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Charleston: Race, Water, and the Coming Storm. By Susan Crawford. Foreword by Annette Gordon-Reed. (New York: Pegasus Books, 2023. Pp. xii, 371. $28.95, ISBN 978-1-63936-357-5.) 'Experience the timeless charm and [...]

Ectodermal dysplasia with immune deficiency (EDI) is an immunological and developmental disorder caused by alterations in the gene encoding NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO; also known as IκB kinase γsubunit [IKKγ]). Missense mutations in the gene encoding NEMO are associated with reduced signal-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB proteins, resulting in defective expression of NF-κB target genes. Here, we report 2 unrelated male patients with EDI, both of whom have normal NEMO coding sequences, but exhibit a marked reduction in expression of full-length NEMO protein. TLR4 stimulation of APCs from these patients induced normal cytoplasmic activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. However, cells deficient in full-length NEMO were defective in expression of NF-κB-regulated cytokines, such as IL-12, suggesting a downstream defect in chromatin accessibility for NF-κB transcription factors. TLR4-stimulated APCs from the patients were defective in IKKα-dependent H3 histone phosphorylation at the IL-12 promoter and recruitment of NF-κB heterodimers RelA and cRel to the promoter. Expression of a super-active form of IKKαrestored IL-12 production in a NEMO knockdown human monocytic cell line following LPS treatment. Our findings suggest that NEMO regulates the nuclear function of IKKαand offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying diminished NF-κB signaling in patients with EDI., Introduction Ectodermal dysplasia with immune deficiency (EDI) is an X-linked immunological and developmental disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO; also known as IκB kinase [...]

Immigration is a major life event that can create marital distress in couples who migrate together (Min, 2001). One instigator of this distress is differences in the rates of acculturation between husbands and wives (Chun and Akutsu, 2003; Darvishpour, 2002). Previous qualitative research (Ben-David and Lavee 1994) found that amongst Russian immigrant couples in Israel, marital discord resulted when wives acculturated faster to the host culture than their husbands. Building on this with a quantitative approach, we assessed a sample of Russian-speaking immigrants in the United States of America to examine whether gender differences in acculturation patterns predicted marital satisfaction. Fifty immigrant couples completed the Language, Identity and Behavior Acculturation Scale (Birman and Trickett, 2001) and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Busby, Christensen, Crane, and Larson, 1995) as an indicator of marital satisfaction. Multilevel modeling revealed that husbands and wives were less satisfied in their marriages when husbands scored low on American language acculturation and wives scored higher. Differences in the other dimensions of acculturation (American and Russian identity and behavior) did not significantly predict marital satisfaction. To interpret these findings, we suggest that language acculturation is a pathway to economic success, and when women acculturate faster it violates traditional economic gender roles. Implications for therapists and community agencies who support immigrant families during this difficult transition are discussed. L'immigration est un evenement de vie important qui peut creer de la detresse matrimoniale chez les couples qui emigrent ensemble (Min, 2001). Une cause principale de cette detresse est la difference dans les taux d'acculturation entre les maris et les epouses (Chun et Akutsu, 2003; Darvishpour, 2002). La recherche qualitative precedente (Ben-David et Lavee, 1994) a constate que parmi les couples immigres russes en Israel, la discorde matrimoniale a resulte quand les epouses ont acculture plus rapidement a la societe d'accueil que leurs maris. En ajoutant a cette recherche precedente une approche quantitative, nous avons evalue un groupe d'immigres russophones aux Etats-Unis pour examiner si les differences de genre dans des modeles d'acculturation ont prevu la satisfaction matrimoniale. Cinquante couples immigres ont complete la Language, Identity and Behavior Acculturation Scale (Birman et Trickett, 2001), et la Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Busby, Christensen, Crane, et Larson, 1995) comme indicateurs de la satisfaction matrimoniale. Les donnees ont indique que les maris et les epouses ont ete moins satisfaits dans leurs mariages quand les maris ont obtenu de moins bons resultats sur 1'acculturation de la langue americaine que leurs epouses. Les differences dans les autres dimensions de l'acculturation (l'identite et le comportement americains et russes) n'ont pas prevu de maniere significative la satisfaction matrimoniale. Pour interpreter ces resultats, nous proposons que l'acculturation de la langue soit une voie au succes economique, et quand les femmes acculturent plus rapidement, elles transgressent les roles economiques traditionnels du genre. Les implications pour les therapeutes et les agences communautaires qui soutiennent les families immigrees pendant cette transition difficile sont examinees. La inmigracion es un evento significativo en la vida que puede provocar una discordia marital en las parejas que emigran juntos (Min, 2001). Una causa de esta discordia se debe a la diferencia entre las tasas de aculturacion entre los dos conyuges (Chun y Akutsu, 2003; Darvishpour, 2002). La investigacion cualitativa previa (Ben-David y Lavee, 1994) hallo que entre las parejas inmigrantes rusos en Israel, la discordia marital resulto cuando las esposas se aculturaban mas rapidamente a la nueva cultura que sus maridos. A base de un acercamiento cuantitativo, evaluamos una muestra de datos sobre inmigrantes de habla rusa en los Estados Unidos Norteamericanos a fin de descubrir si es posible predecir el nivel de satisfaccion marital al analizar los patrones de la asimilacion cultural. Cincuenta pares inmigrantes realizaron la Language, Identity y Behavior Acculturation Scale (Birman y Trickett, 2001) y la Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Busby, Christensen, Crane, y Larson, 1995) como indicadores de la satisfaccion marital. Al emplear un paradigma de multiples niveles, se revelo que el matrimonio les satisface menos, tanio al marido como a la esposa, cuando el marido marca menos que la esposa en cuanto al grado de asimilacion linguistica. Las diferencias en las otras dimensiones de la aculturacion (la identidad y el comportamiento americanos y rusos) no predijeron perceptiblemente la satisfaccion marital. Para interpretar estos resultados, sugerimos que la asimilacion cultural linguistica sea un camino al exito economico y, la asimilacion mas rapida por parte de la mujer contradice los papeles economicos tradicionales de los sexos. Se discuten las implicaciones para los terapeutas y las agendas de la comunidad que apoyan a las familias inmigrantes durante esta transition dificil., INTRODUCTION It is estimated that over one million people currently immigrate to the United States of America every year, a number close to the high levels that occurred at the […]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2008.12.030 Byline: Paul Wiegert (a), Jeremie Vaubaillon (b), Margaret Campbell-Brown (a) Keywords: Meteors; Comets; Asteroids; Interplanetary dust; Earth Abstract: Sporadic meteoroids are the most abundant yet least understood component of the Earth's meteoroid complex. This paper aims to build a physics-based model of this complex calibrated with five years of radar observations. The model of the sporadic meteoroid complex presented here includes the effects of the Sun and all eight planets, radiation forces and collisions. The model uses the observed meteor patrol radar strengths of the sporadic meteors to solve for the dust production rates of the populations of comets modeled, as well as the mass index. The model can explain some of the differences between the meteor velocity distributions seen by transverse versus radial scatter radars. The different ionization limits of the two techniques result in their looking at different populations with different velocity distributions. Radial scatter radars see primarily meteors from 55P/Tempel-Tuttle (or an orbitally similar lost comet), while transverse scatter radars are dominated by larger meteoroids from the Jupiter-family comets. In fact, our results suggest that the sporadic complex is better understood as originating from a small number of comets which transfer material to near-Earth space quite efficiently, rather than as a product of the cometary population as a whole. The model also sheds light on variations in the mass index reported by different radars, revealing it to be a result of their sampling different portions of the meteoroid population. In addition, we find that a mass index of s=2.34 as observed at Earth requires a shallower index (s=2.2) at the time of meteoroid production because of size-dependent processes in the evolution of meteoroids. The model also reveals the origin of the 55[degrees] radius ring seen centered on the Earth's apex (a result of high-inclination meteoroids undergoing Kozai oscillation) and the central condensations seen in the apex sources, as well as providing insight into the strength asymmetry of the helion and anti-helion sources. Author Affiliation: (a) Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada (b) Spitzer Space Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA Article History: Received 31 October 2008; Revised 19 December 2008; Accepted 19 December 2008

Twelve patients with T cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia and associated hematocytopenia were treated in a phase I dose-escalation trial with the murine monoclonal antibody Mik[beta]1. Mik[beta]1 identifies CD122, the [beta]-subunit shared by the IL-2 and IL-15 receptors. At the doses administered in this study the antibody inhibited the actions of IL-15 on both natural killer and T cells and that of IL-2 when the intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor was expressed. Mike1 treatment was not associated with significant toxicity or with the development of an immune response to the infused monoclonal antibody. At these doses of Mik[beta]1, >95% saturation of the IL-2/IL-15[beta] receptor (CD122) on the surfaces of the leukemic cells was achieved. Furthermore, in seven patients this led to the down-modulation of the receptor from the surfaces of the leukemic cells. Nevertheless, no patients manifested a reduction in peripheral leukemic cell count or an amelioration of their hematocytopenia. This latter observation may reflect the fact that the monoclonal T cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia leukemic cells of the patients did not produce IL-2 or IL-15 or require their actions for cell survival. In light of the lack of toxicity and lack of immunogenicity of the antibody observed in the present study and the role for IL-15 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, clinical trials should be performed using the humanized version of Mik[beta]1 in groups of patients with human T cell lymphotropic virus I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and refractory celiac disease. IL-2/IL-15[beta] receptor (CD122) | natural killer cells | cytokine

Author(s): Hua Zhang [1]; Kevin S Chua [1]; Martin Guimond [1]; Veena Kapoor [2]; Margaret V Brown [3]; Thomas A Fleisher [3]; Lauren M. Long [1]; Donna Bernstein [1]; Brenna [...]

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered to be important in promotion of capillary growth in skeletal muscles exposed to increased activity. We studied its interactions with nitric oxide (NO) by examining the expression of endothelial NO synthase (NOS), VEGF, and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) proteins in relation to capillary growth in rat extensor digitorum longus muscles electrically stimulated for 2, 4, or 7 days with and without NOS inhibition by [N.sup.[omega]]-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 3 mg/day). Stimulation increased all proteins from 2 days onward, concomitantly with capillary proliferation (labeling for proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Capillary-to-fiber ratio was elevated by 25% after 7 days. Concurrent oral administration of L-NNA did not affect the increase in endothelial NOS but depressed its activity, as shown by increased blood pressure and decreased arteriolar diameters in 2-day-stimulated muscles. NOS inhibition eliminated the increased expression of VEGFR-2 and VEGF proteins in muscles stimulated for 2 and 4 days but not for 7 days. However, it depressed capillary proliferation and the increase in C/F at all time points. We conclude that, in stimulated muscles, NO, generated by activation of neuronal NOS by muscle activity or endothelial NOS by increased blood flow and capillary shear stress, may increase capillary proliferation in the early stages of stimulation through upregulation of VEGFR-2 and VEGF. With longer stimulation, capillary growth appears to require NO, and high levels of VEGF and VEGFR-2 may be contributing to maintenance of the increased capillary bed. vascular endothelial growth factor; capillary proliferation; chronic muscle stimulation; nitric oxide synthase inhibition

Objective: This research examined the provision of palliative care for residents with a non-cancer diagnosis including the use of advance directives and advance care planning as part of palliative care policies in residential aged care facilities in South Australia. There are no guidelines for recording residents' wishes if they are no longer competent. Methods: Stage 1 involved a survey of 90 randomly selected aged care facilities. Stage 2 involved case studies of 69 residents, appropriate for palliative care, from 17 facilities and interviews with 15 directors of care. Results: Most residential aged care facilities used forms to record residents' wishes about end of life care, but there was little consistency. Some had no palliative care policy and few facilities required a formal advance directive. Not all residents had formally appointed a proxy. Conclusions: Residential aged care facilities should be required to develop and implement a palliative care policy acknowledging the Accreditation Standards and State legislation and including a simple tool for advance care planning. Case conferencing could assist in discussing and documenting the resident's wishes. Public education is essential to increase community and professional awareness in order to promote empowerment for the increasing number of older people who will die in residential aged care facilities.

Capillary growth in skeletal muscle occurs via the dissimilar processes of abluminal sprouting or longitudinal splitting, which can be initiated by muscle stretch and elevated shear stress, respectively. The distinct morphological hallmarks of these types of capillary growth suggest that discrete sets of angiogenic mediators play a role in each situation. Because proteolysis and proliferation are two key steps associated with capillary growth, we tested whether differences in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or VEGF may be associated with the two types of capillary growth. We found significant increases in MMP-2 total protein and percent activation, and membrane type-1 MMP mRNA levels, compared with controls after muscle stretch but not after shear stress stimulation. In contrast, VEGF protein and endothelial cell proliferation increased after either angiogenic stimulus. We observed that MMP-2 regulation occurs independent of VEGF signaling, because VEGF did not induce MMP-2 production or activation in isolated endothelial cells. Our data suggest that the involvement of MMPs in capillary growth is dependent on the nature of the angiogenic stimulus. matrix metalloproteinase

A hematopoietic stem cell transplant that has been depleted of T cells may be beneficial in treating an immunodeficiency disease called chronic granulomatous disease. Depleting the stem cells of T cells reduces the risk of graft-versus-host disease. Ten patients who received this treatment also received chemotherapy that was less damaging to bone marrow.

This article discusses the role of parental conflict in children's school achievement. Topics include role of parent involvement in education and the relationship between parents' supportive behavior and adolescent adjustment.

Hunger appears to be common among patients in urban areas. Researchers interviewed 567 people who visited a medical clinic or were hospitalized and also 170 patients on insulin. Between 12% to 14% of the clinic/hospital patients reported going without food because they could not afford to buy food. About half had received food stamps in the past, but many had lost this benefit. Loss of food stamps, drug use, and annual income less than $10,000 were all associated with an inability to afford food. Thirty-one percent of the insulin users had developed hypoglycemia because they could not afford food., Context. -- Although clinical observations suggest that some patients experience hunger and food insecurity, there are limited data on the prevalence of hunger in adult patients. Objective. -- To determine the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity in adult patients at an urban county hospital. Design. -- Cross-sectional survey conducted in 1997. Patients. -- The primary survey included all patients aged 18 years or older who were admitted to the medicine, surgery, and neurology services during a 2-week period, and all patients who attended the hospital's general medicine clinic during 1 week. A second survey included primary care patents who received insulin from the hospital pharmacy during a 1-month period. Main Outcome Measures. -- Rates of hunger and food insecurity. Results. -- Of 709 eligible patients, 567 (participation rate, 80%) were interviewed in either the clinic (n=281) or hospital (n=286). An additional 170 patients who received insulin were interviewed by telephone (response rate, 75%). Of the primary sample, 68 (12%) respondents reported not having enough food, 75 (13%) reported not eating for an entire day, and 77 (14%) reported going hungry but not eating because they could not afford food. A total of 222 (40%) had received food stamps in the previous year and of those, 113 (50%) had their food stamps reduced or eliminated. Recipients whose food stamps had been eliminated or reduced were more likely to report not having enough food (18% vs 13%, P=.006), not eating for a whole day (20% vs 16%, P=.01), going hungry but not eating (20% vs 16%, P=.08), and cutting down on the size of meals or skipping meals (33% vs 27%, P=.01). In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of hunger included an annual income of less than $10 000 (odds ratio [OR], 7.55; 95% CI, 3.01-18.92), drug use (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.46-8.66), and a reduction in food stamp benefits (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.01 -2.96). Predictors of food insecurity included an annual income of less than $10 000 (OR, 4.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98-8.58), drug use (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.66-5.08), and a reduction in food stamps (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.23-3.32). In addition, 103 (61%) patients in the sample of diabetics reported hypoglycemic reactions; 32 (31%) of these were attributed to inability to afford food. Conclusion. -- Hunger and food insecurity are common among patients seeking care at an urban county hospital. JAMA. 1998;279:1211-1214

The research literature identifying the end of adolescence and the onset of adulthood has focused on event-related factors (e.g., marriage, occupation), while ignoring cognitive-related factors (e.g., responsibility for one's self and making decisions). This study addresses both realms. Adolescents (N = 113, M age = 16.5 years) were surveyed to determine what they believed were the most important attributes for becoming adults, and at what age their adulthood began. The sample perceived that adult status occurred at a mean age of 17.4 years (SD = 2.55) with 78.8% of the youth reporting that they were 'adults.' The majority of the sample identified cognitive factors as indicators of adulthood. Further analyses indicated that respondents who perceived that adulthood occurred at younger ages had higher levels of self-esteem. Implications of the consequences of adulthood attributes and beliefs for current and later life adjustment are discussed., Adolescent cognitive task completion (identity vs. role confusion), event timing (on or off-time), and sequencing (normative or nonnormative order) are important for later life adjustment (Elder, 1987; Erikson, 1960). These [...]

Rapid regeneration of immunity following chemotherapy may depend on the function of the thymus, an organ located in the upper chest that produces T lymphocytes. The thymus develops and functions throughout childhood, losing its function gradually after puberty. A study of 15 patients aged 1 to 24 years who had had extensive chemotherapy found an inverse relation between age and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts. The ability of the patients' bodies to regenerate CD4+ T lymphocytes after chemotherapy seemed to diminish with age. T lymphocytes are critical to healthy functioning of the body's immune system. The findings of this study suggest that any disease or therapy that decreases CD4+ T cells may affect adults more than children, as children may regenerate their T cell counts faster because of their functioning thymus. Study results may be applicable to treatments being developed for HIV-positive patients and for persons receiving bone marrow transplants to increase their immune responses.

Larson, Pier. 2000. HISTORY AND MEMORY IN THE AGE OF ENSLAVEMENT: BECOMING MERINA IN HIGHLAND MADAGASCAR, 1770 1822. Portsmouth, N.H.: Heinemann. 414 pp. $65.00 (cloth); $24.95 (paper). How do the […]

1998 is the European Year of Local Democracy and Twinning. Last year the first four British-German town-twinnings, Bristol-Hannover, Oxford-Bonn, Reading-Dusseldorf and Coventry-Kiel, celebrated their golden jubilees. Now there are 500 [...]

For nearly everyone else, whether successful in love or not, 14th February is St. Valentine's Day. For me it has a different significance. On 14th February 1957 my mother killed [...]

The experience of slavery and slave ancestry in north-eastern Madagascar is analyzed to develop a deeper understanding of the social acceptability of slave ancestry in former slave-holding and slave-supplying societies. The factors that explain acceptance of slave ancestry among some Malagasy and its concurrent stigmatization are discussed.

An Environmental History of Northeast Florida. By James J. Miller. (Gainesville and other cities: University Press of Florida, c. 1998. Pp. xvi, 223. $49.95, ISBN 0-8130-1600-2.) The scope of environmental [...]

William G. McLoughlin. Walter H. Conser Jr., editor. The Cherokees and Christianity, 1794-1870. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1994. 368 pp. Notes, index. Cloth, $45.00. Despite evidence to the contrary, [...]