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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Electronic surveillance of the pharmacology-toxicology literature: the need for controlled vocabularies and registry systems.

Controlled vocabularies of "preferred names" and registry systems are essential in electronic indexing, storing, searching, and retrieving the world's published literature. The most efficient and comprehensive search is accomplished by using the preferred name. Without a controlled vocabulary or a registry system, it would be necessary to remember every name that might have been used by authors since January 1966, in order to retrieve all the citations on a chemical from over 7.8 million citations currently in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE and its backfiles. The task of creating the list of subject descriptors that make possible the surveillance of published literature via electronic databases requires the participation of the scientific community in developing domain-specific nomenclature, drug classification, controlled vocabularies, and registry systems as well. The biological unions of the International Council of Scientific Unions and its Committee on Data for Science and Technology are major contributors to the establishment and dissemination of standards for biological terminology and nomenclature. The objectives of the IUPHAR Nomenclature Committee include the development of a rational framework for the nomenclature of receptor classes or families and a classification for therapeutic agents. This will help define rules for the characterization and classification of receptors that are stable and easy to comprehend. The International Union of Pharmacology publishes guidelines for the classification of drugs and the nomenclature of receptors and ion channels.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Harmless omission in the standardization of demographic rates.

"Standardization is a well-known technique used to avoid compositional effects when schedules of demographic rates are compared for two or more subpopulations. Common sense tells us that such standardization can be omitted when the subpopulations have the same structure with respect to the covariates one could standardize for. The present paper gives a theoretical justification of this intuitive insight and relates it to the theory for harmless model mis-specification in intensity-regression analysis. The idea of the latter notion is that under certain circumstances one can omit factors without producing biases which affect the coefficients of remaining covariates, even when the omitted factors genuinely affect the investigated behavior." The method is illustrated using risk of divorce. (SUMMARY IN FRE)

Bias↗

Segregation index: an orsametric for measuring discrimination against minorities.

Orsametrics, the science of data and measurement appropriate to decision-making models, was proposed by H. M. Wagner in 1971. This paper proposes an orsametric measuring the distance between the current distribution of minorities in the organization and the worst distribution that minorities could have, given a specified proportion of minorities present in the organization. Measurement of this distance via the absolute value norm leads to a constrained model in which a convex, absolute-value functional must be maximized. This is accomplished by means of an algorithm designed to take advantage of the special structural properties of the model. An example is provided to demonstrate how the segregation index can be used to track discrimination levels within an organization through time. (Orsametrics: public sector applications-quantification of discriminatory hiring promotion practices; mathematical modelling-nonlinear, maximizing a convex function subject to linear constraints.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Identification of CD55 as a downstream factor of EP4 receptor signaling in colorectal cancer cells.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling through the E-type prostanoid 4 (EP4) receptor has been implicated in the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer (CRC). We herein identified decay-accelerating factor, also known as CD55, as a novel CRC-associated downstream factor of the EP4 receptor. The integration of transcriptomic profiling of PGE2-stimulated HCA-7 human colon cancer cells with analyses of cancer genomic databases predicted CD55 as a potential EP4 receptor-regulated target. Inhibitor-based experiments showed the induction of CD55 after a PGE2 stimulation required the EP4 receptor and Gi protein in HCA-7 cells, whereas protein kinase A signaling was dispensable. In combination with a toxicogenomic database analysis, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was identified as the predominant effector connecting the EP4 receptor to CD55 upregulation. A single-cell RNA-seq re-analysis of human CRC tissues revealed CD55 upregulation and p38 MAPK-related gene set enrichment in epithelial cells expressing the EP4 receptor, suggesting that this induction mechanism may operate in a subset of epithelial cells in clinical specimens. Collectively, these results delineate a PGE2/EP4 receptor/Gi protein/p38 MAPK signaling axis that induces CD55 expression in HCA-7 cells and epithelial tumor cells, provide new mechanistic clues for understanding the regulation of complement regulatory molecule CD55 expression by prostaglandin signaling.

Humans↗

A critical analysis of the role of cholesterol in atherogenesis.

Serum hypercholesterolemia is theorized to accelerate atherogenesis by augmenting cholesterol accumulation (insudation) in the arterial intima. The author views this theory as an example of what the noted philosopher of science Imre Lakatos called 'degenerative science', because data have forced several modifications of the theory. Although the theory that some fraction of intimal cholesterol causes atherosclerosis is not yet disproved, the author favors the hypothesis that serum hypercholesterolemia accelerates atherogenesis and contributes to symptomatic atherosclerosis by increasing blood viscosity and the mechanical fragility of atherosclerotic plaques, making them vulnerable to rupture and thrombosis.

Aging↗

A new approach to discourse analysis in psychiatry, applied to a schizophrenic patient's speech.

OBJECTIVE: Progress in the science of data analysis and computer technology has led to the development of advanced methods for investigating structure discourse in the psychiatric field, where language constitutes a useful investigative and therapeutic tool. The purpose of this study was to present and use a computer-assisted method of discourse analysis (Alceste-software) to analyse the schizophrenic subject's oral contributions regularly collected for 3 months. METHOD: The method used consisted of modelling the main word distribution in spoken recordings pooled together and identifying the repetitive language patterns most frequently used by the speaker. RESULTS: Four main kinds of discourse emerged from the pool of schizophrenic's speech samples, on specific topics without any lack of ability to organize the material, but the technique analysis showed that the main kinds of discourse were interspersed with unexpected 'language satellites' consisting of a secondary short and specific discourse which was also well planned but had no relevance to the main discourse making for a lack of cohesion in the speech samples. This method allows us direct access to the inner experience of the patient. The technique highlighted a very poor pre-syntax linked to the choice of words and a tendency to make pronoun errors, possibly reflecting some confusion between the patient herself and others, mainly her mother, especially in the discourse about childhood. CONCLUSION: This method of discourse analysis made it possible to investigate various language disturbances at the same time and at different levels. It is particularly adapted for analysing the schizophrenic's speech. The data obtained were consistent with the assumption that schizophrenia involves 'thought disorders': these ones giving rise to the language impairments.

Adult↗

Degradation of paternal mitochondria after fertilization: implications for heteroplasmy, assisted reproductive technologies and mtDNA inheritance.

Maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA has long been regarded as a major paradox in developmental biology. While some confusion may still persist in popular science, research data clearly document that the paternal sperm-borne mitochondria of most mammalian species enter the ooplasm at fertilization and are specifically targeted for degradation by the resident ubiquitin system. Ubiquitin is a proteolytic chaperone that forms covalently linked polyubiquitin chains on the targeted proteinaceous substrates. The polyubiquitin tag redirects the substrate proteins to a 26-S proteasome, a multi-subunit proteolytic organelle. Thus, specific proteasomal inhibitors reversibly block sperm mitochondrial degradation in ooplasm. Lysosomal degradation and the activity of membrane-lipoperoxidating enzyme 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) may also contribute to sperm mitochondrial degradation in the ooplasm, but probably is not crucial. Prohibitin, the major protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane, appears to be ubiquitinated in the sperm mitochondria. Occasional occurrence of paternal inheritance of mtDNA has been suggested in mammals including humans. While most such evidence has been widely disputed, it warrants further examination. Of particular concern is the documented heteroplasmy, i.e. mixed mtDNA inheritance after ooplasmic transplantation. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has inherent potential for delaying the degradation of sperm mitochondria. However, paternal mtDNA inheritance after ICSI has not been documented so far.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗

[Publication languages of Impact Factor journals and of medical bibliographic databanks].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A preference for English-language sources during determination of Journal Impact Factors (IF) was discussed, IF being published in the annual Journal Citation Reports (JCR). The JCR are derived from data in Science Citation Index (SCI). The aim of this study was, therefore, (i) to review publication countries and languages in JCR, (ii) publication languages in SCI in comparison to further recognised medical bibliographic databanks. METHODS: Searching (i) countries and languages in JCR Science-Editions 1997 and 1998, (ii) language distributions in publication years 1995 - 2000 in bibliographic databanks SCI, MEDLINE (ME) and EMBASE (EM). RESULTS: (i) Almost 70 % journals in JCR 1997 and 1998 were published in USA, United Kingdom, or The Netherlands. Of two language options present, a number of English-classified journals contained >90 % articles in other languages, whereas >90 % publications in English could occur in Multi-Language (ML) journals, thereby complicating statistical comparisons. 83,9 % JCR-periodicals in 1997 and 85,6 % in 1998 were classified English. English/ML ratios increased exponentially with increasing IF. (ii) 95,5 % of the articles documented 1995 - 2000 in whole SCI and in our constructed SCI segment >>Medicine and related areas<< were written in English, compared to 88,5 % in ME and 89,8 % in EM. The SCI Medicine segment was 15 % more comprehensive than either MEDLINE or EMBASE. Highly significant differences of language distributions in SCI vs. MEDLINE and especially SCI vs. EMBASE were observed. Retrieval rates in SCI of German-, French-, Japanese- and Chinese-language medical papers published in 2000 were impressively augmented by EMBASE and MEDLINE. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Anglo-American publishers' countries and English-language journals prevail in JCR with respect to numbers and IF levels. Publication language English favours citation frequency. (ii) Of databanks studied, SCI shows a maximum preference for English-language sources, thereby causing an English Language Bias during IF derivation.

Bibliometrics↗

[Publication languages of Impact Factor journals and of medical bibliographic databanks (reprint)].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A preference for English-language sources during determination of Journal Impact Factors (IF) was discussed, IF being published in the annual Journal Citation Reports (JCR). The JCR are derived from data in Science Citation Index (SCI). The aim of this study was, therefore, (i) to review publication countries and languages in JCR, (ii) publication languages in SCI in comparison to further recognised medical bibliographic databanks. METHODS: Searching (i) countries and languages in JCR Science-Editions 1997 and 1998, (ii) language distributions in publication years 1995 - 2000 in bibliographic databanks SCI, MEDLINE (ME) and EMBASE (EM). RESULTS: (i) Almost 70 % journals in JCR 1997 and 1998 were published in USA, United Kingdom, or The Netherlands. Of two language options present, a number of English-classified journals contained > 90 % articles in other languages, whereas > 90 % publications in English could occur in Multi-Language (ML) journals, thereby complicating statistical comparisons. 83,9 % JCR-periodicals in 1997 and 85,6 % in 1998 were classified English. English/ML ratios increased exponentially with increasing IF. (ii) 95,5 % of the articles documented 1995 - 2000 in whole SCI and in our constructed SCI segment "Medicine and related areas" were written in English, compared to 88,5 % in ME and 89,8 % in EM. The SCI Medicine segment was 15 % more comprehensive than either MEDLINE or EMBASE. Highly significant differences of language distributions in SCI vs. MEDLINE and especially SCI vs. EMBASE were observed. Retrieval rates in SCI of German-, French-, Japanese- and Chinese-language medical papers published in 2000 were impressively augmented by EMBASE and MEDLINE. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Anglo-American publishers" countries and English-language journals prevail in JCR with respect to numbers and IF levels. Publication language English favours citation frequency. (ii) Of databanks studied, SCI shows a maximum preference for English-language sources, thereby causing an English Language Bias during IF derivation.

English Abstract↗

Candidal carriage in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess asymptomatic oral carriage of Candida species and relative density in human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) subjects, as well as to determine whether yeast carriage is associated with CD4+ cell count, HIV-1 RNA quantity, gender, route of HIV transmission, antiretroviral therapy, or smoking. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of oral rinses from HIV+ and healthy subjects was undertaken. Oral candidal carriage and relative species were investigated in 42 HIV+ and 41 healthy individuals, all of whom were seen at the Palermo University Department of Oral Sciences, Italy. Data were managed and analyzed by means of the computer software package StatView 5.0.1. RESULTS: Carriage rate was 61.9% and 29.3% (P =.003) among HIV+ and healthy subjects, respectively. Similarly, density carriage in the HIV+ group was found to be significantly higher than in the control group (P = .0002). Among HIV+ subjects, Candida carriage was significantly associated with smoking, whereas density was not. Oral candidal carriage and relative density were not significantly associated with the other 4 parameters evaluated. Candida albicans was the most frequently recovered species. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic candidal carriage and relative density were found to be significantly higher in the oral cavity of HIV+ subjects-but not associated with CD4+ counts or HIV-1 RNA quantities.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

How memory research can benefit from CASM.

Research on cognitive aspects of survey methodology (CASM) has helped survey researchers to understand the processes involved in responding to survey questions. The survey situation, and the methods employed by CASM researchers, can also be used to benefit cognitive psychology. In particular, the size and coverage of sample surveys, and the techniques used to examine how respondents understand survey questions, could be of much value for exploring some aspects of memory research. We give some examples where this is being done and urge others to follow suit.

Cognitive Science↗

Animals for teaching purposes: medical students' attitude.

Animal rights movements have increased the scope and intensity of their activities over the past decade. While it is generally assumed that doctors and other members of the health care professions favour the use of animals for science, few data are available. Student protests in various medical schools against use of animals in teaching laboratories indicated further need for objective data. A questionnaire about attitudes to the use of animals for teaching purposes was distributed to all the medical students at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, present during classes on a given day. All students present (200) returned the questionnaire (70% of the student body). Also queried were attitudes towards related subjects. A high percentage of medical students surveyed had significant reservations about animal experimentation for teaching purposes and about the preferential priority for human life over that of animals. These attitudes, if confirmed, have serious implications for educators both in the health fields and otherwise.

Animal Experimentation↗

Determinants of infant feeding practices in a low socio-economic area: identifying environmental barriers to breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE: To identify environmental barriers to breastfeeding. METHOD: Focus groups were conducted with young women, parents-to-be, mothers, fathers and grandmothers in 1996 in northern Adelaide, South Australia (a low socio-economic area). RESULTS: Seven focus groups (4-8 participants per group) were conducted. Breastfeeding was seen as being embarrassing to do in public, and not possible to combine with paid employment. While fathers were not supportive of their partners breastfeeding in public, health professionals were seen as strong advocates of breastfeeding. Bottle feeding was perceived to be more convenient for the mother, more acceptable in public but not as good as breastfeeding for the baby. CONCLUSION: An environmental that enables women to breastfeed is far from being achieved in this low socio-economic area, particularly in relation to breastfeeding in public. IMPLICATIONS: Breastfeeding promotion should have a public health focus, concentrating on creating a supportive breastfeeding environment through a multi strategy approach aimed not just at mothers but also at the community.

Adolescent↗

Residential camps as a setting for nutrition education of Australian girls.

OBJECTIVE: To implement a planned nutrition education program aiming to promote healthy eating and consumption of a variety of foods in a residential camp setting for Australian girls aged 9-15 years. METHODS: 1,600 girls attending a seven-day residential camp in Queensland (2000) participated in a program involving the provision of healthy, tasty foods based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents and a nutrition education package for use at the camp restaurants each evening that included nutrition information together with individual 'passport booklets involving puzzles and questions with incentives for completion. Process and impact evaluations were conducted by surveying a sample of participants using questionnaires and focus groups. RESULTS: Of those surveyed, 77% felt they had leamed something from the health promotion material; 94% said they had changed their eating habits to include more core food groups during the camp, with more than 40% stating they had increased vegetable consumption compared with their usual intake. However, approximately 60% of campers were apparently unaware of the incentives offered and less than 30% demonstrated completion of their passports. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to the involvement of this target group in the health promotion activities need to be explored further. Involvement and training of key personnel is suggested to ensure consistent implementation and encouragement for all participants. Long-term behaviour changes outside the camp environment should also be assessed in any future programs. IMPLICATIONS: Using residential camp settings to target children is an innovative strategy for nutrition education. Integration of such strategies into longer time frame programs may benefit participants and improve effectiveness of nutrition education programs aimed at this group.

Adolescent↗