Activation of the Constitutive Androstane Receptor by Monophthalates.

Humans in industrialized areas are continuously exposed to phthalate plasticizers, prompting concerns of their potential toxicities. Previous studies from our laboratory and others have shown that various phthalates activate several mammalian nuclear receptors, in particular the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), the pregnane X receptor (PXR), and the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), although often at concentration levels of questionable relevance to human exposure. We discovered that di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), two of the highest volume production agents, were potent activators of human CAR2 (hCAR2), a unique human CAR splice variant and, to a lesser degree, human PXR (hPXR).

Correlation between REM AHI and quality-of-life scores in children with sleep-disordered breathing.

Objectives: Prior research has demonstrated poor correlation between the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) on full-night polysomnogram (PSG) and quality-of-life (QOL) scores. We aim to examine the association between rapid eye movement (REM) AHI and QOL scores in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Study Design: Prospective trial.

Unverifiable publications in otolaryngology residency applications.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of unverifiable ("ghost") publications in applications to an otolaryngology residency program through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), correlate with applicant characteristics, and determine if incidence changed after the addition of PubMed (PMID) numbers in 2008.

Study Design And Setting: Cross-sectional study of residency applications before and after inclusion of PMID numbers at an academic otolaryngology program.

Subjects And Methods: Applications for 2007 and 2008 were reviewed.