Upregulated MYC expression and p53 mutations may contribute to the oncogenesis of canine Meibomian gland carcinomas.

Sebaceous carcinomas of the human ocular adnexa commonly exhibit pagetoid spread, mutations in tumor-suppressor genes, and protooncogene copy number gain. Sebaceous carcinomas are rarely reported in other species, and while the Meibomian gland (MG) represents the most common ocular adnexal structure of the canine eyelid to develop neoplasia, most are clinically and histologically benign. The objective of this study was to compare molecular features of canine MG carcinomas and adenomas. Two retrospectively identified MG carcinomas were subject to immunohistochemistry and qPCR. When compared with normal glands, MYC was upregulated in benign and malignant MG neoplasms. Aberrant p53 expression was restricted to the nuclei of intraepithelial neoplastic cells in MG carcinomas. Adipophilin expression was diminished in MG neoplasms compared with the normal MG. Our findings, if confirmed in a larger cohort of cases, could suggest that MG oncogenesis in a dog may exhibit similar molecular features as their human counterparts.

Relationship of household food insecurity to anaemia in children aged 6-59 months among families in rural Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a significant global public health problem in developing countries with adverse health effects on young children. Household food insecurity, which reflects a household's access, availability and utilisation of food, has not been well characterised in relation to anaemia in children. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of household food insecurity with anaemia (Hb <11 g/dl) in children. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 4940 rural households participating in the Indonesian Nutrition Surveillance System, household food insecurity was measured using a modified 9-item food security questionnaire and related to anaemia in children aged 6-59 months. RESULTS: The proportion of households with an anaemic child was 56·6%. In households with and without anaemic children, the mean (SD) food insecurity score was 1·82 (1·72) vs 1·55 (1·54) (p<0·0001), respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression model, food insecurity score was related to anaemia in children (odds ratio 0·77, 95% confidence interval 0·63-0·95, p=0·01) when the highest quintile of food insecurity score was compared with the lowest quintile, adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: A higher household food insecurity score is associated with greater prevalence of anaemia in children in rural families in Indonesia.

Ceramic thin-film formation on functionalized interfaces through biomimetic processing.

Processing routes have been developed for the production of thin ceramic films through precipitation from aqueous solutions. The techniques are based on crystal nucleation and growth onto functionalized interfaces. Surface functionalization routes have been developed by the mimicking of schemes used by organisms to produce complex ceramic composites such as teeth, bones, and shells. High-quality, dense polycrystalline films of oxides, hydroxides, and sulfides have now been prepared from "biomimetic" synthesis techniques. Ceramic films can be synthesized on plastics and other materials at temperatures below 100 degrees C. As a low-temperature process in which water rather than organic solvents is used, this synthesis is environmentally benign. Nanocrystalline ceramics can be produced, sometimes with preferred crystallite orientation. The direct deposition of high-resolution patterned films has also been demonstrated. The process is well suited to the production of organic-inorganic composites.

Oriented growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals beneath phospholipid monolayers.

Oriented calcium oxalate crystals have been grown beneath phospholipid monolayers at the air-solution interface from supersaturated calcium oxalate solutions. Mature calcium oxalate crystals grown beneath zwitterionic dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) monolayers exhibit the characteristic morphology of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals with the elongated (101) crystal face preferentially oriented parallel to the plane of the monolayer. Calcium oxalate crystals grown beneath negatively-charged dimyristoylphosphatidylserine (DMPS) monolayers also show a preferential orientation with respect to the monolayer; they do not, however, exhibit the characteristic COM morphology. Raman spectroscopy strongly suggests that the crystals grown beneath either DPPC or DMPS monolayers are the monohydrate phase of calcium oxalate; therefore, differences in crystal morphology are not due to differences in the crystalline phase. Dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), dimyristoylphosphatidic acid (DMPA), eicosanoic acid (C20), and eicosanol (C20-OH) monolayers have also been studied to help elucidate the mechanisms of interaction between the lipid monolayers and the calcium oxalate crystals. We discuss the roles of lattice matching, hydrogen bonding, stereochemistry and electrostatics on crystal orientation and morphology.

The response of American women to the threat of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Using data from the National Survey of Family Growth, we observe that large numbers of American women say that they are responding to the rising danger of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Among the changes reported in the 1988 National Survey of Family Growth are use of condoms, sexual relations with fewer partners, reduced frequency of sexual intercourse, changes in specific sexual activities, and avoidance of sex with unknown men, bisexual men, and intravenous drug users. Interviews with a sample of the 51 million sexually active women aged 15-44 in the United States show that 28% report either that they have adopted less hazardous sexual practices or that their partners have used condoms to prevent disease. Among women exposed to higher risk of disease, the response is even greater: among unmarried women with five or more lifetime partners, 65% report modified behavior or condom use. Most of these changes occurred after the women heard of AIDS. However, there are still many women who report doing nothing to protect themselves against infection despite sexual and contraceptive behavior that appears to put them at high risk.

The Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act, 1991. A case report and selected review of the legal reforms.

Procedures relating to Insanity and Fitness to Plead are reviewed with special emphasis on the problems encountered with previous legislation. The introduction of the new Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act 1991, on 1 January 1992, offered greater discretion in the disposal of these defendants, but fell short of many of the recommendations made by those advocating reform. As yet, too few cases have passed through the courts to highlight particular deficiencies in the unreformed parts of the Act, but the benefits are already apparent. Finally, some of the potential pitfalls of supervision and treatment orders and other disposals are discussed and an insanity case, dealt with under the new legislation, is presented.

Low dietary diversity is a predictor of child stunting in rural Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary diversity is associated with overall quality and nutrient adequacy of the diet in low-income countries. We determined the association between dietary diversity and stunting among children aged 6-59 months in rural Bangladesh. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In total, 165 111 under-fives who participated in the National Surveillance Project in 2003-2005 were included in the analysis. Dietary diversity score (DDS) was constructed through the summation of the number of days each of the nine food groups was consumed in the previous week. The association between stunting and DDS was determined adjusting for confounders using logistic regression models. All analyses were performed separately for children aged 6-11, 12-23 and 24-59 months. RESULTS: One-half of the children were stunted. In multivariate analyses, compared with low DDS, high dietary diversity was associated with a 15, 26 and 31% reduced odds of being stunted among children aged 6-11, 12-23 and 24-59 months, respectively, after adjusting for all potential confounders (odds ratio (OR)=0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-0.94; OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.69-0.79; OR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.66-0.73). In all groups, children who were still breastfed were more likely to have limited diversity (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.32-2.67; OR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.52-1.92; OR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.11-1.19). Those having diarrhea in the past week and coming from families with low socioeconomic status were more likely to have decreased diversity (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced dietary diversity is a strong predictor of stunting in rural Bangladesh. The inclusion of a variety of food groups into complementary foods may be essential to improve child nutritional status.

Three generations of parents.

PIP: The 1906-1910 cohort of women in the United States had a completed fertility average of 2.3 children, a net reproduction rate 13% below replacement level. 44% of these women had no children or only 1. This low fertility is not attributed to effects of the Depression. Lowering in fertility began in the 1920's and among the better educated classes of the population. The reduction in fertility was achieved with ineffective methods of birth control and, it is believed, widespread use of illegal abortion. The 1931-1935 cohorts had a completed family size of 3.2 children, the highest fertility level since the 1881-1885 cohorts. This high fertility is due largely to 2-4 children families. Fertility rose most among college educated women, and among middle- and upper class women. Reasons for the sharp increase in fertility is the small numbers of young people entering the job market at that time and the preponderance of early childbearing. It is predicted that fertility of the 1956-1960 cohort will be lower than that of the 1931-1935 cohort. It will probably not reach the low levels of the 1906-1910 cohort because there is a widespread desire for at least 1 child. The rate for 3rd and higher birth orders is falling to its lowest level ever. To achieve population replacement level in the United States, effective contraception and liberal provision for abortion are necessary. Social changes which emphasize the small family norm are also necessary.^ieng

Population: the search for solutions in the behavioral sciences.

PIP: This is a review of the need for population research in the behavioral sciences with emphasis on the role of behavioral scientists, possible research areas, and the causes and effects of changes in fertility. The major points that emerged from the review are that 1) research into the determinants and consequences of population change by behavioral scientists will be helpful, 2) improved communication between behavioral scientists, the general public, legislators, and public officials is needed in order to formulate population goals, programs, and policies, 3) in terms of the formulation of population goals, one neglected area of research is the consequences rather than the determinants of population change, and 4) together with the change in social, economic, and demographic situations, there will be a change in the perception of population problems and the research required for their solutions.^ieng

A history of the measurement of unintended pregnancies and births.

OBJECTIVES: This article reviews the history of the measurement of unwanted and unintended pregnancy in fertility surveys in the United States. These concepts were developed in order to help explain trends and differences in birth rates in the United States. BACKGROUND: Unwanted fertility was first measured systematically in a survey in Indianapolis in 1941. The first national surveys to measure the concept of unwanted fertility were the 1955 and 1960 Growth of American Families Studies. All three of these surveys were limited to married women. In the 1965 National Fertility Survey, the concept of mistimed births was introduced. The 1973, 1976, 1982, and 1988 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) continued to measure trends in unwanted and mistimed fertility, while expanding the population interviewed, from currently married to all marital statuses. The 1993 and 2001 NSFGs have enriched the data on wantedness with new measures of ambivalence and the strength of feelings about having children. CONCLUSION: Measures of unwanted fertility, while imperfect, have been useful and will continue to be improved in the future.

Contraceptive specifications: report on a workshop.

PIP: It was suggested at a meeting in 1967 on the behavioral sciences and family planning programs that social scientists should be involved in the design of new contraceptives. The Center of Population Research and the Population Council held a 2-day workshop in August 1969 to develop a more rational approach to the design of new contraceptives by working out the specifications for the variety of methods suitable for use by different population groups. The potential impact of improved contraception is great. According to the 1965 National Fertility Survey, 20% of all births occurring between 1960-1965 were unwanted. If 3/4 of these births were averted, a reduction of 15% in the number of births in 1960-1965 would have taken place. Characteristics of contraceptives are numerous, and it is recommended that the goal should be a variety of methods that would be useful under differing circumstances. In the development of new methods of contraception, it is acceptability, even more than effectiveness, that investigators are trying to improve. There are a number of social and psychological factors affecting acceptability. The kinds of contraceptives considered acceptable may differ at various stages of family growth. Contraceptives must be dependable, acceptable, harmless, simple, and cheap. In making observations and suggestions for research, it was noted that the development of an ideal contraceptive that is universally preferred is unlikely. Research should aim toward an improved contraceptive system or technology--a variety of methods rather than a single best method.^ieng

The dual role of polyelectrolytes and proteins as mineralization promoters and inhibitors of calcium oxalate monohydrate.

Polyelectrolytes and protein molecules appear to be able to act not only as crystallization inhibitors when present in solution, but also as promoters of crystal growth when immobilized onto surfaces. Because this is especially relevant for systems in which heterogeneous nucleation can occur, the influence of poly-L-glutamic (PGlu) acid, poly-L-aspartic (PAsp) acid, and human serum albumin (HSA) on the nucleation and growth inhibition of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) was studied using the Constant Composition (CC) kinetics technique. The overgrowth of COM on hydroxyapatite (HAP) seed crystals pretreated with HSA was also investigated. Pronounced differences in inhibiting and nucleating potential were found for the various additives. HSA, a relatively poor growth inhibitor when present in solution, was found to nucleate very regular, hexagonal COM crystals when immobilized on a surface and to enhance the overgrowth of COM when adsorbed on HAP surfaces.

Histological and biomechanical evaluation of calcium phosphate coatings applied through surface-induced mineralization to porous titanium implants.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate surface-induced mineralization (SIM) as a potential technique to apply ceramic coatings to metal orthopaedic implants. Cylindrical titanium porous-coated implants were either coated by SIM or plasma-spray (PLS) techniques with calcium phosphate, or left uncoated (CTL). The implants were bilaterally implanted into the intramedullary canal of the proximal femur of 24 adult New Zealand white rabbits segregated into the following groups: PLS/CTL, SIM/CTL, and SIM/PLS. After 6 weeks in vivo, biomechanical and histologic evaluations were completed. Biomechanically, SIM had consistently greater mechanical interlock than PLS implants. However, CTL implants had greater mechanical interlock than both PLS and SIM. The small sample size prevented statistical evaluation and definitive biomechanical conclusions. Histologically, SIM and PLS had significantly greater ingrowth than CTL implants (p < 0.05). The SIM coating technique produced similar ingrowth characteristics as standard PLS coatings, yet may prevent osteolysis by providing a stronger, more reliable, covalent bond between the ceramic and metal.

Health and performance of Holstein calves that suckled or were hand-fed colostrum and were fed one of three physical forms of starter.

Intake of colostrum by neonatal calves and early transition to calf starter are two important factors in successful calf programs. Thirty-one Holstein calves were used to determine health and performance of calves that were 1) allowed to remain with their dams for 3 d and suckle (suckled calves) or were removed from their dams and fed colostrum only by bottle (bottle calves); and were 2) fed ground, pelleted, or textured starters, formulated to be isonitrogenous. Bottle calves were removed from their dams at birth, fed 2.84 L of colostrum, placed in individual hutches, and fed 1.89 L of colostrum 12 h after the first feeding. Suckled calves were removed from their dams after 3 d and placed in individual hutches. Once calves were housed in hutches, they were fed 2 L of whole milk twice daily and were provided starters and water beginning on d 3. Calves were weighed at birth and weekly for 6 wk. Blood samples were obtained at birth, 24 h, and weekly for serum protein determination. Starter intake, fecal scores, and electrolyte treatments were recorded daily. Weaning began when calves had consumed 0.68 kg starter for 2 d consecutively. There were no differences in treatment means between suckled and bottle calves for total gain, grain consumption, days with fecal scores >2, or electrolyte treatments per calf. Average days to weaning was greater for bottle calves compared with suckled calves. Mean serum protein concentration at 24 h was greater for bottle (6.0 g/dl) compared with suckled calves (5.8 g/dl) and only 2 of 15 bottle calves had serum protein concentrations <5.0 g/dl compared with 6 of 16 suckled calves. For starter treatments, calves fed textured starter consumed more total grain, were weaned earlier, and weighed more at 6 wk of age than calves fed pelleted starter. Based on 24-h serum protein concentrations, transfer of passive immunity was greater for bottle calves compared with suckled calves.

Surface-induced mineralization: a new method for producing calcium phosphate coatings.

Calcium phosphate coatings were nucleated and grown from aqueous solution onto titanium metal substrates via surface-induced mineralization (SIM) processing techniques. This process is based on the observation that in nature organisms use biopolymers to produce ceramic composites, such as teeth, bones, and shells. The SIM process involves modification of a surface to introduce surface functionalization followed by immersion in aqueous supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions. This low-temperature process (< 100 degrees C) has advantages over conventional methods of calcium phosphate deposition in that uniform coatings are produced onto complex-shaped and/or microporous samples. Additionally, because it is a low-temperature process, control of the phase and crystallinity of the deposited material can be maintained.