bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of obesity based on self-reported data in Spanish women participants in breast cancer screening programmes
Authors: Isidoro Beatriz , Lope Virginia , Pedraz-Pingarrón Carmen , Collado-García Francisca , Santamariña Carmen , Moreo Pilar , Vidal Carmen , Laso María Soledad , García-Lopez Milagros , Pollán Marina 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundMeasurement of obesity using self-reported anthropometric data usually involves underestimation of weight and/or overestimation of height. The dual aim of this study was, first, to ascertain and assess the validity of new cut-off points, for both overweight and obesity, using self-reported Body Mass Index furnished by women participants in breast cancer screening programmes, and second, to estimate and validate a predictive model that allows recalculate individual BMI based on self-reported data.MethodsThe study covered 2927 women enrolled at 7 breast cancer screening centres. At each centre, women were randomly selected in 2 samples, in a ratio of 2:1. The larger sample (n = 1951) was used to compare the values of measured and self-reported weight and height, to ascertain new overweight and obesity cut-off points with self-reported data, using ROC curves, and to estimate a predictive model of real BMI using a regression model. The second sample (n = 976) was used to validate the proposed cut-off points and the predictive model.ResultsWhereas reported prevalence of obesity was 19.8%, measured prevalence was 28.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of this classification would be maximised if the new cut-off points were 24.30 kg/m2 for overweight and 28.39 kg/m2 for obesity. The probability of classifying women correctly in their real weight categories on the basis of these points was 82.5% in the validation sample. Sensitivity and specificity for determining obesity using the new cut-off point in the validation sample were 90.0% and 92.3% respectively. The predictive model for real BMI included the self-reported BMI, age and educational level (university studies vs lower levels of education). This model succeeded in correctly classifying 90.5% of women according to BMI categories, but its performance was similar to that obtained with the new cut-off points.ConclusionsQuantification of self-reported obesity entails a considerable underestimation of this problem, thereby questioning its validity. The new cut-off points established in this study and the predictive equation both allow for more accurate estimation of these prevalences.
The effectiveness of moxibustion for the treatment of functional constipation: a randomized, sham-controlled, patient blinded, pilot clinical trial
Authors: Park Ji-Eun , Sul Jae-Uk , Kang Kyungwon , Shin Byung-Cheul , Hong Kwon-Eui , Choi Sun-Mi 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Moxibustion is an ancient traditional medicine using burning mugworts to stimulate acupuncture points. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of moxibustion for the treatment of constipation using a randomized, sham-controlled, participant-blinded, pilot trial.

Methods
Twenty-six participants (identified with either qi (vital energy) deficiency or qi excess syndrome) were randomly divided into either a moxibustion or sham group. Participants were treated with real or sham moxibustion at 4 acupuncture points, ST23 and ST27, bilaterally, 3 times per week for four weeks. The primary outcome was the frequency of defecations; secondary outcomes were the Bristol stool form scale (BSS) and the constipation assessment scale (CAS).

Results
Of the 26 participants that were randomized, 24 completed the study. Defecation frequency, BSS, and CAS showed no difference between the moxibustion and sham groups. The differences were -0.25 (95% CI: -2.08, 1.58, p = 0.78), -1.22 (95% CI: -2.7, 0.26, p = 0.1), 0.91 (95% CI: -1.46, 3.28, p = 0.44) in defecation frequency, BSS, CAS, respectively. The defecation frequency increased from an average of 3.3 to 4.6 times per week in the moxibustion group (1.5[-0.5, 2], p = 0.06) and from 2.7 to 3.7 stools per week in the sham group (1[-1, 2], p = 0.15) after four weeks of treatment. The difference between participants with a deficiency or an excess syndrome, determined based on assessment of sweat, facial features, pain, body energy, and pulse type, was significant in only defecation frequency. The difference was 3.3 (95% CI: 0.41, 6.19, p = 0.03).

Conclusion
Moxibustion treatment appears safe, but showed no positive effect on constipation. The effectiveness of moxibustion treatment may depend on the syndrome pattern, and further long-term studies with a larger number of subjects are warranted.

Trial registration
Clinical Research Information Service, KCT0000168
Developing a patient-centered outcome measure for complementary and alternative medicine therapies II: Refining content validity through cognitive interviews
Authors: Thompson Jennifer J , Kelly Kimberly L , Ritenbaugh Cheryl , Hopkins Allison L , Sims Colette M , Coons Stephen J 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Available measures of patient-reported outcomes for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) inadequately capture the range of patient-reported treatment effects. The Self-Assessment of Change questionnaire was developed to measure multi-dimensional shifts in well-being for CAM users. With content derived from patient narratives, items were subsequently focused through interviews on a new cohort of participants. Here we present the development of the final version in which the content and format is refined through cognitive interviews.

Methods
We conducted cognitive interviews across five iterations of questionnaire refinement with a culturally diverse sample of 28 CAM users. In each iteration, participant critiques were used to revise the questionnaire, which was then re-tested in subsequent rounds of cognitive interviews. Following all five iterations, transcripts of cognitive interviews were systematically coded and analyzed to examine participants' understanding of the format and content of the final questionnaire. Based on this data, we established summary descriptions and selected exemplar quotations for each word pair on the final questionnaire.

Results
The final version of the Self-Assessment of Change questionnaire (SAC) includes 16 word pairs, nine of which remained unchanged from the original draft. Participants consistently said that these stable word pairs represented opposite ends of the same domain of experience and the meanings of these terms were stable across the participant pool. Five pairs underwent revision and two word pairs were added. Four word pairs were eliminated for redundancy or because participants did not agree on the meaning of the terms. Cognitive interviews indicate that participants understood the format of the questionnaire and considered each word pair to represent opposite poles of a shared domain of experience.

Conclusions
We have placed lay language and direct experience at the center of questionnaire revision and refinement. In so doing, we provide an innovative model for the development of truly patient-centered outcome measures. Although this instrument was designed and tested in a CAM-specific population, it may be useful in assessing multi-dimensional shifts in well-being across a broader patient population.
Activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha ameliorates ethanol induced steatohepatitis in mice
Authors: Kong Lingbo , Ren Weiguang , Li Wencong , Zhao Suxian , Mi Hongmei , Wang Rongqi , Zhang Yuguo , Wu Wenjuan , Nan Yuemin , Yu Jun 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) regulates lipids metabolism and inhibits inflammatory response. However, the role of PPARα in alcoholic liver disease is largely unknown. We aim to elucidate the effect and the molecular basis of PPARα in ethanol induced hepatic injury in mice.

Results
C57BL/6J mice fed with 4% ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet for 12 weeks exhibited hepatocyte steatosis, necrosis and inflammatory infiltration, accompanied with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartic transaminase (AST) levels, decreased hepatic expression of PPARα, lipids oxidation promoting genes and anti-inflammatory factors, as well as enhanced hepatic expression of fatty acids synthesis promoting genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Induction of PPARα by PPARα agonist WY14643 treatment for 2 weeks ameliorated the severity of liver injury and restored expression of genes altered by ethanol treatment. However, administration of PPARα antagonist GW6471 for 2 weeks promoted the inflammatory response.

Conclusions
The present study provided the evidence for the protective role of PPARα in ameliorating ethanol induced liver injury through modulation of the genes related to lipid metabolism and inflammatory response.
Fatty acid distribution of cord and maternal blood in human pregnancy: special focus on individual trans fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids
Authors: Enke Uta , Jaudszus Anke , Schleussner Ekkehard , Seyfarth Lydia , Jahreis Gerhard , Kuhnt Katrin 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundMaternal nutrition in pregnancy has a crucial impact on the development of the fetus. Dietarytransfatty acids (tFA) are known to have adverse health effects, especially during pregnancy. However, the distribution oftFA produced via partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils (mainly elaidic acid;t9) differs compared to ruminant-derivedtFA (mainly vaccenic acid;t11). Recent findings indicate that they may have different impact on human health.Therefore, in this study, plasma and erythrocytes of mother-child pairs (n = 55) were sampled to investigate the distribution oftFA, including individualtransC18:1 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in fetal related to maternal lipids; with additional consideration of maternal dairy fat intake.ResultsPortion oft9 andt11, but also ofc9,t11 CLA was higher in maternal than in fetal blood lipids. The portion oft9 in maternal and fetal lipids differed only slightly. In contrast, the portion of fetalt11 was only half of that in maternal blood. This led to a fetalt9/t11-index in plasma and erythrocytes being twice as high compared to the maternal values. A high dairy fat intake resulted in elevated portions oft11 and its Δ9-desaturation productc9,t11 CLA in maternal blood. In contrast, in the respective fetal blood lipids onlyc9,t11 CLA, but nott11 was increased. Nevertheless, a positive association between maternal and fetal plasma exists for botht11 andc9,t11 CLA. Furthermore, in contrast tot9,t11 was not negatively associated with n-3 LC-PUFA in fetal blood lipids.ConclusionsFetal blood fatty acid composition essentially depends on and is altered by the maternal fatty acid supply. However, in addition to dietary factors, other aspects also contribute to the individual fatty acid distribution (oxidation, conversion, incorporation). The lower portion of fetalt11 compared to maternalt11, possibly results from Δ9-desaturation toc9,t11 CLA and/or oxidation. Based on the fatty acid distribution, it can be concluded thatt11 differs fromt9 regarding its metabolism and their impact on fetal LC-PUFA.
Rapid and specific influenza virus detection by functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and mass spectrometry
Authors: Chou Tzu-Chi , Hsu Wei , Wang Ching-Ho , Chen Yu-Ju , Fang Jim-Min 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
The timely and accurate diagnosis of specific influenza virus strains is crucial to effective prophylaxis, vaccine preparation and early antiviral therapy. The detection of influenza A viruses is mainly accomplished using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques or antibody-based assays. In conjugation with the immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibody, mass spectrometry is an alternative to identify proteins derived from a target influenza virus. Taking advantage of the large surface area-to-volume ratio, antibody-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles can act as an effective probe to extract influenza virus for sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and on-bead mass spectrometric analysis.

Results
Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) were functionalized with H5N2 viral antibodies targeting the hemagglutinin protein and capped with methoxy-terminated ethylene glycol to suppress nonspecific binding. The antibody-conjugated MNPs possessed a high specificity to H5N2 virus without cross-reactivity with recombinant H5N1 viruses. The unambiguous identification of the captured hemagglutinin on magnetic nanoparticles was realized by SDS-PAGE visualization and peptide sequence identification using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Conclusions
The assay combining efficient magnetic separation and MALDI-MS readout offers a rapid and sensitive method for virus screening. Direct on-MNP detection by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) provided high sensitivity (~103 EID50 per mL) and a timely diagnosis within one hour. The magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated with monoclonal antibodies could be used as a specific probe to distinguish different subtypes of influenza.
Numerical-analytic technique for investigation of solutions of some nonlinear equations with Dirichlet conditions
Authors: Rontó Andrei , Rontó Miklos , Holubová Gabriela , Nečesal Petr 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe article deals with approximate solutions of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. We provide a scheme of numerical-analytic method based upon successive approximations constructed in analytic form. We give sufficient conditions for the solvability of the problem and prove the uniform convergence of the approximations to the parameterized limit function. We provide a justification of the polynomial version of the method with several illustrating examples.2000 Mathematics Subject Classification:34B15; 65L10.
Interleukin-1α expression precedes IL-1β after ischemic brain injury and is localised to areas of focal neuronal loss and penumbral tissues
Authors: Luheshi Nadia M , Kovács Krisztina J , Lopez-Castejon Gloria , Brough David , Denes Adam 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Cerebral ischemia is a devastating condition in which the outcome is heavily influenced by inflammatory processes, which can augment primary injury caused by reduced blood supply. The cytokines interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-1β are key contributors to ischemic brain injury. However, there is very little evidence that IL-1 expression occurs at the protein level early enough (within hours) to influence brain damage after stroke. In order to determine this we investigated the temporal and spatial profiles of IL-1α and IL-1β expression after cerebral ischemia.

Findings
We report here that in mice, as early as 4 h after reperfusion following ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, IL-1α, but not IL-1β, is expressed by microglia-like cells in the ischemic hemisphere, which parallels an upregulation of IL-1α mRNA. 24 h after ischemia IL-1α expression is closely associated with areas of focal blood brain barrier breakdown and neuronal death, mostly near the penumbra surrounding the infarct. The sub-cellular distribution of IL-1α in injured areas is not uniform suggesting that it is regulated.

Conclusions
The early expression of IL-1α in areas of focal neuronal injury suggests that it is the major form of IL-1 contributing to inflammation early after cerebral ischemia. This adds to the growing body of evidence that IL-1α is a key mediator of the sterile inflammatory response.
Population-based outcomes after whole brain radiotherapy and re-irradiation in patients with metastatic breast cancer in the trastuzumab era
Authors: Karam Irene , Nichol Alan , Woods Ryan , Tyldesley Scott 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Purpose
This study examined the population-based use and outcomes of brain radiotherapy (BRT) for brain metastases (BM) from breast cancer with a focus on repeat BRT in the trastuzumab era.

Methods and materials
All women with breast cancer diagnosed from 2000-2007 and treated with BRT were retrospectively identified from a provincial database.

Results
A total of 441 women with BM from breast cancer were identified. The median age was 55 years and 40% (176/441) had human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive disease. The median survival (MS) from the initial BRT for all 441 women was 4.5 months. The MS by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Recursive Partitioning Analysis (RPA) class was: 1 (14.5 months), 2 (6.4 months) and 3 (1.8 months). For the 37 cases receiving repeat BRT, 27% (10/37) had stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and 70% (26/37) had HER2 positive disease, of which, 81% (21/26) received trastuzumab in the metastatic setting. For repeat BRT, the median survival by RPA class was: 1 (9.8 months), 2 (7.4 months) and 3 (2.0 months). For RPA class 1 and 2, the one-year overall survival (OS) was 45%.

Conclusion
The proportion of cases with HER2 positive disease was increased at repeat BRT compared to initial BRT. RPA class 1 and 2 patients should be considered for repeat BRT.
Pregnancy in multiple system atrophy: a case report
Authors: Zhu Lirong , Cairns Nigel J , Tabbal Samer D , Racette Brad A 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Multiple system atrophy is a late, adult-onset α-synucleinopathy with no data on the effect of pregnancy on the disease course. Early stage multiple system atrophy can be difficult to distinguish from Parkinson's disease.

Case presentation
We describe the case of an Irish woman with parkinsonism starting at age 31, initially diagnosed as having dopa-responsive, idiopathic Parkinson's disease, who successfully delivered a full-term child at age 35. Her pregnancy was complicated by severe orthostatic hypotension and motor fluctuations. Two years post-partum, she underwent bilateral subthalamic nuclei deep brain stimulation for intractable motor fluctuations and disabling dyskinesia. After this treatment course she experienced deterioration of motor symptoms and death eight years after disease onset. Post-mortem neuropathological examination revealed striatonigral degeneration and α-synuclein-positive glial cytoplasmic inclusions in brain stem nuclei, basal ganglia and white matter tracts, consistent with a neuropathological diagnosis of multiple system atrophy.

Conclusions
Multiple system atrophy can affect women of child-bearing age and pregnancy may be associated with marked disease progression.
Biomarkers associated with delirium in critically ill patients and their relation with long-term subjective cognitive dysfunction; indications for different pathways governing delirium in inflamed and noninflamed patients
Authors: van den Boogaard Mark , Kox Matthijs , Quinn Kieran L , van Achterberg Theo , van der Hoeven Johannes G , Schoonhoven Lisette , Pickkers Peter 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Delirium occurs frequently in critically ill patients and is associated with disease severity and infection. Although several pathways for delirium have been described, biomarkers associated with delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is not well studied. We examined plasma biomarkers in delirious and nondelirious patients and the role of these biomarkers on long-term cognitive function.

Methods
In an exploratory observational study, we included 100 ICU patients with or without delirium and with ("inflamed") and without ("noninflamed") infection/systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Delirium was diagnosed by using the confusion-assessment method-ICU (CAM-ICU). Within 24 hours after the onset of delirium, blood was obtained for biomarker analysis. No differences in patient characteristics were found between delirious and nondelirious patients. To determine associations between biomarkers and delirium, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Eighteen months after ICU discharge, a cognitive-failure questionnaire was distributed to the ICU survivors.

Results
In total, 50 delirious and 50 nondelirious patients were included. We found that IL-8, MCP-1, procalcitonin (PCT), cortisol, and S100-β were significantly associated with delirium in inflamed patients (n = 46). In the noninflamed group of patients (n = 54), IL-8, IL-1ra, IL-10 ratio Aβ1-42/40, and ratio AβN-42/40 were significantly associated with delirium. In multivariate regression analysis, IL-8 was independently associated (odds ratio, 9.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.8 to 44.0) with delirium in inflamed patients and IL-10 (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.9), and Aβ1-42/40 (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.50) with delirium in noninflamed patients. Furthermore, levels of several amyloid-β forms, but not human Tau or S100-β, were significantly correlated with self-reported cognitive impairment 18 months after ICU discharge, whereas inflammatory markers were not correlated to impaired long-term cognitive function.

Conclusions
In inflamed patients, the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8 was associated with delirium, whereas in noninflamed patients, antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 and Aβ1-42/40 were associated with delirium. This suggests that the underlying mechanism governing the development of delirium in inflamed patients differs from that in noninflamed patients. Finally, elevated levels of amyloid-β correlated with long-term subjective cognitive-impairment delirium may represent the first sign of a (subclinical) dementia process. Future studies must confirm these results.
The study was registered in the Clinical Trial Register (NCT00604773).
Face-to-Face Dimeric Tetrathiafulvalenes and Their Cation Radical and Dication Species as Models of Mixed Valence and π-Dimer States
Authors: Hasegawa Masashi , Daigoku Kota , Hashimoto Kenro , Nishikawa Hiroyuki , Iyoda Masahiko 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Intramolecular interactions of face-to-face tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) in 1,8-bis(tetrathiafulvalenyl)naphthalene frameworks were investigated in neutral and cationic states. From X-ray analysis and NMR spectroscopy on neutral 1,8-bis(tetrathiafulvalenyl)naphthalenes, which exist as a mixture of syn- and anti-isomers in solution, there is steric repulsion between TTF moieties. However, analysis of the cyclic voltammogram (CV) revealed that a strong attractive interaction was present in the cation radical state. Electronic spectra of the cation radical state showed the presence of a mixed-valence (MV) state with a strong charge resonance feature. ESR spectra of the 1,8-bis(tetrathiafulvalenyl)naphthalene cation radical showed a typical signal of an MV state. Furthermore, a π-dimer, which exhibits pronounced Davydov splitting in the electronic spectra, was formed in the dication state. The observed absorption bands in the electronic spectra were characterized by using quantum chemical calculations of the cation radical and dication species. NMR spectra of both the π-dimer and tetracation species show either a deshielding effect due to cationic charge or a shielding effect due to diamagnetic ring currents. To our knowledge, this is the first reported example of a 1H NMR spectrum of TTF π-dimer.
Towards Next-Generation Proteomic Assays: Functional Materials as Sieving Matrices and Binding Scaffolds
Authors: Tia Samuel Q. , Hughes Alex J. , Karns Kelly , Araz M. Kursad , He Mei , Kim Dohyun , Herr Amy E. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTNext-generation bioanalytical approaches for protein-level measurements are advanced by the integration capacity of microfluidic design strategies, as well as the fine fluid and material control possible. Photopatterning of polymers within fluidic volumes is a key tool in the suite of technologies available for seamless integration of assay measurement modalities, as well as rapid target detection. Here, we overview recent advances in heterogeneous and homogeneous immunoassays using functional polymers, electrophoretic transport, and microdevices.