bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic maculopathy, and its relationship to diabetic retinopathy in elderly Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yamamoto Teiko , Iimuro Satoshi , Ohashi Yasuo , Sone Hirohito , Yamashita Hidetoshi , Ito Hideki ,   the Japanese Elderly Intervention Trial Research Group
Published: March 2012

Aims:  To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy in Japanese patients older than 65 years‐of‐age with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, to determine the relationship between the severity of retinopathy and maculopathy, and the risk factors for these conditions in Japanese patients with the same characteristics.Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional study carried out at the enrolment of patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial. A total of 960 eyes of 960 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who were ≥65 years‐of‐age were analyzed.Results:  Our data showed that there was a correlation between the severity of retinopathy and the severity of maculopathy. The risk factors for the severity of retinopathy were different from the risk factors for the severity of maculopathy. The age, duration of diabetes, systemic pulse pressure, fasting insulin, insulin treatment of diabetes, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, microalbumin‐to‐creatinine ratio and history of cerebrovascular disease all contributed significantly to the severity of retinopathy. The duration of diabetes, insulin treatment and microalbumin‐to‐creatinine ratio were correlated with the severity of maculopathy.Conclusions:  The risk factors related to diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged ≥65 years were different from that in other countries. Our data also showed that the certain risk factors for retinopathy differ from those associated with maculopathy. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12 (Suppl. 1): 134–140.
‘Candidatus Arthromitus’ revised: segmented filamentous bacteria in arthropod guts are members of Lachnospiraceae
Authors: Thompson Claire L. , Vier Rahel , Mikaelyan Aram , Wienemann Tobias , Brune Andreas 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe name Arthromitus has been applied collectively to conspicuous filamentous bacteria found in the hindguts of termites and other arthropods. First observed by Joseph Leidy in 1849, the identity of these filaments has remained contentious. While Margulis and colleagues declared them to be a life stage of Bacillus cereus, others have assumed them to belong to the same lineage as the segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) from vertebrate guts, a group that has garnered much attention due to their unique ability to specifically modulate their host's immune response. Both SFB and Arthromitus filaments from arthropod guts were grouped under provisional name ‘Candidatus Arthromitus’ by Snel and colleagues as they share a striking similarity in terms of their morphology and close contact to the host gut wall. While SFB form a distinct lineage within the family Clostridiaceae, the identity of the filaments from arthropod guts remains elusive. Using whole‐genome amplification of single filaments capillary picked from termite guts and fluorescence in situ hybridization of 16S rRNA with group‐specific oligonucleotide probes, we show that they represent a monophyletic lineage within the family Lachnospiraceae distinct from that of SFB. Therefore, ‘Candidatus Arthromitus’ can no longer be used for both groups. Given the historic precedence, we propose to reserve this name for the filaments that were originally described by Leidy. For the SFB from vertebrate guts, we propose the provisional name ‘Candidatus Savagella’ in honour of the American gut microbiologist Dwayne C. Savage, who was the first to describe that important bacterial group.
Post‐discharge tobacco cessation rates among hospitalized US veterans with and without diabetes
Authors: Duffy S. A. , Munger A. , Karvonen‐Gutierrez C. A. , Piette J. D. , Kao T. A. ,   the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 11 Tobacco Tactics Team
Published: March 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e96–e101 (2012)AbstractAims  Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications among patients with diabetes. Hospitalization has been shown to enhance cessation rates. The purpose of this study was to compare 6‐month post‐hospitalization tobacco cessation rates among US veterans with and without diabetes.Methods  This was a longitudinal study among inpatient veterans who used tobacco in the past month (n = 496). Patients were recruited and surveyed from three Midwestern Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals during an acute‐care hospitalization. They were also asked to complete a follow‐up survey 6 months post‐discharge. Bivariate‐ and multivariable‐adjusted analyses were conducted to determine differences in tobacco cessation rates between patients with and without a diagnosis of diabetes.Results  The mean age of patients was 55.2 years and 62% were white. Twenty‐nine per cent had co‐morbid diabetes. A total of 18.8% of patients with diabetes reported tobacco cessation at 6 months compared with 10.9% of those without diabetes (P = 0.02). Cotinine‐verified cessation rates were 12.5 vs. 7.4% in the groups with and without diabetes, respectively (P = 0.07). Controlling for psychiatric co‐morbidities, depressive symptoms, age, self‐rated health and nicotine dependence, the multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression showed that patients with diabetes had three times higher odds of 6‐month cotinine‐verified tobacco cessation as compared with those without diabetes (odds ratio 3.17, P = 0.005).Conclusions  Post‐hospitalization rates of smoking cessation are high among those with diabetes. Intensive tobacco cessation programmes may increase these cessation rates further.
Increased striatal dopamine transporter density in moderately severe old restless legs syndrome patients
Authors: Kim K. W. , Jhoo J. H. , Lee S. B. , Lee S. D. , Kim T. H. , Kim S. E. , Kim Y. K. , Yoon I.‐Y. 
Published: March 2012

Background and purpose:  Dopamine dysregulation in restless legs syndrome (RLS) may be varied by the severity of RLS, which could contribute to the conflicting results from previous functional neuroimaging studies on the central dopaminergic neurotransmission of RLS. The aim of this study was to observe whether reduced striatal dopaminergic neurotransmission is associated with moderate to moderately severe RLS.Methods:  Thirteen elderly patients with RLS and 12 normal elderly controls were enrolled in the study. All the subjects were dopaminergic‐drug naïve and twelve patients with RLS had the severity of moderate to moderately severe degree based on the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) Severity Scale. We compared dopamine transporter density (DAT) availability and D2 receptor density in the striatum between patients with RLS and controls using [123I]2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)tropane single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and [123I]iodobenzamide SPECT.Results:  Dopamine transporter density of patients with RLS was increased in the caudate (P = 0.037), posterior putamen (P = 0.041), and entire striatum (P = 0.046) compared with that of normal controls. DAT density was higher in the anterior putamen of patients with RLS than controls, although statistically not significant (P = 0.079). There was no difference in the D2 receptor density between patients with RLS and normal controls in the whole striatum or any of subregions.Conclusions:  Dysregulation rather than simple upregulation or downregulation of central dopaminergic neurotransmission may underlie the pathogenesis of RLS, and decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission may cause moderate to moderately severe RLS in the elderly.
Land use drivers of species re‐expansion: inferring colonization dynamics in Eurasian otters
Authors: Marcelli Manlio , Poledník Lukáš , Poledníková Kateřina , Fusillo Romina 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim  Land use intensity has been recognized as one of the major determinants of native species declines. The re‐expansion of species previously constrained by habitat degradation has been rarely investigated. Here, we use site occupancy models incorporating imperfect detection to identify the land use drivers of the re‐expansion of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra).Location  Czech Republic.Methods  We applied multi‐season occupancy models to otter presence–non‐detection data collected in three national surveys (1992, 2000, 2006) at 552 sites (11.2 × 12 km grid cells). Model parameters included site occupancy, colonization and extinction probabilities, and detection probability at a sub‐site level. We modelled changes in occupancy over time as a function of agricultural, urban and industrial land use and change in the extent of agricultural land use.Results  Under the best fitting model, occupancy was estimated to be 34.6% in 1992, 51.3% in 2000 and 83.7% in 2006. Detection probability was neither perfect nor constant. Occupancy probability in 1992 was negatively related to land use gradients. Colonization was more likely to occur where a reduction in agricultural land was larger. Variation in extinction and colonization rates along land use gradients resulted in increased occupancy in industrial and especially urban landscapes. Conversely, occupancy remained almost unchanged along agricultural gradients.Main conclusions  Dynamics of otter expansion were strongly associated with the two main patterns of the rapid environmental transition that has taken place in the Czech Republic since the early 1990s. Results show that a reduction in intensive agricultural land use led to an increase in otter distribution, providing evidence of the impact of agricultural land use on stream ecosystems. Moreover, otters recolonized urban and industrial landscapes, probably as a result of extensive reduction in water pollution from point sources. Our results suggest that active conservation of otter populations should focus on restoration of freshwater habitat at large scales, especially in agricultural landscapes.
Actions, Factions, and Interactions: Newsworthy Influences onSupremeCourt Coverage*
Authors: Johnson Tyler , Socker Erica 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesWe test whetherSupremeCourt media coverage (in terms of both overall volume and specific frames) is driven byCourt actions, by factional battles on theCourt, by theCourt's interaction with other governmental actors, or by all three.MethodsWe link elements of theSpaethSupremeCourtDatabase and real‐worldSupremeCourt and political events toAssociatedPress media coverage of the judicial branch over a nearly three‐decade span. Content analysis of the media coverage is performed and empirical relationships between decisions, events, and coverage are analyzed using error correction modeling.ResultsWe find that overall coverage of theCourt is driven by the ideological nature of decisions rendered and by judicial retirements. Legal coverage of theCourt is driven by issues of constitutionality. Political coverage of theCourt is driven by majority size and judicial retirements.ConclusionsThe findings speak to the newsworthiness ofCourt action, factional battles on theCourt, and moments where theCourt interacts with outsiders. Elements of all three shapes the types of stories journalists tell and the ways in which said stories are told.
Multicenter Experience with Transvenous Lead Extraction of Active Fixation Coronary Sinus Leads
Authors: MAYTIN MELANIE , CARRILLO ROGER G. , BALTODANO PABLO , SCHAERF RAYMOND H. M. , BONGIORNI MARIA G. , DI CORI ANDREA , CURNIS ANTONIO , COOPER JOSHUA M. , KENNERGREN CHARLES , EPSTEIN LAURENCE M. 
Published: March 2012

Background/Objective:

Active fixation coronary sinus (CS) leads limit dislodgement and represent an attractive option to the implanter. Although extraction of passive fixation CS leads is a common and frequently uncomplicated procedure, data regarding extraction of chronically implanted active fixation CS leads are limited.
Methods:

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing active fixation CS lead extraction at six centers. Patient and procedural characteristics, indications for extraction, use of extraction sheath (ES) assistance, and outcomes are reported.
Results:

Between January 2009 and February 2011, 12 patients underwent transvenous lead extraction (TLE) of Medtronic StarFix® lead (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). The cohort was 83% male with mean age 71 ± 14 years. Average implant duration was 14.2 ± 5.7 months (2.3–23.6). All leads but one were removed for infectious indications (67% systemic infection). At the time of explant, the fixation lobes were completely retracted in only one of the 12 cases and ES assistance was required for lead removal in all cases (58% laser, 25% cutting, 25% mechanical, and 25% femoral). The majority of cases required advancement of the sheath into the CS (75.0%) and often into a branch vessel (41.7%). One lead could not be removed transvenously and required surgical lead extraction. There were no major complications. Examination of the leads after extraction frequently revealed significant tissue growth into the fixation lobes.
Conclusions:

Although TLE of active fixation CS leads can be a safe procedure in select patients and experienced hands, powered sheaths and aggressive techniques are frequently required for successful removal despite relatively short implant durations. This raises significant concern regarding future TLE of active fixation CS leads with longer implant durations. (PACE 2012; 35:641–647)
Calpain‐2 expression is associated with response to platinum based chemotherapy, progression‐free and overall survival in ovarian cancer
Authors: Storr Sarah J. , Safuan Sabreena , Woolston Caroline M. , Abdel‐Fatah Tarek , Deen Suha , Chan Stephen Y. , Martin Stewart G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractOvarian cancer is routinely treated with surgery and platinum‐based chemotherapy. Resistance is a major obstacle in the efficacy of this chemotherapy regimen and the ability to identify those patients at risk of developing resistance is of considerable clinical importance. The expression of calpain‐1, calpain‐2 and calpastatin were determined using standard immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray of 154 primary ovarian carcinomas from patients subsequently treated with platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy. High levels of calpain‐2 expression was significantly associated with platinum resistant tumours (P = 0.031). Furthermore, high expression of calpain‐2 was significantly associated with progression‐free (P = 0.049) and overall survival (P = 0.006) in this cohort. The association between calpain‐2 expression and overall survival remained significant in multivariate analysis accounting for tumour grade, stage, optimal debulking and platinum sensitivity (hazard ratio = 2.174; 95% confidence interval = 1.144–4.130; P = 0.018). The results suggest that determining calpain‐2 expression in ovarian carcinomas may allow prognostic stratification of patients treated with surgery and platinum‐based chemotherapy. The findings of this study warrant validation in a larger clinical cohort.
Osteological correlates and phylogenetic analysis of deep diving in living and extinct pinnipeds: What good are big eyes?
Authors: Debey Lauren B. , Pyenson Nicholas D. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMarine tetrapods have evolved different sensory solutions to meet the ecological challenges of foraging at depth. It has been proposed that pinipeds, like ichthyosaurs, evolved large eyeballs for such demands. Here, we test this hypothesis using morphological and diving data from a comprehensive data set (n= 54 species; 435 individual specimens), including living and extinct pinnipeds and other select carnivorans as outgroup taxa. We used bony orbit size as a proxy for eyeball size, and recorded associated skull measurements to control for relative changes in orbit size; for diving depth, we used the deepest dive depth reported in the literature. Our analyses included both standard regressions and those corrected for phylogeny (i.e., independent contrasts). Standard regression statistics showed orbit size was a significantly good predictor of diving depth for phocids and for pinnipeds overall, although there was no correlation for otariids. In contrast, independent contrasts showed little support for a relationship between orbit size and diving depth for any group broader than family level, although this approach did demonstrate deep diving has evolved multiple times in crown Pinnipedia. Lastly, using select fossil taxa, we highlight the need to test adaptive hypotheses using comparative data in an evolutionary context.
Antioxidant Activities and Major Anthocyanins of Myrobalan Plum (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.)
Authors: Wang Yan , Chen Xiaoliu , Zhang Yanmin , Chen Xuesen 
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity of Myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) and anthocyanin content in peel were analyzed in this article. In addition, ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry were used to determine anthocyanin composition of this fruit. The range of total phenolic content of the tested samples was 1.34 to 6.11 g/kg fresh weight (FW), and anthocyanin content in fruit peel of Myrobalan plum was from 1.93 to 19.86 g/kg peel. Ferric reducing antioxidant power values varied from 11.20 to 44.83 μmol Trolox equivalent/g FW. Four main kinds of anthocyanins in purple Myrobalan plum were detected while 6 kinds in red ones.Practical Application:  The article showed the anthocyanin composition, phenolic content, and antioxidant activities of wild Myrobalan plum. The purple Myrobalan plum could be developed as a resource of fruit drinks because of its high antioxidant activity and the peel could be used as the resource to extract natural pigments.
Prosocial Development Among Mexican American Youth
Authors: Knight George P. , Carlo Gustavo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractScholars have documented the need for understanding the positive developmental pathways of ethnic minority youth. Research on prosocial behaviors—actions intended to benefit others—is one area of developmental psychology that has begun to address this gap. This article presents a brief review of theories and research on the prosocial development of Mexican American youth. In addition, it describes some of the most significant limitations of the existing empirical research and provides suggestions for the direction of future research.
Canadian public service employee satisfaction and its main drivers
Authors: Hickey Alexandra , Bennett Scott Edward 
Published: March 2012

AbstractUsing the results of the 2005 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES), this paper identifies which factors have the greatest effect on employee satisfaction in the Canadian public service. Several hypotheses are tested against the backdrop of existing literature. In general, public servant satisfaction is affected by belief in opportunities for promotion, fair classification, adherence to client service standards, life balance, recognition by immediate supervisors, team relationships with colleagues, how well information is shared and, finally, belief in the abilities of senior management. Some interesting elaborations of these basic findings emerge when other variables are controlled. The discussion considers how the public service can be seen as a more desirable career choice.
Ingestion of a moderate high‐sucrose diet results in glucose intolerance with reduced liver glucokinase activity and impaired glucagon‐like peptide‐1 secretion
Authors: Sakamoto Eriko , Seino Yusuke , Fukami Ayako , Mizutani Naohiro , Tsunekawa Shin , Ishikawa Kota , Ogata Hidetada , Uenishi Eita , Kamiya Hideki , Hamada Yoji , Sato Hiroyuki , Harada Norio , Toyoda Yukiyasu , Miwa Ichitomo , Nakamura Jiro , Inagaki Nobuya , Oiso Yutaka , Ozaki Nobuaki 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAims/Introduction:  Excessive intake of sucrose can cause severe health issues, such as diabetes mellitus. In animal studies, consumption of a high‐sucrose diet (SUC) has been shown to cause obesity, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. However, several in vivo experiments have been carried out using diets with much higher sucrose contents (50–70% of the total calories) than are typically ingested by humans. In the present study, we examined the effects of a moderate SUC on glucose metabolism and the underlying mechanism.Materials and Methods:  C57BL/6J mice received a SUC (38.5% sucrose), a high‐starch diet (ST) or a control diet for 5 weeks. We assessed glucose tolerance, incretin secretion and liver glucose metabolism.Results:  An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed that plasma glucose levels in the early phase were significantly higher in SUC‐fed mice than in ST‐fed or control mice, with no change in plasma insulin levels at any stage. SUC‐fed mice showed a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion 15 min after oral glucose administration was significantly lower in SUC‐fed mice than in ST‐fed or control mice. Hepatic glucokinase (GCK) activity was significantly reduced in SUC‐fed mice. During the OGTT, the accumulation of glycogen in the liver was suppressed in SUC‐fed mice in a time‐dependent manner.Conclusions:  These results indicate that mice that consume a moderate SUC show glucose intolerance with a reduction in hepatic GCK activity and impairment in GLP‐1 secretion. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2012.00208.x, 2012)
Dosimetric and thermal properties of a newly developed thermobrachytherapy seed with ferromagnetic core for treatment of solid tumors
Authors: Gautam Bhoj , Parsai E. Ishmael , Shvydka Diana , Feldmeier John , Subramanian Manny 
Published: March 2012

Purpose:Studies of the curative effects of hyperthermia and radiation therapy on treatment of cancer show a strong evidence of a synergistic enhancement when both radiation and hyperthermia modalities are applied simultaneously. Varieties of tissue heating approaches developed up to date still fail to overcome such essential limitations as an inadequate temperature control, temperature nonuniformity, and prolonged time delay between hyperthermia and radiation treatments. The authors propose a new self‐regulating thermobrachytherapy seed, which serves as a source of both radiation and heat for concurrent administration of brachytherapy and hyperthermia.Methods:The proposed seed is based on the BEST Medical, Inc., Seed Model 2301‐I125, where tungsten marker core and the air gap are replaced with a ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic core produces heat when subjected to alternating electromagnetic (EM) field and effectively shuts off after reaching the Curie temperature (TC) of the ferromagnetic material thus realizing the temperature self‐regulation. The authors present a Monte Carlo study of the dose rate constant and other TG‐43 factors for the proposed seed. For the thermal characteristics, the authors studied a model consisting of 16 seeds placed in the central region of a cylindrical water phantom using a finite‐element partial differential equation solver package “COMSOL Multiphysics.”Results:The modification of the internal structure of the seed slightly changes dose rate and other TG‐43 factors characterizing radiation distribution. The thermal modeling results show that the temperature of the thermoseed surface rises rapidly and stays constant around TC of the ferromagnetic material. The amount of heat produced by the ferromagnetic core is sufficient to raise the temperature of the surrounding phantom to the therapeutic range. The phantom volume reaching the therapeutic temperature range increases with increase in frequency or magnetic field strength.Conclusions:An isothermal distribution matching with the radiation isodose distribution can be achieved within a target volume by tuning frequency and intensity of the alternating magnetic field. The proposed combination seed model has a potential for implementation of concurrent brachytherapy and hyperthermia.