bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Mimics Attention Deficit Disorder
Authors: Blesch Lauri , Breese McCoy Sarah J.
Published: March 2013

Attention deficit and hyperactivity are known possible symptoms or correlates of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, these associations may be missed in children, because children often fail to report excessive daytime sleepiness, and attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common primary diagnoses in themselves. We report on a 17-year-old, slender, non-snoring male who presented to his pediatrician with a prolonged history of four complaints: inattention, fidgeting, frequent sinusitis, and somnolence. He was diagnosed with ADHD, while the somnolence, which often abated somewhat upon use of antibiotics for sinusitis, was attributed to the sinus infections. A later sleep study revealed OSA, and thorough additional testing proved that the original ADHD diagnosis was in error. All four conditions were allayed with proper use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Assessing possible selection bias in a national voluntary MS longitudinal study in Australia
Authors: Taylor Bruce V , Palmer Andrew , Simpson Steve , Lucas Robyn ,   NZMSPS study group, Simmons Rex D , Mason Deborah , Pearson John , Clarke Glynnis , Sabel Clive , Willoughby Ernie , Richardson Anne , Abernethy David
Published: March 2013

Background:

Surveying volunteer members of a multiple sclerosis registry is a very cost-effective way of assessing the impact of the disease on life outcomes. However, whether the data from such a study can be generalised to the whole population of persons living with MS in a country or region is unclear.

Methods:

Here we compare the demographic and disease characteristics of participants in one such study, the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study (AMSLS), with two well-characterised MS prevalence studies with near-complete ascertainment of MS in their study regions.

Results:

Although some differences were found, these largely represented the effects of geography (sex ratios) and local factors (national immunomodulatory therapy prescribing requirements), and the cohorts were otherwise comparable. Overall, despite comprising only 12–16% of MS cases in Australia, the AMSLS is highly representative of the MS population.

Conclusions:

Therefore with some minor caveats, the AMSLS data can be generalised to the whole Australasian MS population. Volunteer disease registries such as this can be highly representative and provide an excellent convenience sample when studying rare conditions such as MS.
Pharmacoepidemiology and the Australian regional prevalence of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hollingworth Samantha , Walker Kimitra , Page Andrew , Eadie Mervyn
Published: March 2013

Background:

Over some 50 years, field surveys have shown that the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) increases with increasing distance from the equator in both the northern and the southern hemispheres. Such a latitudinal gradient has been found in field surveys of MS prevalence carried out at different times in various local regions of Australia.

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to use a pharmacoepidemiological approach to obtain whole of population estimates of the prevalence of MS in the various Australian states and territories from the use of MS disease-modifying drugs used to treat relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS).

Methods:

We analysed the dispensed use of subsidised RRMS drugs by jurisdiction.

Results:

In the 2005–2008 period, the calculated mean treated RRMS prevalence in Australia ranged from 7.5 per 100,000 in the far north to 53.2 per 100,000 in the extreme south and was linearly related to increasing southerly latitude. Public domain Australian data suggested that multiplying this prevalence by a factor of 2.2 (to account for untreated RRMS and other types of MS) may provide a measure of the prevalence of all varieties of the disease.

Conclusion:

These findings provide contemporary and more comprehensive evidence for the gradient of MS prevalence with latitude in Australia than has previously been available.
A comparative study of CSF neurofilament light and heavy chain protein in MS
Authors: Kuhle Jens , Plattner Kim , Bestwick Jonathan P , Lindberg Raija L , Ramagopalan Sreeram V , Norgren Niklas , Nissim Ahuva , Malaspina Andrea , Leppert David , Giovannoni Gavin , Kappos Ludwig
Published: March 2013

Background:

There is a lack of reliable biomarkers of axonal degeneration. Neurofilaments are promising candidates to fulfil this task. We compared two highly sensitive assays to measure two subunits of the neurofilament protein (neurofilament light (NfL) and neurofilament heavy chain (NfH)).

Methods:

We evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of the UmanDiagnostics NF-light® enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a group of 148 patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or multiple sclerosis (MS), and 72 controls. We compared our results with referring levels of our previously-developed CSF NfHSMI35 assay.

Results:

Exposure to room temperature (up to 8 days) or repetitive thawing (up to 4 thaws) did not influence measurement of NfL concentrations. Values of NfL were higher in all disease stages of CIS/MS, in comparison to controls ( p ≤ 0.001). NfL levels correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score in patients with relapsing disease ( rs = 0.31; p = 0.002), spinal cord relapses and with CSF markers of acute inflammation. The ability of NfL to distinguish patients from controls was greater than that of NfHSMI35 in both CIS patients ( p = 0.001) and all MS stages grouped together ( p = 0.035).

Conclusions:

NfL proved to be a stable protein, an important prerequisite for a reliable biomarker, and the NF-light® ELISA performed better in discriminating patients from controls, compared with the ECL-NfHSMI35 immunoassay. We confirmed and expanded upon previous findings regarding neurofilaments as quantitative markers of neurodegeneration. Our results further support the role of neurofilaments as a potential surrogate measure for neuroprotective treatment in MS studies.
Multi-scale analysis of linear data in a two-dimensional space
Authors: Qiang Yi , Chavoshi Seyed H , Logghe Steven , De Maeyer Philippe , Van de Weghe Nico
Published: March 2013

Many disciplines are faced with the problem of handling time-series data. This study introduces an innovative visual representation for time series, namely the continuous triangular model. In the continuous triangular model, all subintervals of a time series can be represented in a two-dimensional continuous field, where every point represents a subinterval of the time series, and the value at the point is derived through a certain function (e.g. average or summation) of the time series within the subinterval. The continuous triangular model thus provides an explicit overview of time series at all different scales. In addition to time series, the continuous triangular model can be applied to a broader sense of linear data, such as traffic along a road. This study shows how the continuous triangular model can facilitate the visual analysis of different types of linear data. We also show how the coordinate interval space in the continuous triangular model can support the analysis of multiple time series through spatial analysis methods, including map algebra and cartographic modelling. Real-world datasets and scenarios are employed to demonstrate the usefulness of this approach.
A quantitative multidamage monitoring method for large-scale complex composite
Authors: Qiu Lei , Liu Menglong , Qing Xinlin , Yuan Shenfang
Published: March 2013

Modern structures on aircraft make increasing use of large-scale composite structures. Quantitative damage monitoring for composites, including damage occurrence, number, localization, and size estimation, will help reduce maintenance costs, improve fleet management efficiency through condition-based maintenance, and potentially more rapidly enable new material systems and structural concepts by integrating health monitoring into the design itself. With the advantage of easily interpretable, intuitive, and accurate imaging result, the delay-and-sum imaging algorithm is frequently researched and applied to damage monitoring. However, when it is applied to multidamage monitoring in large-scale composites, the consumed time and computation resource are too much for pixel value calculation. Besides, due to the material anisotropy and existence of bolt holes and stiffeners in the researched complex carbon fiber composite laminate, propagation mechanism of Lamb wave is quite complicated, which makes the conventional localization result not accurate by delay-and-sum algorithm according to the point with pixel peak value. What is more, the imaging quality is deteriorated with concurrence of multiple damages, and thus, quantitative damage information cannot be extracted. Hence, the damage index merging algorithm is introduced for quick damage identification and damage merging in every subarea divided by piezoelectric sensor array. The delay-and-sum imaging algorithm is performed afterward only in subareas identified with damages, which significantly improves the efficiency of damage imaging for large-scale composites. The nonlinear normalization of pixel values compensates the deterioration of multidamage imaging quality. Then, a weighted average algorithm is introduced for more accurate localization. A further damage size level estimation is realized with probabilities by extracting the image pixel peak value. Experiments with six damages simultaneously on the complex carbon fiber laminate verify the effectiveness of the proposed quantitative multidamage monitoring algorithm with localization error below 2 cm and correct damage number and size level estimation.
A Modest Proposal
Authors: Marsh Leslie , Diers Donna , Jenkins Allan
Published: March 2013

Rural health care has achieved a new focus of attention with the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This article argues that nurse practitioners may be an important resource to help rural hospitals, especially critical access hospitals (CAH), achieve their mission of community service while protecting their always-delicate financial sustainability. Nurse practitioners’ scope of practice is well suited to the needs of rural patients, and their ability to participate in expanding preventive services is especially essential in remote areas. Barriers to nurse practitioner practice include restrictive state laws and federal and state policies.
Work Related Injury Among Aging Women
Authors: Harrison Tracie , LeGarde Brittany , Kim SunHun , Walker Janiece , Blozis Shelley , Umberson Debra
Published: March 2013

This article reports the experiences of women aged 55 to 75 with mobility impairments who attributed aspects of their limitations to workplace injuries and provides insight into worker’s compensation policies. The study sample includes Mexican American (MA) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) women aged 55 to 75 who participated in a 4-year ethnographic study of disablement. Ninety-two of the 122 participants in the study attributed aspects of their functional limitations to employment, and their experiences were analyzed using data from 354 meetings. Using Lipscomb and colleagues’ conceptual model of work and health disparities, the women’s experiences were grouped into three categories according to type of injury, assistance gained, and the consequences of a workplace injury; the results have broad implications for policies that influence aging outcomes. Workplace injuries causing permanent functional limitations compound the effects of age and gender on employment outcomes. Policies addressing health disparities should consider work related influences.
Involvement of Heat Shock Protein 70 in the DNA Protective Effect From Estrogen
Authors: Dong Yilong , Wang Yanmei , Yu Haijing , Liu Yanyong , Yang Nan , Zuo Pingping
Published: March 2013

As an endogenous cytoprotective factor, the protection of estrogen and heat shock protein-70 (Hsp70) on DNA has been documented, respectively, but the functional interaction between estrogen and Hsp70 on DNA damage repair is largely unknown. We therefore investigated the relation between estrogen and Hsp70 in terms of DNA protection in in vitro. The findings showed a significant reduction in cell survival and elevation in oxidative stress while cells were exposed to amyloid β (Aβ25-35) peptide, but preincubation of the cells with 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) ameliorated this situation. In addition, 17β-E2 alleviated oxidized DNA damage induced by Aβ and elevated the expression of Hsp70. However, the beneficial properties of 17β-E2 on reducing DNA damage were attenuated when Hsp70 gene was silenced accordingly. These results indicate that Hsp70 plays a role in DNA protection mediated by estrogen, and the DNA protection may be involved in Alzheimer’s disease preventive effect from estrogen.
What’s In A Name: A poem on the prison industrial complex
Authors: Johnson Robert
Published: March 2013

A poem using a cooking metaphor for the prison industrial complex.
Police race relations in the Big Society: Continuity and change
Authors: Holdaway Simon
Published: March 2013

In British politics, it is clear that the idea of the ‘Big Society’ encompasses many aspects of state activity and civil society, including the work of constabularies. Implications of ideas related to the Big Society implemented in police policy and practice, particularly in the area of police race relations, are considered in this article. No matter what changes that may take place, they will be mediated by the police occupational culture, which itself might be changed by Big Society ideas and concurrent, significant cuts to police budgets. The article begins with a consideration of whether we adequately understand how police organizations change. Janet Chan’s use of Bourdieu’s ideas on the relationship between ‘field’ and ‘habitus’ is criticized. In light of this discussion, the article considers aspects of police race relations. In particular, the implications of ‘seeing like a citizen’ and ‘participative policing’, Big Society ideas identified by Martin Innes, are discussed.
Co-activation through TLR4 and TLR9 but not TLR2 skews Treg-mediated modulation of Igs and induces IL-17 secretion in Treg:B cell co-cultures
Authors: Adjobimey Tomabu , Satoguina Judith , Oldenburg Johannes , Hoerauf Achim , Layland Laura E
Published: March 2013

Whereas Th17 cells are associated with aggravated inflammation, regulatory T cells (Tregs) provide an environment to control overt responses. Nevertheless, Tregs display a certain degree of plasticity demonstrating that T cell differentiation processes are not absolute. Previously, we showed that human Treg clones induced B cells to produce IgG4. Here we focus on the actions of freshly isolated CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127dim Tregs on Ig production by B cells and the consequences of prior TLR activation of B cells. In the absence of TLR stimuli, Tregs, but not conventional T cells, dampened B cell proliferation, plasma cell formation and, with the exception of IgG4, all other Ig production. Although IgG4 levels were unchanged in total B cell:Treg co-cultures, levels were increased in Treg co-cultures of naive, but not memory, B cells. Triggering TLR on B cells skewed both Ig and cytokine secretion patterns and, surprisingly, Tregs within TLR4- and TLR9- but not TLR2-triggered B cell co-cultures up-regulated retinoic acid related orphan receptor (RORC) and produced IL-17. These data indicate that under conditions like bacterial or viral infections, B cells can escape Treg control, and provides an explanation as to why patients suffering from allergy or helminth infections display polar immunopathological symptoms despite being exposed to the same agent.
Surgical castration for androgen-deprivation therapy of prostate cancer – relevance in current practice
Authors: Rajasundaram Ramanan , Gunendran Thiru , George Nicholas
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Rapid control of the disease is essential in the management of patients with critical and symptomatic metastatic prostate cancer. Pharmacological castration has become the main form of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer, with luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists being used in more than 90% of cases. Surgical castration has become the less preferred modality. This article aims to explore the clinical and economic advantages of bilateral sub-capsular orchidectomy (BSCO).

Method:

Pre- and post-operative serial testosterone levels were taken from patients who had BSCO for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The half-life of testosterone was calculated. The cost of surgical castration on the National Health Service (NHS) was compared to the cost of LHRH agonists.

Results:

Ten patients with a median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 93 ng/ml (range 26 to 4557 ng/ml) were included. Their mean random pre-operative testosterone level was 13.8 ng/ml (range 6.8 to 21.8 ng/ml). The mean half-life of testosterone was 61.7 minutes when calculated from the first two hours, and 67 minutes when calculated from the total drop with no significant variation ( p = 0.464). Four patients reached castrate levels of testosterone within four to six hours. The total cost of an inpatient BSCO in the NHS was £850 to £1154. This was more or less equivalent to one year’s worth of the commonly used LHRH agonists without including the cost of medical services.

Conclusions:

Testosterone has a short half-life and reaches castrate levels within hours of the BSCO procedure. Rapid castration by BSCO would benefit patients with critical metastatic disease. BSCO on the NHS in patients with more than one year of life expectancy is also economically beneficial.
Pioneering robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in a regional UK centre: first 100 cases with a minimum 12 months’ follow-up
Authors: Bishop Conrad V , Boustead Gregory , Lane Tim , McNicolas Tom , Adshead Jim
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) has become an increasingly popular choice of treatment for prostate cancer, but there is a paucity of published outcome data in the UK. We aim to assess the safety and feasibility of RALP at a regional UK hospital.

Methods:

The first 100 cases of RALP performed by four surgeons at our institution were analysed. Demographic, clinical, surgical, pathological and outcome data were collected with a minimum of 12 months’ follow up.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 60.7 years. The D’Amico risk stratifications were 41% low risk, 55% intermediate risk and 4% high risk. The median operating time was 245 min (150–522 min) and the median blood loss was 200ml (50–1800ml). Eighty-four per cent were pathological T1/T2; 16% were T3/T4. The positive margin rate was 22% with T3/T4 disease the dominant risk factor ( p<0.05). The stage specific positive margin rate was 16.7% for T1/T2 and 50.0% for T3/T4 disease. At 12-month follow-up the pad free continence rate was 82.0%. The 0–1 pad rate was 96%. The 12-month potency rates were 62.8% for bilateral nerve spare and 31.8% for unilateral nerve spare procedures. Two patients experienced biochemical recurrence at six and 18 months, respectively.

Conclusion:

RALP is a safe and feasible procedure at a regional non-teaching hospital.
A unique presentation of varicella-zoster neuropathy with a thoracolumbar rash and acute urinary retention
Authors: Walkden GJ , Ryan N
Published: March 2013

A 47-year-old female presented to a tertiary centre with a rare case of acute urinary retention (AUR) with a concomitant vesicular rash over the thoracic region that was clinically consistent with unilateral herpes zoster reactivation.

Diagnosis was made by clinical examination. She was managed conservatively and discharged with oral aciclovir.
Systematic Observations of Neighborhood Order
Authors: Harvey Lynn K. , Di Luca Kristen L. , Hefner M. Kristen , Frabutt James M. , Shelton Terri L.
Published: March 2013

A systematic pre- and postintervention neighborhood observation constituted one component of the evaluation of an initiative to eliminate a street-drug market. Analysis focused on multiple indicators of social and physical order and disorder, as well as physical decay. No noticeable changes were found, but variations in physical and social attributes between the market area and other segments of the neighborhood were revealed. These results suggest lessons that can be learned—and questions that should be considered—with regard to the application of the neighborhood observation methodology to an evaluation of this type of strategic, community-based initiative.
Bosniak IIF renal cysts: is there a malignancy potential?
Authors: Elmussareh Muhammad , Moazzam Muhammad , De Anirban , Rajesh Arumugam , Khan Masood A
Published: March 2013

Objective:

To assess the radiological and clinical outcomes of patients with Bosniak IIF in our centre.

Methods:

We retrospectively analysed patients diagnosed with complex renal cysts classified as Bosniak IIF on contrast computed tomography imaging in our centre between March 2003 and September 2008. Surveillance images of Bosniak IIF were reviewed to determine radiological progression and clinical outcomes.

Results:

Forty patients with 42 category IIF cysts were included in our study (median age 68 years (range 38–88 years), median follow-up of 29 months (range 5–77 months)). Only one IIF cyst showed radiological progression to category III after a follow-up of 42 months (progression rate of 2.5%). Twenty-two cysts increased in size (mean 10.7 mm, range 3–41 mm), 10 cysts showed reduction in size (mean 7.9 mm, range 3–17 mm) and 10 cysts remained stable. Five patients died during surveillance and none of them had cause of death attributed to renal cancer or its complication.

Conclusions:

Our study has demonstrated that surveillance for Bosniak IIF cyst is a safe strategy. Furthermore, routine follow-up may not be required in all patients. However, longer term study is required before this can be confirmed.
Genome-wide association study of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in Angus cattle
Authors: Kizilkaya Kadir , Tait Richard G , Garrick Dorian J , Fernando Rohan L , Reecy James M
Published: March 2013

Background

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) in beef cattle, commonly known as pinkeye, is a bacterial disease caused by M
o
r
a
x
e
l
l
a
bovis. IBK is characterized by excessive tearing and ulceration of the cornea. Perforation of the cornea may also occur in severe cases. IBK is considered the most important ocular disease in cattle production, due to the decreased growth performance of infected individuals and its subsequent economic effects. IBK is an economically important, lowly heritable categorical disease trait. Mass selection of unaffected animals has not been successful at reducing disease incidence. Genome-wide studies can determine chromosomal regions associated with IBK susceptibility. The objective of the study was to detect single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with genetic variants associated with IBK in American Angus cattle.

Results

The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by markers was 0.06 in the whole genome analysis of IBK incidence classified as two, three or nine categories. Whole-genome analysis using any categorisation of (two, three or nine) IBK scores showed that locations on chromosomes 2, 12, 13 and 21 were associated with IBK disease. The genomic locations on chromosomes 13 and 21 overlap with QTLs associated with Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, clinical mastitis or somatic cell count.

Conclusions

Results of these genome-wide analyses indicated that if the underlying genetic factors confer not only IBK susceptibility but also IBK severity, treating IBK phenotypes as a two-categorical trait can cause information loss in the genome-wide analysis. These results help our overall understanding of the genetics of IBK and have the potential to provide information for future use in breeding schemes.
Endogenous cholinergic tone modulates spontaneous network level neuronal activity in primary cortical cultures grown on multi-electrode arrays
Authors: Hammond Mark W , Xydas Dimitris , Downes Julia H , Bucci Giovanna , Becerra Victor , Warwick Kevin , Constanti Andrew , Nasuto Slawomir J , Whalley Benjamin J
Published: March 2013

Background

Cortical cultures grown long-term on multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) are frequently and extensively used as models of cortical networks in studies of neuronal firing activity, neuropharmacology, toxicology and mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. However, in contrast to the predominantly asynchronous neuronal firing activity exhibited by intact cortex, electrophysiological activity of mature cortical cultures is dominated by spontaneous epileptiform-like global burst events which hinders their effective use in network-level studies, particularly for neurally-controlled animat (‘artificial animal’) applications. Thus, the identification of culture features that can be exploited to produce neuronal activity more representative of that seen in vivo could increase the utility and relevance of studies that employ these preparations. Acetylcholine has a recognised neuromodulatory role affecting excitability, rhythmicity, plasticity and information flow in vivo although its endogenous production by cortical cultures and subsequent functional influence upon neuronal excitability remains unknown.

Results

Consequently, using MEA electrophysiological recording supported by immunohistochemical and RT-qPCR methods, we demonstrate for the first time, the presence of intrinsic cholinergic neurons and significant, endogenous cholinergic tone in cortical cultures with a characterisation of the muscarinic and nicotinic components that underlie modulation of spontaneous neuronal activity. We found that tonic muscarinic ACh receptor (mAChR) activation affects global excitability and burst event regularity in a culture age-dependent manner whilst, in contrast, tonic nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) activation can modulate burst duration and the proportion of spikes occurring within bursts in a spatio-temporal fashion.

Conclusions

We suggest that the presence of significant endogenous cholinergic tone in cortical cultures and the comparability of its modulatory effects to those seen in intact brain tissues support emerging, exploitable commonalities between in vivo and in vitro preparations. We conclude that experimental manipulation of endogenous cholinergic tone could offer a novel opportunity to improve the use of cortical cultures for studies of network-level mechanisms in a manner that remains largely consistent with its functional role.
Pertussis re-emergence in the post-vaccination era
Authors: Chiappini Elena , Stival Alessia , Galli Luisa , de Martino Maurizio
Published: March 2013

Background

Resurgence of pertussis in the post-vaccination era has been reported in Western countries. A shift of cases from school-age children to adolescents, adults and children under 1 year of age has been described in the last decade, and mortality rates in infants are still sustained. We aimed to review and discuss the possible vaccination strategies which can be adopted in order to improve the pertussis control, by searches of Pubmed, and websites of US and European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1st January 2002, and 1st March 2013.

Discussion

The following vaccination strategies have been retrieved and analysed: the cocooning strategy, the immunization of pregnant women and newborns, vaccination programs for preschool children, adolescents, adults and health-care workers. Cost-effectiveness studies provide some contrasting data, mainly supporting both maternal vaccination and cocooning. Adolescent and/or adult vaccination seems to be cost-effective, however data from observational studies suggest that this vaccination strategy, used alone, leads to a reduced pertussis burden globally, but does not affect the disease incidence in infants. Moreover, substantial logistical and economic difficulties have to be overcome to vaccinate the largest number of individuals.

The simultaneous use of more than one strategy, including cocooning strategy plus vaccination of adolescents and adults, seems to be the most reasonable preventive measure. The development of new highly immunogenic and efficacious pertussis vaccines continues to be a primary objective for the control of pertussis.
Perceived physical activity barriers related to body weight status and sociodemographic factors among Malaysian men in Klang Valley
Authors: Ibrahim Suraya , Karim Norimah A , Oon Ng Lai , Ngah Wan Zurinah Wan
Published: March 2013

Background

Physical inactivity has been acknowledged as a public health issue and has received increasing attention in recent years. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the barriers to physical activity among Malaysian men. These barriers were analyzed with regards to sociodemographic factors, physical activity level, BMI and waist circumference.

Methods

Subjects in this study included 308 Malay men and 422 Chinese men aged 20 years and older. Subjects completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a questionnaire on barriers to physical activity, categorized into personal and psychological, physical and social environment barriers. Weight, height and waist circumference were also measured and BMI was calculated.

Results

Descriptive analyses showed that 79.3% of subjects were married, 52.1% had secondary educational level, 68.8% were still working, and 39.7% had household income between RM1500 to RM3500. The perception that other recreational activities with family and friends were more fun was the most frequently reported barrier, followed by weather, lack of discipline, lack of free time, lack of money, and lack of friends. Marriage status, educational level, household income, BMI, and physical activity status were shown to be associated with perceived barriers.

Conclusions

To increase participation in physical activity, policy makers should consider significant personal, social and environmental barriers when developing appropriate intervention programmes. Health-promoting strategies that increase awareness, knowledge, skills and motivation related to physical activity are required.
Proteomic analysis of elite soybean Jidou17 and its parents using iTRAQ-based quantitative approaches
Authors: Qin Jun , Gu Feng , Liu Duan , Yin Changcheng , Zhao Shuangjin , Chen Hao , Zhang Jianan , Yang Chunyan , Zhan Xu , Zhang Mengchen
Published: March 2013

Background

Derived from Hobbit as the female parent and Zao5241 as the male parent, the elite soybean cultivar Jidou17 is significantly higher yielding and shows enhanced qualities and stronger resistance to non-biological stress than its parents. The purpose of this study is to understand the difference in protein expression patterns between Jidou17 and its parental strains and to evaluate the parental contributions to its elite traits.

Results

Leaves (14 days old) from Jidou17 and its parental cultivars were analysed for differential expressed proteins using an iTRAQ-based (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) method. A total of 1269 proteins was detected, with 141 and 181 proteins in Jidou17 differing from its female and male parent, respectively. Functional classification and an enrichment analysis based on biological functions, biological processes, and cellular components revealed that all the differential proteins fell into many functional categories but that the number of proteins varied greatly for the different categories, with enrichment in specific categories. A pathway analysis indicated that the differentiated proteins were mainly classified into the ribosome assembly pathway. Protein expression clustering results showed that the expression profiles between Jidou17 and its female parent Hobbit were more similar than those between Jidou17 and its male parent Zao5241 and between the two parental strains. Therefore, the female parent Hobbit contributed more to the Jidou17 genotype.

Conclusions

This study applied a proven technique to study proteomics in 14-day-old soybean leaves and explored the depth and breadth of soybean protein research. The results provide new data for further understanding the mechanisms of elite cultivar development.
Changes in quality of life into adulthood after very preterm birth and/or very low birth weight in the Netherlands
Authors: van Lunenburg Afra , van der Pal Sylvia M , van Dommelen Paula , van der Pal – de Bruin Karin M , Bennebroek Gravenhorst Jack , Verrips Gijsbert HW
Published: March 2013

Background

It is important to know the impact of Very Preterm (VP) birth or Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW). The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of adults born VP or with a VLBW, between age 19 and age 28.

Methods

The 1983 nationwide Dutch Project On Preterm and Small for gestational age infants (POPS) cohort of 1338 VP (gestational age <32 weeks) or VLBW (<1500 g) infants, was contacted to complete online questionnaires at age 28. In total, 33.8% of eligible participants completed the Health Utilities Index (HUI3), the London Handicap Scale (LHS) and the WHOQoL-BREF. Multiple imputation was applied to correct for missing data and non-response.

Results

The mean HUI3 and LHS scores did not change significantly from age 19 to age 28. However, after multiple imputation, a significant, though not clinically relevant, increase of 0.02 on the overall HUI3 score was found. The mean HRQoL score measured with the HUI3 increased from 0.83 at age 19 to 0.85 at age 28. The lowest score on the WHOQoL was the psychological domain (74.4).

Conclusions

Overall, no important changes in HRQoL between age 19 and age 28 were found in the POPS cohort. Psychological and emotional problems stand out, from which recommendation for interventions could be derived.
Nonlocal semilinear evolution equations without strong compactness: theory and applications
Authors: Benedetti Irene , Malaguti Luisa , Taddei Valentina
Published: March 2013

A semilinear multivalued evolution equation is considered in a reflexive Banach space. The nonlinear term has convex, closed, bounded values and a weakly sequentially closed graph when restricted to its second argument. No strong compactness is assumed, neither on the evolution operator generated by the linear part, or on the nonlinear term. A wide family of nonlocal associated boundary value problems is investigated by means of a fixed point technique. Applications are given to an optimal feedback control problem, to a nonlinear hyperbolic integro-differential equation arising in age-structure population models, and to a multipoint boundary value problem associated to a parabolic partial differential equation.

MSC:34G25, 34B10, 34B15, 47H04, 28B20, 34H05.
Comparative absorption, distribution, and excretion of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles after repeated oral administration
Authors: Cho Wan-Seob , Kang Byeong-Cheol , Lee Jong Kwon , Jeong Jayoung , Che Jeong-Hwan , Seok Seung Hyeok
Published: March 2013

Background

The in vivo kinetics of nanoparticles is an essential to understand the hazard of nanoparticles. Here, the absorption, distribution, and excretion patterns of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles following oral administration were evaluated.

Methods

Nanoparticles were orally administered to rats for 13 weeks (7 days/week). Samples of blood, tissues (liver, kidneys, spleen, and brain), urine, and feces were obtained at necropsy. The level of Ti or Zn in each sample was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Results

TiO2 nanoparticles had extremely low absorption, while ZnO nanoparticles had higher absorption and a clear dose-response curve. Tissue distribution data showed that TiO2 nanoparticles were not significantly increased in sampled organs, even in the group receiving the highest dose (1041.5 mg/kg body weight). In contrast, Zn concentrations in the liver and kidney were significantly increased compared with the vehicle control. ZnO nanoparticles in the spleen and brain were minimally increased. Ti concentrations were not significantly increased in the urine, while Zn levels were significantly increased in the urine, again with a clear dose-response curve. Very high concentrations of Ti were detected in the feces, while much less Zn was detected in the feces.

Conclusions

Compared with TiO2 nanoparticles, ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated higher absorption and more extensive organ distribution when administered orally. The higher absorption of ZnO than TiO2 nanoparticles might be due to the higher dissolution rate in acidic gastric fluid, although more thorough studies are needed.
Molars and incisors: show your microarray IDs
Authors: Laugel-Haushalter Virginie , Paschaki Marie , Thibault-Carpentier Christelle , Dembelé Doulaye , Dollé Pascal , Bloch-Zupan Agnès
Published: March 2013

Background

One of the key questions in developmental biology is how, from a relatively small number of conserved signaling pathways, is it possible to generate organs displaying a wide range of shapes, tissue organization, and function. The dentition and its distinct specific tooth types represent a valuable system to address the issues of differential molecular signatures. To identify such signatures, we performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of developing murine lower incisors, mandibular molars and maxillary molars at the developmental cap stage (E14.5).

Results

231 genes were identified as being differentially expressed between mandibular incisors and molars, with a fold change higher than 2 and a false discovery rate lower than 0.1, whereas only 96 genes were discovered as being differentially expressed between mandibular and maxillary molars. Numerous genes belonging to specific signaling pathways (the Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt, FGF, TGFβ/BMP, and retinoic acid pathways), and/or to the homeobox gene superfamily, were also uncovered when a less stringent fold change threshold was used. Differential expressions for 10 out of 12 (mandibular incisors versus molars) and 9 out of 10 selected genes were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). A bioinformatics tool (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) used to analyze biological functions and pathways on the group of incisor versus molar differentially expressed genes revealed that 143 genes belonged to 9 networks with intermolecular connections. Networks with the highest significance scores were centered on the TNF/NFκB complex and the ERK1/2 kinases. Two networks ERK1/2 kinases and tretinoin were involved in differential molar morphogenesis.

Conclusion

These data allowed us to build several regulatory networks that may distinguish incisor versus molar identity, and may be useful for further investigations of these tooth-specific ontogenetic programs. These programs may be dysregulated in transgenic animal models and related human diseases leading to dental anomalies.
Memory B cell compartment constitution and susceptibility to recurrent lower respiratory tract infections in young children
Authors: Siebert Johan N , L’Huillier Arnaud G , Grillet Stéphane , Delhumeau Cécile , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Posfay-Barbe Klara M
Published: March 2013

A quantitative or qualitative defect in the memory B cell compartment is not identified in young children with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections.

A proportion of children have recurrent LRTIs, mostly as a result of Spn, which persist after 2 years of age. Here, we investigate, by flow cytofluorometry, the constitution of the memory B cell compartment in 90 healthy children and 49 children with recurrent LRTIs to determine if an increased susceptibility to recurrent LRTIs results from a delayed or abnormal ontogeny with poor antibody-mediated protection. Total IgA, IgM, IgG, and IgG subclasses were measured by nephelometry, as well as antipneumococcal antibodies by ELISA. Pneumococcal vaccination status was obtained. We show that the memory B cells increase between birth and 2 years of age (1.6% vs. 21.1%, P<0.001) without further significant increase noted per additional years (3–4 years old: 23.3%; 4–5 years old: 22.2%, P>0.40) to reach adult-like values (31.8±11.8%, P=0.08). Proportions of switched and IgM memory B cells were similar in children and adults. Comparatively, LRTI children had no delay in the constitution of their memory B cell compartment (2–3 years old: 26.9%; 3–4 years old: 18.2%; 4–5 years old: 26.8%, P>0.05). Their switched and IgM memory B cells were similar among age categories, and the distribution was overall similar to that of healthy controls. LRTI children had normal total and pneumococcal serotype-specific antibody values but showed a rapid waning of antipneumococcal antibody levels after vaccination. In summary, our results show that the memory B cell compartment is already similarly constituted at 2 years of age in healthy and LRTI children and thus, cannot explain the increased susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia. However, the waning of antibodies might predispose children to recurrent infections in the absence of revaccination.
Outcome Prediction in Primary Resected Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Histology-Specific Overall Survival and Disease-Free Survival Nomograms Built on Major Sarcoma Center Data Sets
Authors: Gronchi Alessandro , Miceli Rosalba , Shurell Elizabeth , Eilber Fritz C. , Eilber Frederick R. , Anaya Daniel A. , Kattan Michael W. , Honoré Charles , Lev Dina C. , Colombo Chiara , Bonvalot Sylvie , Mariani Luigi , Pollock Raphael E.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Integration of numerous prognostic variables not included in the conventional staging of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (RPS) is essential in providing effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to build a specific nomogram for predicting postoperative overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with primary RPS.

Patients and Methods

Data registered in three institutional prospective sarcoma databases were used. We included patients with primary localized RPS resected between 1999 and 2009. Univariate (Kaplan and Meier plots) and multivariate (Cox model) analyses were carried out. The a priori chosen prognostic covariates were age, tumor size, grade, histologic subtype, multifocality, quality of surgery, and radiation therapy. External validation was performed by applying the nomograms to the patients of an external cohort. The model's discriminative ability was estimated by means of the bootstrap-corrected Harrell C statistic.

Results

In all, 523 patients were identified at the three institutions (developing set). At a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range, 22 to 72 months), 171 deaths were recorded. Five- and 7-year OS rates were 56.8% (95% CI, 51.4% to 62.6%) and 46.7% (95% CI, 39.9% to 54.6%. Two hundred twenty-one patients had disease recurrence. Five- and 7-year DFS rates were 39.4% (95% CI, 34.5% to 45.0%) and 35.7% (95% CI, 30.3% to 42.1%). The validation set consisted of 135 patients who were identified at the fourth institution for external validation. The bootstrap-corrected Harrell C statistics for OS and DFS were 0.74 and 0.71 in the developing set and 0.68 and 0.69 in the validating set.

Conclusion

These nomograms accurately predict OS and DFS. They should be used for patient counseling in clinical practice and stratification in clinical trials.
Cancer Cachexia in the Age of Obesity: Skeletal Muscle Depletion Is a Powerful Prognostic Factor, Independent of Body Mass Index
Authors: Martin Lisa , Birdsell Laura , MacDonald Neil , Reiman Tony , Clandinin M. Thomas , McCargar Linda J. , Murphy Rachel , Ghosh Sunita , Sawyer Michael B. , Baracos Vickie E.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Emerging evidence suggests muscle depletion predicts survival of patients with cancer.

Patients and Methods

At a cancer center in Alberta, Canada, consecutive patients with cancer (lung or GI; N = 1,473) were assessed at presentation for weight loss history, lumbar skeletal muscle index, and mean muscle attenuation (Hounsfield units) by computed tomography (CT). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Concordance (c) statistics were used to test predictive accuracy of survival models.

Results

Body mass index (BMI) distribution was 17% obese, 35% overweight, 36% normal weight, and 12% underweight. Patients in all BMI categories varied widely in weight loss, muscle index, and muscle attenuation. Thresholds defining associations between these three variables and survival were determined using optimal stratification. High weight loss, low muscle index, and low muscle attenuation were independently prognostic of survival. A survival model containing conventional covariates (cancer diagnosis, stage, age, performance status) gave a c statistic of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.79), whereas a model ignoring conventional variables and including only BMI, weight loss, muscle index, and muscle attenuation gave a c statistic of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.88 to 0.95; P < .001). Patients who possessed all three of these poor prognostic variables survived 8.4 months (95% CI, 6.5 to 10.3), regardless of whether they presented as obese, overweight, normal weight, or underweight, in contrast to patients who had none of these features, who survived 28.4 months (95% CI, 24.2 to 32.6; P < .001).

Conclusion

CT images reveal otherwise occult muscle depletion. Patients with cancer who are cachexic by the conventional criterion (involuntary weight loss) and by two additional criteria (muscle depletion and low muscle attenuation) share a poor prognosis, regardless of overall body weight.
Systematic Review of Quality Improvement Interventions Directed at Cancer Specialists
Authors: Coory Michael , White Victoria M. , Johnson Kristin S. , Hill David J. , Jefford Michael , Harrison Simon , Winship Ingrid , Millar Jeremy , Giles Graham G.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Summary evidence on the effectiveness of quality improvement interventions (QIIs) directed at cancer specialists is needed for two reasons. First, there are some innovations over which only cancer specialists have control (eg, surgical technique or chemotherapy regimen). Second, implementation of QIIs has opportunity costs; the time and money spent on an ineffective QII might be better spent on direct patient care.

Methods

Medical Subject Headings and text words for “quality improvement” were combined with those for “neoplasm” to search MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE from January 1990 to August 2012 for studies of QIIs directed at cancer specialists (eg, medical/radiation oncologist, surgeon). All study designs were included.

Results

Five thousand seven hundred eighty-one articles were screened, but only 12 met the inclusion criteria, including three cluster randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), seven uncontrolled before-and-after comparisons, and two cross-sectional studies. All 12 studies were conducted in response to concerns about quality of care. No cRCT showed a benefit of the QIIs tested. Some uncontrolled before-and-after and cross-sectional studies reported a benefit from the QII, but these studies are difficult to interpret because of concerns about uncontrolled confounding. Interventions in all studies were multifaceted, but descriptions of different components were limited, and only one study examined their separate impact.

Conclusion

The published evidence about how to facilitate timely and consistent adoption of new clinical knowledge by cancer specialists into everyday clinical practice is thin. More investment is needed in research about the solution (QIIs) to match the investment in research about the problem (inconsistent/slow adoption of innovative cancer treatments).