bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevention of preterm delivery in twin gestations (PREDICT): a multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial on the effect of vaginal micronized progesterone
Authors: Rode L. , Klein K. , Nicolaides K. H. , Krampl‐Bettelheim E. , Tabor A. ,   for the PREDICT Group
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjectiveStudies on high‐risk singleton gestations have shown a preventive effect of progesterone treatment on preterm delivery. This study was conducted to investigate the preventive effect of vaginal micronized progesterone in a large population of twin gestations.MethodsThis was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial performed in 17 centers in Denmark and Austria. Women with twin gestations were randomized to daily treatment with progesterone pessaries or apparently identical placebo pessaries, starting from 20–24 weeks until 34 weeks' gestation. Primary outcome was incidence of delivery before 34 weeks' gestation. Secondary outcomes were maternal and neonatal complications and long‐term infant follow‐up, by Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), 6 months and 18 months after the expected date of delivery. We also updated a published meta‐analysis to include our data and those of another recently published twin trial.ResultsA total of 677 women were randomized to the two treatments. Two women in the placebo group were lost to follow‐up. Baseline characteristics for the groups were similar. Incidence of delivery before 34 weeks was 15.3% in the progesterone group vs 18.5% in the placebo group (odds ratio, 0.8 (95% CI, 0.5–1.2)). Risks of maternal and neonatal complications were comparable for the two groups. Mean ASQ scores at 6 months and 18 months were not significantly different between the two groups (215 for infants in the progesterone group and 218 for infants in the placebo group at 6 months (P = 0.45) and 193 and 194, respectively, at 18 months (P = 0.89)). The meta‐analysis gave a pooled odds ratio of 1.06 (95% CI, 0.86–1.31).ConclusionProgesterone treatment did not prevent preterm delivery in twin gestations. There were no harmful effects to fetuses and infants of maternal progesterone treatment. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonanthropocentric climate ethics
Authors: Nolt John 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAnthropogenic climate change may contribute to a mass extinction that would leave biodiversity depleted for millions of years—quite possibly longer than the duration of the human species. Such effects are arguably of ethical concern, but because established ethical theories are anthropocentric—that is, focused on the relatively short‐term interests of human beings—they offer no guidance on such vast temporal scales. There has been significant work in recent decades in both longer‐term intergenerational anthropocentric climate ethics and near‐term nonanthropocentric ethics, but so far these novel developments have not been integrated into a long‐term nonanthropocentric climate ethic. This article considers prospects for the development and justification of such an ethic, difficulties it would face, and its relevance to climate policy.WIREs Clim Change2011 2 701–711 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.131This article is categorized under:Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Comparative Environmental Values
SINEs
Authors: Kramerov Dmitri A. , Vassetzky Nikita S. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractShort interspersed elements (SINEs) are mobile genetic elements that invade the genomes of many eukaryotes. Since their discovery about 30 years ago, many gaps in our understanding of the biology and function of SINEs have been filled. This review summarizes the past and recent advances in the studies of SINEs. The structure and origin of SINEs as well as the processes involved in their amplification, transcription, RNA processing, reverse transcription, and integration of a SINE copy into the genome are considered. Then we focus on the significance of SINEs for the host genomes. While these genomic parasites can be deleterious to the cell, the long‐term being in the genome has made SINEs a valuable source of genetic variation providing regulatory elements for gene expression, alternative splice sites, polyadenylation signals, and even functional RNA genes. WIREs RNA 2011 2 772–786 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.91This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs
RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
Evaluating the potential biases in carnivore capture–recapture studies associated with the use of lure and varying density estimation techniques using photographic‐sampling data of the Malagasy civet
Authors: Gerber Brian D. , Karpanty Sarah M. , Kelly Marcella J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractEstimating density of elusive carnivores with capture–recapture analyses is increasingly common. However, providing unbiased and precise estimates is still a challenge due to uncertainties arising from the use of (1) bait or lure to attract animals to the detection device and (2) ad hoc boundary‐strip methods to compensate for edge effects in area estimation. We used photographic‐sampling data of the Malagasy civet Fossa fossana collected with and without lure to assess the effects of lure and to compare the use of four density estimators which varied in methods of area estimation. The use of lure did not affect permanent immigration or emigration, abundance and density estimation, maximum movement distances, or temporal activity patterns of Malagasy civets, but did provide more precise population estimates by increasing the number of recaptures. The spatially‐explicit capture–recapture (SECR) model density estimates ±SE were the least precise as they incorporate spatial variation, but consistent with each other (Maximum likelihood‐SECR = 1.38 ± 0.18, Bayesian‐SECR = 1.24 ± 0.17 civets/km2), whereas estimates relying on boundary‐strip methods to estimate effective trapping area did not incorporate spatial variation, varied greatly and were generally larger than SECR model estimates. Estimating carnivore density with ad hoc boundary‐strip methods can lead to overestimation and/or increased uncertainty as they do not incorporate spatial variation. This may lead to inaction or poor management decisions which may jeopardize at‐risk populations. In contrast, SECR models free researchers from making subjective decisions associated with boundary‐strip methods and they estimate density directly, providing more comparable and valuable population estimates.
Modified‐Policosanol Does Not Reduce Plasma Lipoproteins in Hyperlipidemic Patients When Used Alone or in Combination with Statin Therapy
Authors: Backes James M. , Gibson Cheryl A. , Ruisinger Janelle F. , Moriarty Patrick M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPolicosanol is a poorly absorbed nutritional supplement used primarily for cholesterol management. Findings from previous trials evaluating the effects of policosanol are mixed with early data reporting positive lipid effects while more recent studies indicate negligible efficacy. We hypothesized that re‐formulating policosanol would result in an improvement in major lipoproteins and possibly provide some explanation for previously conflicting trial data. Our primary objectives were to assess the efficacy and safety of modified‐policosanol (MP) on the major lipoproteins among hyperlipidemic subjects receiving background statin therapy or as monotherapy. This 8‐week clinical trial consisted of 3 arms. Subjects receiving chronic statin therapy (N = 36) were randomized in a double‐blind design to MP 20 mg daily or placebo. In the third arm, subjects not receiving statin therapy (N = 18) were assigned open‐label MP 20 mg daily. The utilization of MP when added to background statin therapy or as monotherapy resulted in no significant changes in major lipoproteins (all p > 0.05). The MP therapy was well tolerated with no major adverse events reported. Consistent with recent clinical trial data, MP demonstrated an excellent safety profile but produced no significant effects on major lipoproteins when used as monotherapy or when given with concomitant statin therapy.
Mixed Alkyl Esters from Cottonseed Oil: Improved Biodiesel Properties and Blends with Diesel Fuel
Authors: Joshi Hem , Moser Bryan R. , Walker Terry 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTransesterification of refined cottonseed oil (CSO) was carried out with methanol, ethanol, 1‐butanol, and various mixtures of these alcohols to produce biodiesel. In the mixed alcohol transesterifications, formation of methyl esters was favored over ethyl and butyl esters. The influence of ester head group on fuel properties was determined. Specifically, cold flow properties, lubricity, and energy content improved in the order: CSO butyl esters (CSBE, best) > ethyl esters (CSEE) > methyl esters (CSME). Higher kinematic viscosities (KVs) as well as lower iodine values (IVs) and wear scars were observed with larger ester head groups. Blends of CSME, CSEE and CSBE exhibited properties intermediate to the neat esters. All ester samples were within the limits prescribed in ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 for cetane number, acid value (AV), glycerol (free and total) content, sulfur, and phosphorous. Also examined was the influence of blending alkyl esters with petrodiesel. All blends exhibited improved cold flow properties versus unblended alkyl esters. Enhanced lubricity was observed after blending. With increasing content of biodiesel, higher KVs and lower energy contents were observed. Finally, all blends were within the limits specified in ASTM D975 and D7467 for AV, KV and sulfur.
Aberrant immune responses in arsenical skin cancers
Authors: Lee Chih‐Hung , Liao Wei‐Ting , Yu Hsin‐Su 
Published: July 2011

AbstractArsenic is a well‐known human carcinogen. It also impairs immune functions and activation in many aspects. However, only a small portion of arsenic‐exposed population develops skin abnormalities, including Bowen's disease and skin cancers. Differential immune activation among the individuals might account for the different susceptibilities. In patients with arsenic‐induced Bowen's disease, there is a selective CD4 T‐cell apoptosis through tumor necrosis factor‐alpha pathway, decrease in macrophage differentiation and phagocytosis, reduced Langerhans cell numbers and dendrites, altered regulatory T‐cell distribution, and other immune alterations. Several lines of evidence from mouse and fish studies also confirmed the potent and multifaceted effects of arsenic in the immune system. The molecular bases of immunosuppression by arsenic in lymphocytes may include chromosomal and DNA abnormalities, decreased T‐cell receptor activation, and the cellular status of oxidation and methylation. This article also reviews the causative and differential role of selective CD4 cell apoptosis and the carcinogenesis of arsenic‐induced Bowen's disease.
Arsenic and diabetes: Current perspectives
Authors: Huang Chun Fa , Chen Ya Wen , Yang Ching Yao , Tsai Keh Sung , Yang Rong Sen , Liu Shing Hwa 
Published: July 2011

AbstractArsenic is a naturally occurring toxic metalloid of global concern. Many studies have indicated a dose–response relationship between accumulative arsenic exposure and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in arseniasis‐endemic areas in Taiwan and Bangladesh, where arsenic exposure occurs through drinking water. Epidemiological researches have suggested that the characteristics of arsenic‐induced DM observed in arseniasis‐endemic areas in Taiwan and Mexico are similar to those of non‐insulin‐dependent DM (Type 2 DM). These studies analyzed the association between high and chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water and the development of DM, but the effect of exposure to low to moderate levels of inorganic arsenic on the risk of DM is unclear. Navas‐Acien et al. recently proposed that a positive association existed between total urine arsenic and the prevalence of Type 2 DM in people exposed to low to moderate levels of arsenic. However, the diabetogenic role played by arsenic is still debated upon. An increase in the prevalence of DM has been observed among residents of highly arsenic‐contaminated areas, whereas the findings from community‐based and occupational studies in low‐arsenic‐exposure areas have been inconsistent. Recently, a population‐based cross‐sectional study showed that the current findings did not support an association between arsenic exposure from drinking water at levels less than 300 μg/L and a significantly increased risk of DM. Moreover, although the precise mechanisms for the arsenic‐induced diabetogenic effect are still largely undefined, recent in vitro experimental studies indicated that inorganic arsenic or its metabolites impair insulin‐dependent glucose uptake or glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. Nevertheless, the dose, the form of arsenic used, and the experimental duration in the in vivo studies varied greatly, leading to conflicting results and ambiguous interpretation of these data with respect to human exposure to arsenic in the environment. Moreover, the experimental studies were limited to the use of arsenic concentrations much higher than those relevant to human exposure. Further prospective epidemiological studies might help to clarify this controversy. The issues about environmental exposure assessment and appropriate biomarkers should also be considered. Here, we focus on the review of mechanism studies and discuss the currently available evidence and conditions for the association between environmental arsenic exposure and the development of DM.
Arsenic exposure and adverse health effects: A review of recent findings from arsenic and health studies in Matlab, Bangladesh
Authors: Yunus Mohammad , Sohel Nazmul , Hore Samar Kumar , Rahman Mahfuzar 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe recent discovery of large‐scale arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater has raised much concern in Bangladesh. Reliable estimates of the magnitude of As exposure and related health problems have not been comprehensively investigated in Bangladesh. A large population‐based study on As and health consequences in Matlab (AsMat) was done in Matlab field site where International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh has maintained a health and demographic surveillance system registering prospectively all vital events. Taking advantage of the health and demographic surveillance system and collecting data on detailed individual level As exposure using water and urine samples, AsMat investigated the morbidity and mortality associated with As exposure. Reviews of findings to date suggest the adverse effects of As exposure on the risk of skin lesions, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, chronic disease, and all‐cause infant and adult disease mortality. Future studies of clinical endpoints will enhance our knowledge gaps and will give directions for disease prevention and mitigations.
Body composition and appetite: fat-free mass (but not fat mass or BMI) is positively associated with self-determined meal size and daily energy intake in humans
Authors: Blundell John E. , Caudwell Phillipa , Gibbons Catherine , Hopkins Mark , Näslund Erik , King Neil A. , Finlayson Graham 
Published: July 2011

The idea of body weight regulation implies that a biological mechanism exerts control over energy expenditure and food intake. This is a central tenet of energy homeostasis. However, the source and identity of the controlling mechanism have not been identified, although it is often presumed to be some long-acting signal related to body fat, such as leptin. Using a comprehensive experimental platform, we have investigated the relationship between biological and behavioural variables in two separate studies over a 12-week intervention period in obese adults (totaln92). All variables have been measured objectively and with a similar degree of scientific control and precision, including anthropometric factors, body composition, RMR and accumulative energy consumed at individual meals across the whole day. Results showed that meal size and daily energy intake (EI) were significantly correlated with fat-free mass (FFM,Pvalues < 0·02–0·05) but not with fat mass (FM) or BMI (Pvalues 0·11–0·45) (study 1,n58). In study 2 (n34), FFM (but not FM or BMI) predicted meal size and daily EI under two distinct dietary conditions (high-fat and low-fat). These data appear to indicate that, under these circumstances, some signal associated with lean mass (but not FM) exerts a determining effect over self-selected food consumption. This signal may be postulated to interact with a separate class of signals generated by FM. This finding may have implications for investigations of the molecular control of food intake and body weight and for the management of obesity.
Effects of inactivated and live cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on in vitro ruminal fermentation of diets with different forage:concentrate ratio
Authors: OPSI F. , FORTINA R. , TASSONE S. , BODAS R. , LÓPEZ S. 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYThe effects of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, either inactivated (by osmotic pressure, designated IY) or provided as a culture containing live yeast cells (YC), on ruminal fermentation of two different diets were investigated in vitro. Total mixed rations (TMR) having forage:concentrate ratios of 0·6:0·4 (medium–high forage diet) and 0·2:0·8 (low-forage diet) were incubated in batch cultures of mixed ruminal micro-organisms to which either IY (to reach concentrations of 500 and 250 mg product/l incubation medium) or YC (at a concentration of 150 mg product/l) were added directly as powder. To evaluate the effects of the additive on ruminal microbial population, sheep used as donors of rumen fluid were allocated to three experimental groups: Control (no additive), IY and YC, that received a diet with the corresponding additive for 10 days. With both diets, YC decreased ruminal pH compared to control, whereas IY had no effect. Adding yeast products to the high-fibre diet affected total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and VFA composition, in general with a slight increase in IY and a significantly greater increase in response to the addition of YC. Ammonia nitrogen (P=0·006), total gas production (P<0·001) and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVD) (P<0·001) showed the highest values with YC. Methane production was higher than the control when the IY inoculum was used, and increased even more with the YC inoculum (P<0·001). With the high-concentrate TMR, no effects on total VFA concentration were observed when yeast additives were used. Similar trends were shown for lactate and methane production and total gas production, where values tended to be higher when using the YC inoculum (P values of 0·055, <0·001, 0·006 and <0·001, respectively). After 144 h of incubation, differences were observed only with the high-fibre diet in the cumulative gas production at 24 h of incubation and in the average fermentation rate, which was greater with YC, although the asymptotic gas production was not affected. These results indicate that live yeasts affect ruminal fermentation slightly more than inactivated yeasts, although both products require a regular administration and some adaptation of the ruminal microbial population for the stimulatory effects to become apparent. The effects of yeasts on ruminal fermentation are diet-dependent, being more noticeable with a high-fibre substrate, and subtle with a high-concentrate diet.
‘A good shepherd, but with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome’: traditional uvulectomy case series and literature review
Authors: Ravesloot M J L , de Vries N 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackground:In the West, removal of the uvula is predominantly undertaken as part of palatal surgery, in cases of obstructive sleep apnoea. In the developing world, such as the Middle East and Africa, uvulectomy is a more common practice. The uvula is removed for curative or preventive purposes, or as part of ritual practice. Due to immigration from developing to developed world countries, and to Western doctors working abroad, such doctors are increasingly being confronted with unfamiliar traditional healing practices, within a medical context.Methods:The Medline and Embase online databases were systematically searched for literature on traditional uvulectomy. We present a review of this literature. We also present the first report, to our best knowledge, of obstructive sleep apnoea as a late complication of traditional uvulectomy.Discussion:Traditional uvulectomy may be complicated by post-operative haemorrhage and local infections, among many other problems. We report cases of obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring caused by palatal stenosis resulting from traditional uvulectomy during childhood.
Nasal extranodal natural killer T cell lymphoma: an atypical presentation
Authors: Sharma A , Dandekar M , Deshmukh S , Dabholkar J 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjective:We report two cases of nasal natural killer T cell lymphoma which presented atypically following surgical intervention.Case report:Two patients with a previous history of endoscopic nasal surgery presented with progressive facial swelling and necrosis. The histology of several nasal biopsies was suggestive of acute, necrotising inflammation. Considering these patients' midline destruction of the nose and face, and their inconclusive biopsies, immunohistochemical studies were undertaken, enabling the diagnosis of peripheral natural killer T cell lymphoma.Conclusion:Natural killer T cell lymphoma of the sinonasal tract is an important differential diagnosis of destructive lesions of the nose and midface. The definitive diagnosis is often delayed. Hence, this tumour should be considered in patients with atypical presentations of acute inflammation following surgical intervention; such patients should be thoroughly investigated. Early immunohistochemical investigation is needed to enable prompt diagnosis in suspicious cases.
Abnormal prefrontal activity subserving attentional control of emotion in remitted depressed patients during a working memory task with emotional distracters
Authors: Kerestes R. , Ladouceur C. D. , Meda S. , Nathan P. J. , Blumberg H. P. , Maloney K. , Ruf B. , Saricicek A. , Pearlson G. D. , Bhagwagar Z. , Phillips M. L. 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundPatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) show deficits in processing of facial emotions that persist beyond recovery and cessation of treatment. Abnormalities in neural areas supporting attentional control and emotion processing in remitted depressed (rMDD) patients suggests that there may be enduring, trait-like abnormalities in key neural circuits at the interface of cognition and emotion, but this issue has not been studied systematically.MethodNineteen euthymic, medication-free rMDD patients (mean age 33.6 years; mean duration of illness 34 months) and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC; mean age 35.8 years) performed the Emotional Face N-Back (EFNBACK) task, a working memory task with emotional distracter stimuli. We used blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure neural activity in the dorsolateral (DLPFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), ventral striatum and amygdala, using a region of interest (ROI) approach in SPM2.ResultsrMDD patients exhibited significantly greater activity relative to HC in the left DLPFC [Brodmann area (BA) 9/46] in response to negative emotional distracters during high working memory load. By contrast, rMDD patients exhibited significantly lower activity in the right DLPFC and left VLPFC compared to HC in response to positive emotional distracters during high working memory load. These effects occurred during accurate task performance.ConclusionsRemitted depressed patients may continue to exhibit attentional biases toward negative emotional information, reflected by greater recruitment of prefrontal regions implicated in attentional control in the context of negative emotional information.