bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Plasma Methylmalonic Acid in a Large Population: Implications for Assessment of Vitamin B12 Status
Authors: Vogiatzoglou Anna , Oulhaj Abderrahim , Smith A David , Nurk Eha , Drevon Christian A , Ueland Per M , Vollset Stein E , Tell Grethe S , Refsum Helga 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground: Methylmalonic acid (MMA) in plasma or serum is widely used for assessment of vitamin B12 status. However, data are sparse regarding factors, besides renal function, that may influence MMA concentrations. We searched for important determinants of plasma MMA in the general population.Methods: In 6946 middle-aged (47–49 years) and elderly (71–74 years) individuals from the Hordaland Homocysteine Study in Norway, we collected anthropometric measurements, lifestyle data, and plasma MMA, vitamin B12, and creatinine measurements. For 5820 individuals, we also collected dietary data.Results: Age and plasma creatinine were positively associated with plasma MMA, whereas plasma vitamin B12 was negatively associated. These variables together with sex were the strongest determinants of plasma MMA, accounting for 16% of the variation (R2 = 0.16). Addition of anthropometric measures and lifestyle and dietary factors only gave slight improvement (total R2 = 0.167). Increased plasma MMA was seen when plasma vitamin B12 was &lt;400 pmol/L. In individuals with vitamin B12 ≥400 μmol/L (vitamin B12–replete), the 2.5th–97.5th percentile reference limits for MMA were 0.10–0.28 μmol/L (middle-aged) and 0.10–0.36 μmol/L (elderly). When plotted against creatinine (nomograms), the 97.5th percentile of MMA was similar in men and women but approximately 0.15 μmol/L higher in elderly than middle-aged individuals. Vitamin B12–replete participants had MMA upper limits approximately 0.1 μmol/L (elderly) and 0.04 μmol/L (middle-aged) below those of the unselected population at all creatinine concentrations.Conclusions: Identified determinants accounted for &lt;17% of the overall variation in plasma MMA. The difference in MMA between middle-aged and elderly individuals is only partly explained by creatinine and vitamin B12 concentrations.
Amyloid-β(1–42), Total Tau, and Phosphorylated Tau as Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Mulder Cees , Verwey Nicolaas A , van der Flier Wiesje M , Bouwman Femke H , Kok Astrid , van Elk Evert J , Scheltens Philip , Blankenstein Marinus A 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Background: To improve ante mortem diagnostic accuracy of Alzheimer disease (AD), measurement of the biomarkers amyloid-β(1–42) (Aβ42), total tau (Tau), and tau phosphorylated at threonine181 (pTau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been proposed. We have used these markers and evaluated their performance.
Methods: From January 2001 to January 2007, we assessed Aβ42, Tau, and pTau by commercial ELISAs in CSF from 248 consecutive AD patients and 131 patients with subjective memory complaints attending our outpatient memory clinic. Diagnoses were made blind to the results of the biomarker assays. We assessed sensitivity and specificity and analyzed trends over time.
Results: Interassay CVs from analysis of pools of surplus CSF specimens were mean 11.3% (SD 4.9%) for Aβ42; 9.3% (1.5%) for Tau, and 9.4% (2.5%) for pTau, respectively (n = 7–18). To achieve 85% sensitivity, cutoff values were 550 (95% CI 531–570) ng/L for Aβ42; 375 (325–405) ng/L for Tau, and 52 (48–56) ng/L for pTau. Corresponding specificities were 83% (95% CI 76%–89%) for Aβ42, 78% (70%–85%) for Tau, and 68% (60%–77%) for pTau. Logistic regression to investigate the simultaneous impact of the 3 CSF biomarkers on the diagnosis yielded a sensitivity of 93.5% and specificity of 82.7%, at a discrimination line of Aβ42 = 373 + 0.82 × Tau. The area under the ROC curves of Tau and pTau showed significant fluctuation over time.
Conclusions: CSF biomarkers Aβ42 and Tau can be used as a diagnostic aid in AD. pTau did not have additional value over these 2 markers. Cutoff values, sensitivities, specificities, and discrimination lines depend on the patient groups studied and laboratory experience.
Amniotic Fluid Digestive Enzyme Analysis Is Useful for Identifying CFTR Gene Mutations of Unclear Significance
Authors: Oca Florine , Dreux Sophie , Gérard Bénédicte , Simon-Bouy Brigitte , de Becdelièvre Alix , Ferec Claude , Girodon Emmanuelle , Muller Françoise 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Background: The large number of CFTR [cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (ATP-binding cassette sub-family C, member 7)] mutations and the existence of variants of unclear significance complicate the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to determine whether the pattern of amniotic fluid digestive enzymes (AF-DEs) could be correlated with the severity of CFTR mutations.
Methods: The AF-DE pattern (γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, aminopeptidase M, and the intestinal isoform of alkaline phosphatase) was retrospectively analyzed in 43 AF samples. All fetuses presented 2 CFTR mutations, which were classified according to the severity of the disease: CF/CF (n = 38); CF/CFTR-related disorders (n = 1); and CF/unknown variant (n = 4). The relationships between clinical CF status, CFTR mutations, and AF-DE pattern were studied.
Results: Of 38 severely affected CF fetuses, an “obstructive” AF-DE pattern was observed in 15 of 15 samples collected before 22 weeks, irrespective of the CFTR mutation (diagnostic sensitivity, 100%; diagnostic specificity, 99.8%). In the 23 fetuses evaluated after 22 weeks, the AF-DE pattern was abnormal in 7 cases and noncontributive in 16 (diagnostic sensitivity, 30.4%; diagnostic specificity, 99.8%). Of the 5 questionable cases (F508del/N1224K, F508del/L73F, 3849+10kbC&gt;T/G1127E, F508del/S1235R, F508del/G622D), all were CF symptom free at 2–4 years of follow-up. The AF-DE pattern (&lt;22 weeks) was typical in 3 cases but abnormal in the last 2 cases.
Conclusions: AF-DE analysis is of value for prenatal CF diagnosis in classic forms of CF and could be helpful in nonclassic CF.
Aberrant Concentrations of Liver-Derived Plasma Albumin mRNA in Liver Pathologies
Authors: Chan Rebecca WY , Wong John , Chan Henry LY , Mok Tony SK , Lo Wyatt YW , Lee Vincent , To Ka F , Lai Paul BS , Rainer Timothy H , Lo YM Dennis , Chiu Rossa WK 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Background: We hypothesized that liver-derived mRNA, such as ALB (albumin) mRNA, would be released into human plasma with liver cell death.
Methods: We genotyped ALB mRNA molecules in samples of plasma and whole blood from liver and bone marrow transplant recipients by RNA single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Plasma and whole blood ALB mRNA genotypes were compared with the DNA genotypes of the recipients and donors. A reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR assay was used to measure plasma ALB mRNA concentrations in 107 patients [hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis, or chronic hepatitis B (CHB)] and 207 healthy controls.
Results: The RNA genotype data revealed ALB mRNA in plasma to be liver derived, whereas tissue compartments other than the liver also contributed to the ALB mRNA detected in whole blood. Statistically significant increases in plasma ALB mRNA concentrations were observed for HCC, cirrhosis, and active CHB, compared with controls. A cutoff of 835 copies/mL of plasma ALB mRNA identified by ROC curve analysis showed 85.5% diagnostic sensitivity and 92.8% diagnostic specificity for the detection of liver pathologies. Only 21.5% of patients with liver pathologies had increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, whereas 73.8% had increased plasma ALB mRNA concentrations. Only 48.6% of the HCC patients had increased serum α-fetoprotein concentrations, whereas 91.4% had increased plasma ALB mRNA concentrations.
Conclusions: ALB mRNA is liver specific in plasma, but not in whole blood. Plasma ALB mRNA is increased in some liver pathologies and may be more diagnostically sensitive than α-fetoprotein and ALT.
Zu Ignatius von Antiochien
Authors: Schmithals Walter 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
This article continues the discussion about date of composition, authenticity, and adressee of the Corpus Ignatianum recently resumed by R. Joly, R.M. Hübner, and T. Lechner. Regarding especially the terminology used in the epistles and their dependance on Noet of Smyrna the author argues for an origin during the reign of Mark Aurel (161-180 AD). The Epistle to the Romans is considered to be the key to the entire Corpus Ignatianum which was written in the Christian community of Rome. The – successful – purpose of this pseudonymous opus has been to introduce and to establish the monepiscopate in the Roman church.
Baptism in Jordan – for Christians and Gnostics: Remarkable similarities between Old Syrian baptismal liturgies and the Mandaean masbuta
Authors: Ryen Jon Olav 
Published: October 2009

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG
Der vorliegende Aufsatz konzentriert sich auf Parallelen zwischen alten syrischen Taufliturgien und der Liturgie für die mandäische Taufe (masbuta). Die Mandäer, die einzige gnostische Gruppe der Gegenwart mit historischer Verbindung zur antiken „Gnosis“, verstehen die Taufe als eine repetitive liturgische Handlung für die Seele auf dem Wege zur Lichtwelt. Die mandäische masbuta ist also keine initiatorische, einmalige Handlung wie die christliche Taufe. Auf diesem Hintergrund sind die vielen Parallelen zu den alten syrischen Liturgien überraschend. Es zeigt sich, dass sowohl die mandäische als auch die syrische Tradition das Taufwasser durchgehend als “Jordan” verstehen. Wie die alten syrischen Kirchen benutzen auch die Mandäer Öl und “Kronen” als liturgische Elemente während der Taufhandlung, die mit einem liturgischen Mahl („Kommunion“) abgeschlossen wird. Obwohl die mandäische Anthropologie klare gnostische Züge hat, enthält die Taufliturgie der Mandäer, wie die der alten syrischen Kirchen, die jüdischchristliche Idee von Sündenvergebung und Heil für den ganzen Menschen (Seele/Geist und Leib). Diese Verwandtschaft zwischen mandäischen und christlichen Tauftraditionen aus syrischem Gebiet könnte dadurch erklärt werden, dass die Mandäer ursprünglich zu einer jüdisch(-christlichen) Gruppe in Palästina oder Syria gehörten, bevor sie sich von dieser Gruppe trennten. Diese Aussonderung der Mandäer fand ihren Ausdruck sowohl auf ideologischem Gebiet (Gnostizierung) als auch auf geographischer Ebene (Auswanderung nach Babylonia).
Sprachvariation im 18. Jahrhundert. Die Briefe der Familie Mozart Teil II
Authors: Reiffenstein Ingo 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
In the second half of the eighteenth century, a far-reaching change took place in the language of Southern Germany and Austria. This change from the traditional baroque Upper German written language [oberdeutsche Schreibsprache] to modern High German occurred not only in the language of printing, but also in private letters. One result of this transition is a broad variety of linguistic forms. The extensive correspondence between members of the Mozart family (father, mother, daughter, son) is an extremely useful subject for the investigation of this language variation.
After a series of introductory sections, the usage of written language by the different members of the family will be analyzed in part one of this paper. The range of variety reaches from Leopold Mozart's modern, educated German to the traditional, partly colloquial language of Mozart's mother. A separate chapter deals with W. A. Mozart's creative use of language (and varieties), his fancy for artificial jokes and word play [Sprachspiele]. Part two deals with the question of what we can learn from the written language of the letters about how the Mozarts spoke with each other and with other members of their society.
Denominales -er: Ein Suffix lebt (wieder) auf
Authors: Scott Alan 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The denominal use of the agent suffix -er is often overshadowed by the highly productive deverbal use of the suffix and its portrayals in the research literature have tended to be incomplete or contradictory, often concluding that denominal derivation is a minor or even unproductive role of -er. Contemporary usage data show denominal -er to have several productive niches, including attachment to native complex idiomatic bases (e.g. Goldwäscher, Rollenspieler) and, most notably, attachment to English bases (e.g. Boarder, Spammer). As such, while less widely used than its deverbal counterpart, denominal -er is shown to be increasing its sphere of use and importance in a manner not yet reported in the literature.
„… ohne jetzt nun gleich aggressiv zu werden“: Ein Zeitadverb als Diskursmarker
Authors: Rehbock Helmut 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Unlike nun (“now”), a German time adverb of Indo-European origin, the synonymous adverb jetzt, created in medieval times, has not produced any uses which would allow it to be allocated to the word class ‘discourse particle’. But since 1983 some examples have been discussed—first for the Alemannic speech area—of a jetzt which does not refer to the present, real or imagined, but expresses the speaker's concern and his wish to control the hearer's attention. Such non-referential uses of jetzt in today's spoken German are the subject-matter of the following paper. The attempt is made to describe and classify these usages by analyzing examples drawn from various sources, mainly from corpora of the Institut für Deutsche Sprache (Mannheim). The common denominator for all occurrences of jetzt is its temporal deixis, while the main differences lie in the respective tasks the deixis is meant to fulfil: either, in the referential case, to link the sentence proposition with the speaker's present; or, non-referentially, to evoke various implied meta-communicative contents: or as ‘pure’ deixis, to highlight the relevance of what the speaker is saying. Special functions of the meta-communicative usage are: emphasizing relevance, marking examples and counterarguments, focussing on constituents and increasing contrasts. Some of these functions seem to be reserved for jetzt, rather than nun. In all cases, jetzt remains a syntactically integrated adverb which, besides its normal referential use, can be functionalized for non-referential purposes: a deictic time adverb functioning as a ‘discourse marker’
Wieder als Modalpartikel
Authors: Pittner Karin 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
This paper argues that wieder (‘again’) can be used in wh-questions as a modal particle. This use derives from the use of wieder as a temporal adverb, due to grammaticalization, in accordance with Traugott's hypothesis of a semantic-pragmatic tendency for meanings to become increasingly situated in the speaker's belief-state or attitude toward the situation. By using wieder as a modal particle, the speaker can indicate that s/he knew the answer to the question previously but is at present not aware of it.
It is shown that several other temporal adverbs, such as noch (‘still’) and gleich (‘soon’), may serve as modal particles in questions, with a function very similar to that of wieder. This is due to semantic bleaching, a concomitant of grammaticalization, which neutralizes the differences in lexical semantics between these elements. These modal particles indicate that the answer to the question is part of the speaker and recipient's common ground, but not activated at the moment in the speaker's and/or the hearer's consciousness.
Anrede in der Grundschule
Authors: Ehlers Klaas-Hinrich 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
On the basis of 35 qualitative interviews this article focuses on the pronominal and nominal ways pupils and teachers address each other in German primary schools. It shows that the way of addressing each other in West German schools since the 1960s has seen a profound change towards a certain dominance of nonhierachical and nonformal communication that no longer expresses the different social roles. Sometimes school children even address their teachers with a nickname and vice versa. Since the German unification in 1990, the communication style in East Germany seems to be following this trend. Apparently, the institutionally framed communication in German primary schools has opened itself to a certain degree for the general sociocultural tendency towards informalization and individualization which also determines the long term development of other communicative routines in German society.
Weimar, Bonn, Berlin. Zum historischen Ort des Grundgesetzes
Authors: Winkler Heinrich August 
Published: October 2009

Vorspann
Die deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte im 20. Jahrhundert kennt tiefe Zäsuren, die durch Weimar, Bonn und Berlin markiert werden. Weimar steht für das Scheitern einer parlamentarischen Demokratie, Bonn für das erfolgreiche Modell einer wehrhaften Demokratie und Berlin für die Bewährung dieser Demokratie, deren rechtliches Fundament, das Grundgesetz, auch die Überwindung der deutschen Teilung ermöglichte. Heinrich August Winkler, einer der führenden deutschen Zeithistoriker, diskutiert den historischen Ort des Grundgesetzes in der deutschen Geschichte und geht dabei auch auf die Gefahren ein, die der demokratischen Legitimität der Bundesrepublik durch die Verselbständigung der Exekutivgewalt im europäischen Einigungsprozess drohen.
Erzwungene Verständigung? Die Kommission der Historiker der DDR und der Volksrepublik Polen 1956–1990
Authors: Guth Stefan 
Published: October 2009

Vorspann
Historikerkommissionen zur Legitimierung von Politik sind keine Erfindung der letzten Jahre. Eine der ersten war die 1956 ins Leben gerufene Kommission aus Historikern Polens und der DDR, die das deutsch-polnische Geschichtsbild im Zeichen des Sozialismus harmonisieren sollte – und dabei kläglich scheiterte, weil sich die polnischen Wissenschaftler weit weniger für politische Zwecke einspannen ließen als ihre ostdeutschen Kollegen. Stefan Guth von der Universität Bern beleuchtet diese stets prekären Verständigungsversuche und kontrastiert sie mit der Kooperation polnischer und westdeutscher Historiker, die auch in heiklen Fragen sehr viel rascher einen gemeinsamen Nenner fanden.
Proving the superiority of democracy. Die National Fitness Campaign der britischen Regierung (1937–1939) im transnationalen Zusammenhang
Authors: Lemcke Anna Maria 
Published: October 2009

Vorspann
Kurz bevor er Premierminister wurde, stellte der britische Schatzkanzler Neville Chamberlain im Herbst 1936 die körperliche Verfassung der Jugend seines Landes – neben Rüstung und Handelspolitik – in den Mittelpunkt einer programmatischen Rede. Vor allem auch der glänzende Eindruck, den die deutschen Sportler bei den zurückliegenden Olympischen Sommerspielen in Berlin gemacht hatten, veranlasste die Regierung Großbritanniens zwischen 1937 und 1939 zu einer groß angelegten ertüchtigungspolitischen Kampagne. Aber gab es in diesen Fragen auch darüber hinaus einen intensiveren Austausch zwischen beiden Ländern? Welche Rolle spielte der grundlegende Systemgegensatz zwischen britischer Demokratie und nationalsozialistischer Diktatur? Fragen an eine transnationale Geschichtsschreibung, auf die Anna Maria Lemcke mit neuen Quellen Antworten gibt.
Erdöl statt Reparationen. Die Sowjetische Mineralölverwaltung (SMV) in Österreich 1945–1955
Authors: Iber Walter M. 
Published: October 2009

Vorspann
Nach allgemeiner Vorstellung trennt sich die Welt des Kalten Krieges sauber in ein Lager diesseits und jenseits des Eisernen Vorhangs. Dass die Sowjetunion jedoch lange Zeit gewissermaßen einen „Außenposten“ im östlichen Österreich besaß, ist weitgehend unbekannt. Das Schicksal der österreichischen Erdölindustrie veranschaulicht wie in einem Brennglas die enge Wechselwirkung von militärischer Strategie, Politik und Ökonomie, zeigt aber auch, welch seltsame Konstrukte die bipolare Welt des Kalten Krieges hervorbringen konnte.
The surgical approach to postpartum haemorrhage
Authors: Steer Philip J 
Published: October 2009

Pharmaceutical treatment of postpartum haemorrhage is well defined.
Physical methods for controlling postpartum haemorrhage that conserve the uterus include intrauterine balloons if the abdomen is closed or, at laparotomy, uterine compression sutures, uterine artery ligation, internal iliac artery ligation and aortic compression.
If the above measures fail, hysterectomy should be undertaken sooner rather than later.
In cases of uterine inversion, the ventouse can be used either vaginally or abdominally to help reduce the inversion.
Surgery for placenta praevia/accreta should be planned carefully in advance.

Learning objectives:

To understand the range of physical techniques available for controlling postpartum haemorrhage.
To learn about a variety of ways to correct uterine inversion.
To understand how to prepare for and conduct surgery for placenta praevia/accreta.

Ethical issues:

Prior informed consent for hysterectomy can be problematic in an emergency situation.
Operations for placenta praevia/accreta need to be especially carefully planned if a woman declines the use of blood transfusion.
There is little authoritative information to give women about the benefits and disadvantages of the various surgical techniques.

Please cite this article as: Steer PJ. The surgical approach to postpartum haemorrhage. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:231–238.
Fertility‐saving treatment in gynaecological oncology
Authors: Ellis Patricia , Mould Tim 
Published: October 2009

The incidence of cancers in young women is rising.Fertility‐saving treatment options are available for cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer.Fertility‐sparing options are usually more appropriate when the cancer is at an early stage.Learning objectives:To be able to identify the different fertility‐saving surgical options for women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer.To understand the advantages and limitations of fertility‐saving surgery in women with gynaecological malignancy.To understand that fertility‐saving surgery is not appropriate in all cases.Ethical issues:Treatments that save fertility may result in other morbidities such as premature delivery.Long‐term follow‐up data on some methods of fertility‐saving surgery are limited and, therefore, women may be compromising their survival to preserve fertility.Please cite this article as: Ellis P, Mould T. Fertility‐saving treatment in gynaecological oncology.The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist2009;11:239–244.
Pregnancy outcomes after uterine artery embolisation for fibroids
Authors: Homer Hayden , Saridogan Ertan 
Published: October 2009

Data on pregnancy following uterine artery embolisation (UAE) are scarce, with just over 200 pregnancies reported to date.
The weight of retrospective data and two small prospective trials of UAE versus surgical intervention suggest increased levels of adverse pregnancy outcomes following fibroid embolisation.
In the absence of more robust evidence, caution should be exercised in recommending UAE to women who retain reproductive ambitions.

Learning objectives:

To increase awareness of the potential reproductive risks of UAE.
To appreciate the limitations of the existing evidence.

Ethical issues:

Caution should be exercised before advocating UAE for intractable fibroid‐related symptoms in women desirous of future pregnancy.

Please cite this article as: Homer H, Saridogan E. Pregnancy outcomes after uterine artery embolisation for fibroids. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:265–270.