bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Outflow Boundary Collisions in North-Central Alabama
Authors: Harrison Stephen J. , Mecikalski John R. , Knupp Kevin R. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Ninety-four outflow boundary (OB) collisions were documented in north-central Alabama over the summers of 2005–07 using the Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR) dual-polarimetric radar located at the Huntsville, Alabama, airport. These data were used to extend and verify previous research and to look for new correlations among the various factors that lead to convective initiation (CI) from OB collisions more frequently. For this study, CI is defined as the first occurrence of a ≥35-dBZ radar echo at an elevation angle of 0.8° and within 10 km of the point of collision, from a convective cloud. The radar reflectivity and angle of collision between both OBs along with time of day at which CI occurs most often were analyzed. Also, the presence of cumulus clouds along either/both OBs, or within the area of collision, was examined using Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-12 (GOES-12) visible imagery. A more detailed analysis of 23 of the 94 OBs that passed over the Mobile Integrated Profiling System instruments examines the relation among radar reflectivity, updraft magnitude, and water vapor enhancements. This analysis indicates that OB updraft magnitude is positively correlated with OB reflectivity factor. The main findings are that when OBs collide in a more head-on manner, when both colliding OBs have radar reflectivity values of 15 dBZ or greater, or when cumulus clouds preexist along at least one OB, CI is produced at a greater rate. These results, using a much larger dataset than had previously been used for colliding OBs, are subsequently compared with two existing studies.
Evaluation on screening strategies for indoor air quality assessments in air-conditioned offices
Authors: Wong LT , Mui KW , Hui PS 
Published: July 2009

Unsatisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) in air-conditioned offices would make the occupants uncomfortable and lead to productivity loss. Strategic IAQ monitoring and assessment conducted with optimised resources for representative pollutants and air sampling are developed. This study proposes a simple screening process; with a readily developed IAQ express assessment protocol (EAP), to improve the accuracy in screening the office environment of unsatisfactory IAQ. This screening process is conducted with an `IAQ index', correlated with an event of unsatisfactory IAQ regarding its `failure' due to other six unmeasured air pollutant levels in the EAP; where the IAQ index is defined as the average fractional dose to certain exposure limits from the assessed top dominant contributors. The screening strategies were examined against the existing IAQ assessment results. Practical applications: Testing on the screening strategies for EAP in 422 air-conditioned offices in Hong Kong showed that, with a defined screening level of probability of unsatisfactory IAQ, the proposed screening process would improve the overall performance of EAP. It would be a useful source of reference in setting up any practical public IAQ surveillance programmes for policymakers, building owners and professionals to quantify the IAQ problems in offices and make decisions on resources and manpower management for efficient mitigation actions.
Medial Knee Injury: Part 1, Static Function of the Individual Components of the Main Medial Knee Structures
Authors: Griffith Chad J. , LaPrade Robert F. , Johansen Steinar , Armitage Bryan , Wijdicks Coen , Engebretsen Lars 
Published: July 2009

Background There is a lack of knowledge on the primary and secondary static stabilizing functions of the posterior oblique ligament (POL), the proximal and distal divisions of the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL), and the meniscofemoral and meniscotibial portions of the deep medial collateral ligament (MCL). Hypothesis Identification of the primary and secondary stabilizing functions of the individual components of the main medial knee structures will provide increased knowledge of the medial knee ligamentous stability. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods Twenty-four cadaveric knees were equally divided into 3 groups with unique sequential sectioning sequences of the POL, sMCL (proximal and distal divisions), and deep MCL (meniscofemoral and meniscotibial portions). A 6 degree of freedom electromagnetic tracking system monitored motion after application of valgus loads (10 N·m) and internal and external rotation torques (5 N·m) at 0°, 20°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion. Results The primary valgus stabilizer was the proximal division of the sMCL. The primary external rotation stabilizer was the distal division of the sMCL at 30° of knee flexion. The primary internal rotation stabilizers were the POL and the distal division of the sMCL at all tested knee flexion angles, the meniscofemoral portion of the deep MCL at 20°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion, and the meniscotibial portion of the deep MCL at 0° and 30° of knee flexion. Conclusion An intricate relationship exists among the main medial knee structures and their individual components for static function to applied loads. Clinical Significance: Interpretation of clinical knee motion testing following medial knee injuries will improve with the information in this study. Significant increases in external rotation at 30° of knee flexion were found with all medial knee structures sectioned, which indicates that a positive dial test may be found not only for posterolateral knee injuries but also for medial knee injuries.
Mice deficient for CD137 ligand are predisposed to develop germinal center–derived B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Middendorp Sabine , Xiao Yanling , Song Ji-Ying , Peperzak Victor , Krijger Peter H. L. , Jacobs Heinz , Borst Jannie 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn the germinal center (GC), B cells proliferate dramatically and diversify their immunoglobulin genes, which increases the risk of malignant transformation. The GC B-cell reaction relies on crosstalk with follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), to which the costimulatory receptor CD137 on FDCs and its ligand on GC B cells potentially contribute. We report that mice deficient for CD137 ligand (CD137L) are predisposed to develop B-cell lymphoma, with an incidence of approximately 60% at 12 months of age. Lymphoma membrane markers were characteristic of GC B cells. Longitudinal histologic analysis identified the GC as site of oncogenic transformation and classified 85% of the malignancies found in approximately 200 mice as GC-derived B-cell lymphoma. To delineate the mechanism underlying lymphomagenesis, gene expression profiles of wild-type and CD137L-deficient GC B cells were compared. CD137L deficiency was associated with enhanced expression of a limited gene set that included Bcl-10 and the GC response regulators Bcl-6, Spi-B, Elf-1, Bach2, and activation-induced cytidine deaminase. Among these are proto-oncogenes that mediate GC B-cell lymphoma development in humans. We conclude that CD137L ordinarily regulates the GC B-cell response and thereby acts as a tumor suppressor.
Increased augmentation index in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Hull J. H. , Garrod R. , Ho T. B. , Knight R. K. , Cockcroft J. R. , Shale D. J. , Bolton C. E. 
Published: July 2009

Increased large artery stiffness occurs in a range of inflammatory conditions indicating an ageing of the vasculature and additionally being an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. We determined large artery parameters in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).50 clinically stable adult patients with CF (mean±sdage 28.0±8.2 yrs) and 26 controls matched for age, sex and body mass index were studied. Central aortic blood pressure, augmentation index (AIx) and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined using applanation tonometry. Lung function, diabetic status and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also determined.Mean±sdAIx was greater in patients than controls, 8.5±11.1% and -1.8±13.1%, respectively (p<0.001), while PWV was similar. Although AIx was greatest in the sub-group with CF-related diabetes (CFRD), it was also increased in the non-CFRD sub-group when compared with controls. In patients, AIx was related to log10CRP (r = 0.33) and forced vital capacity (r =  -0.34; both p<0.05), and CRP remained predictive in multiple regression.AIx is increased in adults with CF, in the presence of a normal blood pressure and independent of diabetic status. AIx was related to the systemic inflammatory status. These findings have implications for management and require further exploration so that cardiovascular health can be maintained.
Myeloid-related protein 8/14 levels in children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Kim J. , Bhattacharjee R. , Snow A. B. , Capdevila O. S. , Kheirandish-Gozal L. , Gozal D. 
Published: July 2009

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common in children and leads to multiple end-organ morbidities. Myeloid-related protein (MRP) 8/14 plays an important pathophysiological role in atherosclerosis, and plasma levels correlate with endothelial cell dysfunction. We hypothesised that MRP8/14 levels would be altered in children with OSA.255 children (aged 7.6±1.5 yrs) were included after a sleep study and a morning blood sample. MRP8/14 and interleukin-6 plasma levels were assayed using ELISA and C-reactive protein by immunoturbidometry. Endothelial function was assessed as the hyperaemic response after occlusion of the brachial artery.Plasma log MRP8/14 levels showed apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) dose-dependent increases regardless of obesity. Moreover, log MRP8/14 levels correlated with log AHI (r = 0.340, p<0.001) after controlling for age and body mass index Z-score, and with endothelial function. Children with the highest MRP levels (>1.34 ug·mL−1) had 2.4- and 5.4-fold increased odds of mild OSA and moderate-to-severe OSA, respectively, after adjusting for confounding variables.Plasma MRP8/14 levels are associated with paediatric OSA and may reflect increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity. The short- and long-term consequences of elevated MRP8/14 on cardiovascular function in the context of paediatric OSA remain to be defined.
Monitoring sputum eosinophils in mucosal inflammation and remodelling: a pilot study
Authors: Chakir J. , Loubaki L. , Laviolette M. , Milot J. , Biardel S. , Jayaram L. , Pizzichini M. , Pizzichini E. , Hargreave F. E. , Nair P. , Boulet L-P. 
Published: July 2009

Normalisation of eosinophil counts in sputum of asthmatic patients reduces eosinophilic exacerbations. However, the effect of this strategy on airway remodelling remains to be determined. We compared bronchial inflammation and collagen deposition after 2 yrs of treatment guided by either sputum eosinophils (sputum strategy, SS) or by clinical criteria (clinical strategy, CS).As a pilot study, 20 mild asthmatic patients were randomly assigned to CS or SS strategies. Bronchial biopsies were obtained when minimum treatment needed to maintain control was identified and this was continued for 2 yrs. Biopsies were immunostained for inflammatory cells, mucin 5A (MUC5A) and collagen.The mean dose of inhaled corticosteroids at the start and end of the study was similar in both SS and CS groups. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s increased in both groups at the study end. In SS, mucosal lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, but not neutrophils, were reduced at the end of the study. In CS, only activated eosinophil and neutrophil counts decreased. MUC5A staining decreased in SS but not CS. No change in collagen deposition underneath the basement membrane was observed in either strategy.Treatment strategies that normalise sputum eosinophils also reduce mucosal inflammatory cells and MUC5A expression, but do not change subepithelial collagen deposition in mild to moderate asthma.
Lung-specific inactivation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α causes a pathological pattern characteristic of COPD
Authors: Didon L. , Roos A. B. , Elmberger G. P. , Gonzalez F. J. , Nord M. 
Published: July 2009

The link between respiratory complications in prematurely born infants and susceptibility for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving increasing attention. We have previously found that CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) activity in airway epithelial cells of COPD patients is decreased compared to healthy smokers, suggesting a previously unknown role for C/EBPs in COPD pathogenesis.To investigate the role of the transcription factor C/EBPα in lung development and its potential role in COPD, mice with a lung epithelial-specific disruption of the C/EBPα gene (CebpaΔLE) were generated using Cre-mediated excision, and the resulting pathology was studied during development and into adulthood.CebpaΔLEmice exhibit impaired lung development and epithelial differentiation, as well as affected vascularity. Furthermore,CebpaΔLEmice that survive until adulthood develop a severe pathological picture with irregular emphysema; bronchiolitis, including goblet cell hyperplasia, bronchiolar metaplasia, fibrosis and mucus plugging; and an inflammatory cell and gene expression profile similar to COPD.CebpaΔLEmice display lung immaturity during development, and adultCebpaΔLEmice develop a majority of the histopathological and inflammatory characteristics of COPD.CebpaΔLEmice could thus provide new valuable insights into understanding the long-term consequences of lung immaturity and the link to susceptibility of developing COPD.
Evaluating complex health interventions: a critical analysis of the 'outcomes' concept
Authors: Paterson Charlotte , Baarts Charlotte , Launsø Laila , Verhoef Marja J 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
The extent to which a health care intervention causes or facilitates health-related change is a key question in research. The need to quantify such change has led to the development of an increasing number of change indicators, to measure what have come to be known as 'outcomes'. In the context of medical research into the efficacy or effectiveness of an intervention the term 'outcomes' has often been interpreted to mean single endpoints with a linear cause and effect link to an external intervention.

Discussion
In this paper we present a critical analysis of the nature and interpretation of the 'outcomes' concept and of the assumptions that underpin it. Drawing on our own work and that of others, we analyse the problems that arise when the concept is applied to complex interventions and discuss the use of other models, such as programme theory, as a basis for alternative conceptualisations for indicators of change.
Our analysis demonstrates that the interpretation of 'outcomes' that may be appropriate for clinical trials of pharmaceutical products, is problematic when used in evaluations of complex interventions in areas such as complementary medicine, palliative care, rehabilitation, and health promotion. The 'outcomes' concept may impose inappropriate patterns of thought and meaning. We present alternative models, such as those based on programme theory, which conceptualise health-related change as resulting from the interaction between intervention, process and context over time. In this framework both the intervention and the patient are defined as causal factors, because the result of the treatment is dependent on the resources of the patient – such as the body's ability to heal itself – and the impact of the patient's situation.

Summary
Evaluations based on a model such as programme theory will encompass a wide range of health-related changes that include aspects of process, such as new meanings and understanding, as well as longer term changes in health, wellbeing and health-related competences and behaviours.
Reliability and validity of a new scale on internal coherence (ICS) of cancer patients
Authors: Kröz Matthias , Büssing Arndt , von Laue Hans Broder , Reif Marcus , Feder Gene , Schad Friedemann , Girke Matthias , Matthes Harald 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Current inventories on quality of life used in oncology mainly focus on functional aspects of patients in the context of disease adaption and treatments (side) effects (EORTC QLQ C30) or generically the status of common functions (Medical Outcome Study SF 36). Beyond circumscribed dimensions of quality of life (i.e., physical, emotional, social, cognitive etc.), there is a lack of inventories which also address other relevant dimensions such as the 'sense of coherence' (SOC) in cancer patients. SOC is important because of its potential prognostic relevance in cancer patients, but the current SOC scale has mainly been validated for psychiatric and psychosomatic patients. Our two-step validation study addresses the internal coherence (ICS) scale, which is based on expert rating, using specific items for oncological patients, with respect to its reliability, validity and sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Methods
The items were tested on 114 participants (57 cancer patients and a matched control group), alongside questions on autonomic regulation (aR), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), self-regulation (SRQ) and Karnofsky the Performance-Index (KPI). A retest of 65 participants was carried out after a median time span of four weeks.
In the second part of the study, the ICS was used to assess internal coherence during chemotherapy in 25 patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and 17 breast cancer patients. ICS was recorded before, during and 4 – 8 weeks after treatment.

Results
The 10-item scale of 'internal coherence' (ICS) shows good to very good reliability: Cronbach-α r = 0.91, retest-reliability r = 0.80. The ICS correlates with r = 0.43 – 0.72 to the convergence criteria (all p < 0.001). We are able to show decreased ICS-values after the third cycle for CRC and breast cancer patients, with a subsequent increase of ICS scores after the end of chemotherapy.

Conclusion
The ICS has good to very good reliability, validity and sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Lung cancer gene expression database analysis incorporating prior knowledge with support vector machine-based classification method
Authors: Guan Peng , Huang Desheng , He Miao , Zhou Baosen 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackgroundA reliable and precise classification is essential for successful diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Gene expression microarrays have provided the high-throughput platform to discover genomic biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Rational use of the available bioinformation can not only effectively remove or suppress noise in gene chips, but also avoid one-sided results of separate experiment. However, only some studies have been aware of the importance of prior information in cancer classification.MethodsTogether with the application of support vector machine as the discriminant approach, we proposed one modified method that incorporated prior knowledge into cancer classification based on gene expression data to improve accuracy. A public well-known dataset, Malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung adenocarcinoma gene expression database, was used in this study. Prior knowledge is viewed here as a means of directing the classifier using known lung adenocarcinoma related genes. The procedures were performed by software R 2.80.ResultsThe modified method performed better after incorporating prior knowledge. Accuracy of the modified method improved from 98.86% to 100% in training set and from 98.51% to 99.06% in test set. The standard deviations of the modified method decreased from 0.26% to 0 in training set and from 3.04% to 2.10% in test set.ConclusionThe method that incorporates prior knowledge into discriminant analysis could effectively improve the capacity and reduce the impact of noise. This idea may have good future not only in practice but also in methodology.
Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy results in decreased morbidity and mortality among patients with TB and HIV
Authors: Tabarsi Payam , Saber‐Tehrani Ali S , Baghaei Parvaneh , Padyab Mojgan , Mansouri Davood , Amiri Majid , Masjedi Mohammad Reza , Altice Frederick L 
Published: July 2009

IntroductionThe overlapping drug toxicity profiles, drug‐drug interactions and complications of management of both HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in patients with advanced HIV have not been fully delineated.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of the outcomes of tuberculosis treatment among 69 HIV‐infected patients with TB, who were hospitalized in Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran between 2002 and 2006, and who received standard category 1 (CAT‐1) regimens. Group I (N = 47) included those treated from 2002 to 2005 with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiated after eight weeks of TB treatment for those whose CD4 count was <200 cells/mm3. Group II (N = 22) included TB patients treated from 2005 to 2006, with HAART initiated after two weeks of TB treatment if their CD4 count was <100 cells/mm3 and eight weeks after initiation of TB treatment for those whose CD4 count was between 101 and 200 cells/mm3.ResultsThere were no differences between Groups I and II with regard to: adverse drug reactions [four (8.5%) versus two (9%), p = ns]; IRIS [six (12.7%) versus three (10.7%), p = ns]; and new opportunistic infections [eight (17.0%) versus two (9.1%), p = ns]. Death, however, occurred more frequently in Group I than in Group II [13 (27.7%) versus (4.5%), p = 0.03], where HAART was initiated earlier. Injection of drugs was the most common route of HIV transmission in both groups (72.3% in Group I and 77.3% in Group II).ConclusionThis manuscript shows that in a retrospective review of HIV/TB patients hospitalized in Tehran, improved survival was associated with earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV/TB patients with CD4 counts of below 100 cells/mm3.
Characterization of the Endocannabinoid System in Human Spermatozoa and Involvement of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Receptor in Their Fertilizing Ability
Authors: Francavilla F. , Battista N. , Barbonetti A. , Vassallo M. R. C. , Rapino C. , Antonangelo C. , Pasquariello N. , Catanzaro G. , Barboni B. , Maccarrone M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHuman spermatozoa express type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1), whose activation by anandamide (AEA) affects motility and acrosome reaction (AR). In this study, we extended the characterization of the AEA-related endocannabinoid system in human spermatozoa, and we focused on the involvement of the AEA-binding vanilloid receptor (TRPV1) in their fertilizing ability. Protein expression was revealed for CB1 (∼56 kDa), TRPV1 (∼95 kDa), AEA-synthesizing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) (∼46 kDa), and AEA-hydrolyzing enzyme [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), ∼66 kDa]. Both AEA-binding receptors (CB1 and TRPV1) exhibited a functional binding activity; enzymatic activity was demonstrated for NAPE-PLD, FAAH, and the purported endocannabinoid membrane transporter (EMT). Immunoreactivity for CB1, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH was localized in the postacrosomal region and in the midpiece, whereas for TRPV1, it was restricted to the postacrosomal region. Capsazepine (CPZ), a selective antagonist of TRPV1, inhibited progesterone (P)-enhanced sperm/oocyte fusion, as evaluated by the hamster egg penetration test. This inhibition was due to a reduction of the P-induced AR rate above the spontaneous AR rate, which was instead increased. The sperm exposure to OMDM-1, a specific inhibitor of EMT, prevented the promoting effect of CPZ on spontaneous AR rate and restored the sperm responsiveness to P. No significant effects could be observed on sperm motility. In conclusion, this study provides unprecedented evidence that human spermatozoa exhibit a completely functional endocannabinoid system related to AEA and that the AEA-binding TRPV1 receptor could be involved in the sperm fertilizing ability.