bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological features of elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a prospective controlled, comparative cohort study
Authors: Tagaya M. , Nakata S. , Yasuma F. , Noda A. , Hamajima N. , Katayama N. , Otake H. , Teranishi M. , Nakashima T. 
Published: March 2011

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 139–146Objectives:  To investigate the pharyngeal morphologic features and its pathogenic role on obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in the elderly population.Design:  Prospective controlled, comparative cohort study.Setting:  Territory referral centre.Participants:  We enroled 320 consecutive patients with complaints of snoring who visited Nagoya University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2007. We also collected 26 control subjects aged over 60 years from community‐dwelling people.Main outcome measures:  We underwent a morphological evaluation, measurement of nasal resistance, assessment of daytime sleepiness and nocturnal polysomnography.Results and conclusions:  Two hundred and ninety‐two patients were analysed. The constitution ratio of men, the body mass index and Epworth sleepiness scale were decreased with ageing. Tonsil size was reduced progressively with ageing. Retroglossal space was wider, and soft palate was lower in ≥60 year group than in <40 year group. Retroglossal space was wide in elderly patients with sleep apnoea compared with control subjects. Tonsil size was not correlated to apnoea/hypopnoea index in ≥60 year group unlike the other generations. Modified Mallampati Score and tongue size were significantly but mildly correlated only in ≥60 year group. Width of fauces was correlated in all the groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index, age, gender, tonsil size and width of fauces were independent factors for apnoea/hypopnoea index.Conclusions:  Morphologically, the tonsil could play a minor role but the width of fauces could play relatively a major role. Additionally, wide retroglossal space, low positional soft palate and large tongue size may be characteristics for elderly patients of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
Inequality as an Explanation for Obesity in the United States
Authors: Lee Hedwig 
Published: March 2011

AbstractOver the past several decades, there has been a sharp increase in obesity across all population groups in the United States. In fact, the United States has one of the highest rates of obesity compared to other countries throughout the world. Obesity has become a national public health concern because it is related to a number of negative health, social, psychological, and economic outcomes. It is particularly concerning because racial/ethnic minorities and populations with the least education and highest poverty rates bear the largest burden of obesity. In addition, disparities in obesity tend to be gendered, with women experiencing the largest disparities in obesity by income, education, and race/ethnicity. In this review, I describe how social inequality is linked to obesity in the United States. I highlight elements of disadvantage at the individual‐, family‐, school‐, and neighborhood‐level that are linked to energy intake and expenditure, which are directly related to obesity, and draw from evidence and theories from multiple fields of the social and medical sciences. I also highlight the important role stress may play in linking disadvantage to obesity, particularly for women. I argue that understanding the complex mechanisms and processes that link social inequality to obesity requires multidisciplinary and multilevel frameworks.
Politics and Celebrity: A Sociological Understanding
Authors: McKernan Brian 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMany social commentators have denounced the election of entertainment celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Venture, and Al Franken to political offices as indicative of American democracy’s collapse, treating the political victories by these celebrities as evidence of America’s preference for entertainment over political deliberation. This essay reviews the scholarly literature on celebrity and politics to provide a better understanding of this important topic. As the literature demonstrates, this conflation of celebrity and politics is not a recent phenomenon, as politicians have long employed dramaturgical elements to mobilize constituencies. Indeed, celebrities and politicians share many similarities. Both must construct public personalities appealing to their audiences and employ similar actors and strategies to help create these personalities. While some scholars working in this field agree with the concern that celebrity’s presence in politics inhibits serious political discourse, other scholars contend that the use of celebrity performances by politicians may actually attract a wider segment of society to meaningfully participate in politics. The essay concludes by suggesting that future works in this area should adopt a cultural sociology framework to empirically study the meaning of celebrity for different social groups in order to gain a stronger understanding of celebrity’s sociopolitical impact.
A Geometric Approach to Dynamically Feasible, Real-Time Formation Control
Authors: Maithripala D. H. A. , Maithripala D. H. S. , Jayasuriya S. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
We propose a framework for synthesizing real-time trajectories for a wide class of coordinating multi-agent systems. The class of problems considered is characterized by the ability to decompose a given formation objective into an equivalent set of lower dimensional problems. These include the so called radar deception problem and the formation control problems that fall under formation keeping and/or formation reconfiguration tasks. The decomposition makes the approach scalable, computationally economical, and decentralized. Most importantly, the designed trajectories are dynamically feasible, meaning that they maintain the formation while satisfying the nonholonomic and saturation type velocity and acceleration constraints of each individual agent. The main contributions of this paper are (i) explicit consideration of second order dynamics for agents, (ii) explicit consideration of nonholonomic and saturation type velocity and acceleration constraints, (iii) unification of a wide class of formation control problems, and (iv) development of a real-time, distributed, scalable, computationally economical motion planning algorithm.
Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial of Coadministration of RotaTeq, a Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine, and NeisVac-C, a Meningococcal Serogroup C Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Vesikari Timo , Karvonen Aino , Borrow Ray , Kitchin Nick , Baudin Martine , Thomas Stéphane , Fiquet Anne 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

RotaTeq (Merck & Co. Inc./Sanofi Pasteur MSD) is a three-dose, oral pentavalent rotavirus vaccine for the immunization of infants from 6 weeks of age for the prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis. The primary objective of the present trial was to demonstrate that RotaTeq can be coadministered with meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine (MenCC; NeisVac-C; Baxter Healthcare) to healthy infants without impairing the protective immune responses to MenCC. This was an open-label, randomized, comparative study conducted in Finland. The study was designed to assess concomitant versus sequential administration of RotaTeq and MenCC on the immune response to both vaccines. Healthy infants (
n
= 247), aged 6 to 7 weeks, were recruited. Coadministration of MenCC with RotaTeq was noninferior to sequential administration for the seroprotection rate against meningococcal serogroup C (the proportion of infants with a serum bactericidal antibody titer using baby rabbit complement of ≥8 was 100% in both groups). The other responses to MenCC (titer of ≥1:128, ≥4-fold increase in titer, and geometric mean titers [GMTs]) and the responses to RotaTeq (IgA and SNA response to G1 to G4 and P1A[8], GMTs, and ≥3-fold increase in titer) were comparable between groups, including a ≥3-fold IgA increase in >96% of the infants in both groups. Concomitant administration of the first doses of MenCC, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine, inactivated poliovirus vaccine, and
Haemophilus influenzae
type b conjugate vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib), and RotaTeq was associated with a higher rate of vomiting and diarrhea than concomitant administration of MenCC and DTaP-IPV-Hib, but that was not observed after the second concomitant administration. The convenience of concomitant administration of RotaTeq and MenCC may, however, outweigh the additive effect of mostly mild adverse events reported after the individual administration of each vaccine. These results support the coadministration of RotaTeq and MenCC.
Accurate and Practical Identification of 20 Fusarium Species by Seven-Locus Sequence Analysis and Reverse Line Blot Hybridization, and an In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Study
Authors: Wang He , Xiao Meng , Kong Fanrong , Chen Sharon , Dou Hong-Tao , Sorrell Tania , Li Ruo-Yu , Xu Ying-Chun 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Eleven reference and 25 clinical isolates of
Fusarium
were subject to multilocus DNA sequence analysis to determine the species and haplotypes of the fusarial isolates from Beijing and Shandong, China. Seven loci were analyzed: the translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene (
EF-1
α); the nuclear rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit (LSU), and intergenic spacer (IGS) regions; the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase gene (
RPB2
); the calmodulin gene (
CAM
); and the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) rRNA gene. We also evaluated an IGS-targeted PCR/reverse line blot (RLB) assay for species/haplotype identification of
Fusarium
. Twenty
Fusarium
species and seven species complexes were identified. Of 25 clinical isolates (10 species), the
Gibberella
(
Fusarium
)
fujikuroi
species complex was the commonest (40%) and was followed by the
Fusarium solani
species complex (FSSC) (36%) and the
F. incarnatum-F. equiseti
species complex (12%). Six FSSC isolates were identified to the species level as FSSC-3+4, and three as FSSC-5. Twenty-nine IGS, 27
EF-1
α, 26
RPB2
, 24
CAM
, 18 ITS, 19 LSU, and 18 mtSSU haplotypes were identified; 29 were unique, and haplotypes for 24 clinical strains were novel. By parsimony informative character analysis, the IGS locus was the most phylogenetically informative, and the rRNA gene regions were the least. Results by RLB were concordant with multilocus sequence analysis for all isolates. Amphotericin B was the most active drug against all species. Voriconazole MICs were high (>8 μg/ml) for 15 (42%) isolates, including FSSC. Analysis of larger numbers of isolates is required to determine the clinical utility of the seven-locus sequence analysis and RLB assay in species classification of fusaria.
Comparison of Strain Typing Results for Clostridium difficile Isolates from North America
Authors: Tenover Fred C. , Åkerlund Thomas , Gerding Dale N. , Goering Richard V. , Boström Therése , Jonsson Anna-Maria , Wong Edith , Wortman Alan T. , Persing David H. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Accurate strain typing is critical for understanding the changing epidemiology of
Clostridium difficile
infections. We typed 350 isolates of toxigenic
C. difficile
from 2008 to 2009 from seven laboratories in the United States and Canada. Typing was performed by PCR-ribotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) of whole-cell DNA. The Cepheid Xpert
C. difficile
test for presumptive identification of 027/NAP1/BI isolates was also tested directly on original stool samples. Of 350 isolates, 244 (70%) were known PCR ribotypes, 224 (68%) were 1 of 8 common REA groups, and 187 (54%) were known PFGE types. Eighty-four isolates typed as 027, NAP1, and BI, and 83 of these were identified as presumptive 027/NAP1/BI by Xpert
C. difficile
. Eight additional isolates were called presumptive 027/NAP1/BI by Xpert
C. difficile
, of which three were ribotype 027. Five PCR ribotypes contained multiple REA groups, and three North American pulsed-field (NAP) profiles contained both multiple REA groups and PCR ribotypes. There was modest concordance of results among the three methods for
C. difficile
strains, including the J strain (ribotype 001 and PFGE NAP2), the toxin A-negative 017 strain (PFGE NAP9 and REA type CF), the 078 animal strain (PFGE NAP7 and REA type BK), and type 106 (PFGE NAP11 and REA type DH). PCR-ribotyping, REA, and PFGE provide different but overlapping patterns of strain clustering. Unlike the other methods, the Xpert
C. difficile
027/NAP1/BI assay gave results directly from stool specimens, required only 45 min to complete, but was limited to detection of a single strain type.
Recent Amplification of the Kangaroo Endogenous Retrovirus, KERV, Limited to the Centromere
Authors: Ferreri Gianni C. , Brown Judith D. , Obergfell Craig , Jue Nathaniel , Finn Caitlin E. , O'Neill Michael J. , O'Neill Rachel J. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTMammalian retrotransposons, transposable elements that are processed through an RNA intermediate, are categorized as short interspersed elements (SINEs), long interspersed elements (LINEs), and long terminal repeat (LTR) retroelements, which include endogenous retroviruses. The ability of transposable elements to autonomously amplify led to their initial characterization as selfish or junk DNA; however, it is now known that they may acquire specific cellular functions in a genome and are implicated in host defense mechanisms as well as in genome evolution. Interactions between classes of transposable elements may exert a markedly different and potentially more significant effect on a genome than interactions between members of a single class of transposable elements. We examined the genomic structure and evolution of the kangaroo endogenous retrovirus (KERV) in the marsupial genusMacropus. The complete proviral structure of the kangaroo endogenous retrovirus, phylogenetic relationship among relative retroviruses, and expression of this virus in bothMacropus rufogriseusandM. eugeniiare presented for the first time. In addition, we show the relative copy number and distribution of the kangaroo endogenous retrovirus in theMacropusgenus. Our data indicate that amplification of the kangaroo endogenous retrovirus occurred in a lineage-specific fashion, is restricted to the centromeres, and is not correlated with LINE depletion. Finally, analysis of KERV long terminal repeat sequences using massively parallel sequencing indicates that the recent amplification inM. rufogriseusis likely due to duplications and concerted evolution rather than a high number of independent insertion events.
Open Reading Frames Carried on UL/b′ Are Implicated in Shedding and Horizontal Transmission of Rhesus Cytomegalovirus in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Oxford Kristie L. , Strelow Lisa , Yue Yujuan , Chang W. L. William , Schmidt Kimberli A. , Diamond Don J. , Barry Peter A. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Implicit with the use of animal models to test human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vaccines is the assumption that the viral challenge of vaccinated animals reflects the anticipated virus-host interactions following exposure of vaccinated humans to HCMV. Variables of animal vaccine studies include the route of exposure to and the titer of challenge virus, as well as the genomic coding content of the challenge virus. This study was initiated to provide a better context for conducting vaccine trials with nonhuman primates by determining whether the
in vivo
phenotype of culture-passaged strains of rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) is comparable to that of wild-type RhCMV (RhCMV-WT), particularly in relation to the shedding of virus into bodily fluids and the potential for horizontal transmission. Results of this study demonstrate that two strains containing a full-length UL/b′ region of the RhCMV genome, which encodes proteins involved in epithelial tropism and immune evasion, were persistently shed in large amounts in bodily fluids and horizontally transmitted, whereas a strain lacking a complete UL/b′ region was not shed or transmitted to cagemates. Shedding patterns exhibited by strains encoding a complete UL/b′ region were consistent with patterns observed in naturally infected monkeys, the majority of whom persistently shed high levels of virus in saliva for extended periods of time after seroconversion. Frequent viral shedding contributed to a high rate of infection, with RhCMV-infected monkeys transmitting virus to one naïve animal every 7 weeks after introduction of RhCMV-WT into an uninfected cohort. These results demonstrate that the RhCMV model can be designed to rigorously reflect the challenges facing HCMV vaccine trials, particularly those related to horizontal transmission.
Delivery technique plays an important role in determining vessel wall apposition of the Enterprise self-expanding intracranial stent
Authors: Heller Robert S , Malek Adel M 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundThe Enterprise (EN) vascular reconstruction device is a self-expanding nitinol stent used as adjunctive support in wide-necked aneurysm coiling. We sought to evaluate the effect of deployment technique on how well the EN stent conforms to the vessel wall around a curve.MethodsA flow model consisting of a 3.5 mm diameter silicone tube forming a 7 mm radius curve was visualized using high-resolution flat-panel CT (FPCT; DynaCT). EN stents (4.5 mm×22 mm) were deployed using three methods: (1) microcatheter pull-back, (2) delivery microwire push and (3) a combination of both methods so as to keep the microcatheter tip centered within the lumen during deployment. FPCT images were visualized using multiplanar reconstruction for evidence of incomplete stent apposition (ISA).ResultsFPCT revealed a critical role for deployment method in stent–wall apposition as noted by the development of a crescent-shaped gap between the stent and the wall. Specifically, the manufacturer-recommended microcatheter pull-back unsheathing technique (method 1) resulted in outer curve ISA, while the microwire push technique (method 2) led to inner curve ISA. Using method 3 in a dynamic push–pull manner minimized both inner and outer curve ISA.ConclusionThe deployment method used to deliver the EN vascular reconstruction device plays a critical role in determining how well its struts appose the vessel wall in vitro. This characteristic must be taken into account when deploying this flexible low-profile stent to avoid ISA in even mildly tortuous anatomy given the possible link between stent malapposition and thromboembolic complications.
Endotoxin exposure,CD14and wheeze among farmers: a gene–environment interaction
Authors: Smit Lidwien A M , Heederik Dick , Doekes Gert , Koppelman Gerard H , Bottema Renske W B , Postma Dirkje S , Wouters Inge M 
Published: March 2011

ObjectivesEndotoxin-exposed workers are at an increased risk of non-atopic asthma and lung-function decline. Genetic variants may influence susceptibility to these effects. The objective of the present study was to assess whether the association between occupational endotoxin exposure and wheeze is modified by innate immunity gene variants.MethodsTwenty-four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) inCD14, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4),TLR2,MD2andMyD88were genotyped in 408 agricultural workers with spirometry and questionnaire data on asthma symptoms available. Personal airborne endotoxin exposure levels were estimated in 249 exposure measurements.ResultsThe association between endotoxin exposure and wheeze was modified by threeCD14SNPs: -260 C/T (rs2569190), -1247 T/C (rs2569191) and -1721 A/G (rs2915863), and oneMD2SNP (rs10808798 T/C). In individuals carrying theCD14andMD2major allele variants, the prevalence of wheeze increased with increasing endotoxin concentration, whereas this was the opposite in minor allele homozygotes. Interaction between endotoxin exposure and genotype was statistically significant under the best-fitting recessive model (p=0.05 to 0.006). Correction for multiple comparisons resulted in marginally significant p values for interaction (p<0.06) forCD14-260 C/T and -1247 T/C, and forMD2rs10808798 T/C. TheCD14SNPs appeared to modify associations between endotoxin exposure and forced expiratory volume in 1 s in a similar direction (p interaction=0.07 to 0.15).ConclusionsThe association between occupational endotoxin exposure and wheeze in agricultural workers was significantly modified by genetic variants inCD14andMD2. Our study suggests that carriers of the functionalCD14/-260 C allele are more responsive to endotoxin exposure than T allele homozygotes.
A scientific and psychosocial environmental investigation tool: the Meeting, Understanding, Surveillance, Toxicology, Evaluation and Reporting (MUSTER) model
Authors: Hyland Jackie , Donnelly Peter 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Background
Although there is a wealth of information on hazards in the environment and robust systems for measuring environmental pollutants, there is limited guidance for practitioners in any field of health which addresses the psychosocial element of environmental investigations. Investigating environmental concerns is, however, necessary. It is possible that health may be affected by a previously unknown contaminate or may potentially be affected if action is not taken.

Methods
To address this, a model for the integration of scientific and psychosocial considerations into a systematic, complainant centred approach for practitioners undertaking environmental investigations has been developed for use by public health professionals, environmental health officers, occupational health professionals, and general practitioners, among others. The process involves Meeting and interviewing individual complainants, Understanding individual and local concerns, reviewing Surveillance and Toxicological data, Evaluating findings, and Reporting on findings—the MUSTER model.

Results
The MUSTER model proposes a method of investigation at an individual level which addresses physical, and psychosocial concerns. It is presented with real life case studies which demonstrate the importance of addressing each aspect. The model incorporates what is already known about health and environmental investigations but presents this in an easy-to-remember mnemonic. While the model has been derived from public health investigations its application is equally suited for any practitioner undertaking a health related environmental investigation.

Conclusions
The MUSTER model should be disseminated widely so that there is a robust, evidence based and consistent approach to environmental investigations which satisfies complainants, enhances practitioner knowledge base, and improves communication.
Hypoglycaemia following a mixed meal in eating disorder patients
Authors: Hart Susan , Abraham Suzanne , Franklin Richard C , Twigg Stephen M , Russell Janice 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo describe the incidence of hypoglycaemia, and variables associated with hypoglycaemia, in eating disorder patients following a mixed meal stimulus.MethodsPostprandial blood glucose values of patients admitted to a specialist eating disorder hospital for treatment of an eating disorder between 2000 and 2006 were reviewed and compared to body mass index (BMI), electrolytes, and weight losing behaviours. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and stepwise logistic regression were undertaken.Results22% of patients had postprandial glucose values ≤3.5 mmol/l (63 mg/dl). Only low BMI significantly predicted postprandial hypoglycaemia.ConclusionClinicians should be aware that postprandial hypoglycaemia is a common finding in eating disorders patients receiving inpatient treatment. As hypoglycaemia is predicted by low BMI, weight restoration is a priority for treatment in patients experiencing hypoglycaemia. Future research should investigate the nutrient composition of refeeding regimens and whether altering the macronutrient composition attenuates the presence of hypoglycaemia. Investigation is warranted in a community sample of eating disorder patients to see if this finding is replicated in non-hospitalised patients.