bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐Reported Cancer Screening Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries: A Rural‐Urban Comparison
Authors: Fan Lin , Mohile Supriya , Zhang Ning , Fiscella Kevin , Noyes Katia 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose: We examined the rural‐urban disparity of screening for breast cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) among the elder Medicare beneficiaries and assessed rurality's independent impact on receipt of screening.Methods: Using 2005 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, we applied weighted logistic regression to estimate the overall rural‐urban disparity and rurality's independent impact on cancer screening, controlling for patient, and area factors.Results: From urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated rural areas, the rates for mammogram last year were 53%, 52%, 45%, and 44%, respectively. They were 56%, 50%, 48%, and 43% for CRC screening, respectively. After controlling for patient and area level characteristics, rurality is significantly associated with CRC screening, but not mammogram.Conclusions: We found rural‐urban disparities for both mammogram and CRC screenings. Patient and area factors totally eliminated the rural‐urban disparity for mammogram but not CRC screening. Health promotions to improve cancer screening should focus more on small and isolated rural areas.
Subprime catalyst: Financial regulatory reform and the strengthening of US carbon market governance
Authors: Helleiner Eric , Thistlethwaite Jason 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe 2008 financial crisis has had an important, but neglected, impact on carbon market governance in the United States. It acted as a catalyst for the emergence of a domestic coalition that drew upon the crisis experience to demand stronger regulation over carbon markets. The influence of this coalition was seen first in the changing content of draft climate change bills between 2008 and 2010. But the coalition's more lasting legacy was its role in shaping the content of, and supporting, the passage of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd–Frank bill) in July 2010. Although that bill was aimed primarily at bolstering financial stability, its derivatives provisions strengthened carbon market regulation in significant ways. This policy episode demonstrates new patterns of coalition building in carbon market politics as well as the growing links between climate governance and financial regulatory politics. At the same time, the significance of these developments should not be overstated because of various limitations in the content and implementation of the Dodd–Frank bill, as well as the waning support for carbon markets more generally within the US since the bill's passage.
Muscle Activation Levels During Early Postoperative Rehabilitation Exercises in Slap Repaired Patients, a Pilot Study
Authors: Muir Tiffany , Mair Scott D. , Nitz Arthur J. , Bush Heather M. , Uhl Timothy L. 
Published: April 2012

Background Few studies have examined muscular activation levels during commonly prescribed range of motion (ROM) exercises in a post-surgical superior labral tear anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair patient group. The present cross-sectional study compared shoulder musculature activation levels between postoperative SLAP repair patients with those of a healthy control cohort performing commonly prescribed postoperative shoulder exercises. The maximal ROM (MAX ROM) achieved during exercises was also studied. Methods Ten healthy volunteers and nine postoperative patients (post-SLAP) performed 10 rehabilitative exercises during the recording of electromyogram (EMG) activity from six shoulder muscles. Root mean squared amplitudes normalized to a submaximal reference voluntary contraction (RVC) were analyzed to compare exercises. A two-dimensional video of humeral-trunk angle captured the shoulder ROM for each exercise. Results One significant difference was found between groups; the anterior deltoid mean activity across all exercises was found to be higher in the post-SLAP group 53% RVC [95% confidence interval (CI) = 48% to 57% RVC] compared to the healthy group 46% RVC (95% CI = 42% to 50% RVC) ( p = 0.02). Post-SLAP patients generated the least MAX ROM performing the Pendulum exercise 97°(95% CI = 88° to 107°) and the greatest during Forward Bow 131° (95% CI = 121° to 142°), ( p = 0.002). Conclusions The present study identifies the shoulder muscle EMG and MAX ROM obtained during rehabilitation exercise in patients’ after SLAP repair. Knowledge of these parameters will help clinicians match the appropriate exercise to meet the desired objective for the particular rehabilitation goal.
Efficacy of reduction therapy of natural human β‐interferon and ribavirin in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1b and high viral load
Authors: Arase Yasuji , Kawamura Yusuke , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Fumitaka , Akuta Norio , Matsumoto Naoki , Seko Yuya , Sezaki Hitomi , Kobayashi Masahiro , Hosaka Tetsuya , Hirakawa Miharu , Saito Satoshi , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  To evaluate the efficacy of reduction therapy of natural human interferon (IFN)‐β and ribavirin in elderly patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b and high viral load who had complications of anemia, low bodyweight (<50 kg), diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension.Methods:  Inclusion criteria were age of 65 years or older, HCV genotype 1b, and serum HCV RNA level of 5.0 logIU/mL or higher. A total of 23 subjects with hemoglobin level of less than 13 g/dL, low bodyweight, diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension were enrolled in this study (reduction‐dose group). IFN‐β was administrated i.v. at a dose of 6 million units daily for 4 weeks initially, followed by three times a week for 44 weeks. Ribavirin was given daily for 48 weeks at a decreased dose of one tablet per day compared to the ordinary dose described based on bodyweight. As a control, another 22 patients without anemia, low bodyweight and/or complications treated with the standard dose of ribavirin (standard‐dose group) were enrolled.Results:  Patients' rates with further dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment was 26.1% (6/23) in the reduction‐dose group and 77.3% (17/22) in the standard‐dose group. The sustained virological response (SVR) was 39.1% (9/23) in the reduction‐dose group and 27.3% (6/22) in the standard‐dose group (P = 0.404). Based on genetic variations near the IL28B gene (rs8099917), SVR was 44.1% (15/34) in patients with TT and 0% (0/11) in patients with TG (P = 0.008).Conclusion:  The reduction therapy of IFN‐β and ribavirin in elderly HCV patients with genotype 1b, high viral load, IL28B gene (rs8099917) of TT who had complications of anemia, low bodyweight, diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension is one possible selection of treatment.
Oral conditions in hepatitis C virus‐infected Iranian patients: a case‐control study
Authors: Maryam Rabiei , Fariborz Mansour‐Ghanaei , Hosein Massoudi R. , Hadi Golshekan 
Published: April 2012

Abstract Aim:  Hepatitis C virus is now found worldwide, giving rise to concern that general populations might become infected. Extrahepatic manifestations might indicate latent disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between oral lichen planus and xerostomia with hepatitis C virus infection in an Iranian population.Methods:  The study (case) group consisted of 73 individuals with hepatitis C virus infection. The control group consisted of 139 age‐ and sex‐matched individuals. All patients were examined for oral conditions, and their hepatitis C virus infection was confirmed by an antihepatitis C virus antibody and hepatitis C virus–RNA polymerase chain reaction.Results:  The prevalence of oral lichen planus was 1.4% and 4.1% of individuals complained of a dry mouth. There were no statistically‐significant differences between the case and control groups.Conclusion:  Our findings reinforce other regional studies that there is no association between hepatitis C virus infection and oral conditions in the north of Iran, an area with a low prevalence of this infection.
Musculoskeletal disease and injury, now and in the future. Part 2: Tendon and ligament injuries
Authors: CLEGG P. D. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryTendon and ligament injuries continue to be one of the most frequent causes of orthopaedic injury and early retirement in the Thoroughbred racehorse. In the UK, the Horserace Betting Levy Board has invested considerable research funding in the last decade in order to investigate aspects of tendon epidemiology, biology and therapy, in order to decrease both the welfare and economic consequence of such injuries. This review summarises key aspects of this research effort and identifies specific research directions for the future.
Diffusion of contrast medium after four different techniques for analgesia of the proximal metacarpal region: an in vivo and in vitro study
Authors: Nagy A. , Bodó G. , Dyson S. J. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study: There is limited information on potential diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after various diagnostic analgesic techniques of the proximal metacarpal region.Objective: To document potential distribution of local anaesthetic solution following 4 techniques used for diagnostic analgesia of the proximal metacarpal region.Methods: Radiodense contrast medium was injected around the lateral palmar or medial and lateral palmar metacarpal nerves in 8 mature horses, using 4 different techniques. Radiographs were obtained 0, 10 and 20 min after injection and were analysed subjectively. A mixture of radiodense contrast medium and methylene blue was injected into 4 cadaver limbs; the location of the contrast medium and dye was determined by radiography and dissection.Results: Following perineural injection of the palmar metacarpal nerves, most of the contrast medium was distributed in an elongated pattern axial to the second and fourth metacarpal bones. The carpometacarpal joint was inadvertently penetrated in 4/8 limbs after injections of the palmar metacarpal nerves from medial and lateral approaches, and in 1/8 limbs when both injections were performed from the lateral approach. Following perineural injection of the lateral palmar nerve using a lateral approach, the contrast medium was diffusely distributed in all but one limb, in which the carpal sheath was inadvertently penetrated. In 5/8 limbs, following perineural injection of the lateral palmar nerve using a medial approach, the contrast medium diffused proximally to the distal third of the antebrachium.Conclusions and potential relevance: Inadvertent penetration of the carpometacarpal joint is common after perineural injection of the palmar metacarpal nerves, but less so if both palmar metacarpal nerves are injected using a lateral approach. Following injection of the lateral palmar nerve using a medial approach, the entire palmar aspect of the carpus may be desensitised.
A New Family of Membrane Electron Transporters and Its Substrates, Including a New Cell Envelope Peroxiredoxin, Reveal a Broadened Reductive Capacity of the Oxidative Bacterial Cell Envelope
Authors: Cho Seung-Hyun , Parsonage Derek , Thurston Casey , Dutton Rachel J. , Poole Leslie B. , Collet Jean-Francois , Beckwith Jon 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

The
Escherichia coli
membrane protein DsbD functions as an electron hub that dispatches electrons received from the cytoplasmic thioredoxin system to periplasmic oxidoreductases involved in protein disulfide isomerization, cytochrome
c
biogenesis, and sulfenic acid reduction. Here, we describe a new class of DsbD proteins, named ScsB, whose members are found in proteobacteria and
Chlamydia
. ScsB has a domain organization similar to that of DsbD, but its amino-terminal domain differs significantly. In DsbD, this domain directly interacts with substrates to reduce them, which suggests that ScsB acts on a different array of substrates. Using
Caulobacter crescentus
as a model organism, we searched for the substrates of ScsB. We discovered that ScsB provides electrons to the first peroxide reduction pathway identified in the bacterial cell envelope. The reduction pathway comprises a thioredoxin-like protein, TlpA, and a peroxiredoxin, PprX. We show that PprX is a thiol-dependent peroxidase that efficiently reduces both hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxides. Moreover, we identified two additional proteins that depend on ScsB for reduction, a peroxiredoxin-like protein, PrxL, and a novel protein disulfide isomerase, ScsC. Altogether, our results reveal that the array of proteins involved in reductive pathways in the oxidative cell envelope is significantly broader than was previously thought. Moreover, the identification of a new periplasmic peroxiredoxin indicates that in some bacteria, it is important to directly scavenge peroxides in the cell envelope even before they reach the cytoplasm.

IMPORTANCE
Peroxides are reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The presence of protection mechanisms against ROS is essential for cell survival. Bacteria express cytoplasmic catalases and thiol-dependent peroxidases to directly scavenge harmful peroxides. We report the identification of a peroxide reduction pathway active in the periplasm of
Caulobacter crescentus
, which reveals that, in some bacteria, it is important to directly scavenge peroxides in the cell envelope even before they reach the cytoplasm. The electrons required for peroxide reduction are delivered to this pathway by ScsB, a new type of membrane electron transporter. We also identified two additional likely ScsB substrates, including a novel protein disulfide isomerase. Our results reveal that the array of proteins involved in reductive pathways in the oxidative environment of the cell envelope is significantly broader than was previously thought.
Long-term local area employment rates as predictors of individual mortality and morbidity: a prospective study in England, spanning more than two decades
Authors: Riva Mylène , Curtis Sarah E 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundAlthough long-term trends in local labour market conditions are likely to influence health, few studies have assessed whether this is so. This paper examines whether (1) trends in local employment rates have relevance for mortality and morbidity outcomes in England and (2) trends are stronger predictors of these outcomes than employment rates measured at one point in time.MethodsUsing latent class growth models, local areas were classified into eight groups following distinct trends in employment rates between 1981 and 2008. Areas were also categorised in ‘octile’ groups by rank of employment rates in 2001. These area groupings were linked to a sample of 207 959 individuals from the Office of National Statistics Longitudinal Study. Associations between area groupings and risk of all-cause mortality and of reporting a limiting long-term illness at the end of the period were measured using logistic regression. Models were adjusted for individuals' socio-demographic characteristics measured in 1981 and for their residential mobility between 1981 and 2001.ResultsCompared to areas with continuously high employment rates over the period, risk of mortality and morbidity was higher in areas with persistently low or declining employment rates. Findings suggest that long-term trends in local employment rates are useful as predictors of mortality and morbidity differences. These are not so clearly distinguished by only considering employment rates at one point in time.ConclusionPoor health outcomes are associated with long-term economic disadvantage in some areas of England, reflected in employment rates, underlining the importance of efforts to improve health in areas with especially ‘deep-seated’ deprivation.
Probabilistic characterization of ultrasonic wave propagation in wood poles
Authors: Tallavo Fernando , Pandey Mahesh D. , Cascante Giovanni 
Published: April 2012

Wood poles are widely used in North America to support power electric transmission and distribution lines. Wood poles are continuously exposed to wide ranging temperature and moisture conditions, making them vulnerable to internal decay and rotting. The resulting loss of strength makes the poles vulnerable to failure under adverse weather conditions, such as wind and snow storms. These failures can result in forced outages and customer disruptions with significant economic losses. Ultrasonic testing is a non-destructive method that has been used for detection of internal deterioration of in-service wood poles, which is based on the comparison of the measured wave velocity with a reference wave velocity associated with sound wood. The current ultrasonic methods assume that the reference wave velocity for a given wood species is constant in a pole cross section. This approach is simplistic because wood is an orthotropic material with highly variable material properties. This paper presents a method for probabilistic characterization of ultrasonic wave propagation in wood poles considering wood as an orthotropic material. A better understanding and characterization of ultrasonic wave propagation in a pole cross section will contribute to improve the condition assessment of in-service wood poles based on ultrasonic tests. As an example, P-wave velocity, surface waves, frequency response function, and magnitude spectrum area are used to characterize the propagation of ultrasonic waves at a cross section of a Douglas-fir pole of 25 cm diameter.
Purification and characterization of azurin from the methylamine-utilizing obligate methylotrophMethylobacillus flagellatusKT
Authors: Dinarieva Tatiana Y. , Trashin Stanislav A. , Kahnt Jörg , Karyakin Arkady A. , Netrusov Alexander I. 
Published: April 2012

Methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) and azurin were purified from the periplasmic fraction of the methylamine-grown obligate methylotroph Methylobacillus flagellatus KT. The molecular mass of the purified azurin was 16.3 kDa, as measured by SDS–PAGE, or 13 920 Da as determined by MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry. Azurin of M. flagellatus KT contained 1 copper atom per molecule and had an absorption maximum at 620 nm in the oxidized state. The redox potential of azurin measured at pH 7.0 by square-wave voltammetry was +275 mV versus normal hydrogen electrode. MADH reduced azurin in the presence of methylamine, indicating that this cupredoxin is likely to be the physiological electron acceptor for MADH in the electron transport chain of the methylotroph. A scheme of electron transport functioning in M. flagellatus KТ during methylamine oxidation is proposed.
Microarray Analysis Verifies Two Distinct Phenotypes of Glioblastomas Resistant to Antiangiogenic Therapy
Authors: DeLay Michael , Jahangiri Arman , Carbonell W. Shawn , Hu Yu-Long , Tsao Sean , Tom Maxwell Wing , Paquette Jesse , Tokuyasu Taku A. , Aghi Manish K. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Purpose: To identify mechanisms and mediators of resistance to antiangiogenic therapy in human glioblastoma.
Experimental Design: We carried out microarray gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry comparing 21 recurrent glioblastomas progressing during antiangiogenic treatment with VEGF neutralizing antibody bevacizumab to paired pretreatment tumors from the same patients.
Results: Microarray analysis revealed that bevacizumab-resistant glioblastomas (BRG) had two clustering patterns defining subtypes that reflect radiographic growth patterns. Enhancing BRGs (EBRG) exhibited MRI enhancement, a long-established criterion for glioblastoma progression, and expressed mitogen-activated protein kinases, neural cell adhesion molecule-1 (NCAM-1), and aquaporin 4. Compared with their paired pretreatment tumors, EBRGs had unchanged vascularity and hypoxia, with increased proliferation. Nonenhancing BRGs (NBRG) exhibited minimal MRI enhancement but had FLAIR-bright expansion, a newer criterion for glioblastoma recurrence since the advent of antiangiogenic therapy, and expressed integrin α5, laminin, fibronectin1, and PDGFRβ. NBRGs had less vascularity, more hypoxia, and unchanged proliferation than their paired pretreatment tumors. Primary NBRG cells exhibited more stellate morphology with a 3-fold increased shape factor and were nearly 4-fold more invasive in Matrigel chambers than primary cells from EBRGs or bevacizumab-naive glioblastomas (P &lt; 0.05).
Conclusion: Using microarray analysis, we found two resistance patterns during antiangiogenic therapy with distinct molecular profiles and radiographic growth patterns. These studies provide valuable biologic insight into the resistance that has limited antiangiogenic therapy to date. Clin Cancer Res; 18(10); 2930–42. ©2012 AACR.
Cryptotanshinone Activates p38/JNK and Inhibits Erk1/2 Leading to Caspase-Independent Cell Death in Tumor Cells
Authors: Chen Wenxing , Liu Lei , Luo Yan , Odaka Yoshinobu , Awate Sanket , Zhou Hongyu , Shen Tao , Zheng Shizhong , Lu Yin , Huang Shile 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Cryptotanshinone (CPT), a natural compound isolated from the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a potential anticancer agent. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here, we show that CPT induced caspase-independent cell death in human tumor cells (Rh30, DU145, and MCF-7). Besides downregulating antiapoptotic protein expression of survivin and Mcl-1, CPT increased phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and inhibited phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2). Inhibition of p38 with SB202190 or JNK with SP600125 attenuated CPT-induced cell death. Similarly, silencing p38 or c-Jun also in part prevented CPT-induced cell death. In contrast, expression of constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) conferred resistance to CPT inhibition of Erk1/2 phosphorylation and induction of cell death. Furthermore, we found that all of these were attributed to CPT induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is evidenced by the findings that CPT induced ROS in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; CPT induction of ROS was inhibited by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger; and NAC attenuated CPT activation of p38/JNK, inhibition of Erk1/2, and induction of cell death. The results suggested that CPT induction of ROS activates p38/JNK and inhibits Erk1/2, leading to caspase-independent cell death in tumor cells. Cancer Prev Res; 5(5); 778–87. ©2012 AACR.
Genetic Predisposition to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and/or Lung Cancer: Important Considerations When Evaluating Risk
Authors: El-Zein Randa A. , Young Robert P. , Hopkins Raewyn J. , Etzel Carol J. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as a disease causing an airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. COPD is phenotypically complex and characterized by small-airway disease and/or emphysema that result from the interaction between host genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures. As in lung cancer, smoking exposure is the most important risk factor for the development of COPD, accounting for 80% to 90% of all cases. COPD affects an estimated 8% to 10% of the general adult population, 15% to 20% of the smoking population, and 50% to 80% of lung cancer patients (with substantial smoking histories). In prospective studies, COPD has been found to be an independent risk factor for lung cancer, conferring a three- to 10-fold increased risk of lung cancer when compared with smokers without COPD. These findings suggest that smokers have a host susceptibility to COPD alone, COPD and lung cancer (i.e., overlap), and lung cancer in the absence of COPD. This minireview focuses on important points that need to be addressed when studying genetic susceptibility factors for COPD and its complex relationship with susceptibility to lung cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 5(4); 522–7. ©2012 AACR.