bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timing of rectosigmoid resection for diverticular disease: the patient’s view
Authors: Käser S. A. , Glauser P. M. , Basilicata G. , Müller D. A. , Maurer C. A. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAim  The study aimed to determine the patient’s view on the timing of elective resection for sigmoid diverticulitis.Method  A questionnaire was answered by 162 (69%) of 236 consecutive patients who had a resection of the rectosigmoid for diverticulitis from July 2002 to August 2005. Patients (n = 45) having resection at or after the first inflammatory attack were excluded, leaving 117 eligible for analysis. Questions asked included those concerning symptoms before surgery, improvement of symptoms after surgery and the timing of surgery.Results  Patient assessment of symptoms after surgery was as follows: no improvement (2%; n = 2), some improvement (10%; n = 12), marked improvement (34%; n = 39) and complete resolution (54%; n = 63). Forty‐five (38%) patients would have preferred an earlier operation. Preference for earlier surgery related to the number of previous inflammatory attacks was expressed as follows: 13 (34%) of 38 patients after two inflammatory attacks, 5 (18%) of 28 patients after three, seven (37%) of 19 patients after four, four (44%) of nine patients after five, and 16 (70%) of 23 patients after six or more inflammatory attacks would have preferred earlier surgery. Statistically significant factors influencing this potential choice were number of episodes of pain (P = 0.006, OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.060–1.430) and number of attacks of inflammation (P = 0.048, OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.002–1.598).Conclusion  Surgery for recurrent diverticulitis resulted in a marked improvement or complete relief of symptoms in 88% of patients. A large proportion of patients with recurrent episodes of sigmoid diverticulitis would have preferred earlier resection.
Miscoding, misclassification and misdiagnosis of diabetes in primary care
Authors: de Lusignan S. , Sadek N. , Mulnier H. , Tahir A. , Russell‐Jones D. , Khunti K. 
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 181–189 (2012)AbstractAims  To determine the effectiveness of self‐audit tools designed to detect miscoding, misclassification and misdiagnosis of diabetes in primary care.Methods  We developed six searches to identify people with diabetes with potential classification errors. The search results were automatically ranked from most to least likely to have an underlying problem. Eight practices with a combined population of 72 000 and diabetes prevalence 2.9% (n = 2340) completed audit forms to verify whether additional information within the patients’ medical record confirmed or refuted the problems identified.Results  The searches identified 347 records, mean 42 per practice. Pre‐audit 20% (n = 69) had Type 1 diabetes, 70% (n = 241) had Type 2 diabetes, 9% (n = 30) had vague codes that were hard to classify, 2% (n = 6) were not coded and one person was labelled as having gestational diabetes. Of records, 39.2% (n = 136) had important errors: 10% (n = 35) had coding errors; 12.1% (42) were misclassified; and 17.0% (59) misdiagnosed as having diabetes. Thirty‐two per cent (n = 22) of people with Type 2 diabetes (n = 69) were misclassified as having Type 1 diabetes; 20% (n = 48) of people with Type 2 diabetes (n = 241) did not have diabetes; of the 30 patients with vague diagnostic terms, 50% had Type 2 diabetes, 20% had Type 1 diabetes and 20% did not have diabetes. Examples of misdiagnosis were found in all practices, misclassification in seven and miscoding in six.Conclusions  Volunteer practices successfully used these self‐audit tools. Approximately 40% of patients identified by computer searches (5.8% of people with diabetes) had errors; misdiagnosis is commonest, misclassification may affect treatment options and miscoding in omission from disease registers and the potential for reduced quality of care.
Patient satisfaction and barriers to initiating real‐time continuous glucose monitoring in early pregnancy in women with diabetes
Authors: Secher A. L. , Madsen A. B. , Ringholm L. , Barfred C. , Stage E. , Andersen H. U. , Damm P. , Mathiesen E. R. 
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 272–277 (2012)AbstractAim  To evaluate self‐reported satisfaction and barriers to initiating real‐time continuous glucose monitoring in early pregnancy among women with pregestational diabetes.Methods  Fifty‐four women with Type 1 diabetes and 14 women with Type 2 diabetes were offered continuous glucose monitoring for 6 days at median 9 (range 6–14) gestational weeks and were asked to answer a semi‐structured questionnaire on patient satisfaction.Results  Median HbA1c was 49 (range 34–86) mmol/mol) [6.6 (5.3–10.0) %] and duration of diabetes was 12 (0.5–37) years. Continuous glucose monitoring was used for 6 (0.5–7) days, with 43 (65%) women using continuous glucose monitoring for at least 5 days. The women experienced 2.7 (0–12) alarms per 24 h, of which approximately one third was technical alarms and one third disturbed their sleep. Sixteen women (24%) reported discomfort with continuous glucose monitoring during daytime and twelve (18%) during sleep. Many women reported improved diabetes understanding (52%) and would recommend continuous glucose monitoring to others (83%). Twenty‐four patients (36%) had continuous glucose monitoring removed earlier than planned ( before the intended 6 days of initial monitoring). Ten women (15%) did not wish to use continuous glucose monitoring again in pregnancy. Main causes behind early removal of continuous glucose monitoring were self‐reported skin irritation, technical problems and continuous glucose monitoring inaccuracy. No differences were found in continuous glucose monitoring use, inconvenience or compliance with respect to diabetes type.Conclusions  The majority of pregnant women with diabetes found real‐time continuous glucose monitoring useful and the intervention was equally tolerated regardless of diabetes type. Nevertheless, continuous glucose monitoring was frequently removed earlier than planned, primarily because of skin irritation, technical problems and inaccuracy.
Dysregulated phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II‐α in the hippocampus of subjects with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Reese Lindsay C. , Laezza Fernanda , Woltjer Randall , Taglialatela Giulio 
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem.(2011)119, 791–804.AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder and the most prevalent senile dementia. The early symptom of memory dysfunction involves synaptic loss, thought to be mediated by soluble amyloid‐beta (Aβ) oligomers. These aggregate species target excitatory synapses and their levels correlate with disease severity. Studies in cell culture and rodents have shown that oligomers increase intracellular calcium (Ca2+), impairing synaptic plasticity. Yet, the molecular mechanism mediating Aβ oligomers’ toxicity in the aged brain remains unclear. Here, we apply quantitative immunofluorescence in human brain tissue from clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impaired (MCI) and AD patients to investigate the distribution of phosphorylated (active) Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase‐α (p(Thr286)CaMKII), a critical enzyme for activity‐dependent synaptic remodeling associated with cognitive function. We show that p(Thr286)CaMKII immunoreactivity is redistributed from dendritic arborizations to neural perikarya of both MCI and AD hippocampi. This finding correlates with cognitive assessment scores, suggesting that it may be a molecular read‐out of the functional deficits in early AD. Treatment with oligomeric Aβ replicated the observed phenotype in mice and resulted in a loss of p(Thr286)CaMKII from synaptic spines of primary hippocampal neurons. Both outcomes were prevented by inhibiting the phosphatase calcineurin (CaN). Collectively, our results support a model in which the synaptotoxicity of Aβ oligomers in human brain involves the CaN‐dependent subcellular redistribution of p(Thr286)CaMKII. Therapies designed to normalize the homeostatic imbalance of neuronal phosphatases and downstream dephosphorylation of synaptic p(Thr286)CaMKII should be considered to prevent and treat early AD.
The use of deep oral swabs as a surrogate for transoral tracheal wash to obtain bacterial cultures in dogs with pneumonia
Authors: Sumner Catherine M. , Rozanski Elizabeth A. , Sharp Claire R. , Shaw Scott P. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo determine agreement in bacterial culture and susceptibility (BC&S) between deep oral swab (DOS) and routine transoral tracheal wash (TOTW) in dogs with pneumonia.DesignProspective study, performed between 2008 and 2010 with no follow‐up period.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.AnimalsFive puppies and 5 adult dogs with community or hospital‐acquired pneumonia.Measurements and Main ResultsADOSwas collected from each patient; dogs were then briefly anesthetized with propofolafor a routineTOTW. Routine microbiology techniques were used for culture. Positive culture results were obtained from all 20 swabs. Results ofBC&Swere compared between the 2 sites. In all puppies, there was no agreement betweenDOSandTOTW. In adult dogs, 2 patients with hospital‐acquired infection (HAI) had complete agreement between theBC&Sresults fromDOSandTOTW. Two adult dogs had some similarity inBC&Sresults, and the final dog had no relationship between cultures.ConclusionsDOSis not an appropriate alternative toTOTWto obtain samples forBC&Sin puppies with pneumonia. In adult dogs, traditionalTOTWremains the gold standard, butDOSmay be considered in dogs with suspectedHAI. Further work is needed to confirm this preliminary finding.
A β‐amyloid oligomer directly modulates P/Q‐type calcium currents in Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Mezler M , Barghorn S , Schoemaker H , Gross G , Nimmrich V 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE β‐amyloid (Aβ) oligomers have been implicated in the early pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the precise nature of the molecular target has not been fully revealed, a number of studies have indicated that Aβ oligomers modulate neuron‐specific ion channels. We recently provided evidence that Aβ oligomers suppress isolated P/Q‐type calcium currents in cultured nerve cells. Using a heterologous expression system, we aimed to prove a direct effect on the membrane channel mediating such current.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of a synthetically generated Aβ oligomer, Aβ globulomer, were investigated on P/Q‐type currents recorded from Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the full P/Q‐type calcium channel or the pore‐forming subunit only. We also examined the effects of Aβ globulomer on recombinant NMDA receptor currents. Finally, we compared the modulation by Aβ globulomer with that induced by a synthetic monomeric Aβ.KEY RESULTS Aβ globulomer directly and dose‐dependently modulated P/Q‐type calcium channels. A leftward shift of the current‐voltage curve indicated that the threshold for channel opening was reduced. The effect of Aβ globulomer was also present when only the α1A subunit of the normally tripartite channel was expressed. In contrast, the monomeric Aβ had no effect on P/Q current. Also globulomer Aβ had no effect on glutamate‐induced NMDA currents.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The α1A subunit of the P/Q‐type calcium channel is directly modulated by oligomeric Aβ. Threshold reduction as well as an increase in current at synaptic terminals may facilitate vesicle release and could trigger excitotoxic events in the brains of patients with AD.
Mortality and cancer risk related to primary sclerosing cholangitis in a Swedish population‐based cohort
Authors: de Valle Maria Benito , Björnsson Einar , Lindkvist Björn 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundPopulation‐based studies on the epidemiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are sparse.AimsTo investigate mortality and risk of cancer, and to identify risk factors for hepatobiliary cancer and the combined end‐point liver related death or liver transplantation (OLT) in a population‐based PSC cohort in Västra Götaland, Sweden.MethodsPrimary sclerosing cholangitis cases were identified in diagnostic registries. Case validation and follow up was provided through individual review of case files and linkage to the Swedish Cancer and Cause of Death registries. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for cancer were calculated in relation to the background population. Cox's proportional hazards analysis was used to calculate crude and adjusted relative risks (RRs).ResultsA total of 199 PSC patients were identified between 1992 and 2005. SMR in the PSC cohort was 4.20 (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.01–5.69). SIR for hepatobiliary cancer, cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer were 177 (110–271), 868 (505–1390) and 2.87 (0.33–10.4) respectively. Age (RR=1.25 (1.01–1.53) per decade), female gender (RR=2.01 (1.09–3.72)), cholangitis (RR=2.56 (1.20–5.64)) and bilirubin (RR=3.95 (1.96–10.75) highest vs lowest quartile) were associated with the risk of liver related death or OLT. Age was associated with the risk of hepatobiliary cancer (RR 1.40 (1.01–1.95) per decade).ConclusionsPrimary sclerosing cholangitis was associated with a four‐fold increase in mortality in this population‐based study. In accordance with previous studies, the risk of hepatobiliary cancer was dramatically increased. However, the increased risk of colorectal cancer reported in previous studies could not be confirmed.
Plasma Klotho and Cardiovascular Disease in Adults
Authors: Semba Richard D. , Cappola Anne R. , Sun Kai , Bandinelli Stefania , Dalal Mansi , Crasto Candace , Guralnik Jack M. , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether plasma klotho, a recently discovered hormone that has been implicated in atherosclerosis, is related to prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults.
DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.
SETTING: Population‐based sample of adults residing in Tuscany, Italy.
PARTICIPANTS: One thousand twenty‐three men and women aged 24 to 102 participating in the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) study.
MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric measures, plasma klotho, fasting plasma total, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), triglycerides, glucose, creatinine, C‐reactive protein (CRP). Clinical measures: medical assessment, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral artery disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between plasma klotho and prevalent CVD.
RESULTS: Of 1,023 participants, 259 (25.3%) had CVD. Median (25th, 75th percentile) plasma klotho concentrations were 676 pg/mL (530, 819 pg/mL). Plasma klotho was correlated with age (correlation coefficient (r)=−0.14, P<.001), HDL‐C (r=0.11, P<.001), and CRP (r=−0.10, P<.001) but not systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, or renal function. Plasma klotho age‐adjusted geometric means were 626 pg/mL (95% confidence interval (CI)=601–658 pg/mL) in participants with CVD and 671 pg/mL (95% CI=652–692 pg/mL) in those without CVD (P=.001). Adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, smoking, total cholesterol, HDL‐C, systolic blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus), log plasma klotho was associated with prevalent CVD (odds ratio per 1 standard deviation increase=0.85, 95% CI=0.72–0.99).
CONCLUSION: In community‐dwelling adults, higher plasma klotho concentrations are independently associated with a lower likelihood of having CVD.
Impaired Frontal Executive Function and Predialytic Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Lee Jung Jae , Chin Ho Jun , Byun Min‐Soo , Choe Jin Yeong , Park Joon Hyuk , Lee Seok Bum , Choi Eun Ae , Chae Dong Wan , Kim Ki Woong 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the nature of frontal dysfunction associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people without stroke or depressive disorders.
DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.
SETTING: Community based.
PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred twenty‐nine community‐dwelling participants.
MEASUREMENTS: Participants with CKD were classified into one of three diagnostic groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): normal (≥60.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2), mild CKD (45.0–59.9 mL/min per 1.73 m2), or moderate to severe CKD (<45.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2). Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, lexical fluency, digit span test, and the 64‐card Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.
RESULTS: Perseverative responses and perseverative errors were significantly more prevalent in the group with moderate to severe CKD than in those without CKD and those with mild CKD. The mean number of perseverative responses was 28.6±16.9 in participants with moderate to severe CKD, 19.0±11.4 in those with mild CKD, and 17.1±10.6 in those without CKD (P<.001, ANCOVA). The mean number of perseverative errors was 23.1±12.3 in participants with moderate to severe CKD, 16.2±8.3 in those with mild CKD, and 14.8±7.8 in those without CKD (P<.001, analysis of covariance). The odds ratios in the fully adjusted model for the presence of moderate to severe CKD for perseverative responses and perseverative errors were 4.82 (95% confidence interval (CI)=2.14–10.85, P<.001) and 5.01 (95% CI=2.22–11.28, P<.001), respectively.
CONCLUSION: Frontal dysfunction, particularly perseverative errors and responses, was associated with moderate to severe CKD in the population studied.
Genetic variations in multiple myeloma I: effect on risk of multiple myeloma
Authors: Vangsted Annette , Klausen Tobias W. , Vogel Ulla 
Published: September 2011

AbstractFew risk factors have been established for the plasma cell disorder multiple myeloma, but some of these like African American ethnicity and a family history of B‐cell lymphoproliferative diseases suggest a genetic component for the disease. Genetic variation represents the genetic basis of variability in a population. The complex interplay between environment and genes for the development of cancer may therefore be influenced by genetic variations. A genetic variation may change the function of the gene, and if the genetic variation is associated with the risk of disease, that particular gene may be involved in the pathogenesis of disease. Genes of interest are genes involved in the normal development and function of the plasma cell and genes that protect us against exposures from the environment, for example, genes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, metabolism of folate and methionine, as well as genes involved in inflammation and DNA repair. Identification of genes with potential influence on cancer risk may help us to establish relevant laboratory studies on exposure and dose–response assessment and may help us to test the hypothesis in epidemiological studies. Knowledge of individual at high risk of cancer may offer promising insight for the prevention of cancer.
Analysis of human perception of facial skin radiance by means of image histogram parameters of surface and subsurface reflections from the skin
Authors: Matsubara Akira , Liang Zhiwu , Sato Yuji , Uchikawa Keiji 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundThe appearance of the skin is the result of complicated light–skin interactions involving surface and subsurface reflections. Radiant skin is a complicated attribute but is important for skin beauty. The aim of the present study was to achieve an understanding of the association between human perceptions of skin radiance and image histogram parameters from technically recorded images of surface and subsurface reflections.MethodsFacial images of 45 subjects were evaluated visually by 30 respondents and were also computer analyzed in terms of their image histogram parameters. A partial least squares regression model was created to explain visual perceptions in terms of the image histogram parameters.ResultsVisual perceptions of subsurface reflections can be explained in terms of the mean from the subsurface reflection image histogram, and visual perceptions of surface reflections can be explained in terms of the standard deviation (SD) and skewness from the surface reflection image histogram. Skin radiance can be explained in terms of the mean from the subsurface reflection and the SD from the surface reflection.ConclusionTo acquire skin radiance, a surface reflection component that makes the skin look shiny and a subsurface reflection component that is in line with skin fairness are both needed. A balance of these features provides the origin of skin radiance.
INVESTIGATION OF TEST PERFORMANCE OVER REPEATED SESSIONS USING SIGNAL DETECTION THEORY: COMPARISON OF THREE NONATTRIBUTE‐SPECIFIED DIFFERENCE TESTS 2‐AFCR, A‐NOT A AND 2‐AFC
Authors: VAN HOUT DANIELLE , HAUTUS MICHAEL J. , LEE HYE‐SEONG 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTTo investigate more flexible methods for measuring overall sensory differences, the performance of three nonattribute‐specified difference test methods was compared using Signal Detection Theory. A‐Not A, 2‐AFC, and 2‐AFCR tests were performed with experienced subjects over repeated sessions. Learning effects were investigated to determine how much training would be needed before subjects could perform these tests consistently. Results in d′ showed that in early sessions, the 2‐AFC and 2‐AFCR performed better (higher d′) than A‐Not A and that after two sessions, the test performance stabilized on that level. Learning effects for the A‐Not A test were poorer in the earlier sessions, with performance levels increasing, even after six sessions. In business situations where the tested products frequently vary, the use of 2‐AFC and 2‐AFCR would be recommended because they are more sensitive in the earlier sessions, requiring less training time than A‐Not A.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSSensory difference tests are important tools for business decision making. Food companies may save a lot of money by employing more effective methodologies. For sensory difference tests to be used accurately and efficiently, test performances need to be investigated with consideration for food discrimination constraints and objectives. This article explored the performance of nonattribute‐specified 2‐AFC and 2‐AFCR tests over several sessions in comparison to the results of a standard signal detection measure, A‐Not A, to use the differences between these methods as a basis for inference concerning the cognitive strategies and relative test effectiveness of nonattribute‐specified 2‐AFC and 2‐AFCR for food discrimination, in practical situations when both the reference product and test product(s) change frequently. This article suggested the applicability of a nonattribute‐specified 2‐AFCR procedure for discriminating small differences without much prior training.