bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of plain vertebral X‐ray and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry for the identification of older women for fracture prevention in primary care
Authors: Robinson P. J. , Bell R. J. , Lanzafame A. , Segal L. , Kirby C. , Piterman L. , Davis S. R. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundRecently, the dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) diagnostic cut‐off (T‐score) for Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) supported primary fracture prevention therapy with alendronate for older women (>70 years) has been changed from −3.0 to −2.5.AimTo examine the impact of the expanded criteria for PBS‐supported fracture prevention therapy in older women on case finding and cost.MethodsOne thousand, nine hundred and eighty‐three women, median age 76 years, not previously known to have low bone mineral density by DXA or a vertebral fracture underwent DXA scanning and a thoracolumbar X‐ray. A woman was considered eligible for fracture prevention therapy if she had a T‐score ≤−2.5 at the femoral neck and/or the lumbar vertebrae (two to four) or at least one vertebral fracture of ≥20% deformity.ResultsSeven hundred and forty‐six women (37.6%) met the new criteria as a case for PBS‐subsidised fracture prevention therapy. Four hundred and thirty‐one (21.7%) had a T‐score ≤−2.5 on DXA compared with 10.6% (n = 210) with a T‐score ≤−3.0. Four hundred and eighty‐three (24.4%) had at least one vertebral fracture. Only 8.5% (n = 168) had both a T‐score ≤−2.5 and a prevalent vertebral fracture. The cost per case found by DXA equated to $460 compared with $398 for screening by thoracolumbar X‐ray.ConclusionsThe use of either DXA or X‐ray will identify approximately two‐thirds of women aged 70 years and over who would be eligible for fracture prevention. The use of X‐ray would identify a marginally larger number of women and at lower financial cost but involve substantially greater radiation exposure.
Influence of flood‐stress on ambrosia beetle host‐selection and implications for their management in a changing climate
Authors: Ranger Christopher M. , Reding Michael E. , Schultz Peter B. , Oliver Jason B. 
Published: August 2012

Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) is a key pest of ornamental nursery trees. Ethanol is the most attractive semiochemical known for X. germanus, and its emission from trees represents a primary host‐selection cue. Ethanol production is induced by a variety of abiotic and biotic stressors, which could thereby predispose trees to attack by ethanol‐responsive ambrosia beetles.
To better understand X. germanus host‐selection behaviour within ornamental nurseries, a series of experiments examined the influence of flood‐stress on the attractiveness and susceptibility of flowering dogwood Cornus florida L. Under field conditions, more X. germanus were attracted to experimentally flood‐stressed dogwoods than neighbouring nonflooded controls in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Flood‐stressed dogwoods were also preferentially attacked in 2009–2011, although no attacks occurred on any of the neighbouring nonflooded trees.
Solid‐phase microextraction‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry detected ethanol in stem tissue from flooded dogwoods but not nonflooded trees. Acetaldehyde, acetic acid and ethanol were also emitted from the outer bark of flooded dogwoods but not nonflooded trees.
These results demonstrate that X. germanus preferentially lands on and attacks physiologically‐stressed hosts, and further support the role of ethanol in mediating this interaction.
Attacks by X. germanus have previously been suspected to occur on trees viewed as ‘apparently‐healthy’, although the possibility of such trees being in apparently‐stressed at the time of attack cannot be ruled out given the results obtained in the present study. Minimizing the impact of stressors known to induce the production of ethanol should be the primary foundation of a management plan for X. germanus and other ethanol‐responsive ambrosia beetles.
The impact of intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms and ethnic diversity for studies on the obesity gene FTO
Authors: Jacobsson J. A. , Schiöth H. B. , Fredriksson R. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryIn 2007, the first common genetic variants were identified, which undoubtedly affect our susceptibility to obesity. These variants are located in the fat mass and obesity‐associated gene FTO. Since then, over 50 loci for common obesity have been identified. As the research on these loci is still at an early stage, there is a great need to review, for clarification purposes, the current research on FTO, as this is likely to influence future studies. Based on the current knowledge, FTO seems to be directly involved in the regulation of energy intake, but there is an urgent need for the identification of regulatory polymorphisms. Thus, herein, we discuss current knowledge and highlight putative functional regions in FTO based on published data and computer‐based analysis.
PARAMETRIC FRACTIONAL IMPUTATION FOR NON‐IGNORABLE CATEGORICAL MISSING DATA WITH FOLLOW‐UP
Authors: Kim Ji Young 
Published: August 2012

SummaryIncomplete data subject to non‐ignorable non‐response are often encountered in practice and have a non‐identifiability problem. A follow‐up sample is randomly selected from the set of non‐respondents to avoid the non‐identifiability problem and get complete responses. Glynn, Laird, & Rubin analyzed non‐ignorable missing data with a follow‐up sample under a pattern mixture model. In this article, maximum likelihood estimation of parameters of the categorical missing data is considered with a follow‐up sample under a selection model. To estimate the parameters with non‐ignorable missing data, the EM algorithm with weighting, proposed by Ibrahim, is used. That is, in the E‐step, the weighted mean is calculated using the fractional weights for imputed data. Variances are estimated using the approximated jacknife method. Simulation results are presented to compare the proposed method with previously presented methods.
Impact of educational intervention on implementation of tobacco counselling among oral health professionals: a cluster‐randomized community trial
Authors: Amemori Masamitsu , Virtanen Jorma , Korhonen Tellervo , Kinnunen Taru H. , Murtomaa Heikki 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectivesTobacco use adversely affects oral health. Clinical guidelines recommend that oral health professionals promote tobacco abstinence and provide patients who use tobacco with brief tobacco use cessation counselling. Research shows that these guidelines are seldom implemented successfully. This study aimed to evaluate two interventions to enhance tobacco use prevention and cessation (TUPAC) counselling among oral health professionals in Finland.MethodsWe used a cluster‐randomized community trial to test educational and fee‐for‐service interventions in enhancing TUPAC counselling among a sample of dentists (n = 73) and dental hygienists (n = 22) in Finland. Educational intervention consisted of 1 day of training, including lectures, interactive sessions, multimedia demonstrations and a role play session with standard patient cases. Fee‐for‐service intervention consisted of monetary compensation for providing tobacco use prevention or cessation counselling. TUPAC counselling procedures provided were reported and measured using an electronic dental records system. In data analysis, intent‐to‐treat principles were followed at both individual and cluster levels. Descriptive analysis included chi‐square and t‐tests. A general linear model for repeated measures was used to compare the outcome measures by intervention group.ResultsOf 95 providers, 73 participated (76.8%). In preventive counselling, there was no statistically significant time effect or group‐by‐time interaction. In cessation counselling, statistically significant group‐by‐time interaction was found after a 6‐month follow‐up (F = 2.31; P = 0.007), indicating that counselling activity increased significantly in intervention groups. On average, dental hygienists showed greater activity in tobacco prevention (F = 12.13; P = 0.001) and cessation counselling (F = 30.19; P < 0.001) than did dentists. In addition, cessation counselling showed a statistically significant provider‐by‐group‐by‐time interaction (F = 5.95; P < 0.001), indicating that interventions to enhance cessation counselling were more effective among dental hygienists.ConclusionsEducational intervention yielded positive short‐term effects on cessation counselling, but not on preventive counselling. Adding a fee‐for‐service to education failed to significantly improve TUPAC counselling performance. Other approaches than monetary incentives may be needed to enhance the effectiveness of educational intervention. Further studies with focus on how to achieve long‐term changes in TUPAC counselling activity among oral health professionals are needed.
Comparison of the transcutaneous bilirubinometers BiliCheck and Minolta JM‐103 in preterm neonates
Authors: Ebbesen Finn , Vandborg Pernille K , Trydal Torleif 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAim:  To investigate the trueness and uncertainty of two transcutaneous bilirubinometers BiliCheck and Minolta JM‐103 in preterm infants; establish cut‐off values for the transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level, indicating the need for total serum bilirubin (TsB) measurement; and estimate how many blood samples could be saved.Methods:  In 133 neonates with gestational ages 28+0–34+6 weeks, 239 measurements of TcB by BiliCheck (TcB(B)) and JM‐103 (TcB(M)) and of TsB were performed.Results:  Median TsB of the first samples was 160 (range, 53–293) μmol/L, whereas median TcB(B) was 12 μmol/L (8%) lower and TcB(M) 67 μmol/L (40%) lower. TcB(B) underestimated TsB for TsB ≥180μmol/L. All TcB(M) values, except one, underestimated TsB. The underestimation increased with increasing TsB. Multiple regression analysis showed that post‐natal age and ethnicity were confounding factors for TcB(M); none were found for TcB(B). The uncertainty was the same for the two instruments. By using cut‐off values of 70% of the phototherapy limit for TcB(B) and 35% for TcB(M), the sensitivity of the screening would be 95% and 97%, and 36% and 24% of the blood samples could be saved, respectively.Conclusion:  TcB determined with JM‐103 gave values much lower than those obtained with BiliCheck. The underestimation of TsB increased with increasing concentrations. By using transcutaneous bilirubinometers in preterm neonates, 24–36% of the blood samples could be saved.
Influence of Serum in Hemodialysis Patients on the Expression of Intestinal and Hepatic Transporters for the Excretion of Pravastatin
Authors: Tsujimoto Masayuki , Hatozaki Daisuke , Shima Daisuke , Yokota Hitoshi , Furukubo Taku , Izumi Satoshi , Yamakawa Tomoyuki , Minegaki Tetsuya , Nishiguchi Kohshi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIt is known that the lipid‐lowering agent pravastatin, which is not metabolized by cytochrome P450, is eliminated as an unchanged drug in bile and urine. It is interesting to note that the non‐renal clearance of pravastatin in end‐stage renal failure patients is decreased compared with that of healthy volunteers. This study investigated the influence of uremic serum and toxins on the transport mechanisms of pravastatin to elucidate the cause of decreased non‐renal clearance in end‐stage renal failure patients. Caco‐2 and Hep3B cells were used as models of intestinal epithelial cells and hepatocytes respectively. Normal and uremic serum were deproteinized by treatment with methanol. 3‐Carboxy‐4‐methyl‐5propyl‐2‐furanpropanoic acid (CMPF), hippuric acid, indole‐3‐acetic acid, 3‐indoxyl sulfate, and p‐cresol were chosen as uremic toxins. Uremic serum‐treated Caco‐2 cells exhibited significantly increased accumulation of pravastatin and significantly decreased expression of MRP2 mRNA compared with normal serum‐treated Caco‐2 cells. In addition, the expression of MRP2 mRNA tended to decrease in cells treated with CMPF, indole‐3‐acetic acid, or 3‐indoxyl sulfate. Uremic serum‐treated Hep3B cells showed a significantly decreased initial uptake rate of pravastatin; furthermore, the expressions of OATP1B1 and OATP2B1 mRNA were decreased compared to normal serum‐treated Hep3B cells. These results suggest that the decrease in the non‐renal clearance of pravastatin in end‐stage renal failure patients is partly induced by the downregulation of intestinal MRP2 and hepatic OATP1B1 and/or OATP2B1 by various uremic toxins in end‐stage renal failure patients.
Regional Citrate Anticoagulation for High Volume Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis in Surgical Patients With High Bleeding Risk
Authors: Kalb Robert , Kram Rainer , Morgera Stanislao , Slowinski Torsten , Kindgen‐Milles Detlef 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAcute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy occurs in up to 10% of all intensive care unit patients. Those who are hemodynamically unstable are often treated with continuous renal replacement therapy requiring continuous anticoagulation of the extracorporeal circuit. This is usually achieved by infusion of unfractionated heparin, which subsequently increases the risk of bleeding. To avoid systemic anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy, regional anticoagulation with citrate has been introduced. We studied safety and efficacy of regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous venovenous hemodialysis in surgical patients requiring high dialysis doses. This was an observational prospective study in a 40‐bed surgical intensive care unit at a university hospital. During a 12‐month study period, all consecutive critically ill patients with high risk of bleeding requiring continuous renal replacement therapy continuous renal replacement therapy were treated with citrate anticoagulation for continuous venovenous hemodialysis. Prescribed dialysis dose was 45 mL/kg per h with a 10% increase for expected downtime. We studied filter lifetime, delivered dialysis dose, control of acid–base status, bleeding episodes, and adverse effects, that is, citrate intolerance. The total number of filters analyzed in 75 patients was 100. Mean (± standard deviation) filter running time was 78 ± 25 h. Fifty‐one circuits had to be renewed because of extended filter running time (96 ± 18 h), 33 discontinued for reasons not related to renal replacement therapy (62 ± 19 h), and 13 due to filter clotting (58 ± 18 h). The mean dialysis dose during the first 72 h was 49 ± 14 mL/kg per h. Overall, acid–base status after 72 h was well controlled in 62% of patients, metabolic alkalosis (pH > 7.45) occurred in 29%, and metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.35) in 9%. In one patient, treatment was stopped because of citrate accumulation. Citrate intoxication or overt bleeding episodes were not observed. Regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous venovenous hemodialysis is a safe and effective method to deliver a high dialysis dose in critically ill patients with a high risk of bleeding. Filter patency was excellent, acid–base status was well controlled, and clinically relevant adverse effects were not observed. Therefore, citrate anticoagulated continuous venovenous hemodialysis is a useful treatment option for patients with acute kidney injury requiring high dialysis doses and at risk of bleeding.
Relating Prenatal Testosterone Exposure to Postnatal Behavior in Typically Developing Children: Methods and Findings
Authors: Constantinescu Mihaela , Hines Melissa 
Published: August 2012

AbstractTestosterone levels during early development influence subsequent sex‐typical behavior. These influences were initially identified in experimental research on nonhuman species. Additional research—primarily investigating individuals exposed to atypical hormone environments due to genetic disorders or maternal treatment with hormones during pregnancy—suggested that testosterone also influences the development of sex‐typical behavior in humans. There is also interest in identifying relations between normal variability in the early hormone environment and normal variability in subsequent behavior. This article reviews studies that have assessed prenatal testosterone exposure in typically developing children using amniotic fluid sampling or maternal blood sampling. It concludes that both these approaches are promising, but both require larger samples than those used in most studies to date. Recommendations for future research also include using outcome measures that show sex differences, analyzing data within each sex, considering the time of day (as well as the time of gestation) when samples were taken, and reporting all the measures evaluated, not just those showing significant effects.
Protective Properties of Novel S‐Acyl‐Glutathione Thioesters Against Ultraviolet‐induced Oxidative Stress
Authors: Wright Daniel , Zampagni Mariagioia , Evangelisti Elisa , Conti Simona , D'Adamio Giampiero , Goti Andrea , Becatti Matteo , Fiorillo Claudia , Taddei Niccolò , Cecchi Cristina , Liguri Gianfranco 
Published: August 2012

AbstractUV‐induced toxicity is characterized by marked oxidative stress, accompanied by the depletion of key cellular antioxidants, particularly glutathione (GSH). Replenishing cellular GSH may represent a means of counteracting UV‐induced toxicity: however, treatment with free GSH is not therapeutically effective due to its unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, we show that S‐acyl‐glutathione (acyl‐SG) derivatives, which consist of an acyl chain (of variable length and saturation) linked via a thioester bond to GSH, increase intracellular levels of reduced GSH in primary skin fibroblasts, adenocarcinoma HeLa and neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells. Consistent with this, acyl‐SG derivatives protect against UV‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and UV‐B/C‐mediated lipid peroxidation and caspase‐3 activation in the analyzed cell lines, with unsaturated thioesters displaying a significantly greater protective effect. Taken together, our findings suggest that acyl‐SG thioesters may be therapeutically effective in the treatment of UV‐related skin disorders and oxidative stress‐mediated conditions in general.
Interactive effects of inbreeding and endocrine disruption on reproduction in a model laboratory fish
Authors: Bickley Lisa K. , Brown Andrew R. , Hosken David J. , Hamilton Patrick B. , Le Page Gareth , Paull Gregory C. , Owen Stewart F. , Tyler Charles R. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractInbreeding depression is expected to be more severe in stressful environments. However, the extent to which inbreeding affects the vulnerability of populations to environmental stressors, such as chemical exposure, remains unresolved. Here we report on the combined impacts of inbreeding and exposure to an endocrine disrupting chemical (the fungicide clotrimazole) on zebrafish (Danio rerio). We show that whilst inbreeding can negatively affect reproductive traits, not all traits are affected equally. Inbreeding depression frequently only became apparent when fish were additionally stressed by chemical exposure. Embryo viability was significantly reduced in inbred exposed fish and there was a tendency for inbred males to sire fewer offspring when in direct competition with outbred individuals. Levels of plasma 11‐ketotestosterone, a key male sex hormone, showed substantial inbreeding depression that was unaffected by addition of the fungicide. In contrast, there was no effect of inbreeding or clotrimazole exposure on egg production. Overall, our data provide evidence that stress may amplify the effects of inbreeding on key reproductive traits, particularly those associated with male fitness. This may have important implications when considering the consequences of exposure to chemical pollutants on the fitness of wild populations.
Quality and transparency of overviews of systematic reviews
Authors: Li Lun , Tian Jinhui , Tian Hongliang , Sun Rao , Liu Yali , Yang Kehu 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the reporting and methodological quality of overviews of systematic reviews.Method: We developed an 18‐item assessment tool for overviews of systematic reviews. We then performed a systematic search for such overviews using the terms (‘overview’ AND (‘meta analys*’ OR ‘systematic review*’)) OR ‘umbrella review’ in the title. We only included those overviews that were limited to systematic reviews or meta‐analyses. Their methodological and reporting quality were assessed by two independent reviewers using the checklist, and differences were resolved by a third reviewer. Data analyses was conducted by SPSS version 15.0 for Windows.Results: We identified 41 overviews of systematic reviews whose mean total reporting score was 10.78 (SD 3.84) and methodological score 3.05 (SD 2.09). Some important items were not adequately reported: only 69% reported defined eligibility criteria, 76% reported search strategy, 49% reported the process of review selection, 44% reported the data collection process, 5% reported evaluating the reporting quality, 46% reported evaluating methodological quality, and 20% reported assessing the evidence level for each outcome.Conclusion: The reporting and methodological quality of overviews of systematic reviews was very poor, and there is still much room for improvement. A checklist for overviews of systematic reviews should be developed and used.
Sitagliptin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhan Mei , Xu Ting , Wu Fengbo , Tang Yao 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the benefits and harms of sitagliptin in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials (Cochrane Library). We used the method recommend by the Cochrane Collaboration to perform a meta‐analysis of RCTs of sitagliptin therapy for type 2 diabetes.Results: Of 817 studies retrieved in the literature search, 18 were eligible for inclusion. When sitagliptin was compared with placebo there was a statistically significant reduction in haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (MD = 0.74, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.85) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD = 1.20, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.38). Sitagliptin significantly improved the homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell (HOMA‐β index) (MD =–10.84, 95% CI –14.07 to –7.80) versus placebo. In participants treated with placebo, hypoglycemia adverse experiences (RR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.50 to 2.36) and serious adverse experiences (RR = 1.20, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.63) were less common. Meta‐analysis did not show a significant difference in change in FPG (MD =–0.32, 95% CI –0.76 to 0.13) or HOMA‐β index (MD = 4.42, 95% CI –1.22 to 10.07) between the sitagliptin and active control groups, but active treatments provided modestly greater reduction in HbA1c (MD =–0.20, 95% CI –0.37 to –0.03) compared with sitagliptin. No significant difference was observed between the sitagliptin and active treatments in incidence of hypoglycemia adverse experiences (RR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.08) or serious adverse experiences (RR = 1.15, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.65).Conclusions: Sitagliptin treatment for type 2 diabetes was effective and well tolerated. Sitagliptin offers a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Continued assessment in longer term studies is required to determine the role of sitagliptin in type 2 diabetes.