bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surrogate Decision-making for Incompetent Elderly Patients: The Role of Informal Representatives
Authors: Gevers Sjef , Dute Joseph , Nys Herman 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Informal or unofficial representation refers to the practice (more common in some European jurisdictions than in others), that persons not designed by a court or by the patient himself, make medical decisions on the patient’s behalf in case of their incompetence. If the law provides for this, it is usually next of kin (spouse, children, brothers and sisters, etc.) who are allowed to act in such a capacity. Informal representation raises several questions. Are family members always familiar with what their relative would have wished, ready to take responsibility, and not too much reigned by their emotions? The basic legal concern is whether there are sufficient procedural and other safeguards to protect the incompetent patient from representatives who do not serve their best interests. In addressing these issues, after a brief survey of the law in the Netherlands as compared with that in Belgium, Germany and England/Wales, we will argue that informal representation as such is not at variance with international and European standards. However, an ‘informal’ approach to surrogate decision-making should always go together with sufficient protection of the incompetent patient, including procedural safeguards with regard to the decision that the patient is incompetent, limits to the decision-making power of informal representatives and effective forms of conflict resolution.
Ensemble Kalman Filter Analyses of the 29–30 May 2004 Oklahoma Tornadic Thunderstorm Using One- and Two-Moment Bulk Microphysics Schemes, with Verification against Polarimetric Radar Data
Authors: Jung Youngsun , Xue Ming , Tong Mingjing 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe performance of ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) analysis is investigated for the tornadic supercell on 29–30 May 2004 in Oklahoma using a dual-moment (DM) bulk microphysics scheme in the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model. The comparison of results using single-moment (SM) and DM microphysics schemes evaluates the benefits of using one over the other during storm analysis. Observations from a single operational Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) are assimilated and a polarimetric WSR-88D in Norman, Oklahoma (KOUN), is used to assess the quality of the analysis.Analyzed reflectivity and radial velocity in the SM and DM experiments compare favorably with independent radar observations in general. However, simulated polarimetric signatures obtained from analyses using a DM scheme agree significantly better with polarimetric signatures observed by KOUN in terms of the general structure, location, and intensity of the signatures than those generated from analyses using an SM scheme.These results demonstrate for the first time for a real supercell storm that EnKF data assimilation using a numerical model with an adequate microphysics scheme (i.e., a scheme that predicts at least two moments of the hydrometeor size distributions) is capable of producing polarimetric radar signatures similar to those seen in observations without directly assimilating polarimetric data. In such cases, the polarimetric data also serve as completely independent observations for the verification purposes.
Thermal stability of γ-irradiated chlorinated isobutylene–isoprene copolymer/chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber blend/carbon black nanocomposites
Authors: Marković Gordana , Jovanović Vojislav , Samaržija-Jovanović Suzana , Marinović-Cincović Milena , Budinski-Simendić Jaroslava 
Published: January 2012

In this study, the effect of γ-rays on the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer composites based on chlorinated isobutylene–isoprene rubber/chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber blend with varying contents of carbon black (CB) filler was investigated. The samples were irradiated at ambient conditions with 100, 200 and 400 kGy radiation doses. Tensile strength and hardness are increasing with CB content and radiation dose is increasing, while elongation at break is decreasing. Loss of mass of 0.5, 10 and 30% was calculated for the samples from their respective thermogravimetric curves. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was improved by both the degree of loading with filler and the cross-linking induced by γ-irradiation.
A phase 2 study of the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of FBS0701, a novel oral iron chelator, in transfusional iron overload
Authors: Neufeld Ellis J. , Galanello Renzo , Viprakasit Vip , Aydinok Yesim , Piga Antonio , Harmatz Paul , Forni Gian Luca , Shah Farrukh T. , Grace Rachael F. , Porter John B. , Wood John C. , Peppe Jennifer , Jones Amber , Rienhoff Hugh Young 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis was a 24-week, multicenter phase- 2 study designed to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of FBS0701, a novel oral chelator, in adults with transfusional iron overload. Fifty-one patients, stratified by transfusional iron intake, were randomized to FBS0701 at either 14.5 or 29 mg/kg/d (16 and 32 mg/kg/d salt form). FBS0701 was generally well tolerated at both doses. Forty-nine patients (96%) completed the study. There were no drug-related serious adverse events. No adverse events (AEs) showed dose-dependency in frequency or severity. Treatment-related nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were each noted in < 5% of patients. Mean serum creatinine did not change significantly from Baseline or between dose groups. Transaminases wer increased in 8 (16%), three of whom acquired HCV on-study from a single blood bank while five had an abnormal baseline ALT. The 24 week mean change in liver iron concentration (ΔLIC) at 14.5 mg/kg/d was +3.1 mg/g (dw); 29% achieved a decrease in LIC. Mean ΔLIC at 29 mg/kg/d was −0.3 mg/g (dw); 44% achieved a decrease in LIC (P < .03 for ΔLIC between doses). The safety and tolerability profile at therapeutic doses compare favorably to other oral chelators. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01186419.
UPDG: U tilities package for data analysis of P ooled D NA G WAS
Authors: Ho Daniel WH , Yap Maurice KH , Yip Shea Ping 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Despite being a well-established strategy for cost reduction in disease gene mapping, pooled DNA association study is much less popular than the individual DNA approach. This situation is especially true for pooled DNA genomewide association study (GWAS), for which very few computer resources have been developed for its data analysis. This motivates the development of UPDG (U tilities package for data analysis of P ooled D NA G WAS).

Results
UPDG represents a generalized framework for data analysis of pooled DNA GWAS with the integration of Unix/Linux shell operations, Perl programs and R scripts. With the input of raw intensity data from GWAS, UPDG performs the following tasks in a stepwise manner: raw data manipulation, correction for allelic preferential amplification, normalization, nested analysis of variance for genetic association testing, and summarization of analysis results. Detailed instructions, procedures and commands are provided in the comprehensive user manual describing the whole process from preliminary preparation of software installation to final outcome acquisition. An example dataset (input files and sample output files) is also included in the package so that users can easily familiarize themselves with the data file formats, working procedures and expected output. Therefore, UPDG is especially useful for users with some computer knowledge, but without a sophisticated programming background.

Conclusions
UPDG provides a free, simple and platform-independent one-stop service to scientists working on pooled DNA GWAS data analysis, but with less advanced programming knowledge. It is our vision and mission to reduce the hindrance for performing data analysis of pooled DNA GWAS through our contribution of UPDG. More importantly, we hope to promote the popularity of pooled DNA GWAS, which is a very useful research strategy.
miRNA arm selection and isomiR distribution in gastric cancer
Authors: Li Sung-Chou , Liao Yu-Lun , Ho Meng-Ru , Tsai Kuo-Wang , Lai Chun-Hung , Lin Wen-chang 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-protein-coding RNAs. miRNA genes need several biogenesis steps to form function miRNAs. However, the precise mechanism and biology involved in the mature miRNA molecules are not clearly investigated. In this study, we conducted in-depth analyses to examine the arm selection and isomiRs using NGS platform.

Methods
We sequenced small RNAs from one pair of normal and gastric tumor tissues with Solexa platform. By analyzing the NGS data, we quantified the expression profiles of miRNAs and isomiRs in gastric tissues. Then, we measured the expression ratios of 5p arm to 3p arm of the same pre-miRNAs. And, we used Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test to examine isomiR pattern difference between tissues.

Results
Our result showed the 5p arm and 3p arm miRNA derived from the same pre-miRNAs have different tissue expression preference, one preferred normal tissue and the other preferred tumor tissue, which strongly implied that there could be other mechanism controlling mature miRNA selection in addition to the known hydrogen-bonding selection rule. Furthermore, by using the KS test, we demonstrated that some isomiR types preferentially occur in normal gastric tissue but other types prefer tumor gastric tissue.

Conclusions
Arm selections and isomiR patterns are significantly varied in human cancers by using deep sequencing NGS data. Our results provided a novel research topic in miRNA regulation study. With advanced bioinformatics and molecular biology studies, more robust conclusions and insight into miRNA regulation can be achieved in the near future.
Quantification and clustering of phenotypic screening data using time-series analysis for chemotherapy of schistosomiasis
Authors: Lee Hyokyeong , Moody-Davis Asher , Saha Utsab , Suzuki Brian M , Asarnow Daniel , Chen Steven , Arkin Michelle , Caffrey Conor R , Singh Rahul 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Neglected tropical diseases, especially those caused by helminths, constitute some of the most common infections of the world's poorest people. Development of techniques for automated, high-throughput drug screening against these diseases, especially in whole-organism settings, constitutes one of the great challenges of modern drug discovery.

Method
We present a method for enabling high-throughput phenotypic drug screening against diseases caused by helminths with a focus on schistosomiasis. The proposed method allows for a quantitative analysis of the systemic impact of a drug molecule on the pathogen as exhibited by the complex continuum of its phenotypic responses. This method consists of two key parts: first, biological image analysis is employed to automatically monitor and quantify shape-, appearance-, and motion-based phenotypes of the parasites. Next, we represent these phenotypes as time-series and show how to compare, cluster, and quantitatively reason about them using techniques of time-series analysis.

Results
We present results on a number of algorithmic issues pertinent to the time-series representation of phenotypes. These include results on appropriate representation of phenotypic time-series, analysis of different time-series similarity measures for comparing phenotypic responses over time, and techniques for clustering such responses by similarity. Finally, we show how these algorithmic techniques can be used for quantifying the complex continuum of phenotypic responses of parasites. An important corollary is the ability of our method to recognize and rigorously group parasites based on the variability of their phenotypic response to different drugs.

Conclusions
The methods and results presented in this paper enable automatic and quantitative scoring of high-throughput phenotypic screens focused on helmintic diseases. Furthermore, these methods allow us to analyze and stratify parasites based on their phenotypic response to drugs. Together, these advancements represent a significant breakthrough for the process of drug discovery against schistosomiasis in particular and can be extended to other helmintic diseases which together afflict a large part of humankind.
Preoperative muscle weakness as defined by handgrip strength and postoperative outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Sultan Pervez , Hamilton Mark A , Ackland Gareth L 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Reduced muscle strength- commonly characterized by decreased handgrip strength compared to population norms- is associated with numerous untoward outcomes. Preoperative handgrip strength is a potentially attractive real-time, non-invasive, cheap and easy-to-perform "bedside" assessment tool. Using systematic review procedure, we investigated whether preoperative handgrip strength was associated with postoperative outcomes in adults undergoing surgery.

Methods
PRISMA and MOOSE consensus guidelines for reporting systematic reviews were followed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials (1980-2010) were systematically searched by two independent reviewers. The selection criteria were limited to include studies of preoperative handgrip strength in human adults undergoing non-emergency, cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. Study procedural quality was analysed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment score. The outcomes assessed were postoperative morbidity, mortality and hospital stay.

Results
Nineteen clinical studies (17 prospective; 4 in urgent surgery) comprising 2194 patients were identified between1980-2010. Impaired handgrip strength and postoperative morbidity were defined inconsistently between studies. Only 2 studies explicitly ensured investigators collecting postoperative outcomes data were blinded to preoperative handgrip strength test results. The heterogeneity of study design used and the diversity of surgical procedures precluded formal meta-analysis. Despite the moderate quality of these observational studies, lower handgrip strength was associated with increased morbidity (n = 10 studies), mortality (n = 2/5 studies) and length of hospital stay (n = 3/7 studies).

Conclusions
Impaired preoperative handgrip strength may be associated with poorer postoperative outcomes, but further work exploring its predictive power is warranted using prospectively acquired, objectively defined measures of postoperative morbidity.
Factors linked to severe thrombocytopenia during antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis c and pretreatment low platelet counts
Authors: Lin Kung-Hung , Hsu Ping-I , Yu Hsien-Chung , Lin Chun-Ku , Tsai Wei-Lun , Chen Wen-Chi , Chan Hoi-Hung , Lai Kwok-Hung 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Baseline low platelet count (< 150,000/μL) increases the risk of on-treatment severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 50,000/μL) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) undergoing antiviral therapy, which may interrupt treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for severe thrombocytopenia during treatment for CHC in patients with baseline thrombocytopenia.

Methods
Medical records were reviewed for 125 patients with CHC treated with antiviral therapy according to the standard of care, with regular follow-up examinations. Early platelet decline was defined as platelet decrease during the first 2 weeks of therapy.

Results
Severe thrombocytopenia developed in 12.8% of patients with baseline thrombocytopenia, and predicted a higher therapeutic dropout rate. Multivariate analysis revealed baseline platelet count < 100,000/μL and rapid early platelet decline (> 30% decline in the first 2 weeks) were significantly associated with severe thrombocytopenia (P < 0.001 and 0.003, odds ratios, 179.22 and 45.74, respectively). In these patients, baseline PLT ≥ 100,000/μL and lack of rapid early platelet decline predicted absence of severe thrombocytopenia (negative predictive values were 95.1% and 96.6%, respectively). In contrast, baseline platelet count < 100,000/μL combined with rapid early platelet decline predicted severe thrombocytopenia (positive predictive value was 100%).

Conclusions
For patients with CHC on antiviral therapy, baseline platelet counts < 100,000/μL and rapid early platelet decline can identify patients at high risk of developing on-treatment severe thrombocytopenia.
Type D personality is associated with impaired psychological status and unhealthy lifestyle in Icelandic cardiac patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Svansdottir Erla , van den Broek Krista C , Karlsson Hrobjartur D , Gudnason Thorarinn , Denollet Johan 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Type D (distressed) personality has been associated with adverse cardiac prognosis and poor emotional well-being in cardiac patients, but it is still unclear what mechanisms link Type D personality with poor clinical outcomes in cardiac patients. In the present cohort of Icelandic cardiac patients, we examined potential pathways that may explain this relationship. The objectives were to examine 1) the association between Type D personality and impaired psychological status, and to explore whether this association is independent of disease severity; and 2) the association between Type D personality and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Methods
A sample of 268 Icelandic coronary angiography patients (74% males (N = 199); mean age 62.9 years (SD 10.5), range 28-85 years) completed the Type D Scale (DS14), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at hospitalization. Health-related behaviors were assessed 4 months following angiography. Clinical data were collected from medical files.

Results
Type D personality was associated with an increased risk of anxiety (OR 2.97, 95% CI:1.55-5.69), depression (OR 4.01, 95% CI:1.42-11.29), and stress (OR 5.99, 95% CI:3.08-11.63), independent of demographic variables and disease severity. Furthermore, fish consumption was lower among Type Ds, as 21% of Type Ds versus 5% of non-Type Ds consumed fish < 1 a week (p < 0.001). Type D patients were also more likely to smoke at follow-up (22% versus 10%, p = 0.024) and to use antidepressants (17% versus 9%, p = 0.049) and sleeping pills (49% versus 33%, p = 0.019) compared to non-Type Ds. Type D personality was not associated with other health-related behaviors, aside from trends towards less fruit and vegetable consumption, and more weight gain.

Conclusion
Type D personality was associated with psychological distress and an unhealthy lifestyle in Icelandic cardiac patients. Future studies should further investigate the association between Type D personality and health-related behaviors.
A multilevel examination of gender differences in the association between features of the school environment and physical activity among a sample of grades 9 to 12 students in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Hobin Erin P , Leatherdale Scott T , Manske Steve , Dubin Joel A , Elliott Susan , Veugelers Paul 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundCreating school environments that support student physical activity (PA) is a key recommendation of policy-makers to increase youth PA. Given males are more active than females at all ages, it has been suggested that investigating gender differences in the features of the environment that associate with PA may help to inform gender-focused PA interventions and reduce the gender disparity in PA. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore gender differences in the association between factors of the school environment and students' time spent in PA.MethodsAmong a sample of 10781 female and 10973 male students in grades 9 to 12 from 76 secondary schools in Ontario, Canada, student- and school-level survey PA data were collected and supplemented with GIS-derived measures of the built environment within 1-km buffers of the 76 schools.ResultsFindings from the present study revealed significant differences in the time male and female students spent in PA as well as in some of the school- and student-level factors associated with PA. Results of the gender-specific multilevel analyses indicate schools should consider providing an alternate room for PA, especially for providing flexibility activities directed at female students. Schools should also consider offering daily physical education programming to male students in senior grades and providing PA promotion initiatives targeting obese male students.ConclusionsAlthough most variation in male and female students' time spent in PA lies between students within schools, there is sufficient between-school variation to be of interest to practitioners and policy-makers. More research investigating gender differentials in environment factors associated with youth PA are warranted.
Dimensionality and predictive validity of the HAM-Nat, a test of natural sciences for medical school admission
Authors: Hissbach Johanna C , Klusmann Dietrich , Hampe Wolfgang 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge in natural sciences generally predicts study performance in the first two years of the medical curriculum. In order to reduce delay and dropout in the preclinical years, Hamburg Medical School decided to develop a natural science test (HAM-Nat) for student selection. In the present study, two different approaches to scale construction are presented: a unidimensional scale and a scale composed of three subject specific dimensions. Their psychometric properties and relations to academic success are compared.Methods334 first year medical students of the 2006 cohort responded to 52 multiple choice items from biology, physics, and chemistry. For the construction of scales we generated two random subsamples, one for development and one for validation. In the development sample, unidimensional item sets were extracted from the item pool by means of weighted least squares (WLS) factor analysis, and subsequently fitted to the Rasch model. In the validation sample, the scales were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and, again, Rasch modelling. The outcome measure was academic success after two years.ResultsAlthough the correlational structure within the item set is weak, a unidimensional scale could be fitted to the Rasch model. However, psychometric properties of this scale deteriorated in the validation sample. A model with three highly correlated subject specific factors performed better. All summary scales predicted academic success with an odds ratio of about 2.0. Prediction was independent of high school grades and there was a slight tendency for prediction to be better in females than in males.ConclusionsA model separating biology, physics, and chemistry into different Rasch scales seems to be more suitable for item bank development than a unidimensional model, even when these scales are highly correlated and enter into a global score. When such a combination scale is used to select the upper quartile of applicants, the proportion of successful completion of the curriculum after two years is expected to rise substantially.
Plate-based transfection and culturing technique for genetic manipulation of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Caro Florence , Miller Mathew G , DeRisi Joseph L 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Genetic manipulation of malaria parasites remains an inefficient, time-consuming and resource-intensive process. Presented here is a set of methods for 96-well plate-based transfection and culture that improve the efficiency of genetic manipulation of Plasmodium falciparum. Compared to standard protocols plate-based transfection requires 20-fold less DNA, transient transfection efficiency achieved is approximately seven-fold higher, whilst stable transfection success rate is above 90%. Furthermore the utility of this set of protocols to generate a knockout of the PfRH3 pseudogene, screened by whole-cell PCR, is demonstrated. The methods and tools presented here will facilitate genome-scale genetic manipulation of P. falciparum.