bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aragon workers’ health study – design and cohort description
Authors: Casasnovas José A , Alcaide Victor , Civeira Fernando , Guallar Eliseo , Ibañez Borja , Borreguero Jesús Jiménez , Laclaustra Martin , León Montserrat , Peñalvo José Luis , Ordovás José M , Pocovi Miguel , Sanz Ginés , Fuster Valentín 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
Spain, a Mediterranean country with relatively low rates of coronary heart disease, has a high prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and is experiencing a severe epidemic of overweight/obesity. We designed the Aragon Workers’ Health Study (AWHS) to characterize the factors associated with metabolic abnormalities and subclinical atherosclerosis in a middle aged population in Spain free of clinical cardiovascular disease. The objective of this paper is to describe the study design, aims and baseline characteristics of participants in the AWHS.

Methods/Design
Longitudinal cohort study based on the annual health exams of 5,400 workers of a car assembly plant in Figueruelas (Zaragoza, Spain). Study participants were recruited during a standardized clinical exam in 2009–2010 (participation rate 95.6%). Study participants will undergo annual clinical exams and laboratory assays, and baseline and triennial collection of biological materials for biobanking and cardiovascular imaging exams (carotid, femoral and abdominal ultrasonography, coronary calcium score, and ankle-arm blood pressure index). Participants will be followed-up for 10 years.

Results
The average (SD) age, body mass index, and waist circumference were 49.3 (8.7) years, 27.7 (3.6) kg/m2 and 97.2 (9.9) cm, respectively, among males (N = 5,048), and 40.8 (11.6) years, 24.4 (3.8) kg/m2, and 81.9 (9.9) cm, among females (N = 351). The prevalence of overweight, obesity, current smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes were 55.0, 23.1, 37.1, 40.3, 75.0, and 7.4%, respectively, among males, and 23.7, 8.3, 45.0, 12.1, 59.5, and 0.6%, respectively, among females. In the initial 587 study participants who completed all imaging exams (94.5% male), the prevalence of carotid plaque, femoral plaque, coronary calcium score >1 to 100, and coronary calcium score >100 was 30.3, 56.9, 27.0, and 8.8%, respectively. 67.7% of study participants had at least one plaque in the carotid or femoral arteries.

Discussion
Baseline data from the AWHS show a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and of sublinical atherosclerosis. Follow-up of this cohort will allow the assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis progression and the link of disease progression to traditional and emergent risk factors.
Left atrial pathological degeneration assessed by integrated backscatter transesophageal echocardiography as a predictor of progression to persistent atrial fibrillation: Results from a prospective study of three-years follow-up
Authors: Kubota Tomoki , Kawasaki Masanori , Takasugi Nobuhiro , Imai Hajime , Ishihara Yoshiyuki , Okubo Munenori , Takahashi Shigekiyo , Sato Hironobu , Nishigaki Kazuhiko , Takemura Genzou , Minatoguchi Shinya 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
It is recognized that one of the causes of atrial fibrillation (AF) is pathological degeneration of the left atrium (LA). However, prospective study that elucidated the relationship between the incidence of persistent AF and pathological degeneration has not been performed. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the usefulness of integrated backscatter (IBS) values for the prediction of progression from paroxysmal AF (PAF) to persistent AF.

Methods
We measured IBS values of the entire LA wall at 5 mm intervals (except the posterior wall) in 27 patients with paroxysmal AF and evaluated progression to persistent AF for three years. IBS values were acquired with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) using a 4–7 MHz transducer. IBS values were calculated as the average power of the backscattered signal from regions of interest (ROI). Each IBS value was color-coded to construct three dimensional maps.

Results
Average IBS values of total voxels in color-coded maps in the persistent AF group were significantly greater than those in the non-persistent AF group (25.8 ± 5.0 dB vs. 17.4 ± 10.2 dB, p = 0.047), whereas there was no significant difference in LA diameter between the persistent AF and the non-persistent AF group. There was significant difference in persistent AF-free survival after the baseline measurements in the subjects stratified by IBS value (<20 dB versus ≥20 dB) (univariate Cox regression analysis: hazard ratio: 8.74, p =0.046).

Conclusion
Using IBS values measured by TEE, we can identify an increase in atrial degeneration that may predict the occurrence of persistent AF before LA dilation.
Identifying the sociodemographic determinants of subjective health complaints in a cross-sectional study of Greek adolescents
Authors: Petanidou Dimitra , Giannakopoulos George , Tzavara Chara , Dimitrakaki Christine , Ravens-Sieberer Ulricke , Kolaitis Gerasimos , Tountas Yannis 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
Experience of common health symptoms without a clear physical or psychological cause, such as headache or dizziness, is often reported in adolescence. The present study attempted to investigate associations of self-reported subjective health complaints (SHC) with a number of sociodemographic factors of Greek adolescents.

Methods
Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nationwide random school-based sample of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years and their parents in 2003. Data from 922 adolescent-parent pairs were analyzed (response rate = 63%). Adolescents’ reported subjective health complaints were assessed for their association with a number of sociodemographic factors: age, sex, type of area of residence according to level of urbanization, immigration background, parental education and employment status, family socioeconomic status and perceived quality of financial resources (PQFR). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association of the aforementioned factors with subjective health complaints as the dependent variable.

Results
Most sociodemographic variables, apart from area of residence and immigration background, were independently associated with subjective health complaints in the univariate analyses. The multiple linear regression analysis, however, limited the factors that could predict adolescents’ subjective health complaints to four (age, sex, Family Affluence Scale score and perceived quality of financial resources). Some considerations regarding parental employment status and immigration background are highlighted.

Conclusions
Our study highlights the sociodemographic components of subjective health complaints in the Greek adolescent population. The need to include adolescent-specific measures when collecting information on adolescents’ social background is underlined. Identifying vulnerable adolescent populations could lead to effective health promoting and preventive interventions.
The make or buy debate: Considering the limitations of domestic production in Tanzania
Authors: Wilson Kinsley Rose , Kohler Jillian Clare , Ovtcharenko Natalia 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
In order to ensure their population’s regular access to essential medicines, many least developed countries and developing countries are faced with the policy question of whether to import or manufacture drugs locally, in particular for life-saving antiretroviral medicines for HIV/AIDS patients. In order for domestic manufacturing to be viable and cost-effective, the local industry must be able to compete with international suppliers of medicines by producing sufficiently low cost ARVs.

Methods
This paper considers the ‘make-or-buy’ dilemma by using Tanzania as a case study. Key informant interviews, event-driven observation, and purposive sampling of documents were used to evaluate the case study. The case study focused on Tanzania’s imitation technology transfer agreement to locally manufacture a first-line ARV (3TC + d4T + NVP), reverse engineering the ARV.

Results
Tanzania is limited by weak political support for the use of TRIPS flexibilities, limited production capacity for ARVs and limited competitiveness in both domestic and regional markets. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare encourages the use of flexibilities while others push for increased IP protection. Insufficient production capacity and lack of access to donor-financed tenders make it difficult to obtain economies of scale and provide competitive prices.

Conclusions
Within the “make-or-buy” context, it was determined that there are significant limitations in domestic manufacturing for developing countries. The case study highlights the difficulty of governments to make use of economies of scale and produce low-cost medicines, attract technology transfer, and utilize the flexibilities of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The results demonstrate the importance of evaluating barriers to the use of TRIPS flexibilities and long-term planning across sectors in future technology transfer and manufacturing initiatives.
RACK1, a clue to the diagnosis of cutaneous melanomas in horses
Authors: Campagne Cécile , Julé Sophia , Bernex Florence , Estrada Mercedes , Aubin-Houzelstein Geneviève , Panthier Jean-Jacques , Egidy Giorgia 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundMelanocytic proliferations are common in horses but the diagnosis of malignancy is not always straightforward. To improve diagnosis and prognosis, markers of malignancy are needed. Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) protein may be such a marker. RACK1 was originally found to characterize malignant melanocytic lesions in the Melanoblastoma-bearing Libechov minipig (MeLiM) and, later, in human patients. Our purpose was to investigate the value of RACK1 in the classification of cutaneous melanocytic proliferations in horses.ResultsUsing immunofluorescence, we report here that both MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) and PAX3 (Paired box 3) allow the identification of melanocytic cells in horse skin samples. Importantly, RACK1 was detected in melanocytic lesions but not in healthy skin melanocytes. Finally, we found that RACK1 labeling can be used in horses to distinguish benign melanocytic tumors from melanomas. Indeed, RACK1 labeling appeared more informative to assess malignancy than individual histomorphological features.ConclusionsThis study confirms that horses provide an interesting model for melanoma genesis studies. It establishes MITF and PAX3 as markers of horse melanocytic cells. RACK1 emerges as an important marker of malignancy which may contribute to progress in the diagnosis of melanomas in both human and veterinary medicine.
A minimal ligand binding pocket within a network of correlated mutations identified by multiple sequence and structural analysis of G protein coupled receptors
Authors: Moitra Subhodeep , Tirupula Kalyan C , Klein-Seetharaman Judith , Langmead Christopher James 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven helical transmembrane proteins that function as signal transducers. They bind ligands in their extracellular and transmembrane regions and activate cognate G proteins at their intracellular surface at the other side of the membrane. The relay of allosteric communication between the ligand binding site and the distant G protein binding site is poorly understood. In this study, GREMLIN [1], a recently developed method that identifies networks of co-evolving residues from multiple sequence alignments, was used to identify those that may be involved in communicating the activation signal across the membrane. The GREMLIN-predicted long-range interactions between amino acids were analyzed with respect to the seven GPCR structures that have been crystallized at the time this study was undertaken.

Results
GREMLIN significantly enriches the edges containing residues that are part of the ligand binding pocket, when compared to a control distribution of edges drawn from a random graph. An analysis of these edges reveals a minimal GPCR binding pocket containing four residues (T1183.33, M2075.42, Y2686.51 and A2927.39). Additionally, of the ten residues predicted to have the most long-range interactions (A1173.32, A2726.55, E1133.28, H2115.46, S186EC2, A2927.39, E1223.37, G902.57, G1143.29 and M2075.42), nine are part of the ligand binding pocket.

Conclusions
We demonstrate the use of GREMLIN to reveal a network of statistically correlated and functionally important residues in class A GPCRs. GREMLIN identified that ligand binding pocket residues are extensively correlated with distal residues. An analysis of the GREMLIN edges across multiple structures suggests that there may be a minimal binding pocket common to the seven known GPCRs. Further, the activation of rhodopsin involves these long-range interactions between extracellular and intracellular domain residues mediated by the retinal domain.
Functional SNPs within the Intron 1 of the PROP1 Gene Contribute to Combined Growth Hormone Deficiency (CPHD)
Authors: Godi Michela , Mellone Simona , Tiradani Luigi , Marabese Rita , Bardelli Claudio , Salerno Mariacarolina , Prodam Flavia , Bellone Simonetta , Petri Antonella , Momigliano-Richiardi Patricia , Bona Gianni , Giordano Mara 
Published: June 2012

Context:
Mutations within the PROP1 gene represent one of the main causes of familial combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). However, most of the cases are sporadic with an unknown genetic cause.

Objective:
The aim of this study was the search for low penetrance variations within and around a conserved regulatory element in the intron 1 of PROP1, contributing to a multifactorial form of the disease in sporadic patients.

Methods and Patients:
A fragment of 570 bp encompassing the conserved region was sequenced in 107 CPHD patients and 294 controls, and an association study was performed with the four identified variants, namely c.109+435G&gt;A (rs73346254), c.109+463C&gt;T (rs4498267), c.109+768C&gt;G (rs4431364), and c.109+915_917ins/delTAG (rs148607624). The functional role of the associated polymorphisms was evaluated by luciferase reporter gene expression analyses and EMSA.

Results:
A statistically significant increased frequency was observed in the patients for rs73346254A (P = 5 × 10−4) and rs148607624delTAG (P = 0.01) alleles. Among all the possible allele combinations, only the haplotype bearing both risk alleles showed a significantly higher frequency in the patients vs. controls (P = 4.7 × 10−4) and conferred a carrier risk of 4.19 (P = 1.2 × 10−4). This haplotype determined a significant decrease of the luciferase activity in comparison with a basal promoter and the other allelic combinations in GH4C and MCF7 cells (P = 4.6 × 10−6; P = 5.5 × 10−4, respectively). The EMSA showed a differential affinity for nuclear proteins for the alternative alleles of the two associated variations.

Conclusions:
Variations with a functional significance conferring susceptibility to CPHD have been identified in the PROP1 gene, indicating a multifactorial origin of this disorder in sporadic cases.
Novel Method of Producing Carbon Nanoparticles on Benzene/Water Interface with Femtosecond Laser Plasma Filament
Authors: Yatsuhashi Tomoyuki , Uchida Naoko , Nishikawa Kayo 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The irradiation of NIR femtosecond laser pulses to a benzene/water bilayer dramatically enhanced the formation of carbon nanoparticles compared with that in neat benzene. The focusing-position-dependent chemistry and the oxidative mechanism of nanoparticle formation are discussed.
Control of Periodicity in Mesoporous Silica Films with Aligned Mesochannels Prepared by a Sol–Gel Process
Authors: Komoto Atsushi , Kubo Wataru , Miyata Hirokatsu 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Periodicity of mesoporous silica films with aligned cylindrical pores formed on a substrate with a rubbing-treated polyimide through a sol–gel process can be finely controlled using nonionic surfactants with different alkyl chains. The degree of alignment increases with the alkyl-chain length of the surfactant due to increase in anisotropic hydrophobic interaction between the oriented polyimide chains and the alkyl groups, which is responsible for the alignment.
Development of an Instrument to Measure Medical Students' Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities
Authors: Symons Andrew B. , Fish Reva , McGuigan Denise , Fox Jeffery , Akl Elie A. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAs curricula to improve medical students' attitudes toward people with disabilities are developed, instruments are needed to guide the process and evaluate effectiveness. The authors developed an instrument to measure medical students' attitudes toward people with disabilities. A pilot instrument with 30 items in four sections was administered to 342 medical students. Internal consistency reliability and factor analysis were conducted. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.857, indicating very good internal consistency. Five components were identified: comfort interacting with people with disabilities, working with people with disabilities in a clinical setting, negative impressions of self-concepts of people with disabilities, positive impressions of self-concepts of people with disabilities, and conditional comfort with people with disabilities. The instrument appears to have good psychometric properties and requires further validation.
Field Test of Circular Footings on Reinforced Granular Fill Layer Overlying a Clay Bed
Authors: Laman Mustafa , Yildiz Abdulazim , Ornek Murat , Demir Ahmet 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The ultimate bearing capacity and settlement of a circular shallow rigid plate on compacted granular fill layer with and without geogrid reinforcement overlying on natural clay deposit exhibiting low bearing capacity and large settlement have been investigated. A total of 15 field tests were carried out using a circular model rigid plate with a diameter of 0.90 m. This study has been initially directed to evaluate the beneficial effects of the compacted granular fill layer on natural clay deposit for the shallow rigid plate performance. Then, the reinforcing effect of the top granular fill layer with horizontal layers of welded geogrid reinforcement on the bearing capacity and settlement has been studied. Parameters of the testing program include granular fill thickness, depth of first reinforcement, vertical spacing of reinforcement layers, and number of reinforcement layers. Bearing capacity ratio (BCR) and percentage reduction in settlement (PRS) were defined to evaluate improvement performance. Based on the test results, the effect of the granular fill and welded geogrid reinforcement on the bearing capacity and settlement are discussed. The results indicate that the use of granular fill layers over natural clay soils has considerable effects on the bearing capacity and settlement characteristics. The construction of granular fill layer with welded geogrid reinforcement over clay deposit helps in redistributing the applied load to a wider area. It has been observed that the use of welded geogrid reinforcement in granular fill layer provides additional improvement of bearing capacity and provides reduction in settlement of the rigid plate up to 80 and 60 %, respectively.
Prokaryotic Chaperones Support Yeast Prions and Thermotolerance and Define Disaggregation Machinery Interactions
Authors: Reidy Michael , Miot Marika , Masison Daniel C 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp104 and Escherichia coli ClpB are Hsp100 family AAA+ chaperones that provide stress tolerance by cooperating with Hsp70 and Hsp40 to solubilize aggregated protein. Hsp104 also remodels amyloid in vitro and promotes propagation of amyloid prions in yeast, but ClpB does neither, leading to a view that Hsp104 evolved these activities. Although biochemical analyses identified disaggregation machinery components required for resolubilizing proteins, interactions among these components required for in vivo functions are not clearly defined. We express prokaryotic chaperones in yeast to address these issues and find ClpB supports both prion propagation and thermotolerance in yeast if it is modified to interact with yeast Hsp70 or if E. coli Hsp70 and its cognate nucleotide exchange factor (NEF) are present. Our findings show prion propagation and thermotolerance in yeast minimally require cooperation of species-specific Hsp100, Hsp70, and NEF with yeast Hsp40. The functions of this machinery in prion propagation were directed primarily by Hsp40 Sis1p, while thermotolerance relied mainly on Hsp40 Ydj1p. Our results define cooperative interactions among these components that are specific or interchangeable across life kingdoms and imply Hsp100 family disaggregases possess intrinsic amyloid remodeling activity.
Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci onto a Phylogenetic Tree
Authors: Broman Karl W , Kim Sungjin , Sen Śaunak , Ané Cécile , Payseur Bret A 
Published: June 2012

AbstractDespite advances in genetic mapping of quantitative traits and in phylogenetic comparative approaches, these two perspectives are rarely combined. The joint consideration of multiple crosses among related taxa (whether species or strains) not only allows more precise mapping of the genetic loci (called quantitative trait loci, QTL) that contribute to important quantitative traits, but also offers the opportunity to identify the origin of a QTL allele on the phylogenetic tree that relates the taxa. We describe a formal method for combining multiple crosses to infer the location of a QTL on a tree. We further discuss experimental design issues for such endeavors, such as how many crosses are required and which sets of crosses are best. Finally, we explore the method’s performance in computer simulations, and we illustrate its use through application to a set of four mouse intercrosses among five inbred strains, with data on HDL cholesterol.
Low molecular mass chitosan as carrier for a hydrodynamically balanced system for sustained delivery of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride
Authors: Verma Anurag , Bansal Ashok , Ghosh Amitava , Pandit Jayanta 
Published: June 2012

Low molecular mass chitosan as carrier for a hydrodynamically balanced system for sustained delivery of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride
Chitosan has become a focus of major interest in recent years due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. Although this material has already been extensively investigated in the design of different types of drug delivery systems, it is still little explored for stomach specific drug delivery systems. The objective of the present investigation was to explore the potential of low molecular mass chitosan (LMCH) as carrier for a hydrodynamically balanced system (HBS) for sustained delivery of water soluble drug ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CP). Various formulations were prepared by physical blending of drug and polymer(s) in varying ratios followed by encapsulation into hard gelatin capsules. All the formulations remained buoyant in 0.1 mol L-1 HCl (pH 1.2) throughout the experiment. Effect of addition of xanthan gum (XG) or ethyl cellulose (EC) on drug release was also investigated. Zero order drug release was obtained from the formulations containing LMCH alone or in combination with XG, and in one instance also with EC. Our results suggest that LMCH alone or in combination with XG is an excellent material for stomach specific sustained delivery of CP from hydrodynamically balanced single unit capsules.