bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Communicating health decisions: an analysis of messages posted to online prostate cancer forums
Authors: Sillence Elizabeth , Mo Phoenix K. H. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Experiential websites such as message forums and blogs allow Prostate Cancer (PCa) patients to communicate their health decisions to peers. The issues surrounding this form of indirect involvement in public health are little understood.Objective  This paper explores the types of decision‐making processes that people are exposed to on PCa online message boards. The kinds of treatment choices patients are making and the reports of their decision‐making processes to peers through an online environment are examined in the context of the Heuristic Systematic Model.Method  Messages about treatment decision making were collected from four PCa websites. In total, 137 messages were selected from blogs and online forums and their decision‐making processes coded.Results  Men looking online for information about treatment options for PCa are exposed to a range of decision‐making processes. Just under half (49.6%) of the messages reported non‐systematic decision processes, with deferral to the doctor and proof of cancer removal being the most common. For systematic processing (36.5%), messages most commonly considered treatment outcomes and side‐effects. Processes did not vary between the blogs and online forums.Discussion and conclusion  Compared to previous studies far fewer messages reported non‐systematic decision processes and only a small number of messages reflected lay beliefs or misbeliefs about PCa treatment. Implications for men and their clinicians of seeking health information online are discussed.
Birth order effect on childhood food allergy
Authors: Kusunoki Takashi , Mukaida Kumiko , Morimoto Takeshi , Sakuma Mio , Yasumi Takahiro , Nishikomori Ryuta , Heike Toshio 
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Kusunoki T, Mukaida K, Morimoto T, Sakuma M, Yasumi T, Nishikomori R, Heike T. Birth order effect on childhood food allergy. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2012: 23: 250–254.AbstractHigher birth order is associated with a smaller risk of allergy (birth order effect). The purpose of this study was to compare the significance of the birth order effect on the prevalence of specific allergic diseases [bronchial asthma (BA), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and food allergy (FA)] among schoolchildren. A questionnaire survey dealing with the prevalence of allergic diseases was administered to the parents of 14,669 schoolchildren aged 7–15 yr. Based on the data, the prevalence of each allergic disease was compared according to birth order (1st, 2nd, and 3rd or later). Multiple regression analysis was performed to test the significance of the differences.There was no significant difference in the prevalence of BA or AD according to birth order. The prevalence of AR, AC, and FA decreased significantly as birth order increased. The prevalence of FA among those with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd or later birth order was 4.0%, 3.4%, and 2.6%, respectively (p = 0.01). With respect to symptoms in infancy, the prevalence of wheeze increased significantly and that of FA and eczema in infancy decreased significantly as birth order increased.The present data show a significant birth order effect on FA. The effect was also observed for the prevalence of FA and eczema in infancy. These data support the concept of early, non‐allergen‐specific programming of IgE‐mediated immunity.
Galactone‐γ‐lactone‐dependent ascorbate biosynthesis alters wheat kernel maturation
Authors: Paradiso A. , de Pinto M. C. , Locato V. , De Gara L. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractKernel development and maturation involve several well‐characterised events, such as changes in ascorbate (ASC) metabolism, protein synthesis and storage, programmed cell death (PCD) of starchy endosperm and tissue dehydration. Despite many studies focusing on these events, whether and how they are metabolically related to each other, remains to be elucidated. In the present investigation, the changes in ASC‐related metabolism, PCD occurrence, kernel filling and dehydration have been analysed during kernel maturation, over a 3‐year period in plants grown under normal conditions and in plants displaying modified ASC synthesis. The obtained results suggest that ASC plays a pivotal role in the network of events characterising kernel maturation. During this process, a decrease in ASC content occurs. When ASC biosynthesis is improved in the kernel, by feeding the plants with its immediate precursor, L‐galactone‐γ‐lactone (GL), the decrease in ASC, observed during kernel maturation, is delayed. As a consequence, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity is also enhanced. Moreover, a delay in the ASC decrease permits a delay in PCD occurring in kernel storage tissues and in kernel dehydration. Interestingly, the data emerging from the present investigation suggest that the delay in the decrease in ASC content and APX activity also improves kernel filling. The relevance of the ascorbate‐dependent redox regulation for kernel productivity is discussed.
A morpho‐anatomical characterisation of Myrothamnus moschatus (Myrothamnaceae) under the aspect of desiccation tolerance
Authors: Korte N. , Porembski S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMorpho‐anatomical traits of the rarely studied dicotyledonous desiccation‐tolerant shrub Myrothamnus moschatus were examined and compared for the first time to Myrothamnus flabellifolius under the aspect of desiccation tolerance. Both species almost exclusively occur on rock outcrops and differ mainly in their geographic range and leaf morphology (fan‐shaped in M. flabellifolius, lanceolate in M. moschatus) but have a very similar leaf and wood anatomy, except for the lack of hydathodes in M. moschatus. Both species adopt the parallel leaf venation of monocots, although this is more pronounced in M. moschatus. This provides a mechanical and protective advantage over the net venation pattern of most dicots and facilitates the reversible, drought‐induced, accordion‐like leaf contraction. The sclerenchyma, as a stabilising tissue, is mainly confined to vascular bundles in leaves of both species. Here, mechanical support seems to be less crucial for survival in long periods of drought than other morpho‐anatomical traits (e.g. parallel leaf venation).
Calpastatin overexpression in the skeletal muscle of mice prevents clenbuterol‐induced muscle hypertrophy and phenotypic shift
Authors: Douillard Aymeric , Galbes Olivier , Begue Gwenaelle , Rossano Bernadette , Levin John , Vernus Barbara , Bonnieu Anne , Candau Robin , Py Guillaume 
Published: February 2012

Summary

Accumulating evidence suggests that the calpain/calpastatin system is involved in skeletal muscle remodelling induced by β2‐adrenoceptor agonist treatment. In addition to other pathways, the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, controlling protein synthesis, and the calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase 2 (CamK2) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways, recently identified as calpain substrates, could be relevant in β2‐adrenoceptor agonist‐induced skeletal muscle remodelling.
In the present study we investigated muscle hypertrophy and phenotypic shifts, as well as the molecular response of components of the Akt/mTOR pathway (i.e. Akt, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1 (4E‐BP1), ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), CamK2 and AMPK), in response to calpastatin overexpression in the skeletal muscle of mice treated with 1 mg/kg per day clenbuterol for 21 days. Using gene electrotransfer of a calpastatin expression vector into the tibialis anterior of adult mice, we found that calpastatin overexpression attenuates muscle hypertrophy and phenotypic shifts induced by clenbuterol treatment.
At the molecular level, calpastatin overexpression markedly decreased calpain activity, but was ineffective in altering the phosphorylation of Akt, 4E‐BP1 and rpS6. In contrast, calpastatin overexpression increased the protein expression of both total AMPK and total CamK2.
In conclusion, the results support the contention that the calpain/calpastatin system plays a crucial role in skeletal muscle hypertrophy and phenotypic shifts under chronic clenbuterol treatment, with AMPK and CamK2 probably playing a minor role. Moreover, the calpastatin‐induced inhibition of hypertrophy under clenbuterol treatment was not related to a decreased mTOR‐dependent initiation of protein translation.
Pilot 24 month study to compare mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus in the treatment of membranous lupus nephritis with nephrotic syndrome
Authors: YAP DESMOND YH , YU XUEQING , CHEN XIANG‐MEI , LU FUMING , CHEN NAN , LI XUE‐WANG , TANG COLIN SO , CHAN TAK MAO 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAim:  This pilot study compared mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus (Tac) in the treatment of severe membranous lupus nephritis (MLN).Method:  This was a 24 month prospective, randomized, open‐label multi‐centre exploratory study on Chinese patients with biopsy‐proven pure Class V MLN with nephrotic syndrome. Patients were randomized to treatment with either MMF or Tac, both in combination with prednisolone and the efficacy and tolerability outcomes were examined.Results:  Sixteen patients were included, seven in the MMF and nine in the Tac treatment arm. At 24 months the complete response, partial response and overall response rates were 57.1% vs. 11.1% (P = 0.049), 14.3% vs. 44.4% (P = 0.197) and 71.4% vs. 55.6% (P = 0.515) in the MMF and Tac groups, respectively. The two groups had similar reduction of proteinuria and longitudinal profiles of serum albumin and creatinine levels. Serum creatinine remained stable in both groups, except in two patients who had a transient increase associated with high Tac blood levels. Adverse events in the MMF group included herpes zoster in one patient and reversible leucopenia in another, while in the Tac group four patients had severe infections and one developed new onset diabetes. No relapse occurred during the study period.Conclusion:  Both MMF and Tac when combined with corticosteroids are effective treatment options for severe MLN.
Tissue engineering for pulmonary diseases: Insights from the laboratory
Authors: KUBO HIROSHI 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTRecent advances in stem cell research and tissue engineering have opened new paradigms for future therapies towards many intractable diseases. Many tissue engineering approaches are also applied in the pulmonary research field. Several materials have been utilized as scaffolds to support lung tissue engineering to recapitulate the three‐dimensional (3D) structure of the lung. Natural products and synthetic polymers are the two major components of the scaffold materials. Decellularization of allogeneic or xenogenic donor lungs is also utilized to obtain biological 3D matrix scaffolds. Decellularized lungs are recellularized with stem or progenitor cells. Cell sources are the key components for tissue engineering. The best cell source for tissue engineering is autologous cells obtained from patients because it does not induce an immunological response after transplantation. However, the stem/progenitor population in adult organs is generally small, and their capacity for proliferation or differentiation is limited. Knowledge about the endogenous stem/progenitor population in lung tissue has been expanded recently. Although the lung is the most challenging organ for tissue engineering because of its complex 3D structure and more than 40 different cell types, several breakthroughs in respiratory research have been made. These results give us a greater understanding of the possibilities and the limitations of tissue engineering for pulmonary diseases.
Tracheal colonization in preterm infants supported with nasal continuous positive airway pressure
Authors: Aly Hany , Badawy Magda , Tomerak Rania H. , El‐Kholy Amani A. , Hamed Abeer S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to examine endotracheal bacteriological status in premature infants who are supported by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) without any history of tracheal intubation.Methods:  In this prospective study, we enrolled 60 premature infants with respiratory distress; of these, 30 were supported by CPAP without tracheal intubation, and 30 were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Infants were enrolled at a postnatal age of <24 h. Endotracheal (ET) cultures were taken at 24 h and at the 5th day of life. In the CPAP group, a suction catheter was sterilely inserted into the trachea while directly visualizing the vocal cords using a laryngoscope.Results:  ET cultures taken on the 1st day of life showed colonization in 7/30 (23%) in the CPAP group versus 19/30 (63%) in the mechanically ventilated group (P= 0.002). Tracheal cultures on day 5 were positive in 5/30 (17%) and 11/30 (37%), respectively (P= 0.093). Klebsiella ssp. represented the most frequently isolated organism in both groups. A positive tracheal culture at 5 days was associated with a longer duration of respiratory support in the CPAP group (P= 0.05) but not in the ventilation group. Endotracheal culture at 5 days was associated with mortality in the ventilation group (8/11 vs 5/19, P= 0.02), but not in the CPAP group (1/5 vs 2/25, P= 0.45). Early endotracheal cultures did not relate with mortality in either of the groups.Conclusion:  The trachea of premature infants supported with CPAP is at risk for bacterial colonization. Predisposing factors, mechanisms and clinical implications of these novel findings need to be studied.
Neurologic adverse events following influenza A (H1N1) vaccinations in children
Authors: Lee Seung Jae , Kim Young Ok , Woo Young Jong , Kim Myeong Kyu , Nam Tai‐Seung , Cho Young Kuk 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Since the monovalent pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine was recommended worldwide in October 2009, there has been a shortage of pediatric clinical data for post‐vaccine neurologic adverse events (NAE), including Guillain–Barré syndrome. We reviewed pediatric NAE data following H1N1 vaccinations and for patients with peripheral neuropathy, we followed their progress.Methods:  In our single‐center study, we retrospectively reviewed 14 cases of children who visited the Division of Pediatric Neurology in the Department of Pediatrics of Chonnam National University Hospital due to NAE following monovalent influenza A (H1N1) vaccination between November 2009 and March 2010.Results:  Clinical diagnoses for major NAE included: polyneuropathy in the extremities (11/14, 78.6%), sensory mononeuropathy with numbness in the left fibula area (1/14, 7.1%), Bell's palsy (1/14, 7.1%) and recent‐onset acute headache only (1/14, 7.1%). Therefore, most patients were diagnosed as having peripheral neuropathy (13/14, 92.9%), and two met the Brighton Collaboration Guillain–Barré syndrome definition criteria for level 3 (the lowest level of diagnostic certainty).Conclusions:  Post‐vaccine NAE were mainly motor weakness due to polyneuropathy, which had a good prognosis of complete improvement within a few months without sequelae.
A systematic review of the impact of foreign postings on accompanying spouses of military personnel
Authors: Blakely Gillian , Hennessy Catherine , Chung Man Cheung , Skirton Heather 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMilitary spouses frequently cope with separation, but limited research reviewing the impact of an overseas relocation when a spouse accompanies their serving husband/wife has been conducted. A search for studies reviewing the impact of foreign postings on these accompanying spouses was undertaken utilizing 12 databases and other resources. Ultimately, 12 studies were analyzed and four key themes produced: functioning of a military family on an international posting, loss, wellbeing and support. Overall, additional stressors are associated with an overseas posting and experiences are specific to an individual and their circumstances. Further research is required to examine the potential relationship between a spouse's experiences overseas and the impact on their health and wellbeing. This would help to identify possible areas of health care provision and support necessary to maximize a military spouse's experience.
Long‐term outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery performed by trainees and consultants in an Australian cohort
Authors: Fong Calvin Sze‐un , Mitchell Paul , de Loryn Tania , Rochtchina Elena , Hong Thomas , Cugati Sudha , Wang Jie Jin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  It is unclear whether differences exist in surgical complication rates and long‐term visual acuity outcomes between patients whose phacoemulsification cataract surgery was performed by ophthalmological trainees and those performed by consultants.Design:  Prospective clinical cohort study.Participants:  1851 participants of the Cataract Surgery and Age‐related Macular Degeneration study, aged ≥64 years, had cataract surgery performed at Westmead Hospital, Sydney.Methods:  Surgical complication rates and visual acuity at 24‐month postoperative visits were compared between patients who were operated on by trainees and those operated on by consultants.Main Outcome Measures:  Surgical outcomes included operative complications recorded in surgical audit forms and 24‐month postoperative visual acuity.Results:  Of 1851 patients, 1274 (68.8%) were reviewed 24 months after surgery. Of these, 976 had data on the type of surgeon who performed the operation. After excluding 152 challenging cases and three cases operated on by first‐year trainees at the beginning of their training, 821 patients were included in this study, of those, 498 were operated on by trainees and 323 by consultants. Habitual visual acuity ≥6/12 was achieved in 77.3% (n = 385/498) and 74.3% (n = 240/323), respectively, of the two groups of patients 24 months postoperatively. Of 514 patients who had surgical audit data, the major complication rate was numerically greater, but not significantly different for the 330 trainee‐operated (6.1%) patients, compared with the 184 consultant‐operated patients (2.7%, P = 0.091).Conclusions:  We found relatively comparable complication rates and visual outcomes after 2 years between patients operated on by ophthalmological trainees and those by consultants, in a cataract surgical cohort at Westmead Hospital.
Asian age‐related macular degeneration phenotyping study: rationale, design and protocol of a prospective cohort study
Authors: Cheung Chui Ming G , Bhargava Mayuri , Laude Augustinus , Koh Adrian CH , Xiang Li , Wong Doric , Niang Thet , Lim Tock Han , Gopal Lingam , Wong Tien Y 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Current knowledge of the phenotypic characteristics (e.g. clinical features, risk factors, natural history and treatment response) of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in Asians remains limited. This report summarizes the rationale and study design of a prospective observational study of Asian neovascular AMD, including polypoidal choroidovasculopathy variant.Design:  The Asian AMD phenotyping study is a prospective, observational clinical study of Asian patients with neovascular AMD or polypoidal choroidovasculopathy in three tertiary eye centres in Singapore.Participants:  The study aims to recruit 500 consecutive patients from the retinal clinics of three tertiary eye centres in Singapore.Methods:  Standardized examination procedures include interviews, a comprehensive eye examination, digital photography of the retina, fundus fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography using a standardized protocol. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses and stored for genetic and proteomic studies.Main Outcome Measures:  The aim of the study was to build a comprehensive database of clinical, angiographic, functional and natural history data of Asian AMD over a 12‐month follow‐up period.Results:  This article discusses the methodology and design of this prospective multi‐centred study.Conclusion:  This study will provide in‐depth longitudinal data of the evolution of clinical features, risk factors, natural history and treatment pattern and response of Asian AMD and polypoidal choroidovasculopathy, allowing unique insights into pathogenesis and the design of new treatment strategies.
Follicular thyroid cancer: minimally invasive tumours can give rise to metastases
Authors: Ban Ee Jun , Andrabi Ali , Grodski Simon , Yeung Meei , McLean Catriona , Serpell Jonathan 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  The histological characteristics of follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) are important predictors of prognosis, and lesions can be classified as either minimally invasive follicular carcinoma (MIFC) or widely invasive follicular carcinoma (WIFC) based on histopathological characteristics. There has been controversy surrounding the histological classification of FTC, which can present challenges to clinicians attempting to deliver accurate prognostic information to their patients. The aim of the present study was to examine cases of metastatic FTC for characteristics that may predict aggressive tumour behaviour.Methods:  The Monash University Endocrine Surgery Unit database was searched for patients with FTC. The histopathology reports were collated for these patients to confirm the diagnosis of FTC, classify patients into MIFC versus WIFC, and examine for key characteristics such as the capsular and/or vascular invasion. The thyroid specimens from patients with metastatic FTC were examined by reviewing pathologists. It was hypothesized that patients with metastatic disease would likely have WIFC as their primary lesion.Results:  There were 64 patients with FTC identified during the period of 1997–2009. Of these, 10 patients were found to have metastatic disease. On review of the histopathology, three patients were found to have WIFC,four patients had MIFC and three patients did not have definite features of FTC found in the thyroid gland.Conclusion:  Currently accepted histological classification of FTC is inadequate and fails to accurately predict patients with distant metastatic disease and a more aggressive clinical course. It is thus the policy of our unit to recommend total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine ablation for all patients with FTC.