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PubMed2006

Overlooked, misunderstood and at-risk: exploring the lives and HIV risk of ethnic minority male-to-female transgender youth.

PURPOSE: To describe the real life challenges and HIV-risk behaviors of male-to-female (MTF) transgender youth from communities of color. METHODS: A convenience sample (n = 51) of ethnic-minority MTF transgender youth aged 16-25 years completed an anonymous questionnaire including demographics, psychosocial measures, and participation in substance use and sexual risk behaviors. Descriptive analyses and analyses of association were used to interpret the data. RESULTS: The median age of participants was 22 years, and 57% were African-American. Twenty-two percent reported being human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+). Prevalence of life stressors among the sample included history of incarceration (37%), homelessness (18%), sex in exchange for resources (59%), forced sexual activity (52%), difficulty finding a job (63%), and difficulty accessing health care (41%). Within the past year, 98% had sex with men, 49% had unprotected receptive anal intercourse, and 53% had sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Substance use within the past year was common, with marijuana (71%) and alcohol (65%) most frequently reported. Twenty-nine percent of participants had used injection liquid silicone in their lifetime. Other injection drug use and needle-sharing behaviors were rare. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, HIV was found in higher rates among African-American youth (p < .05). HIV status was not associated with any other demographic characteristic, psychosocial measure, sexual or substance use behavior. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that MTF transgender youth of color have many unmet needs and are at extreme risk of acquiring HIV. Future research is needed to better understand this adolescent subgroup and to develop targeted broad-based interventions that reduce risky behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Imaging of peritoneal and mesenteric disease: key concepts for the clinical radiologist.

The abdominal cavity extends from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor, and is lined by a serous membrane known as the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the largest serous membrane in the body, and its surface area is comparable to the surface area of the skin (approximately 2 m2, in adults). Infoldings of the peritoneum suspend the various organs contained in the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum is, therefore, comprised of two layers, a parietal layer lining the abdominal cavity, and a visceral layer enveloping the contained organs. The peritoneal cavity is enclosed between these two layers, and is normally empty, apart from a small amount of physiological fluid. As a result, the normal peritoneal cavity is only a potential space. In men, the space is closed. In women, the fimbriated ends of the Fallopian tubes open into the peritoneal cavity, and provide a potential route of communication with the outside. The peritoneal cavity and the specialized peritoneal infoldings, known as mesenteries, are important disease sites in the abdomen. However, plain radiographs, barium studies, and ultrasound are of limited utility in imaging peritoneal and mesenteric disease. Direct and consistent imaging of such diseases only became possible with the development of computed tomography (CT). Initially, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was of limited utility, because of image degradation by motion artifact. With modern fast MRI sequences, it is now possible to depict many of these peritoneal and mesenteric conditions with an accuracy similar to CT. This review will discuss the normal anatomy and physiology of the peritoneal space and mesenteries, and the related disease processes, with particular emphasis on CT and MRI findings. The review is structured along anatomical lines, because many disease processes in the abdomen are site specific, or spread along anatomical pathways. The radiology of peritoneal malignancy and peritoneal adhesions are discussed separately, because these two conditions are not site specific, and because they are conditions whose imaging features are not always well appreciated. Our aim is to present key anatomical and pathological concepts in the imaging of peritoneal and mesenteric disease. We hope this will facilitate a clearer understanding of the CT and MRI appearance of these diseases, and so enhance the ability of the clinical radiologist to formulate rational differential diagnoses, to understand pathways of disease spread, and to apply greater critical analysis in radiological interpretation. The review is not intended as an encyclopaedic description of peritoneal anatomy and pathology.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

A technique to investigate the three-dimensional kinesiology of the human temporomandibular joint.

Previous kinesiological studies of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were based on the motion of only one or two selected points on the mandible (such as the lower central incisor, the mandibular condyle). In the present study, a technique was developed to measure, analyze, and describe the full three-dimensional kinematic characteristics of the TMJ during any mandibular activity. The technique was based on determination of the relative position between the mandible and the temporal bone from measurement of the location of points on light-weight frames rigidly attached through splints to the maxillary and mandibular teeth. An optoelectric kinematic data acquisition system has been used to record the location of these points. The results of the study indicate the following major advantages of this technique over previously reported kinesiological methods: (1) the technique provides a full description of the motion of the mandible with respect to the temporal bone, including all the six degrees of freedom associated with this motion; (2) the description of motion in terms of joint parameters enhances interpretation of the data by clinicians; (3) the motion of any point of interest on the mandible can be easily derived from the data and; (4) the system provides only negligible interference with the natural jaw motion of the subject. It does not require head fixation, does not alter or interfere with the natural occlusion, and its light weight causes only minimal (and negligible) loading of the mandible.

Calibration↗

PubMed1991

Cytotoxic effects of high energy shock waves in different in vitro models: influence of the experimental set-up.

High energy shock waves (electromagnetically generated, Siemens Lithostar) were studied for their effects in vitro on different (tumor) cell types. Cells were exposed to the shock waves as a single cell suspension or as a cell pellet on the bottom of a test tube. In both cases, a dose dependent direct cytotoxicity, established by trypan blue dye exclusion, was observed after treatment with 1000 or 2000 shock waves. Also, the antiproliferative capacity as determined by clonogenic potential (double layer soft agar) and growth rate (plastic) were affected in this way. However, comparing the results after treatment in suspension or pellet, a discrepancy was evident. The cell lines showed a different susceptibility in pellet vs. suspension. Also the differential sensitivity of the cell types varied in these two treatment models. Furthermore the outcome depended on the cell concentration; direct cytotoxicity in a cell suspension was more pronounced at higher cell concentrations, while in a pellet this was increased by decreasing the number of cells. Finally, no shock wave induced cytotoxicity could be seen after fixation of cells in gelatine or by placing the pellet on a bottom layer of gelatine. Pressure measurements revealed no adequate explanation for this phenomenon. These results indicate that in vitro effects depend on the way cells are exposed to the shock waves and can be greatly influenced by changing the conditions of the microenvironment. Therefore, precise descriptions of the experimental set-up and careful interpretations of their outcome are obligatory.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed2006

Statistics for ChIP-chip and DNase hypersensitivity experiments on NimbleGen arrays.

Data obtained from high-density oligonucleotide tiling arrays present new computational challenges for users. This chapter presents ACME (Algorithm for Capturing Microarray Enrichment), a computer program developed for the analysis of data obtained using NimbleGen-tiled microarrays. ACME identifies signals or "peaks" in tiled array data using a simple sliding window and threshold strategy and assigns a probability value (p value) to each and every probe on the array. We present data indicating that this approach can be applied successfully to at least two different genomic applications involving tiled arrays: ChIP-chip and DNase-chip. In addition to highlighting previously described methods for analyzing tiled array data, we provide recommendations for assessing the quality of ChIP-chip and DNase-chip data, suggestions for optimizing the use of ACME, and descriptions of several of ACME features designed to facilitate interpretation of processed tiled array data. ACME is written in R language and is freely available upon request or through Bioconductor.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1998

Practical approach to acid-base disorders.

Acid-base balance is a general term for the way in which the body maintains a relatively constant pH despite continuous production of metabolic end products and is fundamental to physiologic homeostasis. Disease states of animals lead to irregularities of body fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. With the advent of less expensive, accurate, as well as portable blood gas and electrolyte analyzers, acid-base assessment has become a standard of care in veterinary medicine. It is important that the veterinary practitioner understand acid-base pathophysiology to assure successful treatment of these disease states. The purpose of this article is to provide a simple and concise description of traditional and modern acid-base data interpretation and assist the practitioner with application of these methods.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMed1991

Application of clinical exercise testing for identification of respiratory fitness and disease in the equine athlete.

Maximal exercise testing is a valuable diagnostic tool for the evaluation of exercise intolerance and level of fitness in the equine athlete. A description of the standardized incremental exercise testing protocol and interpretation of the results of the test is followed by a discussion of more specific diagnostic techniques aimed at identifying pulmonary dysfunction as a cause of suboptimal performance.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Scalp blood gas analysis.

The use of fetal blood sampling has been advocated widely to improve the specificity of fetal heart rate monitoring, but it remains a clinically unpopular procedure. This article considers its physiologic rationale and evidence base. It includes descriptions of the technique with suggestions for improved clinical interpretation and discusses the efficacy of fetal blood sampling with some consideration of possible alternatives.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

PubMed1993

Theoretical predictions of DNA hairpin loop conformations: correlations with thermodynamic and spectroscopic data.

A computational procedure for generating conformations of DNA hairpin loop structures from a broad range of low-energy starting states is described. The starting point of the modeling is the distribution of oligonucleotide chain conformations obtained from Monte Carlo simulations of feasible dinucleotide steps. Structures which meet the spatial criteria for hairpin loop formation are selected from the distributions and subsequently minimized using all-atom molecular mechanics. Both d(CTnG) and d(CAnG) oligomers, where n = 3, 4, or 5, are modeled. These sequences are chosen because of the large number of published NMR and thermodynamic studies on DNA hairpins containing thymine or adenine residues. The minimized three-dimensional hairpin loop structures are compared with one another as well as analyzed in terms of available experimental data. The computational approach provides the first detailed analysis of DNA hairpin loop structure in terms of a multistate conformational model. Investigation of the minimized conformations reveals several interesting structural features. First, hairpin loops of the same sequence adopt several distinctly different conformations, as opposed to minor variants of the same equilibrium structure, that could potentially interconvert in solution. Second, in contrast to double-helical nucleic acids, the hairpin loop models exhibit hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The different disposition of hydrophobic groups in loops versus duplexes could modulate both protein-nucleic acid interactions and nucleic acid self-associations. Third, perpendicular aromatic interactions of loop residues are observed in many of the computed hairpins. This sort of interaction might be important in the stabilization of non-hydrogen-bonded nucleic acid secondary and tertiary structures. The predicted structural features in the models help, in addition, to account for the unusual thermodynamic properties of DNA hairpin loops. Comparison of the theoretically-generated NOEs in different structures further reveals that very different molecular structures and interactions can, in principle, produce the same NOEs. The multistate description suggested by this observation differs from the conventional interpretation of DNA solution structure in terms of the fluctuations about a single preferred chain conformation. There is not necessarily only one set of closely related structures consistent with the observed data.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Structural, spectroscopic, and computational study of an octahedral, non-heme [Fe-NO](6-8) Series: [Fe(NO)(cyclam-ac)]2+/+/0.

The reaction of low-spin [FeIICl(cyclam-ac)] with NO in CH3CN yields the octahedral, non-heme (nitrosyl)iron complex [Fe(NO)(cyclam-ac)](PF6) (2), S = 1/2, which can be one-electron oxidized with (tris(4-bromophenyl)ammoniumyl)hexachloroantimonate to the complex [Fe(NO)(cyclam-ac)](PF6)2 (1'), S = 0, or complex [Fe(NO)(cyclam-ac)]Cl(ClO4).H2O (1); (cyclam-ac)- represents the pentadentate monoanion of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1-acetic acid. Similarly, in CH3CN solution 2 can be electrochemically or chemically reduced by one-electron to the neutral complex [Fe(NO)(cyclam-ac)]0 (3), S = 0. 1-3 represent members of the [FeNO]6-8 series, respectively. The electronic structure of these three species have been spectroscopically elucidated by EPR, UV-vis, Mössbauer, and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In addition, detailed density functional calculations have been performed for all three species taking into account the possibility that 3 is actually a protonated HNO or NOH species. For all complexes structures, energetics, IR parameters, and Mössbauer parameters as well as EPR parameters (g-values and hyperfine couplings) have been calculated using state-of-the art DFT methods which are compared to experiment. The results establish unequivocally that 3 is indeed the elusive [FeNO]8 species. Furthermore a detailed picture of the bonding in the low-spin non-heme iron nitrosyl series [FeNO]6, [FeNO]7, and [FeNO]8 has been developed. This allows a description of 1 as a low-spin ferrous complex containing an N-coordinated NO+, whereas 2 is a low-spin ferrous species with a NO* ligand and 3 is a low-spin ferrous complex with a coordinated NO-. On the basis of this description, all spectroscopic and geometric observables find a satisfactory interpretation.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Shotgun annotation of histone modifications: a new approach for streamlined characterization of proteins by top down mass spectrometry.

Eukaryotic histones serve as prototypical examples of posttranslational complexity with diverse modifications (PTMs) on many different residues that comprise a "Histone Code". To help crack this code more efficiently, we demonstrate a new strategy for protein characterization wherein complete PTM descriptions are obtained by database retrieval instead of manual interpretation of information-rich data from high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). A database of nearly 50 000 modified histone H4 sequences was created and queried with 91 fragment ions from electron capture dissociation of a histone form +112 Da (versus unmodified mass) selectively accumulated in a quadrupole Fourier transform hybrid mass spectrometer. The correct form atop the retrieval list indicated dimethylation at Lys20, acetylation at the N terminus, and acetylation at Lys16 (resolved from trimethylation, Deltam = 0.036 Da). A statistical evaluation reveals the critical role of mass accuracy and that PTM "isomers" are retrieved as next-best matches. The applicability of shotgun annotation to forms of H4 with up to six PTMs is demonstrated, with extensibility to other histones (e.g., H2A, H2B, H3) and other protein classes projected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Communicative function in patients with questionable Alzheimer's disease.

The communicative skills of patients with questionable Alzheimer's disease (AD) were examined by having patients describe events shown in a silent video cartoon. As anticipated, questionable AD patients provided fewer clauses in their descriptions than did education- and age-matched controls. This finding was independent of differences in word finding ability. More important, the patients failed to describe as many of the thematically important events as did the controls, a difference that affected the overall informativeness of the communication. Even though the patients were sensitive to event importance, there was no evidence of compensation in their descriptions (i.e., a greater concentration of important events). Several interpretations are presented that focus on possible deficits in the pragmatic or semantic systems of language or both as an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Sexual activity and contraceptive practices among teenagers in the United States, 1988 and 1995.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents national estimates of sexual experience, contraceptive use, and selected aspects of sexual behavior among never-married males and females aged 15-19 years in the United States. Data are presented for the years 1988 and 1995 according to age, race and Hispanic origin, progress in school, and other relevant characteristics. Tables present trends over time as well as comparisons between subgroups. METHODS: Descriptive tables of numbers and percents are presented and interpreted. Data for females are from the National Survey of Family Growth, and data for males are from the National Survey of Adolescent Males. RESULTS: About half of all never-married teenagers, about 17.5 million, had had sexual intercourse at least once in 1995. For male teenagers, this represents a decline since 1988, and for females, the proportion was stable across the two time points. The proportion of teen females who had sex before age 15 years increased. In 1995, 29 percent of females and 19 percent of males had unprotected recent sexual intercourse. About one-quarter of teens used no contraceptives during their first sexual intercourse. The condom remained the most popular method of contraception. Although teenagers' use of oral contraceptives dropped between 1988 and 1995, use of injectable and implant contraceptives began. Teenagers with more highly educated mothers, mothers who delayed their first birth beyond age 19 years, those from two-parent families, and those whose schooling was on schedule, were less likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors. These teenagers, along with those who were Protestant, also experienced the largest improvements across time in sexual risk behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Anterior openbite and its treatment with multiloop edgewise archwire.

Etiologies and various treatment modalities regarding anterior openbite are discussed to elucidate the pros and cons of different approaches, with emphasis on understanding of the true nature of anterior openbite. Subjective interpretation in a diagnosis invariably leads into an erroneous description of a malocclusion, which can lead to a disastrous result. Cognizance of the anatomy, histology, physiology, and dynamics of orthodontic mechanotherapy can bring most openbite malocclusions into the realm of treatability, with a high degree of success and stability without surgical intervention. A Multiloop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) technic developed over the past nineteen years is introduced, and three illustrative cases are presented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The extracellular matrix, interstitial fluid and ions as a mechanical signal transducer in articular cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: (1) Provide an overview of the biomechanical factors that are required to analyze and interpret biological data from explant experiments; (2) Present a description of some of the mechano-electrochemical events which occur in cartilage explants during loading. DESIGN: A thorough and provocative discussion on the effects of loading on articular cartilage will be presented. Five simplest loading cases are considered: hydrostatic pressure, osmotic pressure, permeation (pressure loading), confined compression and unconfined compression. Details of how such surface loadings are converted or transduced by the extracellular matrix (ECM) to pressure, fluid, solute and ion flows, deformation and electrical fields are discussed. RESULTS: Similarities and differences in these quantities for the five types of loading are specifically noted. For example, it is noted that there is no practical mechanical loading condition that can be achieved in the laboratory to produce effects that are equal to the effects of osmotic pressure loading within the ECM. Some counter-intuitive effects from these loadings are also described. Further, the significance of flow-induced compression of the ECM is emphasized, since this frictional drag effect is likely to be one of the major effects of fluid flow through the porous-permeable ECM. Streaming potentials arising from the flow of ions past the fixed charges of the ECM are discussed in relation to the flow-induced compaction effect as well. CONCLUSION: Understanding the differences among these explant loading cases is important; it will help to provide greater insights to the mechano-electrochemical events which mediate metabolic responses of chondrocytes in explant loading experiments.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Community-based nursing education and nursing accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The purpose of this article is to describe the application of accreditation standards of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in community-based nursing education. In response to changes in the health care delivery system, involving increased implementation of managed care systems, greater use of outpatient services, and increased care provided in community-based settings, baccalaureate nursing education is changing to incorporate student learning experiences in community-based settings. Community-based nursing care is characterized by the development of community-education partnerships, implementation of nursing interventions for prevention and health promotion, and collaboration to ensure continuity of care. Changes in the delivery system to increase community-based care necessitate changes in professional nursing education to ensure that graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs are prepared to practice in community-based settings. Accreditation is a mechanism to evaluate quality in educational programs. Accreditation by CCNE offers a process for assessing the quality of nursing programs while encouraging flexibility and innovation in those programs. The CCNE accreditation standards can be interpreted in the context of community-based education. Descriptions of the CCNE standards and examples of application of the standards in community-based nursing education are included.

Accreditation↗

PubMed2004

[Classical crossed pontine syndromes].

Definitions of classical crossed brainstem syndromes in the modern neurological literature are often inaccurate and inconsistent. As a result, different clinical syndromes are designated with the same eponym, other crossed syndromes are nearly completely forgotten. In this study, the original historical publications on the classical alternating pontine syndromes of Foville, Millard-Gubler, Raymond, Raymond-Cestan, Brissaud-Sicard, Gasperini, Grenet and Gelle were reviewed and critically analysed. Their anatomic basis and etiology, and the main publications about each syndrome were discussed. We conclude that the syndromes of Foville, Millard-Gubler, Raymond, Raymond-Cestan and Brissaud-Sicard are interpreted in their essential parts concurring to their historical descriptions. Crossed syndromes of Foville and Millard-Gubler are occasionally mixed up with each other. The syndromes in the last decades described as crossed syndromes of Gasperini and Grenet were, however, never described by Gasperini and Grenet. The existence of the Gelle's as "paralysie alterné de l'acoustique" postulated syndrome seems to be very questionable.

Brain Stem↗

PubMed2005

Primitive model for cation hydrolysis: a molecular-dynamics study.

A model of primitive cation MZ+ in water is introduced in order to clarify the influence of ion charge on the hydration structure and dynamic properties of highly charged cations in aqueous solutions. A flexible nonconstrained model for water molecules is used. The considered model in the case of monovalent cation M+ reduces to the realistic model for the hydration structure of Na+. It is shown that for divalent ion M2+ the strong cation-water electrostatic interaction leads to the formation of stable structures constituted by six water molecules octahedrally arranged around the cation. The cation-oxygen attraction and cation-hydrogen repulsion modify the octahedral hydration configuration of the model cations M3+ and M4+ and additional water molecules can join the hydration shell. The increase of cation charge results in the increase of O-H bond length of water molecules in the cation hydration shell. Further increase of ion-water electrostatic interaction causes the loss of some protons from the hydration shell of cations M4+, M5+, and M6+ that is interpreted as a cation hydrolysis effect. For a correct description of this phenomenon the considered model is improved by modeling the effects of the charge redistribution between hydrolysis products, which essentially modified and stabilized the hydrated-hydrolyzed structure of cation. The influence of cation charge on dynamical properties of cation MZ+ and oxygens in its hydration shell was investigated and analyzed.

Journal Article↗