bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifaceted Determinants for Achieving Glycemic Control
Authors: Chan Juliana C.N. , Gagliardino Juan Jose , Baik Sei Hyun , Chantelot Jean-Marc , Ferreira Sandra R.G. , Hancu Nicolae , Ilkova Hasan , Ramachandran Ambady , Aschner Pablo ,   on behalf of the IDMPS Investigators
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE—The International Diabetes Mellitus Practice Study is a 5-year survey documenting changes in diabetes treatment practice in developing regions.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors for achieving A1C <7% in 11,799 patients (1,898 type 1 diabetic and 9,901 type 2 diabetic) recruited by 937 physicians from 17 countries in Eastern Europe (n = 3,519), Asia (n = 5,888), Latin America (n = 2,116), and Africa (n = 276).

RESULTS—Twenty-two percent of type 1 diabetic and 36% of type 2 diabetic patients never had A1C measurements. In those with values for A1C, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol, 7.5% of type 1 diabetic (n = 696) and 3.6% of type 2 diabetic (n = 3,896) patients attained all three recommended targets (blood pressure <130/80 mmHg, LDL cholesterol <100 mg/dl, and A1C <7%). Self-monitoring of blood glucose was the only predictor for achieving the A1C goal in type 1 diabetes (odds ratios: Asia 2.24, Latin America 3.55, and Eastern Europe 2.42). In type 2 diabetes, short disease duration (Asia 0.97, Latin America 0.97, and Eastern Europe 0.82) and treatment with few oral glucose–lowering drugs (Asia 0.64, Latin America 0.76, and Eastern Europe 0.62) were predictors. Other region-specific factors included lack of microvascular complications and old age in Latin America and Asia; health insurance coverage and specialist care in Latin America; lack of obesity and self-adjustment of insulin dosages in Asia; and training by a diabetes educator, self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients who self-adjusted insulin, and lack of macrovascular complications in Eastern Europe.

CONCLUSIONS—In developing countries, factors pertinent to patients, doctors, and health care systems all impact on glycemic control.
First-Phase Insulin Secretion Restoration and Differential Response to Glucose Load Depending on the Route of Administration in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Salinari Serenella , Bertuzzi Alessandro , Asnaghi Simone , Guidone Caterina , Manco Melania , Mingrone Geltrude
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of diabetes reversibility after malabsorptive bariatric surgery.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Peripheral insulin sensitivity and β-cell function after either intravenous (IVGTT) or oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) tests and minimal model analysis were assessed in nine obese, type 2 diabetic subjects before and 1 month after biliopancreatic diversion and compared with those in six normal-weight control subjects. Insulin-dependent whole-body glucose disposal was measured by the euglycemic clamp, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were also measured.

RESULTS—The first phase of insulin secretion after the IVGTT was fully normalized after the operation. The disposition index from OGTT data was increased about 10-fold and became similar to the values found in control subjects, and the disposition index from IVGTT data increased about 3.5-fold, similarly to what happened after the euglycemic clamp. The area under the curve (AUC) for GIP decreased about four times (from 3,000 ± 816 to 577 ± 155 pmol · l−1 · min, P < 0.05). On the contrary, the AUC for GLP1 almost tripled (from 150.4 ± 24.4 to 424.4 ± 64.3 pmol · l−1 · min, P < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between GIP or GLP1 percent changes and modification of the sensitivity indexes independently of the route of glucose administration.

CONCLUSIONS—Restoration of the first-phase insulin secretion and normalization of insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic subjects after malabsorptive bariatric surgery seem to be related to the reduction of the effect of some intestinal factor(s) resulting from intestinal bypass.
Depression and Diabetes Treatment Nonadherence: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gonzalez Jeffrey S. , Peyrot Mark , McCarl Lauren A. , Collins Erin Marie , Serpa Luis , Mimiaga Matthew J. , Safren Steven A.
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE—Depression is common in patients with diabetes and is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Its relationship to treatment adherence, however, has not been systematically reviewed. We used meta-analysis to examine the relationship between depression and treatment nonadherence in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We searched MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases for all studies published by June 2007 and reviewed references of published articles. Meta-analytic procedures were used to estimate the effect size r in a random effects model. Significance values, weighted effect sizes, 95% CIs, and tests of homogeneity of variance were calculated.

RESULTS—Results from 47 independent samples showed that depression was significantly associated with nonadherence to the diabetes treatment regimen (z = 9.97, P < 0.0001). The weighted effect size was near the medium range (r = 0.21, 95% CI 0.17–0.25). Moderator analyses showed that the effect was significantly larger in studies that measured self-care as a continuous versus categorical variable (P = 0.001). Effect sizes were largest for missed medical appointments and composite measures of self-care (r values = 0.31, 0.29). Moderation analyses suggest that effects for most other types of self-care are also near the medium range, especially in studies with stronger methodologies.

CONCLUSIONS—These findings demonstrate a significant association between depression and treatment nonadherence in patients with diabetes. Studies that used stronger methodologies had larger effects. Treatment nonadherence may represent an important pathway between depression and worse diabetes clinical outcomes.
Aberrant Expression of MUC1 Mucin in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Furr Anna E. , Ranganathan Sarangarajan , Finn Olivera J.
Published: November 2008

Mucin 1 (MUC1) glycoprotein is normally expressed at low levels on the luminal side of healthy colonic epithelial cells. In colon cancer and other epithelial tumors, MUC1 is overexpressed and hypoglycosylated. Antibodies specific for this “tumor form” of MUC1 are found in cancer patients. We hypothesized that MUC1 expression might be altered in chronic inflammation, such as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Furthermore, we hypothesized that these alterations might induce antibody responses. The aims of this study were to characterize MUC1 expression in IBD and to examine whether pediatric patients with IBD have an MUC1-specific antibody. Colon biopsies were examined for MUC1 expression by immunochemistry using anti-MUC1 antibodies that detect normal or abnormal forms of MUC1. Sera were analyzed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for evidence of anti-MUC1 antibody. We found marked overexpression of MUC1 in IBD, most of which was hypoglycosylated. On colon specimens from healthy age-matched controls, we found low levels of luminal MUC1 and no alteration in its glycosylation. We detected antibody to MUC1 in sera of IBD patients as well as controls, and in a limited number of IBD samples examined longitudinally, we could correlate the rise and fall of antibody levels with clinical disease severity. MUC1 is overexpressed and hypoglycosylated in pediatric IBD and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBD, and thus warrants further study as a potential therapeutic target. Similarly, antibodies to MUC1 may influence IBD and should be explored as potential diagnostic or prognostic markers.
Reducing Burden and Sample Sizes in Multiday Household Travel Surveys
Authors: Stopher Peter R. , Kockelman Kara , Greaves Stephen P. , Clifford Eoin
Published: November 2008

Traditional household travel surveys ask respondents to report their travel behavior for a 24-h period, even though it is well known that travel patterns vary from day to day. Although this information provides an indication of average household behavior or travel on an average weekday, evidence suggests this method may not be the most cost-effective way to collect the data because day-to-day travel variability is substantial, requiring larger sample sizes. In addition, collecting multiday data provides a richness of information that simply cannot be captured with a 1-day survey, offering insights into, for example, differences in weekday versus weekend travel, the longer-term travel impacts of flexible work hours, and trip substitution and cycling patterns that emerge over the course of a week or more. Despite the intuitive appeal of multiday surveys, few examples and little information on sampling issues and sample size requirements are available. Given this situation, the reasons given for not doing multiday surveys (which center around respondent fatigue), why these issues are fast becoming irrelevant (through the use of new passive data-recording technologies), the sample size implications of extending a survey, and the potential for estimator efficiency and cost savings (even accounting for the cost of new technologies) when conducting multiday surveys are explored. The use of Global Positioning System–based travel distance data from Adelaide, South Australia, indicates that the sample size reductions are large; collecting multiday data is feasible, offering a richness not available in 1-day data; and the method results in cost-effective gains in estimator efficiency.
Use of Global Positioning System to Identify Crash Locations in South Carolina
Authors: Sarasua Wayne A. , Ogle Jennifer H. , Geoghegan Kevin
Published: November 2008

To overcome some of the issues with geocoding crash data based on traditional location referencing systems (i.e., route and distance to intersection, route and milepoint, or both), the South Carolina Department of Transportation purchased Global Positioning System (GPS) units for all enforcement agencies in South Carolina responsible for reporting crashes. Reporting officers were instructed to use the GPS units to determine coordinate location data for recording on the crash report. Some of the problems experienced when trying to geocode 3 years (2004 to 2006) of crash data for use in safety analysis are discussed. Overall, approximately 80% of the crash records were located within reasonable levels of accuracy. Trends in the errors over the 3 years indicate a potential for targeted training to significantly reduce error. Recommendations are provided to help improve the success rate of the geocoding process. These recommendations focus on training officers and data entry personnel, designing data entry filters, and possibly changing the crash report form.
Bayesian Combination of Travel Time Prediction Models
Authors: van Hinsbergen C. P. IJ. , van Lint J. W. C.
Published: November 2008

Short-term prediction of travel time is a central topic in contemporary intelligent transportation system (ITS) research and practice. Given the vast number of options, selecting the most reliable and accurate prediction model for one particular scientific or commercial application is far from a trivial task. One possible way to address this problem is to develop a generic framework that can automatically combine multiple models running in parallel. Existing combination frameworks use the error in the previous time steps. However, this method is not feasible in online applications because travel times are available only after they are realized; it implies that errors on previous predictions are unknown. A Bayesian combination framework is proposed instead. The method assesses whether a model is likely to produce good results from the current inputs given the data with which it was calibrated. A powerful feature of this method is that it automatically balances a good model fit with model complexity. With the use of two simple linear regression models as a showcase, this Bayesian combination is shown to improve prediction accuracy for real-time applications, but the method is sensitive in the event that all models are biased in a similar way. It is therefore recommended to increase the number and the diversity of the prediction models to be combined.
Relationship of Soil Moisture With The Incidence of Pod Rot In Peanut in West Texas1
Authors: Choppakatla V. , Wheeler T. A. , Schuster G. L. , Robinson C. , Porter D. O.
Published: November 2008

Pod rot is a problem on peanut in West Texas and many other areas. Crop consultants scouting fields assume that pod rot will be more severe in high moisture areas of the field, and therefore bias the intensity of their sampling to those areas. The objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship between soil moisture and pod rot incidence in irrigated fields. Studies were conducted in four fields located in Yoakum County, TX in 2002 and 2003. Surface soil moisture (0 to 12 cm in depth) was measured at 5 min and 24 hr after the center pivot irrigation system passed from each sampling point (20 to 34 points/field). Three plant samples were collected at each point in August and October, and were evaluated for pod rot incidence. In one field where Pythium spp., but not Rhizoctonia spp. was isolated from rotted pods, pod rot incidence in August was negatively correlated with soil moisture at 5 min (r  =  −0.41, P  =  0.04, n  =  25) and 24 hr (r  =  −0.43, P  =  0.03, n  =  25). No correlations between disease and soil moisture in the other three fields was found. Results from these studies suggest that pod rot associated with Pythium spp., or Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp., is not greater in wetter areas of irrigated peanut fields. A comprehensive approach to sampling, irrespective of soil moisture content, is essential for accurate estimation of pod rot.
Information Entropy of Influenza A Segment 7
Authors: Thompson William A. , Fan Shaohua , Weltman Joel K.
Published: November 2008

Information entropy (H) is a measure of uncertainty at each position within in a sequence of nucleotides.H was used to characterize a set of influenza A segment 7 nucleotide sequences. Nucleotide locations of high entropy were identified near the 5’ start of all of the sequences and the sequences were assigned to subsets according to synonymous nucleotide variants at those positions: either uracil at position six (U6), cytosine at position six (C6), adenine (A12) at position 12, guanine at position 12 (G12), adenine at position 15 (A15) or cytosine (C15) at position 15. H values were found to be correlated/corresponding (Kendall tau) along the lengths of the nucleotide segments of the subset pairs at each position. However, the H values of each subset of sequences were statistically distinguishable from those of the other member of the pair (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test). The joint probability of uncorrelated distributions of U6 and C6 sequences to viral subtypes and to viral host species was 34 times greater than for the A12:G12 subset pair and 214 times greater than for the A15:C15 pair. This result indicates that the high entropy position six of segment 7 is either a reporter or a sentinel location. The fact that not one of the H5N1 sequences in the dataset was a member of the C6 subset, but all 125 H5N1 sequences are members of the U6 subset suggests a non-random sentinel function.
A Study on Increasing Sensitivity of Rectangular Microcantilevers Used in Biosensors
Authors: Ansari Mohd.  Zahid , Cho Chongdu
Published: November 2008

This study proposes a new microcantilever design with a rectangular hole at the fixed end of the cantilever that is more sensitive than conventional ones. A commercial finite element analysis software ANSYS is used to analyze it. The Stoney equation is first used to calculate the surface stress induced moment, and then applied to the microcantilever free end to produce deflection. The stress analysis of the proposed and conventional designs is performed, followed by dynamic analysis of the proposed design. We found that the Sader equation is more accurate than Stoney in predicting cantilever deflections, and that for increasing the sensitivity of a microcantilever biosensor increasing the cantilever thickness is more practical.
El efecto de la heterogeneidad de las propiedades mecánicas de una unión soldada sobre la carga de plastificación de probetas de fractura tipo C(T) Y SE(B)
Authors: Donoso J. R. , Leiva R. , Labbé F.
Published: November 2008

Se determinaron, numéricamente, los valores de la carga de plastificación de probetas de geometría compacta C(T) y de flexión SE(B), bidimensionales, con cordón de soldadura de diferentes grados de desajuste entre los límites elásticos del material de soldadura y del metal base. Los valores de la carga de plastificación de las probetas bimetálicas se normalizaron mediante el Formato Común, con el objeto de analizar el efecto del cordón, tomando como referencia probetas de metal base (MB). En probetas sub-ajustadas (límite elástico del cordón menor que el de MB) la carga de plastificación normalizada disminuye, comparada con el límite elástico de MB. En probetas sobre-ajustadas (límite elástico del cordón mayor que el de MB) se produce un aumento de la carga de plastificación normalizada. Esta variación depende del grado de desajuste, y de la relación entre tamaño de cordón y longitud de grieta. Los resultados numéricos se compararon con valores experimentales obtenidos con probetas C(T) de uniones soldadas desajustadas del acero ASTM A 588.
Efecto antifouling de dos cubiertas saturadas de cobre aplicadas sobre estructuras de acero al carbono
Authors: Guiamet P. S. , Gómez de Saravia S. G.
Published: November 2008

El biofouling es la colonización por organismos sésiles en sistemas de sustratos hechos por el hombre. El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto antifouling de dos cubiertas saturadas de cobre. Los estudios se llevaron a cabo en un puerto de la Argentina (38°02’S-57°32’W). Durante seis meses, una serie de caños y paneles fueron removidos mensualmente para estimar el reclutamiento de las especies del macro y microfouling, y fueron sustituidos inmediatamente por caños y paneles limpios. La otra serie de caños y paneles fueron removidas desde el inicio de la exposición en forma acumulativa durante los seis meses, para seguir el desarrollo de la comunidad. Los datos obtenidos de los controles sin cubierta y de los caños y paneles con las cubiertas saturadas de cobre fueron comparados para estimar el comportamiento antifouling de las mismas. Una de las dos cubiertas saturadas de cobre demostró un buen efecto antifouling.
Espumas de aluminio. Fabricación, propiedades y aplicaciones
Authors: Gutiérrez-Vázquez J. A. , Oñoro J.
Published: November 2008

Las espumas de aluminio son materiales porosos que tienen una relevante combinación de propiedades físicas y mecánicas, tales como alta rigidez conjuntamente con un peso específico muy bajo. En este artículo se revisan la estructura, los procesos de fabricación y las propiedades físicas, químicas y mecánicas, así como las aplicaciones de las espumas de aluminio. Los procesos de fabricación se han clasificado atendiendo al estado de agregación en el cual se procesa el metal. El aluminio fundido puede espumarse, directamente, por inyección directa de gas o por la adición de agentes espumantes. Indirectamente, puede conseguirse la espumación llevando a fusión componentes procesados por sinterizado que tienen en su interior un agente espumante. Puede conseguirse la espumación de piezas sinterizadas en estado sólido por espumación de un gas inerte mediante tratamiento térmico. También, es posible obtener espumas de aluminio por electrodeposición o por deposición en fase vapor. En la segunda parte de este trabajo se analizan las propiedades físicas, químicas y mecánicas de las espumas de aluminio, así como las diferentes formas de caracterización. Por último, se detallan las aplicaciones de las espumas de aluminio, dividiéndolas en función de los diferentes sectores industriales.
Estudio del comportamiento durante la sinterización de mezclas WC-Co finas, ultrafinas y nanocristalinas obtenidas por molienda de alta energía
Authors: Salvador M. D. , Bonache V. , Amigó V. , Busquets D.
Published: November 2008

En este trabajo se ha estudiado el comportamiento, durante la sinterización, de mezclas WC-12Co finas, ultrafinas y nanométricas obtenidas por molienda de alta energía y de material nanométrico comercial, a fin de evaluar el efecto del tamaño de partícula y del proceso de obtención del polvo en la densificación, desarrollo microestructural y propiedades mecánicas del producto final. La consolidación de las mezclas se ha realizado mediante compactación uniaxial y sinterización en vacío y por compactación isostática en caliente. Los materiales sinterizados se han evaluado mediante medidas de densidad, dureza y tenacidad a fractura por indentación y se han caracterizado microestructuralmente mediante microscopía óptica y microscopía electrónica de barrido y de transmisión. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto las mejoras en comportamiento resistente de los materiales obtenidos a partir polvos nanométricos, a pesar del engrosamiento de grano experimentado durante la sinterización, destacando el material nanométrico de molienda, que presenta valores de dureza superiores a los 1.800 HV.
Musculoskeletal pain in women working in small‐scale agriculture in South Africa
Authors: Naidoo S. , Kromhout H. , London L. , Naidoo R.N. , Burdorf A.
Published: November 2008

Background

Musculoskeletal pain is associated with demographic, occupational and physical factors.

Methods

Our study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in 911 women working in small‐scale agriculture in rural northern KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa in 2006 using a questionnaire survey.

Results

In total, 67% (n = 574) of women reported any chronic musculoskeletal pain. The 12‐month prevalence of pain ranged from 63.9% to 73.3% and the prevalence of specific chronic pain lasting more than 3 months ranged from 42.8% to 48.3%. Older age, carrying heavy loads, working with hands above shoulder height, and frequently squatting and kneeling were associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusion

The prevalence of pain reported in our study, was similar to other developing countries, but considerably higher than in developed countries. Ergonomic interventions including improved and adapted work techniques and tools should be considered to reduce the prevalence of pain in our study population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:202–209, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Allelic variants in HTR3C show association with autism
Authors: Rehnström Karola , Ylisaukko‐oja Tero , Nummela Ilona , Ellonen Pekka , Kempas Elli , Vanhala Raija , von Wendt Lennart , Järvelä Irma , Peltonen Leena
Published: November 2008

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are severe neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong genetic component. Only a few predisposing genes have been identified so far. We have previously performed a genome‐wide linkage screen for ASDs in Finnish families where the most significant linkage peak was identified at 3q25‐27. Here, 11 positional and functionally relevant candidate genes at 3q25‐27 were tested for association with autistic disorder. Genotypes of 125 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined in 97 families with at least one individual affected with autistic disorder. The most significant association was observed using two non‐synonymous SNPs in HTR3C, rs6766410 and rs6807362, both resulting in P = 0.0012 in family‐based association analysis. In addition, the haplotype C‐C corresponding to amino acids N163‐A405 was overtransmitted to affected individuals (P = 0.006). Sequencing revealed no other variants in the coding region or splice sites of HTR3C. Based on the association analysis results in a previously identified linkage region, we propose that HTR3C represents a novel candidate locus for ASDs and should be tested in other populations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
No association between two polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene and combined type attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Xu X. , Duman E.A. , Anney R. , Brookes K. , Franke B. , Zhou K. , Buschgens C. , Chen W. , Christiansen H. , Eisenberg J. , Gabriëls I. , Manor I. , Marco R. , Müller U.C. , Mulligan A. , Rommelse N. , Thompson M. , Uebel H. , Banaschewski T. , Buitelaar J. , Ebstein R. , Gill M. , Miranda A. , Mulas F. , Oades R.D. , Roeyers H. , Rothenberger A. , Sergeant J. , Sonuga‐Barke E. , Steinhausen H.‐C. , Taylor E. , Faraone S.V. , Asherson P.
Published: November 2008

The article to which this erratum refers was published in Am J Med Genet Part B (2008) 147B: 1306–1309. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, Antiplatelet and Vasorelaxing Activities of Xanthone Derivatives
Authors: Lin Kai‐Wei , Fang Song‐Chwan , Hung Chi‐Feng , Shieh Bor‐Jinn , Yang Shyh‐Chyun , Teng Che‐Ming , Lin Chun‐Nan
Published: November 2008

A series of ω‐aminoalkoxylxanthones was synthesized and tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and cause vasorelaxing action. Compounds 4, 5, 12, 17, and 18 showed significant antiplatelet effects on thrombin‐, arachidonic acid (AA)‐, collagen‐, and platelet activating factor (PAF)‐induced washed rabbit platelet aggregation and exhibited inhibition of primary and secondary aggregation induced by adenosine‐5'‐diphosphate (ADP) in human platelet‐rich‐plasma (PRP). Compounds 4, 17, and 18 revealed vasorelaxing activities in rat thoracic aorta. We concluded that these compounds may be developed as new antithrombotic agents.
Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Activity of NewN‐(Alkyl/Sub‐stituted aryl)‐N′‐[4‐(5‐cyclohexylamino)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐yl)phenyl]thioureas
Authors: Karakus Sevgi , Koçyığıt‐Kaymakcioğlu Bedia , Toklu Hale Z. , Aricioglu Feyza , Rollas Sevim
Published: November 2008

A series of novel thiourea derivatives carrying the 5‐cylohexylamino‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole moiety was synthesized and their anticonvulsant activity was evaluated. Structures of the synthesized compounds have been confirmed by IR,1H‐NMR, and elemental analysis. All of the compounds were administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Some of the active compounds have different effects in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) tests, indicating the therapeutical potential in petit mal seizures, but not in grand mal seizures. Compounds10,11,13, and14carrying 2‐methylphenyl, 4‐chlorophenyl, allyl, and 4‐methylphenyl on the thiourea pharmacophore, increased the survival rate in the PTZ model. The ED50values of the active compounds10,11,13, and14were found 68.42, 43.75, 18.75 and 25 mg/kg, respectively.
Health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Panopalis Pantelis , Yazdany Jinoos , Gillis Joann Zell , Julian Laura , Trupin Laura , Hersh Aimee O. , Criswell Lindsey A. , Katz Patricia , Yelin Edward
Published: November 2008

Objective

To estimate health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the US.

Methods

Data were derived from the University of California, San Francisco Lupus Outcomes Study. Participants provided information on their health care resource use and employment. Cost estimates were derived for both direct health care costs and costs related to changes in work productivity. Direct health care costs included costs for hospitalizations, emergency department services, physician visits, outpatient surgical procedures, dialysis, and medications. Productivity costs were estimated by measuring changes in hours of work productivity since diagnosis of SLE; these estimates were also compared with normal US population data.

Results

For the total population of participants, the mean annual direct cost was $12,643 (2004 US dollars). The mean annual productivity cost for subjects of employment age (≥18 and <65 years) was $8,659. The mean annual total cost (direct and productivity) for subjects of employment age was $20,924. Regression results showed that greater disease activity, longer disease duration, and worse physical and mental health were significant predictors of higher direct costs; older age predicted lower direct costs. Older age, greater disease activity, and worse physical and mental health status were significant predictors of higher costs due to changes in work productivity.

Conclusion

Both direct health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity are substantial and both represent important contributors to the total costs associated with SLE.
Employment and health status changes among women with fibromyalgia: A five‐year study
Authors: Reisine Susan , Fifield Judith , Walsh Stephen , Forrest Deborah Dauser
Published: November 2008

Objective

To assess changes in health status of women with fibromyalgia (FM) over 5 years and determine whether baseline employment status influences health outcomes adjusting for other baseline factors.

Methods

Two hundred eighty‐seven women with FM were recruited from a national sample of rheumatologists and interviewed by phone at baseline and annually for 4 years. Data were collected on pain, fatigue, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (M‐HAQ) scores, demographic characteristics, and employment status. At the end of the study, 211 participants remained. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling techniques. Bootstrap methods adjusted for the cluster sampling.

Results

The participants' mean ± SD age was 47 ± 11 years, their mean ± SD education level was 14 ± 2 years, 90% were white, 50% employed, 64% married, and their median household income was ≥$50,000. Mean ± SD scores at baseline were 57.2 ± 24 for pain, 75.4 ± 22 for fatigue, 22.9 ± 13 for depression, and 0.73 ± 0.5 for the M‐HAQ. Multilevel modeling indicated that all health status measures declined significantly over time except for pain. Rates of change varied from −1.22 for fatigue to −0.03 for the M‐HAQ. Except for pain, patients who were employed at baseline had better health status over time. The employment and time interaction was not significant, indicating that health status changed at the same rate regardless of employment status. Other significant factors were age and income.

Conclusion

Employed women with FM have better health status at baseline and maintain that advantage over time. Employment does not seem to provide a protective health benefit.
Role of psychiatric comorbidity in chronic Lyme disease
Authors: Hassett Afton L. , Radvanski Diane C. , Buyske Steven , Savage Shantal V. , Gara Michael , Escobar Javier I. , Sigal Leonard H.
Published: November 2008

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence and role of psychiatric comorbidity and other psychological factors in patients with chronic Lyme disease (CLD).

Methods

We assessed 159 patients drawn from a cohort of 240 patients evaluated at an academic Lyme disease referral center. Patients were screened for common axis I psychiatric disorders (e.g., depressive and anxiety disorders); structured clinical interviews confirmed diagnoses. Axis II personality disorders, functional status, and traits like negative and positive affect and pain catastrophizing were also evaluated. A physician blind to psychiatric assessment results performed a medical evaluation. Two groups of CLD patients (those with post–Lyme disease syndrome and those with medically unexplained symptoms attributed to Lyme disease but without Borrelia burgdorferi infection) were compared with 2 groups of patients without CLD (patients recovered from Lyme disease and those with an identifiable medical condition explaining symptoms attributed to Lyme disease).

Results

After adjusting for age and sex, axis I psychiatric disorders were more common in CLD patients than in comparison patients (P = 0.02, odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.30–5.35), but personality disorders were not. Patients with CLD had higher negative affect, lower positive affect, and a greater tendency to catastrophize pain (P < 0.001) than comparison patients. All psychological factors except personality disorders were related to level of functioning. A predictive model based on these psychological variables was confirmed. Fibromyalgia was diagnosed in 46.8% of CLD patients.

Conclusion

Psychiatric comorbidity and other psychological factors distinguished CLD patients from other patients commonly seen in Lyme disease referral centers, and were related to poor functional outcomes.
Variance Component Estimation for Mixed Model Analysis of cDNA Microarray Data
Authors: Sarholz Barbara , Piepho Hans‐Peter
Published: November 2008

Microarrays provide a valuable tool for the quantification of gene expression. Usually, however, there is a limited number of replicates leading to unsatisfying variance estimates in a gene‐wise mixed model analysis. As thousands of genes are available, it is desirable to combine information across genes. When more than two tissue types or treatments are to be compared it might be advisable to consider the array effect as random. Then information between arrays may be recovered, which can increase accuracy in estimation. We propose a method of variance component estimation across genes for a linear mixed model with two random effects. The method may be extended to models with more than two random effects. We assume that the variance components follow a log‐normal distribution. Assuming that the sums of squares from the gene‐wise analysis, given the true variance components, follow a scaled χ2‐distribution, we adopt an empirical Bayes approach. The variance components are estimated by the expectation of their posterior distribution. The new method is evaluated in a simulation study. Differentially expressed genes are more likely to be detected by tests based on these variance estimates than by tests based on gene‐wise variance estimates. This effect is most visible in studies with small array numbers. Analyzing a real data set on maize endosperm the method is shown to work well. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Letter to the Editor
Authors: Berger Vance W.
Published: November 2008

Article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bimj.200710382

Authors reply http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bimj.200810480
Mechanisms of resistance to oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Sagara Yutaka , Tan Shirlee , Maher Pamela , Schubert David
Published: November 2008

It is likely that amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) mediates nerve cell death in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some nerve cell populations, however, remain undamaged in AD brain. To understand the biochemical basis for resistance to Aβ toxicity, a series of cell lines were isolated which are resistant to Aβ toxicity. It is shown that a major component of the resistance mechanism is the transcriptional elevation of two H2O2 degrading enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. These data support other evidence for the role of oxidative damage in Aβ toxicity, and suggest strategies for clinical approaches to the disease.
Cytotoxicity of paraquat in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes: effects of L‐carnitine
Authors: García‐Rubio L. , García‐Abad A. M. , Soler F. , Míguez M. P.
Published: November 2008

The effects of L‐carnitine, a mitochondrial carrier of fatty acids, on paraquat (PQ) cytotoxicity in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were studied. Addition of PQ (10 mM) to hepatocytes resulted in a time‐dependent depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) accompanied by an increase in accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the incubation medium which preceeded to a loss of cell viability. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with L‐carnitine (50 mM) alone did not affect cell viability or intracellular levels of GSH, or accumulation of MDA in the medium during the incubation period; however, pretreatment with L‐carnitine 30 min prior to PQ addition did promote the depletion of intracellular GSH and MDA accumulation induced by PQ, and ultimately enhanced the cytotoxicity of PQ.
Accentuation of paraquat‐induced toxicity by L‐carnitine in mice
Authors: Míguez M. P. , Soler F. , García‐Rubio L.
Published: November 2008

The effects of L‐carnitine on toxicity induced by paraquat (PQ) in mice were investigated. L‐carnitine pretreatment surprisingly promoted the toxicity of PQ in a dose‐dependent manner shortening the survival time. The maximum effect occurred when L‐carnitine, at a dose of 16 mmol/kg, was intraperitoneally administered 30 min before an intraperitoneal injection of PQ (75 mg/kg). Lipid peroxidation in lung significantly increased 6 h after PQ administration. L‐carnitine accelerated this effect since L‐carnitine‐pretreated mice already showed a significant increase of lung malondialdehyde 1 h after PQ administration. In liver, PQ administration did not produce lipid peroxidation; nevertheless L‐carnitine‐pretreated mice showed a significant increase of malondialdehyde 6 h after PQ administration. Lung and liver glutathione decreased in mice receiving only PQ but this effect was not significantly changed by L‐carnitine pretreatment. These results indicate that L‐carnitine accelerates PQ‐induced mortality rate by facilitating lipid peroxidation.
Influence of dietary lipids on lipoprotein composition and LDL Cu2+‐induced oxidation in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis
Authors: Ramírez‐Tortosa M. C. , Aguilera C. M. , Quiles J. L. , Gil A.
Published: November 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the composition of plasma lipoproteins and their susceptibility to oxidation in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis provoked by the intake of a diet rich in cholesterol and saturated fat as well as the influence of the intake of four diets differing in their lipid profiles (fish (F), refined olive (R), virgin olive (V) and sunflower (S) oils) on plasma lipoprotein composition and suceptibility to oxidation of these atherosclerotic rabbits. Plasma and lipoproteins concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides were markedly higher in atherosclerotic rabbits but decreased with the experimental diets. LDL oxidation damage increased in atherosclerotic rabbits; the F diet led to a higher LDL oxidation susceptibility, whereas groups fed either S, R, or V showed LDL oxidation values close to those of the control group. Diets rich in monounsaturated and n‐3 polyunsaturated oils showed the same efficacy in restoring the normal lipid profiles in atherosclerotic rabbits provided the fish oil is adequately stabilized with antioxidants.
Role of cysteine and glutathione in signal transduction, immunopathology and cachexia
Authors: Dröge W. , Hack V. , Breitkreutz R. , Holm E. , Shubinsky G. , Schmid E. , Galter D.
Published: November 2008

Abnormally low plasma cystine levels have been found in the late asymptomatic stage of HIV infection and several other diseases associated with progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass. The phenomenon is commonly associated with a low NK cell activity, skeletal muscle wasting or muscle fatigue and increased rates of urea production. In its extreme form, the negative nitrogen balance leads to overt cachexia and is associated with severe debilitation and psychological stress. The low NK cell activity is in most cases not life‐threatening but may be disasterous in HIV infection, because it may compromise the initially stable balance between immune system and virus and trigger disease progression. This review summarizes briefly (i) the role of cysteine in the physiological regulation of body cell mass and the development of skeletal muscle wasting, and (ii) the role of glutathione in the immune system.
Lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in erythrocyte membranes of full term and preterm newborns
Authors: Huertas J. R. , Palomino N. , Ochoa J. J. , Quiles J. L. , Ramírez‐Tortosa M. C. , Battino M. , Robles R. , Mataix J.
Published: November 2008

The most probable factor connecting premature infant problems such as retinopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage and chronic lung disease appears to be the excessive production of oxygen free radicals which can occur as a consequence of oxygen therapy. The aim of our investigation was to elucidate the possible correlations between lipid peroxidation, in this study measured as hydroperoxides production, and antioxidant concentrations in erythrocyte membranes of both full term and preterm infants. Hydroperoxide concentrations were found to be high, especially in premature infants, in erythrocyte membranes at birth and in the initial days of life. The erythrocyte membranes were also found to contain low levels and/or low activites of antioxidant defense mechanisms which was more evident in premature newborns where α‐tochopherol levels were significantly lower in comparison to full term infant levels. Furthermore, when premature infants undergo oxygen therapy these effects were exacerbated. These results demostrate that at birth, particulary in the premature newborn, the degree of oxidative stress outweighs the antioxidant defense mechanisms.
Randomized clinical trial of enteral yeast‐selenium supplementation in preterm infants
Authors: Bogye Gábor , Alfthan Georg , Machay Tamás
Published: November 2008

There are no data in the literature on effects of supplementing infants with yeast‐selenium. We therefore studied the impact of selenium‐enriched yeast on the serum selenium concentration of preterm infants living in a selenium‐low area (Hungary). Twenty‐eight preterm infants with a mean ± SD birthweight of 962 ± 129 g and a gestational age of 27 ± 1 weeks were randomized into two groups at birth with respect to selenium supplementation. In the supplemented group (n=14) infants received 4.8 mg yeast containing 5 μg selenium daily with naso‐gastric drip during the first 14 postnatal days. The nonsupplemented infants were used as a reference group. In the supplemented group the serum selenium concentration increased from 32.1 ± 8.5 μg/l to 41.5 ± 6.5 μg/l and in the nonsupplemented group it decreased from 25.9 ± 6.8 μg/l to 18.2 ± 6.4 μg/l within two weeks. The serum glutathione peroxidase activity increased from 2.97 ± 0.73 U/20 μl to 6.42 ± 3.11 U/20 μl in the supplemented group, and it did not change significantly (from 3.53 ± 0.94 U/20 μl to 3.85 ± 0.95 U/20 μl) in the nonsupplemented group. We did not observe any complications or side effects in connection with enteral yeast‐selenium supplementation. It is concluded that selenium‐enriched yeast is a safe and an effective form of short term enteral selenium supplementation for preterm infants.
Enhanced oxidative damage in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Domínguez C. , Gartner S. , Liñán S. , Cobos N. , Moreno A.
Published: November 2008

Antioxidant depletion and increased free radical production by inflammatory cells have been described in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. To evaluate oxidative damage intensity, we measured plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides and protein carbonyl groups as markers of oxidative injury to lipids and proteins in a group of 101 CF patients free of acute exacerbation, and in 43–112 controls. Moreover, we estimated antioxidant function by measuring activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and vitamin E concentrations. In CF patients, malondialdehyde and hydroperoxide plasma levels were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.001). Increased lipid peroxidation was documented by these two markers. Parallel rises in protein carbonyls in plasma of CF patients were observed (p < 0.0001). These patients presented biochemical but not clinical vitamin E deficiency. Glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly higher than in controls. These results show a serious imbalance in CF patients between oxidant—antioxidant status leading to oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress in β‐thalassemia: hemoglobin α‐chains activate peroxidation of low density lipoproteins
Authors: Altamentova Svetlana M. , Shaklai Nurith
Published: November 2008

Under oxidative stress normal hemoglobin (HbA) can trigger oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Hb variants like isolated HbA chains possess higher peroxidative reactivity than the normal tetramer HbA. Because isolated Hb chains undergo fast autoxidation, a process yielding peroxidants, we studied the relative peroxidative activity of α‐ and β‐chains as well as of HbA without additional peroxidant. The descending order of relative oxidation of LDL protein ApoB (assessed by its crosslinking) and lipids (determined as formation of conjungated diens) was: α‐chains > β‐chains > HbA. The results of our study indicate that extracellular chains may be the trigger of lipoproteins alterations observed in β‐thalassemia.
Studies on the Selective Trifluoroacetolytic Scission of Native Peptaibols and Model Peptides Using HPLC and ESI‐CID‐MS
Authors: Theis Christoph , Degenkolb Thomas , Brückner Hans
Published: November 2008

Representative members of a group of linear, N‐acylated polypeptide antibiotics (peptaibols) containing α‐aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) and, in part, isovaline (Iva), as well as proteinogenic amino acids and a C‐terminal‐bonded 2‐amino alcohol, were treated with anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at 37° for 0.5–26 h. The resulting fragments were separated by HPLC and characterized by electrospray ionization collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry (ESI‐CID‐MS). The following 16–20‐residue peptaibols were investigated: natural, microheterogeneous mixtures of antiamoebins and alamethicin F50, uniform paracelsin A, and synthetic trichotoxin A50/E. In the natural peptides, bonds formed between Aib (Iva) and Pro (Hyp) were rapidly and selectively cleaved within 0.5 h. Furthermore, TFA esters of the C‐terminal amino alcohols were formed. Depending on time, release of C‐terminal tri‐ and tetrapeptides as well as amino acids from the major fragments was observed. Synthetic homooligopeptides, namely Z‐ and Ac‐(Aib)10‐OtBu and Z‐(Aib)7‐OtBu, were analyzed for comparison. On treatment with TFA, a regular series of Z‐(Aib)10–5‐OH from Z‐(Aib)10‐OtBu were detected within 0.5 h, and, after 3 h, release of a regular series of Z‐(Aib)7–3‐OH from Z‐(Aib)7‐OtBu were observed. Moreover, concomitant release of the series of H‐(Aib)10–3‐OH from the decapeptide occurred. From these data, a repetitive cleavage mechanism via intermediate formation of C‐terminal oxazolones on trifluoroacetolysis is proposed. Furthermore, their formation and stability in native peptaibols are correlated with subtle structural differences in protein amino acids linked to Aib. From the conspicuous concordance of the formation and abundance of regular series of trifluoroacetolytic fragments and of positive ions of the b‐series in CID‐MS, the generation of intermediate oxazolonium ions in both gas and liquid phase is concluded.
Properties of Recombinant Staphylococcus haemolyticus Cystathionine β‐Lyase (metC) and Its Potential Role in the Generation of Volatile Thiols in Axillary Malodor
Authors: Troccaz Myriam , Benattia Faiza , Borchard Gerrit , Clark Anthony J.
Published: November 2008

Enzymes implicated in cysteine and methionine metabolism such as cystathionine β‐lyase (CBL; EC 4.4.1.8), a pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate (PLP)‐dependent carbon–sulfur lyase, have been shown to play a central role in the generation of sulfur compounds. This work describes the unprecedented cloning and characterization of the metC‐cystathionine β‐lyase from the axillary‐isolated strain Staphylococcus haemolyticus AX3, in order to determine its activity and its involvement in amino acid biosynthesis, and in the generation of sulfur compounds in human sweat. The gene contains a cysteine/methionine metabolism enzyme pattern, and also a sequence capable to effect β‐elimination. The recombinant enzyme was shown to cleave cystathionine into homocysteine and to convert methionine into methanethiol at low levels. No odor was generated after incubation of the recombinant enzyme with sterile human axillary secretions; sweat components were found to have an inhibitory effect. These results suggest that the generation of sulfur compounds by Staphylococci and the β‐lyase activity in human sweat are mediated by enzymes other than the metC gene or by the concerted activities of more than one enzyme.