bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive Alterations in Hypertensive Children and Adolescents
Authors: Lande Marc B. , Kupferman Juan C. , Adams Heather R. 
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:353–359. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Hypertensive adults demonstrate performance deficits on neuropsychological testing compared with scores of normotensive controls. This article reviews emerging preliminary evidence that children with hypertension also manifest neurocognitive differences when compared with normotensive controls. Database and single‐center studies suggest that children with hypertension manifest deficits on measures of neurocognition and have an increased prevalence of learning difficulties and that children with hypertension associated with obesity may be at increased risk for depression and anxiety. Studies suggesting blunted cerebrovascular reactivity in children with hypertension are also reviewed.
The Role of Uric Acid in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension in the Young
Authors: Feig Daniel I. 
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:346–352. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Uric acid has been suspected to be a risk factor for hypertension since the 1870s. Numerous epidemiological studies demonstrate an association between uric acid and both incident and prevalent hypertension in diverse populations. Studies in elderly patients have had more variable results, raising the possibility that uric acid may be more significant to hypertension in the young. Animal models support a two‐phase mechanism for the development of hyperuricemic hypertension. Initially, uric acid induces vasoconstriction by activation of the renin‐angiotensin system and reduction of circulating nitric oxide, which can be reversed by lowering uric acid. Over time, uric acid uptake into vascular smooth muscle cells causes cellular proliferation and secondary arteriolosclerosis that impairs pressure natriuresis, causing sodium‐sensitive hypertension. Consistent with the animal model data, small clinical trials performed in adolescents with newly diagnosed essential hypertension demonstrate that at least in certain young patients, reduction of serum uric acid can mitigate blood pressure elevation. While more research is clearly necessary, the available data suggest that uric acid is likely causative in some cases of early‐onset hypertension.
Prehypertension in Adolescents: Risk and Progression
Authors: Redwine Karen M. , Daniels Stephen R. 
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:360–364. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.In 2004, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents recommended a new designation of prehypertension for children with mildly elevated blood pressure (BP). This description was intended to help identify children most at risk for the development of persistent hypertension for whom targeted prevention programs would be most beneficial and was based largely on expert opinions and epidemiologic normal values. This review summarizes the knowledge that has been gained regarding the epidemiology and risk associated with prehypertension in adolescents since its inception and highlights future challenges in understanding and preventing the development of hypertensive disease in this population.
The dilemma of green business in tropical forests: how to protect what it cannot identify
Authors: Meijaard Erik , Sheil Douglas 
Published: May 2012

AbstractMuch tropical biodiversity resides in forests managed by timber, mining, and plantation companies. These companies can determine the local persistence of many species and have considerable implications for global conservation outcomes. Many companies are willing to invest in improved management as long as this does not undermine their business—indeed accessing green markets often makes commercial sense. Compliance with common standards of good commercial practice requires identification of all species of conservation significance which occur within their areas of management responsibility. But, as we demonstrate, it is impossible for companies to do this comprehensively. Such demands are often counterproductive in that they alienate those who might otherwise be willing to improve. Given the finite resources available for achieving conservation outcomes, we need to trade off data collection against other costs. To encourage adoption and implementation of conservation friendly practices requires incentives, not technical and financial obstacles. We challenge conservation biologists to reconsider the realities of good forest management, and provide pragmatic guidance for business compatible conservation. Until we engage more effectively with commercial interests, opportunities for improved conservation outcomes will be wasted.
Lowering environmental costs of oil‐palm expansion in Colombia
Authors: Garcia‐Ulloa John , Sloan Sean , Pacheco Pablo , Ghazoul Jaboury , Koh Lian Pin 
Published: May 2012

AbstractColombia is the fifth largest producer of palm oil in the world. The country's government and oil‐palm farmers association target a sixfold increase of crude palm‐oil production by 2020. We model the impacts of expanding oil‐palm agriculture in Colombia through a spatially explicit scenario analysis. We demonstrate that the impacts of oil‐palm expansion (e.g., deforestation, conversion of natural savannahs) would be minimized by establishing new plantations on pasture lands, given the low environmental value and economic utility, and the high agricultural potential of this land use. Impacts of oil‐palm expansion on beef and dairy production could be compensated by improving productivity of pasture lands elsewhere. However, the profitability of oil‐palm production in these areas might suffer over the long term due to high land purchase costs.
Incidence rate and causes of infection in Thai systemic sclerosis patients
Authors: Foocharoen Chingching , Siriphannon Yada , Mahakkanukrauh Ajanee , Suwannaroj Siraphop , Nanagara Ratanavadee 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundInfection is a common cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc) but despite immunosuppressant therapy, there are few reports of opportunistic infection.ObjectivesTo estimate the incidence of infection, to determine the etiologic organism, and to assess the risk factors for infection among Thai SSc patients.MethodsA historical cohort analysis was conducted on patients over 15 years of age, diagnosed with SSc, who attended the Scleroderma Clinic at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand, between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2006.ResultsThe medical records of 117 SSc patients were reviewed. The female‐to‐male ratio was 1.5 : 1.0. Of the total 310 person‐years under observation, 63 events of infection occurred. The incidence rate of infection was 20.3 per 100 person‐years (95% CI 15.6–26.0) and the incidence rate of major infection was 11.0 per 100 person‐years (95% CI 8.4–16.5). The mean age and mean duration of SSc at the time of infection was 50.1 ± 11.1 years (range, 25.2–76.6) and 12.9 ± 10.4 months (range, 0.5–34.6), respectively. Urinary tract infection was the most common infection (23.8%). Opportunistic infection was found in one case (esophageal candidiasis). Esophageal dysmotility was significantly related to major infection (odds ratio [OR] 3.22). There was a clinical association between aspiration pneumonia and esophageal dysmotility (OR 1.23), as well as non‐strongyloidiasis diarrhea and gastrointestinal involvement (OR 2.28). One person died due to severe bacterial aspiration pneumonia.ConclusionsInfection is not uncommon among SSc patients; however, opportunistic infection is rare, despite immunosuppressant therapy. Esophageal dysmotility increases the risk of major infection, particularly of aspiration pneumonia.
Access to antiepileptic drug therapy in children in Camagüey Province, Cuba†
Authors: Arencibia Zeina Bárzaga , Leyva Alberto López , Peña Yordanka Mejías , Reyes Alba Rosa González , Nápolez Maurilys Acosta , Carbonell Perdomo Demetrio , Manzano Edita Fernández , Choonara Imti 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Objective
To describe access to antiepileptic drug therapy and estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in children in Camagüey Province, Cuba.

Methods
All the community pharmacies in the province were visited and information collected about the number of children receiving antiepileptic drugs in 2009. Availability and cost of each antiepileptic drug were determined. The prevalence of epilepsy was estimated by determining the number of children receiving antiepileptic drugs.

Results
There were 923 children who received a total of 977 antiepileptic drugs in Camagüey Province. The estimated prevalence of epilepsy was 5.18 per thousand children which is lower than previously reported rates in other low and lower-middle income countries. Most of the children (871, 94%) received a single antiepileptic drug. Carbamazepine and valproate were the two most frequently prescribed antiepileptic drugs. Antiepileptic drugs were available from the local pharmacy on 76% of occasions. If the antiepileptic drug was not available from the local pharmacy, the parent had to travel to another pharmacy to obtain the medicine.

Conclusions
The estimated prevalence of epilepsy in children in Cuba is lower than that estimated in other lower-middle income countries. Access to drug therapy in children with epilepsy can be achieved in lower-middle income countries.
On the equations a2−2b6=cp and a2−2=cp
Authors: Chen Imin 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe study the equation a2−2b6=cp and its specialization a2−2=cp, where p is a prime, using the modular method. In particular, we use a ℚ-curve defined over ${\mathbb Q}(\sqrt {2},\sqrt {3})$ for which the solution (a,b,c)=(±1,±1,−1) gives rise to a CM-form. This allows us to apply the modular method to resolve the equation a2−2b6=cp for p in certain congruence classes. For the specialization a2−2=cp, we use the multi-Frey technique of Siksek to obtain further refined results.
Selecting Ensemble Members to Provide Regional Climate Change Information
Authors: McSweeney Carol F. , Jones Richard G. , Booth Ben B. B. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Climate model ensembles, such as the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 3 (CMIP3), are used to characterize broadscale ranges of projected regional climate change and their impacts. The 17-member Hadley Centre perturbed physics GCM ensemble [Quantifying Uncertainty in Model Predictions (“QUMP”)] extends this capability by including data enabling dynamical downscaling of these ranges, and similar data are now being made available from the CMIP phase 5 (CMIP5) GCMs. These raise new opportunities to provide and apply high-resolution regional climate projections. This study highlights the importance of employing a well-considered sampling strategy from available ensembles to provide scientifically credible information on regional climate change while minimizing the computational complexity of ensemble downscaling.
A subset of the QUMP ensemble is selected for a downscaling program in Vietnam using the Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies (PRECIS) regional climate modeling system. Multiannual mean fields from each GCM are assessed with a focus on the Asian summer monsoon, given its importance to proposed applications of the projections. First, the study examines whether any model should be eliminated because significant deficiencies in its simulation may render its future climate projections unrealistic. No evidence is found to eliminate any of the 17 GCMs on these grounds. Second, the range of their future projections is explored and five models that best represent the full range of future climates are identified. The subset characterizes the range of both global and regional responses, and patterns of rainfall response, the wettest and driest projections for Vietnam, and different projected Asian summer monsoon changes. How these ranges of responses compare with those in the CMIP3 ensemble are also assessed, finding differences in both the signal and the spread of results in Southeast Asia.
Aluminum overload increases oxidative stress in four functional brain areas of neonatal rats
Authors: Yuan Chia-Yi , Lee Yih-Jing , Hsu Guoo-Shyng Wang 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Higher aluminum (Al) content in infant formula and its effects on neonatal brain development are a cause for concern. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and concentration of Al in neonatal rat brain following Al treatment, and oxidative stress in brain tissues induced by Al overload.

Methods
Postnatal day 3 (PND 3) rat pups (n =46) received intraperitoneal injection of aluminum chloride (AlCl3), at dosages of 0, 7, and 35 mg/kg body wt (control, low Al (LA), and high Al (HA), respectively), over 14 d.

Results
Aluminum concentrations were significantly higher in the hippocampus (751.0 ± 225.8 ng/g v.s. 294.9 ± 180.8 ng/g; p < 0.05), diencephalon (79.6 ± 20.7 ng/g v.s. 20.4 ± 9.6 ng/g; p < 0.05), and cerebellum (144.8 ± 36.2 ng/g v.s. 83.1 ± 15.2 ng/g; p < 0.05) in the HA group compared to the control. The hippocampus, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brain stem of HA animals displayed significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidative products (TBARS) than the same regions in the controls. However, the average superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brain stem were lower in the HA group compared to the control. The HA animals demonstrated increased catalase activity in the diencephalon, and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brain stem, compared to controls.

Conclusion
Aluminum overload increases oxidative stress (H2O2) in the hippocampus, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brain stem in neonatal rats.
The changes in female physical and childbearing characteristics in china and potential association with risk of breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Liu Li-yuan , Wang Fei , Mu Kun , Yu Zhi-gang 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
There has been a sharp increase in the incidence of breast cancer in China in recent years. A number of female physical characteristics, such as age at menarche, menopause, first birth and the duration of breastfeeding, have been linked to breast cancer, yet data on these factors in Chinese women is largely missing both for aggregate and age-specific data. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore changes in female menstrual and childbearing characteristics as a possible explanation for increasing rates of breast cancer in this country.

Method
From July to September 2008, a population based cross-sectional breast cancer survey covering 124,758 females from 4 provinces or cities in Eastern China was carried out, using multi-stage and cluster methods. In-person interviews based on a self-designed structured questionnaire were performed, in which female physiological and reproductive factors, such as age at menarche and menopause, menstrual cycle history, childbearing history, breastfeeding methods, abortions or miscarriage, were included. For every 10-year age category, the subjects were divided, and across those age groups, all the above factors were compared respectively and changes in physical and childbearing characteristics were evaluated. ANOVA was used to compare the differences across the groups.

Results
A total of 122058 subjects were included in the final analysis. The mean age at menarche was 15.39 years, the mean number of full-term pregnancies was 1.58, the mean duration of breastfeeding was 22.68 months, the mean age at first birth was 23.75 years, the mean frequency of miscarriage was 0.36, and the mean age at menopause was 48.63 years. Significant differences across the several age groups were noted for the age at menarche, number of full-term pregnancies, accumulated duration of breastfeeding, age at first birth, number of miscarriages, and age at menopause. These data clearly showed a gradual shift towards an earlier age at menarche, fewer pregnancies and shorter breastfeeding lengths.

Conclusions
Significant changes in female physical and childbearing characteristics across a number of different age ranges were detected. These changes may be related to the increasing trend of breast cancer in China.
Efficacy of two educational interventions about inhalation techniques in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). TECEPOC: study protocol for a partially randomized controlled trial (preference trial)
Authors: Leiva-Fernández Francisca , Leiva-Fernández José , Zubeldia-Santoyo Fernando , García-Ruiz Antonio , Prados-Torres Daniel , Barnestein-Fonseca Pilar 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Drugs for inhalation are the cornerstone of therapy in obstructive lung disease. We have observed that up to 75 % of patients do not perform a correct inhalation technique. The inability of patients to correctly use their inhaler device may be a direct consequence of insufficient or poor inhaler technique instruction. The objective of this study is to test the efficacy of two educational interventions to improve the inhalation techniques in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Methods
This study uses both a multicenter patients´ preference trial and a comprehensive cohort design with 495 COPD-diagnosed patients selected by a non-probabilistic method of sampling from seven Primary Care Centers. The participants will be divided into two groups and five arms. The two groups are: 1) the patients´ preference group with two arms and 2) the randomized group with three arms. In the preference group, the two arms correspond to the two educational interventions (Intervention A and Intervention B) designed for this study. In the randomized group the three arms comprise: intervention A, intervention B and a control arm. Intervention A is written information (a leaflet describing the correct inhalation techniques). Intervention B is written information about inhalation techniques plus training by an instructor. Every patient in each group will be visited six times during the year of the study at health care center.

Discussion
Our hypothesis is that the application of two educational interventions in patients with COPD who are treated with inhaled therapy will increase the number of patients who perform a correct inhalation technique by at least 25 %. We will evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions on patient inhalation technique improvement, considering that it will be adequate and feasible within the context of clinical practice.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRTCTN15106246
Comparison of five methods for genomic breeding value estimation for the common dataset of the 15th QTL-MAS Workshop
Authors: Wang Chong-Long , Ma Pei-Pei , Zhang Zhe , Ding Xiang-Dong , Liu Jian-Feng , Fu Wei-Xuan , Weng Zi-Qing , Zhang Qin 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Genomic breeding value estimation is the key step in genomic selection. Among many approaches, BLUP methods and Bayesian methods are most commonly used for estimating genomic breeding values. Here, we applied two BLUP methods, TABLUP and GBLUP, and three Bayesian methods, BayesA, BayesB and BayesCπ, to the common dataset provided by the 15th QTL-MAS Workshop to evaluate and compare their predictive performances.

Results
For the 1000 progenies without phenotypic values, the correlations between GEBVs by different methods ranged from 0.812 (GBLUP and BayesCπ) to 0.997 (TABLUP and BayesB). The accuracies of GEBVs (measured as correlations between true breeding values (TBVs) and GEBVs) were from 0.774 (GBLUP) to 0.938 (BayesCπ) and the biases of GEBVs (measure as regressions of TBVs on GEBVs) were from 1.033 (TABLUP) to 1.648 (GBLUP). The three Bayesian methods and TABLUP had similar accuracy and bias.

Conclusions
BayesA, BayesB, BayesCπ and TABLUP performed similarly and satisfactorily and remarkably outperformed GBLUP for genomic breeding value estimation in this dataset. TABLUP is a promising method for genomic breeding value estimation because of its easy computation of reliabilities of GEBVs and its easy extension to real life conditions such as multiple traits and consideration of individuals without genotypes.
Astrocytes generated from patient induced pluripotent stem cells recapitulate features of Huntington’s disease patient cells
Authors: Juopperi Tarja A , Kim Woon Ryoung , Chiang Cheng-Hsuan , Yu Huimei , Margolis Russell L , Ross Christopher A , Ming Guo-li , Song Hongjun 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that clinically manifests as motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms. There is currently no cure for this progressive and fatal disorder. The causative mutation of this hereditary disease is a trinucleotide repeat expansion (CAG) in the Huntingtin gene that results in an expanded polyglutamine tract. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain the preferential striatal and cortical degeneration that occurs with HD, including non-cell-autonomous contribution from astrocytes. Although numerous cell culture and animal models exist, there is a great need for experimental systems that can more accurately replicate the human disease. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a remarkable new tool to study neurological disorders because this cell type can be derived from patients as a renewable, genetically tractable source for unlimited cells that are difficult to acquire, such as neurons and astrocytes. The development of experimental systems based on iPSC technology could aid in the identification of molecular lesions and therapeutic treatments.

Results
We derived iPSCs from a father with adult onset HD and 50 CAG repeats (F-HD-iPSC) and his daughter with juvenile HD and 109 CAG repeats (D-HD-iPSC). These disease-specific iPSC lines were characterized by standard assays to assess the quality of iPSC lines and to demonstrate their pluripotency. HD-iPSCs were capable of producing phenotypically normal, functional neurons in vitro and were able to survive and differentiate into neurons in the adult mouse brain in vivo after transplantation. Surprisingly, when HD-iPSCs were directed to differentiate into an astrocytic lineage, we observed the presence of cytoplasmic, electron clear vacuoles in astrocytes from both F-HD-iPSCs and D-HD-iPSCs, which were significantly more pronounced in D-HD-astrocytes. Remarkably, the vacuolation in diseased astrocytes was observed under basal culture conditions without additional stressors and increased over time. Importantly, similar vacuolation phenotype has also been observed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from individuals with HD. Together, these data suggest that vacuolation may be a phenotype associated with HD.

Conclusions
We have generated a unique in vitro system to study HD pathogenesis using patient-specific iPSCs. The astrocytes derived from patient-specific iPSCs exhibit a vacuolation phenotype, a phenomenon previously documented in primary lymphocytes from HD patients. Our studies pave the way for future mechanistic investigations using human iPSCs to model HD and for high-throughput therapeutic screens.