bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predominant cone photoreceptor dysfunction in a hyperglycaemic model of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Alvarez Yolanda , Chen Kenneth , Reynolds Alison L. , Waghorne Nora , O’Connor John J. , Kennedy Breandán N. 
Published: February 2010

SUMMARY
Approximately 2.5 million people worldwide are clinically blind because of diabetic retinopathy. In the non-proliferative stage, the pathophysiology of this ocular manifestation of diabetes presents as morphological and functional disruption of the retinal vasculature, and dysfunction of retinal neurons. However, it is uncertain whether the vascular and neuronal changes are interdependent or independent events. In addition, the identity of the retinal neurons that are most susceptible to the hyperglycaemia associated with diabetes is unclear. Here, we characterise a novel model of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in adult zebrafish, in which the zebrafish were subjected to oscillating hyperglycaemia for 30 days. Visual function is diminished in hyperglycaemic fish. Significantly, hyperglycaemia disrupts cone photoreceptor neurons the most, as evidenced by prominent morphological degeneration and dysfunctional cone-mediated electroretinograms. Disturbances in the morphological integrity of the blood-retinal barrier were also evident. However, we demonstrate that these early vascular changes are not sufficient to induce cone photoreceptor dysfunction, suggesting that the vascular and neuronal complications in diabetic retinopathy can arise independently. Current treatments for diabetic retinopathy target the vascular complications. Our data suggest that cone photoreceptor dysfunction is a clinical hallmark of diabetic retinopathy and that the debilitating blindness associated with diabetic retinopathy may be halted by neuroprotection of cones.
ThePsychedelicGenes of Maize Redundantly Promote Carbohydrate Export From Leaves
Authors: Slewinski Thomas L , Braun David M 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWhole-plant carbohydrate partitioning involves the assimilation of carbon in leaves and its translocation to nonphotosynthetic tissues. This process is fundamental to plant growth and development, but its regulation is poorly understood. To identify genes controlling carbohydrate partitioning, we isolated mutants that are defective in exporting fixed carbon from leaves. Here we describe psychedelic (psc), a new mutant of maize (Zea mays) that is perturbed in carbohydrate partitioning. psc mutants exhibit stable, discrete chlorotic and green regions within their leaves. psc chlorotic tissues hyperaccumulate starch and soluble sugars, while psc green tissues appear comparable to wild-type leaves. The psc chlorotic and green tissue boundaries are usually delineated by larger veins, suggesting that translocation of a mobile compound through the veins may influence the tissue phenotype. psc mutants display altered biomass partitioning, which is consistent with reduced carbohydrate export from leaves to developing tissues. We determined that the psc mutation is unlinked to previously characterized maize leaf carbohydrate hyperaccumulation mutants. Additionally, we found that the psc mutant phenotype is inherited as a recessive, duplicate-factor trait in some inbred lines. Genetic analyses with other maize mutants with variegated leaves and impaired carbohydrate partitioning suggest that Psc defines an independent pathway. Therefore, investigations into the psc mutation have uncovered two previously unknown genes that redundantly function to regulate carbohydrate partitioning in maize.
Corneal Abrasions in Young Infants
Authors: Shope Timothy R. , Rieg Thomas S. , Kathiria Nazima N. 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVES:We sought to determine the prevalence of corneal abrasions and possible associations with fingernail length, demographic information, sleeping, and crying among young infants.METHODS:Parents of 1- to 12-week-old infants without symptoms who were presenting for well-child visits completed a brief questionnaire on age, gender, race, fingernail-trimming practices, and sleeping and crying in the preceding 24-hour period. Fingernail length was measured, and eyes were examined through staining with fluorescein and illumination/magnification with a Bluminator (Eidolon Optical, Natick, MA). Patients with corneal abrasions were given orally administered acetaminophen and erythromycin ointment. Masked interrater reliability for abrasions was measured. Logistic regression analyses determined the association of corneal abrasions with potential covariates.RESULTS:Ninety-six subjects were enrolled, including 47 girls (49%), with a mean age of 32.2 days (SD: 21.7 days). Forty-seven infants (49%) had abrasions. Demographic variables and mean crying times (114.8 ± 124.9 vs 86.5 ± 111.7 minutes; P &lt; .24) were not significantly different for infants with and without abrasions. Infants with abrasions slept more (15.9 ± 3.3 vs 14.5 ± 3.6 hours; P = .054). Associations of fingernail-trimming method and fingernail length with corneal abrasions were not statistically significant. Masked interrater reliability was high, with agreement between the primary investigator and the associate investigator for 20 (91%) of 22 eyes and agreement between the primary investigator and a pediatric ophthalmologist for 9 (90%) of 10 eyes.CONCLUSIONS:Corneal abrasions are extremely common among 1- to 12-week-old infants and have unclear clinical significance. Primary care physicians should be careful about attributing unexplained persistent crying to corneal abrasions, potentially missing a more-serious problem.
Where Perception Meets Reality: Self-Perception of Weight in Overweight Adolescents
Authors: Edwards Nicholas Murphy , Pettingell Sandra , Borowsky Iris Wagman 
Published: February 2010

Objective:
The goal of this study was to examine weight misperception among overweight adolescents in recent years and compare the demographic characteristics and weight-related behaviors of overweight adolescents who accurately and inaccurately perceive their weight status.

Methods:
We used data from the nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, collected every 2 years from 1999 through 2007. On the basis of self-reported height and weight, BMI percentile for age and sex was calculated. Overweight and obese respondents (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) were classified into 2 groups: (1) misperceivers (weight perception “about right” or “underweight”) or (2) accurate perceivers (weight perception “overweight”). We examined the proportion of misperceivers at each time point. Using the 2007 data, we compared demographic characteristics and weight-related behaviors of accurate perceivers and misperceivers with bivariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:
Among overweight adolescents, the overall proportion of misperceivers ranged between 29% and 33% from 1999 through 2007. In 2007, 23% of overweight girls and 40% of overweight boys were misperceivers (P &lt; .001). Both male and female accurate perceivers were significantly more likely than misperceivers to report trying to maintain or lose weight, exercising for weight control, and eating less for weight control. Adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and BMI percentile, no significant differences in unhealthy weight-related behaviors were found between accurate perceivers and misperceivers in boys or girls. Male accurate perceivers were significantly less likely to report achieving recommended levels of fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity.

Conclusions:
Nearly 3 in 10 overweight adolescents do not consider themselves overweight. Those with an accurate weight perception reported some healthy weight-related behaviors but not higher levels of unhealthy weight-related behaviors. With the substantial prevalence of weight misperception, clinicians should consider their patients' perceived weight status when pursuing patient-centered counseling of overweight adolescents.
A Review of the Effects of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure Among School-Aged Children
Authors: Ackerman John P. , Riggins Tracy , Black Maureen M. 
Published: February 2010

CONTEXT:
Studies through 6 years have shown no long-term direct effects of prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) on children's physical growth, developmental test scores, or language outcomes. Little is known about the effects of PCE among school-aged children aged 6 years and older.

OBJECTIVE:
We reviewed articles from studies that examined the effects of PCE on growth, cognitive ability, academic functioning, and brain structure and function among school-aged children.

METHODS:
Articles were obtained by searching PubMed, Medline, TOXNET, and PsycInfo databases from January 1980 to December 2008 with the terms “prenatal cocaine exposure,” “cocaine,” “drug exposure,” “substance exposure,” “maternal drug use,” “polysubstance,” “children,” “adolescent,” “in utero,” “pregnancy,” “development,” and “behavior.” Criteria for inclusion were (1) empirical research on children aged 6 years and older prenatally exposed to cocaine, (2) peer-reviewed English-language journal, (3) comparison group, (4) longitudinal follow-up or historical prospective design, (5) masked assessment, (6) exclusion of subjects with serious medical disabilities, and (7) studies that reported nonredundant findings for samples used in multiple investigations. Thirty-two unique studies met the criteria. Each article was independently abstracted by 2 authors to obtain sample composition, methods of PCE assessment, study design, comparison groups, dependent variables, covariates, and results.

RESULTS:
Associations between PCE and growth, cognitive ability, academic achievement, and language functioning were small and attenuated by environmental variables. PCE had significant negative associations with sustained attention and behavioral self-regulation, even with covariate control. Although emerging evidence suggests PCE-related alterations in brain structure and function, interpretation is limited by methodologic inconsistencies.

CONCLUSIONS:
Consistent with findings among preschool-aged children, environmental variables play a key role in moderating and explaining the effects of PCE on school-aged children's functioning. After controlling for these effects, PCE-related impairments are reliably reported in sustained attention and behavioral self-regulation among school-aged children.
Prevalence of Food and Beverage Brands in Movies: 1996–2005
Authors: Sutherland Lisa A. , MacKenzie Todd , Purvis Lisa A. , Dalton Madeline 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this study was to describe food and beverage brand placements in a large representative sample of popular movies.

METHODS:
We identified and coded brand placements for foods, beverages, and food retail establishments in the top 20 US box office movie hits for each year from 1996 to 2005. We also coded general movie characteristics (Motion Picture Association of America rating, run time, genre, and information about major characters). We summarized the number and types of food, beverage, and food retail establishment brands by movie characteristics and also identified manufacturers that are associated with each of the brands.

RESULTS:
Of the 200 movies coded, 138 (69%) contained at least 1 food, beverage, or food retail establishment brand. Movies rated PG-13 and R were significantly more likely to have brand placements compared with movies in other rating categories. Comedies, action/adventures, and horror films had more brand placements than other genres. We did not detect a significant difference in the number of movies with brand placements or mean number of placements per movie by year of movie release. A total of 1180 brand placements were identified and verified, including 427 food, 425 beverage, and 328 food retail establishment brand placements. Candy/confections (26%) and salty snacks (21%) were the most prevalent food brands, sugar-sweetened beverages (76%) were the most prevalent beverage brands, and fast food composed two thirds of the food retail establishment brand placements.

CONCLUSIONS:
Food, beverage, and food retail establishment brands are frequently portrayed in movies, and most of the brand placements are for energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods or product lines. Movies are a potent source of advertising to children, which has been largely overlooked.
Variation in Surgical Management of Vesicoureteral Reflux: Influence of Hospital and Patient Factors
Authors: Routh Jonathan C. , Nelson Caleb P. , Graham Dionne A. , Lieu Tracy A. 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE:
Controversy exists over surgical procedure choice for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. Either ureteral reimplantation (UR) or a newer procedure, endoscopic injection (EI), may be chosen; however, the factors that determine procedure choice for any individual patient are unclear. The objective of this study was to identify patient and hospital factors associated with the choice of EI for children undergoing antireflux surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
We searched the Pediatric Health Information System, a national database collected by freestanding children's hospitals. We identified children aged &lt;18 years with primary VUR who underwent surgery (UR or EI) between 2003 and 2008. We used multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate whether the type of procedure performed was associated with hospital-level factors including individual hospital, hospital region, size, and teaching status, as well as patient features including age, race, gender, and insurance type.

RESULTS:
We identified 15026 children with primary VUR who underwent antireflux surgery between 2003 and 2008. Of these, 3611 children (24%) were treated at hospitals that performed reimplant only. Among children treated at institutions offering both procedures, 5562 (49%) underwent injection and 5853 (51%) underwent reimplant. Patients who received EI were significantly older and more likely to be girls, white, and publicly insured than those who had UR. They were more likely to have been treated at hospitals that were larger, were teaching hospitals, or were located in larger metropolitan areas or the South rather than the Northeast. After adjusting for other covariates, the treating hospital was the most important factor predicting procedure choice.

CONCLUSIONS:
The hospital at which a patient receives treatment is the single most important feature that drove procedure choice for children with primary VUR. The patient's age, gender, insurance status, and disease severity played a smaller, although significant, role.
Pediatric Uptake of a Newly Available Antipsychotic Medication
Authors: Penfold Robert B. , Kelleher Kelly J. , Wang Wei , Strange Brandon , Pajer Kathleen 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE:
The uptake of new antipsychotic medications among children has not been studied adequately. Although ziprasidone received Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of psychotic disorders among children in June 2009, it first became available for off-label use by children in 2001 and presented an excellent case study for off-label market entry. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of initiation and switching for off-label use of ziprasidone among Michigan children who were insured by Medicaid in the first year that ziprasidone was available.

METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective study by using Michigan Medicaid data for patients who were aged &lt;21 years and had 2 years of continuous enrollment and at least 1 prescription for ziprasidone in the first year the medication was available. The main outcome measures were proportion of children prescribed ziprasidone as their first antipsychotic, with evidence of treatment resistance, and by a psychiatrist.

RESULTS:
In the first year, 292 individuals who met criteria were prescribed ziprasidone. Approximately 53% had a diagnosis of psychosis. Explosive personality disorder and oppositional defiant disorder were the next most common diagnoses. For 33% of individuals, this was the first antipsychotic medication. Only 12% of individuals showed evidence of treatment resistance to other antipsychotic medications before switching to ziprasidone.

CONCLUSIONS:
During the period when ziprasidone had no approved pediatric usages, a small percentage of patients who were prescribed ziprasidone showed evidence of treatment resistance, the primary expected indication. Some prescribing for ziprasidone in the first year in this population could be considered inappropriate considering what was known about the safety and efficacy of ziprasidone in children and adolescents at the time. “Fail first” and prior authorization policies may be appropriate in the first year a medication is available so as to protect children from potential serious harm.
Evaluation of Growth in Patients With Isolated Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate
Authors: Zarate Yuri A. , Martin Lisa J. , Hopkin Robert J. , Bender Patricia L. , Zhang Xue , Saal Howard M. 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the growth of patients with isolated cleft lip (CL), with or without cleft palate (CP), or CP during the first few years of life.

METHODS:
A retrospective analysis of data from birth to 5 years for 307 patients with isolated CL/CP or CP alone who were seen in a large craniofacial center between 1980 and 2007 was performed. We analyzed growth patterns and feeding interventions. Anthropometric values were plotted onto 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention charts. Longitudinal analyses were performed to estimate age-related changes and to test whether feeding interventions or early education influenced age-related changes.

RESULTS:
Including progressive weight, length, and head circumference values, a total of 1944 data points were available. The most frequent diagnosis was unilateral CL with CP (165 [53.7%] of 307 cases). No patients experienced significant failure to thrive during the study period, although predicted weight and length percentiles for age had initial decreases during the first year of life, with nadirs at 5.2 and 15 months, respectively. These decreases were followed by recovery that started at ∼12 months for weight and at 20 months for length (P &lt; .0001). Patients who had feeding interventions had a significantly (P = .047) increased gain rate over time for weight for length, compared with those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS:
In this population, there were weight and length decreases during the first year of life, which were not clinically significant and were followed by statistically significant recovery. Recovery seemed to be related to successful education and feeding interventions. Head circumference and weight for length started at lower percentiles but showed consistent gain over time.
A “Novel” Intervention: A Pilot Study of Children's Literature and Healthy Lifestyles
Authors: Bravender Terrill , Russell Alexandra , Chung Richard J. , Armstrong Sarah C. 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE:
To determine if reading an age-appropriate novel has the potential to improve BMI percentile and exercise- and nutrition-related knowledge and behaviors in girls aged 9 to 13 years who were enrolled in a childhood obesity-treatment program.

METHODS:
This preliminary, randomized, controlled trial followed 81 obese girls aged 9 to 13 years who were enrolled in the Duke University Healthy Lifestyles Program, a comprehensive clinical and behavioral lifestyle-modification program for overweight and obese children. Thirty-one girls were randomly assigned to read the intervention novel, which describes an overweight girl who discovers improved health and self-efficacy, and 33 participants were given a control novel to read. Participants were evaluated at the study intake and again at their scheduled follow-up appointments 1 to 2 months later. Intake and follow-up BMI percentiles were evaluated for 17 girls in the program who did not receive either book.

RESULTS:
Follow-up data were available for 11 of 31 girls in the intervention-book group, 14 of 33 girls in the control-book group, and 14 of 17 girls who did not receive a book. There was a significantly greater reduction in BMI percentile among those in the intervention-book group (−0.71) versus those in the control-book group (−0.33; P = .03). Girls who read either book had a significantly greater reduction in BMI percentile (−0.49) than girls who were followed in the program but who were not assigned a book (0.05; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS:
Age-appropriate fiction, particularly if it addresses health-oriented behaviors, shows potential for augmenting weight loss in girls who participate in a weight-management program. Future research is needed to determine if the novel is effective for healthy lifestyle promotion among all overweight and obese adolescents.
Public Interest and Private Concern: The Role of Family Carers for People Suffering Mental Illness in the Twenty First Century
Authors: Parker Robert , Leggatt Margaret , Crowe Jim 
Published: February 2010

Objectives: This paper looks to examine the emerging role of carers as essential components in the management of individuals affected by severe mental illness in the context of modern legal and health policy environments. Conclusions: Cultural and legal concepts of confidentiality within the doctor–patient relationship are complex. Increasingly, evidence is recognizing the essential role of carers in the quality management of individuals affected by severe mental illness and this emphasis is being further supported by innovative health policy and legislation. A public health definition for the role of carers may be a more appropriate way to consider their role in mental health management strategies.
How to distinguish normal from disordered children with poor language or motor skills
Authors: Dyck Murray , Piek Jan 
Published: February 2010

Background & Aims: We tested the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) hypothesis that so‐called specific developmental disorders are marked by a pattern of specific discrepant achievement, and an alternative hypothesis that children with these disorders show a pattern of relatively pervasive low achievement.Methods & Procedures: Children with a diagnosis of Mixed Receptive Expressive Language Disorder (RELD; n = 21) were compared with children with no previously suspected disorder but low standard language scores (< 80; n = 22) selected from a representative sample, and children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD; n = 20) were compared with children with no previously suspected disorder but low standard motor skills scores (n = 28) selected from a representative sample.Outcomes & Results: Children with diagnosed disorders were more pervasive underachievers. The RELD group obtained lower scores on measures of verbal comprehension, emotion understanding, theory of mind, working memory and response inhibition; the DCD group obtained lower scores on measures of perceptual organization, verbal comprehension, receptive and expressive language, and visual inspection time.Conclusions & Implications: We conclude that relatively pervasive underachievement distinguishes disordered from normal low achievers.