bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Graphic Display Format on the Interpretations of Quantitative Risk Information among Adults with Lower Education and Literacy
Authors: McCaffery Kirsten J. , Dixon Ann , Hayen Andrew , Jansen Jesse , Smith Sian , Simpson Judy M. 
Published: November 2011

Objective To test optimal graphic risk communication formats for presenting small probabilities using graphics with a denominator of 1000 to adults with lower education and literacy. Methods A randomized experimental study, which took place in adult basic education classes in Sydney, Australia. The participants were 120 adults with lower education and literacy. An experimental computer-based manipulation compared 1) pictographs in 2 forms, shaded “blocks” and unshaded “dots”; and 2) bar charts across different orientations (horizontal/vertical) and numerator size (small <100, medium 100–499, large 500–999). Accuracy (size of error) and ease of processing (reaction time) were assessed on a gist task (estimating the larger chance of survival) and a verbatim task (estimating the size of difference). Preferences for different graph types were also assessed. Results Accuracy on the gist task was very high across all conditions (>95%) and not tested further. For the verbatim task, optimal graph type depended on the numerator size. For small numerators, pictographs resulted in fewer errors than bar charts (blocks: odds ratio [OR] = 0.047, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.023–0.098; dots: OR = 0.049, 95% CI = 0.024–0.099). For medium and large numerators, bar charts were more accurate (e.g., medium dots: OR = 4.29, 95% CI = 2.9–6.35). Pictographs were generally processed faster for small numerators (e.g., blocks: 14.9 seconds v. bars: 16.2 seconds) and bar charts for medium or large numerators (e.g., large blocks: 41.6 seconds v. 26.7 seconds). Vertical formats were processed slightly faster than horizontal graphs with no difference in accuracy. Most participants preferred bar charts (64%); however, there was no relationship with performance. Conclusions For adults with low education and literacy, pictographs are likely to be the best format to use when displaying small numerators (<100/1000) and bar charts for larger numerators (>100/1000).
Moderate/severe erectile dysfunction in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Lopes Gallinaro A , Silva CA , Rabelo Junior CN , Correia Caleiro MT , de Carvalho JF 
Published: November 2011

Purpose: To evaluate sexual function of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients using the Brazilian version of the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Materials and methods: Eleven APS male patients (Sapporo criteria) were age and race-matched with 22 healthy controls. Demographic and clinical data, drug use and antiphospholipid antibodies were evaluated. The IIEF was also self-applied. Results: Mean age ( p = 0.114), frequency of Caucasian race ( p = 1.00) and married status ( p = 0.438) were similar in APS and controls. Mean disease duration was 8.8 ± 4.6 years. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was frequently observed in APS versus controls (45.5 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.0096), especially moderate/severe ED ( p = 0.0081). The total IIEF score (49.6 vs. 67.1, p = 0.019), erectile function (19.6 vs. 28.1, p = 0.005) and intercourse satisfaction (7.8 vs. 11.9, p = 0.009) were lower in patients than in controls. No differences were seen in orgasmic function ( p = 0.114), sexual desire ( p = 0.123) or overall satisfaction ( p = 0.097) between the groups. The comparison between APS patients with ED ( n = 5) and without ED ( n = 6) revealed more arterial events in APS with ED (100 vs. 16.7%, p = 0.0152), and also longer disease duration (12 [7–16] vs. 5.5 [2–13] years, p = 0.031). A trend towards lower venous events (20 vs. 83.3%, p = 0.0801) and higher renal thrombotic microangiopathy (60% vs. 0, p = 0.0606) was observed in APS patients with ED. Demographics, clinical manifestations, smoking and antiphospholipid antibodies positivity were similar in both groups. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this was the first study that demonstrated moderate/severe ED in almost 50% of cases of a rare autoimmune disease. This alteration was linked to arterial events and longer disease duration.
Methods to limit attrition in longitudinal comparative effectiveness trials: lessons from the Lithium Treatment – Moderate dose Use Study (LiTMUS) for bipolar disorder
Authors: Sylvia Louisa G , Reilly-Harrington Noreen A , Leon Andrew C , Kansky Christine I , Ketter Terence A , Calabrese Joseph R , Thase Michael E , Bowden Charles L , Friedman Edward S , Ostacher Michael J , Iosifescu Dan V , Severe Joanne , Keyes Michelle , Nierenberg Andrew A 
Published: November 2011

Background High attrition rates, which occur frequently in longitudinal clinical trials of interventions for bipolar disorder, limit the interpretation of results. Purpose The aim of this article is to present design approaches that limited attrition in the Lithium Treatment – Moderate dose Use Study (LiTMUS) for bipolar disorder. Methods LiTMUS was a 6-month randomized, longitudinal multisite comparative effectiveness trial that enrolled bipolar participants who were at least mildly ill. Participants were randomized to either low to moderate doses of lithium or no lithium; other treatments needed for mood stabilization were administered in a guideline-informed, empirically supported, and personalized fashion to participants in both treatment arms. Results Components of the study design that may have contributed to low attrition (16%) among 283 participants randomized included the use of (1) an intent-to-treat design, (2) a randomized adjunctive single-blind design, (3) participant reimbursement, (4) assessment of intent to attend the next study visit (included a discussion of attendance obstacles when intention was low), (5) quality care with limited participant burden, and (6) target windows for study visits. Limitations The relationships between attrition and effectiveness and tolerability of treatment have not been analyzed yet. Conclusions These components of the LiTMUS design may have limited attrition and may inform the design of future randomized comparative effectiveness trials among similar patients and those from other difficult-to-follow populations.
Synthetic retinoid Am80 ameliorates chronic graft-versus-host disease by down-regulating Th1 and Th17
Authors: Nishimori Hisakazu , Maeda Yoshinobu , Teshima Takanori , Sugiyama Haruko , Kobayashi Koichiro , Yamasuji Yoshiko , Kadohisa Sachiyo , Uryu Hidetaka , Takeuchi Kengo , Tanaka Takehiro , Yoshino Tadashi , Iwakura Yoichiro , Tanimoto Mitsune 
Published: November 2011

AbstractChronic GVHD (cGVHD) is a main cause of late death and morbidity after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. We investigated the roles of Th subsets in cGVHD with the use of a well-defined mouse model of cGVHD. In this model, development of cGVHD was associated with up-regulated Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses. Th1 and Th2 responses were up-regulated early after BM transplantation, followed by a subsequent up-regulation of Th17 cells. Significantly greater numbers of Th17 cells were infiltrated in the lung and liver from allogeneic recipients than those from syngeneic recipients. We then evaluated the roles of Th1 and Th17 in cGVHD with the use of IFN-γ–deficient and IL-17–deficient mice as donors. Infusion of IFN-γ−/− or IL-17−/− T cells attenuated cGVHD in the skin and salivary glands. Am80, a potent synthetic retinoid, regulated both Th1 and Th17 responses as well as TGF-β expression in the skin, resulting in an attenuation of cutaneous cGVHD. These results suggest that Th1 and Th17 contribute to the development of cGVHD and that targeting Th1 and Th17 may therefore represent a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating cGVHD.
β2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms, asthma and COPD: two large population-based studies
Authors: Thomsen M. , Nordestgaard B.G. , Sethi A.A. , Tybjærg-Hansen A. , Dahl M. 
Published: November 2011

The β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is an important regulator of airway smooth muscle tone. We tested the hypothesis that three functional polymorphisms in theADRB2gene (Thr164Ile, Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu) are associated with reduced lung function, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).We first genotyped 8,971 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study for all three polymorphisms. To validate our findings, we genotyped an additional 53,777 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study for the Thr164Ile polymorphism.We identified 60,910 Thr164Ile noncarriers, 1,822 heterozygotes and 16 homozygotes. In the Copenhagen City Heart Study, the Thr164Ile genotype was associated with reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted (trend p=0.01) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (p=0.001): Thr164Ile heterozygotes had 3% and 2% reduced FEV1% pred and FEV1/FVC, respectively, compared with noncarriers. The odds ratio for COPD in Thr164Ile heterozygotes was 1.46 (95% CI 1.05–2.02). In the Copenhagen General Population Study, the Thr164 genotype associated with reduced FEV1% pred (p=0.04) and FEV1/FVC (p<0.001): Thr164Ile homozygotes and heterozygotes had 7% and 1% reduced FEV1% pred and 6% and 1% reduced FEV1/FVC, respectively, compared with noncarriers. The odds ratios for COPD in Thr164Ile homozygotes and heterozygotes were 4.53 (95% CI 1.54–13.3) and 1.07 (95% CI 0.92–1.25), respectively.Our results suggest thatADRB2Thr164Ile is associated with reduced lung function and increased risk of COPD in the general population.
Prognostic power of proadrenomedullin in community-acquired pneumonia is independent of aetiology
Authors: Bello Salvador , Lasierra Ana B. , Mincholé Elisa , Fandos Sergio , Ruiz Maria Angeles , Vera Elisabeth , de Pablo Francisco , Ferrer Miguel , Menendez Rosario , Torres Antoni 
Published: November 2011

Biomarkers are useful in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Recently, midregional (MR) proadrenomedullin (proADM) has been shown to be of potential prognostic use. We sought to determine whether this prognostic role depends on the cause of CAP.We conducted a prospective cohort study of immunocompetent patients with CAP. Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and CURB-65 score (confusion (abbreviated mental test score of ≤8), urea ≥7 mol·L−1, respiratory rate ≥30 breaths·min−1, blood pressure <90 mmHg systolic or <60 mmHg diastolic, and age ≥65 yrs), blood C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, MR-proADM, and microbiological studies were systematically performed. Patients were grouped as bacterial, viral/atypical and mixed CAP, and were followed up at 30, 90 and 180 days, and 1 yr.We recruited 228 CAP patients. Identification of at least one pathogen was achieved in 155 (68%) patients. MR-proADM levels closely correlated with increasing severity scores, and showed an important predictive power for complications and short- and long-term mortality (1 yr). Its addition to PSI and CURB-65 significantly improved their prognostic accuracy. A MR-proADM cut-off of 0.646 nmol·L−1identified 92% of patients scored as PSI classes IV and V as high risk. MR-proADM outcome prediction power was not affected by different aetiologies.MR-proADM has high short- and long-term prognostic accuracy, and increases the accuracy of clinical scores. The prognostic value of MR-proADM is not modified by different possible CAP aetiologies.
Residual sleep-disordered breathing during autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure therapy
Authors: Denotti Angela L. , Wong Keith K.H. , Dungan George C. , Gilholme John W. , Marshall Nathaniel S. , Grunstein Ronald R. 
Published: November 2011

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is often treated with autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (autoCPAP) devices. Clinical and bench tests of these devices have suggested performance limitations. These studies do not indicate whether this is a failure to detect or a failure to respond to airway obstruction.In this randomised, crossover trial, 34 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA underwent polysomnography on two laboratory visits. The autoCPAP device was randomly set to a fixed subtherapeutic pressure (detection assessment) or autotitrating mode (response assessment). Airflow was measured both from the autoCPAP (autoCPAP flow) and directly from the nasal mask, and recorded on polysomnography. Apnoea/hypopnoea indices (AHIs) measured at the two sites and from the autoCPAP download report were compared.Regarding detection, the AHI measured from the nasal mask showed good agreement with the autoCPAP flow AHI, but agreement was lower with the autoCPAP report AHI. In autotitrating mode, there was significant misclassification of those with and without OSA (AHI ≥10 events·h−1) on the autoCPAP report. Regarding response, residual OSA (AHI ≥10 events·h−1) was still evident in 24% of patients during autotitration.In some patients, autoCPAP fails to detect and/or respond to sleep apnoea. Clinicians should consider limitations of each device and use caution when using autoCPAP report statistics to verify effective treatment.
Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and sleepiness in real-life obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Bonsignore Maria R. , Esquinas Cristina , Barceló Antonia , Sanchez-de-la-Torre Manuel , Paternó Alessandra , Duran-Cantolla Joaquin , Marín José M. , Barbé Ferran 
Published: November 2011

The metabolic syndrome shows a variable prevalence in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and its association with insulin resistance or excessive daytime sleepiness in OSA is unclear. This study assessed the following in consecutive patients with newly diagnosed OSA: 1) the prevalence of metabolic syndrome; and 2) its association with insulin resistance and daytime sleepiness.Metabolic syndrome (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) III criteria), insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) index, n=288) and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) were assessed in 529 OSA patients.The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 51.2%, which increased with OSA severity. Each metabolic syndrome component correlated with apnoea/hypopnoea index, but only blood pressure retained significance after correction for confounders. Both obesity and OSA contributed to metabolic abnormalities, with different sex-related patterns, since diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with neck circumference, age, body mass index and lowest arterial oxygen saturation in males, and with age and arousal index in females. The number of metabolic syndrome components increased with HOMA index (p<0.001). Prevalence of sleepiness was the same in patients with and without metabolic syndrome.The metabolic syndrome occurs in about half of “real-life” OSA patients, irrespective of daytime sleepiness, and is a reliable marker of insulin resistance.
Mismatched single stranded antisense oligonucleotides can induce efficient dystrophin splice switching
Authors: Fragall Clayton T , Adams Abbie M , Johnsen Russell D , Kole Ryszard , Fletcher Sue , Wilton Steve D 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Antisense oligomer induced exon skipping aims to reduce the severity of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by redirecting splicing during pre-RNA processing such that the causative mutation is by-passed and a shorter but partially functional Becker muscular dystrophy-like dystrophin isoform is produced. Normal exons are generally targeted to restore the dystrophin reading frame however, an appreciable subset of dystrophin mutations are intra-exonic and therefore have the potential to compromise oligomer efficiency, necessitating personalised oligomer design for some patients. Although antisense oligomers are easily personalised, it remains unclear whether all patient polymorphisms within antisense oligomer target sequences will require the costly process of producing and validating patient specific compounds.

Methods
Here we report preclinical testing of a panel of splice switching antisense oligomers, designed to excise exon 25 from the dystrophin transcript, in normal and dystrophic patient cells. These patient cells harbour a single base insertion in exon 25 that lies within the target sequence of an oligomer shown to be effective at removing exon 25.

Results
It was anticipated that such a mutation would compromise oligomer binding and efficiency. However, we show that, despite the mismatch an oligomer, designed and optimised to excise exon 25 from the normal dystrophin mRNA, removes the mutated exon 25 more efficiently than the mutation-specific oligomer.

Conclusion
This raises the possibility that mismatched AOs could still be therapeutically applicable in some cases, negating the necessity to produce patient-specific compounds.
Non-invasive muscle contraction assay to study rodent models of sarcopenia
Authors: Chiu Chi-Sung , Weber Hans , Adamski Sharon , Rauch Albert , Gentile Michael A , Alves Stephen E , Kath Gary , Flores Osvaldo , Wilkinson Hilary A 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Age-related sarcopenia is a disease state of loss of muscle mass and strength that affects physical function and mobility leading to falls, fractures, and disability. The need for therapies to treat age-related sarcopenia has attracted intensive preclinical research. To facilitate the discovery of these therapies, we have developed a non-invasive rat muscle functional assay system to efficiently measure muscle force and evaluate the efficacy of drug candidates.

Methods
The lower leg muscles of anesthetized rats are artificially stimulated with surface electrodes on the knee holders and the heel support, causing the lower leg muscles to push isometric pedals that are attached to force transducers. We developed a stimulation protocol to perform a fatigability test that reveals functional muscle parameters like maximal force, the rate of fatigue, fatigue-resistant force, as well as a fatigable muscle force index. The system is evaluated in a rat aging model and a rat glucocorticoid-induced muscle loss model

Results
The aged rats were generally weaker than adult rats and showed a greater reduction in their fatigable force when compared to their fatigue-resistant force. Glucocorticoid treated rats mostly lost fatigable force and fatigued at a higher rate, indicating reduced force from glycolytic fibers with reduced energy reserves.

Conclusions
The involuntary contraction assay is a reliable system to assess muscle function in rodents and can be applied in preclinical research, including age-related sarcopenia and other myopathy.
Infinitely many periodic solutions for some second-order differential systems with p(t)-Laplacian
Authors: Zhang Liang , Tang Xian Hua , Chen Jing 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
In this article, we investigate the existence of infinitely many periodic solutions for some nonautonomous second-order differential systems with p(t)-Laplacian. Some multiplicity results are obtained using critical point theory.

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 34C37; 58E05; 70H05.
Chemopreventive effect of cactus Opuntia ficus indica on oxidative stress and genotoxicity of aflatoxin B1
Authors: Brahmi Dalel , Bouaziz Chayma , Ayed Yousra , Ben Mansour Hédi , Zourgui Lazhar , Bacha Hassen 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic agent. In aflatoxicosis, oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to initiation and progression of hepatic damage. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of cactus cladode extract (CCE) on aflatoxin B1-induced liver damage in mice by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the protein carbonyls generation and the heat shock proteins Hsp 70 and Hsp 27 expressions in liver. We also looked for an eventual protective effect against AFB1-induced genotoxicity as determined by chromosome aberrations test, SOS Chromotest and DNA fragmentation assay. We further evaluated the modulation of p53, bax and bcl2 protein expressions in liver.

Methods
Adult, healthy balbC (20-25 g) male mice were pre-treated by intraperitonial administration of CCE (50 mg/Kg.b.w) for 2 weeks. Control animals were treated 3 days a week for 4 weeks by intraperitonial administration of 250 μg/Kg.b.w AFB1. Animals treated by AFB1 and CCE were divided into two groups: the first group was administrated CCE 2 hours before each treatment with AFB1 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The second group was administrated without pre-treatment with CCE but this extract was administrated 24 hours after each treatment with AFB1 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Results
Our results clearly showed that AFB1 induced significant alterations in oxidative stress markers. In addition, it has a genotoxic potential and it increased the expression of pro apoptotic proteins p53 and bax and decreased the expression of bcl2. The treatment of CCE before or after treatment with AFB1, showed (i) a total reduction of AFB1 induced oxidative damage markers, (ii) an anti-genotoxic effect resulting in an efficient prevention of chromosomal aberrations and DNA fragmentation compared to the group treated with AFB1 alone (iii) restriction of the effect of AFB1 by differential modulation of the expression of p53 which decreased as well as its associated genes such as bax and bcl2.

Conclusion
We concluded that CCE might have a hepatoprotective effect against aflatoxicosis in mice, probably acting by promoting the antioxidant defence systems.
Bilateral kidney preservation by volumetric-modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) compared to conventional radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in pancreatic and bile duct malignancies
Authors: Vieillot Sabine , Azria David , Riou Olivier , Moscardo Carmen Llacer , Dubois Jean-Bernard , Aillères Norbert , Fenoglietto Pascal 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
To compare volumetric-modulated arc therapy plans with conventional radiation therapy (3D-CRT) plans in pancreatic and bile duct cancers, especially for bilateral kidney preservation.

Methods
A dosimetric analysis was performed in 21 patients who had undergone radiotherapy for pancreatic or bile duct carcinoma at our institution. We compared 4-field 3D-CRT and 2 arcs RapidArc (RA) plans. The treatment plan was designed to deliver a dose of 50.4 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV) based on the gross disease in a 1.8 Gy daily fraction, 5 days a week. Planning objectives were 95% of the PTV receiving 95% of the prescribed dose and no more than 2% of the PTV receiving more than 107%. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) for the target volume and the organs at risk (right and left kidneys, bowel tract, liver and healthy tissue) were compared. Monitor units and delivery treatment time were also reported.

Results
All plans achieved objectives, with 95% of the PTV receiving ≥ 95% of the dose (D95% for 3D-CRT = 48.9 Gy and for RA = 48.6 Gy). RapidArc was shown to be superior to 3D-CRT in terms of organ at risk sparing except for contralateral kidney: for bowel tract, the mean dose was reduced by RA compared to 3D-CRT (16.7 vs 20.8 Gy, p = 0.0001). Similar result was observed for homolateral kidney (mean dose of 4.7 Gy for RA vs 12.6 Gy for 3D-CRT, p < 0.0001), but 3D-CRT significantly reduced controlateral kidney dose with a mean dose of 1.8 Gy vs 3.9 Gy, p < 0.0007. Compared to 3D-CRT, mean MUs for each fraction was significantly increased with RapidArc: 207 vs 589, (p < 0.0001) but the treatment time was not significantly different (2 and 2.66 minutes, p = ns).

Conclusion
RapidArc allows significant dose reduction, in particular for homolateral kidney and bowel, while maintaining target coverage. This would have a promising impact on reducing toxicities.