bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neighborhood Location, Rurality, Geography, and Outcomes of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in the United States
Authors: Mehrotra Rajnish , Story Kenneth , Guest Steven , Fedunyszyn Michelle 
Published: December 2011

Background The adjusted 5-year survival for dialysis patients in the United States is 33%–35%, and patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) have a high risk of transfer to hemodialysis (HD). No data are available on the effect of neighborhood characteristics or regional differences on the outcomes of PD patients in the United States. Methods We analyzed the relationships of selected patient demographics, socio-economic characteristics of the dialysis unit's neighborhood, “rurality,” and geographic location with transfer to HD and with a composite outcome of transfer to HD or death, for all PD patients in the United States who, between 2004 and 2009, used supplies manufactured by Baxter Healthcare ( n = 58 700). Results Over a median follow-up of 18.7 months, 29% of patients transferred to HD (median time to HD transfer: 49 months), and 54% reached the composite outcome. More than 20% of the events occurred within the first 90 days of PD start. The risk for each of the study outcomes was higher for patients who had received any previous treatment with HD, for those treated in units located in areas with a higher proportion of black residents, and for those living in remote rural areas. Furthermore, the risk for reaching either of the study outcomes was consistently lower for patients treated in units located in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Conclusions We observed significant regional differences in the outcomes of PD patients in the United States that have not previously been reported. Understanding the differences in clinical practice that underlie these regional differences might help to further improve PD outcomes.
Clinical Course and Management of a Consecutive Series of Patients with “Healed Temporal Arteritis”
Authors: LEE YVONNE C. , PADERA ROBERT F. , NOSS ERIKA H. , FOSSEL ANNE H. , BIENFANG DON , LIANG MATTHEW H. , DOCKEN WILLIAM P. 
Published: December 2011

Objective.To describe the clinical course and management of patients with a pathologic diagnosis of “healed” giant cell arteritis (GCA), and to determine whether previously published histological descriptions of healed arteritis can identify patients with a greater likelihood of clinically significant arteritis.Methods.All temporal artery biopsy reports between 1994 and 2003 were examined for a diagnosis of “healed arteritis.” Two rheumatologists abstracted the medical record for presenting features, physical findings, comorbid conditions, and data on treatment and outcomes. One pathologist, blinded to the clinical data, reviewed all specimens and reinterpreted the biopsies according to published histological descriptions of healed arteritis.Results.Forty-seven patients with an initial pathologic diagnosis of healed arteritis were identified. In 54% of these patients, corticosteroid therapy did not change after the diagnosis of healed arteritis was documented in the pathology report. Seventy percent were ultimately treated with no corticosteroids or low-moderate corticosteroid regimens. Only 32% of the initial cases were confirmed upon review of the biopsies using standardized histological criteria. Patients with confirmed healed arteritis were more likely to have a documented history of polymyalgia rheumatica/GCA and a longer duration of corticosteroid treatment before biopsy. These patients were not more likely to have adverse outcomes.Conclusion.In this case series, the diagnosis of healed arteritis had little effect on treatment decisions. In most cases, the initial pathologic diagnosis of healed arteritis was not confirmed when biopsies were reviewed by a single pathologist using uniform histological criteria.
Concomitant Septic Arthritis in Crystal Monoarthritis
Authors: PAPANICOLAS LITO ELECTRA , HAKENDORF PAUL , GORDON DAVID LLEWELLYN 
Published: December 2011

Objective.In acute monoarthritis, the presence of crystals in synovial fluid may lead to a diagnosis of crystal arthritis (CA) before septic arthritis (SA) can be excluded by culture. We aimed to identify the frequency of coexistence of CA with SA and to compare these with regard to synovial fluid microscopy, C-reactive protein (CRP), and blood culture.Methods.We examined 1612 synovial aspirates from 2004 to 2009 retrospectively. Of these, 104 patients with clinically significant SA were identified. These were compared to 295 patients with isolated CA.Results.Five percent of joints with CA had concomitant infection. A high synovial white blood cell (WBC) count and elevated CRP (> 100 mg/l) were predictive of concomitant SA with a sensitivity of 86.4%, specificity of 48.3% and 54.6%, and negative predictive values of 98.5% and 98.7%, respectively. In patients with SA who had a blood culture, 42.5% were positive with a matching organism. SA of the shoulder had a 90% rate of bacteremia.Conclusion.Crystals alone in synovial fluid from acute monoarthritis cannot exclude SA, as CA and SA frequently coexist. High WBC counts and elevated CRP are common to both SA and CA. Blood cultures should be collected and septic arthritis considered, even when crystals are present, particularly if the shoulder is affected. The exception is when Gram stain is negative and the CRP is < 100 mg/l and joint WBC count is < 10,000/μl. In these circumstances it is very unlikely that there will be concomitant SA.
Minimal Tolerance to a Tumor Antigen Encoded by a Cancer-Germline Gene
Authors: Huijbers Ivo J. , Soudja Saïdi M. , Uyttenhove Catherine , Buferne Michel , Inderberg-Suso Else-Marit , Colau Didier , Pilotte Luc , Powis de Tenbossche Céline G. , Chomez Patrick , Brasseur Francis , Schmitt-Verhulst Anne-Marie , Van den Eynde Benoît J. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Central tolerance toward tissue-restricted Ags is considered to rely on ectopic expression in the thymus, which was also observed for tumor Ags encoded by cancer-germline genes. It is unknown whether endogenous expression shapes the T cell repertoire against the latter Ags and explains their weak immunogenicity. We addressed this question using mouse cancer-germline gene P1A, which encodes antigenic peptide P1A35–43 presented by H-2Ld. We made P1A-knockout (P1A-KO) mice and asked whether their anti-P1A35–43 immune responses were stronger than those of wild-type mice and whether P1A-KO mice responded to other P1A epitopes, against which wild-type mice were tolerized. We observed that both types of mice mounted similar P1A35–43-specific CD8 T cell responses, although the frequency of P1A35–43-specific CD8 T cells generated in response to P1A-expressing tumors was slightly higher in P1A-KO mice. This higher reactivity allowed naive P1A-KO mice to reject spontaneously P1A-expressing tumors, which progressed in wild-type mice. TCR-Vβ usage of P1A35–43-specific CD8 cells was slightly modified in P1A-KO mice. Peptide P1A35–43 remained the only P1A epitope recognized by CD8 T cells in both types of mice, which also displayed similar thymic selection of a transgenic TCR recognizing P1A35–43. These results indicate the existence of a minimal tolerance to an Ag encoded by a cancer-germline gene and suggest that its endogenous expression only slightly affects diversification of the T cell repertoire against this Ag.
The Cytokine Midkine and Its Receptor RPTPζ Regulate B Cell Survival in a Pathway Induced by CD74
Authors: Cohen Sivan , Shoshana Or-yam , Zelman-Toister Einat , Maharshak Nitsan , Binsky-Ehrenreich Inbal , Gordin Maya , Hazan-Halevy Inbal , Herishanu Yair , Shvidel Lev , Haran Michal , Leng Lin , Bucala Richard , Harroch Sheila , Shachar Idit 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLasting B cell persistence depends on survival signals that are transduced by cell surface receptors. In this study, we describe a novel biological mechanism essential for survival and homeostasis of normal peripheral mature B cells and chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, regulated by the heparin-binding cytokine, midkine (MK), and its proteoglycan receptor, the receptor-type tyrosine phosphatase ζ (RPTPζ). We demonstrate that MK initiates a signaling cascade leading to B cell survival by binding to RPTPζ. In mice lacking PTPRZ, the proportion and number of the mature B cell population are reduced. Our results emphasize a unique and critical function for MK signaling in the previously described MIF/CD74-induced survival pathway. Stimulation of CD74 with MIF leads to c-Met activation, resulting in elevation of MK expression in both normal mouse splenic B and chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Our results indicate that MK and RPTPζ are important regulators of the B cell repertoire. These findings could pave the way toward understanding the mechanisms shaping B cell survival and suggest novel therapeutic strategies based on the blockade of the MK/RPTPζ-dependent survival pathway.
Acquisition of Complement Factor H Is Important for Pathogenesis ofStreptococcus pyogenesInfections: Evidence from Bacterial In Vitro Survival and Human Genetic Association
Authors: Haapasalo Karita , Vuopio Jaana , Syrjänen Jaana , Suvilehto Jari , Massinen Satu , Karppelin Matti , Järvelä Irma , Meri Seppo , Kere Juha , Jokiranta T. Sakari 
Published: December 2011

AbstractStreptococcus pyogenes (or group A streptococcus [GAS]) is a major human pathogen causing infections, such as tonsillitis, erysipelas, and sepsis. Several GAS strains bind host complement regulator factor H (CFH) via its domain 7 and, thereby, evade complement attack and C3b-mediated opsonophagocytosis. Importance of CFH binding for survival of GAS has been poorly studied because removal of CFH from plasma or blood causes vigorous complement activation, and specific inhibitors of the interaction have not been available. In this study, we found that activation of human complement by different GAS strains (n = 38) correlated negatively with binding of CFH via its domains 5–7. The importance of acquisition of host CFH for survival of GAS in vitro was studied next by blocking the binding with recombinant CFH5–7 lacking the regulatory domains 1–4. Using this fragment in full human blood resulted in death or radically reduced multiplication of all of the studied CFH-binding GAS strains. To study the importance of CFH binding in vivo (i.e., for pathogenesis of streptococcal infections), we used our recent finding that GAS binding to CFH is diminished in vitro by polymorphism 402H, which is also associated with age-related macular degeneration. We showed that allele 402H is suggested to be associated with protection from erysipelas (n = 278) and streptococcal tonsillitis (n = 209) compared with controls (n = 455) (p &lt; 0.05). Taken together, the bacterial in vitro survival data and human genetic association revealed that binding of CFH is important for pathogenesis of GAS infections and suggested that inhibition of CFH binding can be a novel therapeutic approach in GAS infections.
Sedentary Habits, Health, and Function in Older Women and Men
Authors: Blair Steven N. , Wei Ming 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. To evaluate the relation of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness to morbidity, mortality, and functional limitations in older persons. Data Sources. We reviewed published reports related to the review's purpose. Sources were identified from recent major reports and position statements from scientific and public health organizations, our files, and reference lists of published papers. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. We included prospective epidemiological studies and clinical trials published in the peer-reviewed literature that included data from age groups of people 60 years and older. We evaluated study methods and included studies that used valid measures of exposures, clearly specified outcomes, and controlled for confounders. Data Extraction Methods. We extracted by detailed review data on sample characteristics, outcomes, and rates and relative risks. Data Synthesis. Extracted data were included in tables, figures, or the text and were synthesized by nonquantitative methods. Major Conclusions. Active and fit individuals were at much lower risk for morbidity, mortality, and loss of function when compared with sedentary and unfit persons. Data from the studies generally conformed to a steep inverse dose-response gradient across activity or fitness categories. Results were consistent, temporally appropriate, strong, and graded, and therefore support a causal hypothesis that a fit and active way of life improves health and function in older individuals.
The Validity of Health Claims on the World Wide Web: A Systematic Survey of the Herbal Remedy Opuntia
Authors: Veronin Michael A. , Ramirez Gilbert 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. The World Wide Web has become a significant source of health information for the public, but there is concern that much of the information is inaccurate, misleading, and unsupported by scientific evidence. To explore this issue, the validity of health claims for the herb Opuntia on the World Wide Web was analyzed. Data Sources. From December 1998 to May 1999, health claims were identified from Web sites utilizing nine search engines. A corresponding search was conducted of the scientific literature. Search terms included common and botanical names for Opuntia. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Nutritional support guidelines for herbs were used to identify claims from relevant sites. Scientific studies included established methodological designs with no restrictions on source, language, type of subjects, or dosage forms for Opuntia. Data Extraction Methods. A checklist of significant information was prepared for Web sites and scientific studies. The quality of scientific studies was assessed with two instruments, the Jadad and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scales. Data Synthesis. Validity of health claims on Web sites was compared with scientific reports. Searches retrieved 184 Web sites, 98 with health claims and 51 with research studies. Only 34% of the claims were addressed in the scientific literature, and evidence was conflicting or contradictory. For human studies, none met the criteria for high quality as determined by the Jadad and JAMA scales. Major Conclusions. The majority of health claims were based on folklore or indirect scientific evidence and could not be validated by scientific research. This suggests a need to check the validity of herbal information on the World Wide Web.
Depressive Symptoms, Health Promotion, and Health Risk Behaviors
Authors: Green Carla A. , Pope Clyde R. 
Published: December 2011

Objectives. To assess the relationships between history of depressive symptoms and smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary changes, attempts to lose weight or increase exercise, use of health services, and the likelihood of receiving influenza and pneumonia vaccinations, mammograms, and Pap tests. Methods. A survey of randomly sampled members of a large health maintenance organization (n = 5841). Results. Individuals with past depressive symptoms were more likely to smoke cigarettes (despite making more attempts to quit smoking); to drink more alcohol; to attempt to lose weight, increase exercise, reduce fat intake, increase fiber intake; and, for women, to have a mammogram. Conclusions. Individuals with histories of depressive symptoms engage in more positive and negative health behaviors. Additionally, their increased service use provides opportunities to achieve positive health changes and improve treatment outcomes.
Impact of a Telephone-Based Intervention on the Reduction of Health Risks
Authors: Gold Daniel B. , Anderson David R. , Serxner Seth A. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. Evaluate the long-term impact of telephone-based interventions that target high risk, ready-to-change individuals. Design. Quasi-experimental design with pre/post comparisons of lifestyle-related health risks between participants and nonparticipants. Setting. Six organizations from the private and public sectors. Subjects. Subjects were 607 intervention participants who were compared with a control group of 1134 eligible nonparticipants. Measures. Health risk assessment at baseline and at an average of 2 years later measured risk in 13 lifestyle areas. Intervention. Programs were offered in seven areas: back care, cholesterol control, eating habits, exercise and activities, stress management, tobacco use, and weight control. Each program was conducted by a trained health educator who provided information and counseling to facilitate change in the area selected by the participant. All counseling was done by telephone and included three to five contacts over a 1-year period. Results. Binary logistic regression models controlling for gender and age revealed both specific and general effects. Participants were 1.8 to 3.5 times as likely as nonparticipants to reduce the targeted risk in six of seven risk areas. In addition, participants were 1.7 to 3.5 times as likely as nonparticipants to reduce their risks in nine of 13 areas not targeted by the intervention (i.e., general effect). Overall, participants significantly reduced their number of risks, whereas nonparticipants significantly increased their risk (difference of .85 risks). Conclusions. Results show that at-risk participants make long-term improvements in health risks directly related to the intervention in which they participate. Results also suggest that this intervention may help individuals develop behavior-change skills they can apply to other lifestyle issues.
Prognostic Role of C-Reactive Protein in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Han Yijie , Mao Feng , Wu Ying , Fu Xiaonan , Zhang Wei , Zhu Xiaoli , Zhou Shuli , Zhang Wei , Sun Qiang , Zhao Yulan 
Published: December 2011

Background Recent studies have shown that C-reactive protein (CRP) may be associated with breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to summarize the predictive role of CRP for survival in breast cancer as shown in all available studies worldwide. Methods Related studies were identified and evaluated for quality through multiple search strategies. Data were collected from studies comparing overall, cancer-specific, and disease-free survival (OS, CSS, and DFS) in patients with elevated CRP levels and those having lower levels. Studies were pooled, and combined hazard ratios (HRs) of CRP for survival were calculated. Results A total of 10 studies (n=4,502) were included for this meta-analysis (9 for OS, 3 for CSS, and 3 for DFS). For overall and disease-free survival, the pooled HRs of CRP were significant at 1.62 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.20-2.18) and 1.81 (95% CI, 1.44-2.26), respectively. For cancer-specific survival, the pooled HR in higher CRP expression in breast cancer was 2.08 (95% CI, 1.48-2.94), which could strongly predict poorer survival in breast cancer. Conclusions CRP has a critical prognostic value in patients with breast cancer as an inflammation biomarker.
Overcoming Collaborative Inhibition through Error Correction: A Classroom Experiment
Authors: Gadgil Soniya , Nokes‐Malach Timothy J. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryResearch in classrooms has shown mixed evidence for benefits of collaborative learning compared with learning individually. Moreover, laboratory research has shown that individuals working in dyads or groups often perform worse than individuals working alone — a robust finding called the collaborative inhibition effect. Despite these findings, we hypothesize that some classroom activities may afford benefits for collaborative learning over individual learning. We created a classroom writing activity that incorporated features such as shared prior knowledge and error‐correction processes, which have been hypothesized to eliminate collaborative inhibition and to support constructive collaboration. Students participated in this activity either individually or in dyads. Results showed that the individuals who worked collaboratively performed equally well as those who worked individually and also showed better learning as measured by performance on a future writing assignment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ionic Current Rectification in Soft‐Matter Diodes with Liquid‐Metal Electrodes
Authors: So Ju‐Hee , Koo Hyung‐Jun , Dickey Michael D. , Velev Orlin D. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA soft‐matter‐based diode composed of hydrogel and liquid metal (eutectic gallium indium, EGaIn) is presented. The ability to control the thickness, and thus resistivity, of an oxide skin on the metal enables rectification. First, a simple model system with liquid‐metal/electrolyte‐solution/Pt interfaces is characterized. The electrically insulating oxide skin on the EGaIn electrode is reduced or oxidized further depending on the direction of the bias, thereby allowing unidirectional ionic current. The forward current of the diode increases as the conductivity of the electrolyte increases, whereas backward current depends on the pH of the medium in contact with the insulating oxide layer on the EGaIn electrode. As a result, the diode shows a higher rectification ratio (defined as the ratio of forward to backward current measured at the same absolute bias) with more conductive electrolyte at neutral pH. Replacement of the liquid electrolyte solution with a hydrogel improves the structural stability of the soft diode. The rectification performance also improves due to the increased ionic conductivity by the gel. Finally, a diode composed entirely of soft materials by replacing the platinum electrode with a second liquid‐metal electrode is presented. Contacting each liquid metal with a polyelectrolyte gel featuring different pH values provided asymmetry in the device, which is necessary for rectification. A hydrogel layer infused with a strong basic polyelectrolyte removes the insulating oxide layer, allowing one interface with the EGaIn electrode to be conductive regardless of the direction of bias. Thus, the oxide layer at the other interface rectifies the current.
Medical care of adolescents and women with Rett syndrome: An Italian study
Authors: Vignoli Aglaia , La Briola Francesca , Peron Angela , Turner Katherine , Savini Miriam , Cogliati Francesca , Russo Silvia , Canevini Maria Paola 
Published: December 2011

AbstractRett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, linked to MECP2 gene mutations in the majority of cases, which results in severe disability and is associated with several comorbidities. The clinical condition of RTT patients tends to stabilize over time, and prolonged survival has recently been demonstrated. However, limited information is available on the long‐term course of older patients with RTT, especially among those in Southern Europe. The aim of our study is to evaluate the main clinical features and state of health of adult Italian patients with RTT and to present their evolution over time, identifying major clinical issues present at different ages. A total of 130 families of patients with RTT aged ≥14 years were asked to complete a questionnaire, 84 of which were returned (65%). Among the clinical characteristics of RTT, stereotypies and poor hand function and feeding ability remained stable over time, while nonverbal communication tended to improve. With regard to the main pathologies, sleep, behavioral, and autonomic disorders persisted into adulthood, while epilepsy improved and musculoskeletal problems worsened. In our sample, older patients with R294X and R133C mutations and with C‐terminal deletions showed lower levels of clinical severity. The development of guidelines for the clinical management of patients with RTT will assist health care providers in dealing with the complex RTT phenotype. More extensive data about the long‐term course of the condition could help in the design of programs for secondary prevention of disabilities for younger females affected by the syndrome. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.