Ranking institutional settings based on publications in community psychology journals

Two primary outlets for community psychology research, the American Journal of Community Psychology and the Journal of Community Psychology, were assessed to rank institutions based on publication frequency and scientific influence of publications over a 32‐year period. Three specific periods were assessed (1973–1983, 1984–1994, 1995–2004). Findings indicate that there were a large group of institutions that published articles during these periods. Those academic institutions that had the most published articles as well as the largest influence, based on citations by other authors, were identified. Using archival data from the community psychology literature represents one approach for identifying those settings that made substantial contributions to the development and growth of the field. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 967–979, 2007.     

Vector competence of Mexican and Honduran mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) for enzootic (IE) and epizootic (IC) strains of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus

Experimental studies evaluated the vector competence of Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), Culex cancer Theobald, Culex pseudes (Dyar and Knab), Culex taeniopus Dyar and Knab, and a Culex (Culex) species, probably Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Culex nigripalpus Theobald from Chiapas, Mexico, and Tocoa, Honduras, for epizootic (IC) and enzootic (IE) strains of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus. Culex pseudes was highly susceptible to infection with both the IC and IE strains of VEE (infection rates >78%). Patterns of susceptibility to VEE were similar for Oc. taeniorhynchus collected in Mexico and Honduras. Although Oc. taeniorhynchus was highly susceptible to the epizootic IC strains (infection rates > or = 95%, n = 190), this species was less susceptible to the enzootic IE strain (infection rates < or = 35%, n = 233). The Culex (Culex) species were refractory to both subtypes of VEE, and none of 166 contained evidence of a disseminated infection. Virus-exposed Cx. pseudes that refed on susceptible hamsters readily transmitted virus, confirming that this species was an efficient vector of VEE. Although Oc. taeniorhynchus that fed on hamsters infected with the epizootic IC strain transmitted VEE efficiently, only one of six of those with a disseminated infection with the enzootic IE virus that fed on hamsters transmitted virus by bite. These data indicate that Cx. pseudes is an efficient laboratory vector of both epizootic and enzootic strains of VEE and that Oc. taeniorhynchus could be an important vector of epizootic subtypes of VEE.     

Increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 with elastolysis in nocturnal asthma.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is capable of degrading elastin, whereas tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) can inhibit MMP-9 activity. We observed reduced airway tissue elastin volume density in six subjects with nocturnal asthma (NA) as compared with seven subjects with nonnocturnal asthma (NNA) and seven normal controls (NL) when endobronchial biopsies were evaluated morphometrically at 4:00 PM and 4:00 AM. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that increased metalloproteinases and decreased tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in the airways of subjects with NA may be responsible for reduced elastin volume density. METHODS: Ten additional subjects with NA, 10 subjects with NNA, and 7 normal control subjects underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage at 4:00 PM and 4:00 AM. Levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was a fourfold circadian increase in bronchoalveolar lavage levels of MMP-9, and there was a twofold increase in MMP-9:TIMP-1 ratio in NA subjects from 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM. There were no circadian changes in the NNA and NL subjects. At 4:00 AM, MMP-9 levels and the MMP-9:TIMP-1 ratio were highest in NA subjects. At 4:00 PM, no significant group differences were observed. The MMP-9 levels positively correlated with the overnight fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio negatively correlated with the 4:00 AM % predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second. CONCLUSIONS: Our results from these two pilot studies suggest that increased MMP-9 and decreased TIMP-1 at night in NA may lead to reduced elastin density.     

Magnesium in Obesity,Metabolic Syndrome,and Type 2 Diabetes

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) deficiency is probably the most underestimated electrolyte imbalance in Western countries. It is frequent in obese patients, subjects with type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, both in adulthood and in childhood. This narrative review aims to offer insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms linking Mg²⁺ deficiency with obesity and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Literature highlights critical issues about the treatment of Mg²⁺ deficiency, such as the lack of a clear definition of Mg²⁺ nutritional status, the use of different Mg²⁺ salts and dosage and the different duration of the Mg²⁺ supplementation. Despite the lack of agreement, an appropriate dietary pattern, including the right intake of Mg²⁺, improves metabolic syndrome by reducing blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. This occurs through the modulation of gene expression and proteomic profile as well as through a positive influence on the composition of the intestinal microbiota and the metabolism of vitamins B1 and D.     

Site of bone density measurement may affect therapy decision

Summary The purpose of this study was to determine whether bone mineral density (BMD) measurements at the lumbar spine and femoral neck provided comparable information to women planning to use that knowledge to help them make a decision about hormone replacement therapy. Eighty-eight healthy Caucasian women, aged 44–59 and within 0 to 5 years of menopause, participated in the study. BMD measurements were performed at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and the femoral neck by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Criteria suggested by the National Osteoporosis Foundation were used to categorize women as at risk for osteoporosis, bone density more than one standard deviation (SD) below the young adult mean, or as low risk, bone density at or above this level. The re that 46 women would be classified into the low risk category on the basis of spinal BMD alone. However, 28 of these 46 women would fall into the at risk category when the femoral neck BMD was measured. Sixty-one percent of women informed they were at low risk on the basis of spinal BMD would be considered at risk based on femoral neck BMD. When femoral neck BMD was used as the primary risk indicator, 14% of the women classified as low risk would be at risk if spinal BMD were added. These results suggest that both lumbar spine and proximal femur measurements should be made when women are using bone density measurements as an aid in deciding whether or not to use hormone therapy in their postmenopausal years.     

Cryopreserved,cultured, allogenic,human epidermal grafts for the treatment of chronic ischemic ulcers: A report on two cases

Cultured, allogenic, human epidermal grafts have been successfully used to treat extensive burns, donor sites, leg ulcers, and eroded areas in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The following report describes the use of cryopreserved cultured human epidermal allografts in the treatment of long-standing ischemic ulcers unresponsive to conventional medical therapy in two patients who had previously undergone unsuccessful vascular reconstructive surgery. A marked reduction in ulcer size as well as rapid pain relief was achieved in both patients. In selected cases the use of epidermal grafts as a biologic topical therapy could represent an alternative to other medical treatments. However, thus far, only a few cases have been reported and the uncertain short- and long-term results as well as the excessive costs may limit the widespread application of this treatment modality.     

Stress, attachment and skin diseases: a case-control study

Objectives In this case-control study we tested the hypothesis of an association between some psychosomatic skin diseases, attachment style and stress. Patients and methods A total of 177 cases and 194 controls seen between November 1992 and November 1993 at the Istituto Dermopatico dell'lmmacolata (IDD) in Rome, were enrolled into the study. Cases were outpatients with first diagnosis of hyperidrosis, chronic urticaria, generalized pruritus or alopecia areata. Controls were outpatients seen in the same period of time with first diagnosis of pigmenled nevi, keratosis or mycosis. The presence and weight of life stress events were assessed by u standard precoded questionnaire based on the Schedule of Recent Experiences (SRE) and on the Life Experiences Survey (LES). The attachment style was assessed by a modified version of the Shaver and Hazan questionnaire about feelings in a love relationship. We calculated 3 scores for each individual and classified study subjects in 2 groups: 1) "free" (= secure attachment); 2) "not free" (not secure attachment: anxious-ambivalent or avoidant). Questionnaires were self-administered in the presence of a trained psychologist. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated using a multiple logistic function. Results No association was found between the different stress scores and the skin diseases considered. The crude odds ratio for life stress events in the previous year was 1.4 (95% CI 0.8–2.7). After multiple adjustment for age, sex, marital status and education, the estimated OR was 1.6 (95% CI 0.8–3.0). One significant association emerged between the adult attachment style defined as “not free” and psychosomatic skin diseases: the adjusted OR was 4.0 (95% CI 1.4–12).     

Interspecies pharmacokinetic comparisons and allometric scaling of napsagatran, a low molecular weight thrombin inhibitor

The objective of this work was to assess the pharmacokinetics of napsagatran, a low molecular weight thrombin inhibitor, after intravenous administration in a variety of laboratory animals, and prospectively to help design the first pharmacokinetic studies in man. Napsagatran is actively excreted into the bile and urine of various species and pronounced species-differences in its pharmacokinetics are observed. It is, therefore, an interesting compound to use in tests of the limitations of presently available inter-species scaling methods. The present data suggest that allometric exponent values which are consistent with the values expected for physiological processes and small organic molecules are not necessarily associated with successful predictions in man when active transport processes are involved in the disposition of the compounds. For example, compared with the values observed in man, the clearance (CL), non-renal clearance (CL(nr)) and the volume of distribution at steady state (Vd(ss)) were over-predicted by 3-, 7- and 2-fold, respectively, by use of allometry. Of the species tested, the cynomolgus monkey seemed to be the most useful for predicting kinetics in man when the approach based on concentration-time transformations was used. Thus, for half-life (t(1/2)), CL and Vd(ss), the observed mean values of 1.7 h, 459 mL min(-1) and 24 L kg(-1) in man were very close to the values predicted from the cynomolgus monkey (1.7 h, 652 mL min(-1) and 22 L kg(-1), respectively). The results show that there are large inter-species differences for kidney and liver excretion of napsagatran. This is probably because of the involvement of active transport processes, which compromised the kinetic extrapolation from animal to man, although a more thorough investigation of the transporters involved in the disposition of napsagatran is necessary to enable better understanding of the species differences observed.     

Tumor proliferative activity and response to first-line chemotherapy in advanced breast carcinoma

Summary The relationship between tumor proliferative activity and response to first-line chemotherapy and survival was investigated in 76 advanced breast cancer patients. Proliferative activity was determined by means of Ki-67 immunohistologic staining on primary tumors (55 patients) or at the relapse site (21 patients), and was classified as low ( 25% of stained cells) or high (> 25% of stained cells). The usual WHO response criteria were used. The median duration of follow-up was 18 months (range 3–58).Forty-seven patients (62%) had tumors with low, and 29 (38%) had tumors with a high rate of proliferative activity. The two groups were well balanced in terms of important variables such as disease-free survival, performance status, age, menopausal status, and the type of first-line chemotherapy (anthracycline-based regimens versus cyclophosphamide-methotrexate-5-fluorouracil). The estrogen receptor (ER) content, measured by means of immunohistochemical assay, was markedly different in the two groups, with 27/47 tumors with low proliferative activity (57%) and 6/29 with high-proliferative activity (21%) being ER positive ( 45% of stained cells) (p = 0.003). Moreover, a significant difference in the metastatic pattern was also evident, with a higher incidence of bone and a lower incidence of soft tissue metastases in the group of patients with tumors with low proliferative activity (p = 0.004). Overall, 10/47 responses (21%: PR = 7, and CR = 3) were observed in the group with a low rate of proliferative activity, versus 14/29 (48%: PR = 9, and CR = 5) in the group with highly proliferative tumors, the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.03). When a multivariate analy-sis was performed, the only factor that retained independent prognostic significance was the predominant site of disease, particularly soft tissues (p = 0.003). Despite the difference in response rate, when survival analysis was performed according to the Kaplan-Meier method, no significant difference was observed in the two groups, but when the analysis was limited to responsive patients, the median survival observed in those with a low and those with a high rate of proliferation was 35 and 19 months respectively (p = 0.02). The same results were obtained when multivariate survival analysis was carried out using Cox's regression model. These data suggest that there is a link between tumor proliferative activity and response to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer, and may indicate the need to use more intensive treatments in selected patients with highly proliferative tumors.Presented in part at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 14–17, 1994, Dallas, TX, USA     

Epirubicin, methotrexate and bleomycin (EMB) in the treatment of recurrent epidermoid cancer of the head and neck.

During the period May 1989 to November 1990, at the "O. Alberti" Radium Institute of Brescia's General Hospital, 35 patients affected by epidermoid head and neck carcinoma were treated every 28 days with the salvage chemotherapy regimen EMB (epirubicin, 50 mg/m2 i.v. day 1; methotrexate, 40 mg/m2. i.v. days 1, 18; bleomycin, 10 mg/m2 i.v. days 4, 11, 18). Sixteen patients had been previously treated with surgery, 15 with radiotherapy and 4 with chemotherapy. Six patients (Group A) received only 1 cycle of chemotherapy because of disease progression and subsequent death. In another 15 patients (Group B) it was possible to administer 2 cycles of EMB, and 9 of them showed local disease progression and died. Among the remaining 6 patients, evaluated as PR, 1 refused further therapy and 5 were amenable to a previously impossible radiotherapy (4 of them are still alive). Fourteen patients received 3 or more cycles of EMB (Group C): 8 subjects showed progression and died; 1 reached CR and is alive without any evidence of tumor; 5 are in PR (3 of them underwent subsequent radiotherapy and 1 chemotherapy with CDDP). Out of 35 patients, 12 (34%) reached a favorable response (CR or PR) and 8 (22%) are still alive. As regards toxicity, the following adverse events were recorded (< or = 2 Miller's scale): leukopenia (8.5%), thrombocytopenia (5.7%), anemia (14.2%), stomatitis (5.7%), vomiting (5.7%), alopecia (8.5%), and fever (11.4%). It can be concluded that the EMB regimen is very well tolerated and shows good effects in the treatment of patients with relapsed head and neck carcinoma.