bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of surfactant protein D and allergic rhinitis in Chinese patients
Authors: Deng Y.‐Q. , Tao Z.‐Z. , Kong Y.‐G. , Xiao B.‐K. , Chen S.‐M. , Xu Y. , Wang Y. , He Q. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe development of allergic rhinitis is considered to be determined by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Surfactant protein D (SP‐D) has been proposed to offer protection against allergenic challenge at various levels in allergic responses. The present study aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms within the SFTPD gene (Met11Thr, Ala160Thr, and Ser270Thr) are associated with allergic rhinitis. Genotyping of SFTPD polymorphisms was performed using the pyrosequencing method. The study population comprised 216 patients with allergic rhinitis and 84 normal controls. The frequency of 11Thr/Thr genotype and Thr allele in the patient group was significantly higher than that in the control group after applying Bonferroni corrections (P = 0.007 and P = 0.006, respectively). Our subjects with the 11Thr/Thr genotype are more susceptible to allergic rhinitis. There were no significant differences between the patient group and the control group for frequencies of genotypes and alleles in either Ala160Thr or Ser270Thr single nucleotide polymorphisms (P > 0.05). No significant associations could be detected between any of these three SFTPD gene polymorphisms and the skin prick test response (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, there was a lack of association between the three loci and the levels of serum total immunoglobulin E (P > 0.05). In summary, our results suggest that the Met11Thr polymorphism in SP‐D plays a major role in the genetic predisposition to allergic rhinitis in Chinese adult population, whereas the other two SP‐D polymorphisms displayed no significant association with allergic rhinitis.
HLA‐B*27 subtypes in Northern and Northeastern Thais, Karens, and Bamars determined by a high‐resolution PCR‐SSP technique
Authors: Duangchanchot M. , Puapairoj C. , Romphruk A. , Kongmaroeng C. , Leelayuwat C. , Romphruk A. V. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigens (HLA), class I, are a group of antigens expressed on most nucleated cell surfaces. They transport endogenous peptides to the cell surface for recognition by T‐cell receptors. Their functions are involved in immune responses. Many diseases are associated with HLA alleles, especially HLA‐B*27 that is strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). HLA‐B*27 consists of 42 subtypes. Different subtypes of HLA‐B*27 were reported in different ethnic groups of AS patients. In this study, a high‐resolution polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primer technique has been developed to define all the HLA‐B*27 subtypes with a total of 29 primer mixtures. Two of the primer mixes were used to detect the HLA‐B*27‐specific group, and 27 primer mixes were used to identify 42 subtypes (B*2701–B*2721 and B*2723–B*2743). The HLA‐B*27‐group‐specific primers have been tested in unrelated healthy subjects; 846 Northeastern Thais (NET), 334 Northern Thais (NT), 264 Karens, and 310 Bamars. Sixty‐three NET (phenotype frequency, PF = 7.4%), 24 NT (PF = 7.1%), 5 Karens (PF = 1.8%), and 12 Bamars (PF = 3.9%) were positive for HLA‐B*27. Only B*2704 was found in Karens, whereas B*2704, B*2705/37/39, B*2706, and B*2707 were found in NET and NT. In Bamars, B*2704, B*2705/37/39, B*2706, and B*2725 were found. The distribution of HLA‐B*27 subtypes was compared with other studies in Asian and Caucasian populations. Significant differences of the distribution of HLA‐B*27 subtypes were found in most of the populations. This study established a simple technology for HLA‐B*27 subtyping and provided basic information for anthropology and further studies in disease associations.
Trade‐off between steady and unsteady swimming underlies predator‐driven divergence inGambusia affinis
Authors: LANGERHANS R. B. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDifferences in predation intensity experienced by organisms can lead to divergent natural selection, driving evolutionary change. Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) exhibit larger caudal regions and higher burst‐swimming capabilities when coexisting with higher densities of predatory fish. It is hypothesized that a trade‐off between steady (constant‐speed cruising; important for acquiring resources) and unsteady (rapid bursts and turns; important for escaping predators) locomotion, combined with divergent selection on locomotor performance (favouring steady swimming in high‐competition scenarios of low‐predation environments, but unsteady swimming in high‐predation localities) has caused such phenotypic divergence. Here, I found that morphological differences had a strong genetic basis, and low‐predation fish required less hydromechanical power during steady swimming, leading to increased endurance. I further found individual‐level support for cause‐and‐effect relationships between morphology, swimming kinematics and endurance. Results indicate that mosquitofish populations inhabiting low‐predation environments have evolved increased steady‐swimming abilities via stiffer bodies, larger anterior body/head regions, smaller caudal regions and greater three‐dimensional streamlining.
Sex Recognition via Chemical Cues in the Sex‐Role‐Reversed Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli)
Authors: Ratterman Nicholas L. , Rosenthal Gil G. , Jones Adam G. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractSexual selection theory predicts that members of the choosy sex, usually females, should employ multiple sensory systems to obtain information about potential mates. Such predictions should also apply to systems in which sexual selection acts most strongly on females (i.e. sex‐role‐reversed species), and males of these taxa should be the individuals employing multiple cues to assess female attractiveness. Very little work has been directed toward mate choice involving multiple sensory systems in sex‐role‐reversed taxa, but fishes of the family Syngnathidae (pipefishes, seahorses, and sea dragons) provide an excellent opportunity to contribute to this research enterprise. While much is known about visual communication in pipefish, the role of chemical communication has not been investigated. Using dichotomous choice tests, we found that male, but not female, Gulf pipefish attended to chemical cues of opposite sex conspecifics. Given that males distinguished sex on the basis of chemical cues, we also tested whether males could assess female body size, an important trait with respect to mate choice in pipefish, on the basis of chemical cues alone. When given the choice between chemical cues produced by large vs. small females, males exhibited no preference. Our results suggest that male pipefish can use chemical cues to distinguish between males and females but not to differentiate females of different body size.
Vacancy Chains Provide Aggregate Benefits To Coenobita clypeatus Hermit Crabs
Authors: Lewis Sara M. , Rotjan Randi D. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractVacancy chain theory describes a unique mechanism for the sequential distribution of animal resources across multiple individuals. This theory applies to any resources, such as shelters or nest sites, that are discrete, reusable, and limited in use to single individuals or groups at one time. Hermit crabs rely on gastropod shells for shelter, and a single vacant shell can initiate a chain of sequential shell switches that distributes new resources across many individuals. Using the terrestrial hermit crab Coenobita clypeatus, we examined the previously untested theoretical prediction that this process will yield trickle‐down resource benefits to vacancy chain participants (aggregate benefits). In laboratory experiments, we measured improvements in shell quality when a single vacant shell was provided to groups of eight crabs. We found that crabs participating in vacancy chains (averaging 3.2 individuals) gained significant reductions in their shell crowding. In addition, vacancy chains terminated early when experimental groups included a single crab occupying a damaged shell, because damaged vacancies always remained unoccupied. Hermit crabs in damaged shells were more likely to win resource contests for high quality shells against size‐matched hermit crabs in crowded shells. Finally, field additions of many new shells to an island population of C. clypeatus hermit crabs reduced average shell crowding for crabs of all sizes, possibly from propagation of benefits through vacancy chains. These results provide empirical support for the theoretical prediction that vacancy chains should provide benefits distributed across many vacancy chain participants. Since shelter‐based vacancy chains likely occur in other animals, additional studies of vacancy chain processes should provide new insights into resource acquisition behaviors in diverse animal groups.
Trotskii and Lenin's Funeral, 27 January 1924: A Brief Note
Authors: THATCHER IAN D. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractLeon Trotskii was fond of recalling Lenin's assessment of Stalin as a ‘cook making only peppery dishes’.1 Out of the many instances in which Trotskii presented Stalin as a sly manipulator, one of the most famous is when Stalin supposedly lied to Trotskii about the date of Lenin's funeral, in this way keeping his rival for power out of the limelight as Stalin posed as Lenin's nearest and dearest mourner. It is a simple and appealing way of making an accusation of mendacious cunning stick, for the first questions that seem to be asked of any funeral are ‘how was the turnout?,’‘who attended?’ This brief note seeks to clarify what Trotskii claimed about his absence from Lenin's funeral and in which texts, for there are different versions. It will also chart how historians have reported this incident. Finally, it will assess how far archival materials that became accessible after communism's collapse can shed new light.
Myocardial perfusion is preserved in patients with psoriasis without clinically evident cardiovascular disease
Authors: Yalcin H , Balci DD , Ucar E , Ozcelik N , Tasci C , Seyfeli E , Akgul F , Yalcin F 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Psoriasis is associated with a premature atherosclerosis due to the chronic inflammatory process. To evaluate the effect of disease process on myocardial perfusion, we planned to perform 99mTc‐MIBI myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with psoriasis.Methods  The study group consisted of 28 psoriasis patients (17 men, 11 women), aged 18‐76 years, and mean age 41.2 ± 14.1 years. The patients were selected among those who were older than 18 years and longer than 10 years of disease duration with more than two times of systemic treatment. All patients underwent 99mTc‐MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT with the same day protocol.Results  We detected various risk factors including smoking habits in 7, family history of cardiovascular disease in 4, hypertension in 1, hyperlipidemia in 9 patients. We completed myocardial perfusion SPECT for each patient and found normal perfusion pattern in SPECT images.Conclusion  We detected that myocardial perfusion is preserved in the patients with psoriasis. The majority of acute heart attacks are caused by noncritical coronary stenosis and this may be an explanation for increased cardiovascular risk in these patients despite normal coronary perfusion.
Effects of the Premier Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration on Medicare Patient Mortality and Cost
Authors: Ryan Andrew M. 
Published: March 2009

Objective. To evaluate the effects of the Premier Inc. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration (PHQID), a public quality reporting and pay‐for‐performance (P4P) program, on Medicare patient mortality, cost, and outlier classification.Data Sources. The 2000–2006 Medicare inpatient claims, Medicare denominator files, and Medicare Provider of Service files.Study Design. Panel data econometric methods are applied to a retrospective cohort of 11,232,452 admissions from 6,713,928 patients with principal diagnoses of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure, pneumonia, or a coronary‐artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure from 3,570 acute care hospitals between 2000 and 2006. Three estimators are used to evaluate the effects of the PHQID on risk‐adjusted (RA) mortality, cost, and outlier classification in the presence of unobserved selection, resulting from the PHQID being voluntary: fixed effects (FE), FE estimated in the subset of hospitals eligible for the PHQID, and difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences.Data Extraction Methods. Data were obtained from CMS.Principal Findings. This analysis found no evidence that the PHQID had a significant effect on RA 30‐day mortality or RA 60‐day cost for AMI, heart failure, pneumonia, or CABG and weak evidence that the PHQID increased RA outlier classification for heart failure and pneumonia.Conclusions. By not reducing mortality or cost growth, this study suggests that the PHQID has made little impact on the value of inpatient care purchased by Medicare.
Metastable persistence of pelitic metamorphic assemblages at the root of a Cretaceous magmatic arc – Fiordland, New Zealand
Authors: DACZKO N. R. , MILAN L. A. , HALPIN J. A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractFour aluminosilicate‐bearing, amphibolite facies pelitic schists sampled from the root of the long‐lived eastern Gondwana continental magmatic arc now exposed in southwest Fiordland, New Zealand, record remarkably different P–T–t histories. The four samples were collected from within 20 km of each other within the Fanny Bay Group and Deep Cove Gneiss near Dusky Sound. Integrated petrography, mineral chemistry, mineral equilibria modelling and in situ electron microprobe chemical dating of monazite shows that the sample of the Fanny Bay Group south of the Dusky Fault records a Carboniferous history with peak conditions of 4–4.5 kbar at 570–590 °C, while one sample of the Deep Cove Gneiss from Long Island records a Cretaceous history with apparent peak conditions of 7.5 kbar at 650 °C. Two other samples of the Deep Cove Gneiss from Resolution Island record mixed Carboniferous and Cretaceous histories with apparent peak conditions of 7 kbar at 650 °C and 3–7 kbar at 640–720 °C. The metapelitic schists on Resolution Island were intruded by arc magmas including the voluminous high‐P Western Fiordland Orthogneiss, yet they lack mineralogical evidence of the Cretaceous high‐P (>12 kbar) event. Analysis of water isopleths in a model system shows that the amount of water accommodated in the rock mineral assemblage increases with pressure. With the exhaustion of all free water, and without the addition of external water, these rocks persisted metastably within the deep arc during the high‐P event. The emplacement of large volumes of diorite (i.e. the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss) into the root of the Early Cretaceous continental magmatic arc did not lead to regional granulite facies metamorphism of the country rock schists, as large volumes of amphibolite facies rock metamorphosed under medium‐P conditions persisted metastably in the deep arc crust.
Self‐Reported Sleep Duration and Hypertension in Older Spanish Adults
Authors: Lopez‐Garcia Esther , Faubel Raquel , Guallar‐Castillon Pilar , Leon‐Muñoz Luz , Banegas Jose R. , Rodriguez‐Artalejo Fernando 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between self‐reported sleep duration, prevalent and incident hypertension, and control of high blood pressure in older adults.DESIGN: Logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations of interest in a prospective cohort study conducted from 2001 to 2003.SETTING: Cohort representative of the noninstitutionalized Spanish population.PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand six hundred eighty‐six persons aged 60 and older.MEASUREMENTS: Sleep duration was reported in 2001 by asking the participants “How many hours do you usually sleep per day (day and night)” and classified into categories (4–5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10–15 h/d. The outcome variables were prevalent hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, diastolic pressure ≥90 mmHg, or antihypertensive treatment in 2001), control of blood pressure (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic pressure <90 mmHg in subjects receiving antihypertensive treatment in 2001), and incident hypertension (diagnosis of hypertension during 2001–2003 in individuals with normal pressure in 2001).RESULTS: Compared with sleeping 7 hours, sleeping more or fewer hours was not significantly associated with prevalent hypertension (odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.64–1.05) to 1.10 (95% CI 0.83–1.46)), control of blood pressure (ORs ranged from 0.70 (95% CI 0.46–1.08) to 0.97 (95% CI 0.60–1.56)), or incident hypertension (OR ranged from 0.54 (95% CI 0.29–1.01) to 0.83 (95% CI 0.43–1.60)). The results were similar in both sexes.CONCLUSION: Self‐reported sleep duration is not associated with hypertension in older adults.
An Exercise Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors With Bone Loss
Authors: Twiss Janice J. , Waltman Nancy L. , Berg Kris , Ott Carol D. , Gross Gloria J. , Lindsey Ada M. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract Purpose: (a) to determine if 110 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (BCS) with bone loss who participated in 24 months of strength and weight training (ST) exercises had improved muscle strength and balance and had fewer falls compared to BCS who did not exercise; and (b) to describe type and frequency of ST exercises; adverse effects of exercises; and participants’ adherence to exercises at home, at fitness centers, and at 36‐month follow up. Design: Findings reported are from a federally funded multicomponent intervention study of 223 postmenopausal BCS with either osteopenia or osteoporosis who were randomly assigned to an exercise (n=110) or comparison (n=113) group. Methods: Time points for testing outcomes were baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months into intervention. Muscle strength was tested using Biodex Velocity Spectrum Evaluation, and dynamic balance using Timed Backward Tandem Walk. Adherence to exercises was measured using self‐report of number of prescribed sessions attended and participants’ reports of falls. Findings: Mean adherence over 24 months was 69.4%. Using generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses, compared to participants not exercising, participants who exercised for 24 months had significantly improved hip flexion (p=0.011), hip extension (p=0.0006), knee flexion (p<0.0001, knee extension (p=0.0018), wrist flexion (p=0.031), and balance (p=0.010). Gains in muscle strength were 9.5% and 28.5% for hip flexion and extension, 50.0% and 19.4% for wrist flexion and extension, and 21.1% and 11.6% for knee flexion and extension. Balance improved by 39.4%. Women who exercised had fewer falls, but difference in number of falls between the two groups was not significant. Conclusions: Many postmenopausal BCS with bone loss can adhere to a 24 month ST exercise intervention, and exercises can result in meaningful gains in muscle strength and balance. Clinical Relevance: More studies are needed for examining relationships between muscle strength and balance in postmenopausal BCS with bone loss and their incidence of falls and fractures.
Perceived and Unmet Needs of Adult Jordanian Family Members of Patients in ICUs
Authors: Omari Ferdous Hasan 
Published: March 2009

Abstract Purpose: To identify the self‐perceived needs of adult Jordanians who have family members in ICUs and to explore whether those needs were being met. Design: A descriptive, exploratory design was used. A convenience sample of 139 family members of 85 critically ill patients was recruited from ICUs located in three different types of hospitals in Irbid, a city in northern Jordan. The three types of hospitals included Ministry of Health, university health system, and private sector. Methods: Family members who participated in this study were instructed to answer all the questionnaires that included: a demographic data form, the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI), and Needs Met Inventory (NMI). Results: The findings showed that the 10 most important needs identified by adult Jordanian family members were in the Assurance and Information subscales. The need “to be assured that the best care possible is being given to the patient” was reported as the most important need. Use of the NMI indicated that none of the 10 most important needs were perceived as being met. Conclusions: Jordanian ICU nurses should be prepared to care for families in crisis, and the focus of nursing practice should be moved from just patient‐centered care to a more holistic approach including family needs. Clinical Relevance: Meeting family needs should be emphasized in nursing practice. Meeting these needs might help family members to cope better and be more supportive to their critically ill loved one.
Tai Chi and Health‐Related Quality of Life in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Lee Linda Y. K. , Lee Diana T. F. , Woo Jean 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPurpose:Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) that is good is regarded as the goal of elderly residential care. However, limited evidence exists indicating a promising intervention that can achieve this goal. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Tai Chi on HRQOL in nursing home residents.Design:A nonequivalent pretest‐posttest control‐group design.Methods:A convenience sample of 139 residents from six nursing homes in Hong Kong was used. The experimental group (n=66) joined a 26‐week Tai Chi program, while the control group (n=73) continued with usual daily activities. The physical and mental components of HRQOL were designated as the dependent variables. Resident satisfaction was considered as a covariate. Doubly multivariate repeated measures analysis of covariance was done to examine the intervention effect.Findings:After adjusting for the confounding effect of resident satisfaction, a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the physical and mental components of HRQOL between the experimental and control groups was found. Findings showed significant improvement in HRQOL after residents practiced Tai Chi.Conclusions:These investigators contribute additional knowledge about the health benefits of Tai Chi among nursing home residents and indicates support for its use in this population to improve HRQOL.Clinical Relevance:Tai Chi has unique characteristics as a health exercise that is particularly suitable for nursing home residents. The inclusion of Tai Chi exercise in elderly residential care practice is recommended.