Mothers “Google It Up:” Extending Communication Channel Behavior in Diffusion of Innovations Theory

This study employed qualitative methods, conducting 44 in-depth interviews with biological mothers of newborns to understand women’s perceptions and use of new media, mass media, and interpersonal communication channels in relation to health issues. Findings contribute to theoretical and practical understandings of the role of communication channels in diffusion of innovations theory. In particular, this study provides a foundation for the use of qualitative research to advance applications of diffusion of innovations theory. Results suggest that participants resisted mass media portrayals of women’s health. When faced with a health question, participants uniformly started with the Internet to “Google it up.” Findings suggest new media comprise a new communication channel with new rules, serving the functions of both personal and impersonal influence. In particular, pregnancy and the postpartum period emerged as a time when campaign planners can access women in new ways online. As a result, campaign planners could benefit from introducing new ideas online and capitalizing on the strength of weak ties favored in new media. Results expand the innovativeness/needs paradox in diffusion of innovations theory by elaborating on the role of new media to reach underserved populations. These findings provide an opportunity to better understand patient information seeking through the lens of diffusion of innovations theory.     

A review of selected investigational nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs of the 1980s

We reviewed the literature on 7 investigational nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): fenbufen, flurbiprofen, tiaprofenic acid, diclofenac, fenclofenac, etodolac and proquazone. These drugs all appear to be at least as effective as currently marketed NSAIDs. Toxicity reported with these newer agents is similar to that seen with other drugs in this class, with gastrointestinal complaints being most commonly reported. The frequency of gastritis and the extent of gastrointestinal microbleeding are less than what occur with aspirin therapy. Fenclofenac may affect thyroid function tests, an effect not noted with other NSAIDs. Proquazone and fenclofenac may have some effect on immunologic function similar to those of slow-acting antirheumatic drugs. These drugs decrease immunoglobulins, rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein. The place for these drugs in the management of rheumatic diseases has yet to be defined. They may prove to be more beneficial than currently marketed drugs for some patients.     

Neuroprotection by both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists in in vitro ischemia

We have investigated the relative contributions of oxygen and glucose deprivation to ischaemic neurodegeneration in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Cultures prepared from 10-day-old rats were maintained in vitro for 14 days and then deprived of either oxygen (hypoxia), glucose (hypoglycaemia), or both oxygen and glucose (ischaemia). Hypoxia alone induced degeneration selectively in CA1 pyramidal cells and this was greatly potentiated if glucose was removed from the medium. We have also characterised the effects of both pre-and post-treatment using glutamate receptor antagonists and the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX). Neuronal death following either hypoxia or ischaemia was prevented by pre-incubation with CNQX, MK-801 or tetrodotoxin. MK-801 or CNQX also prevented death induced by either hypoxia or ischaemia if added immediately post-insult, however, post-insult addition of TTX prevented hypoxic but not ischaemic damage. Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures are sensitive to both NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptor blockade and thus represent a useful in vitro system for the study of ischaemic neurodegeneration paralleling results reported using in vivo models of ischaemia.     

Expression of surface hydrophobic proteins by Candida albicans in vivo.

Candida albicans modulates cell surface hydrophobicity during growth and morphogenesis in vitro. To determine if surface hydrophobicity is expressed during pathogenesis, we generated a polyclonal antiserum against yeast hydrophobic proteins. The antiserum was then used for indirect immunofluorescence analysis of tissues from mice colonized and chronically infected with C. albicans. Results demonstrated that yeast hydrophobic proteins are exposed on fungal cells present in host tissues. The polyclonal antiserum distinguished between hydrophobic and hydrophilic cell surfaces in vitro and gave similar staining patterns and intensities for C. albicans cells in vivo. Of the yeast forms present within tissue lesions, approximately half exhibited moderate to intense immunofluorescence with the antiserum. Immunoblot analysis indicated that antigens recognized by the antiserum are predominantly low-molecular-mass hydrophobic proteins that are expressed by different C. albicans isolates and are expressed regardless of growth temperature. Taken together, the immunofluorescence and immunoblot analyses of antigens indicate that C. albicans displays surface hydrophobic proteins during pathogenesis and these proteins are available for hydrophobic interactions with host tissues. The effect of hydrophobic protein exposure on the virulence of C. albicans is discussed.     

Meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes collected in stimulated cycles is asynchronous

Oocytes collected in stimulated cycles are more readily fertilizedafter preincubation than are oocytes inseminated immediatelyafter collection. It has not been ascertained, however, whetherthis increase in the fertilization rate is due to extrusionof the first polar body (meiotic maturation) during this period,or to some conclusive cytoplasmic maturation subsequent to thepolar body extrusion. When analysing oocytes with a polar body(n = 14) by transmission electron microscopy, differences wereobserved in the appearance of cytoplasmic features which werecorrelated to the total durations both of systemic human chorionicgonadotrophin influence before collection and of oocyte culture.These differences were manifested as a delayed formation inaggregates of the smooth endoplamic reticulum in the ooplasmof oocytes having a polar body and might have signified a cytoplasmicmaturation. The degree of synchrony in the oocytes varied andthis could explain why some oocytes can be fertilized when inseminatedshortly after collection and others not until 8 h or even moreafter collection. Thus, although meiotic and cytoplasmic maturationis likely to be synchronized at ovulation of an oocyte in anatural cycle, they appear to be mainly asynchronous in oocytescollected in stimulated cycles.     

The occludin and ZO-1 complex, defined by small angle X-ray scattering and NMR, has implications for modulating tight junction permeability

Tight junctions (TJs) are dynamic cellular structures that are critical for compartmentalizing environments within tissues and regulating transport of small molecules, ions, and fluids. Phosphorylation-dependent binding of the transmembrane protein occludin to the structural organizing protein ZO-1 contributes to the regulation of barrier properties; however, the details of their interaction are controversial. Using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), NMR chemical shift perturbation, cross-saturation, in vitro binding, and site-directed mutagenesis experiments. we define the interface between the ZO-1 PDZ3-SH3-U5-GuK (PSG) and occludin coiled-coil (CC) domains. The interface is comprised of basic residues in PSG and an acidic region in CC. Complex formation is blocked by a peptide (REESEEYM) that corresponds to CC residues 468-475 and includes a previously uncharacterized phosphosite, with the phosphorylated version having a larger effect. Furthermore, mutation of E470 and E472 reduces cell border localization of occludin. Together, these results localize the interaction to an acidic region in CC and a predominantly basic helix V within the ZO-1 GuK domain. This model has important implications for the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of the occludin:ZO-1 complex.     

Community attitudes toward a proposed nuclear power generating facility as a function of expected outcomes

This study examined the relationship between attitudes toward a proposed nuclear power generating facility and the outcomes expected to accompany it. In a survey of 350 residents of a small rural community, approximately 2/3 expressed favorable attitudes toward the proposed nuclear plant. A principal components factor analysis of the anticipated likelihoods of outcomes of the plant revealed five factors: hazards, economic growth, lower costs, social disruption, and community visibility. Using these factors as predictors, a simple multiple regression equation accounted for 52% of the variation in attitudes toward the plant. The strongest predictor was the perceived likelihood of hazards. These findings are discussed in terms of the relationship between attitudes and expectations, and in relation to decisions regarding public policy.