bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacodynamic Effects of Rosiglitazone in Nondiabetic Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Kosmiski Lisa A. , Zineh Issam , Rome Lucille Capo , Knutsen Shannon D. , Aquilante Christina L. 
Published: February 2010

Study Objectives. To determine the effects of the thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone on the adipocyte‐derived cytokines adiponectin (an antiinflammatory and insulin‐sensitizing cytokine; low levels have been associated with metabolic syndrome) and resistin (an inflammation mediator; high levels have been associated with metabolic syndrome) in nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome, and to characterize the effects of rosiglitazone on other components of the metabolic syndrome phenotype in this population.Design. Prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study.Setting. Outpatient general clinical research center.Patients. Thirty‐two nondiabetic men and women with a clinical diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (as defined in the American Heart Association‐National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute scientific statement).Intervention. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral rosiglitazone 4 mg/day or matching placebo for 12 weeks.Measurements and Main Results. The primary end point was change in serum adiponectin concentrations from baseline to week 12. Secondary end points were changes in serum resistin concentrations, insulin resistance, fasting glucose level, fasting insulin level, body weight, lipid levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and waist circumference from baseline to week 12. Also, changes from baseline in adiponectin and resistin concentrations and insulin resistance were assessed over time at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Rosiglitazone was associated with a significant increase in serum adiponectin concentration after 12 weeks compared with placebo (45.8% vs 2.6%, p=0.002). The increase in adiponectin concentration occurred quickly, with a significant difference observed after 2 weeks of therapy. Compared with placebo, rosiglitazone was not associated with significant 12‐week changes in serum resistin concentrations, insulin resistance, fasting glucose level, fasting insulin level, body weight, lipid levels, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, or waist circumference.Conclusion. Rosiglitazone had beneficial effects on adiponectin concentrations without significantly affecting other components of the metabolic syndrome phenotype. Additional studies that further elucidate the time course of thiazolidinedione pharmacodynamic effects, along with their effects on cardiovascular end points, are warranted in nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome.
Verification of Speech Spectrum Audibility for Pediatric Baha Softband Users with Craniofacial Anomalies
Authors: Nicholson Nannette , Christensen Lisa , Dornhoffer John , Martin Patti , Smith-Olinde Laura 
Published: February 2010

Objective The purpose of this study was (1) to determine benefit of the Baha Softband coupled to the Softband for infants and children with bilateral conductive hearing loss; and (2) to verify audibility of the speech spectrum for octave frequencies 500 through 4000 Hz. Design The research design for this retrospective chart study is pretest-posttest repeated measures. Setting The study was conducted in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Arkansas Children's Hospital. Participants Twenty-five children aged 6 months to 18 years with craniofacial disorders and bilateral conductive hearing loss participated in the study. Participants were consistent, full-time unilateral Baha users with the Baha Compact bone-conduction amplifier coupled to the head via the Softband. Interventions The intervention was the Baha device coupled to the head via the Softband as a prerequisite to surgical implantation. Main Outcome Measure(s) The primary study outcome measures used aided and unaided soundfield audiometric thresholds to calculate functional gain. Audibility of the speech spectrum was verified by comparison with target aided thresholds. Results Results revealed an improvement in soundfield thresholds with Baha amplification for the four octave frequencies. Means, standard deviations, and confidence intervals for aided and unaided thresholds are reported. Percentages of thresholds meeting target levels were significant at all frequencies, exceeding the 80% criterion. Conclusions Benefit of the Baha in providing audibility of the speech spectrum for infants and children with bilateral congenital conductive hearing loss has been demonstrated, offering important and timely data supporting third-party reimbursement.
The Effect of Gingivoperiosteoplasty on Facial Growth in Patients with Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Hsieh Cindy Hsin-Yi , Wen-Ching Ko Ellen , Chen Philip Kuo-Ting , Huang Chiung-Shing 
Published: February 2010

Objective Gingivoperiosteoplasty performed at the time of lip repair of cleft patients is one kind of alveolar repair. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of gingivoperiosteoplasty on facial growth of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Design Retrospective study. Patients Sixty-two consecutive patients with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip/palate with 5-year-olds’ record were included in this retrospective study. Interventions All the patients had received nasoalveolar molding treatment before cheiloplasty at the age of 3 to 6 months. Twenty-six patients had gingivoperiosteoplasty performed at the time of cheiloplasty and function as the GPP group. Thirty-six patients did not have gingivoperiosteoplasty at the time of cheiloplasty and function as the non-GPP group. Main Outcome Measures Cephalometry was used to evaluate the facial growth at 5 years of age in the two groups of patients. Results Gingivoperiosteoplasty had significant effects on the maxillary position (SNA), intermaxillary position (ANB), maxillary length (PMP-ANS), and maxillary alveolar length (PMP-A) at the age of 5 years. The SNA and ANB angles were larger in non-GPP group than in the GPP group by 3.0° and 2.6°, respectively. The maxillary length (PMP-ANS) and maxillary alveolar length (PMP-A) were larger in the non-GPP group than in the GPP group by 2.1 and 2.9 mm, respectively. Conclusions In patients with UCLP, the sagittal growth of the maxilla would be affected more adversely in the GPP group than in the non-GPP group at the age of 5 years.
Cerebellum Structure Differences and Relationship to Speech in Boys and Girls with Nonsyndromic Cleft of the Lip and/or Palate
Authors: Conrad Amy L. , Dailey Scott , Richman Lynn , Canady John , Karnell Michael P. , Axelson Eric , Nopoulos Peg 
Published: February 2010

Objective To identify regional cerebellar structural differences in boys and girls with nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate and determine whether these differences are related to speech impairment. Design Between 2003 and 2007, measures on cerebellar volume were obtained on 43 children with nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate and 43 age- and sex-matched, healthy controls. Children with the cleft condition also received speech evaluations. Children with nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate were recruited from clinic records, and controls (screened for medical, psychiatric, speech/language, and behavioral concerns) were recruited from the local community. All tests were administered at a large midwestern hospital. Boys and girls with nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate were compared with the healthy controls on global and regional measures of cerebellar volume. Areas of significant difference were then correlated with measures of speech to assess relationships in children with nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate. Results Boys with nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate had smaller cerebellums than controls ( p = .002); whereas, for girls, only regional reductions in size reached significance (corpus medullare, p = .040). Cerebellum size was correlated with articulation for boys ( p = .045). Conclusions These findings lend support to previous research documenting abnormal brain structure in children with nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate and suggest that the cerebellum may play a role in speech deficits along with other structural causes, at least in boys.
Quality of Life Varies with Gender and Age among Adults Treated for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Mani Maria , Carlsson Marianne , Marcusson Agneta 
Published: February 2010

Objective To evaluate health-related quality of life among adults treated for unilateral cleft lip and palate and to investigate whether patients were affected differently depending on gender and age. Design Cross-sectional population study with long-term follow-up. Patients/Settings All unilateral cleft lip and palate patients born 1960–1987 and treated at Uppsala University Hospital were invited (n = 109). Response rate was 79% (n = 86). Mean follow-up time was 35 years. Norm data matched for age and gender were used for comparison (n = 1385). Main Outcome Measures Health-related quality of life measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. High values indicate good level of health-related quality of life. Results The total patient group had lower values in the Mental Health subscale compared with norm data ( p = .005). Values in all other subscales did not differ from norm data. Women had a higher positive difference than men in the subscale emotional role function compared with the matched norm population (p < .001). The younger age group (20 to 32 years old) consistently had a larger negative difference to matched norm data compared with the older age group (33 to 47 years old) in the subscales social function ( p = .009), physical role function ( p < .001), and emotional role function ( p < .001). Conclusions Unilateral cleft lip and palate affected health-related quality of life differently depending on gender and age of the patient. Younger patients were affected more negatively than older patients on several subscales. However, except for the mental health subscale, health-related quality of life was similar among unilateral cleft lip and palate patients and norm data.
Clinical and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in Robin Sequence Treated with Nasopharyngeal Intubation: The Importance of Feeding Facilitating Techniques
Authors: Marques Ilza Lazarini , Prado-Oliveira Rosana , Leirião Vera Helena Valente , Jorge José Carlos , De Souza Luiz 
Published: February 2010

Objective To evaluate oral feeding capacity, the swallowing process, and risk for aspiration, both clinically and during fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, in infants with isolated Robin sequence treated exclusively with nasopharyngeal intubation and feeding facilitating techniques. Design Longitudinal and prospective study. Setting Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. Patients Eleven infants with isolated Robin sequence, under 2 months of age, treated with nasopharyngeal intubation. Interventions Feeding facilitating techniques were applied in all infants throughout the study period. The infants were evaluated clinically and through fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing at first, second, and, if necessary, third week of hospitalization (T1, T2, T3). The mean volume of ingested milk was registered during clinical evaluation, and events were registered during feeding. Results The respiratory status of all infants was improved after nasopharyngeal intubation; 72% of them presented risk for aspiration during fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing at T1. This risk was less frequent when thickened milk was given to the infants and at subsequent evaluations (T2 and T3). Conclusions Nasopharyngeal intubation aids in stabilizing the airway in isolated Robin sequence, but it does not relate directly to feeding. The risk for aspiration was present in most of the infants, mainly during the first week of hospitalization, and improved within a few weeks, after the use of feeding facilitating techniques.
Hip‐Hop and a Hybrid Text in a Postsecondary English Class
Authors: Sánchez Deborah M. 
Published: February 2010

This study explores the epistemology present in hip‐hop music and its reflection in the writing of one African American student in a postsecondary transitional English class. An integration of hip‐hop and academic literacy practices in the student's essay challenges the supremacy of a “standard” academic English and deficit perspectives about African American language and rhetorics.تشتكشف هذه الدراسة علم المعرفة الموجود في موسيقا هب هوب وانعكاسه في كتابة طالب إفريقي أمريكي في حصة اللغة الإنكليزية الانتقالية ما بعد الثانوية. ويتحدى إدماج هب هوب وممارسات التعلم الأكاديمية في ورقة الطالب سيادة الإنكليزية الأكاديمية المعيارية والمناظر الناقصة تجاه اللغة الإفريقية الأمريكية وبلاغتها.本研究探讨出现于嘻哈音乐的认识论，及从一名非裔美国学生在一个衔接高等教育的英语课堂上所写的文章中反映出来这种的认识论。这学生的文章结合了嘻哈音乐与学术性读写文化实践，令所谓「标准」学术英语的无上权威受到挑战，也令有关非裔美国语言及修辞学的缺失观点受到挑战。Cette étude analyse l'épistémologie présente dans la musique hip‐hop et son reflet dans l'écriture d'un étudiant afro‐américain dans une classe d'anglais post‐secondaire de transition. L'intégration du hip‐hop et des pratiques académiques de littératie dans l'essai de l'étudiant met en question la suprématie de l'anglais académique « standard » et les conceptions relatives au déficit concernant la langue et la rhétorique afro‐américaine.Исследуется эпистемология музыки стиля хип‐хоп и ее отражение в письменных работах школьника афроамериканца, написанных на уроках английского языка в дополнительном летнем семестре после второго класса. Сочетание хип‐хопа и академических подходов к грамотности в эссе этого ученика бросает вызов существующим представлениям о превосходстве “стандартного” академического английского языка и несостоятельности языка и риторики афроамериканцев.Este estudio explora la epistemología presente en la música hip‐hop y cómo se refleja en la escritura de un estudiante africano americano en una clase de inglés postsecundaria de transición. Una integración del hi‐hop y las prácticas académicas de alfabetización en un ensayo del estudiante pone en tela de juicio la supremacía de un inglés académico estándar y las perspectivas de deficiencia en cuanto al habla y la retórica africano americana.
A Collaborative Approach to Reading Workshop in the Middle Years
Authors: Meyer Kylie Elizabeth 
Published: February 2010

I worked with the students in my class to develop a collaborative approach to Reading Workshop that maximized the depth of the students' engagement with text and the students' thinking about their own thinking (metacognition)لقد عملتُ مع الطلاب في غرفة صفي لتطوير مدخل تعاوني للورشة القرائية التي جعل الحد الأقصى من عمق انشغال الطلاب بالنص وتفكير الطلاب عن أفكارهم الخاصة بهم (ما وراء المعرفة).作者与其班里学生共同发展出一种以协作方式进行的阅读工作坊，藉此大大提升学生对文本阅读的投入及对自己思考过程所作的反思（元认知)。J'ai travaillé avec des élèves de ma classe afin de développer une approche coopérative en atelier de lecture qui maximise la profondeur de l'investissement des élèves dans le texte et leur réflexion sur leur propre pensée (métacognition).Автор и ее ученики совместными усилиями разработали подход к организации читательского семинара, который – благодаря сотрудничеству – максимизировал взаимодействие учащихся с текстом и побудил их к более глубоким размышлениям о процессе собственного мышления, т.е. к метапознанию.Trabajé con estudiantes en mi clase para desarrollar un acercamiento colaborativo al Taller de Lectura que llevara al máximo el compromiso estudiantil con el texto y sus creencias sobre su propio pensamiento (metacognición).
Foraging behavior of an urban bird species: molt gaps, distance to shelter, and predation risk
Authors: Tsurim Ido , Kotler Burt P. , Gilad Amir , Elazary Shira , Abramsky Zvika 
Published: February 2010

Predation cost (Pc) is often regarded as a pivotal component determining foraging behavior. We hypothesized that variations in two of its major constituents, predation risk (μ) and the marginal value of energy (∂Fs/∂e, where Fs is the survivor's fitness and e represents the amount of acquired energy), will translate into variations in patch use behavior of ground‐foraging birds. We studied patch use behavior of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), as affected by the proximity to shelter, in two large outdoor aviaries. Proximity to shelter should affect μ. We manipulated the birds' flight performance by clipping primary flight feathers from their wings to increase μ, but the clipping may also increase ∂Fs/∂e. To help distinguish between the birds' response to these confounding effects, we further augmented food in the aviaries to reduce ∂Fs/∂e.Patch use, as measured by giving‐up densities (GUD, the amount of food left behind in a resource patch following exploitation) was affected by distance from shelter only slightly and mainly when the birds were feather‐clipped and food was not augmented. Food augmentation had a homogenizing effect on foraging costs by increasing GUDs and washing out the effects of distance and feather clipping.We argue that μ increases with distance from shelter but that, for the highly urban House Sparrow, this increase is only slight. Feather clipping then increased μ further to the point at which patch use discernibly decreased with distance from shelter. Our experimental manipulation of feather clipping also acted to increase ∂Fs/∂e and resulted in an overall lowering of GUDs. The seed augmentation counteracted the effect of feather clipping on ∂Fs/∂e, allowing the birds to reduce their foraging efforts and washing out the qualitative effect of μ with respect to distance from shelter.
Serum neopterin as a prognostic indicator in patients with breast carcinoma
Authors: Kocer Belma , Turan Umit , Surmeli Suleyman , Altun Buket , Aksaray Sabahat , Yilmaz Osman , Cengiz Omer 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Neopterin is a useful indicator of the activation state of the cellular immune system, and an elevated level predicts prognosis in different types of tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum neopterin levels if it is viable predictor for prognosis in breast carcinoma patients. Serum neopterin was investigated in 56 breast carcinoma patients, 16 patients with benign breast lesions and 16 healthy women as controls. Neopterin was measured by ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The clinicopathological parameters were determined by reviewing both medical charts and pathological records. All patients had been followed-up until September 2009 or death.The mean serum neopterin concentrations were 8.5 ± 5.2 nmol/L in patients with breast carcinoma, 6.5±3.1 nmol/L in patients with benign breast lesion and 8.1 ± 1.9 nmol/L in healthy volunteers (p>0.05). Elevated neopterin levels were significantly correlated with age, elevated serum CRP level, advanced stage and presence of the distant metastases (p<0.05). Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with a serum neopterin level >10 nmol/L than patients with neopterin <10 nmol/L level (56 months vs. 76 months, p=0.011). Increased preoperative serum neopterin concentrations are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with breast carcinoma.
Beryllium sensitivity among workers at a Norwegian aluminum smelter
Authors: Nilsen A.M. , Vik R. , Behrens C. , Drabløs P.A. , Espevik T. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackgroundSensitivity to beryllium was investigated among workers at an aluminum smelter in Norway as a consequence of the findings in an occupational exposure survey.MethodsThree hundred and sixty‐two employees and 31 reference persons were tested for sensitization to beryllium with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) based on specifications by the US Department of Energy in 2001. The results are reported as abnormal, borderline, or normal.ResultsOne person (0.28%) from the aluminum smelter was found to have abnormal results in two separate blood samples and is sensitized to beryllium. Three other persons had one abnormal test that was not confirmed by a second test. One person in the reference group had one abnormal and one normal test result. No borderline samples were detected. None of the employees with one or more abnormal sample results had pot room asthma. The sensitized individual worked in a Soederberg line in 1972–1974. The beryllium concentration in the work atmosphere is estimated to have been similar as today (0.1–0.3 µg/m3), but work routines, etc. would cause higher total exposures.ConclusionsOnly one sensitized person of 362 is in line with what is found in other studies in the aluminum industry. The low number, compared with the beryllium handling industry, may be attributable to lower work atmosphere concentrations, beryllium speciation effects, or use of respiratory protection equipment. Pot room asthma does not appear to be associated with beryllium sensitization. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:724–732, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of background information and social interaction on image tagging
Authors: Bar‐Ilan Judit , Zhitomirsky‐Geffet Maayan , Miller Yitzchak , Shoham Snunith 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIn this article, we describe the results of an experiment designed to understand the effects of background information and social interaction on image tagging. The participants in the experiment were asked to tag 12 preselected images of Jewish cultural heritage. The users were partitioned into three groups: the first group saw only the images with no additional information whatsoever, the second group saw the images plus a short, descriptive title, and the third group saw the images, the titles, and the URL of the page in which the image appeared. In the first stage of the experiment, each user tagged the images without seeing the tags provided by the other users. In the second stage, the users saw the tags assigned by others and were encouraged to interact. Results show that after the social interaction phase, the tag sets converged and the popular tags became even more popular. Although in all cases the total number of assigned tags increased after the social interaction phase, the number of distinct tags decreased in most cases. When viewing the image only, in some cases the users were not able to correctly identify what they saw in some of the pictures, but they overcame the initial difficulties after interaction. We conclude from this experiment that social interaction may lead to convergence in tagging and that the “wisdom of the crowds” helps overcome the difficulties due to the lack of information.
Long-term cost-minimization analysis comparing laparoscopic with open (Lichtenstein) inguinal hernia repair
Authors:   Swedish Multicentre Trial of Inguinal Hernia Repair by Laparoscopy (SMIL) study group, Eklund A , Carlsson P , Rosenblad A , Montgomery A , Bergkvist L , Rudberg C 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic surgery has emerged as a new treatment modality for inguinal hernia repair. The aim of the present study was to analyse its long-term costs in relation to those of open repair.MethodsA randomized multicentre study comparing totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair (TEP) with open repair by the Lichtenstein procedure was performed on men with a primary inguinal hernia. Long-term data on recurrences and complications up to 5 years after operation were collected. Taking treatment costs into consideration, a cost-minimization analysis was conducted.ResultsA total of 1370 patients had an inguinal hernia repair, 665 in the TEP and 705 in the Lichtenstein group. The total hospital cost for the index operation was €710·6 higher for TEP repair (P &lt; 0·001). Including costs associated with recurrences and complications, this difference increased to €795·1 (P &lt; 0·001). Taking community costs into account, the difference decreased by €503·1 to €292·0 (P = 0·024).ConclusionThis cost-minimization analysis, including complications, reoperations and community costs during follow-up of 5 years, showed that laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair had a small but significant increase in overall costs compared with open repair.