Search

The purpose of this study was to examine the public's estimates of recidivism risk among sex offenders and the ways those estimates are impacted by base rate information. Participants were 400 individuals (200 males and 200 females) in Japan recruited by a web-based research company. Each participant was allocated to either the experimental group with or the control group without base rate recidivism information and asked to estimate the recidivism rate of a sex offender after release from prison. The results show that the average estimated recidivism rates were 54.4% and 33.8% in the control and experimental groups, respectively, indicating a significant difference (Welch's t (389.70) = 8.32, p <.001, Cohen's d =.83). However, even the experimental group's average estimated rate was much higher than the actual national base rate of 17.0%. Multiple regression analysis revealed that punitive attitudes toward crime and confidence in estimation significantly contributed to higher estimates of recidivism risk, whereas sex, age, and fear of crime did not. These results suggest that the public overestimates the recidivism rate of sex offenders and that simply presenting a base rate is not sufficient for risk communication. Practical implications and future research directions are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the results of a nationwide questionnaire administered to 699 stimulant offenders and examined sex differences in the association between various psychosocial problems and treatment history for substance use disorder. Based on their attributes, we predominantly evaluated the treatment and support provided to women with substance use disorder. The rates of childhood (before the age of 18) traumatic experiences (physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and neglect) and lifetime intimate partner violence were significantly higher in women than in men. The history of treatment for substance use disorder was also significantly higher in women than in men, at 15.8% for men and 42.4% for women [χ2(1) = 41.223, p < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis was performed using the treatment history of substance use disorder as the dependent variable. The results showed that treatment history was significantly associated with the total drug abuse screening test‐20 score and suicidal ideation in men and with survivors of child abuse and eating disorders in women. A comprehensive assessment is required for several issues, such as child abuse, domestic violence, trauma symptoms, eating disorders, and drug problems. Moreover, an integrated treatment for substance use disorder, trauma, and eating disorders is required for female stimulant offenders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Ti- and Mo-substituted Zr2(WO 4) (PO 4 ) 2 were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction technique. Coefficients of thermal expansions for samples were calculated by the results from the in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction method. Doping with Ti 4 + reduces the voids occupied by the thermal vibration ellipsoid perpendicular to the bond axis. On the other hand, by doping Mo 6 + , which has a smaller binding energy with oxygen atoms, thermal vibration in the direction of the bond axis is promoted. It is considered that the average linear thermal expansion coefficient became zero because the elliptical thermal vibration perpendicular to the coupling axis was suppressed by the synergistic effect of the co-doping of Ti and Mo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contractile dysfunction in pressure overload-hypertrophied myocardium has been attributed in part to the increased density of a stabilized cardiocyte microtubule network. The present study, the first to employ wild-type and mutant tubulin transgenes in a living animal, directly addresses this microtubule hypothesis by defining the contractile mechanics of the normal and hypertrophied left ventricle (LV) and its constituent cardiocytes from transgenic mice having cardiac-restricted replacement of native [[beta].sub.4]-tubulin with [[beta].sub.1]-tubulin mutants that had been selected for their effects on microtubule stability and thus microtubule network density. In each case, the replacement of cardiac [[beta].sub.4]-tubulin with mutant hemagglutinin-tagged [[beta].sub.1]-tubulin was well tolerated in vivo. When LVs in intact mice and cardiocytes from these same LVs were examined in terms of contractile mechanics, baseline function was reduced in mice with genetically hyperstabilized microtubules, and hypertrophy-related contractile dysfunction was exacerbated. However, in mice with genetically hypostabilized cardiac microtubules, hypertrophy-related contractile dysfunction was ameliorated. Thus, in direct support of the microtubule hypothesis, we show here that cardiocyte microtubule network density, as an isolated variable, is inversely related to contractile function in vivo and in vitro, and microtubule instability rescues most of the contractile dysfunction seen in pressure overload-hypertrophied myocardium. molecular biology; hypertrophy; heart failure

Takahashi, Masaru, Hirokazu Shiraishi, Yuji Ishibashi, Kristie L. Blade, Paul J. McDermott, Donald R. Menick, Dhandapani Kuppuswamy, and George Cooper IV. Phenotypic consequences of [[beta].sub.1]]-tubulin expression and MAP4 decoration of microtubules in adult cardiocytes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 285: H2072-H2083, 2003. First published July 10, 2003; 10.1152/ajpheart.00396. 2003.--In pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy, microtubule network densification is one cause of contractile dysfunction. Cardiac transcriptional upregulation of [[beta].sub.1]]-tubulin rather than the constitutive [[beta].sub.4]]-tubulin and of microtubule-associated protein (MAP)4 accompanies hypertrophy, with extensive microtubule decoration by MAP4. Because MAP4 stabilizes microtubules, and because the isoform-variable carboxy terminus of [beta]-tubulin binds to MAP4, we wished to determine whether one or both of these proteins has etiologic significance for cardiac microtubule network densification. Recombinant adenoviruses encoding [[beta].sub.1]]-tubulin, [[beta].sub.4]]tubulin, and MAP4 were used to infect isolated cardiocytes. Overexpressed MAP4 caused a shift of tubulin dimers to the polymerized fraction and formation of a dense, stable microtubule network. Overexpressed [[beta].sub.1]]- or [[beta].sub.4]]-tubulin had neither any independent effect on these variables nor any effect additive to that of simultaneously overexpressed MAP4. Results from transgenic mice with cardiac overexpression of [[beta].sub.1]]-tubulin or MAP4 were confirmatory, but unlike the effects of brief adenovirus-mediated MAP4 overexpression in isolated cardiocytes, MAP4 transgenic hearts showed a marked increase in total [alpha]- and [beta]-tubulin. Thus MAP4 overexpression caused increased tubulin expression, formation of stable microtubules, and altered microtubule network properties, such that MAP4 upregulation may be one cause for the dense, stable microtubule network characteristic of pressure-overloaded, hypertrophied cardiocytes. myocardium; hypertrophy; adenovirus

In large mammals there is a correlation between microtubule network densification and contractile dysfunction in severe pressure-overload hypertrophy. In small mammals there is a similar correlation for the shift to [beta]-myosin heavy chain (MHC), a MHC isoform having a slower ATPase [V.sub.max.] In this study, murine left ventricular (LV) pressure overload invoked both mechanisms: microtubule network densification and [beta]-MHC expression. Cardiac [beta]-MHC was also augmented without altering tubulin levels by two load-independent means, chemical thyroidectomy and transgenesis. In hypertrophy, contractile function of the LV and its cardiocytes decreased proportionally; microtubule depolymerization restored normal cellular contraction. In hypothyroid mice having a complete shift from [alpha]-MHC to [beta]-MHC, contractile function of the LV and its cardiocytes also decreased, but microtubule depolymerization had no effect on cellular contraction. In transgenic mice having a cardiac [beta]-MHC increase similar to that in hypertrophy, contractile function of the LV and its cardiocytes was normal, and microtubule depolymerization had no effect. Thus, although both mechanisms may cause contractile dysfunction, for the extent of MHC isoform switching seen even in severe murine LV pressure-overload hypertrophy, microtubule network densification appears to have the more important role. left ventricle; heart failure; cytoskeleton; contractile proteins; sarcomeres

This study aimed to examine the relationship between methamphetamine (MA) use and high-risk sexual behavior among newly incarcerated prisoners in Japan. We conducted a secondary analysis using cross-sectional survey data, which constituted a nationwide prison sample surveyed between July and November 2017. In total, 699 participants (462 male and 237 female prisoners), who completed the self-administered questionnaire during imprisonment were recruited for the study. The prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors was as follows: inconsistent condom use (78.4% male, 81.7% female), multiple sexual partners (61.3% male, 41.3% female), history of sexually transmitted diseases (14.1% male, 23.6% female), and trading sex for drugs (15.6% male, 17.7% female). A logistic regression analysis showed that MA use during sex increased the likelihood of high-risk sexual behavior in both male (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.41-10.07) and female prisoners (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.33-5.00). Additionally, in female prisoners, a history of sharing MA injection (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.06-2.42) increased high-risk sexual behavior. Our results indicate that harm reduction programs tailored according to the specific necessities of each gender to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors among MA users should be included in Japanese drug policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research was conducted to examine the involvement of microtubules in early hypertrophic responses of myocardium during pressure overload. The objective is to determine whether the inhibition of microtubule function led to a decreased expression of the immediate early gene c-fos and fetal contractile protein genes. Results revealed another possible physiological function of microtubule cytoskeleton which is the induction of the hypertrophic gene program in reaction to the mechanical load.

The effects of heart failure on the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium-adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) and the subsequent effect on contractility was investigated in isolated myocyte from dogs with pacing-induced heart failure and normal controls. Results reveal that heart failure depresses the expression of Ca2+-ATPase resulting in a reduction in SR calcium uptake. This leads to a depression in myocardial contractility.

Previous studies have shown that myocyte contractile dysfunction results from an increase in microtubules that form the intracellular network of cardiac myocytes. Herein, experiments using rats subjected to pressure-overload left ventricle hypertrophy revealed that myocyte contractile dysfunction during heart failure is caused by persistent pressure overloading to the myocardium as a result of the increases in microtubules.

There are a few studies on gender differences in terms of reasons and motives for methamphetamine use. Purpose/Objectives: To examine gender differences in triggers of methamphetamine use Methods: We provided a questionnaire survey to 699 inmates who were incarcerated because of violation of the Stimulants Control Act. Results: The results of DAST-20 (the severity of drug dependence) moderately correlated with the applicable numbers of the 37 situational triggers and 34 emotional triggers for stimulant use, respectively. Regarding gender differences, items including "when having sex" [46.3% (men) vs. 25.3% (women)], "when I have some money" (39.4% vs. 25.3%), and "after getting paid from work" (22.1% vs. 11.4%) were applicable in a significantly higher proportion in males (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively), whereas items including "worried about the body shape" (3.5% vs. 31.2%) and "after quarreling with someone" (11.7% vs. 29.1%) were applicable in a significantly higher proportion in females (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Further, most trigger (emotions) items that exhibited gender differences were significantly higher in females. Many females answered that they had used drugs to relieve discomfort symptoms associated with menstrual periods. Conclusions/Importance: Thus, the awareness of important factors including learning how to deal with negative emotions (e.g. depression), repairing self-image, and recognizing physical and emotional changes associated with the menstrual cycle is helpful in providing proper care and treatment of drug addiction in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]