bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of dyslipidemia among HIV-infected patients using first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy in Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional comparative group study
Authors: Tadewos Agete , Addis Zelalem , Ambachew Henock , Banerjee Sandip 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundData on lipid profile abnormalities among patients receiving highly active antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia are very limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and characteristics of lipid profiles among patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Southern Ethiopia.MethodsThis cross sectional comparative group study was conducted between March and May 2012, and included 113 HIV infected patients treated for a minimum of one year with first-line HAART regimens that included Efavirenz and Nevirapine (HAART group) and others 113 who had never received HAART (pre-HAART group). Serum lipid profiles were determined after overnight fasting and dyslipidemia was assessed according to the United State National Cholesterol Education program-III guideline. For statistical analysis Chi-square, student’s t-test, and logistic regression were used using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.ResultNinety-three (82.3%) of HAART and 87 (76.9%) pre-HAART patients had at least one laboratory abnormality, which is compatible with a diagnosis of dyslipidemia. Total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dl occurred in 43.4% of HAART and 15.9% pre-HAART patients (p=<0.0001), whereas HDL-cholesterol below 40 mg/dl occurred in 43.4% and in 63.7% respectively, (p=0.002). The LDL-cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl occurred in 33.6% of HAART and 15% pre-HAART patients (p=0.001), while triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dl occurred in 55.8% and 31.0% respectively, (p=0.001). Receiving of HAART was significantly and positively associated with raised total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of HAART-treated vs. pre-HAART was 3.80 (1.34-6.55) for total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dl; 2.64 (1.31-5.32) for LDL- cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl and 2.50 (1.41-4.42) for triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl.ConclusionUse of first-line antiretroviral therapy regimens that contain Efavirenz and Nevirapine were associated with raised total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, an established atherogenic lipid profiles. Lipid profiles should be performed at baseline before commencement of antiretroviral therapy and then periodically through treatment follow-up to monitor any rising trends.
Infant feeding practices and breastfeeding duration in Japan: A review
Authors: Inoue Madoka , Binns Colin W , Otsuka Keiko , Jimba Masamine , Matsubara Manami 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The Japanese health system places great emphasis on healthy development. However, the prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding at one month postpartum between 1980 and 2005 has remained unchanged, fluctuating between 42% and 49%. At the same time, the Any Breastfeeding prevalence has gradually increased from about 80% to 95%. In 2010, the latest national breastfeeding report showed that ‘exclusive’ and ‘any’ breastfeeding rates have improved. However, as the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of breastfeeding practices was not used in this study or in other national surveys, it is difficult to interpret these latest results. While the Japanese government has launched several promotion projects, there have been few studies and reviews of risk factors that influence breastfeeding duration. The objectives of this review were to summarise the factors that have influenced the duration of breastfeeding in Japan to provide information relevant to breastfeeding promotion programs. A search of electronic databases in Japanese and English was undertaken up to 2011. The inclusion criteria for this review were studies that focused on infant feeding practices and targeted Japanese mothers, fathers, or health professionals, but excluded mothers’ friends and peer groups. In total, 12 articles were selected for the final analysis. Smoking status, low birth weight of infants and maternal perceptions of insufficient breast milk supply were negative influences on breastfeeding duration, while support from husbands/partners is associated with continued breastfeeding. Some factors that have been found to be associated with breastfeeding in other countries, including maternal age, family income, maternal educational levels, and living with grandparents of infants have not been confirmed in Japan. While the national breastfeeding rates were higher than other countries of similar health status, inconsistent knowledge of breastfeeding benefits and inappropriate hospital practices remain in Japan may be associated with increased the use of infant formula and reduced breastfeeding duration. Most of the studies reviewed were cross-sectional in design, with only a limited number of cohort studies. Also many published studies used small sample sizes. Cohort studies of infant feeding practices with larger sample sizes are required to monitor trends in rates and risk factors for breastfeeding outcomes.
Identification of resistant carboxylesterase alleles in Culex pipiens complex via PCR-RFLP
Authors: Zhang Hanying , Meng Fengxia , Qiao Chuanling , Cui Feng 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundCarboxylesterase overproduction is a frequently observed resistance mechanism of insects to organophosphate insecticides. As a major transmitter of human diseases, mosquitoes in theCulex pipienscomplex have evolved 13 carboxylesterase alleles (Ester) that confer organophosphate resistance. Six alleles,EsterB1,Ester2,Ester8,Ester9,EsterB10, andEster11, have been observed in field populations in China, sometimes co-existing in one population. To differentiate the carboxylesterase alleles found in these field populations, PCR-RFLP was designed for use in resistance monitoring.ResultsBased on the DNA sequences of resistant and nonresistant carboxylesterase alleles,Ester Balleles were first amplified with PCR-specific primers and then digested with the restriction enzymeDraI. In this step,Ester2andEster11were differentiated from the otherEsteralleles. When the otherEsterB alleles were digested with the restriction enzymeXbaI,EsterB1and the susceptibleC. p. pallens Esterwere screened out.Ester8andEster9were differentiated fromEsterB10and the susceptibleC. p. quinquefasciatusesterase allele, respectively, by amplifying and digesting theEster Aalleles with the restriction enzymeApaLI. The effectiveness of the custom-designed PCR-RFLP was verified in two field mosquito populations.ConclusionsA PCR-RFLP based approach was developed to differentiate carboxylesterase alleles inCulex pipienscomplex mosquitoes. These processes may be useful in monitoring the evolutionary dynamics of known carboxylesterase alleles as well as in the identification of new alleles in field populations.
Pattern of outsole shoe heel wear in infantry recruits
Authors: Finestone Aharon S , Petrov Kaloyan , Agar Gabriel , Honig Assaf , Tamir Eran , Milgrom Charles 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundExcessive shoe heel abrasion is of concern to patients, parents and shoe manufacturers, but little scientific information is available. The purpose of this study was to describe the phenomenon in a group of infantry recruits performing similar physical activity, and search for biomechanical factors that might be related.MethodsSeventy‐six subjects (median age 19) enrolled. Pre‐training parameters measured included height, weight, tibial length, foot arch height and foot progression angle. Digital plantar pressure maps were taken to calculate arch indexes. Shoe heel abrasion was assessed manually after 14 weeks of training with different‐sized clock transparencies and a calliper.ResultsOutsole abrasion was posterolateral, averaging 12 degrees on each shoe. The average heel volume that was eroded was almost 5 cm3. The angle of maximum wear was related to right foot progression angle (r = 0.27, p = 0.02). Recruits with lateral ankle sprains had higher angles of maximal abrasion (17° versus 10°, p = 0.26) and recruits with lateral heel abrasion had more lateral ankle sprains (14% versus 3%, p = 0.12).ConclusionWhile shoe heel wear affects many people, very little has been done to measure it. In this study in healthy subjects, we found the main abrasion to be posterolateral. This seems to be related to foot progression angle. It was not related to hindfoot valgus/varus or other factors related to subtalar joint motion. These findings do not warrant modification of subtalar joint motion in order to limit shoe heel abrasion.
Numerical analysis of airflow alteration in central airways following tracheobronchial stent placement
Authors: Ho Chien-Yi , Liao Hsiu-Mei , Tu Chih-Yen , Huang Chih-Yang , Shih Chuen-Ming , Su Min-Ying Lydia , Chen Jeon-Hor , Shih Tzu-Ching 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The computational fluid dynamics method, which provides an estimation of the pressure drop in the airway before and after the stent implantation, is proposed in this study. This method is based on the finite volume model. The pressure field was solved by the Navier-Stokes equations. The proposed methodology was evaluated in seven health people (control group) and in fourteen patients who were assigned in two groups, in which one was tracheal stenosis and the other was bronchial stenosis. The results showed that the pressure drop after tracheal stent implantation became significantly smaller. For bronchial stent implantation cases, the airway resistance improved insignificantly.
High expression of QSOX1 reduces tumorogenesis, and is associated with a better outcome for breast cancer patients
Authors: Pernodet Nicolas , Hermetet François , Adami Pascale , Vejux Anne , Descotes Françoise , Borg Christophe , Adams Marjorie , Pallandre Jean-René , Viennet Gabriel , Esnard Frédéric , Jouvenot Michèle , Despouy Gilles 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
The gene quiescin/sulfhydryl oxidase 1, QSOX1, encodes an enzyme directed to the secretory pathway and excreted into the extracellular space. QSOX1 participates in the folding and stability of proteins and thus could regulate the biological activity of its substrates in the secretory pathway and/or outside the cell. The involvement of QSOX1 in oncogenesis has been studied primarily in terms of its differential expression in systemic studies. QSOX1 is overexpressed in prostate cancers and in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In contrast, QSOX1 gene expression is repressed in endothelial tumors. In the present study, we investigated the role of QSOX1 in breast cancer.

Methods
We analyzed QSOX1 mRNA expression in a cohort of 217 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast. Moreover, we investigated QSOX1's potential role in regulating tumor growth and metastasis using cellular models in which we overexpressed or extinguished QSOX1 and xenograft experiments.

Results
We showed that the QSOX1 expression level is inversely correlated to the aggressiveness of breast tumors. Our results show that QSOX1 leads to a decrease in cell proliferation, clonogenic capacities and promotes adhesion to the extracellular matrix. QSOX1 also reduces the invasive potential of cells by reducing cell migration and decreases the activity of the matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-2, involved in these mechanisms. Moreover, in vivo experiments show that QSOX1 drastically reduces the tumor development.

Conclusions
Together, these results suggest that QSOX1 could be posited as a new biomarker of good prognosis in breast cancer and demonstrate that QSOX1 inhibits human breast cancer tumorogenesis.
Matrix stiffness reverses the effect of actomyosin tension on cell proliferation
Authors: Mih Justin D. , Marinkovic Aleksandar , Liu Fei , Sharif Asma S. , Tschumperlin Daniel J. 
Published: October 2012

Summary
The stiffness of the extracellular matrix exerts powerful effects on cell proliferation and differentiation, but the mechanisms transducing matrix stiffness into cellular fate decisions remain poorly understood. Two widely reported responses to matrix stiffening are increases in actomyosin contractility and cell proliferation. To delineate their relationship, we modulated cytoskeletal tension in cells grown across a physiological range of matrix stiffnesses. On both synthetic and naturally derived soft matrices, and across a panel of cell types, we observed a striking reversal of the effect of inhibiting actomyosin contractility, switching from the attenuation of proliferation on rigid substrates to the robust promotion of proliferation on soft matrices. Inhibiting contractility on soft matrices decoupled proliferation from cytoskeletal tension and focal adhesion organization, but not from cell spread area. Our results demonstrate that matrix stiffness and actomyosin contractility converge on cell spreading in an unexpected fashion to control a key aspect of cell fate.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the cardioprotective effects of remote ischaemic preconditioning in open cardiac surgery
Authors: Pilcher Janine M , Young Paul , Weatherall Mark , Rahman Ishtiaq , Bonser Robert S , Beasley Richard W 
Published: October 2012

Objective To investigate the cardioprotective efficacy of remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) in cardiac surgery. Design We have performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify randomized controlled trials involving RIPC. Setting Randomized controlled trials of RIPC in open cardiac surgery patients. Main outcome measures Meta-analysis was performed with the primary outcome the standardized mean difference between intervention and control groups in 12 hour postoperative troponin concentration. Heterogeneity was examined by fixed effects meta-regression. Results Ten studies with a total of 693 participants were included in the meta-analysis. RIPC reduced troponin levels 12 hours after surgery compared with control. The fixed and random effects differences were 0.35 (95% CI 0.19 to 0.51) and 0.53 (95% CI 0.18-0.88) respectively. However, important heterogeneity was present. Fixed effects meta-regression partially accounted for heterogeneity based on whether studies had full blinding, comprising blinding of patients, surgeons, anaesthetists and investigators. Studies with incomplete or no blinding demonstrated a larger estimate of effect, 0.74 (95% CI 0.47 to 1.00) compared to those with full blinding, 0.13 (95% CI - 0.07 to 0.33). Conclusions Although our analysis suggests RIPC may result in cardiac protection during cardiac surgery, the effect was most marked in studies without full blinding, with a smaller and statistically non-significant effect in fully blinded studies. We propose that further double blind randomized controlled trials investigating the cardioprotective effects of RIPC in cardiac surgery are required to resolve the current clinical uncertainty.
Class-Restricted Clustering and Microperturbation for Data Privacy
Authors: Li Xiao-Bai , Sarkar Sumit 
Published: October 2012

The extensive use of information technologies by organizations to collect and share personal data has raised strong privacy concerns. To respond to the public's demand for data privacy, a class of clustering-based data masking techniques is increasingly being used for privacy-preserving data sharing and analytics. Although they address reidentification risks, traditional clustering-based approaches for masking numeric attributes typically do not consider the disclosure risk of categorical confidential attributes. We propose a new approach to deal with this problem. The proposed method clusters data such that the data points within a group are similar in the nonconfidential attribute values, whereas the confidential attribute values within a group are well distributed. To accomplish this, the clustering method, which is based on a minimum spanning tree (MST) technique, uses two risk-utility trade-off measures in the growing and pruning stages of the MST technique, respectively. As part of our approach we also propose a novel cluster-level microperturbation method for masking data that overcomes a common problem of traditional clustering-based methods for data masking, which is their inability to preserve important statistical properties such as the variance of attributes and the covariance across attributes. We show that the mean vector and the covariance matrix of the masked data generated using the microperturbation method are unbiased estimates of the original mean vector and covariance matrix. An experimental study on several real-world data sets demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.This paper was accepted by Sandra Slaughter, information systems.
Integrated Analyses of Proteins and Their Glycans in a Magnetic Bead–Based Multiplex Assay Format
Authors: Li Danni , Chiu Hanching , Chen Jing , Zhang Hui , Chan Daniel W 
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND
Well-annotated clinical samples are valuable resources for biomarker discovery and validation. Multiplex and integrated methods that simultaneously measure multiple analytes and generate integrated information about these analytes from a single measurement are desirable because these methods help conserve precious samples. We developed a magnetic bead–based system for multiplex and integrated glycoprotein quantification by immunoassays and glycan detection by lectin immunosorbent assays (LISAs).

METHODS
Magnetic beads coupled with antibodies were used for capturing proteins of interest. Biotinylated antibodies in combination with streptavidin-labeled phycoerythrin were used for protein quantification. In the LISAs, biotinylated detection antibodies were replaced by biotinylated lectins for glycan detection.

RESULTS
Using tissue inhibitor of metallopeptidase 1 (TIMP-1), tissue plasminogen activator, membrane metallo-endopeptidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4) as models, we found that the multiplex integrated system was comparable to single immunoassays in protein quantification and LISAs in glycan detection. The merits of this system were demonstrated when applied to well-annotated prostate cancer tissues for validation of biomarkers in aggressive prostate cancer. Because of the system's multiplex ability, we used only 300 ng of tissue protein for the integrated detection of glycans in these proteins. Fucosylated TIMP-1 and DPP-4 offered improved performance over the proteins in distinguishing aggressive and nonaggressive prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS
The multiplex and integrated system conserves samples and is a useful tool for validation of glycoproteins and their glycoforms as biomarkers.
Room Temperature Deposition of Highly Transparent n-ZnO on PET and ZnO Semiconductor FET
Authors: Neri Alessandro , Lotti Riccardo , Yarmolich Dmitry , Nozar Petr , Quiroga Santiago , Lunedei Eugenio , Taliani Carlo 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTIn this paper we report on the fabrication of n-doped ZnO and semiconducting n-ZnO at room temperature by a new ablation deposition technology that makes use of electron/plasma ablation sources named Pulsed Plasma Deposition (PPD) developed by Organic Spintronics Srl.The oxygen vacancies n-doped ZnO PPD grown thin film is deposited on PET and shows a resistivity of 3 x 10-4ohm cm. The n-ZnO TCO is compact, smooth and highly transparent in the UV-VIS (better than 90 T%) as well as in the near IR spectral range and it is remarkably temperature stable. Typical ZnO deposition rate of the PPD is 500 nm/min.The RT deposited semiconductor ZnO shows a very large Hall electron mobility up to 1000 cm2/Vs approaching that of the single crystal. Preliminary results of Si/SiO2 based bottom gate and contact FET test pattern structures with a 50 nm overlaying ZnO thin film shows an ON/OFF ratio of 50000 and a FET mobility of 1 cm2/Vs. Further implementation on appropriate FET design will be performed to explore the possibility to achieve a larger FET mobility. The PPD proves to be an enabling technology that makes it possible the advent of flexible OLED displays.
Detection of Cadmium using Conjugated Polymer Modified Electrodes
Authors: Ponrathnam Timothy , Robertson Seth , Cho Junghwan , Kurup Pradeep , Nagarajan Ramaswamy 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThe detection of heavy metals in subsurface strata currently requires tedious sampling procedures followed by laboratory analysis using techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively couple plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). These techniques are extremely accurate and capable of detecting very low concentrations of metal ions. The main drawback of these techniques is that they are time consuming, expensive to perform and not portable. A portable sensor capable of detecting metals ion in solution is highly desirable. Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) can be utilized as a reliable method for the trace detection of metal ions in water. In order to improve the sensitivity of the electrochemical sensor, conjugated polymer films can be coated on the surface of the glassy carbon working electrodes. Stable films of poly (3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) [PEDOT] and polythiophene copolymer [PTCPTA] were electrochemically synthesized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. These polymer modified electrodes were utilized for the detection of cadmium in water. The sensors are capable of detecting trace concentrations of cadmium approaching the maximum contamination limits imposed by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
Synthesizing and Subsequent Annealing of Si-based Thermoelectric Material Ba8AuxSi46-x Clathrates
Authors: Liu Bin , Saisho Makoto , Nagatomo Yuya , Tajiri Mikihito , Nakakohara Yusuke , Furukimi Osamu , Teranishi Ryo , Munetoh Shinji 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTWe prepared the type-I Ba8AuxSi46-x (x=5.5, 5.4 and 5.33) clathrates with p-type conduction by arc-melting and subsequent annealing. The Seebeck coefficients of all as-synthesized samples were negative. After annealing, in the case of x=5.4 and 5.5, the Seebeck coefficients changed to positive, and in the case of x=5.33, this value was negative for the annealed sample. The chemical composition revealed that Au content in the Ba8AuxSi46-x clathrates increased after the annealing process. The backscattered electron images showed that there were many Au-excess regions which were not clathrate structure in the as-synthesized samples, and these regions decreased and even disappeared after the annealing process. The disappearing of Au-excess regions can be explained by the diffusion of Au atoms from the Au-excess regions into the clathrates. Based on these results, annealing treatment can be used to tune the carrier conduction by controlling the content of Au for type-I Ba8AuxSi46-xclathrates.