bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactions of graphene and graphene oxide with proteins and peptides
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wu Congyu , Guo Shouwu , Zhang Jingyan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis review selectively describes the recent progress in the interactions of proteins (enzymes) and short-chain peptides with graphene and graphene oxide (GO). Particularly, the advances of the immobilization mechanisms of enzymes on graphene and GO, the catalytic properties of the immobilized enzymes, and their applications are summarized in detail. The interfacings of the peptides with graphene and GO, the as assembled conjugates, and their potential applications are discussed briefly. The possible ongoing development for the assembly of conjugates of graphene and GO with proteins and peptides in a controlled manner is speculated upon.
Surfactant-free solution-based synthesis of metallic nanoparticles toward efficient use of the nanoparticles’ surfaces and their application in catalysis and chemo-/biosensing
Authors: Kawasaki Hideya 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe choice of stabilizer and the stabilizer-to-precursor ions molar ratio during metal nanoparticle synthesis are important for controlling the shape, size, and dispersion stability of the nanoparticles. However, the active sites on the nanoparticles surfaces may be blocked by the stabilizing agents used, resulting in a less-than-effective utilization of the surfaces. In this review, various surfactant-free solution-based methods of synthesizing metal nanoparticles are described, along with the applications of such nanoparticles in catalysis and sensing. “Surfactant-free” synthesis does not imply truly bare metal nanoparticles synthesis but implies one where the metal nanoparticles are prepared in the absence of additional stabilizing agents such as thiolate and phosphine compounds, surfactants, and polymers. These metal nanoparticles are stabilized by the solvents or the simple ions of the reducing agents or low-molecular-weight salts used. Surfactant-free synthesis of metal nanoparticles via photochemical-, ultrasonochemical-, and laser ablation-mediated synthesis methods is also described. Because of the effective utilization of their surfaces, metal nanoparticles prepared without surfactants, polymers, templates, or seeds are expected to exhibit high performance when used in catalysis (synthetic catalysis and electrocatalysis) and sensing (surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)), surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS)).
Gingival Crevicular Fluid, Serum Levels of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor‐κB Ligand, Osteoprotegerin, and Interleukin‐17 in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis and With Periodontal Disease
Authors: Gümüş Pınar , Buduneli Eralp , Bıyıkoğlu Başak , Aksu Kenan , Saraç Fulden , Nile Christopher , Lappin David , Buduneli Nurcan 
Published: January 2013

Background: This study is performed to evaluate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (sRANKL), interleukin (IL)‐17A, IL‐17E, IL‐17F, IL‐17A/F, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoporosis (OPR), and those who are systemically healthy (SH), all with periodontal disease.Methods: GCF and serum samples were obtained before any periodontal intervention from 17 women with RA, 19 with OPR, and 13 who were SH with periodontitis. Full‐mouth clinical periodontal measurements were recorded. sRANKL, OPG, and IL‐17 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Clinical periodontal measurements were similar in the three study groups. Although the total amounts of GCF albumin, OPG, IL‐17A, and IL‐17A/F were similar in the study groups, there were statistically significant differences in GCF concentrations of sRANKL, OPG, IL‐17A, IL‐17E, IL‐17F, and IL‐17A/F. The sRANKL/OPG ratios were significantly higher in the RA group than in the OPR and SH groups (P <0.05). Serum sRANKL, sRANKL/OPG, and IL‐17A/IL‐17E ratios were significantly higher, whereas OPG concentrations were significantly lower in the RA group compared to other groups (P <0.05). Serum IL‐17A concentrations were significantly higher in the RA and OPR groups than in the SH group (P <0.05).Conclusion: Increased inflammatory mediator levels in patients with RA, despite the long‐term use of various anti‐inflammatory drugs, suggest that these patients may have a propensity to overproduce these inflammatory mediators.
Probiotic Therapy Reduces Periodontal Tissue Destruction and Improves the Intestinal Morphology in Rats With Ligature‐Induced Periodontitis
Authors: Messora Michel R. , Oliveira Luiz F.F. , Foureaux Renata C. , Taba Mario , Zangerônimo Márcio G. , Furlaneto Flávia A.C. , Pereira Luciano J. 
Published: January 2013

Background: With increase in the incidence of resistance to antibiotics, probiotics are emerging as a promising adjunctive periodontal therapy. The authors of this study evaluate the influence of probiotic (PROB) supplementation on ligature‐induced periodontitis (LIP) and intestinal morphology in rats.Methods: Thirty‐two rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (C), LIP, PROB, and LIP/PROB. In groups PROB and LIP/PROB, the PROB was administered orally by addition to the drinking water of the animals for 44 days. In groups LIP and LIP/PROB, the mandibular right first molar of the animals received a cotton ligature that was left in the same position for 14 days. All animals were euthanized 44 days after the start of the PROB supplementation. The jaws were resected and histomorphometric analyses were performed. The measurements included evaluation of attachment loss (AL) and alveolar bone level (ABL) on the distal root of the mandibular first molar. Samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were also dissected from each animal to evaluate the villous height (VH) and crypt depth (CD). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analyses (analysis of variance, Tukey; P <0.05).Results: Mean values of AL and ABL were significantly higher in group LIP compared with group LIP/PROB (AL: 3.05 ± 0.57 mm and 1.78 ± 0.63 mm, respectively; ABL: 4.21 ± 0.42 mm and 3.38 ± 0.17 mm, respectively). In group LIP/PROB, the mean values of VH and CD of the jejunum were significantly higher than the ones from group LIP (VH: 672.1 ± 83.3 µm and 528.0 ± 51.7 µm, respectively; CD: 463.8 ± 100.9 µm and 269.0 ± 48.4 µm, respectively).Conclusions: It can be concluded that PROB supplementation 1) reduces AL and alveolar bone loss in rats with LIP and 2) can protect the small intestine from reactive changes induced by LIP.
Risks of High-Powered Motorcycles Among Younger Adults
Authors: Rolison Jonathan J. , Hewson Paul J. , Hellier Elizabeth , Hurst Laura 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We assessed whether policies designed to safeguard young motorcyclists would be effective given shifts in ownership toward high-powered motorcycles. Methods. We investigated population-wide motor vehicle driver and motorcyclist casualties (excluding passengers) recorded in Britain between 2002 and 2009. To adjust for exposure and measure individual risk, we used the estimated number of trips of motorcyclists and drivers, which had been collected as part of a national travel survey. Results. Motorcyclists were 76 times more likely to be killed than were drivers for every trip. Older motorcyclist age—strongly linked to experience, skill set, and riding behavior—did not abate the risks of high-powered motorcycles. Older motorcyclists made more trips on high-powered motorcycles. Conclusions: Tighter engine size restrictions would help reduce the use of high-powered motorcycles. Policymakers should introduce health warnings on the risks of high-powered motorcycles and the benefits of safety equipment.
Individual and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status Effects on Adolescent Smoking: A Multilevel Cohort-Sequential Latent Growth Analysis
Authors: Mathur Charu , Erickson Darin J. , Stigler Melissa H. , Forster Jean L. , Finnegan John R. 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We examined the prospective effects of parental education (as a proxy for individual socioeconomic status [SES]) and neighborhood SES on adolescent smoking trajectories and whether the prospective effects of individual SES varied across neighborhood SES. Methods. The study included 3635 randomly recruited adolescents from 5 age cohorts (12–16 years) assessed semiannually for 3 years in the Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort study. We employed a cohort–sequential latent growth model to examine smoking from age 12 to 18 years with predictors. Results. Lower individual SES predicted increased levels of smoking over time. Whereas neighborhood SES had no direct effect, the interaction between individual and neighborhood SES was significant. Among higher and lower neighborhood SES, lower individual SES predicted increased levels of smoking; however, the magnitude of association between lower individual SES and higher smoking levels was significantly greater for higher neighborhood SES. Conclusions. We found evidence for differential effects of individual SES on adolescent smoking for higher and lower neighborhood SES. The group differences underscore social conditions as fundamental causes of disease and development of interventions and policies to address inequality in the resources.
Access to Oral Health Care: The Role of Federally Qualified Health Centers in Addressing Disparities and Expanding Access
Authors: Jones Emily , Shi Leiyu , Hayashi Arthur Seiji , Sharma Ravi , Daly Charles , Ngo-Metzger Quyen 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We examined utilization, unmet need, and satisfaction with oral health services among Federally Qualified Health Center patients. We examined correlates of unmet need to guide efforts to increase access to oral health services among underserved populations. Methods. Using the 2009 Health Center Patient Survey, we performed multivariate logistic regressions to examine factors associated with access to dental care at health centers, unmet need, and patient experience. Results. We found no racial or ethnic disparities in access to timely oral health care among health center patients; however, uninsured patients and those whose insurance does not provide dental coverage experienced restricted access and greater unmet need. Slightly more than half of health center patients had a dental visit in the past year, but 1 in 7 reported that their most recent visit was at least 5 years ago. Among health center patients who accessed dental care at their health center, satisfaction was high. Conclusions. These results underscore the critical role that health centers play in national efforts to improve oral health status and eliminate disparities in access to timely and appropriate dental services.
Giving to Others and the Association Between Stress and Mortality
Authors: Poulin Michael J. , Brown Stephanie L. , Dillard Amanda J. , Smith Dylan M. 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We sought to test the hypothesis that providing help to others predicts a reduced association between stress and mortality.Methods. We examined data from participants (n = 846) in a study in the Detroit, Michigan, area. Participants completed baseline interviews that assessed past-year stressful events and whether the participant had provided tangible assistance to friends or family members. Participant mortality and time to death was monitored for 5 years by way of newspaper obituaries and monthly state death-record tapes.Results. When we adjusted for age, baseline health and functioning, and key psychosocial variables, Cox proportional hazard models for mortality revealed a significant interaction between helping behavior and stressful events (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58; P < .05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35, 0.98). Specifically, stress did not predict mortality risk among individuals who provided help to others in the past year (HR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.79, 1.18), but stress did predict mortality among those who did not provide help to others (HR = 1.30; P < .05; 95% CI = 1.05, 1.62).Conclusions. Helping others predicted reduced mortality specifically by buffering the association between stress and mortality.
Water Fluoridation and the Association of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Dental Caries in Australian Children
Authors: Armfield Jason M. , Spencer A. John , Roberts-Thomson Kaye F. , Plastow Katrina 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We examined demographic and socioeconomic differences in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), its association with dental caries in children, and whether exposure to water fluoridation modifies this association. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, we used a stratified, clustered sampling design to obtain information on 16 508 children aged 5 to 16 years enrolled in Australian school dental services in 2002 to 2005. Dental staff assessed dental caries, and parents completed a questionnaire about their child’s residential history, sources of drinking water, toothbrushing frequency, socioeconomic status (SES), and SSB consumption. Results. Children who brushed their teeth less often and were older, male, of low SES, from rural or remote areas consumed significantly more SSBs. Caries was significantly associated with greater SSB consumption after controlling for potential confounders. Finally, greater exposure to fluoridated water significantly reduced the association between children’s SSB consumption and dental caries. Conclusions. Consumption of SSBs should be considered a major risk factor for dental caries. However, increased exposure to fluoridated public water helped ameliorate the association between SSB consumption and dental decay. These results reconfirm the benefits of community water fluoridation for oral health.
Fatty, Fatty, Two-by-Four: Weight-Teasing History and Disturbed Eating in Young Adult Women
Authors: Quick Virginia M. , McWilliams Rita , Byrd-Bredbenner Carol 
Published: January 2013

Objective. We investigated the long-term effect of weight teasing during childhood. Methods. Young adult women (n = 1533; aged 18–26 years) from 3 large universities participated in a survey (Fall 2009 to Spring 2010) that assessed disturbed eating behaviors; weight status at ages 6, 12, and 16 years; and weight-teasing history. Results. Nearly half of the participants were weight-teased as a child. Participants who experienced childhood weight teasing were significantly more likely to have disturbed eating behaviors now than non–weight-teased peers. As the variety of weight teasing insults recalled increased, so did disturbed eating behaviors and current body mass index. Those who recalled their weight at ages 6, 12, or 16 years as being heavier than average endured weight teasing significantly more frequently and felt greater distress than their lighter counterparts. Conclusions. Weight teasing may contribute to the development of disturbed eating and eating disorders in young women. Health care professionals, parents, teachers, and other childcare givers must help shift social norms to make weight teasing as unacceptable as other types of bullying. To protect the health of children, efforts to make weight teasing unacceptable are warranted.
Walking Associated With Public Transit: Moving Toward Increased Physical Activity in the United States
Authors: Freeland Amy L. , Banerjee Shailendra N. , Dannenberg Andrew L. , Wendel Arthur M. 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We assessed changes in transit-associated walking in the United States from 2001 to 2009 and documented their importance to public health. Methods. We examined transit walk times using the National Household Travel Survey, a telephone survey administered by the US Department of Transportation to examine travel behavior in the United States. Results. People are more likely to transit walk if they are from lower income households, are non-White, and live in large urban areas with access to rail systems. Transit walkers in large urban areas with a rail system were 72% more likely to transit walk 30 minutes or more per day than were those without a rail system. From 2001 to 2009, the estimated number of transit walkers rose from 7.5 million to 9.6 million (a 28% increase); those whose transit-associated walking time was 30 minutes or more increased from approximately 2.6 million to 3.4 million (a 31% increase). Conclusions. Transit walking contributes to meeting physical activity recommendations. Study results may contribute to transportation-related health impact assessment studies evaluating the impact of proposed transit systems on physical activity, potentially influencing transportation planning decisions.
Population Use, Sales, and Design: A Multidimensional Assessment of “Light” Cigarettes in the United States, 2009
Authors: Behm Ilan , Sokol Natasha A. , Kennedy Ryan David , Rees Vaughan W. , Connolly Gregory N. 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We compared multiple measures of surveillance of “light” cigarette use, including population use, sales, and design features. Measures were obtained before the 2010 descriptors ban to establish a baseline for future evaluation of the effect of the ban. Methods. We examined light cigarette use, sales, and design using 3 data sets from 2009. We assessed population use using National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. Sales data were drawn from AC Nielsen. We gathered design features, including nicotine concentration, filter ventilation, and weight, from tobacco industry disclosures mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Results. In 2009, 52.7% of smokers self-reported light cigarette use, which accounted for 56.0% of cigarettes sold in the United States. Self-reported light smokers were more likely to be female, White, older, and nondaily smokers. Of design features analyzed, only average filter ventilation differed significantly between light and “full-flavored” cigarettes. Conclusions. Assessment of the impact of the descriptors ban and any future policies surrounding light cigarettes should use multiple surveillance strategies, including measures of population use, sales, and cigarette design.
The Dose–Response of Time Served in Prison on Mortality: New York State, 1989–2003
Authors: Patterson Evelyn J. 
Published: January 2013

Objectives. I investigated the differential impact of the dose–response of length of stay on postprison mortality among parolees. Methods. Using 1989–2003 New York State parole administrative data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics on state correctional facilities, I employed multinomial logistic regression analyses and formal demographic techniques that used the life table of the populations to deduce changes in life expectancy. Results. Each additional year in prison produced a 15.6% increase in the odds of death for parolees, which translated to a 2-year decline in life expectancy for each year served in prison. The risk was highest upon release from prison and declined over time. The time to recovery, or the lowest risk level, was approximately two thirds of the time served in prison. Conclusions. Incarceration reduces life span. Future research should investigate the pathways to this higher mortality and the possibilities of recovery.
Unintended Consequences: Abortion Training in the Years After Roe v Wade
Authors: Aksel Sarp , Fein Lydia , Ketterer Em , Young Emily , Backus Lois 
Published: January 2013

The US Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v Wade decision had clear implications for American women’s reproductive rights and physician ability to carry out patient choices. Its effect on physician abortion training was less apparent. In an effort to increase patient access to abortions after Roe, provision shifted from hospitals to nonhospital clinics. However, these procedures and patients were taken out of the medical education realm, and physicians became vulnerable to intimidation. The consequent provider shortage created an unexpected barrier to abortion access. Medical Students for Choice was founded in 1993 to increase abortion-training opportunities for medical students and residents. Its mission ensures that motivated medical students will learn and a growing number of physicians will commit to comprehensive abortion provision.
Job Strain and Ambulatory Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Landsbergis Paul A. , Dobson Marnie , Koutsouras George , Schnall Peter 
Published: January 2013

We reviewed evidence of the relationship between job strain and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in 29 studies (1985–2012). We conducted a quantitative meta-analysis on 22 cross-sectional studies of a single exposure to job strain. We systematically reviewed 1 case–control study, 3 studies of cumulative exposure to job strain, and 3 longitudinal studies.Single exposure to job strain in cross-sectional studies was associated with higher work systolic and diastolic ABP. Associations were stronger in men than women and in studies of broad-based populations than those with limited occupational variance. Biases toward the null were common, suggesting that our summary results underestimated the true association.Job strain is a risk factor for blood pressure elevation. Workplace surveillance programs are needed to assess the prevalence of job strain and high ABP and to facilitate workplace cardiovascular risk reduction interventions.
Abortion in Sri Lanka: The Double Standard
Authors: Kumar Ramya 
Published: January 2013

In Sri Lanka, women do not have access to legal abortion except under life-saving circumstances. Clandestine abortion services are, however, available and quite accessible.Although safe specialist services are available to women who can afford them, others access services under unsafe and exploitative conditions. At the time of this writing, a draft bill that will legalize abortion in instances of rape, incest, and fetal abnormalities awaits approval, amid opposition.In this article, I explore the current push for legal reform as a solution to unsafe abortion. Although a welcome effort, this amendment alone will be insufficient to address the public health consequences of unsafe abortion in Sri Lanka because most women seek abortions for other reasons. Much broader legal and policy reform will be required.
Abortion in a Progressive Legal Environment: The Need for Vigilance in Protecting and Promoting Access to Safe Abortion Services in South Africa
Authors: Trueman Karen A. , Magwentshu Makgoale 
Published: January 2013

The importance of South Africa as a model for reproductive self-determination in Africa cannot be underestimated. Abortion has been legal since 1996, and the country has some of the most developed government systems for the provision of abortion care on the continent. Yet in the same way opponents of abortion in the United States have whittled away at access with increased bureaucracy, South Africa faces similar assaults that leave women without safe care and threaten to turn back achievements made during the past 16 years. I explore the history of the law, subsequent legal challenges, and new threats to women’s access to abortion services, including service delivery issues that may influence the future of public health in the country.