Atorvastatin effects on SREBF1a and SCAP gene expression in mononuclear cells and its relation with lowering-lipids response

Background: The transcription factors SREBP1 and SCAP are involved in intracellular cholesterol homeostasis. Polymorphisms of these genes have been associated with variations on serum lipid levels and response to statins that are potent cholesterol-lowering drugs. We evaluated the effects of atorvastatin on SREBF1a and SCAP mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and a possible association with gene polymorphisms and lowering-cholesterol response. Methods: Fifty-nine hypercholesterolemic patients were treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day for 4 weeks). Serum lipid profile and mRNA expression in PBMC were assessed before and after the treatment. Gene expression was quantified by real-time PCR using GAPD as endogenous reference and mRNA expression in HepG2 cells as calibrator. SREBF1 -36delG and SCAP A2386G polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. Results: Our results showed that transcription of SREBF1a and SCAP was coordinately regulated by atorvastatin (r=0.595, p<0.001), and that reduction in SCAP transcription was associated with the 2386AA genotype (p=0.019). Individuals who responded to atorvastatin with a downregulation of SCAP had also a lower triglyceride compared to those who responded to atorvastatin with an upregulation of SCAP. Conclusion: Atorvastatin has differential effects on SREBF1a and SCAP mRNA expression in PBMC that are associated with baseline transcription levels, triglycerides response to atorvastatin and SCAP A2386G polymorphism. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The role of affect, fairness, and social perception in team member exchange

Accumulating evidence suggests that Team-member exchange (TMX) influences employee work attitudes and behaviours separately from the effects of leader-member exchange (LMX). In particular, little is known of the effect of LMX differentiation (in-group versus out-group) as a process of social exhange that can, in turn, affect TMX quality. To explore this phenomenon, this chapter presents a multi-level model of TMX in organizations, which incorporates LMX differentiation, team identification, team member affect at the individual level, and fairness of LMX differentiation and affective climate at the group-level. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our model for theory, research, and practice.

Language policy spread: Learning from health and social policy models

Except for a few large scale projects, language planners have tended to talk and argue among themselves rather than to see language policy development as an inherently political process. A comparison with a social policy example, taken from the United States, suggests that it is important to understand the problem and to develop solutions in the context of the political process, as this is where decisions will ultimately be made.

Hypercapitalism: New media, language, and social perceptions of value

Every day trillions of dollars circulate the globe in a digital data space and new forms of property and ownership emerge. Massive corporate entities with a global reach are formed and disappear with breathtaking speed, making and breaking personal fortunes the size of which defy imagination. Fictitious commodities abound. The genomes of entire nations have become corporately owned. Relationships have become the overt basis of economic wealth and political power. Hypercapitalism explores the problems of understanding this emergent form of global political economic organization by focusing on the internal relations between language, new media networks, and social perceptions of value. Taking an historical approach informed by Marx, Phil Graham draws upon writings in political economy, media studies, sociolinguistics, anthropology, and critical social science to understand the development, roots, and trajectory of the global system in which every possible aspect of human existence, including imagined futures, has become a commodity form.

Malevolence, stigma, and social distance: Maximizing intergroup differences in HIV/AIDS discourse

This study examined the intergroup language used by young heterosexual Australians in conversations about HIV/AIDS and safe sex. Sixty male and 72 female heterosexuals participated in four-person facilitated conversations (same-sex or mixed-sex) about HIV/AIDS and safe sex, which were recorded and transcribed. We focused on extracts concerning strangers or malevolent individuals who appear to be group members, along with extracts involving foreign national groups. Discourse analysis showed that groups at lower levels of social distance were constructed mainly in terms of individual responsibility. At moderate social distance, stereotypes were more negative, but sub-typing was common, whereas at the highest levels, people were constructed entirely in intergroup terms. The findings of this study suggest that HN prevention programs should make reference to all salient outgroups, so as to neutralize communicative strategies that strengthen intergroup boundaries as a means of reducing perceived personal threat of HIV infection.

Semiochemicals and social signaling in the wild European rabbit in Australia: I. Scent profiles of chin gland secretion from the field

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) uses the secretion of the chin gland in the maintenance of social status. Previous work has concentrated on secretion collected directly from the animal. In this study, the analysis was conducted by collecting scent marks made by free-ranging animals. Scent marks were found to be concentrated at the center of the area controlled by a social group, and at the boundaries between two adjacent social groups. Only the mark from dominant animals could be identified. Marks were also collected from the skin of rabbits, where they had been placed by the dominant individual. The mark found on the head of a subordinate animal may, in the future, be used to identify the dominant animal of the social group, who placed the mark.

Semiochemicals and social signaling in the wild European rabbit in Australia: II. Variations in chemical composition of chin gland secretion across sampling sites

The volatile components of the chin gland secretion of the wild European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), were investigated with the use of gas chromatography. Studies of the chemical nature of this secretion by previous workers demonstrated that it was important in the maintenance of social structure in this species. This study identified 34 different volatile components that consist primarily of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Especially common are a series of alkyl-substituted benzene derivatives that provide most of the compound diversity in the secretion. Samples of chin gland secretion collected from animals at three different geographical locations, separated by more than 100 km, showed significant differences in composition. This work suggests that variation among populations needs to be considered when undertaking semiochemical research. Alternate nonparametric methods are also used for the analysis of chromatographic data.

Public sociology and social engagement - Considerations on Brazil

The debate on public sociology is spreading in Brazil, a country potentially responsive to Burawoy`s proposals for two reasons: as one of the most unequal countries on the planet, Brazil offers much historical material for reflexive and socially engaged sociology to bring to the non-academic public; and Brazil has a critical and militant sociology that strongly interacts with public sociology. This article provides a `different` reading, through the lens of public sociology of the intellectual and political course of two representatives of this critical and militant sociology: Florestan Fernandes and Francisco de Oliveira.

Aging, inhibition, and social inappropriateness

This study explores the hypothesis that age-related declines in inhibitory ability are associated with increases in socially inappropriate behavior. Consistent with this hypothesis, older participants were less likely than younger participants to differentiate between public and private settings when inquiring about potentially embarrassing issues, according to their peers. Additionally, this indiscriminate public inquiry was associated with decreased closeness with participants' peers, particularly for older adults. Finally, this age-related increase in social inappropriateness was mediated by inhibitory deficits associated with aging. These results suggest that age-related deficits in inhibitory ability may cause people to become socially inappropriate against their will.

Sensitization to foods in gastroesophageal reflux disease and its relation to eosinophils in the esophagus: is it of clinical importance?

Background: Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be related to greater sensitization to foods. Objective: To evaluate sensitization to foods in patients with refractory GERD. Methods: Patients with refractory GERD after using at least 40 mg of a proton pump inhibitor were given a restriction diet based on the results of skin prick testing and atopy patch testing with foods. The characteristics of sensitized patients were compared with those of nonsensitized patients in relation to atopy and number of eosinophils in the esophageal mucosa. Results: The prevalence of sensitization to foods was 27.7%. Asthmatic patients showed higher sensitization to foods (P = .008). Eosinophils were determined to be present in the esophageal mucosa in 15.8% of patients, and this correlated with greater sensitization to foods (P = .01). One case of eosinophilic esophagitis was confirmed. A diet excluding identified sensitizing foods led to clinical improvement regarding GERD symptoms (P = .004). Conclusion: The presence of eosinophils in esophageal mucosa associated with greater sensitization to foods and the response to a restriction diet in patients with positive test results suggest that refractory GERD can represent an initial stage of eosinophilic esophagitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010;105:359-363.