bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of metabolic syndrome on the incidence of chronic kidney disease: A Chinese cohort study
Authors: YANG TSAN , CHU CHI‐HONG , HSU CHIH‐HSUNG , HSIEH PO‐CHIEN , CHUNG TIEH‐CHI , BAI CHYI‐HUEY , YOU SAN‐LIN , HWANG LEE‐CHING , LIN CHIH‐MING , SUN CHIEN‐AN 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major culprit in cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Western populations. We studied the longitudinal association between MetS and incident CKD in Chinese adults.Methods:  A cohort study was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 4248 Chinese adults in Taiwan. The MetS was defined according to a unified criteria set by several major organizations and CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and serum levels of total cholesterol.Results:  The prevalence of MetS among participants at baseline recruitment was 15.0% (637/4248). During a median follow‐up period of 5.40 years, 208 subjects (4.9%) developed CKD. The multivariate‐adjusted HR of CKD in participants with MetS compared with those without was 1.42 (95% CI = 1.03, 1.73). Additionally, there was a significantly graded relationship between the number of the MetS components and risk of CKD. Further, the relation between MetS and incident CKD was more robust in subjects with BMI >27.5 kg/m2 than in those with lower BMI.Conclusion:  The results suggest that the presence of MetS was significantly associated with increased risk of incident CKD in a Chinese population. These findings warrant future studies to test the impact of preventing and treating MetS on the reduction of the occurrence of CKD.
Vitamin D deficiency in Tasmania: a whole of life perspective
Authors: van der Mei I. A. F. , Dore D. , Winzenberg T. , Blizzard L. , Jones G. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAimThis study aims to describe the lifetime picture of vitamin D deficiency, as measured by serum 25(OH)D concentration, in Tasmania (latitude 43°S).MethodsFive cross‐sectional studies were used: a sample of primary schoolchildren (n = 201, aged 7–8 years), two samples of adolescents (sample 1: n = 374, aged 15–18 years; sample 2: n = 136, aged 16–19 years), a sample of young to middle‐aged adults (n = 262, aged 19–59 years) and a sample of older adults (n = 1092, aged 50–80 years).ResultsIn winter/spring, approximately two‐thirds of the adolescents and adults (young, middle‐aged and older) had 25(OH)D levels ≤50 nmol/L, and around 10% had 25(OH)D levels ≤25 nmol/L. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was much lower for primary schoolchildren (11.5% < 50 nmol/L, 0.5% ≤ 25 nmol/L). In summer/autumn, approximately one‐third of the adolescents and adults had 25(OH)D levels ≤50 nmol/L, and very few had 25(OH)D levels ≤25 nmol/L. For the adolescents and adults, even among those who reported the highest category of sun exposure, approximately 45% had 25(OH)D levels ≤50 nmol/L in winter/spring.ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency was uncommon among our sample of primary school children but increased substantially during the teenage years and seemed to remain high throughout the rest of life, suggesting that mild vitamin D deficiency is endemic in Tasmania apart from in the very young.
The protective effects of Lycium barbarum and Chrysanthemum morifolum on diabetic retinopathies in rats
Authors: Hu Chun‐Kun , Lee Yih‐Jing , Colitz Carmen M. , Chang Ching‐Jin , Lin Chung‐Tien 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe effects of Lycium barbarum and Chrysanthemum morifolum extracts on diabetic retinopathy were evaluated. The diabetes model was induced by streptozotocin. Animals were divided into six groups: the control group received only vehicle; diabetic animal models received no treatment, insulin treatment, Lycium extract, Chrysanthemum extract, or a combination of Lycium and Chrysanthemum extracts, respectively. Retinal function was evaluated by electroretinography, and the diabetic progression was monitored by blood test for hyperglycemia. In addition, retinal histopathology and retinal glial reactivity were also investigated. The electroretinographic amplitudes of the a‐ and b‐waves were significantly decreased in the diabetic animals, and the implicit time of the b‐wave was also delayed, compared to the control group. However, reductions in the a‐ and b‐wave amplitudes were not observed in the Lycium‐treated group. Histopathological studies showed no significant differences between the Lycium‐treated, Chrysanthemum‐treated, Lycium/Chrysanthemum‐treated groups, and the control group. The results of this study suggest that L. barbarum may have protective effects in diabetic retinopathy.
Progesterone prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in the spinal cord of wobbler mice
Authors: Deniselle Maria Claudia Gonzalez , Carreras Maria Cecilia , Garay Laura , Gargiulo‐Monachelli Gisella , Meyer Maria , Poderoso Juan Jose , De Nicola Alejandro F. 
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 185–195.AbstractIn the Wobbler mouse, a mutation of the Vps54 protein increases oxidative stress in spinal motoneurons, associated to toxic levels of nitric oxide and hyperactivity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Progesterone neuroprotection has been reported for several CNS diseases, including the Wobbler mouse neurodegeneration. In the present study, we analyzed progesterone effects on mitochondrial‐associated parameters of symptomatic Wobbler mice. The activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II‐III and IV and protein levels of mitochondrial and cytosolic NOS were determined in cervical and lumbar cords from control, Wobbler and Wobbler mice receiving a progesterone implant for 18 days. We found a significant reduction of complex I and II‐III activities in mitochondria and increased protein levels of mitochondrial, but not cytosolic nNOS, in the cervical cord of Wobbler mice. Progesterone treatment prevented the reduction of complex I in the cervical region and the increased level of mitochondrial nNOS. Wobbler motoneurons also showed accumulation of amyloid precursor protein immunoreactivity and decreased activity and immunostaining of MnSOD. Progesterone treatment avoided these abnormalities. Therefore, administration of progesterone to clinically afflicted Wobblers (i) prevented the abnormal increase of mitochondrial nNOS and normalized respiratory complex I; (ii) decreased amyloid precursor protein accumulation, a sign of axonal degeneration, and (iii) increased superoxide dismutation. Thus, progesterone neuroprotection decreases mitochondriopathy of Wobbler mouse cervical spinal cord.
Inhibitory effects of sigma‐1 ligands on handling‐induced tachycardia in conscious tethered rats
Authors: Delaunois Annie , De Ron Pierrette , Detrait Eric , Guyaux Michel 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe used conscious tethered Sprague‐Dawley rats to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of four sigma‐1 (σ1) agonists and five antagonists, given alone or in combination. All drugs were administered as a single intraperitoneal dose. The agonists were given at doses reported as efficacious in rodent cognition models, while the antagonists were administered at doses neutralizing agonist effects in vivo. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded for 20 min before and 60 min postadministration. Immediately after injection, a sudden, transitory increase in HR and SBP was noted in all animals, because of the stress induced by handling. For both parameters, a peak value (ΔHRmax and ΔSBPmax) and an area under the curve of changes from baseline over the period 5–20 min postinjection (ΔHR_AUC5–20 min and ΔSBP_AUC5–20 min) were calculated. Three of the four σ1 agonists (SKF‐10,047, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS), Compound 14) significantly reduced ΔHR_AUC5–20 min value without changing ΔHRmax, while the fourth one, SA‐4503, had no significant effect. None of the antagonists (haloperidol, rimcazole, NE‐100, and BD1047) reduced, and even one (progesterone) enhanced the stress‐induced effects on HR. No changes in SBP were noted with any compound. When the antagonist NE‐100 was administered just before SKF‐10,047, it completely reversed the inhibitory effects of the σ1 agonist on HR increase. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time the involvement of σ1 receptors in the regulation of handling‐induced tachycardia in the conscious rat. Although additional investigations are needed to fully understand this role, it might offer new therapeutic perspectives to σ1 ligands in the cardiovascular sphere.
A Public Health Nursing Research Agenda
Authors: Issel L. Michele , Bekemeier Betty , Kneipp Shawn 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPublic health nurses (PHNs) use many interventions to prevent illness and promote the health of populations. Unfortunately, generating evidence regarding PHN practice is not explicitly identified as a research priority area of the major national funding agencies. Nor has PHN, as a profession, had a strong enough research agenda to drive practice improvement on a population‐level and to drive funding to support such areas of research. To further advance the science needed to guide PHN practice, a national conference to set the research agenda was held in October 2010 with grant support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The conference was part of a multimethod, participatory, multistage approach taken to generate the final research priority themes and corresponding priority research questions. The process yielded four high priority PHN research themes: PHN intervention models, Quality of population‐focused PHN practice, Metrics of/for PHN, and comparative effectiveness and PHN outcomes. As the agenda is adopted by funding agencies, researchers, and practice‐based partners, a more focused program of research will produce evidence that can guide population‐focused PHN practice.
Aspirin's Effect on Platelet Inhibition in Migraineurs
Authors: Jesurum Jill T. , Fuller Cindy J. , Murinova Natalia , Truva Colleen M. , Lucas Sylvia M. 
Published: April 2012

Objective.— To assess the effect of aspirin on platelet reactivity in migraineurs.Background.— Migraineurs, particularly women with aura and high monthly migraine frequency, are at risk for ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). High on‐aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR), or aspirin resistance, has been reported in females and patients with coronary artery disease, and is associated with adverse outcomes.Methods.— Using a single group, pretest/posttest design, 50 migraineurs without prior history of stroke or MI were prospectively treated for 14 to 21 consecutive days with 325 mg generic enteric‐coated aspirin, after undergoing a 14‐day aspirin washout. Platelet reactivity was measured after aspirin washout and following aspirin treatment. Subjects were screened for HAPR using the VerifyNow™ Aspirin Assay (Accumetrics, San Diego, CA, USA). HAPR was defined as ≥460 Aspirin Reaction Units (ARU; primary endpoint).Results.— Fifty subjects, 44 (88%) female, aged (mean ± standard deviation) 43 ± 12 years were enrolled. Twelve (24%; 95% CI 12‐36%) subjects, all female, had HAPR and were classified as aspirin resistant. Subjects with HAPR had lower baseline hemoglobin levels than those without HAPR (P = .03). Baseline hemoglobin was significantly correlated with final ARU (r = −0.39, P = .005).Conclusions.— Findings of this exploratory study suggest that migraineurs have a higher prevalence of HAPR than healthy volunteers or patients with coronary artery disease taking aspirin 325 mg. The clinical implications of HAPR in migraine warrant further exploration due to the risk of stroke and MI and the potential need for antiplatelet therapy in this population.
Intercompany Energy Integration
Authors: Hiete Michael , Ludwig Jens , Schultmann Frank 
Published: April 2012

SummaryReusing heat through process integration in heat exchanger networks has long been a key measure for increasing energy efficiency in energy‐intensive industries. Thermal pinch analysis is commonly used for a systematic matching of process streams and thus planning of optimal process integration in large chemical plants. The possible savings increase with the amount of heat and the number of integrated process streams. Therefore co‐ siting of several companies in a symbiotic network opens new opportunities for process integration even in small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs), but also introduces new challenges.Thermal pinch analysis is extended here to account for piping distances and fluctuations and limited availability of energy flows by adding additional costs for the piping system and a backup utility system in the optimization function. Cooperative game theory is proposed to derive a sharing of savings between the partners of the industrial symbiosis that is optimal for each partner and should prevent partners from leaving the network because of higher benefits in a subgroup or alone. It is argued that knowledge about the optimality of a network for each partner creates trust between the partners that is a necessary base for the long‐term commitment needed in industrial symbioses. An exemplary symbiotic network combining the production of pulp and woody biomass energy carriers is used to illustrate the proposed approaches.
Evolution in Transvenous Extraction of Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Leads Using a Mechanical Dilator Sheath
Authors: OTO ALI , AYTEMIR KUDRET , CANPOLAT UĞUR , YORGUN HIKMET , ŞAHINER LEVENT , KAYA ERGÜN BARIŞ , KABAKÇI GIRAY , TOKGÖZOĞLU LALE 
Published: April 2012

Background:

With developing technology, transvenous lead extraction (TLE) has undergone an explosive evolution due to incremental problems related to lead infection and malfunction.
Objective:

We aimed to present our experience in TLE with the Evolution®Mechanical Dilator Sheath (Cook Medical, Grandegrift, PA, USA).
Methods:

Between June 2009 and July 2011, the Evolution®mechanical dilator sheath was used for the extraction of 140 pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) leads in 66 patients. Indications for extraction, procedural success, and complications were defined according to Heart Rhythm Society Guidelines.
Results:

Indications for TLE were infection in 39 patients (59.1%), lead malfunction in 26 patients (39.4%), and lead displacement in one patient (1.5%). Extracted devices were PM in 28 cases (42.3%), ICD in 26 cases (39.4%), and biventricular cardioverter defibrillator in 12 cases (18.2%). Among 140 leads, 31 (22.1%) were right ventricular, 49 (35.0%) were defibrillator coil, 47 (33.6%) were atrial, and 13 (9.3%) were coronary sinus electrodes. The median time interval from the lead implantation to lead extraction was 85 months (range 22–240 months). Complete procedural success with the Evolution®system alone was achieved in 58 (87.9%) patients and overall clinical success was 98.5%. Four leads were completely removed with the help of a femoral snare and partial success was achieved in three leads with a remaining small ventricular tip. Major complication was observed in only one (1.5%) patient without any mortality.
Conclusions:

Our experience confirms that the hand‐powered Evolution system is an effective extraction tool for chronically implanted PM/ICD leads. Randomized controlled studies are required to evaluate success and complication rates in comparison to other techniques. (PACE 2012;XX:1–7)
Evaluation of a web‐based application versus conventional instruction in the undergraduate curriculum of fixed prosthodontics
Authors: Ramseier C. A. , Ivanovic A. , Woermann U. , Mattheos N. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAims:  The present study aims to investigate the implications of web‐based delivery of identical learning content for time efficiency and students’ performance, as compared to conventional textbook resources.Materials and methods:  Two cohorts of third year undergraduate dental students in 2003 (n = 35) and 2006 (n = 32) completed the study. Following a baseline pre‐test, the students were divided into two groups and given 3 weeks for studying identical content using a web‐based application (group A) or a conventional paper manuscript (group B). Post‐test, end of semester examination and a final retention test were taken. Test scores and studying time was registered for both cohorts in 2003 and 2006.Results:  Group A and B knowledge gain was highly significant between the average per cent scores from pre‐test, post‐test and end of semester examination in both cohorts in 2003 and 2006 (P < 0.005). Group A spent 1.6× (2003) to 2.6× (2006) less time studying than group B. The average total studying time recorded for group B was 5.1 h using 6.2 learning sessions in 2003 and 3.5 h using 4.4 sessions in 2006. With group A, significantly less time was measured for studying through web‐based content using an average of 2.5 h over 4.4 learning sessions in 2003 and 1.5 h added over three sessions in 2006.Conclusions:  Web‐based delivery of identical content results in less overall studying time as compared to textbook delivery. These results appear independent of the students’ own preference of the learning medium.
Bacteria and Candida yeasts in inflammations of the oral mucosa in children with secondary immunodeficiency
Authors: Olczak‐Kowalczyk Dorota , Daszkiewicz Marta , Krasuska‐Sławińska  , Dembowska‐Bagińska Bożena , Gozdowski Dariusz , Daszkiewicz Paweł , Fronc Beata , Semczuk Katarzyna 
Published: April 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 568–576Background:  Oral microbial flora and a damaged oral mucosa may increase the risk of bacteriemia, fungemia and complications in immunocompromised patients.Aim of the Study:  Assessment of presence: bacteria and Candida spp. in different oral lesions, and the incidence of bacteremia in the case of a damaged mucosa in transplant recipients and patients receiving anti‐tumour chemotherapy.Material and Method:  Forty‐five patients – 18 months to 18 years of life, were included (20 – organ recipients, 14– anti‐tumour chemotherapy, 11 – control group). Clinical, oral mucosa examination focused on the type, severity and site of lesions, and microbiology assessed the presence of bacteria and fungi in the material from lesions. Blood cultures were performed in ten immunocompromised patients with manifestations of systemic infection. The control material consisted of blood cultures made prior to the onset of oral lesions and after 4–6 weeks following their remission in a diagnosed bacteremia. The statistical analysis was performed.Results:  In the subjects with secondary immunodeficiency, among other coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus (CoNS), Candidia spp. were more frequent. In cancer patients, mucositis was associated with Candida spp., Streptococcus spp. Organ recipients with stomatitis exhibited the presence of CoNS, Streptococcus viridians and other. Oral lesions in the control group contained Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Neisseria spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. In 30% of immunocompromised patients, oral lesions were accompanied by bacteremia.Conclusions:  A correlation has been found between oral lesions and the presence of S. aureus in patients without secondary immunodeficiency, and of CoNS, Enterococcus spp., Candida spp. in immunocompromised patients.
The Molecular Dynamics of Trypanosoma brucei UDP‐Galactose 4′‐Epimerase: A Drug Target for African Sleeping Sickness
Authors: Friedman Aaron J. , Durrant Jacob D. , Pierce Levi C. T. , McCorvie Thomas J. , Timson David J. , McCammon J. Andrew 
Published: April 2012

During the past century, several epidemics of human African trypanosomiasis, a deadly disease caused by the protist Trypanosoma brucei, have afflicted sub‐Saharan Africa. Over 10 000 new victims are reported each year, with hundreds of thousands more at risk. As current drug treatments are either highly toxic or ineffective, novel trypanocides are urgently needed. The T. brucei galactose synthesis pathway is one potential therapeutic target. Although galactose is essential for T. brucei survival, the parasite lacks the transporters required to intake galactose from the environment. UDP‐galactose 4′‐epimerase (TbGalE) is responsible for the epimerization of UDP‐glucose to UDP‐galactose and is therefore of great interest to medicinal chemists. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the atomistic motions of TbGalE in both the apo and holo states. The sampled conformations and protein dynamics depend not only on the presence of a UDP‐sugar ligand, but also on the chirality of the UDP‐sugar C4 atom. This dependence provides important insights into TbGalE function and may help guide future computer‐aided drug discovery efforts targeting this protein.
Global Gene Profiling of VCP‐associated Inclusion Body Myopathy
Authors: Nalbandian Angèle , Ghimbovschi Svetlana , Radom‐Aizik Shlomit , Dec Eric , Vesa Jouni , Martin Barbara , Knoblach Susan , Smith Charles , Hoffman Eric , Kimonis Virginia E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractInclusion body myopathy associated with Paget’s disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the Valosin‐containing protein (VCP) gene on chromosome 9p12–13. Patients demonstrate limb girdle muscle weakness, which eventually progresses to involve respiratory muscles, and death from respiratory and cardiac failure. This is the first investigation to analyze key molecular mediators and signaling cascades in skeletal muscle causing myopathy by global gene microarray in hopes of understanding the dysregulated genes and molecular mechanisms underlying IBMPFD and the hope of finding novel therapeutic targets. We determined expression profiles using Human Genome Array microarray technology in Vastus lateralis muscles from patients and their first‐degree relatives. We analyzed gene annotations by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery and identified differentially dysregulated genes with roles in several novel biological pathways, including regulation of actin cytoskeleton, ErbB signaling, cancer, in addition to regulation of autophagy, and lysosomal signaling, known disrupted pathways in VCP disease. In this report, we present data from the first global microarray analyzing IBMPFD patient muscles and elucidating dysregulated pathways to further understand the pathogenesis of the disease and discover potential therapeutics. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume #: 1–9