bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global Health Education for Pediatric Residents: A National Survey
Authors: Anspacher Melanie , Frintner Mary Pat , Denno Donna , Pak-Gorstein Suzinne , Olness Karen , Spector Jonathan , O'Callahan Cliff 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To assess exposure to global health (GH) training, future plans to work or volunteer abroad, and the importance of GH training in program selection among graduating pediatric residents.

METHODS:
A national, random sample of graduating pediatric residents was surveyed in the 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics' Annual Graduating Residents Survey. Questions specific to GH training were included.

RESULTS:
The adjusted survey response rate was 59% (546 of 927); 534 residents from 170 programs responded to at least 1 GH question. GH training was an essential/very important factor in selecting a residency program for 22% of the respondents, and 21% reported participating in GH training during residency. In multivariate analyses, participation in GH training was associated with being single (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.90 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–3.27]), graduating from a US medical school (aOR: 2.45 [95% CI: 1.14–5.28]), lower educational debt (aOR: 2.63 [95% CI: 1.54–4.49]), and training at a larger program (aOR: 2.73 [95% CI: 1.47–5.06]). One-third of respondents reported definite/very likely plans to work/volunteer in a developing country after residency; these respondents were more likely to be single (aOR: 1.82 [95% CI: 1.14–2.92]) and international medical school graduates (aOR: 2.10 [95% CI: 1.19–3.73]). Fewer than 50% of respondents received education in the majority of topics considered essential to GH training.

CONCLUSIONS:
GH-training opportunities are important to pediatric residents when selecting a program, and many are graduating with intentions to volunteer/work in a developing country after residency. The low exposure to GH topics among a broad cross-section of pediatric residents suggests that additional work is needed to adequately prepare pediatricians for work in GH after residency.
Risk Factors for Neurotoxicity in Newborns With Severe Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Gamaleldin Rasha , Iskander Iman , Seoud Iman , Aboraya Hanan , Aravkin Aleksandr , Sampson Paul D. , Wennberg Richard P. 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the importance of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and neurotoxicity risk factors in predicting acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) at admission or posttreatment bilirubin encephalopathy (BE) in infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia.METHODS:We analyzed the interaction of TSB and risk factors as determinants of ABE and BE in 249 newborns admitted with a TSB level of ≥25 mg/dL (427 μmol/L) to Cairo University Children's Hospital during a 12-month period.RESULTS:Admission TSB values ranged from 25 to 76.4 mg/dL. Forty-four newborns had moderate or severe ABE at admission; 35 of 249 infants (14%) had evidence of BE at the time of discharge or death. Rh incompatibility (odds ratio [OR]: 48.6) and sepsis (OR: 20.6) greatly increased the risk for ABE/BE, but TSB levels correlated poorly with the presence or absence of ABE or BE in these patients. The OR for ABO incompatibility with anemia (1.8) was not statistically significant. Low admission weight (OR: 0.83 per 100 g) increased the risk for BE, especially when other risk factors were present. The threshold TSB level that identified 90% of infants with ABE/BE was 25.4 mg/dL when neurotoxicity risk factors were present. In contrast, neurotoxicity was first observed at a TSB level of &gt;31.5 mg/dL in 111 infants without risk factors.CONCLUSIONS:Newborns without risk factors for neurotoxicity have a higher tolerance for hyperbilirubinemia than recognized in management guidelines. The risk for BE in hemolytic disease varies with etiology. The great variation in response to TSB indicates that biological factors other than TSB values are important in the pathogenesis of BE.
Activation of Protein Kinase C-ζ in Pancreatic β-Cells In Vivo Improves Glucose Tolerance and Induces β-Cell Expansion via mTOR Activation
Authors: Velazquez-Garcia Silvia , Valle Shelley , Rosa Taylor C. , Takane Karen K. , Demirci Cem , Alvarez-Perez Juan C. , Mellado-Gil Jose M. , Ernst Sara , Scott Donald K. , Vasavada Rupangi C. , Alonso Laura C. , Garcia-Ocaña Adolfo 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE
PKC-ζ activation is a key signaling event for growth factor–induced β-cell replication in vitro. However, the effect of direct PKC-ζ activation in the β-cell in vivo is unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of PKC-ζ activation in β-cell expansion and function in vivo in mice and the mechanisms associated with these effects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We characterized glucose homeostasis and β-cell phenotype of transgenic (TG) mice with constitutive activation of PKC-ζ in the β-cell. We also analyzed the expression and regulation of signaling pathways, G1/S cell cycle molecules, and β-cell functional markers in TG and wild-type mouse islets.

RESULTS
TG mice displayed increased plasma insulin, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion with concomitant upregulation of islet insulin and glucokinase expression. In addition, TG mice displayed increased β-cell proliferation, size, and mass compared with wild-type littermates. The increase in β-cell proliferation was associated with upregulation of cyclins D1, D2, D3, and A and downregulation of p21. Phosphorylation of D-cyclins, known to initiate their rapid degradation, was reduced in TG mouse islets. Phosphorylation/inactivation of GSK-3β and phosphorylation/activation of mTOR, critical regulators of D-cyclin expression and β-cell proliferation, were enhanced in TG mouse islets, without changes in Akt phosphorylation status. Rapamycin treatment in vivo eliminated the increases in β-cell proliferation, size, and mass; the upregulation of cyclins Ds and A in TG mice; and the improvement in glucose tolerance—identifying mTOR as a novel downstream mediator of PKC-ζ–induced β-cell replication and expansion in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS
PKC-ζ, through mTOR activation, modifies the expression pattern of β-cell cycle molecules leading to increased β-cell replication and mass with a concomitant enhancement in β-cell function. Approaches to enhance PKC-ζ activity may be of value as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetes.
Elevated NF-κB Activation Is Conserved in Human Myocytes Cultured From Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Attenuated by AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
Authors: Green Charlotte J. , Pedersen Maria , Pedersen Bente K. , Scheele Camilla 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the inflammatory phenotype found in obese and diabetic individuals is preserved in isolated, cultured myocytes and to assess the effectiveness of pharmacological AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation upon the attenuation of inflammation in these myocytes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Muscle precursor cells were isolated from four age-matched subject groups: 1) nonobese, normal glucose tolerant; 2) obese, normal glucose tolerant; 3) obese, impaired glucose tolerant; and 4) obese, type 2 diabetes (T2D). The level of inflammation (nuclear factor-κB [NF-κB] signaling) and effect of pharmacological AMPK activation was assessed by Western blots, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and radioactive assays (n = 5 for each subject group).

RESULTS
NF-κB-p65 DNA binding activity was significantly elevated in myocytes from obese T2D patients compared with nonobese control subjects. This correlated to a significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-α concentration in cell culture media. In addition, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was completely suppressed in myocytes from obese impaired glucose tolerant and T2D subjects. It is interesting that activation of AMPK by A769662 attenuated NF-κB-p65 DNA binding activity in obese T2D cells to levels measured in nonobese myocytes; however, this had no effect on insulin sensitivity of the cells.

CONCLUSIONS
This work provides solid evidence that differentiated human muscle precursor cells maintain in vivo phenotypes of inflammation and insulin resistance and that obesity alone may not be sufficient to establish inflammation in these cells. It is important that we demonstrate an anti-inflammatory role for AMPK in these human cells. Despite attenuation of NF-κB activity by AMPK, insulin resistance in obese T2D cells remained, suggesting factors in addition to inflammation may contribute to the insulin resistance phenotype in muscle cells.
Similar VLDL-TG Storage in Visceral and Subcutaneous Fat in Obese and Lean Women
Authors: Søndergaard Esben , Nellemann Birgitte , Sørensen Lars P. , Gormsen Lars C. , Christiansen Jens S. , Ernst Erik , Dueholm Margit , Nielsen Søren 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE
Excess visceral fat accumulation is associated with the metabolic disturbances of obesity. Differential lipid redistribution through lipoproteins may affect body fat distribution. This is the first study to investigate VLDL-triglyceride (VLDL-TG) storage in visceral fat.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Nine upper-body obese (UBO; waist circumference &gt;88 cm) and six lean (waist circumference &lt;80 cm) women scheduled for elective tubal ligation surgery were studied. VLDL-TG storage in visceral, upper-body subcutaneous (UBSQ), and lower-body subcutaneous (LBSQ) fat were measured with [9,10-3H]-triolein–labeled VLDL.

RESULTS
VLDL-TG storage in visceral fat accounted for only ∼0.8% of VLDL-TG turnover in UBO and lean women, respectively. A significantly larger proportion of VLDL-TG turnover was stored in UBSQ (∼5%) and LBSQ (∼4%) fat. The VLDL-TG fractional storage was similar in UBO and lean women for all regional depots. VLDL-TG fractional storage and VLDL-TG concentration were correlated in UBO women in UBSQ fat (r = 0.68, P = 0.04), whereas an inverse association was observed for lean women in visceral (r = −0.89, P = 0.02) and LBSQ (r = −0.87, P = 0.02) fat.

CONCLUSIONS
VLDL-TG storage efficiency is similar in all regional fat depots, and trafficking of VLDL-TG into different adipose tissue depots is similar in UBO and lean women. Postabsorptive VLDL-TG storage is unlikely to be of major importance in the development of preferential upper-body fat distribution in obese women.
Vitamin D, Insulin Secretion, Sensitivity, and Lipids
Authors: Grimnes Guri , Figenschau Yngve , Almås Bjørg , Jorde Rolf 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an unfavorable metabolic profile in observational studies. The intention was to compare insulin sensitivity (the primary end point) and secretion and lipids in subjects with low and high serum 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels and to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the same outcomes among the participants with low serum 25(OH)D levels.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Participants were recruited from a population-based study (the Tromsø Study) based on their serum 25(OH)D measurements. A 3-h hyperglycemic clamp was performed, and the participants with low serum 25(OH)D levels were thereafter randomized to receive capsules of 20,000 IU vitamin D3 or identical-looking placebo twice weekly for 6 months. A final hyperglycemic clamp was then performed.

RESULTS
The 52 participants with high serum 25(OH)D levels (85.6 ± 13.5 nmol/L [mean ± SD]) had significantly higher insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and lower HbA1c and triglycerides (TGs) than the 108 participants with low serum 25(OH)D (40.3 ± 12.8 nmol/L), but the differences in ISI and TGs were not significant after adjustments. After supplementation, serum 25(OH)D was 142.7 ± 25.7 and 42.9 ± 17.3 nmol/L in 49 of 51 completing participants randomized to vitamin D and 45 of 53 randomized to placebo, respectively. At the end of the study, there were no statistically significant differences in the outcome variables between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D supplementation to apparently healthy subjects with insufficient serum 25(OH)D levels does not improve insulin sensitivity or secretion or serum lipid profile.
Cohesin Regulates MHC Class II Genes through Interactions with MHC Class II Insulators
Authors: Majumder Parimal , Boss Jeremy M. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Cohesin is a multiprotein, ringed complex that is most well-known for its role in stabilizing the association of sister chromatids between S phase and M. More recently, cohesin was found to be associated with transcriptional insulators, elements that are associated with the organization of chromatin into regulatory domains. The human MHC class II (MHC-II) locus contains 10 intergenic elements, termed MHC-II insulators, which bind the transcriptional insulator protein CCCTC-binding factor. MHC-II insulators interact with each other, forming a base architecture of discrete loops and potential regulatory domains. When MHC-II genes are expressed, their proximal promoter regulatory regions reorganize to the foci established by the interacting MHC-II insulators. MHC-II insulators also bind cohesin, but the functional role of cohesin in regulating this system is not known. In this article, we show that the binding of cohesin to MHC-II insulators occurred irrespective of MHC-II expression but was required for optimal expression of the HLA-DR and HLA-DQ genes. In a DNA-dependent manner, cohesin subunits interacted with CCCTC-binding factor and the MHC-II–specific transcription factors regulatory factor X and CIITA. Intriguingly, cohesin subunits were important for DNA looping interactions between the HLA-DRA promoter region and a 5′ MHC-II insulator but were not required for interactions between the MHC-II insulators themselves. This latter observation introduces cohesin as a regulator of MHC-II expression by initiating or stabilizing MHC-II promoter regulatory element interactions with the MHC-II insulator elements, events that are required for maximal MHC-II transcription.
Development of a Biomimetic Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assay Method for the Determination of Methimazole in Urine Sample
Authors: Wang Jun‐Ping , Tang Wei‐Wei , Fang Guo‐Zhen , Pan Ming‐Fei , Wang Shuo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA fast and direct competitive biomimetic enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (BELISA) method was developed for the determination of methimazole (MMZ) in urine sample based on a molecularly imprinted film as an artificial antibody. This is the first example to monitor methimazole with a direct competitive biomimetic enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (BELISA) method. The imprinted film was directly synthesized on the well surface of MaxiSorp polystyrene 96‐well plate and characterized. The results showed that it exhibited an antibody‐like binding ability, rapid adsorption speed, high stability, which was particularly advantageous and suitable for BELISA development. The BELISA method established in this paper had a higher selectivity for MMZ than for the structurally related compounds and the IC50 (calculated as the concentration giving 50% inhibition of color development) and the detection limit values under optimized experimental conditions were 70 ± 4 μg L‐1 and 0.9 ± 0.04 μg L‐1, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of MMZ in spiked urine sample with excellent recoveries ranging from 90% to 95%, and the imprinted film was able to be reused for 20 times without loss of sensitivity. The results obtained by BELISA correlated well with that obtained by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.
Determination of Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates in Industrial Water Effluents by Liquid Chromatography/Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lee Ren‐Jye , Hsu Kuo‐En , Chu Ching‐Ping , Chung Yu‐Jen , Lee Maw‐Rong 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this study, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyze the trace amounts of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPnEOs) in industrial water effluents. The modifier of acetic acid added in mobile phase and the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) coupled with linear ion trap mass spectrometry were adopted to improve the sensitivity of NPnEOs analysis. The modification extraction technique of NIEA W801.50B method announced by Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency was used as sample preparation. The analytical results show that the LODs of NPnEO analytes were 0.02‐10 ng/mL. The proposed method has been successfully applied to monitor trace NPnEOs in real industrial water effluents.
Study on the Interaction of Nd3+ with Human Serum Albumin at Molecular Level
Authors: Yuan Dong , Shen Zhong‐Lan , Liu Ru‐Tao , Wei Pei‐Hai , Gao Can‐Zhu 
Published: September 2011

AbstractNeodymium is applied widely in agriculture to improve crop nutrition and incidentally in fertilizers, yet little is known of its effect on the biological function of human serum albumin (HSA). The interaction of Nd3+ to HSA has been investigated mainly by fluorescence spectra, UV–vis absorption spectra and circular dichroism (CD) under simulative physiological conditions. Fluorescence data revealed that the quenching mechanism of HSA by Nd3+ was a static quenching process and the binding constant is 5.71 × 104 L mol‐1 and the number of binding sites is 1 at 292 K. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH0 = ‐20.79 kJ mol‐1, ΔG0 = ‐26.58 kJ mol‐1, and ΔS0 = 19.85 J mol‐1 K‐1) indicate that electrostatic effect between the protein and Nd3+ is the main binding force. The distance r = 2.91 nm between donor (HSA) and acceptor (Nd3+) was obtained according to Förster's nonradiative energy transfer. In addition, UV–vis, CD and synchronous fluorescence results showed that the addition of Nd3+ changed the conformation of HSA.
Nonlinear backward Raman scattering in the short laser pulse interaction with a cold underdense transversely magnetized plasma
Authors: Paknezhad Alireza , Dorranian Davoud 
Published: September 2011

AbstractRaman backward scattering is investigated in the interaction of linearly polarized ultra short laser pulse with a homogenous cold underdense magnetized plasma by taking into account the relativistic effect and the effect of nonlinearity up to third order. The plasma is embedded in a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to both of propagation direction and electric vector of the radiation field. Nonlinear wave equation is set up and differential equations, which model the instability, are derived. Using of the Fourier transformation, analytical solutions are obtained for a set of physically relevant initial conditions and the temporal growth rate of instability is calculated. Results are significantly different in comparison with lower order computations. The growth rate of backward Raman scattering shows an increase due to the presence of external magnetic field as well as nonlinear effects.
Pension Funds’ Asset Allocation and Participant Age: A Test of the Life‐Cycle Model
Authors: Bikker Jacob A. , Broeders Dirk W. G. A. , Hollanders David A. , Ponds Eduard H. M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis article examines the impact of participants’ age distribution on the asset allocation of Dutch pension funds, using a unique data set of pension fund investment plans for 2007. Theory predicts a negative effect of age on (strategic) equity exposures. We observe that a 1‐year higher average age in active participants leads to a significant and robust reduction of the strategic equity exposure by around 0.5 percentage point. Larger pension funds show a stronger age‐equity exposure effect. The average age of active participants influences investment behavior more strongly than the average age of all participants, which is plausible as retirees no longer possess any human capital.
Individual‐based trait analyses reveal assembly patterns in tree sapling communities
Authors: Carlucci Marcos B. , Streit Helena , Duarte Leandro D.S. , Pillar Valério D. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractQuestionAre trait‐convergence assembly patterns (TCAP) and/or trait‐divergence assembly patterns (TDAP) of tree sapling communities related to microhabitat gradients in forest patches? If so, which traits are related to such patterns? What are the niche mechanisms potentially responsible for community assembly?LocationGrassland–forest mosaic in Serra do Sudeste region, southern Brazil (ca. 30.8°S, 53.1°W).MethodsWe used individual‐based trait information of 1132 tree saplings in 40 plots along gradients of canopy openness and grazing intensity in forest patches in southern Brazil. We used a trait‐based approach, bypassing taxonomic identification, as a first assessment of sapling community assembly in forest patches.ResultsBoth TCAP and TDAP indicate niche mechanisms underlying assembly of tree sapling communities. Specific leaf area (SLA), mean leaf area (LA) and relative abundance of toothed leaf margin (TLM) maximized TCAP. SLA and TLM tended to increase under more closed canopies, whereas LA had higher values at intermediate canopy openness. SLA and LA maximized TDAP and tended to vary more in more closed canopies, whereas SLA and presence of spines, which also maximized TDAP, showed higher variation under lower grazing intensity.ConclusionThe taxon‐free approach was very useful to infer niche mechanisms of tree sapling assembly in forest patches. By adopting an individual‐based trait approach, we assumed that both intra‐specific and intra‐population trait variability were relevant for revealing assembly patterns. We highlight that the use of individual‐based trait data in a metacommunity framework is an excellent way to evaluate TCAP and TDAP at the metacommunity scale, since it takes into account the entire variation of traits throughout communities.
West Nile virus: North American experience
Authors: HOFMEISTER Erik K. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWest Nile virus, a mosquito‐vectored flavivirus of the Japanese encephalitis serogroup, was first detected in North America following an epizootic in the New York City area in 1999. In the intervening 11 years since the arrival of the virus in North America, it has crossed the contiguous USA, entered the Canadian provinces bordering the USA, and has been reported in the Caribbean islands, Mexico, Central America and, more recently, South America. West Nile virus has been reported in over 300 species of birds in the USA and has caused the deaths of thousands of birds, local population declines of some avian species, the clinical illness and deaths of thousands of domestic horses, and the clinical disease in over 30 000 Americans and the deaths of over 1000. Prior to the emergence of West Nile virus in North America, St. Louis encephalitis virus and Dengue virus were the only other known mosquito‐transmitted flaviviruses in North America capable of causing human disease. This review will discuss the North American experience with mosquito‐borne flavivirus prior to the arrival of West Nile virus, the entry and spread of West Nile virus in North America, effects on wild bird populations, genetic changes in the virus, and the current state of West Nile virus transmission.