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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.07.040 Byline: Marilyn B. Renfree (a), Jane Fenelon (a), Gratiana Wijiyanti (a), Jean D. Wilson (b), Geoffrey Shaw (a) Keywords: Gonadal transplantation; Xenotransplantation; Sexual differentiation; Marsupial; Genital ducts; Androgen imprinting; Testosterone; Anti-Mullerian hormone; Androstanediol; Urogenital system Abstract: In developing mammalian males, conversion of the Wolffian ducts into the epididymides and vasa deferentia depends on androgen secretion by the testes, whereas in females these ducts remain in a vestigial form or regress. However, there is continuing uncertainty whether the androgen needs to be delivered locally, either by diffusion from the adjacent testis or, by secretion into the lumen of the duct, or whether circulating androgens maintain and virilize the Wolffian ducts. To resolve this uncertainty, we transplanted either day 0-2 or day 8-9 post-partum testes beneath the flank skin of three groups of neonatal (days 0-1) female tammar wallabies, where they developed and secreted physiological levels of hormones. The Wolffian ducts of all these females were retained and had formed extensive epididymides when examined at days 25, 34 and 87 after birth. In the two older groups of females, sampled after the time of prostatic bud formation, the urogenital sinus was virilized and there was extensive prostatic development similar to that of normal males of the same age, showing that androgen secretion had occurred. Virilization of the Wolffian ducts occurred during an early but short-lived window of sensitivity. This study provides the first clear evidence that under physiological conditions virilization can be mediated by circulating androgen. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia (b) Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-8857, USA Article History: Received 13 March 2009; Revised 24 June 2009; Accepted 30 July 2009

Objective: To compare eating behaviors of Korean American (KA) families with mothers of different acculturation stages with those of families in Korea. Design: Survey research using a self-report questionnaire. Settings: Field survey on convenience sample in California and in Seoul, Korea. Participants: 225 KA and 216 Korean mothers. Main Outcome Measures: Frequency of eating at home, preparation of Korean foods, favorite dishes of families, and for special occasions. Analysis: Chi-square, t test, and analysis of variance. Results: Families of the more acculturated mothers dined out more frequently and had lower preferences for Korean foods than did the families with less acculturated mothers. The more acculturated mothers prepared Korean foods, including kimchi, less at home. Fewer Korean dishes were included among the 5 favored dishes, both for family and for special occasions, in KA families than in Korean families. The acculturation stage of the mothers affected preference for Korean dishes of the families but not for special occasions. Conclusions and Implications: Mothers' acculturation stage influenced the family's eating habits. Changes of preference of typical Korean dishes varied by acculturation stage. Nutrition educators should be aware that dietary behaviors of KA families may differ by acculturation stage and tailor interventions appropriately. KEY WORDS: Korean Americans, acculturation, eating habits

Background: Recent publications have suggested an increased risk of delayed adverse events (DAEs) with a smooth, cohesive 20-mg/mL hyaluronic acid filler, Juvéderm Voluma (HA-V).Objective: To examine the occurrence of HA-V DAEs and identify patterns and characteristics.Methods: Charts from patients who received HA-V between February 1, 2009, and February 28, 2018 from 2 clinics were analyzed.Results: In 4500 patients who received 9324 treatments with HA-V, 44 DAEs were identified, for a combined incidence of 0.98% per patient, 0.47% per treatment, and 0.23% per syringe. Patients with DAEs received a slightly larger cumulative amount of HA-V than those who did not. Delayed swelling and nodule formation were the most common reactions and occurred a median of 4 months after treatment, with an increase in frequency between October and January. About a third were preceded by an identifiable immunologic stimulus. DAEs were transient and resolved without incident.Limitations: The retrospective nature made it difficult to capture time to resolution or remember potential triggers.Conclusion: In this large, long-term, retrospective review, HA-V DAEs occurred at a rate of 0.98% per patient. Although the exact cause has yet to be elucidated, we hypothesize that an increase in fragmentation during the HA-V degradation process may trigger an inflammatory response after an immunologic trigger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In 2010, experts in osteoporosis and bone densitometry were convened by the Space Life Sciences Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center to identify a skeletal outcome in astronauts after spaceflight that would require a clinical response to address fracture risk. After reviewing astronaut data, experts expressed concern over discordant patterns in loss and recovery of bone mineral density (BMD) after spaceflight as monitored by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). The pilot study described herein demonstrates the use of QCT to evaluate absence of recovery in hip trabecular BMD by QCT as an indicator of a clinically actionable response. Methodology: QCT and DXA scans of both hips were performed on 10 astronauts: once preflight and twice postflight about 1 wk and 1 yr after return. If trabecular BMD had not returned to baseline (i.e., within QCT measurement error) in 1 or both hips 1 yr after flight, then another QCT hip scan was obtained at 2 yr after flight. Results: Areal BMD by DXA recovered in 9 of 10 astronauts at 1 yr postflight while incomplete recovery of trabecular BMD by QCT was evident in 5 of 10 astronauts and persisted in 4 of the 5 astronauts 2 yr postflight. Conclusion: As an adjunct to DXA, QCT is needed to detect changes to hip trabecular BMD after spaceflight and to confirm complete recovery. Incomplete recovery at 2 yr should trigger the need for further evaluation and possible intervention to mitigate premature fragility and fractures in astronauts following long-duration spaceflight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Consolidation of resources, programs, and even universities are measures that university systems consider for economic reasons. The transformation and restructuring of two diverse nursing programs utilized an organizational change tool to guide the consolidation efforts. Purpose Insights on how to use an organizational change model and lessons learned are shared for higher education units that may face consolidation. Methods The ADKAR Change Management Model, one of many organizational change resources, was advantageous in consolidating two diverse nursing programs when two universities were mandated to become one. Conclusions Change is inevitable yet when faced with transition and transformation, thoughtful and strong, committed leaders who portray open transparent communication are an absolute requirement for sustained change. To guide the process, the ADKAR Change Management Model is an insightful and worthwhile resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To facilitate deliberate practice, we developed and evaluated a three-dimensional multistation cardiovascular simulator with low-fidelity, anatomically correct materials. Methods Surgical educators and senior fellows at several national institutions who are a part of the Thoracic Education Cooperative Group completed expert validation surveys that feature a self-report rating scale, ranging from 0 (don’t know) to 4 (highly realistic, no changes needed), and a global recommendation rating scale, ranging from 0 to 3. To analyze the survey results, we used paired Student t tests and a many-facet Rasch model. Results We analyzed the results of 18 expert validation surveys (completed by 9 senior fellows and by 9 staff surgeons). The overall realism-of-experience rating for the simulator was 3.23 (of 4), suggesting adequate realism with room remaining for improvement. Senior fellows rated the aortic graft replacement station and overall physical attributes more favorably than staff. Staff surgeons favored the simulator for realism of the mitral valve annuloplasty station and the cannulation station and for its use as a training tool. The overall global recommendation rating for the simulator was 2.38 (of 3), suggesting that the simulator can be considered for use in cardiovascular surgery training programs with minor improvements. Conclusions This three-dimensional multistation cardiovascular simulator has adequate realism and can be considered for use in cardiovascular training programs. Platforms such as this may facilitate deliberate home practice and reinforcement of technical skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Patients undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer are profoundly immunosuppressed and unable to mount an adequate immune response to seasonal influenza vaccine. [•] The B cell compartment was significantly functionally compromised. [•] Monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis was seen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During meat cooking, proteins undergo some oxidations and conformation changes which can induce a loss in the nutritional value of products. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of heat treatments on the physicochemical state of proteins (oxidation and thermal denaturation). A great number of experiments were performed on mimetic models. Two mimetic models were used: a basic model, composed of an aqueous suspension of myofibrillar proteins, and a complex model, in which oxidants were added in physiological concentrations. Heat treatments were applied on the two models at 45°C, 60°C, 75°C and 90°C during 5, 10, 30, 60 and 120min. Then, the results were compared to those obtained on a pork meat model (M. Longissimus dorsi), cooked in the same conditions. In these three models, myofibrillar proteins were the target of the treatments. Protein oxidation was assessed by the carbonyl groups and thermal denaturation was evaluated by the measurement of protein surface hydrophobicity. The mimetic models showed that carbonyls can not be produced under the thermal process alone; oxidants are required for their formation. A synergic effect of the oxidants and heat treatments was noticed on protein oxidation. Carbonyl production was considerably higher in the complex mimetic model than in meat. On the contrary, changes in protein hydrophobicity were dominated by the thermal process and hydrophobicity values were higher in meat than in the mimetic model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The relation between maternal pesticide exposures and neural tube defects (NTDs) in offspring was evaluated in 184 Mexican American case-women and 225 comparison women. Methods: In-person interviews solicited information about environmental and occupational exposures to pesticides during the periconceptional period. Results: With adjustment for maternal education, smoking, and folate intake, women who reported using pesticides in their homes or yards were two times more likely (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–3.1) to have NTD-affected pregnancies than women without these reported exposures. Case-women were also more likely to report living within 0.25 mile of cultivated fields than control-women (odds ratio [OR] 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7–7.6). As sources of pesticide exposure opportunities increased, risk of NTDs also increased. The adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for one, two, and three or more exposure sources were 1.2 (0.69–1.9), 2.3 (1.3–4.1) and 2.8 (1.2–6.3) respectively, and this positive trend was stronger for risk of anencephaly than for spina bifida. Conclusions: Self-reported pesticide exposures were associated with NTD risk in this study population, especially use of pesticides within the home and a periconceptional residence within 0.25 mile of cultivated fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To examine the effects of race and sex on bone density and geometry at specific sites within the proximal femur and lumbar spine, we used quantitative computed tomography to image 30 Caucasian American (CA) men, 25 African American (AA) men, 30 CA women, and 17 AA women aged 35–45yr. Volumetric integral bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular BMD (tBMD), and cross sectional area were measured in the femoral neck, trochanter, total femur, and L1/L2 vertebrae. Volumetric cortical BMD (cBMD) was also measured in the femur regions of interest. Differences were ascertained using a multivariate regression model. Overall, AA subjects had denser bones than CA subjects, but there were no racial differences in bone size. Men had larger femoral necks but not larger vertebrae than women. The AA men had higher tBMD and cBMD in the femur than CA men, whereas AA women had higher femoral tBMD but not higher femoral cBMD than CA women. These data support the idea that higher hip fracture rates in women compared with men are associated with smaller bone size. Lower fracture rates in AA elderly compared with CA elderly are consistent with higher peak bone density, particularly in the trabecular compartment, and potentially lower rates of age-related bone loss rather than larger bone size. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Sojourns in mountains are usually well tolerated by healthy children. However, specific risks should be taken into account, especially during sojourns at the highest ski resorts during winter. Acute mountain sickness, related to altitude hypoxia, is no more frequent than in adults, but diagnosis may be difficult in infants and young children. Risk of sudden infant death syndrome at altitude is controversial, but justifies respecting carefully the current recommendations, especially avoiding the prone sleeping position below 1 year of life. ENT risks are more frequent, especially otalgias with rapid changes in altitude. The risks of cold and sun exposure make specific protection necessary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A few studies have found chromosomal anomalies in offspring associated with a maternal residence near waste sites, but did not examine the effect of living near industrial facilities, and most combined specific anomalies into heterogeneous groups. With a case–control study design, we investigated whether maternal residential proximity to hazardous waste sites or industrial facilities with chemical air emissions was associated with chromosomal anomalies in births. Maternal residences of 2099 Texas births with chromosomal anomalies and 4368 control births without documented malformations were related to boundaries of hazardous waste sites and street addresses of industrial facilities through geographic information systems. With adjustment for maternal age, race/ethnicity, and education, maternal residence within 1mile of a hazardous waste site (relative to farther away) was not associated with chromosomal anomalies in offspring except for Klinefelter variants among Hispanic births (odds ratios (OR) 7.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–42.4). Women 35 years or older who lived within 1mile of industries with emissions of heavy metals were two times more likely (95% CI 1.1–4.1) than women living farther away to have offspring with chromosomal anomalies including trisomies 13, 18, or 21 or sex chromosome abnormalities. Among women 40 years or older, maternal residence within a mile of industries with solvent emissions was associated with chromosomal anomalies in births (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.2–42.8). Study findings suggest some relation between residential proximity to industries with emissions of solvents or heavy metals and chromosomal anomalies in births to older mothers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To describe host characteristics (use of highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART]; CD4+ T-lymphocyte count; HIV ribonucleic acid [RNA] blood level) of people who were diagnosed with AIDS-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis after HAART became available and to investigate effects of HAART on ophthalmic findings. Design: Retrospective, observational case series. Methods: We collected demographic, medical, laboratory, and ophthalmic data for all patients with AIDS and newly diagnosed, untreated CMV retinitis from January 1997 through December 2000 at 10 sites in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California. Results: The proportions of Hispanic and African-American patients were equivalent to or greater than their prevalences in the AIDS and general populations of Los Angeles County. Most patients (n = 80; 63.5%) were known to be receiving HAART at the time of CMV retinitis diagnosis; only 22 patients (17.5%) were HAART-naïve. Median CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was 15 cells/μl and median HIV RNA blood level was 103,000 copies/ml for all patients, but in 10 patients, CMV retinitis developed despite good immunologic and virologic responses to HAART. When compared with HAART-naïve patients, HAART-failure patients with CMV retinitis had more asymptomatic disease (P = .073), better visual acuity in the better eye (P = .003), more bilateral disease (P = .007), less zone 1 involvement (P = .042), and lower lesion border opacity scores (P = .054). Conclusions: Most patients with AIDS and newly diagnosed CMV retinitis in an urban setting are HAART-experienced. HAART may influence characteristics of new CMV retinitis lesions at presentation, despite laboratory evidence of treatment failure, possibly because of residual CMV-specific immunity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To identify factors related to variations in the appearance of untreated AIDS-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in severely immunodeficient individuals before the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and to draw inferences regarding early events in the natural history of CMV retinitis based on clinical findings.Design: Retrospective, observational case series.Methods: We evaluated a series of 100 adult patients with AIDS and newly diagnosed CMV retinitis before the HAART era who were not being treated with specific anti-CMV therapy. Demographic factors, ophthalmic findings, and the influence of drug therapy (zidovudine, acyclovir) on lesion characteristics were evaluated. Lesion border opacity was scored using a four-point scale of severity.Results: Lesions could be categorized by type (fulminant/edematous or indolent/granular) in only 66% of eyes. Severe lesion border opacity (4+) was related to presence of zone 1 lesions (P = .032) and greater extent of disease (P = .004). Acyclovir use was associated with less severe opacity (P = .029) and less zone 1 involvement (P = .016). Early lesions were adjacent to vessels in 73% of eyes; the fovea was involved in 13% of eyes.Conclusions: Lesion location and drug use that affects virus activity may influence the severity of lesion border opacity, a measure that may be more useful than lesion type in future clinical studies of CMV retinitis. In contrast to earlier concepts, CMV retinitis does not seem to be a fovea-sparing disease. Findings in this study can serve as a reference for investigations into possible changes in CMV retinitis since the introduction of HAART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We examined the relationship between maternal proximity to hazardous waste sites and industrial facilities and neural tube defect (NTD) risk. Methods: Texas Birth Defects Registry cases were linked with their birth or fetal death certificates; controls (without defects) were randomly selected from birth certificates. Distances from maternal addresses at delivery to National Priority List (NPL) and state superfund sites and Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) facilities were determined for 655 cases and 4368 controls. Results: Living within 1 mile of an NPL or state superfund site was not related to NTD risk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.0; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 0.6, 1.7). Living within 1 mile of a TRI facility carried a slight risk (adjusted OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.0, 1.5). The effect was highest among mothers 35 years and older (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.4, 5.0) and among non-Hispanic white mothers (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.1, 2.8). Conclusions: Hazardous waste sites posed little risk for NTDs in offspring. Close proximity to industrial facilities with chemical air emissions was associated with NTD risk in some subgroups. Further investigation is needed to determine if the effects are real or due to unresolved confounding or bias. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The tricyclic antidepressants, including desipramine (DMI), are no better than placebo in treating childhood and adolescent depression, but are effective in adult depression. Animal studies comparing the effects of DMI in juveniles and adults are complicated by age-related variations in elimination rates. Thus, different dosing regiments are needed to achieve similar brain drug levels in juvenile and adult rats. We compared the half-life of DMI as well as the brain and serum concentrations of DMI and its active metabolite desmethyldesipramine in juvenile and adult rats after various drug administration paradigms. After acute i.p. administration DMI is eliminated from the brain more slowly in postnatal day (PND) 21 and 28 rats as compared to adults. After chronic i.p. administration (for 4–5 days between PND 9 and 28), lower doses of DMI are needed with juvenile rats to obtain the same brain DMI concentrations as adults. By contrast, 2 weeks of continuous drug delivery (minipump) to PND 21–35 and adult rats result in similar brain DMI concentrations. Thus, the pharmacokinetic properties of DMI varies with the age of the animal and dosing of DMI and needs to be carefully adjusted in order to have appropriate brain levels of the drug. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chronic alcohol abuse is a risk factor for osteoporosis in men. Human recombinant parathyroid hormone (1–34) (PTH) therapy increases bone mass in patients with osteoporosis. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether PTH is effective in increasing bone formation and bone mass in a rat model for established osteopenia caused by chronic alcohol abuse. Eight-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats were fed the Lieber–DeCarli liquid diet in which 35% of the calories were derived from either maltose–dextran or ethanol. Measurements were performed 16 weeks later to establish the magnitude of bone changes in the rats fed alcohol. High dose PTH (80 μg/kg/day) was administered 5 days/week for 6 weeks to establish the differential efficacy of hormone therapy on bone formation in alcohol consuming and alcohol withdrawn rats. The effects of alcohol and PTH on cancellous and cortical bone mass, architecture and turnover were determined by densitometry and histomorphometry. Rats fed alcohol had reduced bone mineral contents and densities, cancellous and cortical bone areas and cancellous bone formation rates compared to pair-fed controls. Following the withdrawal of alcohol, indices of bone formation increased compared to baseline values. PTH treatment increased bone mineral content and density, bone formation rates, cortical bone area, cancellous bone area and trabecular number and thickness, but several indices of bone formation were reduced in the presence of continued alcohol consumption. These results suggest that alcohol consumption, in addition to inducing bone loss, may reduce the efficacy of PTH therapy to reverse osteoporosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: This study compares the match rate and positional accuracy of two geocoding methods: the popular geocoding tool in ArcGIS 9.1 and the Centrus GeoCoder for ArcGIS. Methods: We first geocoded 11,016 Texas addresses in a case–control study using both methods and obtained the match rate of each method. We then randomly selected 200 addresses from those geocoded by using both methods and obtained geographic coordinates of the 200 addresses by using a global positioning system (GPS) device. Of the 200 addresses, 110 were case maternal residence addresses and 90 were control maternal residence addresses. These GPS-surveyed coordinates were used as the “true” coordinates to calculate positional errors of geocoded locations. We used Wilcoxon signed rank test to evaluate whether differences in positional errors from the two methods were statistically significantly different from zero. In addition, we calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the two methods for classifying maternal addresses within 1500 m of toxic release inventory facilities when distance is used as a proxy of exposure. Results: The match rate of the Centrus GeoCoder was more than 10% greater than that of the geocoding tool in ArcGIS 9.1. Positional errors with the Centrus GeoCoder were less than those of the geocoding tool in ArcGIS 9.1, and this difference was statistically significant. Sensitivity and specificity of the two methods are similar. Conclusions: Centrus GeoCoder for ArcGIS for geocoding gives greater match rates than the geocoding tool in ArcGIS 9.1. Although the Centrus GeoCoder has better positional accuracy, both methods give similar results in classifying maternal addresses within 1500 m of toxic release inventory facilities when distance is used as a proxy of exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses play a significant part in controlling HIV-1 viral replication and are an important component of an HIV-1 vaccine induced immune response. We reported earlier that recombinant DNA vaccine delivered intramuscularly, and recombinant Listeria monocytogenes, delivered orally induced CD8+ and CD4+ T cell immune responses in rhesus macaques and that this vaccine protocol showed partial protection against an SIV239 challenge. In this paper, we have analyzed the SIV antigen-specific immune responses at the time of challenge and during the subsequent infection course. We find that the immune status of the animals, as measured by the frequency of antigen-specific IFN-gamma secreting peripheral blood mononuclear cells, at the time of challenge correlates more strongly with viral loads at set point than peak viral loads. The correlation between the immune response and viral load was strongest early, as viral set-point was just being established and disintegrates overtime. This study demonstrates the cellular immune response to SIV at the time of challenge of a nonhuman primate is able to impact on viral set-point following SIV239 challenge. Further, this study demonstrates that as virus replicates the T cell immune response to SIV antigens induced by the vaccine is modulated by antigen encountered by immune cells during viral replication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Arsenic is known to cause serious health effects when consumed in drinking water. In the state of Maine, approximately half of the population relies on private groundwater wells for their drinking water. Of those wells, as many as 13% may contain arsenic levels above the current EPA maximum contaminant level of 10μgl−1. Microorganisms can potentially contribute to arsenic release into groundwater through several mechanisms. Some can reduce arsenate to arsenite, which is more toxic and may be more mobile. Sulfurospirillum species NP4, which was isolated from well water, respires arsenate and could act in this way. Microorganisms can also act indirectly by reducing bedrock surface coatings, such as iron oxyhydroxides, that adsorb arsenic in the groundwater environment. The genus Geobacter contains many species that are capable of iron reduction that could play a role in the indirect release of arsenic into groundwater. Water samples from Northport, ME and the Branch Lake region of Ellsworth, ME, which both have elevated groundwater arsenic levels, have been probed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), to determine the percentage of the population that is NP4 and the percentage that are Geobacter species. Geobacter abundance correlates well with the total arsenic concentration indicating that indirect mechanisms could be important in releasing arsenic. NP4 appears to be reducing arsenate since its prevalence correlates well with arsenite, the end product of arsenate respiration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are one class of flame retardants commonly used in textiles, foams and plastics. They are similar in behavior to the well-studied polychlorinated biphenyls and growing evidence suggests they are widespread global environmental pollutants that are capable of bioaccumulation. Fish tissue samples were collected from sites along the Penobscot River in central Maine. The total concentration of tetra- to hepta-PBDEs in these samples were calculated and generally increased from upstream to downstream locations ranging from 800 to 1810ng/g lipid at the northernmost site to 5750–29000ng/g at the downstream sampling site. BDE-47, 99 and 100 were the predominant congeners found in the fish tissue. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the potential sources of these compounds to the environment through effluent discharge and landspreading of biosolids. Influent, effluent, activated sludge and dewatered biosolids were collected and analyzed for PBDE congeners from a WWTP at Orono, Maine. PBDE congeners were detectable in effluent samples at concentrations from 0.31 to 0.90μg/l, in the activated sludge at 1.32–3.8μg/l and in the influent at 4.2–4.3μg/l, but the majority of the material was concentrated in the biosolids. Total concentration in the biosolids was 2320–3530μg/kg dry weight. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To determine if differences existed in mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of their sons’ weight, controlling child-feeding practices (ie, restriction, monitoring, and pressure to eat), and parenting styles (ie, authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive) by their sons’ body mass index (BMI). Design: One person (L.S.B.) interviewed mothers and boys using validated questionnaires and measured boys’ weight and height; fathers completed questionnaires independently. Subjects/Setting: Subjects were white, preadolescent boys and their parents. Boys were grouped by their BMI into an average BMI group (n=25; BMI percentile between 33rd and 68th) and a high BMI group (n=24; BMI percentile ≥85th). Statistical Analyses Performed: Multivariate analyses of variance and analyses of variance. Results: Mothers and fathers of boys with a high BMI saw their sons as more overweight (mothers P=.03, fathers P=.01), were more concerned about their sons’ weight (P<.0001, P=.004), and used pressure to eat with their sons less often than mothers and fathers of boys with an average BMI (P<.0001, P<.0001). In addition, fathers of boys with a high BMI monitored their sons’ eating less often than fathers of boys with an average BMI (P=.006). No differences were found in parenting by boys’ BMI groups for either mothers or fathers. Conclusions: More controlling child-feeding practices were found among mothers (pressure to eat) and fathers (pressure to eat and monitoring) of boys with an average BMI compared with parents of boys with a high BMI. A better understanding of the relationships between feeding practices and boys’ weight is necessary. However, longitudinal research is needed to provide evidence of causal association. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

5α-Androstane-3α,17β-diol (androstanediol) is the predominant androgen in immature mouse testes, and studies were designed to investigate its pathway of synthesis, the steroid 5α-reductase isoenzyme involved in its formation, and whether testicular androstanediol is formed in embryonic mouse testes at the time of male phenotypic development. In 24–26-day-old immature testes, androstanediol is formed by two pathways; the predominant one involves testosterone → dihydrotestosterone → androstanediol, and a second utilizes the pathway progesterone → 5α-dihydroprogesterone → 5α-pregnane-3α-ol-20-one → 5α-pregnane-3α,17α-diol-20-one → androsterone → androstanediol. Formation of androstanediol was normal in testes from mice deficient in steroid 5α-reductase 2 but absent in testes from mice deficient in steroid 5α-reductase 1, indicating that isoenzyme 2 is not expressed in day 24–26 testes. The fact that androstenedione and testosterone were the only androgens identified after incubation of day 16 and 17 embryonic testes with [3H]progesterone implies that androstanediol formation in the testis plays no role in male phenotypic differentiation in the mouse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To describe transitions and patterns in infants’ and toddlers’ beverage intakes, with focus on nonmilk beverages.Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted by telephone to obtain a 24-hour dietary recall of infants’ and toddlers’ food intakes, as reported by mothers or other primary caregivers.Subjects: A nationwide sample of infants and toddlers (n=3,022) ages 4 to 24 months, who participated in the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS).Analyses: Beverages were categorized as total milks (ie, breast milk, infant formulas, cow’s milk, soy milk, goat’s milk), 100% juices, fruit drinks, carbonated beverages, water, and “other.” Analyses included means ± standard deviations, percentages, frequencies, nutrient densities, and linear regression.Results: Beverages provided 84% of total daily food energy for infants 4 to 6 months of age, decreasing to 36% at ages 19 to 24 months. Apple juice and apple-flavored fruit drinks were the most frequently consumed beverages in the 100% juice and fruit drink categories, respectively. Juices, fruit drinks, and carbonated beverages appeared to displace milk in toddlers’ diets (P<.0001).Applications/conclusions: This research shows that beverages make important contributions to infants’ and toddlers’ energy and nutrient needs, but they must be wisely chosen. Registered dietitians should advise parents and caregivers that excessive intakes of any beverage, including milks and 100% juices, may displace other foods and beverages in the diet and/or contribute to excess food energy (kcal). Further research is needed to define excessive amounts in each beverage category, and such guidance could be very useful to parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To describe meal and snack patterns of infants and toddlers.Design: A cross-sectional telephone survey in which mothers reported their infants’ and toddlers’ food and beverage intakes for a 24-hour period.Subjects: Subjects included 3,022 infants and toddlers, ages 4 to 24 months, in the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study.Statistical analyses performed: Means±standard deviations, frequencies, percentages, energy and nutrient analyses, nutrient densities.Results: On average, infants and toddlers were fed seven times per day. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner pattern, plus snacks, emerged at 7 to 8 months and was well established by 9 to 11 months. Breakfasts were higher in nutrient density for iron, folate, and calcium than other meals. The percentage of children reported to be eating snacks increased with age. The afternoon snack was consumed by over 80% of toddlers (12 to 24 months), and snacks provided about 25% of toddlers’ daily energy intakes. Typical snack foods for toddlers were milk, water, cookies, crackers, chips, and fruit drinks.Applications/conclusions: Results of this study provide parents and professionals with specific information about meal and snack patterns, thereby allowing development of targeted messages and/or strategies to improve the dietary patterns of infants and toddlers. Although most foods provided to the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study infants and toddlers were nutritionally and developmentally appropriate, snack choices could be improved by delaying introduction of and limiting exposures to foods low in nutrients and high in calories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Testicular androgens induce formation of the male urogenital tract in all mammals. In marsupials male development occurs after birth and over a prolonged period. For example, in the tammar wallaby virilization of the Wolffian ducts begins by day 20, prostate formation begins about day 25, and phallic development starts after day 80 of pouch life. Between days 20 and 40 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (5α-adiol) is formed in tammar testes and secreted into plasma. Administration of 5α-adiol to pouch young females induces urogenital sinus virilization by day 40 and formation of a mature male prostate and phallus by day 150. 5α-Adiol is synthesized in pouch young testes by two pathways, one involving testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and the other 5α-pregnane-3α,17α-diol-20-one and androsterone as intermediates, both utilizing steroid 5α-reductase. In target tissues 5α-adiol acts via the androgen receptor after conversion to dihydrotestosterone but may have other actions as well. Whether 5α-adiol plays a role in male development in placental mammals is uncertain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To determine if dietary calcium was negatively related to children’s body fat (BF), if BF indexes and calcium intakes changed over time, and to identify variables related to BF and calcium intake.Design: Percent BF and kg BF were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 8-year-old children. In a prospective design, height, weight, dietary intakes, and related variables were monitored longitudinally from ages 2 months to 8 years during in-home interviews.Subjects: Fifty-two white children, (n=25 boys, 27 girls) participated in a longitudinal study with their mothers. At 8 years of age, mean BMI was 17.3±2.1 (standard deviation) for boys and 17.1±2.5 for girls.Analyses: Regression analysis of all variables, followed by further regression analysis on selected models.Results: At 8 years, percent BF was 22.7±6.7 for boys and 26.2±7.9 for girls, as assessed by DEXA. Dietary calcium (mg) and polyunsaturated fat intake (g) were negatively related to percent BF (P=.02 to .04) in 3 statistical models, which predicted 28% to34% of the variability in BF among children. Variables positively associated with percent BF were total dietary fat (g) or saturated fat (g), female gender, sedentary activity (hours/day), father’s BMI, and mothers’ percent BF. Calcium intakes were significantly correlated over time. Dietary variety was positively related to calcium intake, and intakes of carbonated beverages and other sweetened beverages were negatively related.Applications/conclusions: Children should be strongly encouraged to regularly include calcium-rich foods and beverages in their diets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Transcriptomics, the analysis of the complement of mRNAs transcribed from a cell''s genome, currently focuses mainly on mature, processed mRNAs. However, posttranscriptional processing of primary transcripts can significantly affect both the quantity and the structure of the mature mRNAs and therefore of the protein products. Recently, the development of an intron-specific microarray has permitted a preliminary analysis of the splicing of all intron-containing transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we discuss the findings and what might be learned from this kind of approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Over the last decade, new information has been developed and collected to measure the extent of food insecurity and hunger in the United States. Common measurement of the phenomenon of hunger and food insecurity has become possible through efforts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a set of survey questions that can be used to obtain estimates of the prevalence and severity of food insecurity. We evaluated the measurement of food insecurity and the effect of household variables on measured food insecurity. The effects of demographic and survey-specific variables on the food insecurity/hunger scale were evaluated using a generalized linear model with mixed effects. Data came from the 1995, 1997 and 1999 Food Security Module of the Current Population Survey. The results generally validated the model currently used by the USDA. In addition, our approach made it possible to consider the effect of demographics and several survey design variables on food security among measurably food-insecure households, as well as interactions between these factors and the food security questions. The analysis of the expanded model with the 1995 data found results similar to those reported based on the Rasch model used by the USDA. Even though the sample size was reduced and a number of screening and questionnaire changes were introduced in 1997 and 1999, the results for those years appear mostly unchanged and confirm the robustness of the scale in measuring food insecurity. There is some evidence that interpretation of questions may vary among different demographic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccination, also known as genetic immunization, is a novel vaccine technology that has been tested in humans for many current infectious diseases, and has been found to be well-tolerated. The approach has been used to induce protective immunity against infectious pathogens, malignancies, as well as prevent the development of autoimmune disorders in animal models. Moreover, DNA vaccines have been tested for clinical use as both prophylactic and therapeutic agents. For these vaccines, plasmid DNA encoding a polypeptide/protein antigen is introduced into a host where it enters host cells and serves as an epigenetic template for the high efficiency translation of antigen. Although DNA immunogens have been shown to stimulate both the cellular and/or humoral arms of the immune system, improving the potency of these vaccines is clearly important. In this regard, several approaches to improve efficacy are currently being tested and will be discussed in this review. One such approach is to improve the DNA plasmid by introducing codon optimization in the DNA plasmid that improves expression and immunogenicity in animals. A second approach aims to manipulate the host immune response by including immunologic molecular adjuvants as part of the vaccine including T cell costimulatory molecules, cytokines, and chemokines. Using immunologic adjuvants, researchers have tailored the immune response to the DNA vaccine toward a particular Th subtype, allowing for the preferential induction of predominantly cell-mediated or humoral response. In particular, interleukin-15 (IL-15) expands CD8 immune responses in the absence of T cell help, while chemokines attract dendritic cells as well as other professional antigen presenting cells, directly activating T and/or B cells in the periphery. Furthermore, priming with such adjuvanted DNAs and boosting with T cell costimulatory molecules further enhances antigen-specific immune response to the DNA antigen. Combining these approaches may be particularly useful against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, in which both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses are required to fight infection. Ultimately, clinical evidence of these approaches may influence not just how we approach HIV treatment, but also treatments for other infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Androgen physiology differs from that of other steroid hormones in two major regards. First, testosterone, the predominant circulating testicular androgen, is both an active hormone and a prohormone for the formation of a more active androgen, the 5α-reduced steroid dihydrotestosterone. Genetic evidence indicates that testosterone and dihydrotestosterone work via a common intracellular receptor, and studies involving in vitro reporter gene assays and intact mice in which both steroid 5α-reductase isoenzymes have been disrupted by homologous recombination indicate that dihydrotestosterone acts during embryonic life to amplify hormonal signals that can be mediated by testosterone at higher concentrations. However, in post-embryonic life dihydrotestosterone plays unique roles that have not been elucidated. Studies of other 5α-reduced steroids, including the plant hormone brassinolide, the hog pheromones androstanol and androstenol, and 5α-dihydroprogesterone (in horses and elephants) indicate that this reaction serves different functions in different systems. Second, during embryonic life androgen causes the formation of the male urogenital tract and hence is responsible for development of the tissues that serve as the major sites of androgen action in postnatal life. It has been generally assumed that androgens virilize the male fetus by the same mechanisms as in the adult, namely by the conversion of circulating testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in target tissues. However, in marsupial mammals there is no sexual dimorphism in the levels of testosterone or dihydrotestosterone at the time the male phenotype forms, and in the pouch young of one marsupial, the tammar wallaby, the testes secrete another 5α-reduced steroid, 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (5α-adiol), into plasma. The administration of 5α-adiol to female pouch young causes profound virilization of the urogenital sinus and external genitalia, but within target tissues 5α-adiol appears to work after oxidation to dihydrotestosterone. Thus, two separate mechanisms evolved for the formation of dihydrotestosterone in target tissues. 5α-adiol is the predominant androgen in neonatal testes in several placental mammals, but it is unclear whether it plays a similar role in other mammalian species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To compare children''s food preferences longitudinally and identify factors related to food preferences.Design Mothers completed the Food Preference Questionnaire for children at 2 to 3 years of age (T1), 4 years (T2), and 8 years (T3) and for themselves at T1 and T3 Both groups completed a Food Neophobia Scale at T3.Subjects 70 child/mother pairs who had participated continuously in the longitudinal study.Statistical analyses performed Changes in food preferences over time were tested with paired t tests and correlations. Consistency percentages were calculated by summing the consistent matches (like/like) for each food between two time periods. Similarly, concordance percentages were calculated for child/mother pairs by summing the concordant matches for each food. General linear models were developed to identify influences on children''s food preferences.Results Although children liked most foods, the number of liked foods did not change significantly during the 5 to 5.7 years of the study. The strongest predictors of the number of foods liked at age 8 years (R2=0.74) were the number liked at 4 years (P<.0001) and the food neophobia score (P=.0003). Newly tasted foods were more likely to be accepted between T1 and T2 than T2 and T3 Mothers’ and children''s food preferences were significantly but moderately related. Foods disliked by mothers tended not to be offered to children.Applications/Conclusions The important role of children''s early food preferences is confirmed by this study. Mothers influence children via their own preferences, which may limit foods offered to children. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102: 1638-1647. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective:To determine if food-related experiences in the first 2 years of life predict dietary variety in school-aged children. Design/Setting: Child/mother pairs were interviewed 7 or 8 times when children were 2 to 24 months using a randomized incomplete block design to schedule interviews. Each child/mother pair was interviewed when the child was ages 6,7, and 8 years. Participants: Child/mother pairs (n = 70) were continuous participants in the longitudinal study. Main Outcome Measures: Dependent variables were children's vegetable and fruit dietary variety, assessed from 3 days of dietary data at ages 6,7, and 8 years. Independent variables from the first 2 years of life were selected from the longitudinal data set. Analyses: General linear models. Adjustments for age that vegetables (or fruits) were introduced in the diet. Results: Vegetable variety in the school-aged child was predicted by mother's vegetable preferences, R² = .084. Fruit variety in the school-aged child was predicted by breast-feeding duration and either early fruit variety (R² = .254) or fruit exposure (R² = .246). Conclusions/Implications: Nutrition education messages for mothers should emphasize the importance of early food related experiences to school-aged children's acceptance of a variety of vegetables and fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical kinetics of carbon fiber deposition using Laser Chemical Vapor Deposition (LCVD) was studied. Using methane as the precursor at a total pressure of 78.4 kPa, the activation energy was 176 kJ/mol and the order of the reaction was 3.47. Using propylene as the primary reagent at a total pressure of 21.3 kPa, the activation energy was 286 kJ/mol and the order of the reaction was 1.90. The values are based on measured temperatures ranging from 1720 to 2170 °C. The cause of volcano shaped deposits was also explored through experimentation and thermodynamic modeling, and found to be an etching reaction induced by the elevated temperatures at the center of the laser spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]