A functional trinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the 5'-untranslated region of the glutathione biosynthetic gene GCLC is associated with increased risk for lung and aerodigestive tract cancers.

Glutathione (GSH), the major intracellular antioxidant, protects against cancer development by detoxifying carcinogens and free radicals and strengthening the immune system. Recently, a GAG-trinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the 5'-untranslated region of the gene for the rate-limiting enzyme for GSH biosynthesis, γ-glutamine cysteine ligase (GCL), was shown to be associated with lowered GCL activity and GSH levels in vitro and in vivo. We tested the hypothesis that this functional polymorphism in GCL is associated with the risk for lung and aerodigestive tract cancers.

Effects of external qigong therapy on osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomized controlled trial.

The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of external qigong therapy (EQT), a traditional Chinese medicine practice, in reducing pain and improving functionality of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). One hundred twelve adults with knee OA were randomized to EQT or sham treatment (control); 106 completed treatment and were analyzed. Two therapists performed EQT individually, five to six sessions in 3 weeks.

Outcomes of isolated glenoid labral injuries in professional baseball pitchers.

Background: Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers who return to competition after labral surgery show a decline in their pitching performance.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Tertiary institution.

Evaluation of race and insurance status as predictors of undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of race and socioeconomic factors and the method used for appendectomies in children (open vs. laparoscopic).

Summary Background Data: Previous studies have shown racial and insurance-related differences associated with the management of appendicitis in adults.

National trends in the use of antireflux procedures for children.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze recent nationwide trends in the use of and outcomes after antireflux surgery for children.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children (age: <18 years) undergoing antireflux surgery by using data from 1996 to 2003 from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Census data were used to calculate the population-based rates of procedures stratified according to age and presence of neurologic impairment.

Transportability of multisystemic therapy: evidence for multilevel influences.

This study examines factors associated with the implementation and short-term outcomes in dissemination sites of Multisystemic Therapy (MST), an intensive, short-term, family- and community-based treatment for serious antisocial behavior in youth. Participants were 666 children and families served by 217 therapists in 39 sites. Pre- (T1) to immediate posttreatment (T2) differences in child problems and functioning were similar in magnitude to those found in randomized trials of MST.

Transporting efficacious treatments to field settings: the link between supervisory practices and therapist fidelity in MST programs.

Validated a measure of clinical supervision practices, further validated a measure of therapist adherence, and examined the association between supervisory practices and therapist adherence to an evidence-based treatment model (i.e., multisystemic therapy [MST]) in real-world clinical settings.