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This article addresses issues of gender, migration and race in Sembene’s La Noire de… (1966) through an examination of the film’s representation of transnational motherhood and maternal-domestic la...

This article examines the representation of abortion narratives in the work of a selection of directors associated with French New Wave cinema. In 1960s France, reproductive rights were high on the...

BACKGROUND Obesity among children is increasing nationwide, and creative solutions beyond traditional programs designed exclusively by academics are needed to achieve lasting success. One innovative approach that departs from the typical model of exclusive academic design incorporates local community input in designing health-related programs. Such input can lead to more relevant programs and community "buy in," thereby increasing the likelihood of the effectiveness of the program. One approach that incorporates local community input is called community-based participatory research (CBPR) whereby researchers and community partners work together and use the CBPR principles to create and sustain culturally relevant, impactful programs. OBJECTIVES This paper describes how a mixed-methods CBPR approach was used to formulate and implement a needs assessment survey, and how mini-focus groups were used to reinforce the survey findings. METHODS A survey seeking information about physical activity (PA) and dietary behavior was given to 27 families at a school-based event, and a forward stepwise regression was run to identify significant determinants. The results were presented and discussed with community mini-focus groups (n = 20). RESULTS The regression models were significant (P < 0.05), where parental support of PA and PA beliefs were significant determinants of moderate to vigorous PA, and water intake, whole grain intake, and fruit and vegetable consumption were the top three significant determinants of dietary behavior. Mini-focus groups reinforced the model results. CONCLUSIONS This approach helped identify the determinants that should be addressed when designing an after school program targeting PA and dietary behavior for minority students attending a school in an underserved community.

Despite the regenerative capacity of the olfactory bulb (OB), head trauma causes olfactory disturbances in up to 30% of patients. While models of olfactory nerve transection, olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) ablation, or direct OB impact have been used to examine OB recovery, these models are severe and not ideal for study of OB synaptic repair. We posited that a mild fluid percussion brain injury (mFPI), delivered over mid-dorsal cortex, would produce diffuse OB deafferentation without confounding pathology. Wild type FVB/NJ mice were subjected to mFPI and OB probed for ORN axon degeneration and onset of reactive synaptogenesis. OB extracts revealed 3 d postinjury elevation of calpain-cleaved 150-kDa αII-spectrin, an indicator of axon damage, in tandem with reduced olfactory marker protein (OMP), a protein specific to intact ORN axons. Moreover, mFPI also produced a 3-d peak in GFAP+ astrocyte and IBA1+ microglial reactivity, consistent with postinjury inflammation. OB glomeruli showed disorganized ORN axons, presynaptic degeneration, and glial phagocytosis at 3 and 7 d postinjury, all indicative of deafferentation. At 21 d after mFPI, normal synaptic structure re-emerged along with OMP recovery, supporting ORN afferent reinnervation. Robust 21 d postinjury upregulation of GAP-43 was consistent with the time course of ORN axon sprouting and synapse regeneration reported after more severe olfactory insult. Together, these findings define a cycle of synaptic degeneration and recovery at a site remote to non-contusive brain injury. We show that mFPI models diffuse ORN axon damage, useful for the study of time-dependent reactive synaptogenesis in the deafferented OB.

Olfactory receptor axons reinnervate the olfactory bulb (OB) after chemical or transection lesion. Diffuse brain injury damages the same axons, but the time course and regulators of OB reinnervation are unknown. Gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]2, MMP9) and their substrate osteopontin (OPN) are candidate mediators of synaptogenesis after central nervous system (CNS) insult, including olfactory axon damage. Here, we examined the time course of MMP9, OPN, and OPN receptor CD44 response to diffuse OB injury. FVBV/NJ mice received mild midline fluid percussion insult (mFPI), after which MMP9 activity and both OPN and CD44 protein expression were measured. Diffuse mFPI induced time-dependent increase in OB MMP9 activity and elevated the cell signaling 48-kD OPN fragment. This response was bimodal at 1 and 7 days post-injury. MMP9 activity was also correlated with 7-day reduction in a second 32-kD OPN peptide. CD44 increase peaked at 3 days, delayed relative to MMP9/OPN response. MMP9 and OPN immunohistochemistry suggested that deafferented tufted and mitral neurons were the principal sites for these molecular interactions. Analysis of injured MMP9 knockout (KO) mice showed that 48-kD OPN production was dependent on OB MMP9 activity, but with no KO effect on CD44 induction. Olfactory marker protein (OMP), used to identify injured olfactory axons, revealed persistent axon damage in the absence of MMP9. MMP9 KO ultrastructure at 21 days post-injury indicated that persistent OMP reduction was paired with delayed removal of degenerated axons. These results provide evidence that diffuse, concussive brain trauma induces a post-injury interaction between MMP9, OPN, and CD44, which mediates synaptic plasticity and reinnervation within the OB.

This article reviews the current literature regarding childhood bullying and the implications for family therapists in the treatment of bullying and victimizing behaviors. The purpose of the following paper is threefold: (a) to review the current literature regarding bullying behavior and its systemic origins through the view of social learning and attachment theories; (b) to investigate the appropriateness and success of family therapy as a treatment model for this issue, focusing specifically on solution-focused and strategic/structural family therapies; and (c) to discuss implications and dire need for more research on the topic of bullying in family therapy.

We evaluated home-range size and site tenacity of Le Conte's Sparrows (Ammodramus lecontii) during winter 2002–2003 at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, Texas. Twenty-six wintering Le Conte's Sparrows were radiomarked in 1- and 2-year post-burn units, and monitored for ∼10 days. Additionally, 1-ha plots on each 1-, 2- and 3-year (n = 15) post-burn units were flush-netted once monthly. Telemetry results indicated Le Conte's Sparrows were sedentary during winter with a 50% probability mean home-range of 2.41 ha (72% < 1 ha) and a 95% probability mean home range of 10.31 ha (44% < 1 ha and 55% < 1.5 ha). Home-range size did not differ between post-burn year 1 and 2 (P = 0.227). Le Conte's Sparrows appeared to exhibit a behavioral response to flush-netting (P < 0.001) with estimated capture probability of 0.462 and recapture probability of 0.056. Our findings suggest Le Conte's Sparrows remain fairly sedentary throughout the winter.

This article analyzes the recognition, development, and use of the power of persuasion in American sales letter from 1905-1920, as well as two other business-writing traditions which developed during this period: the “you” viewpoint and the five C's. Examples will show how these two traditions changed the language used in business letters, allowing these letters to play a dual role by making these letters easier for the consumer to read and understand and by using these letters to pursue the growth in national character of American business. The article concludes with a call for further research, to help prepare writers to produce the letters of the future.

Background Early jejunal feeding after surgery or trauma reduces infectious complications. Although not ideal gastric and postpyloric feedings are often used, however, because of difficulty in placing feeding tubes distal to the ligament of Treitz (LOT). Our hypothesis was that feeding tube placement distal to the LOT can be accomplished using a bedside transendoscopic technique. Methods Transendoscopic jejunal (TEJ) tube placement and TEJ tubes inserted simultaneously through percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tubes (PEG/TEJ) were attempted to be placed distal to the LOT. Results In all, 226 feeding tubes (185 TEJ, 41 PEG/TEJ) were placed in 179 trauma and 47 nontrauma patients over 3 years (August 20, 1998 to July 15, 2001). Tube location was jejunal in 93.8% of trauma patients, 76.6% of nontrauma patients, and 90.3% of all patients. (Confidence intervals were 89.3% to 96.5%, 62.8% to 86.4%, and 85.7% to 93.5%). Days of total parenteral nutrition were reduced 71.3% in trauma patients, 22.8% in nontrauma patients, and 45% overall at one institution. Conclusions Bedside TEJ and PEG/TEJ placement is safe and successful in placing feeding tubes distal to the LOT in more than 90% of critically ill surgical patients.

The purpose of this study was to define the period of time after which delays in management incurred by investigations cause increased morbidity and mortality. The outcome study is intended to correlate time with death from esophageal causes, overall complications, esophageal related complications, and surgical intensive care unit length of stay.This was a retrospective multicenter study involving 34 trauma centers in the United States, under the auspices of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Multi-institutional Trials Committee over a span of 10.5 years. Patients surviving to reach the operating room (OR) were divided into two groups: those that underwent diagnostic studies to identify their injuries (preoperative evaluation group) and those that went immediately to the OR (no preoperative evaluation group). Statistical methods included Fisher's exact test, Student's T test, and logistic regression analysis.The study involved 405 patients: 355 male patients (86.5%) and 50 female patients (13.5%). The mean Revised Trauma Score was 6.3, the mean Injury Severity Score was 28, and the mean time interval to the OR was 6.5 hours. There were associated injuries in 356 patients (88%), and an overall complication rate of 53.5%. Overall mortality was 78 of 405 (19%). Three hundred forty-six patients survived to reach the OR: 171 in the preoperative evaluation group and 175 in the no preoperative evaluation group. No statistically significant differences were noted in the two groups in the following parameters: number of patients, age, Injury Severity Score, admission blood pressure, anatomic location of injury (cervical or thoracic), surgical management (primary repair, resection and anastomosis, resection and diversion, flaps), number of associated injuries, and mortality. Average length of time to the OR was 13 hours in the preoperative evaluation group versus 1 hour in the no preoperative evaluation group (p0.001). Overall complications occurred in 134 in the preoperative evaluation group versus 87 in the no preoperative evaluation group (p0.001), and 74 (41%) esophageal related complications occurred in the preoperative evaluation group versus 32 (19%) in the no preoperative evaluation group (p = 0.003). Mean surgical intensive care unit length of stay was 11 days in the preoperative evaluation group versus 7 days in the no preoperative evaluation group (p = 0.012). Logistic regression analysis identified as independent risk factors for the development of esophageal related complications included time delays in preoperative evaluation (odds ratio, 3.13), American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale grade2 (odds ratio, 2.62), and resection and diversion (odds ratio, 4.47).Esophageal injuries carry a high morbidity and mortality. Increased esophageal related morbidity occurs with the diagnostic workup and its inherent delay in operative repair of these injuries. For centers practicing selective management of penetrating neck injuries and transmediastinal gunshot wounds, rapid diagnosis and definitive repair should be made a high priority.

Incarcerated parents present several risk factors for later violence by their children. This study uses comparison groups and repeated measures to evaluate an inmate parenting program. Subjects are inmates at a county detention center, their children, and primary caregivers. Challenges to program implementation and longitudinal research with inmates were identified, along with recommendations to assist future research and programming. Training material should use illustrated, basic language format. Acceptance and participation by inmates and staff require ongoing outreach and communication. Severed relationships are common and future research on inmates with stable family relationships is recommended. Because of inmate transience, integrating parent training into post-release programming is suggested.