Relativism or tolerance? Defining, assessing, connecting, and distinguishing two moral personality features with prominent roles in modern societies.

OBJECTIVE: This work disentangles moral tolerance from moral relativism and reveals their distinct personological meanings. Both constructs have long been of interest to moral philosophers, moral psychologists, and everyday people, and they may play prominent roles in the feasibility of modern diverse societies. However, they have been criticized as devaluing morality and as producing overly permissive societies. Moreover, although they lack necessary conceptual implications for each other, they are easily (and often) conflated. METHOD: Three studies included nine samples (total N > 3,200, 40%-50% female, Mage  = 38-40, 83% white). Participants completed (online) new measures of moral tolerance and moral relativism, along with measures of 40 additional constructs. RESULTS: Results reveal robust psychometric quality of the new measures (the Moral Relativism Scale and the Moral Tolerance Scale), demonstrate that the constructs are empirically overlapping but separable, and highlight their distinct personological networks. Moral relativism was associated with liberal political views and a lowered valuing/enacting of moral values. Moral tolerance was weakly associated with liberal political views but was strongly related to a broad range of both liberal and conservative moral values. CONCLUSION: This work yields new tools for investigating moral character, and it reveals the differential meaning of two important moral constructs.

Obtaining continuous BrAC/BAC estimates in the field: A hybrid system integrating transdermal alcohol biosensor, Intellidrink smartphone app, and BrAC Estimator software tools.

Biosensors have been developed to measure transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC), but converting TAC into interpretable indices of blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC/BrAC) is difficult because of variations that occur in TAC across individuals, drinking episodes, and devices. We have developed mathematical models and the BrAC Estimator software for calibrating and inverting TAC into quantifiable BrAC estimates (eBrAC). The calibration protocol to determine the individualized parameters for a specific individual wearing a specific device requires a drinking session in which BrAC and TAC measurements are obtained simultaneously. This calibration protocol was originally conducted in the laboratory with breath analyzers used to produce the BrAC data. Here we develop and test an alternative calibration protocol using drinking diary data collected in the field with the smartphone app Intellidrink to produce the BrAC calibration data. We compared BrAC Estimator software results for 11 drinking episodes collected by an expert user when using Intellidrink versus breath analyzer measurements as BrAC calibration data. Inversion phase results indicated the Intellidrink calibration protocol produced similar eBrAC curves and captured peak eBrAC to within 0.0003%, time of peak eBrAC to within 18min, and area under the eBrAC curve to within 0.025% alcohol-hours as the breath analyzer calibration protocol. This study provides evidence that drinking diary data can be used in place of breath analyzer data in the BrAC Estimator software calibration procedure, which can reduce participant and researcher burden and expand the potential software user pool beyond researchers studying participants who can drink in the laboratory.

Effects of Intraventricular Methotrexate on Neuronal Injury and Gene Expression in a Rat Model: Findings From an Exploratory Study.

Central nervous system (CNS)-directed treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, used to prevent disease recurrence in the brain, is essential for survival. Systemic and intrathecal methotrexate, commonly used for CNS-directed treatment, have been associated with cognitive problems during and after treatment. The cortex, hippocampus, and caudate putamen, important brain regions for learning and memory, may be involved in methotrexate-induced brain injury. Objectives of this study were to (1) quantify neuronal degeneration in selected regions of the cortex, hippocampus, and caudate putamen and (2) measure changes in the expression of genes with known roles in oxidant defense, apoptosis/inflammation, and protection from injury. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered 2 or 4 mg/kg of methotrexate diluted in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) or aCSF only into the left cerebral lateral ventricle. Gene expression changes were measured using customized reverse transcription (RT)(2) polymerase chain reaction arrays. The greatest percentage of degenerating neurons in methotrexate-treated animals was in the medial region of the cortex; percentage of degenerating neurons in the dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis 3 regions of the hippocampus was also greater in rats treated with methotrexate compared to perfusion and vehicle controls. There was a greater percentage of degenerating neurons in the inferior cortex of control versus methotrexate-treated animals. Eight genes involved in protection from injury, oxidant defense, and apoptosis/inflammation were significantly downregulated in different brain regions of methotrexate-treated rats. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate methotrexate-induced injury in selected brain regions and gene expression changes using a rat model of intraventricular drug administration.

Agreement on the perception of moral character.

This study tested for inter-judge agreement on moral character. A sample of students and community members rated their own moral character using a measure that tapped six moral character traits. Friends, family members, and/or acquaintances rated these targets on the same traits. Self/other and inter-informant agreement was found at the trait level for both a general character factor and for residual variance explained by individual moral character traits, as well as at the individual level (judges agreed on targets' "moral character profiles"). Observed inter-judge agreement constitutes evidence for the existence of moral character, and raises questions about the nature of moral character traits.

The structure of borderline personality disorder symptoms: a multi-method, multi-sample examination.

We examined the factor structure of borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms by using a multimethod, multisample approach. The factorial structure of BPD has previously been examined through the lens of broad retrospective reports of symptoms without directly contrasting results from different samples of participants, with studies producing inconsistent patterns of results. We go beyond previous work by examining symptoms from multiple timeframes and by examining results across and within 2 diagnostic groups-individuals with and without BPD. Participants (n = 281) completed a structured clinical interview for personality disorders, 2 weekly reports of BPD symptoms, and 2 weeks of in-the-moment "immediate" symptom reports, assessed 5 times daily. Across all participants, results revealed a robust 1-factor structure that replicated across all assessment methods. Moreover, these results replicated within each diagnostic group, with the lone exception of an unclear structure in interview assessment among participants who had a BPD diagnosis. Results have implications regarding the nature, assessment, and treatment of BPD.

Composite hydrogel scaffolds with controlled pore opening via biodegradable hydrogel porogen degradation.

Poly(ß-amino ester) (PBAE) biodegradable hydrogel systems have garnered much attention in recent years due to their appealing properties for biomedical applications. These hydrogel systems exhibit properties similar to natural soft tissue, degrade in aqueous environments, and have easily tunable properties that have been well studied and understood. In most cases, tissue engineering scaffolds must possess a three-dimensional interconnected porous network for tissue ingrowth and construct vascularization. Here, PBAE properties were explored and systems were selected to serve as both the pore-forming agent and the outer matrix of a scaffold that exhibits controlled pore opening upon degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a biodegradable hydrogel porogen system entrapped in a degradable hydrogel outer matrix. Scaffolds were prepared, and the degradation, compressive moduli, and porosity were analyzed. An added advantage of a degradable porogen is the potential for controlled drug release, and a model protein was released from the porogen particles to demonstrate this application. Finally, pluripotent cells seeded onto predegraded scaffolds were viable during the first 24 h of exposure, and furthermore, cell tracking confirmed the presence of cells within the pores of the scaffold. Overall, these present studies demonstrate the possibility of using these biodegradable hydrogel porogen-matrix systems as tissue engineering scaffolding materials.

Magnetic nanocomposite sol-gel systems for remote controlled drug release.

The remote heating of iron oxide nanoparticles in an alternating magnetic field is used to drive a thermoresponsive sol-gel block copolymer, Pluronic® F-127, through the upper phase transition temperature. This phase change triggers an accelerated release rate of a model drug. Actuation and return to baseline levels are demonstrated for multiple AMF doses.

The theory of planned behavior and helmet use among college students.

OBJECTIVES: To assess undergraduate helmet use attitudes and behaviors in accordance with the theory of planned behavior (TPB). We predicted helmet wearers and nonwearers would differ on our subscales. METHODS: Participants (N=414, 69% female, 84% white) completed a survey. RESULTS: Principal component analysis and reliability analysis guided the creation of subscales. Group differences were detected on 9 of 10 subscales: F(18,788) = 10.721, P=.001, eta(2) = .187. Few ethnicity and sex differences were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the validity of the TPB in predicting college student helmet use and offers a new scale for future research purposes.

Titanium vs carbon coated ceramic breast tissue marker clips: 3T MR susceptibility artifact and local signal disturbance.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Spectroscopy signal of a breast lesion may be disrupted by the presence of metal from a biopsy marking clip. This study compares the size of magnetic resonance (MR) susceptibility artifacts and degree of local spectroscopy signal disturbance created by conventional titanium tissue marker clips to that of a novel carbon coated ceramic breast tissue marker clip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five breast tissue marker clips were embedded in a gelatin breast phantom. The phantoms were imaged on a 3T MR scanner, and three-dimensional T1-weighted gradient echo images were obtained. The area of the susceptibility artifact was calculated and compared for each clip. Single voxel point resolved spectroscopy spectra (SVS) were acquired for three ceramic clips aligned along the superoinferior, anteroposterior, and left-right axes, respectively. Measurements were repeated for an area of pure gelatin and for one similarly sized titanium clip located arbitrarily in the main field. Water spectra were obtained, and line widths and areas of the water peaks were compared. RESULTS: All five clips were easily visible on MR imaging. The ceramic marker clip produced less apparent artifact when compared with the metallic clips. Spectral analysis demonstrated local frequency shifts around all clips. Line widths varied from 7 to 92 Hz in the voxels on and around the titanium clip and from 4 to 18 Hz around the ceramic clips. CONCLUSION: The ceramic breast tissue marker clip produced less susceptibility artifact and less line broadening on 3T MR imaging than conventional titanium clips. This tissue marker may reduce artifact and improve consistency of breast MR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and analysis of degradation, mechanical and toxicity properties of poly(ß-amino ester) degradable hydrogels.

Biodegradable hydrogels have been studied extensively in recent years for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery, due to their tunable properties and similarities to natural soft tissue. In this work, two poly(ß-amino ester) biodegradable hydrogel systems were synthesised and studied in vitro. Different degradation profiles were observed, ranging from 7 h to 4 months, and the compressive modulus was shown to decrease as degradation proceeded. MTT cytotoxicity analysis was used to analyze the cellular response to the degradation products, and the hydrogel systems exhibited similar toxicity to poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) degradation products. Finally, cell attachment was studied by seeding pluripotent mesenchymal cells directly onto the hydrogel surfaces followed by a live/dead assay and fluorescent imaging. Cells showed significant viability at 24h (98%) and slightly lower, but still substantial viability, at 48 h (72%). These hydrogels exhibited a range of properties and favorable cellular responses, all which indicate that these materials could be viable materials for tissue regeneration and other biomedical applications.

Nanocomposite degradable hydrogels: demonstration of remote controlled degradation and drug release.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate remote controlled degradation of degradable nanocomposite hydrogels by application of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Further, it was desired to study the AMF effect on the drug release properties of these systems. METHODS: Degradable nanocomposite hydrogels were synthesized by incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles into a degradable hydrogel that exhibited temperature dependent degradation. Heating, degradation, and drug release studies were conducted by application of an AMF to determine if modulation of degradation and drug release could be attained. RESULTS: Hydrogels were successfully prepared, shown to have temperature dependent degradation, and shown to heat when exposed to the AMF. The degradation rate of the exposed samples was demonstrated to be higher than control samples, thus modulation of degradation was obtained. The release of a model drug from the system was modulated by exposure to the AMF. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration of remote controlled degradation using an AMF stimulus. Here, the proof of the concept has been presented, and there is great potential to enhance this effect through various methods. The ability to remotely control degradation of an implanted device opens a new area of improved medical devices.

Maturing responsibility in young teens participating in an asthma camp: adaptive mechanisms and outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe adolescent adaptation in the four adaptive modes of the Roy Adaptation Model in campers attending a Young Teen Asthma Camp and relate that adaptation to the acquisition of asthma responsibility. DESIGN AND METHODS: The camp experience included asthma education and an opportunity to grow socially. A quasi-experimental design investigated ratings of self-efficacy and responsibility from before to after camp. RESULTS: Improvements in self-efficacy supported adaptation in self-concept and role function. Adolescents demonstrated maturing responsibility in asthma management in interdependence mode. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Asthma camps are effective for delivering asthma education, enhancing maturation, and assisting with normalizing life experiences. Nurses can be instrumental in facilitating adolescents' participation.

Knowledge, resilience, and effectiveness of education in a young teen asthma camp.

A young teen asthma camp was developed as a 3-day residential experience in a traditional camp setting offering activities such as swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, ropes, course crafts, and games. The overall purpose, goals and plans for the camp experience were developed by a team of nurse educators, nurse practitioners, clinicians (nurses and physicians) with experience in asthma management, and camp directors. Feasibility and outcomes were measured for the camp using materials in the Power Breathing Program for teens developed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and questionnaires developed by the Consortium of Children's Asthma Camps.

Tumor-associated down-regulation of 15-lipoxygenase-1 is reversed by celecoxib in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of celecoxib on 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) expression, protein levels, and rates of apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines. Also, to evaluate the expression of 15-LOX-1 in human normal mucosa, adenoma, and carcinoma with correlation to overall survival. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The function of 15-LOX-1 is to maintain normal rates of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Decreased apoptosis is one mechanism of cancer growth and dissemination. It is our hypothesis that expression of 15-LOX-1 is reduced in human colorectal cancer (CRC) and the administration of celecoxib can reverse this process and induce apoptosis. METHODS: Effect of celecoxib in cell culture: The effect of 40 micromol/L celecoxib was compared with untreated controls in tissue culture utilizing HT-29 and DLD-1 CRC cell lines. Expression of 15-LOX-1 protein was measured by immunoblot. Induction of apoptosis was evaluated by annexin V staining. All data are presented as mean +/- SEM, with significance defined as P < 0.05. 15-LOX-1 in human CRC: From February 1998 to January 2002, 126 patients underwent surgical resection of either colorectal adenomas (n = 24) or carcinomas (n = 102), or both (n = 25). Tissue was macrodissected, snap frozen, and stored at -80 degrees C. After tissue processing, RNA was extracted and gene expression of 15-LOX-1 was quantified utilizing ABI prism real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Significance evaluated by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Effect of celecoxib in cell culture: After 72 hours of treatment with celecoxib, immunoblot demonstrated a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in 15-LOX-1 protein expression in HT-29 and DLD-1 cells, respectively. Celecoxib produced greater than a 2-fold increase in the rate of apoptosis compared with control cells in both cell lines (P < 0.05). 15-LOX-1 in human CRC: The mean age of the patients was 62 +/- 1 years; 78% were white and 48% were female. The mean size of the polyps and cancers were 3.0 +/- 0.4 and 5.0 +/- 0.1 cm, respectively. Expression of 15-LOX-1 relative to S9 was 30 in normal mucosa and significantly down-regulated to 11 in adenomas and 16 in carcinomas (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 15-LOX-1 gene expression is significantly reduced in both human colorectal adenomas and carcinomas and associated with decreased survival. Administration of celecoxib restores 15-LOX-1 protein expression and induces apoptosis. Down-regulation of 15-LOX-1 is an early event in the adenoma to carcinoma sequence, and reversal with celecoxib may represent one mechanism for chemoprevention of polyps or treatment of carcinomas.

The impact of combined trauma and burns on patient mortality.

BACKGROUND: Combined trauma and burn injuries are uncommon and seldom studied. There is a presumption that these patients fare worse than their trauma- and burn-only counterparts, but the mortality risk has not been quantified. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using the 1994 to 2002 National Trauma Data Bank. Trauma- and burn-only patients were categorized according to Injury Severity Score (ISS) and burn severity (percentage body surface area burned [BSAB]), respectively, and combined trauma-burn patients were similarly categorized. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated comparing combined trauma-burn mortality to trauma-only and burn-only patients by corresponding trauma or burn severity. RRs were adjusted for age, gender, and ISS or burn severity. RESULTS: Compared with minor trauma-only patients (ISS of 1-15), patients with minor trauma, when combined with burn injury, had significantly increased mortality (RR, 4.04; 95% CI, 3.51-4.66). Similarly, relative to minor burn-only patients (BSAB of 1-25%), combined trauma-burn patients with minor burns (RR, 5.00; 95% CI, 3.54-7.06) had significantly increased mortality. For combined trauma-burn patients with more severe burns or trauma, small but significant increased mortality risks were seen relative to major trauma-only patients (ISS of 26+; RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05-1.51) and major burn-only patients (BSAB of 76+; RR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.15-1.82). CONCLUSION: The large increased risk of death for those with combined minor injuries is of clinical interest because the majority of combined patients fall into this category. Future research should characterize specific causes and types of injury of increased mortality in the patient with combined injuries.

Mechanisms of resistance to Erbitux (anti-epidermal growth factor receptor) combination therapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

We previously demonstrated that pancreatic adenocarcinoma BxPC-3 xenografts display resistance to treatment with Erbitux, gemcitabine, and radiation, whereas MIA PaCa-2 xenografts are highly sensitive to the same therapy. Here, we elucidate in vitro mechanisms that may explain the observed differential response of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressing pancreatic adenocarcinoma xenografts to Erbitux-based combination therapy in vivo. MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 protein lysates were probed with antibodies to EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4. Constitutive ErbB3 activity was visualized by immunoblot analysis using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies and receptor-specific immunoprecipitates. erbB2 and erbB3 gene expression in both cell lines was quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Erbitux-induced internalization of EGFR was determined by flow cytometry following Erbitux treatment for different incubation times at 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C. MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 protein extracts were also probed with anti-phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase antibody after stimulation with EGF and in the presence of Erbitux. Although both cell lines expressed EGFR and ErbB2 protein, ErbB3 protein was selectively expressed by BxPC-3 cells, where it also showed evidence of constitutive phosphorylation. There was a 10-fold increase of erbB3 transcript levels in BxPC-3 cells compared with MIA PaCa-2. ErbB4 protein was not detectable in either cell line. Erbitux mediated EGFR internalization in MIA PaCa-2 cells after 2 hours of incubation, whereas it did not promote EGFR internalization in BxPC-3 cells. Likewise, EGF-dependent phosphorylation of MAPK p44/42 was blocked by Erbitux treatment in MIA PaCa-2 but not BxPC-3 cells. Erbitux selectively interfered with EGF-induced MAPK activation in MIA PaCa-2 but not BxPC-3 cells. Persistent MAPK activation and impaired in vitro internalization of EGFR by BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells may be due to constitutive ErbB3 signaling, facilitated by heterodimerization with EGFR, which may explain resistance to Erbitux-based combination therapy in vivo.

Percutaneous CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of renal neoplasms: factors influencing success.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the success rate for radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors and to determine the risk of serious complications. CONCLUSION: No serious complications occurred after 27 CT-guided radiofrequency ablation sessions in 22 patients. In total, no residual tumor was detected on follow-up contrast-enhanced CT or MRI 1-35 months (mean, 7 months) after final tumor ablation in 20 (91%) of 22 patients. Two patients with residual viable tumor deferred further treatment. Complete tumor ablation was achieved after a single treatment session in 83% of patients, and in 8% of patients after subsequent ablation sessions. Size was the major determinant for achieving tumor eradication with a single session of ablation, with all 11 tumors 3 cm or smaller being completely ablated after one session. Tumor location, histology, and the presence of renal disease did not correlate with treatment success. Contrast-enhanced CT performed immediately after ablation is reliable to exclude residual viable tumor. CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors is safe and has a high rate of success in the treatment of small renal tumors, with no evidence of recurrence at midterm follow-up of treated patients.