bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of neutrophils in persistent airway obstruction due to refractory asthma
Authors: CHOI JAE‐SUNG , JANG AN SOO , PARK JONG SOOK , PARK SUNG WOO , PAIK SANG HYUN , PARK JAI SOUNG , UH SOO‐TAEK , KIM YONG‐HOON , PARK CHOON SIK 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  One of the clinical manifestations of refractory asthma (RA) in a certain group of patients is persistent airway obstruction (PAO), despite treatment with high doses of inhaled and/or systemic corticosteroids. Airway neutrophilic inflammation is frequently observed in RA; however, the relationship between neutrophilic inflammation and PAO has not been evaluated in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical parameters and patterns of inflammatory cells between patients with or without PAO due to RA, and to identify the factors associated with PAO.Methods:  Seventy‐seven patients with RA were recruited from a cohort of 2298 asthmatic patients. Sputum differential cell counts were performed at initial presentation. Clinical and physiological parameters were compared between patients with (n = 19) or without PAO (n = 58).Results:  The group with PAO had a longer duration of asthma and a higher frequency of near‐fatal asthma than the non‐PAO group, although higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids were used in the PAO group (P = 0.037). Neutrophilic inflammation was predominant in the group with PAO, whereas eosinophilic inflammation was predominant in the non‐PAO group (P = 0.003). When both groups were stratified according to smoking status, the non‐smoking PAO group had the longest duration of asthma, with early onset of asthma (P < 0.05). The non‐smoking PAO group tended to have the highest percentage of sputum neutrophils. Irrespective of smoking status, the percentage of sputum eosinophils was significantly higher in the non‐PAO group than in the PAO group.Conclusions:  Patients with PAO due to RA show different clinical manifestations when compared with those without PAO and have neutrophil‐dominant airway inflammation.
A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 33 protein in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis
Authors: SHAFFIQ ASIF , HAITCHI HANS MICHAEL , PANG YUN YUNG , ALANGARI ABDULLAH A. , JONES MARK G. , MARSHALL BEN G. , HOWARTH PETER H. , DAVIES DONNA E. , O'REILLY KATHERINE M.A. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) 33 is a susceptibility gene associated with inflammatory lung and skin diseases. It is selectively expressed in mesenchymal cells, and its metalloprotease activity has been linked to angiogenesis and tissue remodelling. A soluble form of ADAM33 (sADAM33) has been identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic patients, and its levels inversely correlate with lung function. Because of its association with inflammatory lung diseases, it was hypothesized that sADAM33 is elevated in BALF of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.Methods:  After removal of Ig using Protein A/G and enrichment using Concanavalin A beads, sADAM33 was identified in BALF by Western blotting. A fluorescence resonance energy transfer peptide cleavage assay was used to assess ADAM33‐like activity in BALF.Results:  sADAM33 protein in BALF was detected as a 25 kDa fragment, and levels were significantly increased in samples from sarcoid patients when compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05). Levels of sADAM33 were inversely correlated with lung function (FVC%) (P < 0.05) and DLCO % predicted (P < 0.01). No difference in sADAM33 enzymatic activity was observed between healthy and sarcoid BALF samples.Conclusions:  Release of sADAM33 is increased in sarcoid and may be associated with abnormal lung function. sADAM33 may be a biomarker of lung tissue inflammation and remodelling in sarcoid.
Non‐invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients after the Fontan operation
Authors: Furukawa Takeshi , Akimoto Katsumi , Ohtsuki Masahiro , Sato Keiko , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Takahashi Ken , Kishiro Masahiko , Shimizu Toshiaki , Kawasaki Shiori 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground:  This study analyzed the change in liver fibrosis markers after the Fontan operation and investigated their clinical usefulness as an index of congestive liver fibrosis.Methods:  The study enrolled 24 patients who underwent the Fontan operation between January 1994 and December 2008. We subdivided the postoperative period into four intervals and then compared the hepatological markers during each. Eighteen patients underwent postoperative cardiac catheterization and the correlation between hepatological markers and the inferior vena cava (IVC) pressure was analyzed.Results:  The mean age of the patients was 138.6 months and the mean interval between the Fontan operation and the examination was 97.8 months. Type IV collagen was extremely high in every interval (I, 286 ± 93; II, 265 ± 93; III, 305 ± 143; IV, 206 ± 70), while none of the laboratory variables changed significantly in each interval. A significant positive correlation was observed between type IV collagen and the IVC pressure, but no significant correlation with any other hepatological marker was detected.Conclusions:  No specific parameter that reflects the progress in liver fibrosis was identified in this study. The possibility exists that type IV collagen reflects the degree of hepatic congestion.
Effect of body mass index‐z score on adverse levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors
Authors: Katsuren Keisuke , Nakamura Kimitoshi , Ohta Takao 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground:  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are associated with body mass index z‐score (BMISD) and/or insulin resistance (IR). However, the correlation between adverse levels of these risk factors and BMISD, and the effect of IR on these associations are not fully understood in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between adverse levels of CVD risk factors and BMISD, and the effect of IR on these associations in schoolchildren.Methods:  Conventional CVD risk factors, C‐reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA) and adiponectin were determined in 757 boys and 494 girls aged between 7 and 12 years. IR was assessed by the homeostasis model approximation index.Results:  BMISD were linearly associated with relative risks having adverse levels of all factors, except for glucose and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in boys, and except for glucose, LDL‐C and adiponectin in girls (P < 0.01–0.001). These associations were weakened after adjustment for IR, but still significant in cases of UA and CRP in boys and UA, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and CRP in girls (P < 0.01–0.001).Conclusion:  The relative risk of having adverse levels of most CVD risk factors in school children increased across the entire range of BMISD. IR contributed to most of these relative risks, but BMISD itself also contributed to these relative risks. To prevent future development of CVD, it might be important for schoolchildren to maintain BMISD within normal range. However, in cases of hyper LDL‐cholesterolemia, we should consider causes other than BMISD.
Electrocardiogram shows reliable heart rates much earlier than pulse oximetry during neonatal resuscitation
Authors: Mizumoto Hiroshi , Tomotaki Seiichi , Shibata Hirofumi , Ueda Kazutoshi , Akashi Ryoko , Uchio Hiroko , Hata Daisuke 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of the three‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) during neonatal resuscitation.Methods:  Both pulse oximetry (PO) and ECG were applied immediately after delivery to measure heart rate (HR). We reviewed video recordings of the respective monitors, and checked the time at which each monitor started to display reliable rate values.Results:  In 20 deliveries, ECG showed HR much earlier than PO (median 38 s vs 122 s after delivery). ECG displayed reliable HR throughout resuscitation. We were able to confirm the effectiveness of the initial respiratory support from the elevation in HR.Conclusions:  ECG was a safe and reliable method for showing HR, and was used to determine the initiation and the effectiveness of resuscitation in the delivery room.
The role of microcystins in maintaining colonies of bloom‐forming Microcystis spp.
Authors: Gan Nanqin , Xiao Yan , Zhu Lin , Wu Zhongxing , Liu Jin , Hu Chenlin , Song Lirong 
Published: November 2011

SummaryMicrocystis is a cosmopolitan genus of cyanobacteria and occurs in many different forms. Large surface blooms of the cyanobacterium are well known in eutrophic lakes throughout the globe. We evaluated the role of microcystins (MCs) in promoting and maintaining bloom‐forming cell aggregates at environmentally relevant MC concentrations (0.25–10 µg l−1). MCs significantly enhanced Microcystis colony sizes. Colonial diameters in microcystin‐RR (MC‐RR)‐treated cultures (at 1 µg l−1) were significantly larger than control colonies, by factors of 1.5, 2.6 and 2.7 in Microcystis wesenbergii DC‐M1, M. ichthyoblabe TH‐M1 and Microcystis sp. FACHB1027 respectively. Depletion of extracellular MC concentrations caused Microcystis colony size to decrease, suggesting that released MCs are intimately involved in the maintenance of Microcystis colonial size. MC‐RR exposure did not influence Microcystis growth rate, but did significantly increase the production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). In addition, MC‐RR exposure appeared to trigger upregulation of certain parts of four polysaccharide biosynthesis‐related genes: capD, csaB, tagH and epsL. These results strongly indicate that induction of polysaccharides by MC‐RR was the major mechanism through which MCs enhanced colony formation in Microcystis spp. Cellular release of MCs, therefore, may play a key role in the persistence of algal colonies and the dominance of Microcystis.
Ecological and evolutive implications of bacterial defences against predators
Authors: Jousset Alexandre 
Published: November 2011

SummaryBacterial communities are often heavily consumed by microfaunal predators, such as protozoa and nematodes. Predation is an important cause of mortality and determines the structure and activity of microbial communities in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and bacteria evolved various defence mechanisms helping them to resist predation. In this review, I summarize known antipredator defence strategies and their regulation, and explore their importance for bacterial fitness in various environmental conditions, and their implications for bacterial evolution and diversification under predation pressure. I discuss how defence mechanisms affect competition and cooperation within bacterial communities. Finally I present some implications of bacterial defence mechanisms for ecosystem services provided by microbial communities, such as nutrient cycling, virulence and the biological control of plant diseases.
Node‐positive renal cell carcinoma in the absence of distant metastases: predictors of cancer‐specific mortality in a population‐based cohort
Authors: Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Schmitges Jan , Bianchi Marco , Sun Maxine , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Sammon Jesse , Jeldres Claudio , Zorn Kevin , Sukumar Shyam , Perrotte Paul , Graefen Markus , Rogers Craig G. , Peabody James O. , Menon Mani , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: November 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort series)Level of Evidence 2aWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Nodal metastases, even in the absence of distant metastases, portend a bad prognosis.The percentage of positive nodes (PPN) represents an important predictor of cancer‐specific mortality (CSM) in patients in the group TanyN1M0. In consequence, universal inclusion of PPN should be considered in prospective and retrospective CSM analyses.OBJECTIVES
To examine the outcomes of patients with node‐positive renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the absence of distant metastases in a large population‐based cohort of patients
To examine the ability of standard risk factors to predict cancer‐specific mortality (CSM).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, a total of 799 patients with RCC nodal metastases and absence of distant metastases undergoing nephrectomy were identified.
Univariable and multivariable analyses was performed with the aim of identifying independent predictors of CSM in this cohort of patients.
Specifically, we examined the effect of the number of removed nodes (NRN), the number of positive nodes (NPN) and the percentage of positive nodes (PPN) on CSM.
RESULTS
Actuarial survival estimates showed that 53.2, 37.8 and 25.7% of patients survived at 24, 60 and 120 months after nephrectomy.
In Kaplan–Meier analyses, NRN failed to clearly discriminate between recorded CSM rates (log rank P= 0.07).
Discrimination was noted when CSM was stratified according to NPN (log rank P= 0.02) and PPN (log rank P= 0.001).
In multivariable analyses, age, Fuhrman grade, histological subtype, T stage and PPN were independent predictors of CSM.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that CSM of patients with exclusive nodal metastases differs according to PPN.
Consequently, PPN warrants consideration in future prognostic schemes.
Outcomes of clomiphene citrate treatment in young hypogonadal men
Authors: Katz Darren J. , Nabulsi Omar , Tal Raanan , Mulhall John P. 
Published: November 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Hypogonadism is a prevalent problem, increasing in frequency as men age. It is most commonly treated by testosterone supplementation therapy but in younger patients this can lead to testicular atrophy with subsequent exogenous testosterone dependency and may impair spermatogenesis. Clomiphene citrate (CC) may be used as an alternative treatment in these patients with hypogonadism when maintenance of fertility is desired.This study shows that CC is a safe and efficacious drug to use as an alternative to exogenous testosterone. Not only have we validated previous findings of other papers but have proven our findings over a much longer period (mean duration of treatment 19 months). This prospective study is the largest to date assessing both the objective hormone response to CC therapy as well as the subjective response based on a validated questionnaire.OBJECTIVE
To prospectively assess the andrological outcomes of long‐term clomiphene citrate (CC) treatment in hypogonadal men.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We prospectively evaluated 86 men with hypogonadism (HG) as confirmed by two consecutive early morning testosterone measurements <300 ng/dL.
The cohort included all men with HG presenting to our clinic between 2002 and 2006 who, after an informed discussion, elected to have CC therapy. CC was commenced at 25 mg every other day and titrated to 50 mg every other day. The target testosterone level was 550 ± 50 ng/dL.
Testosterone (free and total), sex hormone binding globulin, oestradiol, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were measured at baseline and during treatment on all patients. Once the desired testosterone level was achieved, testosterone/gonadotropin levels were measured twice per year.
To assess subjective response to treatment, the androgen deficiency in aging males (ADAM) questionnaire was administered before treatment and during follow‐up.
RESULTS
Patients' mean (standard deviation [sd]; range) age was 29 (3; 22–37) years. Infertility was the most common reason (64%) for seeking treatment. The mean (sd) duration of CC treatment was 19 (14) months.
At the last evaluation, 70% of men were using 25 mg CC every other day, and the remainder were using 50 mg every other day.
All mean testosterone and gonadotropin measurements significantly increased during treatment.
Subjectively, there was an improvement in all questions (except loss of height) on the ADAM questionnaire. More than half the patients had an improvement in at least three symptoms.
There were no major side effects recorded and the presence of a varicocele did not have an impact on the response to CC.
CONCLUSION
Long‐term follow‐up of CC treatment for HG shows that it appears to be an effective and safe alternative to testosterone supplementation in men wishing to preserve their fertility.
Market risk exposure of merger arbitrage in Australia
Authors: Hall Jason , Pinnuck Matthew , Thorne Matthew 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe investigate the risk‐return characteristics of merger arbitrage in the Australian market for corporate control, whereby hedge fund managers acquire companies subject to a takeover offer. On average, a strategy of buying target companies and short‐selling bidders making scrip offers would have generated an annual return of 30 per cent from 1985 to 2008, excluding transaction costs, compared to the return on the broader market of 12 per cent. However, performance is not market neutral, being positively associated with market returns during downturns and inversely related to market movements during rising markets. The payoffs to this strategy are analogous to a short straddle, whereby the investor is short a call and put option at the same exercise price. These results are consistent with large‐sample evidence from the United States and the United Kingdom and have not previously been documented in Australia, in which prior evidence is based only on cash deals during the 1990s.
Using video to analyze one's own teaching
Authors: Tripp Tonya , Rich Peter 
Published: November 2011

AbstractRecently, interest in using video to facilitate teacher reflection has increased. Despite this increase, the frameworks employed to help teachers use video to reflect on their teaching are not based on the results of prior video analysis research. There is a need to better understand how and in what ways video has been used to reflect on one's own teaching. The purpose of this paper is to review past studies in order to help educators make more informed decisions as they establish their own video analysis processes. This review includes 63 studies where participants recorded their own teaching, examined their performance on video and reflected on the performance. Several dimensions of video analysis that varied across past studies are discussed: type of tasks, manner of facilitation, extent to which teachers reflect individually or collaboratively, length of video used, number of reflections and measurement. This paper summarizes reported findings regarding each of these dimensions and raises several questions that need further investigation.Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic
Video is a powerful tool for teacher reflection.
Video enables teachers to more effectively “see” their practice.
Teachers who engage in video reflection report recalling prior videos of their teaching during future teaching, enabling them to more effectively, “reflect in practice.”
What this paper adds
A unified synthesis of the literature on video used for teacher self‐relfection.
A review of the tools used for facilitating teacher reflection via video and their effect on the reflective process.
Six different dimensions among which video‐aided teacher reflection research varies.
Implications for practice and/or policy
Teachers prefer to engage in video analysis for reflection in collaboration with colleagues over reflecting alone and feel that the most important recommended changes come from these collaborative groups.
In support of past research, teachers report that the use of a guiding framework (eg., rubric, checklist, teaching principles) helps to focus their reflection. However, most teachers actually prefer to choose their own focus. Thus, administrators should find a balance between the use of a predetermined reflection framework and teachers' choice of focus within that framework.
Video‐aided teacher reflection has demonstrated posited change through varied measures (self‐report, case studies, lesson plans, pre‐/posttest scores). However, we do not know which combination of these leads to the greatest or most impactful change. Future research needs to examine the ways in which video‐aided teacher reflection can differentially impact teacher practice.
Changes in Attributions as a Consequence of Training for Challenging and Complex Behaviour for Carers of People with Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Williams Sophie , Dagnan Dave , Rodgers Jacqui , McDowell Kathryn 
Published: November 2011

Aim  This paper reviews the evidence for changes in carers’ attributions regarding the behaviour of people with intellectual disabilities as a consequence of carer training in challenging and complex behaviour.Method  Papers were included in the review if they reported outcomes for carer training on the behaviour of people with intellectual disabilities and used a measure of carer attribution of the behaviour of people with intellectual disabilities. The characteristics of the scales used and the content and length of training are considered as possible factors affecting changes in attribution.Results  Eleven papers were reviewed, most studies using behavioural curricula for their training, and none explicitly set out to change attributions. Eight of the 11 papers reviewed reported changes in attribution although core characteristics of training did not distinguish those papers that reported such changes and those that did not.Conclusions  Changes in beliefs and attributions occur even though these are not identified as a focus within the training provided. The present authors suggest that the formulation processes involved in behavioural training may play a key part in changing attributions as a consequence of this training. The present authors discuss the potential for more focussed intervention designed to change attributions and for better alignment of measures to specific attribution change expected as a result of specific training approaches.
Reliability and validity of the Japanese language version of Pro‐Change's decisional balance measure for effective stress management1
Authors: HORIUCHI SATOSHI , TSUDA AKIRA , KOBAYASHI HISANORI , PROCHASKA JANICE M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis study aimed to develop the Japanese language version of Pro‐Change's decisional balance measure for effective stress management (PDSM). Effective stress management refers to activities that are practiced, for at least 20 min per day, to reduce a person's perceived stress. Six hundred and sixty‐five female and 456 male Japanese university and college students participated in this study, which consists of two surveys. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the Japanese language version of the PDSM was developed, which contains 12 items and consists of two factors, the Pros and the Cons. The levels of internal consistency are acceptable (Pros = 0.78 and Cons = 0.64). The scores for the Pros and the Cons subscores were not affected by social desirability (Pros = −0.04 and Cons = −0.12). We confirmed the construct validity of the Japanese language version of PDSM with theoretically predicted relationships between the decisional balance and the stage of change for effective stress management. The Japanese language version of the PDSM with construct validity and reliability was developed.