bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bilateral coordination and motor sequencing in Brazilian children: preliminary construct validity and reliability analysis
Authors: Cardoso Ana Amélia , Magalhães Lívia de Castro 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis study examined aspects of reliability and validity of the bilateral coordination and motor sequencing items of the Assessment of Motor Coordination and Dexterity (AMCD) for Brazilian children ages 4, 6 and 8 years old. The AMCD aims to identify children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). A total of 84 children were evaluated. Among the 35 items piloted, all but one presented interrater reliability above 0.80 and 16 (45.7%) items presented intraclass correlation coefficient over 0.60 for test–retest reliability. Most items were sensitive to age difference and only items involving ball handling exhibited significant gender differences. As a result, this section of the AMCD could be reduced to the 20 items that were found to be reliable and more discriminative for age‐related differences. This study advances on the development of the AMCD, but a limitation was the noninclusion of children with DCD. Future research should investigate whether the selected items are useful in differentiating the motor skills of children with and without coordination problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of matrix viscosity on the extent of exfoliation in EVA/organoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Marini Juliano , Branciforti Marcia Cristina , Lotti Cybele 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe influence of matrix viscosity and polarity on ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) nanocomposites was studied. Five different EVA grades, with different melt flow indexes (MFIs) and/or vinyl acetate (VA) contents, were mixed with two montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclays: pristine and modified with a polar surfactant, producing 75/25 w/w% masterbatches which were subsequently diluted in the EVA matrix to obtain 5 wt% MMT nanocomposites. Although the same VA content, WAXS results, rheological measurements and TEM analysis showed that the lower the EVA viscosity, the greater the tendency to obtain exfoliated and well dispersed nanocomposites with the organically modified clay. On the other hand, the high viscosity EVA nanocomposites showed that the (001) organoclay diffraction peak was shifted to higher values of 2θ, suggesting lamellae collapsing. TGA and FTIR measurements were used to probe the thermal degradation of organoclay; furthermore, it was not possible to identify, by the techniques used, any reaction between the VA groups and hydroxyl surfactant groups. Thus, it was inferred that the organic surfactant was removed (or ejected) from the clay galleries as a consequence of huge shear tensions developed during processing of the masterbatches/nanocomposites with high viscosity EVA matrices. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuronal differentiation in basal cell carcinoma: possible relationship to Hedgehog pathway activation?
Authors: Gore Sinclair M , Kasper Maria , Williams Tomos , Regl Gerhard , Aberger Fritz , Cerio Reno , Neill Graham W , Philpott Michael P 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAlthough deregulated Hedgehog signalling and elevated Gli transcription factor expression are known to promote the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), little is known about molecular mechanisms driving the development of specific growth pattern subtypes. Using gene array analysis, we have previously observed that over‐expression of GLI1 in human keratinocytes promotes increased expression of the neuronal differentiation markers ARC and ULK1. We asked whether neuronal differentiation is a characteristic of BCC and whether there is any correlation with BCC subtype. Using RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry, we confirmed that the neuronal markers ARC, β‐tubulin III, GAP‐43 and Neurofilament are expressed in human BCC but not in normal epidermis. Moreover, we found that expression of these neuronal differentiation markers showed strong correlation to BCC subtype, with more aggressive infiltrative and morphoeic BCC showing low levels or lack of expression compared to nodular, superficial and micronodular subtypes. Primary human keratinocytes retrovirally expressing GLI1− and GLI2− showed elevated levels of β‐tubulin III and ARC but not Neurofilament or GAP‐43, suggesting that β‐tubulin III and Arc may be early targets of aberrant Gli expression in BCC, whereas expression of Neurofilament and GAP‐43 are either later, downstream targets or under control of alternative pathways. We propose that neuronal differentiation is a feature of BCC and that expression of these markers is in part due to aberrant Hedgehog signalling. Moreover, we suggest that correlation between loss of expression of neuronal markers in infiltrative and morphoeic BCC subtypes reflects dedifferentiation of more aggressive BCC subtypes. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of fetuses with a prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of isolated omphalocele
Authors: Porter Amina , Benson Carol B. , Hawley Pam , Wilkins‐Haug Louise 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the outcome following an ultrasound diagnosis of isolated fetal omphalocele (normal karyotype).MethodsUltrasound database (1988–2002) was searched for omphalocele. Categories assigned as (1) isolated—no additional structural/karyotype anomalies, (2) associated minor abnormality, and (3) major structural/karyotype abnormalities.ResultsUltrasound identified 65 cases, 13 with isolated omphalocele and 6 with associated minor anomalies. These 19 cases represented 29.2% of the population (19/65); isolated omphalocele was confirmed in 14 neonates (14/19, 73.7%). In five neonates, unrecognized by prenatal ultrasound were cardiac anomalies (2 cases), tracheoesophageal atresia with cardiac anomaly (1 case), and Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) (2 cases). A minor ultrasound finding did not predict further anomalies at birth. Preterm delivery complicated 37.5%; the only deaths occurred among preterm infants. Follow‐up of isolated omphalocele found no long‐term medical issues or learning disabilities except speech delay.ConclusionsIsolated fetal omphalocele is the exception. An additional minor ultrasound finding does not impact a relatively good prognosis with little long‐term morbidity. However, this series highlights two areas of caution: (1) one‐third were delivered preterm with a 50% rate of demise and (2) in a quarter of cases, an additional major anomaly or BWS was identified in the neonate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of maternal betamethasone and fetal tracheal occlusion on pulmonary vascular morphometry in fetal rabbits with surgically induced diaphragmatic hernia: a placebo controlled morphologic study
Authors: Roubliova Xenia I. , Lewi Paul J. , Verbeken Eric K. , Vaast Pascal , Jani Jacques C. , Lu Huiqi , Tibboel Dick , Deprest Jan A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectivesWe studied the vascular effects of betamethasone (BM) and/or tracheal occlusion (TO) in fetal rabbits with surgically induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).MethodsAt day 23 (pseudoglandular phase; term = 31 d), 54 ovarian‐end fetuses from 27 does underwent induction of CDH. Thirteen did receive either 0.05 mg/kg BM, on days 28 and 29 with a 24‐h interval, or 14 saline [controls (CTR)]. At day 28, one ovarian‐end fetus underwent TO and harvesting was at term. In total, we compared (ANOVA) lung‐to‐body weight ratio (LBWR) and vascular morphometric indices in survivors from the following groups (n ‐ number alive at delivery): CDH (9); CDH + TO (10); unoperated controls (14); CDH + BM (10); CDH + TO (9); controls CTR + BM (13).ResultsMaternal BM had no effect on LBWR. LBWR was comparable to normal in CDH fetuses undergoing TO. Both TO and BM have an effect on medial thickening due to CDH which is larger when both interventions are combined.ConclusionsBoth TO and BM lessen peripheric muscularization present in CDH lungs and their effect is cumulative. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatio‐temporal clusters of new psychotropic medications among Michigan children insured by Medicaid
Authors: Penfold Robert B. , Wang Wei , Pajer Kathleen , Strange Brandon , Kelleher Kelly J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPurposeThe prescription of psychotropic medications to children and adolescents has increased dramatically over the last decade. However, the development of disparities in prescribing is poorly understood. We examined whether clustering of utilization is a common phenomenon among early adopters of medications described the characteristics of clusters.MethodsWe obtained the complete Medicaid Analytic Extract (MAX) files for the State of Michigan between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003. We tracked the adoption of: aripiprazole, atomoxetine, escitalopram, methylphenidate OROS, and ziprasidone. We conducted retrospective, space‐time analyses, scanning for clusters with high rates of prescribing. χ 2 analyses were used to compare the attributes of patients living within clusters to patients living in the rest of the state for each medication. Clusters of utilization were identified via the spatial scan statistic. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then used to compare the numbers of mental health professionals per capita in geographic areas that did and did not demonstrate clustering of prescriptions for new psychotropic medications.ResultsAll five medications exhibited space‐time clustering within the first 90 days following the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The Medicaid population surrounding Kalamazoo was more likely to receive a prescription on multiple occasions. Excluding ziprasidone, clusters were not associated with greater geographic access to mental health care professionals.ConclusionsClustering of new prescriptions for psychotropic medications was a common phenomenon in this population. Surveillance and cluster identification allow the development of disparities to be studied. This information permits interventions to be targeted to locations prospectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Colorectal cancer risk in relation to use of acid suppressive medications
Authors: Chubak Jessica , Boudreau Denise M. , Rulyak Stephen J. , Mandelson Margaret T. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPurposeAcid suppressants are commonly prescribed medications. Laboratory studies suggest a mechanism by which they could increase colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A few epidemiologic studies have investigated acid suppressant use and CRC risk; none has documented an overall association. We sought to investigate whether acid suppressants are associated with CRC risk.MethodsWe conducted a case–control study among members of an integrated healthcare delivery system in Washington State. Cases (N = 641) were diagnosed with CRC between 2000 and 2003; controls (N = 641) were randomly selected from enrollees and matched to cases on age, sex, and length of enrollment. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CRC associated with the use of any acid suppressive medication, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) only, histamine receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) only, or both PPIs and H2 blockers in relation to the use of neither PPIs nor H2 blockers.ResultsUse of PPIs exclusively was modestly associated with an increased risk of CRC, however this finding was consistent with chance and based on a small number of patients exposed (OR = 1.7; 95%CI = 0.8, 4.0). H2 blocker use alone was not related to CRC risk (OR = 0.8; 95%CI = 0.6, 1.1).ConclusionsPPI use may be modestly associated with CRC risk; further research should be conducted in populations with long‐term PPI use. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International impacts of regulatory action to limit antidepressant prescribing on rates of suicide in young people
Authors: Wheeler Benedict W. , Metcalfe Chris , Martin Richard M. , Gunnell David 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPurposeConcerns that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may increase the risk of suicidal behaviour amongst young people led to regulatory action in 2003/4 in many countries. Antidepressant prescribing to young people in various countries declined, but subsequent analyses have demonstrated mixed effects on population suicide rates.MethodsAnnual, national suicide mortality rates from 1990 to 2006 for 10–19 year‐olds in World Health Organisation (WHO) Mortality Stratum A countries were studied using the WHO mortality database. Departures from country‐specific trends in 2004–2006 relative to overall trends 1990–2006 were calculated to estimate the impact of regulatory actions in 2003/4.ResultsThere was no consistent change in rate after 2003, with some countries experiencing more and some fewer suicides than expected. Amongst 15–19 year olds the rate ratio was 0.999 (95%CI: 0.971–1.028), and in 10–14 year olds was 0.999 (95%CI: 0.929–1.074). There was some evidence of differential results for males and females. In 15–19 year olds there were 1.8% fewer (95%CI: −5.0 to +1.5%) suicides than expected amongst males and 8.1% more (95%CI: +1.9 to +14.6%) suicides than expected amongst females during 2004–2006. Rate ratios for 10–14 year‐olds demonstrated a similar pattern, but with much greater uncertainty.ConclusionsThere was no evidence of an overall effect on suicides of regulatory action to restrict prescribing of SSRIs to young people, although there was weak evidence of an increase in suicide amongst young women internationally. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modifying the structure and properties of polyethylene foams using thermal treatments
Authors: Rodriguez‐Perez Miguel A , Gonzalez‐Peña Jorge I , de Saja Jose A 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The physical properties of polymer foams depend on many factors: density, cellular structure, matrix polymer morphology, etc. Therefore, these properties can be adapted by appropriate control of the structure. However, this simple and attractive concept has some limitations because the cellular structure of foams cannot be fully controlled during manufacturing. Therefore, in order to make possible the control of properties, it is highly desirable to develop simple procedures, such as thermal treatments, to modify the cellular structure. In the work reported, low‐density polyethylene foams were thermally treated at temperatures below the melting temperature of the base polymer. The cellular structure, polymer base morphology and several thermal and mechanical properties were studied before and after the thermal treatments.RESULTS: It is shown that the anisotropy of the cellular structure is reduced by using adequate treatments. This modification of the structure influences physical properties that are sensitive to the cell shape, such as thermal expansion, elastic modulus and collapse stress.CONCLUSION: A simple procedure to allow further control of the structure and properties of polyethylene‐based foams has been presented. The use of adequate thermal treatments is able to modify the cellular structure and hence the physical properties of these materials. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Fracture behaviour of poly[ethylene–(vinyl alcohol)]/organo‐clay composites
Authors: Maspoch Maria L , Franco‐Urquiza Edgar , Gamez‐Perez José , Santana Orlando O , Sánchez‐Soto Miguel 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Ethylene–(vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) copolymer/organo‐modified montmorillonite (OMMT) composites were investigated. Composites with two different percentages by weight of OMMT were prepared using a melt‐extrusion procedure in a twin‐screw extruder, using EVOH as matrix. Films made of EVOH and EVOH/OMMT composites were prepared in a cast‐film extrusion line.RESULTS: The mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile tests and the fracture behaviour was analysed using the essential‐work‐of‐fracture (EWF) method. Fracture characterization was carried out for the two main processing directions: melt flow direction and transverse direction. Fractographic observations were made using scanning electron microscopy.CONCLUSION: The tensile test results indicated good compatibility between EVOH and OMMT. In addition, the fracture tests showed the influence of the clay particle arrangement on the fracture behaviour, showing an increase in the specific essential work of fracture, we, which was attributed to the EVOH–OMMT interaction. The plastic term, βwp, showed different trends depending on the test direction, explained by the size of the plastic zone and the restrictions to the EVOH plastic flow promoted by the clay particles. In this sense, the EWF method is shown to be a very useful tool for the analysis of structure–property relationships in polymer–organo‐clay composites. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
An examination of the 3‐factor model and structural invariance across racial/ethnic groups for the FACIT‐Sp: a report from the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors‐II (SCS‐II)
Authors: Murphy Patricia E. , Canada Andrea L. , Fitchett George , Stein Kevin , Portier Kenneth , Crammer Corinne , Peterman Amy H. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives: Recent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual Well‐Being (FACIT‐Sp) Scale in a sample of predominantly white women demonstrated that three factors, Meaning, Peace, and Faith, represented a psychometric improvement over the original 2‐factor model. The present study tested these findings in a more diverse sample, assessed the stability of the model across racial/ethnic groups, and tested the contribution of a new item.Methods: In a study by the American Cancer Society, 8805 cancer survivors provided responses on the FACIT‐Sp, which we tested using CFA.Results: A 3‐factor model provided a better fit to the data than the 2‐factor model in the sample as a whole and in the racial/ethnic subgroups (Δχ2, p<0.001, for all comparisons), but was not invariant across the groups. The model with equal parameters for racial/ethnic groups was a poorer fit to the data than a model that allowed these parameters to vary (Δχ2(81)=2440.54, p<0.001), suggesting that items and their associated constructs might be understood differently across racial/ethnic groups. The new item improved the model fit and loaded on the Faith factor.Conclusions: The 3‐factor model is likely to provide more specific information for studies in the field. In the construction of scales for use with diverse samples, researchers need to pay greater attention to racial/ethnic differences in interpretation of items. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of acculturation in life satisfaction among Hispanic cancer survivors: results of the American Cancer Society's study of cancer survivors
Authors: Stephens Cristina , Stein Kevin , Landrine Hope 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective: We sought to identify the role of acculturation in the life satisfaction of Hispanic cancer survivors.Methods: We compared life satisfaction among the high‐ vs low‐acculturated Hispanics who participated in a national, cross‐sectional study of quality of life among cancer survivors.Results: Despite fewer socio‐economic resources, low‐acculturated Hispanic survivors had higher life satisfaction (Beta=5.08, p<0.05). This relationship was mediated by higher levels of social support and spirituality found among low‐acculturated survivors, with spirituality being the strongest predictor (Beta=0.379, p<0.001).Conclusions: Acculturation may provide opportunities for improved socio‐economic status often necessary for adequate functioning in the host culture. However, it may also result in a departure from traditional cultural values, which in turn may negatively impact life satisfaction during cancer survivorship. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural and functional characterization of a putative polysaccharide deacetylase of the human parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi
Authors: Urch Jonathan E. , Hurtado‐Guerrero Ramon , Brosson Damien , Liu Zhanliang , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Texier Catherine , van Aalten Daan M. F. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an intracellular eukaryotic parasite considered to be an emerging opportunistic human pathogen. The infectious stage of this parasite is a unicellular spore that is surrounded by a chitin containing endospore layer and an external proteinaceous exospore. A putative chitin deacetylase (ECU11_0510) localizes to the interface between the plasma membrane and the endospore. Chitin deacetylases are family 4 carbohydrate esterases in the CAZY classification, and several bacterial members of this family are involved in evading lysis by host glycosidases, through partial de‐N‐acetylation of cell wall peptidoglycan. Similarly, ECU11_0510 could be important for E. cuniculi survival in the host, by protecting the chitin layer from hydrolysis by human chitinases. Here, we describe the biochemical, structural, and glycan binding properties of the protein. Enzymatic analyses showed that the putative deacetylase is unable to deacetylate chitooligosaccharides or crystalline β‐chitin. Furthermore, carbohydrate microarray analysis revealed that the protein bound neither chitooligosaccharides nor any of a wide range of other glycans or chitin. The high resolution crystal structure revealed dramatic rearrangements in the positions of catalytic and substrate binding residues, which explain the loss of deacetylase activity, adding to the unusual structural plasticity observed in other members of this esterase family. Thus, it appears that the ECU11_0510 protein is not a carbohydrate deacetylase and may fulfill an as yet undiscovered role in the E. cuniculi parasite.
Prostate‐specific membrane antigen retargeted measles virotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Liu Chunsheng , Hasegawa Kosei , Russell Stephen J. , Sadelain Michel , Peng Kah‐Whye 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDLive attenuated vaccine strain of measles virus (MV) has promising antitumor activity and is undergoing clinical testing in three different phase I cancer trials. The virus uses one of two receptors, CD46 which is ubiquitously expressed on all nucleated cells or CD150 which is expressed on immune cells, to infect cells. To minimize potential toxicity due to indiscriminate infection of normal cells, we have generated a fully retargeted MV that infects cells exclusively through the prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) receptor, which is overexpressed on prostate cancer cells and tumor neovasculature.METHODSA single‐chain antibody (scFv) specific for the extracellular domain of PSMA (J591) was inserted as a C‐terminal extension on the MV attachment protein. Specificity of infection by the PSMA targeted virus was evaluated in parallel with the parental MV and a control virus which binds to CD38, a myeloma antigen. Antitumor activity of the PSMA retargeted virus was tested in both LNCaP and PC3‐PSMA tumor xenograft models, with and without low dose external beam radiation.RESULTSReplication of the PSMA targeted virus was comparable to the parental MV. The PSMA scFv efficiently redirected virus infection and cytopathic killing exclusively to PSMA positive prostate cancer cells and not PSMA negative cells. There was an additive effect on cell killing from radiation treatment and virotherapy. The PSMA virus induced tumor regression of LNCaP and PC3‐PSMA tumor xenografts. Extensive areas of MV infection and apoptosis were seen in virus treated tumors.CONCLUSIONSThe PSMA retargeted virus warrants further investigation as a virotherapy agent. Prostate 69:1128–1141, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.