Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and body mass index (BMI) in elderly Korean men. A review of routine health examination records were done. Out of 671 eligible elderly men, who had their routine health examination in 2001 at a Health Promotion Center of a university hospital, 367 subjects were included after excluding inflammatory conditions. Subgroup analyses were performed on those who did not smoke and exercised regularly. Body composition, blood pressure, blood samples and radiologic examinations including chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound were obtained from each subject. Age, BMI, current smoking, regular exercise, WBC count, HDL-cholesterol, gamma glutamyl transferase were independently associated with logCRP. BMI subgroups according to the Asia-Pacific guideline did not show any difference in CRP level from each other by ANCOVA (p>0.05). However, BMI groups subdivided according to our criteria showed an association with CRP; the CRP level was lowest in the group of BMI between 18.5-19.4 and showed significant difference from BMI group of the highest BMI group (>or=29.0). Since elevated CRP levels are associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease, lower BMI (18.5-19.4) levels may be advised for healthy elderly men in Korea.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the history of Kool's music-themed promotions and analyse the role that music played in the promotion of the brand.

METHODS

Analysis of previously secret tobacco industry documents, legal documents, and promotional materials.

RESULTS

Brown & Williamson started Kool sponsorship of musical events in 1975 with Kool Jazz concerts. Music was considered to be an effective marketing tool because: (1) music helped consumers make emotional connections with the brand; (2) music concerts were effective for targeted marketing; (3) music tied together an integrated marketing campaign; and (4) music had potential to appeal widely to a young audience. Brown & Williamson's first music campaigns successfully targeted young African-American male audiences. Subsequent campaigns were less effective, exploring different types of music to achieve a broader young adult appeal.

CONCLUSIONS

This case study suggests Brown & Williamson used music most successfully for targeted marketing, but they failed to develop a wider audience using music because their attempts lacked consistency with the Kool brand's established identity. The 2004 "Kool Mixx" campaign both returned to Brown & Williamson's historic practice targeting young African-American males, and also exploited a musical genre with much more potential to bring Kool more universal appeal, as hip-hop music is increasingly popular among diverse audiences. Tobacco control efforts led by African-American community activists to oppose these marketing strategies should continue; expanding these coalitions to include the hip-hop community may further increase their effectiveness.

BACKGROUND

In Botswana, an estimated 24% of adults ages 15-49 years are infected with HIV. While alcohol use is strongly associated with HIV infection in Africa, few population-based studies have characterized the association of alcohol use with specific high-risk sexual behaviors.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study of 1,268 adults from five districts in Botswana using a stratified two-stage probability sample design. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess correlates of heavy alcohol consumption (>14 drinks/week for women, and >21 drinks/week for men) as a dependent variable. We also assessed gender-specific associations between alcohol use as a primary independent variable (categorized as none, moderate, problem and heavy drinking) and several risky sex outcomes including: (a) having unprotected sex with a nonmonogamous partner; (b) having multiple sexual partners; and (c) paying for or selling sex in exchange for money or other resources. Criteria for heavy drinking were met by 31% of men and 17% of women. Adjusted correlates of heavy alcohol use included male gender, intergenerational relationships (age gap > or =10 y), higher education, and living with a sexual partner. Among men, heavy alcohol use was associated with higher odds of all risky sex outcomes examined, including unprotected sex (AOR = 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65 to 7.32), multiple partners (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI, 1.95 to 4.87), and paying for sex (AOR = 3.65; 95% CI, 2.58 to 12.37). Similarly, among women, heavy alcohol consumption was associated with higher odds of unprotected sex (AOR = 3.28; 95% CI, 1.71 to 6.28), multiple partners (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI, 1.83 to 5.07), and selling sex (AOR = 8.50; 95% CI, 3.41 to 21.18). A dose-response relationship was seen between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors, with moderate drinkers at lower risk than both problem and heavy drinkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol use is associated with multiple risks for HIV transmission among both men and women. The findings of this study underscore the need to integrate alcohol abuse and HIV prevention efforts in Botswana and elsewhere.

Changes in synaptic plasticity required for memory formation are dynamically regulated through opposing excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions. To explore the potential contribution of NF-kappaB/Rel to these processes, we generated transgenic mice conditionally expressing a potent NF-kappaB/Rel inhibitor termed IkappaBalpha superrepressor (IkappaBalpha-SR). Using the prion promoter-enhancer, IkappaBalpha-SR is robustly expressed in inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and, at lower levels, in excitatory neurons but not in glia. This neuronal pattern of IkappaBalpha-SR expression leads to decreased expression of glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), the enzyme required for synthesis of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in GABAergic interneurons. IkappaBalpha-SR expression also results in diminished basal GluR1 levels and impaired synaptic strength (input/output function), both of which are fully restored following activity-based task learning. Consistent with diminished GAD65-derived inhibitory tone and enhanced excitatory firing, IkappaBalpha-SR+ mice exhibit increased late-phase long-term potentiation, hyperactivity, seizures, increased exploratory activity, and enhanced spatial learning and memory. IkappaBalpha-SR+ neurons also express higher levels of the activity-regulated, cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein, consistent with neuronal hyperexcitability. These findings suggest that NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors act as pivotal regulators of activity-dependent inhibitory and excitatory neuronal function regulating synaptic plasticity and memory.

UNLABELLED

We identified a previously unknown integrin, alpha(9)beta(1), on OCLs and their precursors. Antibody to alpha(9) inhibited OCL formation in human marrow cultures, and OCLs from alpha(9) knockout mice had a defect in actin ring reorganization and an impaired bone resorption capacity.

INTRODUCTION

Integrins play important roles in osteoclast (OCL) formation and function. Mature OCLs mainly express alpha(v)beta(3) integrin, a heterodimer adhesion receptor that has been implicated in osteoclastic bone resorption. We identified ADAM8, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase, as a novel stimulator of OCL differentiation and showed that the disintegrin domain of ADAM8 mediated its effects on OCL formation. Because the disintegrin domain of ADAM8 does not bind Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequences, we determined which integrin bound ADAM8 and characterized its role in OCL formation and activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) expressing different integrin subunits were tested for their capacity to bind the disintegrin domain of ADAM8. Mouse or human bone marrow cells and purified OCL precursors were tested for alpha(9)beta(1) integrin expression by Western blot, immunocytochemistry, and real-time RT-PCR. A monoclonal antibody to human alpha(9) was used to block alpha(9)beta(1) on OCL precursors stimulated by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)] or RANKL. Vertebrae of 7-day-old alpha(9)(-/-) mice and wildtype (WT) littermates were compared using bone histomorphometry and 3D microCT analysis.

RESULTS

Alpha(9) integrin was expressed by mouse and human bone marrow-derived OCLs and their precursors. Importantly, the anti-alpha(9) antibody inhibited human OCL formation stimulated by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) or RANKL dose-dependently. Furthermore, analysis of OCLs formed in marrow cultures from alpha(9)(-/-) mice showed that the OCLs formed were more contracted and formed significantly less bone resorption pits on dentin slices. Histologic analysis of alpha(9)(-/-) vertebrae showed thickened trabecular regions and retained cartilage within vertebral bodies of alpha(9)(-/-) mice. 3D microCT analysis of alpha(9)(-/-) vertebrae also showed a significant increase in trabecular bone volume/total tissue volume and a tendency for decreased trabecular separation compared with WT mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support a previously unknown role for alpha(9)beta(1) integrin in OCL formation and function.

PURPOSE

We aimed to elucidate the prevalence of and risk factors for work disability in severe adult asthma and to evaluate the impact of work disability on downstream health outcomes.

METHODS

We used data from a prospective cohort study of 465 adults with severe asthma. Structured telephone interviews ascertained asthma status and employment history. A job exposure matrix (JEM) was used to characterize the likelihood of workplace exposure to "asthmagens."

RESULTS

The prevalence of asthma-related complete work disability was 14% among working-age adults with severe asthma (95% confidence interval, 11%-18%). Among those who were currently employed, the prevalence of partial work disability was 38% (95% confidence interval, 31%-45%). Sociodemographic (P = .027) and medical factors (P = .020) were related to the risk of complete work disability. Both sociodemographic characteristics (P = .06) and work exposures based on the JEM (P = .012) were related to partial work disability. In additional models, poorer asthma severity, physical health status, and mental health status were all associated with a higher risk of complete and partial work disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Work disability is common among adults with severe asthma. There are three sets of risk factors for work disability that are potentially modifiable: smoking, workplace exposures, and asthma severity.