bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the Effect of Prenatal PAH Exposure on PAH-DNA Adducts in Cord Blood by Plasma Antioxidants
Authors: Kelvin Elizabeth A. , Edwards Susan , Jedrychowski Wieslaw , Schleicher Rosemary L. , Camann David , Tang Deliang , Perera Frederica P. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe fetus is more susceptible than the adult to the effects of certain carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Nutritional factors, including antioxidants, have been shown to have a protective effect on carcinogen-DNA adducts and cancer risk in adults. We investigated whether the effect of prenatal airborne PAH exposure, measured by personal air monitoring during pregnancy, on the level of PAH-DNA adducts in a baby's cord blood is modified by the concentration of micronutrients in maternal and cord blood. The micronutrients examined were: retinol (vitamin A), α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol (vitamin E), and carotenoids. With the use of multiple linear regression, we found a significant interaction between prenatal PAH exposure and cord blood concentration of α-tocopherol and carotenoids in predicting the concentration of PAH adducts in cord blood. The association between PAH exposure and PAH adducts was much stronger among those with low α-tocopherol (β = 0.15; P = 0.001) and among those with low carotenoids (β = 0.16; P &lt; 0.001) compared with babies with high levels of these micronutrients (among those with high α-tocopherol: β = 0.05; P = 0.165; among those with high carotenoids: β = 0.06; P = 0.111). These results suggest a protective effect of micronutrients on the DNA damage and potential cancer risk associated with prenatal PAH exposure.(Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2262–8)
Ethnicity and Health Care in Cervical Cancer Survival: Comparisons between a Filipino Resident Population, Filipino-Americans, and Caucasians
Authors: Redaniel Maria Theresa , Laudico Adriano , Mirasol-Lumague Maria Rica , Gondos Adam , Uy Gemma Leonora , Toral Jean Ann , Benavides Doris , Brenner Hermann 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFew studies have assessed and compared cervical cancer survival between developed and developing countries, or between ethnic groups within a country. Fewer still have addressed how much of the international or interracial survival differences can be attributed to ethnicity or health care. To determine the role of ethnicity and health care, 5-year survival of patients with cervical cancer was compared between patients in the Philippines and Filipino-Americans, who have the same ethnicity, and between Filipino-Americans and Caucasians, who have the same health care system. Cervical cancer databases from the Manila and Rizal Cancer Registries and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 13 were used. Age-adjusted 5-year survival estimates were computed and compared between the three patient groups. Using Cox proportional hazards modeling, potential determinants of survival differences were examined. Overall 5-year relative survival was similar in Filipino-Americans (68.8%) and Caucasians (66.6%), but was lower for Philippine residents (42.9%). Although late stage at diagnosis explained a large proportion of the survival differences between Philippine residents and Filipino-Americans, excess mortality prevailed after adjustment for stage, age, and morphology in multivariate analysis [relative risk (RR), 2.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.68-2.55]. Excess mortality decreased, but persisted, when treatments were included in the multivariate models (RR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.41-2.23). A moderate, marginally significant excess mortality was found among Caucasians compared with Filipino-Americans (adjusted RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.47). The differences in cervical cancer survival between patients in the Philippines and in the United States highlight the importance of enhanced health care and access to diagnostic and treatment facilities in the Philippines. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2228–34)
Passive Smoking and Pancreatic Cancer in Women: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bao Ying , Giovannucci Edward , Fuchs Charles S. , Michaud Dominique S. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Background: Active smoking is an established risk factor for pancreatic cancer, but the role of passive smoking in pancreatic carcinogenesis remains unclear. We aimed to examine whether environmental tobacco smoke is associated with pancreatic cancer risk.
Methods: We prospectively examined 86,673 women in the Nurses' Health Study. History of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was assessed through questionnaires in 1982. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.
Results: During 24 years of follow-up (1982-2006), 384 women were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Maternal smoking significantly increased the risk of pancreatic cancer (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.07-1.89), whereas paternal smoking was not related to the risk (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.77-1.21). The risk associated with maternal smoking remained elevated, albeit not significant, among never smokers (RR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.97-2.39). No association was found for adult passive exposure at work or at home.
Conclusions: The positive association with maternal smoking suggests that environmental tobacco smoke, potentially in utero or in early life, may be associated with pancreatic cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2292–6)
Mean Telomere Length and Risk of Incident Colorectal Carcinoma: A Prospective, Nested Case-Control Approach
Authors: Zee Robert Y.L. , Castonguay Amy J. , Barton Nathaniel S. , Buring Julie E. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Recent studies have shown telomere length shortening in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, to date, no prospective, epidemiologic data are available on examining mean leukocyte telomere length as a risk predictor. Using leukocyte DNA samples collected at baseline in a prospective cohort of 14,916 initially healthy American men, we examined the relationship of mean telomere repeat copy number to single gene copy number (T/S ratio), using a modified quantitative PCR protocol, among 191 incident CRC cases (all white males), matched to 306 controls by age, smoking status, and length of follow-up. An inverse correlation between T/S ratio and age was observed in our sample population (P = 0.038). However, the T/S ratios were similar between cases and controls (P = 0.650). Furthermore, in a multivariable adjusted analysis, we found no evidence for an association of the observed T/S ratios with CRC risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.249; 95% confidence interval, 0.863-1.808; P = 0.238). In summary, the present investigation found no evidence for an association of leukocyte mean telomere length with risk of incident CRC and further suggests that leukocyte mean telomere length may not be a useful indicator for risk assessment.(Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2280–2)
Missense Polymorphisms inBRCA1andBRCA2and Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Dombernowsky Sarah Louise , Weischer Maren , Freiberg Jacob Johannes , Bojesen Stig Egil , Tybjærg-Hansen Anne , Nordestgaard Børge Grønne 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPurpose: BRCA1 and BRCA2 are key tumor suppressors with a role in cellular DNA repair, genomic stability, and checkpoint control. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 often cause hereditary breast and ovarian cancer; however, missense polymorphisms in these genes pose a problem in genetic counseling, as their impact on risk of breast and ovarian cancer is unclear.Experimental Design: We resequenced BRCA1 and BRCA2 in 194 women with a familial history of breast and/or ovarian cancer and identified nine possibly biologically relevant polymorphisms (BRCA1 Gln356Arg, Pro871Leu, Glu1038Gly, Ser1613Gly, and Met1652Ile. BRCA2 Asn289His, Asn372His, Asp1420Tyr, and Tyr1915Met). We evaluated risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer by these polymorphisms in a prospective study of 5,743 women from the general population followed for 39 years and in a case-control study of 1,201 breast cancer cases and 4,120 controls.Results: We found no association between heterozygosity or homozygosity for any of the nine polymorphisms and risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer in either study. We had 80% power to exclude hazard/odds ratios for heterozygotes and/or homozygotes for all nine missense polymorphisms above 1.3 to 3.3 in the prospective study, and above 1.2 to 3.2 in the case-control study.Conclusions: Heterozygosity and homozygosity of any of the examined nine BRCA1 and BRCA2 missense polymorphisms cannot explain the increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer observed in families with hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer. Therefore, genetic counseling of such families safely can disregard findings of these missense polymorphisms. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2339–42)
Maternal Pelvic Size Not Predictive of Daughter's Breast Cancer or Ovarian Cancer in a Large Swedish Cohort
Authors: Goodman Anna , Mishra Gita D. , dos Santos Silva Isabel , Koupil Ilona 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Recent studies from Finland reported that maternal pelvic size predicted daughters' breast and ovarian cancer, possibly because maternal pelvic size is a marker for in utero hormone exposure. We sought to replicate this association in 3,845 women born between 1915 and 1929 in Uppsala, Sweden, and followed from 1960 to 2002. Archived obstetric records provided the standard measures of maternal pelvic size (intercristal distance, interspinous distance, the intercristal-interspinous difference, and the external conjugate distance). The Swedish Cancer Registry ascertained cancer incidence, with 273 cohort members developing primary breast cancer, and 52 developing primary ovarian cancer during the follow-up period. There was no evidence (P &gt; 0.1) of an association between any measure of maternal pelvic size and incidence of either breast or ovarian cancer. This was true both before and after adjustment for various characteristics of the women and their mothers, and in analyses stratified by age at diagnosis (&lt;50 versus ≥50 years of age, as a proxy for premenopausal and postmenopausal ages). There was also no evidence of an association in subgroup analyses restricted specifically to those groups in which the Finnish data found the greatest effect. Our study is of comparable size to the Finnish studies and was highly powered (&gt;99%) to detect effects of the magnitude they reported. Our nonreplication therefore casts doubt on the link between maternal pelvic size and risk of breast and ovarian cancer in the offspring. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2333–5)
How to measure balance in clinical practice. A systematic review of the psychometrics and clinical utility of measures of balance activity for neurological conditions
Authors: Tyson SF , Connell LA 
Published: August 2009

Objective: To identify psychometrically robust and clinically feasible measurement tools of balance activity in people with neurological conditions to recommend for use in clinical practice. Data sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro and AMED. Review methods: Independent reviewers selected and extracted data from articles that assessed the reliability, validity, sensitivity to change and clinical utility of measures of balance activity in adult neurological conditions. Quality assessment was based on Jorstad et al. Measures with ‘good' psychometrics and ≥9/10 clinical utility scores were recommended. Results: Nineteen measurement tools were selected. Of these, the Brunel Balance Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, arm raise and forward reach tests in sitting and standing, weight shift, step/tap and step-up tests reached the required standards and are usable in clinical practice. The Brunel Balance Assessment and its associated functional performance tests have the additional advantages of being a hierarchical scale with established lack of redundancy. Conclusion: The measurement tools identified above are psychometrically robust and feasible to use in clinical practice. Future objective measure development should consider the theoretical construct of the measure, the minimal detectable change and use in clinical populations other than stroke.
The effect of two exercise regimes; motor control versus endurance/strength training for patients with whiplash-associated disorders: a randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Ask Tove , Strand Liv I , Sture Skouen Jan 
Published: August 2009

Objective: To compare the effect of exercise regimes with focus on either motor control training or endurance/strength training for patients with whiplash-associated disorders in subacute phase. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: An outpatient spine clinic in Norway. Participants: Twenty-five subjects with a whiplash-associated disorder still having symptoms or disability six weeks after injury. Interventions: The participants received 6—10 sessions of physiotherapy for six weeks with focus on either motor control or endurance and strength of neck muscles. Measurements: The primary outcome measure was the Neck Disability Index. Secondary outcome measures were pain intensity, neck functioning and sick leave. Results: No statistical significant differences concerning primary and secondary outcome measures were demonstrated between the groups. Approximately half of the participants in both groups obtained a clinically important change (improvement) on perceived disability assessed by Neck Disability Index at six weeks and one-year follow-up. The changes within both groups were statistically significant at six weeks, but not at one-year follow-up. For most pain-related variables clinical significant improvement was demonstrated in both groups at six weeks, but for fewer participants at one year. There was also statistical significant improvement within groups in some of the physical performance tests at one-year follow-up. Conclusion: The changes associated with motor control training and endurance/ strength training of neck muscles were similar for reduced disability, pain and for improving physical performance. With a low number of participants and no control group, however, we cannot be sure whether the improvements are due to interventions or other reasons.
Measurement structure of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in a sample of Chinese patients with chronic pain
Authors: Vong Sinfia KS , Cheing Gladys LY , Chan Chetwyn CH , Chan Fong , Leung Arran SL 
Published: August 2009

Objective: To examine the factorial structure of the Chinese translation of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in a sample of Chinese patients with chronic pain. Setting: Outpatient physiotherapy department in a local hospital and a local rehabilitation clinic. Participants: One hundred and twenty patients with chronic pain in physiotherapy treatment. Methods: Each participant was asked to complete the Chinese version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The test structure of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis. Highly correlated paths were added onto the initial structure for improving the final construct for the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. The correlations between the Chinese Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and related measurements were computed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the one-factor model provided the best fit between the model and data, with the chi-square of the respecified model computed to be 36.79 (33, N = 120), the goodness-of-fit index 0.940, cumulative fit index 0.996, and the root mean square error of approximation 0.031. The item-total correlations ranged from 0.70 to 0.85. Cronbach’s alpha of the Chinese version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire was computed to be 0.94. The total scores also correlated significantly with the modified Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and six subscales of SF-36. Conclusion: A single-factor model confirmed the unidimensionality of the Chinese version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in a sample of Chinese patients with chronic pain. It demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and construct-related validity.
Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus
Authors: Choi Woo Jin , Park Kwan Kyu , Kim Bom Soo , Lee Jin Woo 
Published: August 2009

Background Identifying factors associated with favorable or unfavorable outcomes would provide patients with accurate expectations of the arthroscopic marrow stimulation techniques. Purpose To investigate the prognostic significance and optimal measures of defect size in osteochondral lesion of the talus as treated with arthroscopy. Hypothesis A critical, or threshold, defect size may exist at which clinical outcomes become poor in the treatment of osteochondral lesion of the talus. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods In sum, 120 ankles underwent arthroscopic marrow stimulation treatment for osteochondral lesion of the talus and were evaluated for prognostic factors. Clinical failure was defined as patients’ having osteochondral transplantation or an American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score less than 80. Linear regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to identify optimal cutoff values of defect size. Results Eight ankles (6.7%) required osteochondral transplantation, and 22 ankles (18.4%) were considered failures because of AOFAS scores less than 80, which indicated fair or poor results. Linear regression analysis showed a high prognostic significance of defect area and suggested a cutoff defect size of 150 mm 2 for the optimum identification of poor clinical outcomes ( P < .001). Only 10 of 95 ankles (10.5%) with a defect area <150 mm 2 showed clinical failure, whereas in patients with an area ≥150 mm 2 , the clinical failure rate was significantly higher (80%, 20/25). There was no association between outcome and the patient’s age, duration of symptoms, trauma, associated lesions, and location of lesions ( P > .05). Conclusion Initial defect size is an important and easily obtainable prognostic factor in osteochondral lesions of the talus and so may serve as a basis for preoperative surgical decisions. A cutoff point exists regarding the risk of clinical failure at a defect area of approximately 150 mm 2 as calculated from magnetic resonance imaging.
The COL5A1 Gene Is Associated With Increased Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures in Female Participants
Authors: Posthumus Michael , September Alison V. , O’Cuinneagain Dion , van der Merwe Willem , Schwellnus Martin P. , Collins Malcolm 
Published: August 2009

Background Anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, especially to young female athletes, are a cause of major concern in the sports medicine fraternity. The major structural constituents of ligaments are collagens, specifically types I and V. Recently, the gene that encodes for the α1 chain of type I collagen ( COL1A1) has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cruciate ligament ruptures. The COL5A1 gene, which encodes for the α1 chain of type V collagen, has been shown to be associated with Achilles tendon injuries. Purpose The study was conducted to determine (1) if 2 sequence variants ( BstUI and DpnII restriction fragment length polymorphisms [RFLPs]) within the COL5A1 gene are associated with an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, and (2) if there were any gender-specific positive associations between the 2 COL5A1 sequence variants and risk of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. Study Design Case control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods A total of 129 white participants (38 women) with surgically diagnosed anterior cruciate ligament ruptures and 216 physically active control participants (84 women) without any history of ACL injury were included in this case-control genetic association study. All participants were genotyped for the COL5A1 BstUI and DpnII RFLPs. Results There was a significant difference in the BstUI RFLP genotype frequency between the anterior cruciate ligament rupture and physically active control groups among the female participants, but not the male participants. The CC genotype in the female participants was significantly underrepresented in the anterior cruciate ligament rupture group compared with the controls (27.4% vs 5.6%; odds ratio = 6.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–29.7; P = .006). There were no differences in the DpnII RFLP genotype distributions between the anterior cruciate ligament rupture and physically active control groups. Conclusion The CC genotype of the COL5A1 BstUI RFLP was underrepresented in female participants with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. Clinical Relevance This is the first study to show that there is a specific genetic risk factor associated with risk of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in female athletes.
Carers with chronic conditions: changes over time in their physical health
Authors: Tommis Yvonne , Robinson Catherine A. , Seddon Diane , Woods Bob , Perry Jenny , Russell Ian T. 
Published: August 2009

Objectives: To explore the experiences of individuals with chronic conditions who are also caring for another person, usually a family member. Method: A postal questionnaire was distributed to carers across Wales on three occasions approximately 18 months apart. It included the SF-12v2 together with fixed-choice and open-ended questions relating to carer demographics, carer assessment, support needs, services received and care recipient’s medical condition. A sub-sample of these carers was invited to take part in face-to-face interviews to allow for more in-depth exploration of their circumstances. Results: The carers with chronic conditions experienced a decline in their physical health over time whereas the physical health of carers without a chronic condition remained stable. There was also evidence of carers neglecting their own health because of their caring responsibilities. Despite their health problems, over time the carers with chronic conditions received no more support than other carers. Discussion: This article indicates that there are carers who are themselves suffering from a physical condition or conditions that suggest they are in need of care. Despite these difficulties, these carers are caring for people with quite severe conditions, without any help above that available to other carers.
A longitudinal study of economic pressure among people living with a progressive neurological illness
Authors: McCabe Marita P. , O'Connor Elodie J. 
Published: August 2009

Objectives: Previous research has examined costs associated with progressive neurological illnesses, but has not examined predictors of economic pressure, or quality of life (QOL). The aim of the current study was to examine the predictors of both economic pressure and QOL among people with a range of progressive neurological illness. Method: Participants were 257 people with motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Results: High levels of cut backs in spending predicted economic pressure for all groups. Economic pressure predicted QOL at 12-month follow-up for all groups except Parkinson’s. For Parkinson’s, predictors of QOL were long duration of illness, illness-related expenses and cut backs in spending. Cut backs in spending, and not income or expenses, were the most important predictor of economic pressure. QOL was predicted by high levels of economic pressure for most of the illness groups. Discussion: The implications of these findings are discussed. They suggest that cut backs in spending, as opposed to income and expenses, are important factors to focus on assisting people to adjust to the changes to their financial situation that frequently occurs after developing one of these progressive neurological illnesses.