bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term metformin treatment is able to reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its hepatic involvement in young hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Gangale Maria F. , Miele Luca , Lanzone Antonio , Sagnella Francesca , Martinez Daniela , Tropea Anna , Moro Francesca , Morciano Andrea , Ciardulli Andrea , Palla Carola , Pompili Maurizio , Cefalo Consuelo , Grieco Antonio , Apa Rosanna 
Published: May 2011

SummaryObjective  The objective of this study is to determine the ability of metformin treatment in reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its hepatic involvement in young hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Design  Clinical Trial.Patients  We recruited 140 hyperinsulinaemic overweight women with PCOS in their reproductive age. Metformin treatment (500 mg × 3/die) was prescribed to each patient for twelve months.Measurements  The primary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MS in hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with PCOS. The secondary outcome was to evaluate, in the same patients, the effects of metformin therapy on endocrine, metabolic and hepatic parameters.Results  At basal evaluation, NAFLD was diagnosed in 81 of 140 patients with PCOS (57·85%); MS was present only in the NAFLD group (32·09%vs 0%; P < 0·001). After twelve months, metformin is able to significantly reduce, in the same group, the prevalence of MS (28·9%vs 13·5%; P < 0·01). An improvement of hepatic parameters and a significant decrease in oligomenorrhea (85·7%vs 19%, P < 0·001) were also observed.Conclusions  Treatment with metformin is indicated in all hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with PCOS, especially in those with NAFLD. These data appear even more interesting considering their increased risk to develop metabolic and hepatic complications.
Neuroprotective role of fibroblast growth factor‐2 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Rottlaender Andrea , Villwock Hannah , Addicks Klaus , Kuerten Stefanie 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe role of fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) in multiple sclerosis and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is discussed. This study is the first to use FGF‐2−/− mice to further address the involvement of FGF‐2 in the disease process. We demonstrate that immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35–55 induces more severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in FGF‐2−/− mice compared with FGF‐2+/+ mice. The antigen‐specific cytokine response to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide and the degree of central nervous system inflammation was similar in both groups. However, FGF‐2−/− mice displayed increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and macrophages/microglia. In addition, nerve fibre degeneration and axonal loss were augmented, whereas the extent of remyelination in central nervous system lesions was reduced. FGF‐2 has been associated with the induction of demyelination and the inhibition of myelin production by oligodendrocytes. Our study supports the opposing notion that FGF‐2 can also assert a neuroprotective function. This may be particularly appealing when it comes to targeting the neurodegenerative aspect of multiple sclerosis.
Dissecting the molecular pathways of (testicular) germ cell tumour pathogenesis; from initiation to treatment‐resistance
Authors: Looijenga L. H. J. , Gillis A. J. M. , Stoop H. , Biermann K. , Oosterhuis J. W. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryHuman type II germ cell tumours (GCTs) originate from an embryonic germ cell, either as a primordial germ cell or gonocyte. This start determines the biological as well as clinical characteristics of this type of cancer, amongst others their totipotency as well as their overall (exceptional) sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. The histology of the precursor lesion, either carcinoma in situ or gonadoblastoma, depends on the level of testicularization (i.e. testis formation) of the gonad. The impact of either intrinsic (genetic) – and environmental factors involved in the pathogenesis is demonstrated by disorders of sex development as well as testicular dysgenesis syndrome as risk factors, including cryptorchidism, hypospadias and disturbed fertility as parameters. This knowledge allows identification of individuals at risk for development of this type of cancer, being a population of interest for screening. Factors known to regulate pluripotency during embryogenesis are proven to be of diagnostic value for type II GCTs, including OCT3/4, even applicable for non‐invasive screening. In addition, presence of stem cell factor, also known as KITLG, allows distinction between delayed matured germ cells and the earliest stages of malignant transformation. This is of special interest because of the identified association between development of type II GCTs of the testis and a limited number of single nucleotide polymorphisms, including some likely related to KITL. Transition from the precursor lesion to an invasive cancer is associated with gain of the short arm of chromosome 12, in which multiple genes might be involved, including KRAS2 and possibly NANOG (pseudogenes). While most precursor lesions will progress to an invasive cancer, only a limited number of cancers will develop treatment resistance. Putative explanatory mechanisms are identified, including presence of microsatellite instability, BRAF mutations, apoptosis suppression and p21 sub‐cellular localization. It remains to be investigated how these different pathways integrate to each other and how informative they are at the patient‐individual level. Further understanding will allow development of more targeted treatment, which will benefit quality of life of these young cancer patients.
Development and validation of a standard area diagram set to estimate severity of leaf rust in Coffea arabica and C. canephora
Authors: Capucho A. S. , Zambolim L. , Duarte H. S. S. , Vaz G. R. O. 
Published: May 2011

A standard area diagram (SAD) set to aid assessment of the severity of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) was prepared and validated, and the characteristics of the rust lesions on Coffea arabica and C. canephora leaves were compared. The results indicated that the lesions were similar, so one scale could be used to evaluate the severity of rust on both species. The proposed SAD set contains illustrations of leaves with six disease severities (2·5, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80%). The SAD set was validated by 10 raters with no previous experience of disease evaluation. The severity of rust was first estimated without using the SADs, and the same raters assessed the leaves again using the SADs. Regression analysis and Lin’s concordance correlation (ρc) analysis of estimated against actual disease severity showed precision and accuracy was significantly better using the SADs, for most raters, with improvements in both the slope and intercept of the regressions, and the values of u, υ (components of accuracy and precision of the ρc) and ρc improved to 60, 70 and 90% of raters, respectively, when the SADs were used. The absolute error was ≤38% without the SADs, and ≤22% with them. Severity estimates were more reliable using the SADs (R2 = 0·70–1·00 unaided, and R2 = 0·80–1·00 using the SADs). The SAD set improved rater assessments for the estimation of arabica and conilon rust severity, and can be used for assessing rust severity for many purposes, including plant breeding, fungicide screening and pathotype characterization.
Autopsy acceptance rate and reasons for decline in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Cox Janneke A. , Lukande Robert L. , Kateregga Alice , Mayanja‐Kizza Harriet , Manabe Yukari C. , Colebunders Robert 
Published: May 2011

SummaryObjective  To determine the autopsy acceptance rate and reasons for decline at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.Methods  The next of kin of patients who died in a combined infectious diseases and gastro‐enterology ward of Mulago Hospital were approached to answer a questionnaire concerning characteristics of their deceased relative. During the interview their consent was asked to perform a complete autopsy. If autopsy was declined, the next of kin were asked to provide their reason for the decline.Results  Permission to perform an autopsy was requested in 158 (54%) of the 290 deaths that occurred during the study period. In 60 (38%) cases autopsy was accepted. Fifty‐nine autopsies were performed. For 82% of refusals a reason was listed; mainly ‘not wanting to delay the burial’ (58%), ‘no use to know the cause of death’ (16%) and ‘being satisfied with the clinical cause of death’ (10%).Conclusion  The autopsy rate achieved under study conditions was 38% compared to rates of 5% in Mulago Hospital over the past decade. Timely request and rapid performance of autopsies appear to be important determinants of autopsy acceptance. A motivated team of pathologists and clinicians is required to increase autopsy acceptance.
The decoupling between genetic structure and metabolic phenotypes in Escherichia coli leads to continuous phenotypic diversity
Authors: SABARLY V. , BOUVET O. , GLODT J. , CLERMONT O. , SKURNIK D. , DIANCOURT L. , De VIENNE D. , DENAMUR E. , DILLMANN C. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractTo assess the extent of intra‐species diversity and the links between phylogeny, lifestyle (habitat and pathogenicity) and phenotype, we assayed the growth yield on 95 carbon sources of 168 Escherichia strains. We also correlated the growth capacities of 14 E. coli strains with the presence/absence of enzyme‐coding genes. Globally, we found that the genetic distance, based on multilocus sequence typing data, was a weak indicator of the metabolic phenotypic distance. Besides, lifestyle and phylogroup had almost no impact on the growth yield of non‐Shigella E. coli strains. In these strains, the presence/absence of the metabolic pathways, which was linked to the phylogeny, explained most of the growth capacities. However, few discrepancies blurred the link between metabolic phenotypic distance and metabolic pathway distance. This study shows that a prokaryotic species structured into well‐defined genetic and lifestyle groups can yet exhibit continuous phenotypic diversity, possibly caused by gene regulatory effects.
Only helpful when required: a longevity cost of harbouring defensive symbionts
Authors: VORBURGER C. , GOUSKOV A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMaternally transmitted symbionts can spread in host populations if they provide a fitness benefit to their hosts. Hamiltonella defensa, a bacterial endosymbiont of aphids, protects hosts against parasitoids but only occurs at moderate frequencies in most aphid populations. This suggests that harbouring this symbiont is also associated with costs, yet the nature of these costs has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate an important and clearly defined cost: reduced longevity. Experimental infections with six different isolates of H. defensa caused strongly reduced lifespans in two different clones of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, resulting in a significantly lower lifetime reproduction. However, the two aphid clones were unequally affected by the presence of H. defensa, and the magnitude of the longevity cost was further determined by genotype × genotype interactions between host and symbiont, which has important consequences for their coevolution.
Psoriasis and unreported excessive alcohol intake – a simple screening approach
Authors: Pietrzak A. , Jastrzębska I. , Chodorowska G. , Maciejewski R. , Mosiewicz J. , Krupski W. , Prystupa A. , Szubstarski F. , Szepietowski J.C. , Hercogova J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPsoriasis is a chronic immune‐mediated skin disease of complex aetiology. Alcohol overuse has long been suspected to contribute to psoriasis pathology, and the knowledge of individual’s drinking pattern may be of substantial importance for managing the disease. Unfortunately, a number of patients fail to admit to their true alcohol consumption and there is no single sign, symptom or laboratory parameter adequate for alcohol abuse diagnosis. However, there are some laboratory findings that, when present, should raise physician’s suspicion that alcohol may be a problem. The aim of this article was to present simple, widely available and relatively reliable laboratory markers that might effectively assist physicians in establishing patient’s drinking status. A possible screening approach is illustrated by two distinct reports of psoriatic patients who initially concealed having the problem with alcohol.
Ablative fractional yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet laser for scarring residual haemangiomas and scars secondary to their surgical treatment
Authors: Alcántara González J. , Boixeda P. , Truchuelo Díez M.T. , López Gutiérrez J.C. , Olasolo P.J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  Infantile haemangiomas are benign self‐involuting tumours. They have a characteristic clinical course marked by early proliferation and followed by spontaneous involution. However, residual evidence with scar formation, fibrofatty residua, atrophic wrinkling, yellowish discoloration and telangiectasias is usually seen after involution.Objective  The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ablative fractional yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet (YSGG) laser in patients with residual haemangiomas or with scarring after their surgery.Methods  Twelve patients with atrophic scar or fibrofatty tissue secondary to residual hemangiomas or with scarring after surgery of haemangioma were treated with one or two sessions of ablative fractional YSGG laser at 2.790‐nm wavelength. Laser therapy was performed using a spot size of 300 μm, a pulse width of 600 ms, a fluence range between 120 and 200 mJ per microspot and a density level of 3. Treatment with PDL at 595‐nm or with combined sequential 595 nm PDL and 1064 nm Nd:YAG was applied if telangiectasias or a residual vascular component were present. Three dermatologists evaluated treatment effectiveness by means of photographs of the patients before starting and 3 months after finishing the therapy; the degree of improvement was rated from 0 to 4. Parents' satisfaction was also assessed (scale from 0 to 10).Results  Improvement was rated as 3 in two patients, 2 in four patients, 1 in five patients and no improvement in only one patient. Mean improvement was 1.58. Degree of parents' satisfaction ranged from 0 to 10. Mean satisfaction was 6.75. A discrete punctuate pattern was seen in three patients as the only long‐lasting side‐effect.Conclusion  We consider that ablative fractional YSGG laser could be an interesting option for the treatment of selected patients with atrophic wrinkling or scarring residual haemangiomas and scars secondary to their surgical treatment.
The filaggrin null genotypes R501X and 2282del4 seem not to be associated with psoriasis: results from general population study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Thyssen JP , Johansen JD , Carlsen BC , Linneberg A , Meldgaard M , Szecsi PB , Stender S , Menné T 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  Psoriasis vulgaris could be associated with the filaggrin null genotype since certain known susceptibility loci for psoriasis are shared with susceptibility loci for atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, filaggrin expression is lowered in psoriatic skin lesions but normally expressed in uninvolved skin. So far five relatively small patient‐based case‐control studies have rejected a possible association between psoriasis and the two most prevalent filaggrin null mutations, 2282del4 and R501X.Objectives  To reinvestigate a possible association between psoriasis and filaggrin null mutation status by using cross‐sectional general population questionnaire data. Also, to perform a meta‐analysis including published studies that investigated the relation between filaggrin gene mutations R501X and 2282del4, respectively, and psoriasis vulgaris.Methods  Between June 2006 and May 2008, a cross‐sectional study was performed in the general population in Copenhagen. A random sample of 7931 subjects aged 18–69 years was invited to participate in a general health examination including a questionnaire and 3471 (43.7%) participated. A total of 3335 (96.1%) individuals were filaggrin genotyped for the 2282del4 and R501X mutations. A meta‐analysis was undertaken to investigate the relation between filaggrin gene mutations and psoriasis vulgaris.Results  The prevalence of self‐reported psoriasis was 6.7% among the 3240 respondents. The prevalence of the R501X and 2282del4 filaggrin null genotypes was 9.3% in subjects who reported psoriasis and 8.0% in subjects who did not report psoriasis (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 0.74–1.89; P = 0.78). The meta‐analysis found no association between the filaggrin null genotypes R501X and 2282del4 and psoriasis (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.81–1.35).Conclusions  Psoriasis was not associated with the R501X and 2282del4 filaggrin null genotypes in a general population study and in a meta‐analysis on published studies.
Work engagement, work commitment and their association with well‐being in health care
Authors: Kanste Outi 
Published: May 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 754–761

Work engagement, work commitment and their association with well‐being in health careThe aim was to examine whether work engagement and work commitment can be empirically discriminated and how they are associated with well‐being. The terminology used in literature and in practice is confused by the interchangeable use of these terms. Only few studies, like Hallberg and Schaufeli’s study, have examined the relationships between work engagement and work commitment systematically by using empirical data. In this study, the data were gathered via self‐reported questionnaire from the healthcare staff working in 14 health centres and four hospitals in Finland. The data consisted of 435 responses. The material was analysed by using structural equation modelling (SEM) and correlations. The items of work engagement and work commitment dimensions (identification with organization, willingness to exert in organization’s favour, occupational commitment and job involvement) loaded on their own latent variables in SEM analysis, so the data supported this five‐factor model. Work engagement and work commitment dimensions were positively related, sharing between 2 and 33% of their variances. These constructs also displayed different correlations with some indicators of well‐being measured as personal accomplishment, psychological well‐being, mental resources, internal work motivation and willingness to stay on at work. Work engagement had moderate positive correlation to personal accomplishment (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Identification with organization (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), willingness to exert in organization’s favour (r =0.44, p < 0.001) and occupational commitment (r =0.37, p < 0.001) had low correlations to personal accomplishment. The results support the notion that work engagement can be empirically discriminated from work commitment. They are distinct, yet related constructs that complement each other, describing different aspects of positive attitudes towards work. The results can be utilized in interventions aimed at quality of working life in health care as well as in studies investigating discriminant and construct validity.
Cross‐cultural Validation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 (PedsQL™) generic core scale into Arabic Language
Authors: Arabiat Diana , Elliott Barbara , Draper Peter , Al Jabery Mohammad 
Published: May 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 828–833

Cross‐cultural Validation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 (PedsQL™) generic core scale into Arabic LanguageBackground:  A range of scales is available to measure health‐related quality of life. Recently, established quality of life scales have been translated for use in a wide range of Western and non‐Western cultures. One of the most widely used health‐related quality of life scales for use with children is the PedsQL™ 4.0. In this paper, we describe the process of translating this scale into Arabic and establishing its reliability and validity.Aim:  This paper has three aims: first, to explain the process of translating the PedsQL™ (4.0) self‐ and proxy‐reports for the ages 8–12 and 13–18, from English into Arabic; second, to assess the reliability of the new Arabic version of the scale and third, to assess its validity.Method:  The scale was translated from English to Arabic and back‐translated to ensure accuracy. The Arabic version was administered to healthy children and those with cancer and a range of chronic illnesses in Jordan. Statistical methods were used to test the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the Arabic version of the PedsQL™ (4.0) and its ability to discriminate between children in the above groups.Results:  Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for child self‐ and parent proxy‐reports exceeded 0.7 for the total scores, health summary scores and psychological health summary scores. Testing for discriminant validity showed that the healthy (control) group had a higher health‐related quality of life than children and young people with cancer and chronic illness. The children with chronic illnesses had the lowest scores for physical, emotional and school functioning.Conclusion:  Initial testing of the Arabic version of the PedsQL™ (4.0) suggests that the scale has satisfactory psychometric properties.
The importance of inorganic carbon in soil carbon databases and stock estimates: a case study from England
Authors: Rawlins B. G. , Henrys P. , Breward N. , Robinson D. A. , Keith A. M. , Garcia‐Bajo M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMany national and regional databases of soil properties and associated estimates of soil carbon stock consider organic, but not inorganic carbon (IC). Any future change in soil carbon stock resulting from the formation of pedogenic carbonates will be difficult to set in context because historical measurements or estimates of IC concentration and stock may not be available. In their article describing a database of soil carbon for the United Kingdom published in this journal, Bradley et al. [Soil Use and Management (2005) vol. 21, 363–369] only consider data for organic carbon (OC), despite the occurrence of IC‐bearing calcareous soils across a substantial part of southern England. Robust techniques are required for establishing IC concentrations and stocks based on available data. We present linear regression models (R2 between 0.8 and 0.88) to estimate IC in topsoil based on total Ca and Al concentrations for soils over two groups of primary, carbonate‐bearing parent materials across parts of southern and eastern England. By applying the regression models to geochemical survey data across the entire area (18 165 km2), we estimate IC concentrations on a regular 500‐m grid by ordinary kriging. Using bulk density data from across the region, we estimate the total IC stock of soil (0–30 cm depth) in this area to be 186 MtC. This represents 15.5 and 5.5% of the estimated total soil carbon stock (OC plus IC) across England and the UK, respectively, based on the data presented by Bradley et al. [Soil Use and Management (2005) vol. 21, 363–369]. Soil geochemical data could be useful for estimating primary IC stocks in other parts of the world.