bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fatal Falls Among Older Construction Workers
Authors: Dong Xiuwen Sue , Wang Xuanwen , Daw Christina 
Published: June 2011

Objective: This study examines recent trends and patterns in fall fatalities in the U.S. construction industry to determine whether fatal falls among older workers are different from younger workers in this industry. Background: Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the U.S. construction industry. Given the increasingly aging workforce in construction, it is important to assess the risk of falls among older construction workers. Methods: Fatality data were obtained from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries for the years 1992 through 2008. Denominators for death rates were estimated from the Current Population Survey. Stratified and multivariate analyses were performed to examine whether there are differences in fatal falls between older workers (≥55 years) and younger workers (16-54 years). Fatal falls in nonconstruction industries were excluded from this study. Results: Older workers had higher rates of fatal falls than younger workers; results were significant in 11 of 14 construction occupations. Regression analysis indicated that older decedents had a higher likelihood that work-related death was caused by a fall, after controlling for major demographic and employment factors (odds ratio = 1.50, confidence interval [1.30, 1.72]). Falls from roofs accounted for one third of construction fatal falls, but falls from ladders caused a larger proportion of deadly falls in older decedents than in younger decedents. Conclusion: Older workers have a higher likelihood of dying from a fall. Roofs and ladders are particularly risky for older construction workers. Application: As the construction workforce ages, there is an urgent need to enhance fall prevention efforts, provide work accommodations, and match work capabilities to job duties.
Goal Setting Education and Counseling Practices of Diabetes Educators
Authors: Malemute Charlene L. , Shultz Jill Armstrong , Ballejos Miriam , Butkus Sue , Early Kathaleen Briggs 
Published: June 2011

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify goal setting education practices used by diabetes educators working with type 2 diabetes patients. Methods Data were collected by a mail questionnaire with 179 diabetes educators purposively selected from the 2008 American Association of Diabetes Educators membership listing. Results Many diabetes educators (52%) reported that more than 75% of their patients set goals for diabetes control. Independent factor patterns for the frequency of information collected from the patient for the first diabetes education session showed that educators either focused on patients’ self-management practices (exercise and dietary practices, knowledge, and social impacts of diabetes) or issues with learning about self-management, such as understanding the patient’s learning style and motivation for managing diabetes. Factor patterns overall showed diverse approaches to working with patients, including strategies used with patients struggling with dietary goals and the importance of tasks to complete during the first patient session. Conclusion Although most educators reported practices that were largely patient centered as promoted by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and models of chronic disease management, patterns of practice suggest that diabetes educators vary considerably in how they apply education practices, especially with dietary self-management education.
Place of death related to demographic factors for hospice patients in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Taylor Elizabeth Johnston , Ensor Brian , Stanley James 
Published: June 2011

Background: Because socioeconomic and cultural factors contribute to where one dies, it is important to document place of death determinants in diverse societies. Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe where persons in an Aotearoa New Zealand hospice die, and to identify factors that are associated with place of death. Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Setting/Participants: Data were extracted from the charts of all patients receiving services from one hospice (i.e. secondary care) for whom death occurred during 2006–2008; 1268 cases for whom place of death was recorded comprise this sample. Results: For close to half (47%), death occurred in the hospice inpatient unit, whereas 29% died at home, 8% died in an acute hospital setting, and 17% died in an aged/residential care facility. Bivariate analyses showed that persons who die in an aged/residential care facility are more likely to be aged 65 or older, unmarried, have a non-cancer diagnosis, and are likely poorer. Asians, those aged less than 65, those with cancer, and those admitted initially to hospice for respite care tended to die in the hospice inpatient unit. Multinominal logistic regression indicated that dying at home was only predicted by being from a Pacific Island. Conclusions: Age, economics, diagnosis, ethnicity, marital status, and whether one enters a hospice service for (at least in part) respite were all associated to a certain extent with where one dies. These findings contribute to the growing evidence linking various factors, especially ethnic groups, with place of death.
Opioid switching to methadone: A pharmacoepidemiological study from a national prescription database
Authors: Fredheim Olav Magnus S , Moksnes Kristin , Borchgrevink Petter C , Skurtveit Svetlana 
Published: June 2011

Background: Opioid switching to methadone is reported frequently to improve pain control in patients with an unacceptable balance between pain control and side effects during treatment with first line opioids, but carries a risk of drug accumulation and respiratory depression. To justify this risk it is required that less risky treatments are tried beforehand and that a sufficiently large proportion of patients experience a long-lasting improvement in pain control. Research questions: How large was the proportion of patients remaining on long term methadone treatment after a switch from a strong opioid to methadone? How long had the patients been treated with opioids before the switch to methadone? Methods: Longitudinal pharmacoepidemiological study from the complete national Norwegian Prescription Database. Results: One hundred and thirty (77%) cancer patients received more than one dispensed prescription of methadone. Forty-nine (40%) chronic non-malignant pain (CNMP) patients continued to have methadone prescriptions dispensed more than 6 months after the switch. Of 168 cancer patients, 48 (29%) had tried two strong opioids prior to the switch to methadone whereas 21 (12.5%) had tried three or more strong opioids. Similar numbers for 124 CNMP patients were 26 (21%) and 34 (27%), respectively. Interpretation: Opioid switching to methadone appears to provide a long lasting improvement in pain control in a significant proportion of patients. However, the study raises concerns that treatment options with less risk are not being exhausted prior to switching to methadone.
Common carotid intima-media thickness in cardiovascular risk stratification of older people: the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Elias-Smale Suzette E , Kavousi Maryam , Verwoert Germaine C , Koller Michael T , Steyerberg Ewout W , Mattace-Raso Francesco US , Hofman Albert , Hoeks Arnold PG , Reneman Robert S , Witteman Jacqueline CM 
Published: June 2011

Aim: Non-invasive measures of atherosclerosis, such as carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), may improve global cardiovascular risk prediction. The aim of this study was to determine whether common carotid IMT in addition to traditional risk factors improves risk classification in a general population of older people. Methods and results: A group of 3580 non-diabetic people aged 55–75 years and free of cardiovascular disease at baseline were followed for a median time of 12.2 years. Compared to models based on Framingham risk factors, we studied the ability of common cIMT measurement to better classify people into categories of low (<10%), intermediate (10–20%) and high (>20%) 10-year risk of hard coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. In older men, addition of cIMT to Framingham risk factors did not improve prediction of hard CHD or stroke. In older women, addition of cIMT to Framingham risk factors significantly improved risk classification. cIMT improved the C-statistic of the model for hard CHD from 0.711 to 0.719 and for stroke from 0.712 to 0.721, at good calibration. Reclassification was least in the majority of women classified as low risk (4% ( n = 76) for hard CHD and 3% ( n = 62) for stroke) and most substantial in women at intermediate risk (43% ( n = 70) for hard CHD and 28% ( n = 76) for stroke). The net reclassification improvement in women was 8.2% ( p = 0.03) for hard CHD and 8.0% ( p = 0.06) for stroke. Conclusion: cIMT had some additional value beyond traditional risk factors in the cardiovascular risk stratification of older women, but not of older men.
Exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a review of current literature focusing on safety, effects of exercise training, and the psychological impact of programme participation
Authors: Isaksen Kjetil , Morken Ingvild Margreta , Munk Peter Scott , Larsen Alf Inge 
Published: June 2011

Background: Indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have been widened considerably during the last decade due to the well-documented effect in the heart failure population. Exercise training (ET) has a 1 A recommendation in heart failure. However, data on safety and efficacy of ET in patients with ICDs is sparse. ICD shocks are associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Whether ET may have a beneficial effect in heart failure patients with an ICD is not well documented. Methods: This review is based on a systematic search in the Pub Med database using the terms ‘exercise training’, ‘implantable cardioverter defibrillator’, and ‘cardiac rehabilitation’. Results: Nine studies were identified, comprising 1889 patients. The average duration of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was 9.6 weeks. Ten ICD therapies (seven shocks) were reported in the 834 patients with ICD during ET. Between exercise sessions and during follow up 182 events were recorded including 166 shocks. Three studies (2 randomized) showed that the control group representing sedentary patients were more prone to ICD discharge than patients undergoing CR/ET. In all studies the ICD patients improved their aerobic fitness following ET. Few studies report data on the effect of ET on anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Based on the current literature, ET in patients with an ICD seems to be safe and is not associated with increased risk of shocks. ET improves aerobic capacity in ICD patients, while effects on anxiety, depression and quality of life are still under debate.
Hepcidin regulates ferroportin expression and intracellular iron homeostasis of erythroblasts
Authors: Zhang De-Liang , Senecal Thomas , Ghosh Manik C. , Ollivierre-Wilson Hayden , Tu Tiffany , Rouault Tracey A. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The iron-regulatory hormone, hepcidin, regulates systemic iron homeostasis by interacting with the iron export protein ferroportin (FPN1) to adjust iron absorption in enterocytes, iron recycling through reticuloendothelial macrophages, and iron release from storage in hepatocytes. We previously demonstrated that FPN1 was highly expressed in erythroblasts, a cell type that consumes most of the serum iron for use in hemoglobin synthesis. Herein, we have demonstrated that FPN1 localizes to the plasma membrane of erythroblasts, and hepcidin treatment leads to decreased expression of FPN1 and a subsequent increase in intracellular iron concentrations in both erythroblast cell lines and primary erythroblasts. Moreover, injection of exogenous hepcidin decreased FPN1 expression in BM erythroblasts in vivo, whereas iron depletion and associated hepcidin reduction led to increased FPN1 expression in erythroblasts. Taken together, hepcidin decreased FPN1 expression and increased intracellular iron availability of erythroblasts. We hypothesize that FPN1 expression in erythroblasts allows fine-tuning of systemic iron utilization to ensure that erythropoiesis is partially suppressed when nonerythropoietic tissues risk developing iron deficiency. Our results may explain why iron deficiency anemia is the most pronounced early manifestation of mammalian iron deficiency.
Resveratrol retards progression of diabetic nephropathy through modulations of oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and AMP-activated protein kinase
Authors: Chang Chih-Chun , Chang Chieh-Yu , Wu Yang-Tzu , Huang Jiung-Pang , Yen Tzung-Hai , Hung Li-Man 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been recognized as the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenolic compound, has been indicated to possess an insulin-like property in diabetes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the renoprotective effects of RSV and delineate its underlying mechanism in early-stage DN.

Methods
The protective effects of RSV on DN were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Results
The plasma glucose, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were significantly elevated in STZ-induced diabetic rats. RSV treatment markedly ameliorated hyperglycemia and renal dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The diabetes-induced superoxide anion and protein carbonyl levels were also significantly attenuated in RSV-treated diabetic kidney. The AMPK protein phosphorylation and expression levels were remarkably reduced in diabetic renal tissues. In contrast, RSV treatment significantly rescued the AMPK protein expression and phosphorylation compared to non-treated diabetic group. Additionally, hyperglycemia markedly enhanced renal production of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. RSV reduced IL-1β but increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the diabetic kidneys.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that RSV protects against oxidative stress, exhibits concurrent proinflammation and anti-inflammation, and up-regulates AMPK expression and activation, which may contribute to its beneficial effects on the early stage of DN.
Study of large and highly stratified population datasets by combining iterative pruning principal component analysis and structure
Authors: Limpiti Tulaya , Intarapanich Apichart , Assawamakin Anunchai , Shaw Philip J , Wangkumhang Pongsakorn , Piriyapongsa Jittima , Ngamphiw Chumpol , Tongsima Sissades 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
The ever increasing sizes of population genetic datasets pose great challenges for population structure analysis. The Tracy-Widom (TW) statistical test is widely used for detecting structure. However, it has not been adequately investigated whether the TW statistic is susceptible to type I error, especially in large, complex datasets. Non-parametric, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based methods for resolving structure have been developed which rely on the TW test. Although PCA-based methods can resolve structure, they cannot infer ancestry. Model-based methods are still needed for ancestry analysis, but they are not suitable for large datasets. We propose a new structure analysis framework for large datasets. This includes a new heuristic for detecting structure and incorporation of the structure patterns inferred by a PCA method to complement STRUCTURE analysis.

Results
A new heuristic called EigenDev for detecting population structure is presented. When tested on simulated data, this heuristic is robust to sample size. In contrast, the TW statistic was found to be susceptible to type I error, especially for large population samples. EigenDev is thus better-suited for analysis of large datasets containing many individuals, in which spurious patterns are likely to exist and could be incorrectly interpreted as population stratification. EigenDev was applied to the iterative pruning PCA (ipPCA) method, which resolves the underlying subpopulations. This subpopulation information was used to supervise STRUCTURE analysis to infer patterns of ancestry at an unprecedented level of resolution. To validate the new approach, a bovine and a large human genetic dataset (3945 individuals) were analyzed. We found new ancestry patterns consistent with the subpopulations resolved by ipPCA.

Conclusions
The EigenDev heuristic is robust to sampling and is thus superior for detecting structure in large datasets. The application of EigenDev to the ipPCA algorithm improves the estimation of the number of subpopulations and the individual assignment accuracy, especially for very large and complex datasets. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the structure resolved by this approach complements parametric analysis, allowing a much more comprehensive account of population structure. The new version of the ipPCA software with EigenDev incorporated can be downloaded from http://www4a.biotec.or.th/GI/tools/ippca.
Neuroregeneration in neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Enciu Ana M , Nicolescu Mihnea I , Manole Catalin G , Mureşanu Dafin F , Popescu Laurenţiu M , Popescu Bogdan O 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundNeuroregeneration is a relatively recent concept that includes neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and neurorestoration - implantation of viable cells as a therapeutical approach.DiscussionNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity are impaired in brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or Parkinson's Disease and correlate with low endogenous protection, as a result of a diminished growth factors expression. However, we hypothesize that the brain possesses, at least in early and medium stages of disease, a "neuroregenerative reserve", that could be exploited by growth factors or stem cells-neurorestoration therapies.SummaryIn this paper we review the current data regarding all three aspects of neuroregeneration in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.
Efficacy of integrated school based de-worming and prompt malaria treatment on helminths -Plasmodium falciparum co-infections: A 33 months follow up study
Authors: Midzi Nicholas , Mtapuri-Zinyowera Sekesai , Sangweme Davison , Paul Noah H , Makware Godfrey , Mapingure Munyaradzi P , Brouwer Kimberly C , Mudzori James , Hlerema Gibson , Chadukura Vivian , Mutapi Francisca , Kumar Nirbhay , Mduluza Takafira 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
The geographical congruency in distribution of helminths and Plasmodium falciparum makes polyparasitism a common phenomenon in Sub Saharan Africa. The devastating effects of helminths-Plasmodium co-infections on primary school health have raised global interest for integrated control. However little is known on the feasibility, timing and efficacy of integrated helminths-Plasmodium control strategies. A study was conducted in Zimbabwe to evaluate the efficacy of repeated combined school based antihelminthic and prompt malaria treatment.

Methods
A cohort of primary schoolchildren (5-17 years) received combined Praziquantel, albendazole treatment at baseline, and again during 6, 12 and 33 months follow up surveys and sustained prompt malaria treatment. Sustained prompt malaria treatment was carried out throughout the study period. Children's infection status with helminths, Plasmodium and helminths-Plasmodium co-infections was determined by parasitological examinations at baseline and at each treatment point. The prevalence of S. haematobium, S. mansoni, STH, malaria, helminths-Plasmodium co-infections and helminths infection intensities before and after treatment were analysed.

Results
Longitudinal data showed that two rounds of combined Praziquantel and albendazole treatment for schistosomiasis and STHs at 6 monthly intervals and sustained prompt malaria treatment significantly reduced the overall prevalence of S. haematobium, S. mansoni, hookworms and P. falciparum infection in primary schoolchildren by 73.5%, 70.8%, 67.3% and 58.8% respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). More importantly, the prevalence of STH + schistosomes, P. f + schistosomes, and P. f + STHs + schistosomes co-infections were reduced by 68.0%, 84.2%, and 90.7%, respectively. The absence of anti-helminthic treatment between the 12 mth and 33 mth follow-up surveys resulted in the sharp increase in STHs + schistosomes co-infection from 3.3% at 12 months follow up survey to 10.7%, slightly more than the baseline level (10.3%) while other co-infection combinations remained significantly low. The overall prevalence of heavy S. haematobium, S. mansoni and hookworms infection intensities were significantly reduced from: 17.9-22.4% to 2.6-5.1%, 1.6-3.3% to 0.0% and 0.0-0.7% to 0.0% respectively.

Conclusion
Biannual Integrated school based antihelminthic and sustained prompt malaria treatment has a potential to reduce the burden of helminths-plasmodium co-infections in primary school children. In areas of stable malaria transmission, active case finding is recommended to track and treat asymptomatic malaria cases as these may sustain transmission in the community.
Impact of exposure measurement error in air pollution epidemiology: effect of error type in time-series studies
Authors: Goldman Gretchen T , Mulholland James A , Russell Armistead G , Strickland Matthew J , Klein Mitchel , Waller Lance A , Tolbert Paige E 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Two distinctly different types of measurement error are Berkson and classical. Impacts of measurement error in epidemiologic studies of ambient air pollution are expected to depend on error type. We characterize measurement error due to instrument imprecision and spatial variability as multiplicative (i.e. additive on the log scale) and model it over a range of error types to assess impacts on risk ratio estimates both on a per measurement unit basis and on a per interquartile range (IQR) basis in a time-series study in Atlanta.

Methods
Daily measures of twelve ambient air pollutants were analyzed: NO2, NOx, O3, SO2, CO, PM10 mass, PM2.5 mass, and PM2.5 components sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, elemental carbon and organic carbon. Semivariogram analysis was applied to assess spatial variability. Error due to this spatial variability was added to a reference pollutant time-series on the log scale using Monte Carlo simulations. Each of these time-series was exponentiated and introduced to a Poisson generalized linear model of cardiovascular disease emergency department visits.

Results
Measurement error resulted in reduced statistical significance for the risk ratio estimates for all amounts (corresponding to different pollutants) and types of error. When modelled as classical-type error, risk ratios were attenuated, particularly for primary air pollutants, with average attenuation in risk ratios on a per unit of measurement basis ranging from 18% to 92% and on an IQR basis ranging from 18% to 86%. When modelled as Berkson-type error, risk ratios per unit of measurement were biased away from the null hypothesis by 2% to 31%, whereas risk ratios per IQR were attenuated (i.e. biased toward the null) by 5% to 34%. For CO modelled error amount, a range of error types were simulated and effects on risk ratio bias and significance were observed.

Conclusions
For multiplicative error, both the amount and type of measurement error impact health effect estimates in air pollution epidemiology. By modelling instrument imprecision and spatial variability as different error types, we estimate direction and magnitude of the effects of error over a range of error types.