through an examination of theories of community articulated by Anthony Smith and Karl Deutsch, this pessimism is countered with a more optimistic prognosis. The social cement of the modem liberal community consists primarily of the individual's belief that others are of the same community. The European Union is poised to become a genuine community of Europeans and European integration is likely to proceed apace.
Tradable Carbon Permits in Europe: Feasibility and Comparison with Taxes
Authors: KOUTSTAAL PAUL , NENTJES ANDRIES 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn the European Union (EU) the discussions on climate policy have focused on the instrument of taxation. However, there has been considerable opposition from both Member States and industry against the combined carbodenergy tax proposals. In this article, an alternative market‐oriented instrument for controlling CO2 emissions is discussed which overcomes some of the disadvantages of the tax: tradable emission permits. Special regard is given to the functional design and practical implementation of a system of tradable carbon permits for the European Union. Furthermore, tradable carbon permits are compared with a carbon tax.
The Rise and Fall of High Definition Television: The Impact of European Technology Policy
Authors: Dai Xiudian , Cawson Alan , Holmes Peter 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis article discusses the European attempt to revive the European consumer electronics industry by mobilizing resources in favour of High Definition Television (HDTV) technology. The policy was ultimately doomed, as digital technology and commercial broadcasters' actions undermined its viability and the public authorities, especially the European Commission, continued beyond the point at which failure was unavoidable. Nevertheless, the policy was not inherently unviable from the outset and not all the results and lessons from the programme are entirely negative. The Commission appears to be profiting from some of the lessons in its approach to digital broadcasting, and EU firms' activity in the US is benefiting from the IBA MAC research and development.
The Second Death (or the Second Coming?) of the WEU
Authors: Duke Simon 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe Western European Union (WEU) has received much attention since its rejuvenation in the mid‐1980s, in large part due to its integral role as part of the European Union's Common Foreign and Securiy Policy (CFSP). This article argues that the lack of a clearly defined CFSP, contradictions within the Treaty on European Union, the lack of a clearly defined institutional identity vis‐à‐vis other security related organizations, and the lack of military capacity, will make the task of avoiding the ‘second death’ of the WEU an uphill struggle.
Secular Trends in the Lifetime Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence in the United States: A Re‐evaluation
Authors: Grucza Richard A. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Rice John P. , Bierut Laura J. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  U.S. epidemiologic surveys have consistently found higher lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence among younger subjects than among older groups. Because lifetime prevalence is cumulative, such patterns are suggestive of strong secular trends; i.e., more‐recently born subjects have developed more disease in a shorter period of time than their elders. However, it remains unclear whether such patterns truly reflect secular trends or are confounded by age‐dependent factors such as differential recall, differential mortality, and other effects.Methods:  Using data from 2 large, national epidemiological surveys, a repeated cross‐sectional analysis was conducted to compare lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence across temporally adjacent birth cohorts surveyed at the same age, thus enabling estimates of cross‐cohort differences while controlling for age‐related factors.Results:  In contrast with results from single cross‐sectional analyses, there were few significant cross‐cohort differences among groups of men compared at similar ages. On the other hand, women born between 1954 and 1963 were at 1.2‐fold higher odds for lifetime drinking, and those who drank were at 1.5‐fold higher odds for lifetime alcohol dependence, compared with the immediately preceding birth cohort (1944 to 1953). The 1944 to 1953 cohort was also at elevated odds for lifetime drinking compared with their predecessors (1934 to 1943). These results were largely due to changes among White and Hispanic women.Conclusions:  These results suggest that there have been substantial secular increases in drinking and alcohol dependence among women, but not men. Analyses of single cross‐sectional studies may tend to over‐estimate secular trends by failing to account for age‐dependent effects. Nonetheless, secular increases in drinking and alcohol dependence among women are evident after taking age‐related factors into account.
Effects of Developmental Exposure to Ethanol on Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Davis Justin R. , Li Yun , Rankin Catharine H. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on physical development, reproduction, and life expectancy of Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic nematode worm. It has a small nervous system of 302 neurons and a short lifespan of 2 to 3 weeks.Methods:  In this study, the worms were chronically exposed to varying concentrations of ethanol for different periods of their life: for their entire lifespan, during larval development only, and during adulthood only. In addition, the worms were exposed to ethanol acutely during different stages of embryonic development.Results:  Chronic exposure to ethanol during larval development temporarily delayed physical growth, slowed development, delayed the onset of reproductive maturity, and decreased both reproductive fecundity and longevity. Chronic exposure to ethanol beginning when worms completed development and reached reproductive maturity resulted in reduced C. elegans body length, decreased reproductive fecundity, and life expectancy. Finally, acute embryonic exposure of C. elegans eggs to high concentrations of ethanol at different stages of development resulted in a lower probability of exposed eggs hatching into larval worms depending on when eggs were exposed during development. Furthermore, some of the worms that did hatch displayed distinct physical dysmorphologies as a consequence of acute ethanol exposure during embryonic development.Conclusions:  These data suggest that exposing C. elegans to ethanol during critical development periods results in characteristic phenotypic outcomes. Thus, C. elegans offers a novel model for exploring the mechanisms by which ethanol exposure affects development.
No difference indicated in electroencephalographic power spectral analysis in 3‐ and 6‐month‐old infants fed soy‐ or milk‐based formula
Authors: Jing Hongkui , Pivik R.T. , Gilchrist Janet M. , Badger Thomas M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIncreasing concern has been recently raised on the possible effects of soy‐derived phyto‐oestrogens on the development of cognitive functions in infants. However, limited studies have been conducted to date, and no data have been made available for determining whether infant soy formula can affect normal development of the human brain. We compared electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral power derived from high‐density recordings of infants fed milk‐based or soy formula (46 fed milk‐based formula and 39 fed soy formula) at 3 and 6 months of age. The spectral parameters included absolute power, relative power and spectral edge frequency (SEF) at 85%, 90% and 95% levels. The frequency domain contained four bands (0.1–3, 3–6, 6–9 and 9–12 Hz). EEG signals were collected from eight brain areas in each hemisphere. The results showed that the highest spectral power was mainly distributed in the low‐frequency bands and was predominant in the frontal and anterior temporal areas. None of the spectral variables significantly differed between the soy‐ and milk‐fed infants (anova, all P > 0.2). However, significant effects were indicated on the SEFs for factors of sex, age and brain area (all P < 0.01). Hemispheric differences in the absolute and relative power were also indicated. Our results suggest that the EEG power spectral development of soy‐fed infants does not differ from that of infants fed milk‐based formula. In addition, EEG spectral development appears more advanced in female than in male infants at 6 months.
Variation in breastfeeding behaviours, perceptions, and experiences by race/ethnicity among a low‐income statewide sample of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants in the United States
Authors: Hurley Kristen M. , Black Maureen M. , Papas Mia A. , Quigg Anna M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to examine how breastfeeding behaviours, perceptions and experiences vary by race/ethnicity among a low‐income sample in the USA. Bilingual interviewers conducted a cross‐sectional telephone survey of 767 white, African American or Hispanic mothers who received the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration varied by race/ethnicity. Hispanic mothers were more likely to initiate breastfeeding than African American (91% vs. 65%) or white (61%) mothers. Hispanic mothers breastfed longer (mean 5 months) than either African American (mean 3.5 months) or white (mean 3 months) mothers. The most common reason for not breastfeeding was fear of difficulty or pain during breastfeeding (35.6%). Among mothers who did not initiate breastfeeding, African American and white mothers were more likely than Hispanic mothers to report perceptions of breastfeeding difficulty or pain, and Hispanic mothers were more likely than African American and white mothers to report perceptions of infant breast rejection. The most common reason reported for breastfeeding cessation was not having enough milk (23.4%). Hispanic mothers were more likely than African American and white mothers to cite perceptions of milk insufficiency and infant breast refusal than concerns regarding breast discomfort or pain. African American mothers were more likely than white mothers to report cessation to return to work. In conclusion, while breastfeeding initiation rates approach Healthy People 2010 goals, breastfeeding duration remains far below these goals. Race/ethnicity differences in experiences related to breastfeeding cessation suggest that culturally sensitive breastfeeding interventions are necessary.
Intakes from non‐breastmilk foods for stunted toddlers living in poor urban villages of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, are inadequate
Authors: Anderson Victoria P. , Cornwall Janet , Jack Susan , Gibson Rosalind S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn Cambodia, the energy and nutrient densities of the traditional rice‐based complementary diets used for infant feeding are very low. Whether the adequacy improves after the first year of life is uncertain. Therefore, we examined the feeding practices and the energy and nutrient intakes from non‐breastmilk foods (NBMFs) of two groups: partially breastfed (PBF) (n = 41) and non‐breastfed (NBF) (n = 210) stunted toddlers aged 12–42 months from poor villages in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Intakes of NBMFs were estimated from 24‐h recalls and a specially constructed Cambodian food composition table. All the toddlers were breastfed initially, but more than 50% received complementary foods before 6 months of age (mainly rice porridge). Many PBF toddlers received mixed feeding and were often bottle‐fed diluted sweetened condensed milk. Unresponsive feeding was widespread. Inappropriate snacks, such as crisps, were the major source of energy, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin A from NBMFs for the PBF group, and energy and iron for the NBF group. The snacks were often purchased and consumed without any adult supervision. For both groups, intakes of energy, calcium, iron and zinc were consistently below recommendations, as a result of the low micronutrient density of NBMFs and the small amounts fed per feeding. Increasing intakes of animal‐source foods and dark‐green and yellow fruits and vegetables would enhance micronutrient densities, although this may be neither feasible nor sufficient to overcome the existing deficits. Instead, the feasibility of micronutrient fortification of the rice‐based diets of Cambodian toddlers should be explored.
Biscuits, Sausage, Gravy, Milk, and Orange Juice: School Breakfast Environment in 4 Rural Appalachian Schools
Authors: Graves Andrea , Haughton Betsy , Jahns Lisa , Fitzhugh Eugene , Jones Sonya J. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBackground:  The purpose of this study was to assess the school breakfast environment in rural Appalachian schools to inform school environment intervention and policy change.Methods:  A total of 4 rural schools with fourth‐ and fifth‐grade students in East Tennessee were assessed. A cross‐sectional descriptive examination of the school food environment where food service managers submitted school menus, production sheets, and vendor bid sheets as part of the dietary data collection protocol for a school‐based nutrition intervention study. The school breakfast environment was characterized in terms of calories, fat, saturated fat, and fiber from foods served on a per person basis using menus entered into Nutrient Data Systems for Research and production sheets for amounts of each food item served. Food items were grouped by the meal components of the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and ranked according to the items served most frequently.Results:  Total fat provided slightly less than half the calories (43%); 15% of calories were from saturated fat. The top‐ranked foods for each meal component were biscuits, sausage, 2% milk, orange juice, and gravy.Conclusions:  Results suggest that clearer policies or regulations for the SBP are warranted to support policy efforts to promote childhood health. These should include technical assistance and provision of resources for school food service managers to provide low‐fat meal options. Further research is needed to determine whether what is offered at school breakfast is actually consumed and how that might affect children’s weight because of the high fat content.