bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of uric acid in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease
Authors: Ndrepepa Gjin , Braun Siegmund , King Lamin , Cassese Salvatore , Tada Tomohisa , Fusaro Massimiliano , Hadamitzky Martin , Haase Hans-Ullrich , Schömig Albert , Kastrati Adnan 
Published: September 2012

Studies investigating the prognostic role of UA (uric acid) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus have given conflicting findings. We undertook the present study to assess the association between UA and outcome in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and CAD (coronary artery disease). The study included 3705 patients with diabetes mellitus and angiography-proven CAD. UA was measured before coronary angiography. The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. The UA concentration [median (25th–75th quartiles)] was 6.44 mg/dl (5.40–7.70 mg/dl). There were 264 deaths (7.1%) during follow-up: 45 deaths in patients of the first UA quartile, 43 deaths in patients of the second UA quartile, 51 deaths in patients of the third UA quartile and 125 deaths in patients of the fourth UA quartile {Kaplan–Meier estimates of mortality, 5.1, 4.8, 5.6 and 14.0% respectively; unadjusted HR (hazard ratio), 2.81 [95% CI (confidence interval), 2.21–3.58]; P&lt;0.001 for fourth quartile compared with first–third quartiles combined}. In the multivariable analysis, UA predicted all-cause mortality with an adjusted HR of 1.29 (95% CI, 1.12–1.48; P&lt;0.001), for each S.D. increase in the logarithmic scale of UA level. The inclusion of UA in the multivariable model alongside known cardiovascular risk factors and other relevant variables increased the discriminatory power of the model regarding prediction of all-cause mortality [absolute and relative IDI (integrated discrimination improvement) 0.034 and 20.5% respectively; P&lt;0.001]. In conclusion, in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and confirmed CAD, elevated levels of UA predict mortality independently of known cardiovascular risk factors.
Efficient methods for identifying mutated driver pathways in cancer
Authors: Zhao Junfei , Zhang Shihua , Wu Ling-Yun , Zhang Xiang-Sun 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Motivation: The first step for clinical diagnostics, prognostics and targeted therapeutics of cancer is to comprehensively understand its molecular mechanisms. Large-scale cancer genomics projects are providing a large volume of data about genomic, epigenomic and gene expression aberrations in multiple cancer types. One of the remaining challenges is to identify driver mutations, driver genes and driver pathways promoting cancer proliferation and filter out the unfunctional and passenger ones.
Results: In this study, we propose two methods to solve the so-called maximum weight submatrix problem, which is designed to de novo identify mutated driver pathways from mutation data in cancer. The first one is an exact method that can be helpful for assessing other approximate or/and heuristic algorithms. The second one is a stochastic and flexible method that can be employed to incorporate other types of information to improve the first method. Particularly, we propose an integrative model to combine mutation and expression data. We first apply our methods onto simulated data to show their efficiency. We further apply the proposed methods onto several real biological datasets, such as the mutation profiles of 74 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas samples, 90 glioblastoma tumor samples and 313 ovarian carcinoma samples. The gene expression profiles were also considered for the later two data. The results show that our integrative model can identify more biologically relevant gene sets. We have implemented all these methods and made a package called mutated driver pathway finder, which can be easily used for other researchers.
Availability: A MATLAB package of MDPFinder is available at http://zhangroup.aporc.org/ShiHuaZhang
Contact: zsh@amss.ac.cn
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Evidence on existing caries risk assessment systems: are they predictive of future caries?
Authors: Tellez M , Gomez J , Pretty I , Ellwood R , Ismail AI 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimTo critically appraise evidence for the prediction of caries using four caries risk assessment (CRA) systems/guidelines (Cariogram, Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA), American Dental Association (ADA), and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)). This review focused on prospective cohort studies or randomized controlled trials.MethodsA systematic search strategy was developed to locate papers published in Medline Ovid and Cochrane databases. The search identified 539 scientific reports, and after title and abstract review, 137 were selected for full review and 14 met the following inclusion criteria: (i) used as validating criterion caries incidence/increment, (ii) involved human subjects and natural carious lesions, and (iii) published in peer‐reviewed journals. In addition, papers were excluded if they met one or more of the following criteria: (i) incomplete description of sample selection, outcomes, or small sample size and (ii) not meeting the criteria for best evidence under the prognosis category of the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine.ResultsThere are wide variations among the systems in terms of definitions of caries risk categories, type and number of risk factors/markers, and disease indicators. The Cariogram combined sensitivity and specificity for predicting caries in permanent dentition ranges from 110 to 139 and is the only system for which prospective studies have been conducted to assess its validity. The Cariogram had limited prediction utility in preschool children, and a moderate to good performance for sorting out elderly individuals into caries risk groups. One retrospective analysis on CAMBRA's CRA reported higher incidence of cavitated lesions among those assessed as extreme‐risk patients when compared with those at low risk.ConclusionThe evidence on the validity for existing systems for CRA is limited. It is unknown if the identification of high‐risk individuals can lead to more effective long‐term patient management that prevents caries initiation and arrests or reverses the progression of lesions. There is an urgent need to develop valid and reliable methods for caries risk assessment that are based on best evidence for prediction and disease management rather than opinions of experts.
Is blood glucose on admission a predictor of mortality in adult acute pneumonia?
Authors: Foltran Francesca , Gregori Dario , Caropreso Antonio , Pagano Eva , Bruno Alberto 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundEven if hyperglycaemia is often identified as an independent risk factor for developing respiratory tract infection, only few studies have investigated this relationship. The aim of this study is to investigate if plasma glucose on admission is related with in‐hospital mortality among patients with pneumonia and to identify the glycaemic range with significant reductions of mortality risks in non‐intensive care patients.MethodsData come from administrative records of 1018 non‐intensive care patients hospitalised with diagnosis of pneumonia. For every patient, administrative records were linked with the plasma glucose. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed in order to evaluate the associations between in‐hospital mortality and a set of demographic and clinical variables. Plasma glucose was added to the model as restricted cubic spline; risk estimates for hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic patients have been derived on the basis of this nonlinear model and presented with two values of odds ratio (OR).ResultsThe minimal risk of in‐hospital mortality was found at plasma glucose levels of mean 86 mg/dL [95% confidence interval (CI) 61–102]. The adjusted OR of deaths for plasma glucose on admission for hypoglycaemic patients (below 86 mg/dL) is 0.78 (95% CI 0.62–0.98) for each 10 mg/dL of decrease, whereas for hyperglycaemic patients (above 86 mg/dL), the OR is 1.33 (95% CI 1.07–1.66) for each 10 mg/dL of increase in plasma glucose.ConclusionsOur observations suggest that in non‐intensive care patients, hypoglycaemia, as hyperglycaemia, is associated with in‐hospital mortality.
The involvement of KATP channels in morphine‐induced antinociception and hepatic oxidative stress in acute and inflammatory pain in rats
Authors: Afify Elham A. , Khedr Mohamed M. , Omar Amal G. , Nasser Suzanne A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis study investigated the role of KATP channels in morphine‐induced antinociception and hepatic oxidative stress in acute and inflammatory pain. The KATP channel modulators (KATP channel opener, diazoxide 100 mg/kg, p.o, and KATP channel blocker, glibenclamide, 3 mg/kg i.p.) were administered with morphine (80 mg/kg, i.p.). Antinociception was assessed by the tail‐flick and formalin tests in rats and measured by the area under the curve values and the maximum percent effect for 3 h. The indices of hepatic oxidative stress: glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were then determined in the liver homogenates obtained from the treated animals. In both tests, glibenclamide antagonized morphine‐induced antinociception, whereas diazoxide augmented it in the tail‐flick test only. In the formalin test, glibenclamide alone has a significant hyperalgesic effect, whereas diazoxide decreased the number of flinches. Coadministration of glibenclamide with morphine antagonized the hepatotoxic effect of morphine in both animal models. In the tail‐flick test, glibenclamide administered alone significantly increased malondialdehyde's level. Coadministration of diazoxide with morphine increased glutathione level in the formalin test. Diazoxide administered alone exacerbated the hepatic oxidative stress in both animal models. These findings suggest a role of KATP channel modulators on morphine‐induced antinociception and hepatic oxidative stress. The administration of glibenclamide may prevent morphine‐induced hepatotoxicity. The effectiveness of diazoxide in the management of pain is limited due to its deleterious effect on the liver. However, the interaction of the KATP channel modulators with morphine depends on the differential sensitivity to the pain stimulus.
Why in vivo may not equal in vitro – new effectors revealed by measurement of enzymatic activities under the same in vivo‐like assay conditions
Authors: García‐Contreras Rodolfo , Vos Paul , Westerhoff Hans V. , Boogerd Fred C. 
Published: September 2012

Does the understanding of the dynamics of biochemical networks in vivo, in terms of the properties of their components determined in vitro, require the latter to be determined all under the same conditions? An in vivo‐like assay medium for enzyme activity determination was designed based on the concentrations of the major ionic constituents of the Escherichia coli cytosol: K+, Na+, Mg2+, phosphate, glutamate, sulfate and Cl−. The maximum capacities (Vmax) of the extracted enzymes of two pathways were determined using both this in vivo‐like assay medium and the assay medium specific for each enzyme. The enzyme activities differed between the two assay conditions. Most of the differences could be attributed to unsuspected, pleiotropic effects of K+ and phosphate. K+ activated some enzymes (aldolase, enolase and glutamate dehydrogenase) and inhibited others (phosphoglucose isomerase, phosphofructokinase, triosephosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoglycerate mutase), whereas phosphate inhibited all glycolytic enzymes and glutamine synthetase but only activated glutamine 2‐oxoglutarate amidotransferase. Neither a high glutamate concentration, nor macromolecular crowding affected the glycolytic or nitrogen assimilation enzymes, other than through the product inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase by glutamate. This strategy of assessing all pathway enzymes kinetically under the same conditions may be necessary to avoid inadvertent differences between in vivo and in vitro biochemistry. It may also serve to reveal otherwise unnoticed pleiotropic regulation, such as that demonstrated in the present study by K+ and phosphate.
The role of repeatedly heated soybean oil in the development of hypertension in rats: association with vascular inflammation
Authors: Ng Chun‐Yi , Kamisah Yusof , Faizah Othman , Jaarin Kamsiah 
Published: September 2012

SummaryThermally oxidized oil generates reactive oxygen species that have been implicated in several pathological processes including hypertension. This study was to ascertain the role of inflammation in the blood pressure raising effect of heated soybean oil in rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into four groups and were fed with the following diets, respectively, for 6 months: basal diet (control); fresh soybean oil (FSO); five‐time‐heated soybean oil (5HSO); or 10‐time‐heated soybean oil (10HSO). Blood pressure was measured at baseline and monthly using tail‐cuff method. Plasma prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) were measured prior to treatment and at the end of the study. After six months, the rats were sacrificed, and the aortic arches were dissected for morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Blood pressure was increased significantly in the 5HSO and 10HSO groups. The blood pressure was maintained throughout the study in rats fed FSO. The aortae in the 5HSO and 10HSO groups showed significantly increased aortic wall thickness, area and circumferential wall tension. 5HSO and 10HSO diets significantly increased plasma TXA2/PGI2 ratio. Endothelial VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 were significantly increased in 5HSO, as well as LOX‐1 in 10HSO groups. In conclusion, prolonged consumption of repeatedly heated soybean oil causes blood pressure elevation, which may be attributed to inflammation.
Bayesian transmogrification of clade divergence dates: a critique
Authors: Heads Michael 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe crucial step in Bayesian dating of phylogenies is the selection of prior probability curves for clade ages. In studies on regions derived from Gondwana, many authors have used steep priors, stipulating that clades can only be a little older than their oldest known fossil. These studies have ruled out vicariance associated with Gondwana breakup, but only because of the particular priors that were adopted. The use of non‐flat priors for fossil‐based ages is not justified and is unnecessary. Tectonic calibrations can be integrated with fossil calibrations that are used to give minimum clade ages only.
‘If and when?’: the beliefs and experiences of community living staff in supporting older people with intellectual disability to know about dying
Authors: Wiese M. , Dew A. , Stancliffe R. J. , Howarth G. , Balandin S. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground The aim of this study was to explore the way in which community living staff engaged with people with intellectual disability (ID) about dying and death.Method Guided by grounded theory methodology, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with staff who had either no experience with client death, experience of a client sudden death, or a client death experience which was pre‐dated by a period of end‐of‐life care.Results While in principle, staff unanimously supported the belief that people with ID should know about dying, there was limited in‐practice engagement with clients about the topic. Engagement varied according to staff experience, client capacity to understand and the nature of the ‘opportunity’ to engage. Four ‘opportunities’ were identified: ‘when family die’, ‘incidental opportunities’, ‘when clients live with someone who is dying’ and ‘when a client is dying’. Despite limited engagement by staff, people with ID are regularly exposed to dying and death.Conclusions People with ID have a fundamental right to know about dying and death. Sophisticated staff skills are required to ensure that people with ID can meaningfully engage with end‐of‐life issues as opportunities arise.
Psychiatrists' knowledge, training and attitudes regarding the care of individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: Werner S. , Stawski M. , Polakiewicz Y. , Levav I. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground  Psychiatrists are responsible for providing proper care for people with intellectual disability who have psychiatric disorders. This study examined psychiatrists' perceptions of their own training, knowledge and therapeutic skills, as well as their attitudes towards this population.Methods  Questionnaires were distributed to 679 psychiatrists working within the public sector in Israel.Results  Completed questionnaires were returned from 256 psychiatrists (38% response rate). Most (90%) participants reported having had limited training in the diagnosis and treatment of people with intellectual disabilities, while between 34% and 72% reported having inadequate knowledge in specific areas.Conclusion  The findings of limited training and self‐perceived inadequate knowledge are at least partially explained by the service model, wherein people with intellectual disabilities are cared for by general mental health services. The identified inadequacies could be overcome through the implementation of a model in which specially trained psychiatrists are deployed within generic services.
Ageing with an intellectual disability: the impact of personal resources on well‐being
Authors: Lehmann B. A. , Bos A. E. R. , Rijken M. , Cardol M. , Peters G.‐J. Y. , Kok G. , Curfs L. M. G. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground  The population of ageing people with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities (ID) is growing rapidly. This study examines how personal resources (physical health, mental health and social networks) impact the well‐being of ageing people with ID.Methods  Longitudinal survey data on 667 people with a mild or moderate ID were acquired via interviews in 2006 and 2010. Indicators of personal resources (physical health, mental health and social networks) were assessed, as were indicators of well‐being (satisfaction with life, happiness and loneliness). Additionally, data on background characteristics and autonomy were gathered.Results  The results show that age is positively related to decreased mobility and auditory disabilities and negatively related to independent living, autonomy in how one spends one's leisure time and autonomy in decision‐making. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated that, with the exception of health that deteriorated, and social satisfaction that improved, almost all variables remained stable over the 4‐year period. Further, good physical health in 2006 predicted happiness in 2010.Conclusion  Despite the fact that age is associated with poorer physical and mental health and a smaller social network, this study showed that older people with ID have relatively high levels of well‐being. Findings are discussed in the light of coping with ageing and impact of life events.
Towards realistic estimates of HCV incidence in Egypt
Authors: Breban R. , Doss W. , Esmat G. , Elsayed M. , Hellard M. , Ayscue P. , Albert M. , Fontanet A. , Mohamed M. K. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryAccurate incidence estimates are essential for quantifying hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic dynamics and monitoring the effectiveness of public health programmes, as well as for predicting future burden of disease and planning patient care. In Egypt, the country with the largest HCV epidemic worldwide, two modelling studies have estimated age‐specific incidence rates that, applied to the age pyramid, would correspond to more than 500 000 Egyptians getting infected annually. This is in contrast to figures of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population that estimates new infections to be approximately 100 000 per year. We performed new analyses of nationwide data to examine the modelling assumptions that led to these estimates. Thus, we found that the key assumption of these models of a stationary epidemic is invalid. We propose an alternate approach to estimating incidence based on analysing cohort data; we find that the number of annual new infections is <150 000.
The role of targeted viral load testing in diagnosing virological failure in children on antiretroviral therapy with immunological failure
Authors: Davies Mary‐Ann , Boulle Andrew , Technau Karl , Eley Brian , Moultrie Harry , Rabie Helena , Garone Daniela , Giddy Janet , Wood Robin , Egger Matthias , Keiser Olivia ,   for the IeDEA Southern Africa Collaboration
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives  To determine the improvement in positive predictive value of immunological failure criteria for identifying virological failure in HIV‐infected children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) when a single targeted viral load measurement is performed in children identified as having immunological failure.Methods  Analysis of data from children (<16 years at ART initiation) at South African ART sites at which CD4 count/per cent and HIV‐RNA monitoring are performed 6‐monthly. Immunological failure was defined according to both WHO 2010 and United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 2008 criteria. Confirmed virological failure was defined as HIV‐RNA >5000 copies/ml on two consecutive occasions <365 days apart in a child on ART for ≥18 months.Results  Among 2798 children on ART for ≥18 months [median (IQR) age 50 (21–84) months at ART initiation], the cumulative probability of confirmed virological failure by 42 months on ART was 6.3%. Using targeted viral load after meeting DHHS immunological failure criteria rather than DHHS immunological failure criteria alone increased positive predictive value from 28% to 82%. Targeted viral load improved the positive predictive value of WHO 2010 criteria for identifying confirmed virological failure from 49% to 82%.Conclusion  The addition of a single viral load measurement in children identified as failing immunologically will prevent most switches to second‐line treatment in virologically suppressed children.
Birth prevalence and characteristics of congenital toxoplasmosis in Sergipe, North‐east Brazil
Authors: de Melo Inagaki Ana Dorcas , Carvalheiro Cristina Gardonyi , Cipolotti Rosana , Gurgel Ricardo Queiroz , Rocha Dayse Alves , Pinheiro Kariny Souza , Araújo Raquel Melo , Lima Dorothy Ribeiro Resende , Winandy Jacques Leon , Mussi‐Pinhata Marisa Márcia 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives  To estimate, by neonatal screening, the birth prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis among live‐born infants in Sergipe state, Brazil, and to investigate the clinical features of affected infants.Methods  Dried blood spot specimens obtained from 15 204 neonates were assayed for the presence of anti‐T. gondii IgM antibodies. Duplicate retesting was done in infants with positive and borderline results. Confirmatory testing in peripheral blood samples consisted of testing for anti‐T. gondii IgG and IgM in infants and mothers. Those with possible congenital toxoplasmosis were evaluated and followed up to a median age of 20 months. Congenital infection was confirmed in the presence of persisting anti‐T. gondii IgG antibodies beyond 12 months of age. All infants with confirmed infection were treated with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid for 1 year.Results  Fifty‐three infants had detectable IgM in dried blood spot specimens. Confirmatory testing was reactive in 39/50, of which, 38 completed follow‐up. Six of 15 204 newborns were diagnosed with congenital toxoplasmosis, resulting in an estimated birth prevalence of four per 10 000 [CI 95% 1.4–8.0]. Four infants (67%) showed signs of congenital toxoplasmosis in their first year of life; three (75%) had retinochoroidal scars, and one had cerebral calcifications. Two infants remained asymptomatic until 20 months of age.Conclusions  The birth prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis is high in the Brazilian state of Sergipe, with most of the infants showing ocular lesions. Preventive measures are strongly warranted.