Serine 129 phosphorylation reduces the ability of alpha-synuclein to regulate tyrosine hydroxylase and protein phosphatase 2A in vitro and in vivo.

Alpha-synuclein (a-Syn), a protein implicated in Parkinson disease, contributes significantly to dopamine metabolism. a-Syn binding inhibits the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. Phosphorylation of TH stimulates its activity, an effect that is reversed by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A).

The role of postmortem cardiac markers in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Sudden cardiac deaths because of acute myocardial infarction (MI) constitute a significant percentage of the caseload for death investigators, coroners, and forensic pathologists. Clinicians use cardiac markers, highly sensitive and specific for myocardial damage, to screen living patients for acute MI; however, to this point, the utility of these markers in the autopsy setting has not been fully established. The current study included 10 decedents, five who died of acute MI, and five subjects who died of noncardiac disease.

International interdisciplinary rhytidectomy survey.

Facial rhytidectomy is a complex and multi-faceted operation performed by different methodologies between practitioners. This study elucidates current international trends in facelift surgery, including patient selection, operative technique, and postoperative care. A 43-item questionnaire was sent electronically to 7247 members of the following societies: ASPS, ISAPS, CSPS, IFFPS, and the AAFPRS.

The effect of electroacustimulation on postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain in outpatient plastic surgery patients: a prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical trial.

Background: Current rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting experienced by outpatient surgery patients are as high as 20 to 30 percent. Electroacustimulation therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in controlling these symptoms, but trials identifying its efficacy in the outpatient surgery population are lacking.

Methods: One hundred twenty-two patients undergoing surgical procedures at an outpatient surgery center were randomized to two treatment arms.

Joint Models for the Association of Longitudinal Binary and Continuous Processes With Application to a Smoking Cessation Trial.

Joint models for the association of a longitudinal binary and a longitudinal continuous process are proposed for situations in which their association is of direct interest. The models are parameterized such that the dependence between the two processes is characterized by unconstrained regression coefficients. Bayesian variable selection techniques are used to parsimoniously model these coefficients.

Contribution of behavior intervention components to 24-month weight loss.

Unlabelled: Sustaining weight loss at the long term is difficult.

Purpose: To examine if eating behaviors, physical activity levels, and program participation influence ones ability to achieve ≥5%, ≥7%, and ≥10% weight loss during a period of 24 months.

Methods: Data from 170 overweight and obese women (body mass index = 32.

A culturally adapted physical activity intervention for Latinas: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In the U.S., Latinos report particularly high levels of inactivity and related chronic illnesses and are in need of intervention.

Physical activity interventions and changes in perceived home and facility environments.

Objective: To examine changes in environmental perceptions over time and associations between changes in perceptions and physical activity among participants in two physical activity interventions.

Methods: Two independent trials were examined. Project STRIDE (STRIDE) (N=239) was conducted from 2000 to 2004 in Rhode Island.

When, why and for whom there is a relationship between physical activity and menopause symptoms.

Objectives: The relationship between enhanced physical activity and decreased menopause symptoms is equivocal. In this study we sought to better understand this relationship by examining the association of physical activity to different symptom domains and by examining mediating and moderating variables.

Study Design: Women participating in a randomized control trial on physical activity were given a menopause symptom measure (MENQOL) at follow-up.

National interdisciplinary rhinoplasty.

Background: Rhinoplasty is a complex and multifaceted operation. There are great differences in methodologies between practitioners. Examining the preoperative, operative, and postoperative techniques employed by different practitioners will provide rhinoplasty surgeons with benchmarks by which they can evaluate their own practice.

Correction of internal nasal valve stenosis: a single surgeon comparison of butterfly versus traditional spreader grafts.

Nasal obstruction due to internal nasal valve (INV) collapse is relatively common. This article evaluates 2 different methods repairing the INV.Our subject population is a single-surgeon group of 82 patients who underwent a septorhinoplasty for nasal airway obstruction.

Feasibility of an exercise counseling intervention for depressed women smokers.

Introduction: Depressive symptoms negatively impact smoking abstinence. However, few interventions have been targeted to smokers with current depression. Exercise improves mood and may benefit depressed smokers.

A randomized controlled trial of prenatal physical activity to prevent gestational diabetes: design and methods.

Background: Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at substantially increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity, currently at epidemic rates in the United States. GDM, therefore, identifies a population of women at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and provides an opportunity to intervene before the development of this disorder. It is well recognized that acute as well as chronic physical activity improves glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes.

Survey of state medical and osteopathy board disciplinary web sites in 2006.

We sought to describe doctor disciplinary information provided on the web sites of state medical and osteopathic boards. Information collected included state board, hospital and federal government actions, as well as malpractice judgments and settlements and conviction information. Web sites were also assessed for user-friendliness, primarily their searchability.

Aerobic exercise for alcohol recovery: rationale, program description, and preliminary findings.

Alcohol use disorders are a major public health concern. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of a number of different treatments for alcohol dependence, relapse remains a major problem. Healthy lifestyle changes may contribute to long-term maintenance of recovery, and interventions targeting physical activity, in particular, may be especially valuable as an adjunct to alcohol treatment.

Using electronic/computer interventions to promote physical activity.

The internet has been used as a method to deliver various health interventions (eg, weight management, smoking cessation, increasing physical activity). An electronic search (ie, PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science) for internet-based physical activity interventions among adults yields fewer than 25 studies. Although many have considered physical activity as one element of a multifactorial behavioural intervention, few have focused exclusively on changing sedentary behaviour.

Recruitment of a racially and ethnically diverse sample into a physical activity efficacy trial.

Background: Healthy People 2010 underscores the relevance of eliminating health disparities. Thus, it is paramount to create interventions that promote health for all individuals.

Purpose: This study examined differences in rates of and reasons for ineligibility among non-Hispanic blacks and whites in a randomized controlled physical activity intervention study.

Physical activity as an aid to smoking cessation during pregnancy: two feasibility studies.

Background: Pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation have not been adequately tested in pregnancy and women are reluctant to use them. Behavioural support alone has a modest effect on cessation rates; therefore, more effective interventions are needed. Even moderate intensity physical activity (e.

Comparing psychosocial predictors of physical activity adoption and maintenance.

Background: Most health behavior models do not distinguish between determinants of behavior adoption and maintenance.

Purpose: This study compared psychosocial predictors of physical activity (PA) adoption and predictors of PA maintenance among 205 initially sedentary adults enrolled in a home-based PA promotion trial.

Methods: Psychosocial variables were measured at 6 months (at which point 107 participants remained inactive and 98 participants adopted regular PA) and used to predict 12-month PA status (an indicator of PA adoption among those inactive at 6 months and an indicator of PA maintenance among those active at 6 months).

User attitudes towards physical activity websites in a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To better understand the mixed findings regarding the efficacy of Internet-based physical activity interventions, we examined the use and usefulness of particular website components that may lead to improvements in intervention efficacy.

Method: Participants were sedentary individuals from a 12-month randomized controlled physical activity trial conducted in Providence, Rhode Island and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 2003-2006. The present study included participants from the Tailored Internet arm (n=81; instantaneous web-based tailored feedback to participants) or the Standard Internet arm (n=82; websites currently available to the public).

A case of Ludwig angina: a case report and review of the literature.

Ludwig angina is a rapidly progressing submaxillary, submandibular, and sublingual necrotizing cellulitis of the floor of the mouth that can have lethal consequences due to airway obstruction. Various aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, and less often fungi, have been implicated to cause Ludwig angina, including oral flora such as streptococci and staphylococci. Early recognition and the use of parenteral antibiotics can prevent mortality and morbidity.

Effect of exercise on 24-month weight loss maintenance in overweight women.

Background: Debate remains regarding the amount of physical activity that will facilitate weight loss maintenance.

Methods: Between December 1, 1999, and January 31, 2003, 201 overweight and obese women (body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 27 to 40; age range, 21-45 years) with no contraindications to weight loss or physical activity were recruited from a hospital-based weight loss research center. Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 behavioral weight loss intervention groups.

Mediators of physical activity behavior change: a multivariate approach.

Objective: Using a multivariate extension of the Baron and Kenny (1986) mediation framework, we examined the simultaneous effect of variables hypothesized to mediate the relationship between a motivationally tailored physical activity intervention, and 6-month physical activity behavior in 239 healthy, underactive adults (M age = 47.5; 82% women).

Design: Participants were randomly assigned to (a) print-based feedback; (b) telephone-based feedback; or (c) contact control.