bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the face validity of two pain scales in Kenya: a validation study using cognitive interviewing
Authors: Huang Kristin TL , Owino Claudio , Vreeman Rachel C , Hagembe Mildred , Njuguna Festus , Strother R Matthew , Gramelspacher Gregory P 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Patients in sub-Saharan Africa commonly experience pain, which often is un-assessed and undertreated. One hindrance to routine pain assessment in these settings is the lack of a single-item pain rating scale validated for the particular context. The goal of this study was to examine the face validity and cultural acceptability of two single-item pain scales, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), in a population of patients on the medical, surgical, and pediatric wards of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya.

Methods
Swahili versions of the NRS and FPS-R were developed by standard translation and back-translation. Cognitive interviews were performed with 15 patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Interview transcripts were analyzed on a question-by-question basis to identify major themes revealed through the cognitive interviewing process and to uncover any significant problems participants encountered with understanding and using the pain scales.

Results
Cognitive interview analysis demonstrated that participants had good comprehension of both the NRS and the FPS-R and showed rational decision-making processes in choosing their responses. Participants felt that both scales were easy to use. The FPS-R was preferred almost unanimously to the NRS.

Conclusions
The face validity and acceptability of the Swahili versions of the NRS and FPS-R has been demonstrated for use in Kenyan patients. The broader application of these scales should be evaluated and may benefit patients who currently suffer from pain.
Answer to Wang and Luo, "Polyploidization increases meiotic recombination frequency in Arabidopsis: a close look at statistical modelling and data analysis"
Authors: Pecinka Ales , Levy Avraham , Mittelsten Scheid Ortrun 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
This article is a response to Wang and Luo.
See correspondence article http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/10/30/ [WEBCITE] and the original research article http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/9/24 [WEBCITE].
Inhibition of P2X7 receptor ameliorates transient global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via modulating inflammatory responses in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Chu Ketan , Yin Bo , Wang Jingye , Peng Guoping , Liang Hui , Xu Ziqi , Du Yue , Fang Marong , Xia Qiang , Luo Benyan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundNeuroinflammation plays an important role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has been reported to be involved in the inflammatory response of many central nervous system diseases. However, the role of P2X7Rs in transient global cerebral I/R injury remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of inhibiting the P2X7R in a rat model of transient global cerebral I/R injury, and then to explore the association between the P2X7R and neuroinflammation after transient global cerebral I/R injury.MethodsImmediately after infusion with the P2X7R antagonists Brilliant blue G (BBG), adenosine 5′-triphosphate-2′,3′-dialdehyde (OxATP) or A-438079, 20 minutes of transient global cerebral I/R was induced using the four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method in rats. Survival rate was calculated, neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region was observed using H & E staining, and DNA cleavage was observed by deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated UTP nick end labeling TUNEL). In addition, behavioral deficits were measured using the Morris water maze, and RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining were performed to measure the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, and to identify activated microglia and astrocytes.ResultsThe P2X7R antagonists protected against transient global cerebral I/R injury in a dosage-dependent manner. A high dosage of BBG (10 μg) and A-0438079 (3 μg), and a low dosage of OxATP (1 μg) significantly increased survival rates, reduced I/R-induced learning memory deficit, and reduced I/R-induced neuronal death, DNA cleavage, and glial activation and inflammatory cytokine overexpression in the hippocampus.ConclusionsOur study indicates that inhibiting P2X7Rs protects against transient global cerebral I/R injury by reducing the I/R-induced inflammatory response, which suggests inhibition of P2X7Rs may be a promising therapeutic strategy for clinical treatment of transient global cerebral I/R injury.
Infant siblings and the investigation of autism risk factors
Authors: Newschaffer Craig J , Croen Lisa A , Fallin M Daniele , Hertz-Picciotto Irva , Nguyen Danh V , Lee Nora L , Berry Carmen A , Farzadegan Homayoon , Hess H Nicole , Landa Rebecca J , Levy Susan E , Massolo Maria L , Meyerer Stacey C , Mohammed Sandra M , Oliver McKenzie C , Ozonoff Sally , Pandey Juhi , Schroeder Adam , Shedd-Wise Kristine M 
Published: April 2012

AbstractInfant sibling studies have been at the vanguard of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) research over the past decade, providing important new knowledge about the earliest emerging signs of ASD and expanding our understanding of the developmental course of this complex disorder. Studies focused on siblings of children with ASD also have unrealized potential for contributing to ASD etiologic research. Moving targeted time of enrollment back from infancy toward conception creates tremendous opportunities for optimally studying risk factors and risk biomarkers during the pre-, peri- and neonatal periods. By doing so, a traditional sibling study, which already incorporates close developmental follow-up of at-risk infants through the third year of life, is essentially reconfigured as an enriched-risk pregnancy cohort study. This review considers the enriched-risk pregnancy cohort approach of studying infant siblings in the context of current thinking on ASD etiologic mechanisms. It then discusses the key features of this approach and provides a description of the design and implementation strategy of one major ASD enriched-risk pregnancy cohort study: the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI).
Autoantibodies to transcription intermediary factor (TIF)1β associated with dermatomyositis
Authors: Satoh Minoru , Chan Jason YF , Ross Steven J , Li Yi , Yamasaki Yoshioki , Yamada Hidehiro , Vazquez-del Mercado Monica , Petri Marcelo H , Jara Luis J , Saavedra Miguel A , Cruz-Reyes Claudia , Sobel Eric S , Reeves Westley H , Ceribelli Angela , Chan Edward KL 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Myositis specific autoantibodies are associated with unique clinical subsets and are useful biomarkers in polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM). A 120 kD protein recognized by certain patients with DM was identified and clinical features of patients with this specificity were characterized.

Methods
The 120 kD protein recognized by a prototype serum was purified and identified by mass spectrometry and immunological methods. Autoantibody to this 120 kD protein was screened in sera from 2,356 patients with various diagnoses from four countries, including 254 PM/DM, by immunoprecipitation of 35S-methionine labeled K562 cell extracts. Clinical information of patients with this specificity was collected.

Results
The 120 kD protein, which exactly comigrated with PL-12, was identified as transcription intermediary factor TIF1β (TRIM28) by mass spectrometry and validated by immunoassays. By immunofluorescence, anti-TIF1β positivity showed a fine-speckled nuclear staining pattern. Four cases of anti-TIF1β were identified; all are women, one each in a Japanese, African American, Caucasian, and Mexican individual. Three had a diagnosis of DM and one case was classified as having an undifferentiated connective tissue disease with an elevated CPK but without significant muscle symptoms. This individual also had a history of colon cancer, cervical squamous metaplasia and fibroid tumors of the uterus. Myopathy was mild in all cases and resolved without treatment in one case. The anti-TIF1β specificity was not found in other conditions.

Conclusions
Anti-TIF1β is a new DM autoantibody associated with a mild form of myopathy. Whether it has an association with malignancy, as in the case of anti-TIF1γ, or other unique features will need to be evaluated in future studies.
Effects of BRCA2 cis-regulation in normal breast and cancer risk amongst BRCA2 mutation carriers
Authors: Maia Ana-Teresa , Antoniou Antonis C , O'Reilly Martin , Samarajiwa Shamith , Dunning Mark , Kartsonaki Christiana , Chin Suet-Feung , Curtis Christina N , McGuffog Lesley , Domchek Susan M ,   EMBRACE, Easton Douglas F , Peock Susan , Frost Debra , Evans D Gareth , Eeles Ros , Izatt Louise , Adlard Julian , Eccles Diana ,   GEMO Study Collaborators, Sinilnikova Olga M , Mazoyer Sylvie , Stoppa-Lyonnet Dominique , Gauthier-Villars Marion , Faivre Laurence , Venat-Bouvet Laurence , Delnatte Capucine , Nevanlinna Heli , Couch Fergus J , Godwin Andrew K , Caligo Maria Adelaide ,   SWE-BRCA, Barkardottir Rosa B ,   kConFab Investigators, Chen Xiaoqing , Beesley Jonathan , Healey Sue , Caldas Carlos , Chenevix-Trench Georgia , Ponder Bruce AJ 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Cis-acting regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at specific loci may modulate penetrance of germline mutations at the same loci by introducing different levels of expression of the wild-type allele. We have previously reported that BRCA2 shows differential allelic expression and we hypothesize that the known variable penetrance of BRCA2 mutations might be associated with this mechanism.

Methods
We combined haplotype analysis and differential allelic expression of BRCA2 in breast tissue to identify expression haplotypes and candidate cis-regulatory variants. These candidate variants underwent selection based on in silico predictions for regulatory potential and disruption of transcription factor binding, and were functionally analyzed in vitro and in vivo in normal and breast cancer cell lines. SNPs tagging the expression haplotypes were correlated with the total expression of several genes in breast tissue measured by Taqman and microarray technologies. The effect of the expression haplotypes on breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers was investigated in 2,754 carriers.

Results
We identified common haplotypes associated with differences in the levels of BRCA2 expression in human breast cells. We characterized three cis-regulatory SNPs located at the promoter and two intronic regulatory elements which affect the binding of the transcription factors C/EBPα, HMGA1, D-binding protein (DBP) and ZF5. We showed that the expression haplotypes also correlated with changes in the expression of other genes in normal breast. Furthermore, there was suggestive evidence that the minor allele of SNP rs4942440, which is associated with higher BRCA2 expression, is also associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer (per-allele hazard ratio (HR) = 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72 to 1.00, P-trend = 0.048).

Conclusions
Our work provides further insights into the role of cis-regulatory variation in the penetrance of disease-causing mutations. We identified small-effect genetic variants associated with allelic expression differences in BRCA2 which could possibly affect the risk in mutation carriers through altering expression levels of the wild-type allele.
Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) Study of Low Frequency Vibrations of Acid K Salt of (E)-2-Hydroxyimino-2-Cyanoacetic Acid Ethyl Ester and its Phase Situation by DSC Method
Authors: Rachwalska Malgorzata , Natkaniec I. , Urbanek Zbigniew H. , Majda D. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The acid potassium salt of (E)-2-hydroxyimino-2-cyanoacetic acid ethyl ester (in other words: the acid Ksalt of (E)-2-cyanoethyl ester of 2-oxime or acid Ksalt of 2-oxime, or shortly speaking acid Ksalt-) has been prepared and characterized using inelastic, incoherent neutron scattering (IINS or shortly speaking INS). The last results have been compared with those obtained from optical spectroscopy. Additionally, dimers of the acid Ksalt of 2-oxime were considered i.e. vibrational frequencies of such dimers have been calculated using RB3LYP method [20] with basis set 6-311++G(d, p).
In the molecule of the acid Ksalt of 2-oxime, extra bands corresponding to hydrogen bond vibrations (λ – bending of hydrogen bond bridge, σ – stretching of hydrogen bond bridge, γ – bending out of plane of hydrogen bond, ν – stretching –OH, δ – bending in plane of hydrogen bond have been identified, namely λ at ca. 20, σ (N–O–H···O) at 109.7, 132.3, 154.8, 206.8, 248.5, 255.1, 303.9, 339.2, 359.4, 396.6, 428.8, 483.3, 537, 577.8, 782.4, 815.3, 894.7,1108, 1165. 1408.7, γ (N–O–H···O) at 1298, ν at 1583.1 cm-1, δ (N–OH···O) at 1734.4 and at 1847.4 cm-1, in the low temperature IINS spectrum. Formation of the O–H···O hydrogen bridge in the acid Ksalt of 2-oxime in comparison with the same O–H···O hydrogen bridge in pure 2-oxime is reflected in shifting of the bands of the stretching (to lower) and bending vibrations (to higher) of OH group frequencies confirming the fact of increasing of hydrogen bond power in the acid Ksalt of 2-oxime in comparison with hydrogen bond power of pure 2-oxime. Additionally the fact that acid Ksalt melts ca. 50 K higher than 2-oxime and the shorter length of hydrogen in acid Ksalt than in 2-oxime confirm the greater hydrogen bond power in the acid Ksalt than in 2-oxime.
P-N Junction Formation in Electron-beam Irradiated Graphene Step
Authors: Wang Xiaomu , Wang Chengliang , Xu Jian-Bin 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWe show that graphene mono-/bilayer step operates as an abrupt p-n (p-p+) junction. Due to the thickness-dependent oxidation effect, the uniform channel can be adjusted to spatially asymmetrical junction by means of electron beam irradiation. The lithography-free process on OTMS modified substrate possesses the merit of clean surface and high performance. This conveniently fabricated graphene step device opens an opportunity to study the intrinsic interface across a well defined junction.
Influence of OVPD parameters on the performance of organic solar cells utilizing pentacene/PTCDI absorption layers
Authors: Axmann S. , Brast M. , Wilck N. , Windgassen H. , Heuken M. , Kalisch H. , Vescan A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTAs global energy demand is steadily growing, renewable energy generation by solar cells is becoming increasingly important. The use of mono- and polycrystalline silicon solar cells, which nowadays dominate the market, is limited by wafer size, rigidness of substrates and the requirement of large energy amounts for manufacturing. Organic solar cells (OSC) have the potential to overcome these limitations; especially organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD) technology offers the possibility of reproducible, large-scale production at low temperatures and on flexible substrates.We report on planar heterojunction OSC utilizing an active layer of pentacene/N, N’- ditridecylperylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) fabricated by an Aixtron Gen-1 OVPD tool. The influence of substrate temperature was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) on single layers and bilayers. In addition electrical characterization with and without illumination of fully processed solar cells which utilize different cathode layers was carried out.AFM images indicate that crystallization of pentacene layers can be widely influenced by substrate temperature, a PTCDI-C13H27 layer atop of these covers the crystallites. Open-circuit voltage was found to be 0.47 V and short-circuit current densities beyond 0.8 mA/cm2 were measured under a spectrum close to AM 1.5 with 100 mW/cm2. Fill factors were determined to be as high as 44 %.
All-polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells with high fill factors based on blends of poly-3-hexylthiophene: poly(perylene diimide-alt-terthiophene)
Authors: Kotowski Dariusz , Kozma Erika , Catellani Marinella , Luzzati Silvia 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThe photovoltaic characteristics of all polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells made of P3HT and a perylene diimide-based copolymer (PEK3) have been studied. Thermal annealing is needed to improve the performances. Annealing optimization induces an enhancement of the power conversion efficiency from 0.06 to 1%, Jsc from 0.24 to 2.9 mA/cm2 and FF from 0.32 to 0.59. The origin of such improvements has been investigated by studying the P3HT:PEK3 blend morphology, by means of absorption and emission spectroscopy and charge transport, from single carrier measurements on P3HT:PEK3 diodes. Upon annealing we have observed an increase in phase segregation and a 100-fold enhancement of the hole and electron mobilities, that favor the dissociation of bound electron-hole pairs and their transport to the electrodes. This explains the high FF of the annealed P3HT:PEK3 solar cell.
Quality of Life and Its Associated Factors in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving One Course of Transarterial Chemoembolization Treatment: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Shun Shiow-Ching , Chen Chien-Hung , Sheu Jin-Chuan , Liang Ja-Der , Yang Jyh-Chin , Lai Yeur-Hur 
Published: April 2012

AbstractLearning Objectives:After completing this course, the reader will be able to: List the top 10 ranked symptoms after discharge suffered by patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment.Identify the significant factors in the associations between quality of life (QOL) and demographic factors and clinical factors over a period of 2 months in patients with HCC receiving TACE.Design individualized education programs for newly diagnosed and recurrent HCC patients in order to maintain better QOL after treatment.CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.comObjective.To (a) explore changes in physical and psychological distress and quality of life (QOL) and (b) identify the significant pre- and postdischarge factors related to changes in physical and mental domains of QOL over a period of 2 months in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving one course of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment.Methods.A longitudinal prospective design was used, with participants recruited from a teaching hospital in Northern Taiwan. Data were collected three times: within 3 days prior to discharge (T0) and at the fourth (T1) and eighth (T2) weeks after discharge. A set of structured questionnaires was used to assess participants' QOL, symptom distress, anxiety, and depression. Changes in QOL and associated factors were examined using generalized estimating equations.Results.Eighty-nine patients were included in this study. Fatigue was reported to be the most distressful symptom after treatment. Overall QOL improved monthly after discharge. Change in physical QOL 2 months after TACE treatment was associated with age, diagnosis status, level of symptom distress, and depression after discharge. Change in mental QOL was significantly associated with gender, diagnosis status, and anxiety and depression after discharge.Conclusions.Health care providers should pay special attention to patients of older age, those who are male, and those who have higher levels of depression and anxiety after discharge. Designing personalized education programs before discharge for patients with newly diagnosed cancer versus those who have recurrent disease is suggested to help patients maintain a better QOL after discharge.
High Concentrations of AGE-LDL and Oxidized LDL in Circulating Immune Complexes Are Associated With Progression of Retinopathy in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Lopes-Virella Maria F. , Baker Nathaniel L. , Hunt Kelly J. , Lyons Timothy J. , Jenkins Alicia J. , Virella Gabriel ,   the DCCT/EDIC Study Group
Published: April 2012

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether immunocomplexes (ICs) containing advanced glycation end product (AGE)–LDL (AGE-LDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) contribute to the development of retinopathy over a 16-year period in subjects with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Levels of AGE-LDL and oxLDL in ICs were measured in 517 patients of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) cohort. Retinopathy was assessed by stereoscopic fundus photography. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the effect of AGE-LDL-ICs and oxLDL-ICs on retinopathy progression.

RESULTS
In unadjusted models, higher baseline levels of AGE-LDL-ICs and oxLDL-ICs significantly predicted progression of diabetic retinopathy outcomes. After adjustment by study-design variables (treatment group, retinopathy cohort, duration of type 1 diabetes, and baseline albumin excretion rate [AER], hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] score), one SD increase in IC levels was associated with 47% (hazard ratio [HR] 1.47 [95% CI 1.19–1.81]; AGE-LDL-IC) and 45% (1.45 [1.17–1.80]; oxLDL-IC) increased risk of developing proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 37% (1.37 [1.12–1.66]; to both ICs) increased risk of progressing to severe nonproliferative retinopathy. Analyses were stratified by retinopathy cohort because results differed between primary and secondary cohorts. For AGE-LDL-ICs, HR for progression to PDR was 2.38 (95% CI 1.30–4.34) in the primary cohort and attenuated in the secondary cohort (1.29 [1.03–1.62]). Similar results were observed for oxLDL-ICs.

CONCLUSIONS
Increased levels of AGE-LDL and oxLDL in ICs are associated with increased risk for progression to advanced retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes, indicating that the antibody response to modified LDL plays a significant role in retinopathy progression.
Interactions of Ipomoea aquatica and Utricularia reflexa with phytoplankton densities in a small water body in northern Nigeria
Authors: Chia Mathias , Adelanwa Michael , Ladan Zakari , Iortsuun Dora , Adanyi Sewuese , Stephen Bala 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The interactions of Ipomoea aquatica and Utricularia reflexa with phytoplankton densities were studied in a small water body in Zaria, Nigeria from June to November 2007. The negative effects of both macrophytes on 10 out of 15 phytoplankton taxa, including Staurastrum sp., Netrium sp., Ulothrix sp., Marssionella sp. and Closterium sp. were differentiated from other environmental effects. U. reflexa, on the other hand, showed positive associations with species like Actinocyclus sp., Palmellopsis sp., Spirotaenia sp., Microcystis sp. and Marssionella sp. Qualitative phytochemical screening and FT-IR analyses confirmed the presence of glycosides, anthraquinone, saponins, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids in Ipomoea aquatica and Utricularia reflexa. The observed variations in phytoplankton community dynamics were closely related to the presence of these macrophytes as well as the environmental conditions in the pond.