bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reference ranges for interrupter resistance technique: the Asthma UK Initiative
Authors: Merkus P.J.F.M. , Stocks J. , Beydon N. , Lombardi E. , Jones M. , Mckenzie S.A. , Kivastik J. , Arets B.G.M. , Stanojevic S. 
Published: December 2009

Measuring interrupter resistance (Rint) is an increasingly popular lung function technique and especially suitable for preschool children because it is simple, quick and requires only passive cooperation. A European Respiratory Society (ERS)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) Task Force recently published empirical recommendations related to procedures, limitations and interpretation of the technique. However, for valid interpretation, high-quality reference equations are required and these have been lacking. The aim of the present study was to collateRintdata from healthy children in order to produce more robust reference equations. A further aim was to examine the influence of methodological differences on predictedRintvalues.Rintdata from healthy children were collected from published and unpublished sources. Reference equations for expiratory and inspiratoryRintwere developed using the LMS (lambda, mu, sigma) method.Data from 1,090 children (51% males) aged 3–13 yrs were collated to construct sex-specific reference equations for expiratoryRintand data from 629 children (51% males) were collated for inspiratoryRint. Height was the best independent predictor of both expiratory and inspiratoryRint. Differences between centres were clinically irrelevant, and differences between ethnic groups could not be examined.The availability of a large and generalisable sample and the use of modern statistical techniques enabled the development of more appropriate reference equations forRintin young children.
Effects of pentobarbital on upper airway patency during sleep
Authors: Eikermann M. , Eckert D.J. , Chamberlin N.L. , Jordan A.S. , Zaremba S. , Smith S. , Rosow C. , Malhotra A. 
Published: December 2009

We hypothesised that pentobarbital would improve upper airway mechanics based on an increase in latency to arousal and amplitude of the phasic genioglossus electromyogram (EMG), and a decrease in the active upper airway critical closing pressure (Pcrit).12 healthy subjects received pentobarbital (100 mg) or placebo in a double-blind, crossover protocol. During wakefulness, we measured the genioglossus reflex response to negative pressure pulses. During sleep, carbon dioxide was insufflated into the inspired air. Airway pressure was then decreased in a stepwise fashion until arousal from sleep.With basal breathing during sleep: flow rate was lower in volunteers given pentobarbital; end-tidal CO2concentration and upper airway resistance were greater; andPcritwas unaffected (pentobarbital mean±sd-11.7±4.5versusplacebo -10.25±3.6 cmH2O; p = 0.11). Pentobarbital increased the time to arousal (297±63sversus232±67 s; p<0.05), at which time phasic genioglossus EMG was higher (6.2±4.8% maximalversus3.1±3%; p<0.05) as were CO2levels. The increase in genioglossus EMG after CO2administration was greater after pentobarbitalversusplacebo. Pentobarbital did not affect the genioglossus negative-pressure reflex.Pentobarbital increases the time to arousal and stimulates genioglossus muscle activity, but it also increases upper airway resistance during sleep.
Different definitions in childhood asthma: how dependable is the dependent variable?
Authors: Van Wonderen K.E. , Van Der Mark L.B. , Mohrs J. , Bindels P.J.E. , Van Aalderen W.M.C. , Ter Riet G. 
Published: December 2009

There is abundant literature on how to select and statistically deal with predictors in prediction models. Less attention has been paid to the choice of the outcome. We assessed the impact of different asthma definitions on prevalence estimates and on the prediction model's performances.We searched PubMed and extracted data of definitions used to diagnose childhood asthma (between 6 and 18 yrs) in cohort studies. Next, using data from an ongoing cohort study (n = 186), we constructed and compared four prediction models which all predict asthma at age 6 yrs, using a fixed set of predictors and four different definitions in turn. We defined an area of clinical indecision (posterior probability between 25% and 60%) and calculated the number of children who remained inside this area.122 papers yielded 60 different definitions. Prevalence estimates varied between 15.1% and 51.1% depending on the asthma definition used. The percentage of children whose posterior asthma probability was in the area of clinical indecision varied from 14.9% to 65.3%.Variation in definitions and its effect on the performance of prediction models may be another source of otherwise inexplicable variation in daily clinical decision making. More uniformity of operational asthma definitions seems needed.
The association between regulatory focus and distress in patients with a chronic disease: The moderating role of partner support
Authors: Schokker Marike C. , Links Thera P. , Luttik Marie Louise , Hagedoorn Mariët 
Published: December 2009

ObjectivesTo determine the association between two regulatory foci (i.e. promotion and prevention focus) and distress in patients with chronic disease requiring self‐management, and to determine whether these associations were moderated by partner support.Design and methodFour hundred and seventy‐seven patients with diabetes, asthma, or heart disease completed a postal survey consisting of the Regulatory Focus Questionnaire, questionnaires measuring active engagement (i.e. supportive behaviour) and protective buffering and overprotection (i.e. unsupportive behaviour) by the partner as perceived by the patient, and the General Health Questionnaire‐12 to measure distress.ResultsA promotion focus was negatively associated with distress. This association was only found when patients reported that their partner engaged in relatively low levels of active engagement or relatively high levels of protective buffering and overprotection. The positive association between prevention focus and distress was not consistently found to be moderated by partner support.ConclusionActive engagement appears to buffer against high distress in patients with a weak promotion focus, while protective buffering and overprotection appear to aggravate distress in these patients.
Single Participant Studies in Positive Behaviour Support for Parents of Individuals With Brain Injuries
Authors: Arco Lucius , Bishop Jan 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThree single participant studies examined effects of in-home parent-implemented Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) interventions on behaviour of individuals with brain injuries. Parental and independent observations of morning routine behaviour or problem behaviour (viz., noncompliance during meals or morning routines, yelling, kicking, swearing, and so on) were taken during baselines and PBS interventions, which consisted of person-centred functional assessments of behaviour, emphasis on changing behavioural antecedents, parent participation in assessing, treating, and evaluating behaviour change, and in-home parent coaching and support. Results show decreased problem behaviour or improved morning routine behaviour, which corroborate and add to the few studies that applied similar parent-implemented interventions. Future comparative studies between PBS and out-patient interventions are indicated.
Hypoglycemia Aggravates Critical Illness–Induced Neurocognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Duning Thomas , van den Heuvel Ingeborg , Dickmann Annabelle , Volkert Thomas , Wempe Carola , Reinholz Julia , Lohmann Hubertus , Freise Hendrik , Ellger Björn 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE
Tight glycemic control (TGC) in critically ill patients is associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Whether those short episodes of hypoglycemia are associated with adverse morbidity and mortality is a matter of discussion. Using a case-control study design, we investigated whether hypoglycemia under TGC causes permanent neurocognitive dysfunction in patients surviving critical illness.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
From our patient data management system, we identified adult survivors treated for &gt;72 h in our surgical intensive care unit (ICU) between 2004 and 2007 (n = 4,635) without a history of neurocognitive dysfunction or structural brain abnormalities who experienced at least one episode of hypoglycemia during treatment (hypo group) (n = 37). For each hypo group patient, one patient stringently matched for demographic- and disease-related data were identified as a control subject. We performed a battery of neuropsychological tests investigating five areas of cognitive functioning in both groups at least 1 year after ICU discharge. Test results were compared with data from healthy control subjects and between groups.

RESULTS
Critical illness caused neurocognitive dysfunction in all tested domains in both groups. The dysfunction was aggravated in hypo group patients in one domain, namely that of visuospatial skills (P &lt; 0.01). Besides hypoglycemia, both hyperglycemia (r = −0.322; P = 0.005) and fluctuations of blood glucose (r = −0.309; P = 0.008) were associated with worse test results in this domain.

CONCLUSIONS
Hypoglycemia was found to aggravate critical illness–induced neurocognitive dysfunction to a limited, but significant, extent; however, an impact of hyperglycemia and fluctuations of blood glucose on neurocognitive function cannot be excluded.
Development and Initial Validation of a Radiographic Scoring System for the Hip in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: BERTAMINO MARTA , ROSSI FEDERICA , PISTORIO ANGELA , LUCIGRAI GIORGIO , VALLE MAURA , VIOLA STEFANIA , MAGNI-MANZONI SILVIA , MALATTIA CLARA , MARTINI ALBERTO , RAVELLI ANGELO 
Published: December 2009

Objective.To develop and validate a radiographic scoring system for the assessment of radiographic damage in the hip joint in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods.The Childhood Arthritis Radiographic Score of the Hip (CARSH) assesses and scores these radiographic abnormalities: joint space narrowing (JSN), erosion, growth abnormalities, subchondral cysts, malalignment, sclerosis of the acetabulum, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Score validation was accomplished by evaluating reliability and correlational, construct, and predictive validity in 148 JIA patients with hip disease who had a total of 381 hip radiographs available for study.Results.JSN was the most frequently observed radiographic abnormality, followed by erosion and sclerosis of the acetabulum. The least common abnormalities were avascular necrosis, growth abnormalities, and malalignment. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability on baseline and longitudinal score values and on score changes was good, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.76 to 0.98. Early score changes, but not absolute baseline score values, were moderately correlated (rs> 0.4) with clinical indicators of disease damage at last followup observation, thereby demonstrating that the CARSH has good construct and predictive validity. The amount of structural damage in the hip radiograph at last followup observation was predicted better by baseline to 1-year score change (rs= 0.66; p < 0.0001) than by absolute baseline score values (rs= 0.40; p = 0.002).Conclusion.Our results show that the CARSH is reliable and valid for the assessment of radiographic hip damage and its progression in patients with JIA.
Pancreatitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Frequency and Associated Factors — A Review of the Hopkins Lupus Cohort
Authors: MAKOL ASHIMA , PETRI MICHELLE 
Published: December 2009

Objective.Pancreatitis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Vasculitis of the gastrointestinal tract is the most commonly proposed mechanism. We determined the frequency of SLE-related pancreatitis in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort.Methods.A large prospective cohort of 1811 patients with SLE was reviewed and clinical and laboratory measures of SLE patients who developed pancreatitis were compared to patients who did not develop pancreatitis.Results.Four percent of patients with SLE had pancreatitis due to SLE. The best multivariate model of clinical and laboratory associations included hypertriglyceridemia, psychosis, pleurisy, gastritis, and anemia.Conclusion.Hypertriglyceridemia appears to be a strong associate of pancreatitis in SLE, but antiphospholipid antibodies are not. SLE patients with psychosis and pleurisy are at increased risk for pancreatitis.
Evaluation of ovotoxicity in female mice caused by organic extracts in tap water from Jialing River in Chongqing, China
Authors: Xu Chuan , Zhang Jian‐jiang , Chen Ji‐an , Cao Bo , Shu Wei‐qun , Cao Jia 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Recently, toxic effects of widespread organic pollutants have received much attention due to the hazards they pose to female reproductive health. The aim of the present study was to determine the female reproductive toxicity of organic extracts (OE) in tap water from the Jialing River in Chongqing, China. METHODS: In our experiment, Kunming female mice that exhibited normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into 4 groups, which included a control group (OE 0 L/kg bw) as well as low‐ (OE 12.5 L/kg bw/day), mid‐ (OE 25 L/kg bw/day), and high‐dose (OE 50 L/kg bw/day) groups. Mice were continually administered intraperitoneal injections of OE at different doses for 5 consecutive days. On the 15th and 30th day after treatments, half of the mice were sacrificed separately. RESULTS: The results showed that OE decreased relative ovary weights and prolonged the duration of estrous cycle with concomitant increase in estrous phase. There was a significant decrease in the number of corpora lutea of OE‐treated mice, but no significant differences were found in healthy and atretic follicle populations compared to control. Ultrastructure observation regarding granulosa cells of the ovary revealed that OE treatment caused mitochondrial swelling together with endoplasmic reticulum expansion. CONCLUSIONS: All these data indicate that OE could exert adverse effects on the development of ovary and also a slight suppressive effect on reproductive functions. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:26–33, 2010. ©2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Certolizumab pegol: a new option for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: HY Margaret , Choy Ernest HS 
Published: December 2009

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents a significant burden to healthcare in the UK. New biological therapies have advanced treatment but at a high cost to the NHS. Certolizumab pegol is a new TNF inhibitor, providing an additional treatment option for RA. In this article Dr Ma and Dr Choy consider the efficacy of certolizumab pegol, and where it may fit into the RA armoury. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electron-Beam-Induced Carbon Contamination on Silicon: Characterization Using Raman Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Lau Deborah , Hughes Anthony E. , Muster Tim H. , Davis Timothy J. , Glenn A. Matthew 
Published: December 2009

AbstractElectron-beam-induced carbon film deposition has long been recognized as a side effect of scanning electron microscopy. To characterize the nature of this type of contamination, silicon wafers were subjected to prolonged exposure to 15 kV electron beam energy with a probe current of ∼300 pA. Using Raman spectroscopy, the deposited coating was identified as an amorphous carbon film with an estimated crystallite size of 125 Å. Using atomic force microscopy, the cross-sectional profile of the coating was found to be raised and textured, indicative of the beam raster pattern. A map of the Raman intensity across the coating showed increased intensity along the edges and at the corner of the film. The intensity profile was in excess of that which could be explained by thickness alone. The enhancement was found to correspond with a modeled local field enhancement induced by the coating boundary and showed that the deposited carbon coating generated a localized disturbance in the opto-electrical properties of the substrate, which is compared and contrasted with Raman edge enhancement that is produced by surface structure in silicon.
TEMPORAL PROPERTIES OF GX 301−2 OVER A YEAR-LONG OBSERVATION WITH SuperAGILE
Authors: Evangelista Y. , Feroci M. , Costa E. , Monte E. Del , Donnarumma I. , Lapshov I. , Lazzarotto F. , Pacciani L. , Rapisarda M. , Soffitta P. , Argan A. , Barbiellini G. , Boffelli F. , Bulgarelli A. , Caraveo P. , Cattaneo P.W. , Chen A. , D’Ammando F. , Cocco G. Di , Fuschino F. , Galli M. , Gianotti F. , Giuliani A. , Labanti C. , Lipari P. , Longo F. , Marisaldi M. , Mereghetti S. , Moretti E. , Morselli A. , Pellizzoni A. , Perotti F. , Piano G. , Picozza P. , Pilia M. , Prest M. , Pucella G. , Rappoldi A. , Sabatini S. , Striani E. , Tavani M. , Trifoglio M. , Trois A. , Vallazza E. , Vercellone S. , Vittorini V. , Zambra A. , Antonelli L. A. , Cutini S. , Pittori C. , Preger B. , Santolamazza P. , Verrecchia F. , Giommi P. , Salotti L. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT
We present the long-term monitoring of the high-mass X-ray binary GX 301−2 performed with the SuperAGILE (SA) instrument on-board the Astro-rivelatore Gamma ad Immagini LEggero (AGILE) mission. The source was monitored in the 20–60 keV energy band during the first year of the mission from 2007 July 17 to 2008 August 31, covering about one whole orbital period and three more pre-periastron (PP) passages for a total net observation time of about 3.7 Ms. The SA data set represents one of the most continuous and complete monitoring at hard X-ray energies of the 41.5 days long binary period available to date. The source behavior was characterized at all orbital phases in terms of hard X-ray flux, spectral hardness, spin-period history, pulsed fraction, and pulse shape profile. We also complemented the SA observations with the soft X-ray data of the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer/All-Sky Monitor. Our analysis shows a clear orbital modulation of the spectral hardness, with peaks in correspondence with the PP flare and near phase 0.25. The hardness peaks, we found, could be related with the wind-plus-stream accretion model proposed in order to explain the orbital light-curve modulation of GX 301−2. Timing analysis of the pulsar spin period shows that the secular trend of the ∼680 s pulse period is consistent with the previous observations, although there is evidence of a slight decrease in the spin-down rate. The analysis of the hard X-ray-pulsed emission also showed a variable pulse shape profile as a function of the orbital phase, with substructures detected near the passage at the periastron, and a clear modulation of the pulsed fraction, which appears in turn strongly anticorrelated with the source intensity.
Environmental stresses mediate endophyte–grass interactions in a boreal archipelago
Authors: Saona Nora M. , Albrectsen Benedicte Riber , Ericson Lars , Bazely Dawn R. 
Published: December 2009

Summary 1. Both evolutionary theory and empirical evidence from agricultural research support the view that asexual, vertically transmitted fungal endophytes are typically plant mutualists that develop high infection frequencies within host grass populations. In contrast, endophyte–grass interactions in natural ecosystems are more variable, spanning the range from mutualism to antagonism and comparatively little is known about their range of response to environmental stress. 2. We examined patterns in endophyte prevalence and endophyte–grass interactions across nutrient and grazing (from Greylag and Canada geese) gradients in 15 sites with different soil moisture levels in 13 island populations of the widespread grass Festuca rubra in a boreal archipelago in Sweden. 3. In the field, endophyte prevalence levels were generally low (range = 10–53%) compared with those reported from agricultural systems. Under mesic‐moist conditions endophyte prevalence was constantly low (mean prevalence = 15%) and was not affected by grazing pressure or nutrient availability. In contrast, under conditions of drought, endophyte prevalence increased from 10% to 53% with increasing nutrient availability and increasing grazing pressure. 4. In the field, we measured the production of flowering culms, as a proxy for host fitness, to determine how endophyte‐infected plants differed from uninfected plants. At dry sites, endophyte infection did not affect flowering culm production. In contrast, at mesic‐moist sites production of flowering culms in endophyte‐infected plants increased with the covarying effects of increasing nutrient availability and grazing pressure, indicating that the interaction switched from antagonistic to mutualistic. 5. A concurrent glasshouse experiment showed that in most situations, the host appears to incur some costs for harbouring endophytes. Uninfected grasses generally outperformed infected grasses (antagonistic interaction), while infected grasses outperformed uninfected grasses (mutualistic interaction) only in dry, nutrient‐rich conditions. Nutrient and water addition affected tiller production, leaf number and leaf length differently, suggesting that tillers responded with different strategies. This emphasizes that several response variables are needed to evaluate the interaction. 6. Synthesis. This study found complex patterns in endophyte prevalence that were not always correlated with culm production. These contrasting patterns suggest that the direction and strength of selection on infected plants is highly variable and depends upon a suite of interacting environmental variables that may fluctuate in the intensity of their impact, during the course of the host life cycle.
Haemodialysis decreases finger pressures independent of artificial kidney blood flow
Authors: VAN HOEK FRANK , SCHELTINGA MARC R , HOUTERMAN SASKIA , BEERENHOUT CHARLES H 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTBackground:  During haemodialysis, some patients experience intensification of symptoms of haemodialysis access‐induced distal ischaemia. Aim of this study is to compare the effects of two different regimens of arterial blood flow in patients with an arteriovenous access.Methods:  A questionnaire identified 10 patients that subjectively experienced ischaemic symptoms during haemodialysis. Systolic blood pressure, heart rate, finger pressure (Pdig), finger temperature (Tdig), oxygen saturation and ischaemic scores were monitored during two different arterial blood flow dialysis sessions.Results:  Before dialysis, Pdig and Tdig of the arteriovenous access hand were significantly lower compared with the other hand. Haemodialysis induced a drop of Pdig in both hands. All changes in Pdig occurred independent of the artificial kidney's blood flow level.Conclusion:  Systemic hypotension following onset of haemodialysis further intensifies an already diminished hand perfusion. Measures preventing dialytic hypotension will likely attenuate symptoms associated with haemodialysis access‐induced distal ischaemia during haemodialysis.