bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blockade of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Pathway Prolonged Islet Allograft Survival
Authors: Ding Xiaoming , Wang Xiaohong , Xue Wujun , Tian Xiaohui , Li Yang , Jiao Fengmei , Feng Xinshun , Zheng Jin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway is known for its important role in the upregulation of various inflammatory mediators and its “switch regulator” functionality for transcription factor gene networks which control cytokine‐induced β‐cell dysfunction and death. In this study, the islets were divided into the control group, Ad‐green fluorescent protein, and the adenovirus transfected with inhibitor kappa B group. The proliferation index of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the islets apoptosis index were examined after mixed lymphocyte‐islet reaction with inverted fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The islet graft survival time in diabetic rats, insulin in grafts, and cytokine concentrations in the supernatant were determined by immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We found that blocking of NF‐κB activation in β‐cells significantly downregulated inflammatory chemokine production by islets cells in vitro and in vivo, inhibited T‐cell recruitment into the pancreatic islets, inhibited β‐cell dysfunction, and effectively prolonged the survival time of islet grafts. The results presented in this work highlight a novel mechanism of blocking NF‐κB activation in β‐cells for the treatment of islet cell transplantation.
Management of Single‐Ventricle Patients With Berlin Heart EXCOR Ventricular Assist Device: Single‐Center Experience
Authors: Mackling Tracey , Shah Tejas , Dimas Vivian , Guleserian Kristine , Sharma Mahesh , Forbess Joseph , Ardura Monica , Gross‐Toalson Jami , Lee Ying , Journeycake Janna , Barnes Aliessa 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThere are minimal data regarding chronic management of single‐ventricle ventricular assist device (VAD) patients. This study aims to describe our center's multidisciplinary team management of single‐ventricle patients supported long term with the Berlin Heart EXCOR Pediatric VAD. Patient #1 was a 4‐year‐old with double‐outlet right ventricle with aortic atresia, L‐looped ventricles, and heart block who developed heart failure 1 year after Fontan. She initially required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and was transitioned to Berlin Heart systemic VAD. She was supported for 363 days (cardiac intensive care unit [CICU] 335 days, floor 28 days). The postoperative course was complicated by intermittent infection including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, intermittent hepatic and renal insufficiencies, and transient antithrombin, protein C, and protein S deficiencies resulting in multiple thrombi. She had a total of five pump changes over 10 months. Long‐term medical management included anticoagulation with enoxaparin, platelet inhibition with aspirin and dipyridamole, and antibiotic prophylaxis using trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. She developed sepsis of unknown etiology and subsequently died from multiorgan failure. Patient #2 was a 4‐year‐old with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who developed heart failure 2 years after bidirectional Glenn shunt. At systemic VAD implantation, he was intubated with renal insufficiency. Post‐VAD implantation, his renal insufficiency resolved, and he was successfully extubated to daytime nasal cannula and biphasic positive airway pressure at night. He was supported for 270 days (CICU 143 days, floor 127 days). The pump was upsized to a 50‐mL pump in May 2011 for increased central venous pressures (29 mm Hg). Long‐term medical management included anticoagulation with warfarin and single‐agent platelet inhibition using dipyridamole due to aspirin resistance. He developed increased work of breathing requiring intubation, significant anasarca, and bleeding from the endotracheal tube. The family elected to withdraw support. Although both patients died prior to heart transplantation, a consistent specialized multidisciplinary team approach to the medical care of our VAD patients, consisting of cardiothoracic surgeons, heart transplant team, hematologists, pharmacists, infectious disease physicians, psychiatrists, specialty trained bedside nursing, and nurse practitioners, allowed us to manage these patients long term while awaiting heart transplantation.
Should Care Managers for Older Adults Be Located in Primary Care? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Parsons Matthew , Senior Hugh , Kerse Ngaire , Chen Mei‐hua , Jacobs Stephen , Vanderhoorn Stephen , Anderson Craig 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesTo determine the effect of a primary care‐based care management initiative on residential care placement and death in a population of frail older adults referred for needs assessment in New Zealand.DesignRandomized controlled trial with follow‐up at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months for residential care placement and mortality.SettingFifty‐five family physician practices in New Zealand that established a care management initiative for older adults assessed as being at high risk of residential care placement in 2004 to 2006.ParticipantsThree hundred fifty‐one individuals (243 female, 108 male) aged 65 and older (mean 81) who were assessed as being at risk of permanent residential care placement.InterventionsThe care management program (Coordinator of Services for Elderly) consisted of a nominated health professional care manager geographically aligned to family physicians housed with the family physician or located nearby.MeasurementsRates of permanent residential care placement and mortality.ResultsThe risk of permanent residential care placement or death was 0.36 for usual care (control group) and 0.26 for the care management initiative, a 10.2% absolute risk reduction, with the majority of the risk reduction seen in residential care placement (control group 0.25, intervention group 0.16).ConclusionA family physician‐aligned community care management approach reduces frail older adults’ risk of mortality and permanent residential care placement.
Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of Insulin Glargine and Neutral Protamine Hagedorn Insulin in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Results from a Pooled Analysis
Authors: Lee Pearl , Chang Annette , Blaum Caroline , Vlajnic Aleksandra , Gao Ling , Halter Jeffrey 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesTo compare the safety and efficacy of adding insulin glargine or neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin to existing oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) regimens in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.DesignPooled analysis of data from five randomized controlled trials with similar designs.SettingThree hundred forty‐two centers in more than 30 countries worldwide.ParticipantsRandomly selected individuals aged ≤ 80 with a body mass index ≤ 40 kg/m2 and a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 7.5% to 12.0%.MeasurementsFixed‐ and random‐effects models were used to compare outcomes after 24 or 28 weeks of treatment (insulin glargine, n = 1,441; NPH insulin, n = 1,254) according to age (≥65, n = 604 vs < 65, n = 2,091) and age based on treatment (e.g., ≥65 receiving insulin glargine vs NPH insulin). Outcomes included change in HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin dose, and hypoglycemia incidence and event rates.ResultsAt end point, participants aged 65 and older receiving insulin glargine had greater reductions in HbA1c and FBG than those receiving similar doses of NPH insulin. In contrast, for participants younger than 65, there were no statistically significant differences in reductions in HbA1c or FBG between insulin glargine and NPH insulin. Daytime hypoglycemia rates were similar in all groups, although the rates of nocturnal symptomatic and severe hypoglycemia were lower with insulin glargine than NPH insulin.ConclusionAddition of insulin glargine to oral antidiabetic drugs in older adults with poor glycemic control may have modestly better glycemic benefits than adding NPH insulin, with low risk of hypoglycemia.
The Quadriceps Angle: Reliability and Accuracy in a Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Pelvic Limb Model
Authors: Miles James E. , Frederiksen Jane V. , Jensen Bente , Kirpensteijn Jolle , Svalastoga Eiliv L. , Eriksen Thomas 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of measurement technique and limb positioning on quadriceps (Q) angle measurement, intra‐ and interobserver reliability, potential sources of error, and the effect of Q angle variation.Study DesignCadaveric radiographic study and computer modeling.AnimalsPelvic limbs from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).MethodsQ angles were measured on hip dysplasia (HD) and whole limb (WL) view radiographs of each limb between the acetabular rim, mid‐point (Q1: patellar center, Q2: femoral trochlea), and tibial tuberosity. Errors of 0.5–2.0 mm at measurement landmarks alone and in combination were modeled to identify the effect on Q angle. The effect of measured Q angles on the medial force exerted on the patella (FMEDIAL) was calculated.ResultsThe HD position yielded significantly (P < .001) more medial Q angles than the WL position. No significant difference was observed between Q1 and Q2, but Bland–Altman plots indicated they were not equivalent. Intra‐ and interobserver agreement was substantial. Q2 errors were inherently greater than Q1: the mid‐point and tibial tuberosity are the most important sources of Q angle variability. Increasing Q angles significantly increased the exerted FMEDIAL (P < .0001, gradient 1.7%).ConclusionsMeasurements are reliable, but Q2 is more prone to error than Q1, and the 2 measurement techniques are not interchangeable. Positional errors must be kept below 1.3 mm (Q1) or 0.8 mm (Q2).
Biodegradable Sleeves for Metal Implants to Prevent Implant‐Associated Infection: An Experimental In Vivo Study in Sheep
Authors: von Plocki Stephanie C. , Armbruster David , Klein Karina , Kämpf Käthi , Zlinszky Katalin , Hilbe Monika , Kronen Peter , Gruskin Elliott , von Rechenberg Brigitte 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveTo evaluate biocompatibility of biodegradable sleeves containing antimicrobial agents, designed for local drug delivery to prevent implant‐related infection.Study DesignSynthetic polyester sleeves (a copolymer of glycolide, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, lactide) were cast as thin films. The antimicrobial agents incorporated in the sleeves included gentamicin sulfate, triclosan, or a combination of these drugs.AnimalsAdult sheep (n = 15).MethodsTwo limited contact dynamic compression plates (LC‐DCP) with or without sleeves were implanted on tibiae (bilateral) of 15 sheep. Sleeves were placed over the plates before implantation. Beneath half of the plates, 5‐mm drill hole defects were made in the near cortex. Samples were harvested 4 weeks later for histology and microradiography.ResultsMacroscopically, no irritation of bone or adjacent tissue was seen. Small remnants of sleeves were visible on histology, and positively correlated with the presence of macrophages and foreign body cells. Thick sections showed no difference between the test samples and controls in terms of fibrous capsule formation, periosteal remodeling, and defect remodeling. Inflammatory cells, macrophages, and foreign body cells were more prominent in sections with sleeves, but were not statistically significantly different from controls. Cell numbers were within normal physiologic limits normally seen as cellular response to foreign bodies consisting of polymers.ConclusionThe normal healing response indicated that the biodegradable sleeves demonstrate tissue biocompatibility.
Strategic Alliance Poker: Demonstrating the Importance of Complementary Resources and Trust in Strategic Alliance Management
Authors: Reutzel Christopher R. , Worthington and Jamie D. Collins William J. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTStrategic Alliance Poker (SAP) provides instructors with an opportunity to integrate the resource based view with their discussion of strategic alliances in undergraduate Strategic Management courses. Specifically, SAP provides Strategic Management instructors with an experiential exercise that can be used to illustrate the value creation potential of complementary resources and the role of trust in fostering resource sharing in strategic alliances. A discussion of the theoretical background, implementation, implications, and results of SAP is provided in this paper.
Valuing Access to U.S. Public Lands: A Pricing Experiment to Inform Federal Policy*
Authors: Aadland David , Anatchkova Bistra , Grandjean Burke D. , Shogren Jason F. , Simon Benjamin , Taylor Patricia A. 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesWe report on a nation‐wide study conducted for federal land‐management agencies. Congress mandated a new annual pass for recreational access to U.S. public lands.MethodsTo assist policymakers in setting a price for the new pass, we administered a national telephone survey with more than 2,000 respondents. Using “contingent valuation” methods, we model willingness to pay for the pass at different prices. Our research design lets us estimate and adjust for hypothetical bias.ResultsWe show that survey respondents (especially those least familiar with the hypothetical good) tend to overstate their true willingness to pay.ConclusionsWe present the results and describe how our conclusions were used by policymakers to set the price of the new pass at $80. We also demonstrate the external validity of our findings by comparing the projected pass sales from our model to subsequent actual sales.
Exile Politics and Republican Party Affiliation: The Case of Cuban Americans in Miami*
Authors: Girard Chris , Grenier Guillermo J. , Gladwin Hugh 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesWe test the hypothesis that exile politics—measured by support for anti‐Castro policies—contribute to the overwhelming preference for the Republican Party among South Florida's Cuban Americans.MethodsLogistic regression is used to analyze six surveys conducted in South Florida between 1995 and December 2008.ResultsAmong Cuban Americans in Miami‐Dade County, measures of exile politics account for a recent downward shift in Republican registration, as well as for much of the variation in Republican registration by race and age. Also, measures of exile politics partly explain differences between Cubans and non‐Cubans with regard to partisan preference.ConclusionAlthough some scholars argue that domestic issues have taken a back seat in guiding party preferences for Miami's Cubans, a decline in support for anti‐Castro policies appears to have created a greater opening for domestic concerns in the 2008 election cycle.
Genetic Diversity and Variance of Stentor coeruleus (Ciliophora: Heterotrichea) Inferred from Inter‐Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Fingerprinting
Authors: Zhang Wen‐Jing , Lin Yuan‐Shao , Cao Wen‐Qing , Yang Jun 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTWe used inter‐simple sequence repeat fingerprinting to analyze the genetic structure of 16 populations of Stentor coeruleus from three lakes and three ponds in China. Using 14 polymorphic primers, a total of 99 discernible DNA fragments were detected, among which 76 (76.77%) were polymorphic, indicating median genetic diversity in these populations. Further, both Nei's gene diversity (h) and Shannon's information index (I) between the different populations revealed a median genetic diversity. At the same time, gene flow was interpreted to be low. The main factors responsible for the median level of diversity and low gene flow within populations are probably due to a low frequency of sexual recombinations. Analysis of molecular variance showed that there was high genetic differentiation among the five water bodies. Both cluster analysis and a nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis suggested that genotypes isolated from the same locations displayed a higher genetic similarity than those from different ones, separating populations into subgroups according to their geographical locations. However, there is a weak positive correlation between the genetic distance and geographical distance.
Menstrual exacerbation of schizophrenia symptoms
Authors: Seeman M. V. 
Published: January 2012

Seeman MV. Menstrual exacerbation of schizophrenia symptoms.Objective:  To better understand premenstrual exacerbations of schizophrenia in women and weigh treatment options.Method:  A PubMed literature search was conducted, using the search terms ‘schizophrenia’, ‘psychosis’, ‘menstrual exacerbation’, ‘hormones’ and assessing relevance to premenstrual exacerbation of schizophrenia symptoms.Results:  Exacerbations are usually distinguishable from periodic or menstrual psychosis, a relatively rare condition. Controversy continues about whether low estrogen periods of the month lead to an increase in schizophrenia symptoms among women of reproductive age or whether some women suffer from both schizophrenia and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). No treatment trials of specific interventions have been conducted so that physicians must decide on a case‐by‐case basis whether to raise antipsychotic doses premenstrually, try estrogens or estrogen/progesterone combinations or selective estrogen receptor modulators, or target PMDD symptoms.Conclusion:  Clinicians need to be aware of premenstrual symptom aggravation in a large minority of women with schizophrenia. Treatment strategies will depend on the nature of the symptoms that are exacerbated. Optimal treatment needs to be adjusted to the individual woman.
Genital seborrheic keratoses are human papillomavirus‐related lesions. A linear array genotyping test study
Authors: TARDÍO JUAN C. , BANCALARI EUGENIA , MORENO AMALIA , MARTÍN‐FRAGUEIRO LUZ M. 
Published: January 2012

Tardío JC, Bancalari E, Moreno A, Martín‐Fragueiro LM. Genital seborrheic keratoses are human papillomavirus‐related lesions. A linear array genotyping test study. APMIS 2012; 120: 477–83.Controversy exists about the meaning of human papillomavirus (HPV) detection in seborrheic keratosis (SK). To clarify the pathogenic contributing role of HPV in the development of genital SK, we have studied 40 genital SKs, 20 extragenital SKs, and 20 non‐SK genital lesions by polymerase chain reaction for HPV, using a Linear Array Genotyping test that detects 37 genital HPV types. Twenty‐eight of the 40 genital SK specimens (70%) were positive for HPV. Twenty‐seven of the 28 positive cases (96%) contained HPV6, one of them associated to HPV18 and HPV35 (4%), and the remaining lesion (4%) harbored HPV55. However, HPV was detected in only 2/20 extragenital SK samples (10%) and in 1/20 non‐SK genital lesions (5%). Our results support a pathogenic relationship between HPV and genital SK by showing: 1) a high rate of virus detection in these lesions, with a strong predilection for HPV6, and 2) scarcity of genital HPV types in most of the remaining non‐SK cutaneous genital lesions and in the extragenital SKs. HPV cannot be found in a minority of genital SKs using highly sensitive techniques, and therefore, other presently unknown factors may also be implied in the pathogenesis of these lesions.
Demand for and utilization of dental services according to household income in the adult population in Norway
Authors: Grytten Jostein , Holst Dorthe , Skau Irene 
Published: January 2012

Abstract –   Objectives:  The aim of this study was to describe the effect of income on demand and utilization of dental services according to household income in the adult population.Methods:  The data were collected using a questionnaire, which was sent to a random sample of Norwegians aged 20 years or older living at home, 1861 persons in total. Demand was measured according to whether the person had been to the dentist during the last year. Utilization was measured as expenditure for dental treatment for those who had been to the dentist during the last year. The independent variables were the respondents’ household income, age, gender, education, dental status and the mean fee for a dental consultation in the municipality. In the first stage, we carried out a logistic regression analysis of the log odds of having demanded dental services during the last year. In the second stage, we carried out a multiple regression analysis of expenditure for dental treatment for those who had been to the dentist during the last year.Results:  Altogether, 80% of the respondents had been to the dentist during the last year. Demand during the last year varied most according to dental status. There was little difference between men and women. The results of the logistic regression showed that the probability of having been to the dentist was 0.82 for those with a household income of €25 000 and 0.85 for those with a household income of €100 000. Mean expenditure for dental treatment was €355. There was no statistically significant relationship between household income and expenditure for dental treatment.Conclusions:  Differences in demand for dental services according to household income are small, and there are no differences in utilization according to income. The findings are interesting, because in a population in which people have to pay almost all the costs for dental treatment themselves, one would expect the income differences in demand and utilization to be greater.
Toll‐Like Receptor Expression and Function in the COV434 Granulosa Cell Line
Authors: Price Jennifer Claire , Cronin James , Sheldon Iain Martin 
Published: January 2012

ProblemBacterial infections perturb ovarian follicle function, despite the lack of immune cells such as macrophages within healthy ovarian follicles. This study examined whether the granulosa cells that line ovarian follicles could, like macrophages, use Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) to detect pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and initiate inflammation.Method of studyThe COV434 human granulosa and THP‐1 macrophage cell lines were used to determine the expression of TLRs and measure the production of cytokines, chemokines and estradiol in response to the PAMPs lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, lipoteichoic acid and flagellin from bacteria.ResultsThe THP‐1 and granulosa cells expressed mRNA for TLR1‐10 and TLR4‐10, respectively. The supernatants of THP‐1 cells accumulated IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 and CCL5 in response to PAMPs. Treatment of granulosa cells with PAMPs increased expression of IL1B mRNA after 3 hr, but did not change the accumulation of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, CCL5 or estradiol. Granulosa cells produced IL‐8 constitutively, and this was reduced using chemical inhibitors for p38 and JNK mitogen‐activated protein kinases.ConclusionThe COV434 human granulosa cell line expresses TLRs and constitutively secretes IL‐8 but only mounts an inflammatory response to PAMPs at the transcriptional level.