bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hip displacement and scoliosis in Rett syndrome – screening is required
Authors: TAY GUAN , GRAHAM HEATHER , GRAHAM H KERR , LEONARD HELEN , REDDIHOUGH DINAH , BAIKIE GORDON 
Published: July 2009

Aim  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hip displacement and spinal deformity in a clinic population of females with Rett syndrome to define implications for screening and management.Method  Age, MECP2 gene status, gross motor function, prevalence of hip displacement, as measured by migration percentage, and spinal deformity, determined by measurement of Cobb angle, were recorded.Results  Thirty‐one females with a mean age of 15 years 6 months (SD 5y 4mo) fulfilled a clinical diagnosis of Rett syndrome. Fifteen (48%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 30–67) of the cohort had a hip migration percentage of 30% of more. Eight of the 31 patients (95% CI 12–45) had undergone surgery for the prevention or treatment of hip displacement or dislocation. Twenty‐seven of the 31 patients (95% CI 70–96) had a scoliosis, with a Cobb angle of less than 10°; 20 patients (95% CI 45–81) had a Cobb angle greater than 30°. Eleven (95% CI 19–55) patients have required spinal fusion surgery.Interpretation  The prevalence of hip displacement and spinal deformity in a clinic cohort of females with Rett syndrome in Victoria, Australia, was very high. Early, repeated, and consistent clinical and radiological surveillance for hip displacement and spinal deformities is recommended in all young patients with Rett syndrome.
Longitudinal development of hand function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: HOLMEFUR MARIE , KRUMLINDE‐SUNDHOLM LENA , BERGSTRÖM JAKOB , ELIASSON ANN‐CHRISTIN 
Published: July 2009

Aim The aim of this study was to describe how the usefulness of the hemiplegic hand develops in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) aged between 18 months and 8 years.Method A prospective longitudinal study of 43 children (22 males, 21 females) with unilateral CP was conducted. Inclusion age was 18 months to 5 years 4 months (mean 2y 8mo [SD 1y 1mo]). Children were assessed with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) 3 to 11 times per child over a mean period of 4 years 6 months. Two models were used for grouping children: by AHA score at 18 months and by Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels. Estimated average motor development curves were fitted with a nonlinear mixed‐effects model.Results Children with a high AHA score (high ability level) at 18 months reached a significantly higher ability level and at a higher progression rate than children with a low 18‐month AHA score. Limits of development differed between the three MACS levels.Interpretation Results indicate that the AHA score at 18 months can be used to discuss future development of affected hand use in bimanual tasks in children with unilateral CP.
Condition‐adapted stress and longevity gene regulation by Caenorhabditis elegans SKN‐1/Nrf
Authors: Oliveira Riva P. , Abate Jess Porter , Dilks Kieran , Landis Jessica , Ashraf Jasmine , Murphy Coleen T. , Blackwell T. Keith 
Published: July 2009

SummaryStudies in model organisms have identified regulatory processes that profoundly influence aging, many of which modulate resistance against environmental or metabolic stresses. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the transcription regulator SKN‐1 is important for oxidative stress resistance and acts in multiple longevity pathways. SKN‐1 is the ortholog of mammalian Nrf proteins, which induce Phase 2 detoxification genes in response to stress. Phase 2 enzymes defend against oxygen radicals and conjugate electrophiles that are produced by Phase 1 detoxification enzymes, which metabolize lipophilic compounds. Here, we have used expression profiling to identify genes and processes that are regulated by SKN‐1 under normal and stress–response conditions. Under nonstressed conditions SKN‐1 upregulates numerous genes involved in detoxification, cellular repair, and other functions, and downregulates a set of genes that reduce stress resistance and lifespan. Many of these genes appear to be direct SKN‐1 targets, based upon presence of predicted SKN‐binding sites in their promoters. The metalloid sodium arsenite induces skn‐1‐dependent activation of certain detoxification gene groups, including some that were not SKN‐1‐upregulated under normal conditions. An organic peroxide also triggers induction of a discrete Phase 2 gene set, but additionally stimulates a broad SKN‐1‐independent response. We conclude that under normal conditions SKN‐1 has a wide range of functions in detoxification and other processes, including modulating mechanisms that reduce lifespan. In response to stress, SKN‐1 and other regulators tailor transcription programs to meet the challenge at hand. Our findings reveal striking complexity in SKN‐1 functions and the regulation of systemic detoxification defenses.
Measuring Investors' Opinion Divergence
Authors: GARFINKEL JON A. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTNumerous proxies for divergence of investors' opinions have been suggested in the empirical accounting and finance literatures. I offer a new proxy constructed from proprietary limit order and market order data. This allows me to capture additional information on investors' private valuations. Proxies from the extant literature, based on publicly available data, do not contain such information. Given my new measure, I ask which of the extant proxies correlates best with it. In my regression analysis, unexplained volume is the best proxy for opinion divergence. Conditioning on various firm‐specific and order‐specific characteristics generally does not change this conclusion. The main exception is the sample of firms without IBES forecast dispersion data, for which bid‐ask spread is the best proxy for opinion divergence. Factor analysis also suggests that unexplained volume is the preferred proxy for opinion divergence.
Economic burden of epilepsy in a developing country: A retrospective cost analysis in China
Authors: Hong Zhen , Qu Bo , Wu Xin‐Tong , Yang Tian‐Hua , Zhang Qin , Zhou Dong 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPurpose:  To study the cost of epilepsy in China, and, therefore, provide essential information on the burden of the disease to individuals and society.Methods:  A cost‐of‐illness study was performed on a retrospective cohort of medically treated patients. Data on clinical characteristics, utilization of sources, and costs were collected from 289 patients in a standardized format.Results:  Direct medical care costs was Chinese yuan, renminbi (RMB) 2,529 (USD 372) per year per patient, of which antiepileptic drugs (RMB 1,651 or USD 243) accounted for the major cost component. Nonmedical direct costs were much less than direct health care costs, averaging approximately RMB 756 (USD 111). Costs due to loss of productivity averaged approximately RMB 1,968 (USD 289) per patient per year. Taken together, the overall mean annual cost for epilepsy per patient in our series was approximately RMB 5,253 (USD 773), and these costs accounted for more than half of the mean annual income. Total cost was significantly associated with disease severity and different responses to drug treatment. In addition, new antiepileptic drugs and the number of drugs taken were closely related with the drug cost.Conclusion:  The results indicate that the economic burden of epilepsy to both Chinese patients and the nation is heavy, and the composition proportions of the costs in China have many similar features and some noteworthy differences with that of other countries.
Increased leukocyte aggregates are associated with atherosclerosis in patients with hemodialysis
Authors: KOBAYASHI Shuzo , MIYAMOTO Mitsuko , KURUMATANI Hajime , OKA Machiko , MAESATO Kyoko , MANO Tsutomu , IKEE Ryota , MORIYA Hidekazu , OHTAKE Takayasu 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLittle data are available on the role of blood rheology in atherosclerosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study sought to assess the relationship between leukocytes conjugated with platelets (leukocyte aggregates [LA]) and atherosclerosis in patients with HD. The present study included 118 patients on HD. As surrogate markers of atherosclerosis, aortic stiffness measured by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity, and carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) were measured. As an assessment of LA, a method, microchannel array flow analyzer, which makes it possible to directly observe the flow of blood cell elements through the microchannel, was used. We measured a number of LA during 50 μL flow of whole blood through microchannels. In 12 age‐matched healthy individuals, a number of LA during 50 μL flow of whole blood was 25.7±5.4, whereas in HD patients it was significantly increased up to 48.2±16.4 (P<0.001). Flow cytometry demonstrated that LA were predominantly monocytes. Leukocyte aggregates were positively associated with plasma levels of fibrinogen (P<0.01), or serum high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (P<0.01). Moreover, LA had highly significant associations with brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (P<0.001) and IMT (P<0.001). In conclusion, we demonstrated hemorheologically that monocyte‐platelet conjugates play an important role in aortic stiffness and IMT in HD patients.
The relationship between laboratory‐based outcome measures and mortality in end‐stage renal disease: A systematic review
Authors: DESAI Amar A. , NISSENSON Allen , CHERTOW Glenn M. , FARID Mary , SINGH Inder , VAN OIJEN Martijn G. H. , ESRAILIAN Eric , SOLOMON Matthew D. , SPIEGEL Brennan M. R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDespite data that traditional laboratory‐based outcome measures in dialysis are improving over time, population‐based data indicate that mortality rates are not improving in parallel. With increased focus on performance measures based on laboratory‐based outcomes (e.g., hematocrit, albumin, and parathyroid hormone), less emphasis has been placed on other markers, some of which may be stronger predictors of mortality. We performed a systematic review to interpret the predictive value of laboratory‐based outcome measures in dialysis. We identified studies with data regarding the predictive value of laboratory‐based outcomes for mortality in dialysis. We calculated the sample size‐weighted pooled relative risk of death with dichotomized “high” vs. “low” levels of each measure. We rank‐ordered predictors by scaling the pooled relative risk of each measure by its pooled standard deviation. There were 5171 titles, of which 128 (representing 44 laboratory‐based outcomes) were selected. Nine were significantly associated with mortality, in order of decreasing scaled effect size: (1) tumor necrosis factor‐α, (2) hematocrit, (3) interleukin‐6, (4) troponin T, (5) Kt/Vurea, (6) prealbumin, (7) urea reduction ratio, (8) serum albumin, and (9) C‐reactive protein. Other oft‐cited measures such as calcium phosphate product and parathyroid hormone were not significantly associated with mortality in pooled analysis. Quality improvement efforts to improve traditional laboratory‐based outcomes in end‐stage renal disease are necessary, but likely insufficient, to improve overall mortality in dialysis. Renewed consideration of cardiovascular, inflammatory, and nutritional markers that are especially strong predictors of mortality may have important implications for risk stratification and targeted therapeutic interventions.
The first documented case of Aspergillus cardiac surgical site infection in Sweden: an epidemiology study using arbitrarily primed PCR
Authors: BERGMAN ANNA , LIGNELL ANDERS , MELHUS ÅSA 
Published: July 2009

Bergman A, Lignell A, Melhus Å. The first documented case of Aspergillus cardiac surgical site infection in Sweden: an epidemiology study using arbitrarily primed PCR. APMIS 2009; 117: 568–74.Here we report two rare cases of severe thoracic Aspergillus fumigatus infections after lung and heart surgery at the same thoracic intensive care unit at the same time. The main objective was to identify a possible source of transmission. With arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction a patient‐to‐patient transmission could rapidly be ruled out as the cause of the first documented case of aspergillosis after open‐heart surgery in Sweden. Although no definitive source was identified, a genetically similar strain was found in a contaminated supply room.
Staphylococcal meningoencephalitis, nematodiasis, and typhlocolitis in a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
Authors: García A. , Nambiar P.R. , Marini R.P. , Fox J.G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground  Seizures were observed in a 16‐year old male Guyanese squirrel monkey with a history of inappetence and weakness.Methods and results  Complete blood count, biochemical profile, and urinalysis indicated systemic disease. Nematode larvae were detected in the feces. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed leukocytes and gram‐positive cocci. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the CSF. Histopathological evaluation revealed systemic lesions with inflammation and nematodes in the small and large intestine.Conclusion  This is the first report describing spontaneous staphylococcal CNS infection in a squirrel monkey.
Resident bacteria in a mixed population of rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) monkeys: a prevalence study
Authors: Carrier C.A. , Elliott T.B. , Ledney G.D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground  Microflora populations residing in oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal sites defend against pathogenic bacterial colonization. Perturbations in these microbial communities may allow opportunistic pathogenic bacteria to establish themselves and cause morbidity and mortality from sepsis particularly after stressful experimental procedures. This study determined the prevalent facultative bacteria in a resident population of Macaca mulatta prior to use in experimentally induced immunosuppressive radiation studies.Methods  Standard microbiological methods were used to assess prevalent facultative bacteria in the oropharynx and rectum of 24 male M. mulatta.Results  The majority of the bacteria isolated from the oropharyngeal and rectal sites were gram‐positive cocci. Species of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus predominated in all samples. Few gram‐negative bacteria were isolated.Conclusions  Bacteriological assessment is recommended to identify predominant bacterial species to be prepared to provide appropriate antimicrobial therapy in non‐human primates that are expected to undergo stressful immunocompromising procedures.
New drug therapies and their effect on the skin
Authors: Treudler Regina 
Published: July 2009

SummaryNew therapeutic agents – mainly those applied in treatment of cancer and in immunologically mediated diseases – can elicit previously unknown cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADR) and each dermatologist should be familiar with these clinical pictures. Established classification systems fail to adequately represent ADR to these new therapeutics, which often belong to the group of biological immune response modifiers. Thus, a new classification system was recently proposed for ADR to these new drugs and this paper gives an overview of typical clinical entities. The emphasis is put on ADR elicited by EGFR inhibitors and by TNF antagonists. Current strategies for management of these ADR, as well as for selected other new therapeutics and their typical ADR, are discussed.The fast development of new drugs and their wider application will undoubtedly continue to be a challenge for dermatologists.
Single‐centre vs. population‐based outcome data of extremely preterm infants at the limits of viability
Authors: Kutz Patrizia , Horsch Sandra , Kühn Lisa , Roll Claudia 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim:  In response to the disappointing outcome data of the population‐based EPICure study published in 2000, we compared the outcome of infants 22 0/7 to 25 6/7 weeks of gestational age (GA) in a single tertiary care centre 2000–2004 with that of EPICure.Methods:  EPICure tools and definitions, including 30 months’ Bayley Scales.Results:  Of 83 infants <26 weeks born alive, more were admitted to intensive care – 82% vs. 68% (p < 0.0001) – and more infants survived to discharge (57% vs. 26%, p < 0.0001; 69% vs. 39%, p < 0.01, of those admitted to intensive care). More infants, as a percentage of live births, survived without severe (41%, 34/83 vs. 20%, 233/1185, p < 0.0001) or overall disability (22%, 18/83 vs. 13%, 155/1185, p = 0.03). However, at the border of viability – GA 23 and 24 weeks – the rate of infants surviving without overall disability was not significantly higher (13%, 6/45 vs. 9%, 56/623).Conclusion:  In infants <26 weeks of GA, increased rates of survival and survival without disability were observed in a single‐centre inborn cohort born 5–8 years later than the EPICure cohort. This did not translate into increased survival without overall disability in infants of 23–24 weeks of GA.
Oral care training in the basic education of care professionals
Authors: Samson Heidi , Iversen Marjolein Memelink , Strand Gunhild Vesterhus 
Published: July 2009

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00304.x

Oral care training in the basic education of care professionals Objective:  To investigate the quantity and quality of oral care training in the basic education of future long‐term care (LTC) professionals in Norway.Background:  The level of oral hygiene has often proved inadequate in LTC facilities. It has been maintained that this could be due to insufficient knowledge of oral care among care professionals.Materials and methods:  A self‐administered questionnaire was sent to all 270 schools in Norway which offered basic education of LTC personnel in 2004/05. Information on theoretical and practical oral care training, scope of oral care in teaching material and curriculum, educational background of the teaching staff and schools opinion regarding adequacy of their training programme was collected.Results:  Of the 203 respondents (75% response rate), 188 (participants) included oral care in their educational programme. Approximately two‐thirds of the participating schools provided 3 h or more of oral care training and many of the important themes were presented in the textbooks that were recommended. Moreover, the practical exercises performed in practice placement supplemented the knowledge.Conclusion:  The results could not confirm that LTC professional’s basic education concerning oral care was inadequate. There may therefore be other explanations for the poor oral hygiene in many LTC facilities.
A study on oral rehabilitation in stroke patients: analysis of a group of 33 patients
Authors: Corsalini Massimo , Rapone Biagio , Grassi Felice Roberto , Di Venere Daniela 
Published: July 2009

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00322.x

A study on oral rehabilitation in stroke patients: analysis of a group of 33 patients Background:  Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the world after cardiovascular disease and cancer. This study aimed to investigate the oro‐dental status and removable denture conditions in stroke survivors.Methods:  At the Department of Vascular Disease of the Neurological Clinic of the Polyclinic Hospital of Bari, from January 2003 to May 2008, 189 consecutive patients were examined who had had a stroke, to select removable denture wearers. The oro‐dental examination was performed in a period between 12 and 60 months after the stroke and among these 189 patients, 60 were wearing a removable denture, but only 33 participated in our research. All the patients gave written informed consent.Results:  It was observed that in 42.4%, removable dentures needed to be remade, in 27.3%, they needed to be rebased and in 30.3%, they were adequate.Conclusion:  The role of oral health providers is fundamental in order to maintain good oral health and to avoid oral diseases in stroke patients. They should, indeed, monitor these patients with a regular follow‐up after 1 month and every 3–4 months.
The influence of medication on salivary flow of the elderly: preliminary study
Authors: Scelza Miriam F. Zaccaro , Silva Danielle de Freitas , Ahiadzro Nutifafa Kwaku , da Silva Licinio Esmeraldo , Scelza Pantaleo 
Published: July 2009

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00326.x

The influence of medication on salivary flow of the elderly: preliminary study Objective:  This study was to evaluate the influence of medications on unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow in elderly men and women.Background:  Several diseases and conditions are associated with decreasing salivary flow. Medications can be risk factors for hyposalivation due to the effect particular drug categories.Methods:  Seventy‐five elderly of both gender (sixty years old or over) from the Geriatric Dental Clinic at the Federal Fluminense University Dental School, were interviewed about their health status and chronic use of medication. After the interview, unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected from each subject. The collection time was five minutes, and the flow rate was calculated as ml/min.Results:  The mean unstimulated salivary flow was 0.25 ml/min for women and 0.30 ml/min for men, while the mean for stimulated salivary flow was 1.23 ml/min for women and 1.31 ml/min for men, without both differences being non‐significant (p > 0.05). The difference between the mean production of unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow was statistically significant, regardless of gender (p < 0.01). A significant reduction of stimulated salivary flow was observed with the usage of cardiovascular agents (p < 0.05).Conclusion:  Drugs used in cardiovascular disease influence the flow of stimulated saliva.
A genetic polymorphism in transforming growth factor beta receptor‐2 is associated with serum osteopontin
Authors: Biros E. , Clancy P. , Norman P. E. , Golledge J. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryOsteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycoprotein demonstrated to play an important role in inflammation. Transforming growth factor beta and a related signalling pathway have been implicated in control of OPN secretion. We examined the relationship between transforming growth factor beta receptor‐1 and ‐2 (TGFBR1 and 2) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and serum OPN in 296 men from the Health in Men Study. Serum concentrations of OPN and 58 SNPs for TGFBR1 and 2 were assessed. One SNP in TGFBR2 was associated with serum OPN (TGFBR2 g.20690C>T, SNP ID rs4522809, P = 0.0007) after adjusting for multiple testing. This study suggests that polymorphism in TGFBR2 are associated with altered secretion of OPN, supporting a role for transforming growth factor beta in OPN production.
Filaggrin null mutations in childhood atopic dermatitis among the Chinese
Authors: Ching G. K. , Hon K‐L. , Ng P‐C. , Leung T‐F. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAtopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with loss or reduced expression of filaggrin (FLG). We evaluated five FLG null mutations, namely R501X, 2282del4, R2447X, S2554X, and S2889X, in 174 Chinese children with AD and 191 matched controls. 2282del4, R2447X, S2554X and S2889X mutations were not found in these patients. Heterozygous carriage of R501X was only found in four male patients, and associated with long‐term disease severity. FLG mutations prevalent in Caucasian and other Asian populations are rarely found in our series.