bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of iron deficiency states and risk of haemoconcentration during pregnancy according to initial iron stores and iron supplementation
Authors: Arija Victoria , Ribot Blanca , Aranda Núria 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of iron depletion (ID), iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) and risk of haemoconcentration during pregnancy and at delivery and to assess the influence of initial Fe stores and Fe supplementation on that prevalence.DesignLongitudinal study.SettingHospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus (Catalonia, Spain).SubjectsTwo hundred and eighty-five pregnant women. Serum ferritin and Hb were measured in the first, second and third trimesters and at delivery. Women were classified according to initial Fe stores as ID or no ID (serum ferritin ≥12 μg/l) and according to Fe supplement use as supplemented or non-supplemented.ResultsInitial ID was 16·2 %. At delivery, 45·7 % had ID, 13·5 % IDA and 13·3 % had risk of haemoconcentration. Initial ID and non-supplemented groups had significantly higher prevalences of ID and IDA and lower risk of haemoconcentration at delivery than the other groups. In the multiple logistic models, no initial ID and Fe supplementation exerted a protective effect against ID at delivery (adjusted OR = 0·28; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·58 and adjusted OR = 0·39; 95 % CI 0·22, 0·69, respectively). Moderate Fe supplementation did not seem to clearly prevent IDA (adjusted OR = 0·91; 95 % CI 0·42, 1·96) or to enhance the haemoconcentration (adjusted OR = 1·42; 95 % CI 0·58, 3·50).ConclusionsThe prevalence of ID and IDA was high in late pregnancy in healthy pregnant women, particularly in those with initial ID and/or those not taking supplements. Starting pregnancy with no ID and/or taking moderate Fe supplementation decreased the likelihood of ID at delivery. The risk of haemoconcentration was high at delivery, but did not seem to be promoted by Fe supplementation. Further research is necessary to determine the most appropriate nutritional advice for pregnant women.
Combining multiple FDG‐PET radiotherapy target segmentation methods to reduce the effect of variable performance of individual segmentation methods
Authors: McGurk Ross J. , Bowsher James , Lee John A , Das Shiva K. 
Published: March 2013

Purpose:Many approaches have been proposed to segment high uptake objects in 18F‐fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose positron emission tomography images but none provides consistent performance across the large variety of imaging situations. This study investigates the use of two methods of combining individual segmentation methods to reduce the impact of inconsistent performance of the individual methods: simple majority voting and probabilistic estimation.Methods:The National Electrical Manufacturers Association image quality phantom containing five glass spheres with diameters 13–37 mm and two irregularly shaped volumes (16 and 32 cc) formed by deforming high‐density polyethylene bottles in a hot water bath were filled with 18‐fluoro‐deoxyglucose and iodine contrast agent. Repeated 5‐min positron emission tomography (PET) images were acquired at 4:1 and 8:1 object‐to‐background contrasts for spherical objects and 4.5:1 and 9:1 for irregular objects. Five individual methods were used to segment each object: 40% thresholding, adaptive thresholding, k‐means clustering, seeded region‐growing, and a gradient based method. Volumes were combined using a majority vote (MJV) or Simultaneous Truth And Performance Level Estimate (STAPLE) method. Accuracy of segmentations relative to CT ground truth volumes were assessed using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the symmetric mean absolute surface distances (SMASDs).Results:MJV had median DSC values of 0.886 and 0.875; and SMASD of 0.52 and 0.71 mm for spheres and irregular shapes, respectively. STAPLE provided similar results with median DSC of 0.886 and 0.871; and median SMASD of 0.50 and 0.72 mm for spheres and irregular shapes, respectively. STAPLE had significantly higher DSC and lower SMASD values than MJV for spheres (DSC,p < 0.0001; SMASD, p = 0.0101) but MJV had significantly higher DSC and lower SMASD values compared to STAPLE for irregular shapes (DSC, p < 0.0001; SMASD, p = 0.0027). DSC was not significantly different between 128 × 128 and 256 × 256 grid sizes for either method (MJV, p = 0.0519; STAPLE, p = 0.5672) but was for SMASD values (MJV, p < 0.0001; STAPLE, p = 0.0164). The best individual method varied depending on object characteristics. However, both MJV and STAPLE provided essentially equivalent accuracy to using the best independent method in every situation, with mean differences in DSC of 0.01–0.03, and 0.05–0.12 mm for SMASD.Conclusions:Combining segmentations offers a robust approach to object segmentation in PET. Both MJV and STAPLE improved accuracy and were robust against the widely varying performance of individual segmentation methods. Differences between MJV and STAPLE are such that either offers good performance when combining volumes. Neither method requires a training dataset but MJV is simpler to interpret, easy to implement and fast.
What is the lowest threshold to make a diagnosis of concussion?
Authors: McCrory Paul , Meeuwisse Willem H , Echemendia Ruben J , Iverson Grant L , Dvořák Jiří , Kutcher Jeffrey S 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveThe purpose of this review is to examine the evidence for determining the lowest threshold for diagnosing a sport-related concussion.Data SourcesMEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Mosby's Index, PsycEXTRA, PsycINFO and Scopus. Key words included sports concussion, concussion assessment, diagnosis, concussion symptoms, onfield assessment and sports-related traumatic brain injury.ResultsThe majority of concussions in sport occur without loss of consciousness or frank neurological signs. Some of the hallmark signs of acute concussion include mental confusion, memory and balance disturbance. Over the course of the first 24 h, the most common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness and balance problems, blurred vision or other visual disturbance, confusion, memory loss and ‘fatigue’. Symptoms such as tiredness, irritability, nervousness or anxiety, sleep disturbance and sensitivity to light or noise may be noticed in the days after injury. The pathophysiology of sports concussion remains poorly understood. There appears to be a period of vulnerability following concussion in which an overlapping injury might cause magnified pathophysiology.ConclusionsSport-related concussions can be difficult to diagnose. Concussion produces an evolving constellation of somatic, cognitive and neurobehavioral symptoms that are typically most severe during the earliest acute postinjury period (ie, within the first 24–48 h) and diminish over a matter of several days to weeks in the majority of athletes. Athletes suspected of concussion should be removed from play and evaluated thoroughly.
Lifestyle Factors and the Risk of a Second Breast Diagnosis after DCIS in the Wisconsin In Situ Cohort
Authors: V McLaughlin , A Trentham-Dietz , JM Hampton , PA Newcomb , BL Sprague 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Purpose: Certain tumor factors have been associated with increased likelihood of a second breast diagnosis after treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer. However, little information exists on modifiable lifestyle factors that affect prognosis after DCIS and may be useful for survivors in reducing their risk of a second breast cancer event. Methods: We examined the longitudinal association between body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and alcohol intake and risk of a second breast diagnosis among 1,925 DCIS survivors first diagnosed in 1997–2006 and enrolled in the Wisconsin In Situ Cohort. Data were collected during biennial patient interviews and diagnosis information was validated via pathology report. BMI, physical activity, and alcohol intake were examined over time using Chi-square and ANOVA methods. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the risk of a second diagnosis after adjustment for patient, tumor, and treatment factors. Repeated measures were incorporated to make use of exposure measurements taken at each post-diagnosis interview. Results: Over an average of 6.6 years of follow-up, 162 second breast cancer diagnoses were reported. Significant trends of increasing BMI and decreasing physical activity were observed over time since diagnosis (p &lt; 0.001). For all women, a significant linear trend of increasing risk of a second diagnosis was found over increasing categories of post-diagnosis alcohol intake (p-trend 0.02). Among women treated with ipsilateral mastectomy, a reduction in risk was suggested with increasing post-diagnosis physical activity (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45, 1.02 for each additional hour/week). Among postmenopausal women, higher categories of post-diagnosis BMI were associated with increasing risk, although these results were of borderline significance (p-trend 0.09). Conclusion: This study is the first to examine the association of physical activity and alcohol intake with second breast diagnoses in an exclusively DCIS population. Our results suggest that DCIS survivors may reduce their risk of a second diagnosis by engaging in physical activity and reducing their alcohol consumption.
Physical Activity, Tumor PTGS2 Expression, and Colorectal Cancer Survival: A Molecular Pathological Epidemiology (MPE) Approach
Authors: M Yamauchi , R Nishihara , AT Chan , S Ogino 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Purpose: Evidence suggests that energy balance in tumor microenvironment may influence systemic inflammatory status and cancer progression through its effect on prostaglandin biosynthesis. We examined whether the physical activity after diagnosis of colorectal cancer was associated with improved survival in PTGS2-positive colorectal cancer. Methods: Utilizing 605 stage I–III colon and rectal cancers in two prospective cohort studies, we assessed patient survival according to physical activity and tumor PTGS2 status. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate multivariate hazard ratio (HR), adjusting for clinical and other tumor features (including microsatellite instability and BRAF and KRAS mutations). Results: Among patients with PTGS2-positive cancer, compared with the least active first quartile, the multivariate HRs were 0.30 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.62) for the second quartile, 0.38 (95% CI, 0.20–0.71) for the third quartile, and 0.18 (95% CI, 0.08–0.41) for the fourth quartile of increasing physical activity (P = 0.0002 for trend). In contrast, among patients with PTGS2-negative cancer, physical activity level was not significantly associated with colorectal cancer-specific survival (P = 0.84 for trend). We observed significant interaction between physical activity and tumor PTGS2 status (P = 0.024 for interaction). Conclusion: Post-diagnosis physical activity was associated with better survival among patients with PTGS2-positive colorectal cancer. This finding from molecular pathological epidemiology (MPE) suggests that PTGS2 may be a tumor biomarker that may predict stronger benefit from exercise in colorectal cancer patients.
Contribution of Health Behaviors to the Association between Area-Level Socioeconomic Status and Cancer Mortality
Authors: T Hastert , A Beresford , E White 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Background: Area-level socioeconomic status (SES) is increasingly recognized as an important predictor of health outcomes; however, its association with cancer mortality is not established. Moreover, mediators of the association between area-level factors and health outcomes are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to quantify the association between area-level SES and cancer mortality and to identify whether and to what extent behaviors mediate the association. Methods: We identified the census block groups of participants in the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) Study cohort and constructed an SES index using data from the 2000 U.S. Census. Participants included 54,736 men and women ages 50–76 years with no history of cancer at baseline (2000–2002). Cancer deaths (n = 1,488) were tracked through the Washington State death file over 7.7 years of follow-up. We tested whether eight modifiable risk factors (e.g. body mass index (BMI), physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking, screening) mediated the association between area-level SES and cancer mortality. Results: Living in the lowest-SES areas was associated with 77% higher cancer mortality than living in the highest-SES areas (hazard ratio (HR): 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50, 2.11). Adding modifiable risk factors into the models explained 45% (95% CI: −68%, −11%) of the association. In models controlling for individual education and income, area-level SES remained associated with cancer mortality (HR highest- vs. lowest-SES areas: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.65) and adding modifiable risk factors reduced the association by 37% (95% CI: −99%, 22%). Smoking, physical activity and screening mediated the largest proportion of the association, while diet, alcohol use and BMI had little explanatory effect for the health disparities. Conclusions: Low area-level SES is associated with increased cancer mortality. This association persists after accounting for individual education and income and is partially mediated by smoking, physical activity, and screening.
The Force Balance of the Southern Ocean Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Mazloff Matthew R. , Ferrari Raffaele , Schneider Tapio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe Southern Ocean (SO) limb of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is characterized by three vertically stacked cells, each with a transport of about 10 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). The buoyancy transport in the SO is dominated by the upper and middle MOC cells, with the middle cell accounting for most of the buoyancy transport across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. A Southern Ocean state estimate for the years 2005 and 2006 with ⅙° resolution is used to determine the forces balancing this MOC. Diagnosing the zonal momentum budget in density space allows an exact determination of the adiabatic and diapycnal components balancing the thickness-weighted (residual) meridional transport. It is found that, to lowest order, the transport consists of an eddy component, a directly wind-driven component, and a component in balance with mean pressure gradients. Nonvanishing time-mean pressure gradients arise because isopycnal layers intersect topography or the surface in a circumpolar integral, leading to a largely geostrophic MOC even in the latitude band of Drake Passage. It is the geostrophic water mass transport in the surface layer where isopycnals outcrop that accomplishes the poleward buoyancy transport.
Selective killing of candidate AML stem cells by antibody targeting of IL1RAP
Authors: Askmyr Maria , Ågerstam Helena , Hansen Nils , Gordon Sandra , Arvanitakis Alexandros , Rissler Marianne , Juliusson Gunnar , Richter Johan , Järås Marcus , Fioretos Thoas 
Published: March 2013

Key Points
IL1RAP is overexpressed on candidate AML stem cells and is a promising target for antibody-based therapy.
Proechimys (Rodentia, Echimyidae): characterization and taxonomic considerations of a form with a very low diploid number and a multiple sex chromosome system
Authors: Amaral Paulo JS , Nagamachi Cleusa Y , Noronha Renata CR , Costa Marlyson JR , Pereira Adenilson L , Rossi Rogerio V , Mendes-Oliveira Ana C , Pieczarka Julio C 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundProechimysis the most diverse genus in family Echimyidae, comprising 25 species (two of which are polytypic) and 39 taxa. Despite the numerous forms of this rodent and their abundance in nature, there are many taxonomic problems due to phenotypic similarities within the genus and high intraspecific variation. Extensive karyotypic variation has been noted, however, with diploid numbers (2n) ranging from 14 to 62 chromosomes. Some heteromorphism can be found, and 57 different karyotypes have been described to date.ResultsIn the present work, we describe a cytotype with a very low 2n. Specimens ofProechimyscf.longicaudatuswere collected from two different places in northern Mato Grosso state, Brazil (12°54″S, 52°22″W and 9°51′17″S, 58°14′53″W). The females and males had 16 and 17 chromosomes, respectively; all chromosomes were acrocentric, with the exception of the X chromosome, which was bi-armed. The sex chromosome system was found to be XY1Y2, originating from a Robertsonian rearrangement involving the X and a large acrocentric autosome. Females had two Neo-X chromosomes, and males had one Neo-X and two Y chromosomes. NOR staining was found in the interstitial region of one autosomal pair.ConclusionsComparison of this karyotype with those described in the literature revealed thatProechimyswith similar karyotypes had previously been collected from nearby localities. We therefore suggest that thisProechimysbelongs to a different taxon, and is either a new species or one that requires reassessment.
Characterization of bacterial biota in the distal esophagus of Japanese patients with reflux esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Liu Ning , Ando Takafumi , Ishiguro Kazuhiro , Maeda Osamu , Watanabe Osamu , Funasaka Kohei , Nakamura Masanao , Miyahara Ryoji , Ohmiya Naoki , Goto Hidemi 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
The distal esophagus harbors a complex bacterial population. We hypothesized that a better understanding of bacterial communities in the esophagus would facilitate understanding of the role of bacteria in esophageal disease. Here, we investigated bacterial composition in the distal esophagus in subjects with a normal esophagus, reflux esophagitis, and Barrett’s esophagus.

Methods
Two biopsy specimens were obtained from the distal esophagus at 1 cm above the gastroesophageal junction under endoscopic examination in 18 patients (6 each with normal esophagus, reflux esophagitis, and Barrett’s esophagus) and used for histological examination and DNA extraction. Fragments of 16S rDNA genes were amplified by PCR using general bacterial primers, and bacterial populations were examined. A third biopsy specimen was taken from the patients with Barrett’s esophagus to histologically confirm the replacement of squamous epithelium with columnar epithelium in the distal esophagus.

Results
Endoscopic diagnoses of normal esophagus, esophagitis, and Barrett’s esophagus were confirmed by histological findings. The total amount of bacterial DNA detected did not significantly differ among groups (p > 0.1). On average, each of the 18 subjects yielded about 350 clones, of which 40 were randomly picked and sequenced. Analysis of 147 16S rDNA sequences from 240 clones of 6 subjects with normal esophagus yielded four phyla, Proteobacteria (49%), Firmicutes (40%), Bacteroidetes (8%), and Actinobacteria (3%). Similar analysis of 139 16S rDNA sequences from 240 clones of 6 patients with reflux esophagitis yielded 6 phyla, Proteobacteria (43%), Firmicutes (33%), Bacteroidetes (10%), Fusobacteria (10%), Actinobacteria (2%), and TM7 (2%). while that of 138 16S rDNA sequences from 240 clones of 6 cases of Barrett’s esophagus yielded 5 phyla, Firmicutes (55%), Proteobacteria (20%), Bacteroidetes (14%), Fusobacteria (9%), and Actinobacteria (2%). Thus, microbial communities differed among patients with a normal esophagus, reflux esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus.

Conclusions
Esophageal bacterial composition differs under conditions of normal esophagus, reflux esophagitis, and Barrett’s esophagus. Diverse bacterial communities may be associated with esophageal disease.
A retrospective survey on injuries in Croatian football/soccer referees
Authors: Gabrilo Goran , Ostojic Marko , Idrizovic Kemal , Novosel Bozidar , Sekulic Damir 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Injury among soccer referees is rarely studied, especially with regard to differences in the quality level of the refereeing. Additionally, we have found no study that has reported injury occurrence during official physical fitness testing for soccer referees. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, type and consequences of match-related and fitness-testing related injuries among soccer referees of different competitive levels.

Methods
We studied 342 soccer referees (all males; mean age 32.9 ± 5.02 years). The study was retrospective, and a self-administered questionnaire was used. In the first phase of the study, the questionnaire was tested for its reliability and applicability. The questionnaire included morphological/anthropometric data, refereeing variables, and musculoskeletal disorders together with the consequences.

Results
The sample comprised 157 main referees (MR; mean age 31.4 ± 4.9 years) and 185 assistant referees (AR; mean age 34.1 ± 5.1 years) divided into: international level (Union of European Football Associations-UEFA) referees (N = 18; 6 MRs; 12 ARs) ; 1st (N = 78; 31 MRs; 47 ARs), 2nd (N = 91; 45 MRs; 46 ARs); or 3rd national level referees (N = 155; 75 MRs; 80 ARs). In total, 29% (95%CI: 0.23–0.37) of the MRs and 30% (95%CI: 0.22–0.36) of the ARs had experienced an injury during the previous year, while 13% (95%CI: 0.05–0.14) of the MRs, and 19% (95%CI: 0.14–0.25) of the ARs suffered from an injury that occurred during fitness testing. There was an obvious increase in injury severity as the refereeing advanced at the national level, but the UEFA referees were the least injured of all referees. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of injuries to the upper leg (i.e., quadriceps and hamstrings) during physical fitness testing for all but the UEFA referees. During game refereeing, the ankles and lower legs were the most commonly injured regions. The MRs primarily injured their ankles. The ARs experienced lower leg and lower back disorders. However, the overall injury rate was equal for both groups, with 5.29 (95%CI: 2.23–8.30) and 4.58 (95%CI: 2.63–6.54) injuries per 1000 hours of refereeing for MRs and ARs, respectively.

Conclusion
In addition to the reported risk of injury during soccer games, physical fitness testing should be classified as a risk for injury among soccer referees. Special attention should be given to (I) lower leg injuries during games and (II) upper leg injuries during physical fitness tests. A higher physical fitness level and a qualitative approach to training are recognized as protective factors against injury. Subsequent studies should investigate the specific predictors of injuries among referees.
A mutant screening method by critical annealing temperature-PCR for site-directed mutagenesis
Authors: Liu Ying , Wu Ting , Song Jian , Chen Xuelian , Zhang Yu , Wan Yu 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Distinguishing desired mutants from parental templates and undesired mutants is a problem not well solved in Quikchange™ mutagenesis. Although Dpn I digestion can eliminate methylated parental (WT) DNA, the efficiency is not satisfying due to the existence of hemi-methylated DNA in the PCR products, which is resistant to Dpn I. The present study designed a novel critical annealing temperature (T
c)-PCR to replace Dpn I digestion for more perfect mutant distinguishing, in which part-overlapping primers containing mutation(s) were used to reduce initial concentration of template DNA in mutagenic PCR. A T
c-PCR with the same mutagenic primers was performed without Dpn I digestion. The T
c for each pair of the primers was identified by gradient PCR. The relationship between PCR-identified T
c and T
m of the primers was analyzed and modeled with correlation and regression.

Results
Gradient PCR identified a T
c for each of 14 tested mutagenic primers, which could discriminate mismatched parental molecules and undesired mutants from desired mutants. The PCR-identified T
c was correlated to the primer’s T
m (r = 0.804, P<0.0001). Thus, in practical applications, the T
c can be easily calculated with a regression equation, T
c = 48.81 + 0.253*T
m.

Conclusions
The new protocol introduced a novel T
c-PCR method for mutant screening which can more efficiently and accurately select against parental molecules and undesired mutations in mutagenic sequence segments.