bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression in Familial Hypercholesterolemia Patients
Authors: Vergeer Menno , Zhou Rong , Bots Michiel L. , Duivenvoorden Raphaël , Koglin Joerg , Akdim Fatima , Mitchel Yale B. , Huijgen Roeland , Sapre Aditi , de Groot Eric , Sijbrands Eric J.G. , Pasternak Richard C. , Gagné Claude , Marais A. David , Ballantyne Christie M. , Isaacsohn Jonathan L. , Stalenhoef Anton F. , Kastelein John J.P. 
Published: May 2010

Background—
Until recently, patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) were considered the best subjects for the assessment of changes in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in randomized intervention trials. Our aims were to investigate whether contemporary statin-treated HeFH patients still show accelerated cIMT increase and to assess the impact of statin treatment, before and after random assignment, on atherosclerosis progression.

Methods and Results—

We retrospectively evaluated cIMT change, and prior statin treatment and postbaseline LDL-C change as predictors of cIMT change, in 1513 HeFH patients who were randomly assigned to the statin arms of the early ASAP and more recent RADIANCE 1, CAPTIVATE, and ENHANCE studies. In the 3 recent studies combined, mean cIMT increased at only 33%of the rate of the simvastatin-treated patients in the ASAP study (0.014 mm/2 years [95% confidence interval, −0.0003–0.028] versus 0.041 mm/2 years [95% confidence interval, 0.020–0.061];
P
<0.05). Patients whose statin therapy could be intensified, as evidenced by an LDL-C decrease after the initiation of on-trial statin therapy, showed cIMT decrease in the first 6 to 12 months and a much lower cIMT increase measured over the full 2 years. In line with this, previously statin-naive HeFH patients showed a lower overall cIMT increase.

Conclusions—
Over the years, intensification of statin therapy in HeFH patients has resulted in an impressive decrease in carotid atherosclerosis progression. In studies that assess other antiatherosclerotic modalities, statin therapy may still induce rapid changes in cIMT. For future cIMT studies, our analyses suggest that patient populations other than intensively pretreated HeFH patients should be selected and that the statin regimen should not be changed on study initiation.
Postictal headache in South African adult patients with generalised epilepsy in a tertiary care setting: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Botha Stephanus Schmidt , Schutte Clara-Maria , Olorunju Steve , Kakaza Mandisa 
Published: May 2010

Postictal headache (PIH), although it occurs in 34–59% of epilepsy patients, has not been adequately studied. This study aims to describe clinical characteristics and associations of PIH in generalised epilepsy in a South African tertiary neurology clinic. Methods: Two-hundred consecutive adults with generalised epilepsy underwent semi-structured interviews, dividing them into study (with PIH) and control patients (no PIH), and data was statistically analysed. Results: PIH occurred in 104/200, with 63% having headache after every seizure. Pain duration was 4–24 hours in 43% and pain intensity severe in 55%. The criteria of the International Headache Society (2004), International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition (ICHD-II) classified 47% as migraine, 38% tension-type and 15% unclassified (but 13% probable migaine). Self-medication occurred in 81% and interictal headache was significantly associated with PIH—present in 64% of study patients versus 5% of control patients. Conclusion: PIH occurs commonly in generalised epilepsy, mostly as migraine headache, with interictal headache a specific risk factor. PIH is underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to self-medication. Optimal management should be elucidated in future studies.
Inflammasome activation in NADPH oxidase defective mononuclear phagocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Meissner Felix , Seger Reinhard A. , Moshous Despina , Fischer Alain , Reichenbach Janine , Zychlinsky Arturo 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited disorder characterized by recurrent infections and deregulated inflammatory responses. CGD is caused by mutations in subunits of the NADPH oxidase, an enzyme that generates reactive oxygen species in phagocytes. To elucidate the contribution of the proinflammatory protease caspase-1 to aberrant inflammatory reactions in CGD, we analyzed cells isolated from patients with defects in the phagocyte oxidase subunits p22phox, p47phox or gp91phox. We report that mononuclear phagocytes from CGD patients activated caspase-1 and produced biologically active interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in response to danger signals. Notably, caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion from CGD monocytes was elevated in asymptomatic patients and strongly increased in patients with noninfectious inflammatory conditions. Treatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist reduced IL-1 production in monocytes ex vivo and during medical therapy. Our results identify phagocyte oxidase defective monocytes as a source of elevated IL-1 and provide a potential therapeutic option to ameliorate inflammatory conditions associated with CGD.
HAT: Hypergeometric Analysis of Tiling-arrays with application to promoter-GeneChip data
Authors: Taskesen Erdogan , Beekman Renee , de Ridder Jeroen , Wouters Bas J , Peeters Justine K , Touw Ivo P , Reinders Marcel JT , Delwel Ruud 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Tiling-arrays are applicable to multiple types of biological research questions. Due to its advantages (high sensitivity, resolution, unbiased), the technology is often employed in genome-wide investigations. A major challenge in the analysis of tiling-array data is to define regions-of-interest, i.e., contiguous probes with increased signal intensity (as a result of hybridization of labeled DNA) in a region. Currently, no standard criteria are available to define these regions-of-interest as there is no single probe intensity cut-off level, different regions-of-interest can contain various numbers of probes, and can vary in genomic width. Furthermore, the chromosomal distance between neighboring probes can vary across the genome among different arrays.

Results
We have developed Hypergeometric Analysis of Tiling-arrays (HAT), and first evaluated its performance for tiling-array datasets from a Chromatin Immunoprecipitation study on chip (ChIP-on-chip) for the identification of genome-wide DNA binding profiles of transcription factor Cebpa (used for method comparison). Using this assay, we can refine the detection of regions-of-interest by illustrating that regions detected by HAT are more highly enriched for expected motifs in comparison with an alternative detection method (MAT). Subsequently, data from a retroviral insertional mutagenesis screen were used to examine the performance of HAT among different applications of tiling-array datasets. In both studies, detected regions-of-interest have been validated with (q)PCR.

Conclusions
We demonstrate that HAT has increased specificity for analysis of tiling-array data in comparison with the alternative method, and that it accurately detects regions-of-interest in two different applications of tiling-arrays. HAT has several advantages over previous methods: i) as there is no single cut-off level for probe-intensity, HAT can detect regions-of-interest at various thresholds, ii) it can detect regions-of-interest of any size, iii) it is independent of probe-resolution across the genome, and across tiling-array platforms and iv) it employs a single user defined parameter: the significance level. Regions-of-interest are detected by computing the hypergeometric-probability, while controlling the Family Wise Error. Furthermore, the method does not require experimental replicates, common regions-of-interest are indicated, a sequence-of-interest can be examined for every detected region-of-interest, and flanking genes can be reported.
Measurement of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: linguistic validation of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) in Malay
Authors: Awaisu Ahmed , Samsudin Sulastri , Amir Nur A , Omar Che G , Hashim Mohd I , Mohamad Mohamed H Nik , Shafie Asrul A , Hassali Mohamed A 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
The purpose of the linguistic validation of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) was to produce a translated version in Malay language which was "conceptually equivalent" to the original U.S. English version for use in clinical practice and research.

Methods
A seven-member translation committee conducted the translation process using the following methodology: production of two independent forward translations; comparison and reconciliation of the translations; backward translation of the first reconciled version; comparison of the original WSWS and the backward version leading to the production of the second reconciled version; pilot testing and review of the translation, and finalization.

Results
Linguistic and conceptual issues arose during the process of translating the instrument, particularly pertaining to the title, instructions, and some of the items of the scale. In addition, the researchers had to find culturally acceptable equivalents for some terms and idiomatic phrases. Notable among these include expressions such as "irritability", "feeling upbeat", and "nibbling on snacks", which had to be replaced by culturally acceptable expressions. During cognitive debriefing and clinician's review processes, the Malay translated version of WSWS was found to be easily comprehensible, clear, and appropriate for the smoking withdrawal symptoms intended to be measured.

Conclusions
We applied a rigorous translation method to ensure conceptual equivalence and acceptability of WSWS in Malay prior to its utilization in research and clinical practice. However, to complete the cultural adaptation process, future psychometric validation is planned to be conducted among Malay speakers.
Electrochemical Instrumentation of a Hip Simulator: A New Tool for Assessing the Role of Corrosion in Metal-On-Metal Hip Joints
Authors: Yan Y , Neville A , Dowson D , Williams S , Fisher J 
Published: May 2010

Polyethylene wear debris induced osteolysis has triggered investigations to find alternative material combinations to the well-established metal-on-polyethylene hip implants. Owing to some early successful clinical cases, metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacements have been attracting more and more interest. There is, however, considerable concern about the propensity of MoM hip replacements to release metal ions and fine, nanometre-scale metallic wear debris. The long-term effect from released metal ions and wear particles is still not clear. To date, all the work on hip simulators focused on assessing mass losses damage has been referred to as ‘wear’. However, it is known in the field of tribocorrosion that mechanical removal of the passive layer on Co—Cr alloys can significantly enhance corrosion activity. In total joint replacements, it is possible that corrosion plays a significant role. However, no one has ever tried to extract, on a hip simulator, what proportion of the damage is due to mechanical processes and the corrosion processes. This paper describes the first instrumentation of an integrated hip joint simulator to provide in-situ electrochemical measurements in real time. The open circuit potential results are reported to assess the corrosion regime in the absence and presence of movement at the bearing surfaces. The importance of these measurements is that the real damage mechanisms can be assessed as a function of the operating cycle.
A Biomechanical Evaluation of Orthopaedic Implants for Hip Fractures by Finite Element Analysis and In-Vitro Tests
Authors: Eberle S , Gerber C , von Oldenburg G , Högel F , Augat P 
Published: May 2010

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a reinforced gamma nail for the fixation of subtrochanteric fractures would experience less stress during loading compared with a common gamma nail. The issue of whether the use of the stronger implant would result in more stress shielding in the surrounding bone was also addressed. A finite element analysis (FEA) of a synthetic bone was employed to calculate the stress distribution in implant and bone for two fracture types (AO 31-A3.1 and AO 31-A3.3). The FEA was validated by mechanical tests on six synthetic femurs. To test the hypothesis in vitro, mechanical tests on six pairs of fresh-frozen human femurs were conducted. The femurs were supplied with a common or a reinforced gamma nail in a cross-over study design. Strains were measured on the nail shaft to quantify the loading of the nail. The FEA resulted in 3—51 per cent lower stresses for the reinforced gamma nail. No increase in stress shielding could be observed. In the in-vitro tests, the reinforced gamma nail experienced less strain during loading ( p < 0.016). The study demonstrated the benefit of a reinforced gamma nail in subtrochanteric fractures. It experienced less stress but did not result in more stress shielding.
The development of comprehension and reading‐related skills in children learning English as an additional language and their monolingual, English‐speaking peers
Authors: Burgoyne K. , Whiteley H. E. , Hutchinson J. M. 
Published: May 2010

Background. A significant number of pupils in UK schools learn English as an additional language (EAL). Relative differences between the educational attainment of this group and monolingual, English‐speaking pupils call for an exploration of the literacy needs of EAL learners. Aims. This study explores the developmental progression of reading and listening comprehension skills and a range of reading‐related skills in EAL learners, whose first language is of South Asian origin, and their monolingual peers. Sample. Participants were 39 children learning EAL and 39 monolingual, English‐speaking children who were all in school Year 3 at the start of the study. Method. Children completed standardized measures of comprehension, vocabulary, reading accuracy, and reading fluency in school Year 3 and again in Year 4. Results. The results suggest that, although children learning EAL often demonstrate fast and accurate reading accuracy skills, lower levels of vocabulary knowledge place significant constraints on EAL learners' comprehension of spoken and written texts. Conclusions. Reciprocal relationships between vocabulary and comprehension may lead to increasing gaps in reading comprehension between monolingual and EAL pupils over time. It is proposed that support for the development of vocabulary skills in children learning EAL is needed in early years' classrooms.
The Effect of Financial Development on the Investment-Cash Flow Relationship: Cross-Country Evidence from Europe
Authors: Becker Bo , Sivadasan Jagadeesh 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
We investigate if financial development eases firm level financing constraints in a cross-country data set covering much of the European economy. The cash flow sensitivity of investment is lower in countries with better-developed financial markets. To deal with potentially serious biases, we employ a difference-in-difference methodology. Subsidiaries of other firms have access to internal capital markets and hence depend less on the external financial environment. As predicted, the benefit of financial development is smaller in subsidiary firms. This shows that financial development can mitigate financial constraints, and sheds light on the link between financial and economic development.
Anonymity, Social Image, and the Competition for Volunteers: A Case Study of the Online Market for Reviews
Authors: Wang Zhongmin 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
This paper takes a first step toward understanding the working of the online market for reviews. Most online review firms rely on unpaid volunteers to write reviews. Can a for-profit online review firm attract productive volunteer reviewers, limit the number of ranting or raving reviewers, and marginalize fake reviewers? This paper sheds light on this issue by studying reviewer productivity and restaurant ratings at Yelp, where reviewers are encouraged to establish a social image, and two competing websites, where reviewers are completely anonymous. Using a dataset of nearly half a million reviewer accounts, we find that the number (proportion) of prolific reviewers on Yelp is an order of magnitude larger than that on either competing site, more productive reviewers on all three websites are less likely to give an extreme rating, and restaurant ratings on Yelp tend to be much less extreme than those on either competing site.
A remark on nano-particle stability of cement C-S-H gel
Authors: Ficker Tomáš , Len Adél , Martišek Dalibor 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Hydrated pastes of ordinary Portland cement prepared with different water-to-cement ratios were investigated by using the small-angle neutron scattering technique in the region of Q ∈ (0.0045, 0.11) Å−1. Samples of cement pastes were subjected to non-standard hydration conditions using a mix with D2O, low RH, and water-to-cement ratios spread over a very wide interval (0.4; 1.4). The investigation was focused on testing the structural stability of nano-metric particles in the cement C-S-H gel. Owing to the high structural stability of these nano-particles, their average diameter might be used as a microscopic parameter characterizing the nano-metric structure of C-S-H gels. The average diameter of the nano-particles of the studied ordinary Portland cement CEMI 42.5 R-SC was found to be close to the value of 4.2 nm and independent of the water-to-cement ratios.
Hydrodynamic equations for microscopic phase densities
Authors: Gerasimenko Viktor , Shtyk Vyacheslav , Zagorodny Anatoly 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Evolution equations for marginal generalized microscopic phase densities are introduced. The evolution equations for average values of microscopic phase densities are derived and a solution of the initial-value problem for the hydrodynamic type hierarchy obtained is constructed.
Antihypertensive drugs utilisation and educational activities
Authors: Velickovic-Radovanovic Radmila , Petrovic Jasmina , Kodela Biljana , Janković Slobodan 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
The mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases is high in Serbia. Analysis of antihypertensive drugs utilization is the basis for assessment of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy appropriateness. The aim of this study was to analyze the trend in antihypertensive drugs utilization among outpatients in Niš region, South Serbia compared to some Nordic countries (Norvay, Sweden) and Australia as well as to analyze trends in educational and drug promotion activities directed to primary healthcare workers within the same region. Using the ATC/DDD methodology, we analyzed the utilization of antihypertensive drugs dispensed on prescription in the Nis region over the 2003–2007 period. The study was retrospective, based on data obtained from Central City Pharmacy Nis. Educational and drug promotion activities were noted from the records of Medical Faculty, University of Nis, and from the records of local branches of pharmaceutical companies active in Serbia. Wilcoxon’s test was used in order to calculate the statistical significance of difference. A significant increase of 79.8% (153.8/ 276.6 DDD/inhabitants/day) in antihypertensive drug consumption was observed in the same period. This analysis showed there were substantial increases in the use of diuretics (134.7%), ACE inhibitors (79.5%) and calcium channel blockers (116.1%), especially amlodipin (241.2%). During the observed period, annual numbers of educational activities and of pharmaceutical sales representatives employed within the region increased for almost one fourth. This analysis pointed to a significant increase in the use of antihypertensive drugs in the Nis region, which was matched with increase in educational and drug promotion activities within the region, so that in 2006–2007 total consumption was approximate to some referential countries (Norvay, Sweden).
Hybridization and introgression in New World red mangroves,Rhizophora(Rhizophoraceae)
Authors: Cerón‐Souza Ivania , Rivera‐Ocasio Elsie , Medina Ernesto , Jiménez Jorge A. , McMillan W. Owen , Bermingham Eldredge 
Published: May 2010

•Premise of the study:Hybridization is common in both animals and plants and can lead to a diverse array of outcomes ranging from the generation of new ecotypes or species to the breakdown of morphological differences. Here, we explore the extent of hybridization in the three currently recognized New WorldRhizophoraspecies—R. mangle, R. racemosa, and the putative hybrid speciesR. harrisonii.•Methods:We assayed variation across the three recognizedRhizophoraspecies using two noncoding chloroplast (cpDNA), two flanking microsatellite regions (FMRs), and six microsatellite loci.•Key results:Gene genealogies of cpDNA and FMRs showed a strong phylogeographic break across the Central American Isthmus, but little relationship to recognized species boundaries. Instead, individuals collected in the same ocean basin and classified asR. mangleandR. racemosaby morphological characteristics were more closely related to each other than with similar looking individuals collected in the other ocean basin. Nonetheless, there were low, yet significant differences at microsatellite loci among co‐occurring populations ofR. mangleandR. racemosain both ocean basins, suggesting that two taxonomic groups coexist. However, we found no genetic evidence thatR. harrisoniiwas a hybrid species. Rather,R. harrisoniiappears to represent a morphotype produced by ongoing hybridization and backcrossing betweenR. mangleandR. racemosa.•Conclusions:Our data support ancient and persistent introgressive hybridization among new worldRhizophoraand argue for a full revision of the systematic relationships of the group based on much finer morphological, ecological, and genetic analyses.
Impact of growth form and carbohydrate reserves on tolerance to simulated deer herbivory and subsequent recovery in Liliaceae
Authors: Lapointe Line , Bussières Julie , Crête Michel , Ouellet Jean‐Pierre 
Published: May 2010

• Premise of the study: Over‐browsing of the understory vegetation by white‐tailed deer has been a cause of decline in many plant populations. Liliaceae are particularly sensitive, yet individual species differ in their tolerance to deer herbivory. In this paper, we examine whether differences in clonal habit, carbon allocation patterns, and phenology influence the capacity of a species to tolerate and recover from repeated herbivory.• Methods: Flowering ramets of Clintonia borealis, Maianthemum canadense, and Trillium erectum were subjected to total defoliation for one or two springs.• Key results: Survival was highest in the nonclonal species, T. erectum, most probably due to its very large carbohydrate reserves. Nutrient reserves were less affected than carbohydrate reserves by defoliation, confirming the importance of carbohydrate reserves for survival. However, faster recovery following episodes of defoliation was observed not in the species that sprouted the earliest, T. erectum, but in the clonal species, M. canadense, which had the smallest carbohydrate reserves but also a lower shoot to root ratio than the other clonal species, C. borealis. All plants that were defoliated for 2 years only partially recovered in terms of leaf area, plant biomass, and carbohydrate and nutrient reserves, confirming the overall sensitivity of these species to simulated deer herbivory.• Conclusions: High carbohydrate reserves and consequently low shoot to root ratios appear to increase tolerance to herbivory, whereas clonal species recover faster than nonclonal species. The role played by carbohydrates reserves suggests that these species could benefit from slightly higher light conditions in areas subjected to high deer pressure.