Getting Ahead or Losing Ground: Economic Mobility in America

Combines earlier research to present a comprehensive analysis of relative mobility, absolute mobility, and changes in income inequality. Focuses on intergenerational mobility, immigrants, comparisons by gender and race, and the role of education

Kids' Share 2010: Report on Federal Expenditures on Children

Examines 1960-2009 trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children, including food stamps, tax credits, and Head Start. Analyzes the effects of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, projected funding through 2020, and implications

How Targeted Are Federal Expenditures on Children? A Kids' Share Analysis of Expenditures by Income in 2009

Analyzes the distribution of government spending on children by family income; category, such as health, social services, and education; and program, such as Medicaid; and the extent to which it is targeted to low-income children. Considers implications

Public Investment in Children's Early and Elementary Years (Birth to Age 11)

Compares federal and state/local per-capita spending; funding areas such as health, education, and income support; and degree of targeting and means testing for different age groups. Discusses policy implications and the need to invest in early childhood

Kids' Share: An Analysis of Federal Expenditures on Children Through 2008

Examines 2008 data and historic trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children -- such as food stamps, tax credits, and Head Start -- compared with other priorities and within the children's share. Assesses projections through 2019

Federal Expenditures on Elementary-Age Children in 2008 (Ages 6 through 11)

Examines 2008 federal expenditures on elementary-age children, where funds are spent, and how; estimates 2009-12 expenditures; and outlines policy issues affecting this age group, including the importance of high-quality education and obesity prevention

Federal Expenditures on Pre-Kindergarteners and Kindergarteners in 2008 (Ages 3 through 5)

Examines 2008 federal, state, and local expenditures on benefits for children ages 3 to 5. Outlines the importance of high-quality care, education, and social services during pre-K and kindergarten years to developmental, economic, and health outcomes

Kids' Share 2011: Report on Federal Expenditures on Children Through 2010

Examines trends in federal, state, and local spending and tax expenditures on children in 2010 and during the recession, their share of federal outlays and the economy since 1960, and projected 2011-20 spending. Analyzes the impact of stimulus funding

BRCA2 polymorphic stop codon K3326X and the risk of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers

Background: The K3326X variant in BRCA2 (BRCA2*c.9976A>T; p.Lys3326*; rs11571833) has been found to be associated with small increased risks of breast cancer. However, it is not clear to what extent linkage disequilibrium with fully pathogenic mutations might account for this association. There is scant information about the effect of K3326X in other hormone-related cancers. Methods: Using weighted logistic regression, we analyzed data from the large iCOGS study including 76 637 cancer case patients and 83 796 control patients to estimate odds ratios (ORw) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for K3326X variant carriers in relation to breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer risks, with weights defined as probability of not having a pathogenic BRCA2 variant. Using Cox proportional hazards modeling, we also examined the associations of K3326X with breast and ovarian cancer risks among 7183 BRCA1 variant carriers. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: The K3326X variant was associated with breast (ORw = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.17 to 1.40, P = 5.9x10- 6) and invasive ovarian cancer (ORw = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.43, P = 3.8x10-3). These associations were stronger for serous ovarian cancer and for estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer (ORw = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.2 to 1.70, P = 3.4x10-5 and ORw = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.28 to 1.76, P = 4.1x10-5, respectively). For BRCA1 mutation carriers, there was a statistically significant inverse association of the K3326X variant with risk of ovarian cancer (HR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.84, P = .013) but no association with breast cancer. No association with prostate cancer was observed. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that the K3326X variant is associated with risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers independent of other pathogenic variants in BRCA2. Further studies are needed to determine the biological mechanism of action responsible for these associations

A Selectable and Excisable Marker System for the Rapid Creation of Recombinant Poxviruses

Genetic manipulation of poxvirus genomes through attenuation, or insertion of therapeutic genes has led to a number of vector candidates for the treatment of a variety of human diseases. The development of recombinant poxviruses often involves the genomic insertion of a selectable marker for purification and selection purposes. The use of marker genes however inevitably results in a vector that contains unwanted genetic information of no therapeutic value.Here we describe an improved strategy that allows for the creation of marker-free recombinant poxviruses of any species. The Selectable and Excisable Marker (SEM) system incorporates a unique fusion marker gene for the efficient selection of poxvirus recombinants and the Cre/loxP system to facilitate the subsequent removal of the marker. We have defined and characterized this new methodological tool by insertion of a foreign gene into vaccinia virus, with the subsequent removal of the selectable marker. We then analyzed the importance of loxP orientation during Cre recombination, and show that the SEM system can be used to introduce site-specific deletions or inversions into the viral genome. Finally, we demonstrate that the SEM strategy is amenable to other poxviruses, as demonstrated here with the creation of an ectromelia virus recombinant lacking the EVM002 gene.The system described here thus provides a faster, simpler and more efficient means to create clinic-ready recombinant poxviruses for therapeutic gene therapy applications