bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combination therapy with losartan/hydrochlorothiazide for blood pressure reduction and goal attainment in a real-world clinical setting in Japan
Authors: Suzuki Hiromichi , Shimada Yukio , Fujiwara Kenji 
Published: November 2012

Objective: When physicians prescribe a new antihypertensive drug, they do not know the extent of the drug’s effect on lowering blood pressure. To resolve this dilemma, a Web-based program was constructed for real-time entry and analysis of treatment. This observational study evaluated the efficacy of losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (Lo/HCTZ) in lowering blood pressure (BP) and achieving BP target values. Methods: Physicians prescribed Lo/HCTZ for patients with hypertension who failed to achieve target BP values of < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, respectively, with antihypertensive drugs including an angiotensin receptor blocker. Results: From December 2006 to December 2009, the data of 88,254 patients were entered into this database, and the data of 24,825 subjects were analyzed. At the first visit, a total of 88,254 patients received a first prescription of Lo/HCTZ daily. Among these, at the end of the present analysis, 24,825 (28%) outpatients had a follow-up visit at 1 month and 20,726 (23%) outpatients had a follow-up visit at 6 months. The prevalence of hypertensive patients achieving systolic blood pressure (SBP) control (< 140 mmHg) increased over time from 6.9% to 54.3% in females and 6.1% to 52.3% in males ( p < 0.05). At the start of the study, the levels of SBP were significantly highest in the eldest patients (≥ 75 years) followed by the group of 65–75 years and lowest in the youngest patients (≤ 64 years). However, at the end of the study, there were no differences in levels of SBP among the three groups. Conclusions: This Web-based system may provide useful information when a new drug is first released into the market. Treatment with Lo/HCTZ enabled a substantial proportion of hypertensive patients to achieve the recommended goal of < 140/90 mmHg.
Split dose and MiraLAX-based purgatives to enhance bowel preparation quality becoming common recommendations in the US
Authors: Hillyer Grace Clarke , Lebwohl Benjamin , Basch Corey H. , Basch Charles E. , Kastrinos Fay , Insel Beverly J. , Neugut Alfred I. 
Published: November 2012

Objectives: Rates of suboptimal bowel preparation up to 30% have been reported. Liberalized precolonoscopy diet, split dose purgative, and the use of MiraLAX-based bowel preparation (MBBP) prior to colonoscopy are recently developed measures to improve bowel preparation quality but little is known about the utilization prevalence of these measures. We examined the patterns of utilization of these newer approaches to improve precolonoscopy bowel preparation quality among American gastroenterologists. Methods: Surveys were distributed to a random sample of members of the American College of Gastroenterologists. Participants were queried regarding demographics, practice characteristics, and bowel preparation recommendations including recommendations for liberal dietary restrictions, split dose purgative, and the use of MBBP. Approaches were evaluated individually and in combination. Results: Of the 999 eligible participants, 288 responded; 15.2% recommended a liberal diet, 60.0% split dose purgative, and 37.4% MBBP. Diet recommendations varied geographically with gastroenterologists in the West more likely to recommend a restrictive diet (odds ratio [OR] 2.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–7.67) and physicians in the Northeast more likely to recommend a liberal diet more likely. Older physicians more often recommended split dosing (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.04–2.97). Use of MBBP was more common in suburban settings (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.23–3.73). Evidence suggests that physicians in private practice were more likely to prescribe split dosing ( p = 0.03) and less often recommended MBBP ( p = 0.02). Likelihood of prescribing MBBP increased as weekly volume of colonoscopy increased ( p = 0.03). Conclusions: To enhance bowel preparation quality American gastroenterologists commonly use purgative split dosing. The use of MBBP is becoming more prevalent while a liberalized diet is infrequently recommended. Utilization of these newer approaches to improve bowel preparation quality varies by physician and practice characteristics. Further evaluation of the patterns of usage of these measures is indicated.
Misleading Leadership: The Deliberate Deception of Recommendation 5.5
Authors: Nichols Arland K. 
Published: November 2012

On August 1, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services accepted the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that all Food and Drug Administration—approved contraceptives and sterilization procedures be made available to women without incurring out-of-pocket costs. The Institute of Medicine and the Department of Health and Human Services have deliberately misled the American people by claiming that this mandate would not include abortifacient drugs, that conscientious objection would be honored, and that this provision is essential to preserving the health of women. The author rebuts each of these claims by appeal to the scientific, medical, legal, and political facts surrounding these claims. In doing so, he argues that the recommendations include at least three abortion-inducing contraceptive methods. Likewise, he illustrates that the current administration has shown no will to protect the inviolable right of conscience of both individuals and institutions. Finally, he draws the reader's attention to the known deleterious side effects of oral contraception, emphasizing that these recommendations ultimately encourage women to use drugs that put them at a greater risk of harm. The author concludes that the Institute of Medicine and the Department of Health and Human Services have neglected their responsibility to American women and have misled and deceived the American people. As the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was nearing passage, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) secured an amendment—the “Mikulski Women's Preventive Health Care Amendment”—that gave the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the authority to delineate preventive care uniquely necessary for women. 1 The secretary of HHS, Kathleen Sebelius, tasked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) with undertaking a systematic review of those preventive services that should be covered, without payment, for all women. On July 19, 2011, the IOM submitted a 210-page report recommending eight preventive services. 2 Seven of these recommendations involve important screening, counseling, and testing for common health risks facing women. Recommendation 5.5, unfortunately, was a recommendation of a different kind. It stated, “Women will have access to all Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. These recommendations do not include abortifacient drugs.” On August 1, 2011, in a quietly made announcement in the corner of the HHS website, the federal government accepted the IOM recommendations wholesale. 3
Mineralogy and magmatic affinity of the Jasra intrusive complex, Shillong Plateau, India
Authors: Melluso L. , Srivastava R. K. , Petrone C. M. , Guarino V. , Sinha A. K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe rocks of the Jasra intrusive complex (Shillong Plateau, northeastern India) include phlogopite clinopyroxenites (with olivine or perovskite relics), alkali gabbros/monzodiorites, syenites and nepheline syenites. They have a potassic affinity (Na2O/K2O ∼1), and their mineralogy is dominated by clinopyroxene with which phlogopite, olivine, amphibole, feldspars, feldspathoids, oxides, orthopyroxenes, perovskite, titanite and other accessory phases are variably associated. The Jasra intrusive rocks are cumulates derived from at least two distinct magmatic liquids. The potassic affinity of the Jasra rocks differs from the nearby Sung Valley ijolitic-carbonatitic complex and from the ultrapotassic lamproitic rocks of the Damodar Valley, which are of approximately the same age. This suggests major variability in the mantle sources of small-volume alkaline volcanism in the Early Cretaceous of northeastern India.
Aluminium-bearing strunzite derived from jahnsite at the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Germany
Authors: Grey I. E. , Macrae C. M. , Keck E. , Birch W. D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAluminium-bearing strunzite, [Mn0.65Fe0.26Zn0.08Mg0.01]2+[Fe1.50Al0.50]3+(PO4)2(OH)2·6H2O, occurs as fibrous aggregates in a crystallographically oriented association with jahnsite on altered zwieselite samples from the phosphate pegmatite at Hagendorf Süd, Bavaria, Germany. Synchrotron X-ray data were collected from a 3 μm diameter fibre and refined in space group P to R1 = 0.054 for 1484 observed reflections. The refinement confirmed the results of chemical analyses which showed that one quarter of the trivalent iron in the strunzite crystals is replaced by aluminium. The paragenesis revealed by scanning electron microscopy, in combination with chemical analyses and a crystal-chemical comparison of the strunzite and jahnsite structures, are consistent with strunzite being formed from jahnsite by selective leaching of (100) metal—phosphate layers containing large divalent Ca and Mn atoms.
Rumseyite, [Pb2OF]Cl, the first naturally occurring fluoroxychloride mineral with the parent crystal structure for layered lead oxychlorides
Authors: Turner R. W. , Siidra O. I. , Krivovichev S. V. , Stanley C. J. , Spratt J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRumseyite, ideally [Pb2OF]Cl, is a new mineral species which is associated with calcite, cerussite, diaboleite, hydrocerussite and undifferentiated Mn oxides in a small cavity in 'hydrocerussite' from a manganese pod at Merehead quarry, Somerset, England. Rumseyite is tetragonal, I4/mmm, a = 4.065(1), c = 12.631(7) Å, V = 208.7(1) Å3, Z = 2. The mineral is translucent pale orange-brown with a white streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle with perfect {100} cleavage; Dcalc = 7.71 g cm–3 (for the ideal formula, [Pb2OF]Cl). The mean refractive index in air at 589 nm is 2.15. The six strongest reflections in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [dmeas in Å, (Irel), (hkl)] are as follows: 2.923(100)(013), 2.875(68)(110), 3.848(41)(011), 6.306(17)(002), 1.680(14)(123), 2.110(12)(006). The crystal structure of rumseyite is based on alternating [OFPb2] and Cl layers. Rumseyite is related to other layered Pb oxyhalides. Fluorine and oxygen are statistically disordered over one crystallographic site. Rumseyite is named in honour of Michael Scott (Mike) Rumsey (1980– ), Curator and Collections Manager at the NHM (London), who discovered the mineral. The mineral and name have been approved by the IMA Commission on New Mineral Names and Classification (IMA 2011-091). The holotype specimen is in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London (specimen number BM1970,110).
High-temperature synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study of Cs2XSi5O12(X = Cd, Cu, Zn) leucites
Authors: Bell A. M. T. , Henderson C. M. B. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSynchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data have been collected on three synthetic leucite analogues with the general formula Cs2XSi5O12(X = Cd, Cu, Zn) between 295 and 1173 K. All three samples have the orthorhombic Pbca leucite structure at room temperature with ordered framework T-site cations. The sample with X = Cd retains the Pbca structure over the whole of the investigated temperature range. The sample with X = Cu also retains the Pbca structure, but there is a transition to a less distorted structure with a larger unit-cell volume at ∼333 K. The sample with X = Zn shows evidence for a transition to a previously unknown Pa cubic structure, with some T-site cation disorder, at 566 K, on heating. This transition is reversible on cooling to 633 K.
Searching for resistance genes to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus using high throughput screening
Authors: Santos Carla S , Pinheiro Miguel , Silva Ana I , Egas Conceição , Vasconcelos Marta W 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pinewood nematode (PWN; Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), damages and kills pine trees and is causing serious economic damage worldwide. Although the ecological mechanism of infestation is well described, the plant’s molecular response to the pathogen is not well known. This is due mainly to the lack of genomic information and the complexity of the disease. High throughput sequencing is now an efficient approach for detecting the expression of genes in non-model organisms, thus providing valuable information in spite of the lack of the genome sequence. In an attempt to unravel genes potentially involved in the pine defense against the pathogen, we hereby report the high throughput comparative sequence analysis of infested and non-infested stems of Pinus pinaster (very susceptible to PWN) and Pinus pinea (less susceptible to PWN).

Results
Four cDNA libraries from infested and non-infested stems of P. pinaster and P. pinea were sequenced in a full 454 GS FLX run, producing a total of 2,083,698 reads. The putative amino acid sequences encoded by the assembled transcripts were annotated according to Gene Ontology, to assign Pinus contigs into Biological Processes, Cellular Components and Molecular Functions categories. Most of the annotated transcripts corresponded to Picea genes-25.4-39.7%, whereas a smaller percentage, matched Pinus genes, 1.8-12.8%, probably a consequence of more public genomic information available for Picea than for Pinus. The comparative transcriptome analysis showed that when P. pinaster was infested with PWN, the genes malate dehydrogenase, ABA, water deficit stress related genes and PAR1 were highly expressed, while in PWN-infested P. pinea, the highly expressed genes were ricin B-related lectin, and genes belonging to the SNARE and high mobility group families. Quantitative PCR experiments confirmed the differential gene expression between the two pine species.

Conclusions
Defense-related genes triggered by nematode infestation were detected in both P. pinaster and P. pinea transcriptomes utilizing 454 pyrosequencing technology. P. pinaster showed higher abundance of genes related to transcriptional regulation, terpenoid secondary metabolism (including some with nematicidal activity) and pathogen attack. P. pinea showed higher abundance of genes related to oxidative stress and higher levels of expression in general of stress responsive genes. This study provides essential information about the molecular defense mechanisms utilized by P. pinaster and P. pinea against PWN infestation and contributes to a better understanding of PWD.
ST proteins, a new family of plant tandem repeat proteins with a DUF2775 domain mainly found in Fabaceae and Asteraceae
Authors: Albornos Lucía , Martín Ignacio , Iglesias Rebeca , Jiménez Teresa , Labrador Emilia , Dopico Berta 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Many proteins with tandem repeats in their sequence have been described and classified according to the length of the repeats: I) Repeats of short oligopeptides (from 2 to 20 amino acids), including structural cell wall proteins and arabinogalactan proteins. II) Repeats that range in length from 20 to 40 residues, including proteins with a well-established three-dimensional structure often involved in mediating protein-protein interactions. (III) Longer repeats in the order of 100 amino acids that constitute structurally and functionally independent units. Here we analyse ShooT specific (ST) proteins, a family of proteins with tandem repeats of unknown function that were first found in Leguminosae, and their possible similarities to other proteins with tandem repeats.

Results
ST protein sequences were only found in dicotyledonous plants, limited to several plant families, mainly the Fabaceae and the Asteraceae. ST mRNAs accumulate mainly in the roots and under biotic interactions. Most ST proteins have one or several Domain(s) of Unknown Function 2775 (DUF2775). All deduced ST proteins have a signal peptide, indicating that these proteins enter the secretory pathway, and the mature proteins have tandem repeat oligopeptides that share a hexapeptide (E/D)FEPRP followed by 4 partially conserved amino acids, which could determine a putative N-glycosylation signal, and a fully conserved tyrosine. In a phylogenetic tree, the sequences clade according to taxonomic group. A possible involvement in symbiosis and abiotic stress as well as in plant cell elongation is suggested, although different STs could play different roles in plant development.

Conclusions
We describe a new family of proteins called ST whose presence is limited to the plant kingdom, specifically to a few families of dicotyledonous plants. They present 20 to 40 amino acid tandem repeat sequences with different characteristics (signal peptide, DUF2775 domain, conservative repeat regions) from the described group of 20 to 40 amino acid tandem repeat proteins and also from known cell wall proteins with repeat sequences. Several putative roles in plant physiology can be inferred from the characteristics found.
The contribution of FTO and UCP-1SNPs to extreme obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk in Brazilian individuals
Authors: Ramos Adauto V , Bastos-Rodrigues Luciana , Resende Bruna A , Friedman Eitan , Campanha-Versiani Luciana , Miranda Debora M , Sarquis Marta , De Marco Luiz 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Obesity has become a common human disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality and adverse effects on quality of life. Sequence variants in two candidate genes, FTO and UCP-1, have been reported to be overrepresented in obese Caucasian population. The association of these genes polymorphisms with the obesity phenotype in a multiethnic group such as the Brazilian population has not been previously reported.

Methods
To assess the putative contribution of both FTO and UCP-1 to body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular risk we genotyped SNPs rs9939609 (FTO) and rs6536991, rs22705565 and rs12502572 (UCP-1) from 126 morbidly obese subjects (BMI 42.9 ± 5.6 kg/m2, mean ± SE) and 113 normal-weight ethnically matched controls (BMI 22.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2, mean ± SE). Waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose and serum lipids were also measured. Each sample was also genotyped for 40 biallelic short insertion/deletion polymorphism (indels) for ethnic assignment and to estimate the proportion of European, African and Amerindian biogeographical ancestry in the Brazilian population.

Results
Cases did not differ from controls in the proportions of genomic ancestry. The FTO SNP rs9939609 and UCP-1 SNP rs6536991 were significantly associated with BMI (p= 0.04 and p<0.0001 respectively). An allele dose dependent tendency was observed for BMI for rs6536991 sample of controls. No other significant associations between any SNP and hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes were noted after correction for BMI and no significant synergistic effect between FTO and UCP-1 SNPs with obesity were noted. There was not an association between rs9939609 (FTO) and rs6536991 (UCP-1) in with maximum weight loss after 1 year in 94 obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery.

Conclusion
Our data are consistent with FTO rs9939609 and UCP-1 rs6536991 common variants as contributors to obesity in the Brazilian population.
The utility of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (Chinese version) for screening dementia and mild cognitive impairment in a Chinese population
Authors: Shi Jing , Tian Jinzhou , Wei Mingqing , Miao Yingchun , Wang Yongyan 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) has been validated for detecting dementia in English-speaking populations. However, no studies have examined the Chinese version of the HVLT scale, and appropriate cut-off scores for dementia in the Chinese population remain unclear.

Methods
631 subjects aged 60 and over were recruited at a memory clinic at Dongzhimen Hospital in Beijing. Of these, 249 were classified as exhibiting normal cognition (NC), 134 were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 97 were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 14 met the diagnosis for vascular dementia (VaD), and 50 were diagnosed with other types of dementia, including mixed dementia. The discriminative capacity of the HVLT total learning score, recognition score and total score were calculated to determine their sensitivity and specificity for detecting MCI, AD and other dementias, and various cut-off scores.

Results
HVLT scores were affected by age, education and sex. The HVLT total learning score exhibited an optimal balance between sensitivity and specificity using a cut-off score of 15.5 for distinguishing AD and other types of dementia from NC using the ROC curve, with sensitivity of 94.7% for distinguishing AD and all types of dementia, and specificity of 92.5% for detecting AD and 93.4% for detecting all types of dementias. We stratified the AD and MCI groups by age, and calculated the validity in each age group. In the 50–64 years age group, when the cutoff score was 18.5, the sensitivity of 0.955 and specificity of 0.921 were obtained for discriminating the NC and AD groups, and in the 65–80 years group, and optimal sensitivity and specificity values (0.948 and 0.925, respectively) were obtained with a cutoff score of 14.5.
When the cutoff score was 21.5 in HVLT total recall, an optimal balance was obtained between sensitivity and specificity (69.1% and 70.7%, respectively) in distinguishing MCI from NC.

Conclusion
A cut-off score of 15.5 in the HVLT total learning score led to high discriminative capacity between the dementia and NC groups. This suggests that the HVLT total learning score can provide a useful tool for discriminating dementia, but not MCI, from NC in clinical and epidemiological practice.
Lessons drawn from research utilization in the maternal iodine supplementation policy development in Thailand
Authors: Tonmukayakul Utsana , Velasco Román Pérez , Tantivess Sripen , Teerawattananon Yot 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
In this paper, the authors share their experience on evidence utilization in the development of Thailand’s maternal iodine supplementation policy in 2009–2010. Observations and reflections on their experience of engaging with research for policymaking are illustrated. The case study indicates that rapid approaches in conducting research, namely a targeted literature review and cross-sectional survey of professionals’ opinions and current practices were efficient in achieving the timeliness of evidence provision. In addition pro-activity, trust and interaction between researchers and policymakers enhanced the research–policy integration. The Thai experience may be useful for other developing countries which pursue evidence-informed policymaking, despite differences in the health system context.