bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility Outcome Assessment of the Aging Neck following Massive Weight Loss
Authors: Sinno Hani H. , Ibrahim Ahmed M. S. , Izadpanah Ali , Thibaudeau Stephanie , Christodoulou George , Tahiri Youssef , Slavin Sumner A. , Lin Samuel J. 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveThe authors set out to quantify the health state utility assessment of living with the physical appearance of the aging neck following massive weight loss. Described utility scores may help to establish the health burden of the aging neck in the growing bariatric patient population.Study DesignProspective cohort observational study.SettingTertiary referral medical center.Subjects and MethodsThree validated tools were used to determine utility scores for living with an aging neck: visual analog scale (VAS), time trade‐off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG). A 5‐point Likert scale was used to evaluate the subjects’ ease of understanding. A prospective sample of volunteers from the general population and medical students was used for this assessment.ResultsIn total, 118 prospective volunteers were included in the survey. All measures (VAS, TTO, SG); (0.89 ± 0.07, 0.94 ± 0.08, and 0.95 ± 0.10, respectively) varied (P <. 0001) from the corresponding ones for monocular blindness (0.62 ± 0.18, 0.87 ± 0.15, and 0.85 ± 0.20, respectively) and binocular blindness (0.32 ± 0.18, 0.66 ± 0.25, and 0.64 ± 0.28, respectively).ConclusionThe authors objectified the health state of living with an aging neck in the massive weight loss patient with utility scores (TTO, 0.94) comparable with those living with obstructive sleep apnea. This sample population, if faced with an aging neck following massive weight loss, would undertake a neck rejuvenation procedure with a theoretical 5% chance of mortality and would be willing to trade 2.1 years of remaining life‐years to attain this procedure.
p85β regulatory subunit of class IA PI3 kinase negatively regulates mast cell growth, maturation, and leukemogenesis
Authors: Krishnan Subha , Mali Raghuveer Singh , Ramdas Baskar , Sims Emily , Ma Peilin , Ghosh Joydeep , Munugalavadla Veerendra , Hanneman Philip , Beane Joal D. , Kapur Reuben 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe show that loss of p85α inhibits the growth and maturation of mast cells, whereas loss of p85β enhances this process. Whereas restoring the expression of p85α in P85α−/− cells restores these functions, overexpression of p85β has the opposite effect. Consistently, overexpression of p85β in WT mast cells represses KIT-induced proliferation and IL-3–mediated maturation by inhibiting the expression of Microphthalmia transcription factor. Because p85α and p85β differ in their N-terminal sequences, chimeric proteins consisting of amino or carboxy-terminal of p85α and/or p85β do not rescue the growth defects of p85α−/− cells, suggesting cooperation between these domains for normal mast cell function. Loss of p85β impaired ligand induced KIT receptor internalization and its overexpression enhanced this process, partly because of increased binding of c-Cbl to p85β relative to p85α. In vivo, loss of p85β resulted in increased mast cells, and bone marrow transplantation of cells overexpressing p85β resulted in significant reduction in some tissue mast cells. Overexpression of p85β suppressed the growth of oncogenic KIT-expressing cells in vitro and prolonged the survival of leukemic mice in vivo. Thus, p85α and p85β differentially regulate SCF and oncogenic KIT-induced signals in myeloid lineage-derived mast cells.
Effectiveness of a diet and physical activity promotion strategy on the prevention of obesity in Mexican school children
Authors: Shamah Levy Teresa , Morales Ruán Carmen , Amaya Castellanos Claudia , Salazar Coronel Araceli , Jiménez Aguilar Alejandra , Méndez Gómez Humarán Ignacio 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundOverweight and obesity in children in Mexico was among the countries with the highest prevalence's in the world. Mexico currently has few innovative and comprehensive experiences to help curb the growth of this serious public health problem. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity strategy, called "Nutrition on the Go" ("nutrición en movimiento")in maintaining the BMI values of school children in the State of Mexico.MethodsA two-stage cluster trial was carried out. Sixty schools were selected in the State of Mexico, of which 30 were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) and 30 to the control group (CG). A total of 1020 fifth grade school children participated. The intervention strategy aimed to decrease the energy content of school breakfasts and include fruits and vegetables, as well as increase physical activity and the consumption of water during the time spent at school. The strategy was implemented over a 6-month period.ResultsThe estimated probability (EP) of obesity between baseline and the final stage for the IG decreased 1% (Initial EP = 11.8%, 95%CI 9.0, 15.2, final EP = 10.8, 95%CI 8.4, 13.) For the CG, the probability increased 0.9% (baseline EP = 10.6%; 95%CI 8.1, 13.7; final EP = 11.5, 95%CI 9.0, 14.6). The interaction between the intervention and the stage is the average odd time corrected treatment effect, which is statistically significant (p= 0.01) (OR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.52, 091).This represents the interaction between intervention and stage, which is highly significant (p= 0.01) (OR = 0.68; 95%CI 0.52, 091). In addition, girls had a protective effect on obesity (OR = 0.56; 95%CI 0.39, 0.80).ConclusionsThe intervention strategy is effective in maintaining the BMI of school children.
Orthogonal and diagonal dimension fluxes of hyperspherical function
Authors: Letic Dusko , Cakic Nenad , Davidovic Branko , Berkovic Ivana 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we present the theoretical research results of certain characteristics of the generalized hyperspherical function with two degrees of freedom as independent dimensions. Here, we primarily give the answers to the quantification of dimensional potentials (fluxes) of this function in the domain of natural numbers. In addition, we also give the solutions to continual fluxes of separate contour hyperspherical (HS) functions. The symbolical evaluation and numerical verification of the values of series and integrals are realized using MathCAD Professional and Mathematica.

MSC 2010: 51M04; 33E99.
The lp13.3 genomic region -rs599839- is associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: López-Mejías Raquel , González-Juanatey Carlos , García-Bermúdez Mercedes , Castañeda Santos , Miranda-Filloy José A , Blanco Ricardo , Llorca Javier , Martín Javier , González-Gay Miguel A 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Since genome-wide association studies demonstrated association between rs599839 polymorphism and coronary artery disease, in the present study we assessed the potential association of this polymorphism with endothelial dysfunction, an early step in atherogenesis.

Methods
A total of 128 RA patients without history of CV events were genotyped for rs599839 A/G polymorphism. The presence of endothelial dysfunction was assessed by brachial ultrasonography (brachial flow-mediated endothelium-dependent (FMD)).

Results
Patients carrying the allele G exhibited more severe endothelial dysfunction (FMD%: 4.61 ± 3.94%) than those carrying the wild allele A (FMD%: 6.01 ± 5.15%) (P = 0.08). Adjustment for gender, age at the time of study, follow-up time and classic CV risk factors disclosed a significant association between the rs599839 polymorphism and FMD (G vs. A: P = 0.0062).

Conclusions
Our results confirm an association of the rs599839 polymorphism with endothelial dysfunction in RA.
Understanding the science of synthesis
Authors: Wallace John 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThis article covers the basic principles of systematic reviews and meta-analyses while discussing the problems associated with the traditional narrative review. It explores the role of the overview as a formal method of combining information from all relevant studies about a particular health condition. It also describes how the review tries to minimise bias so as to avoid reaching the wrong conclusions from the available research data. Important issues that need to be considered when appraising an overview are outlined. Some terms used in reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses are introduced, such as risk ratio, mean difference, confidence interval and the forest plot.
Psychopathy in childhood: is it a meaningful diagnosis?
Authors: Rutter Michael 
Published: March 2012

SummaryPsychopathy is not included in either of the main classification systems (ICD-10 or DSM-IV). Research has now extended the concept of psychopathy to childhood and has produced evidence that it is meaningfully distinct from antisocial behaviour. It is proposed that psychopathy should be accepted as a meaningful diagnosis in childhood.
Intralesional injection of pingyangmycin is a safe and effective treatment for microcystic lymphatic malformations in the tongue
Authors: Mai H M , Zheng J W , Zhou Q , Yang X J , Wang Y A , Fan X D 
Published: March 2012

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional injection of pingyangmycin for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations (LMs) in the tongue. Methods Eighteen patients with tongue microcystic LMs were treated with intralesional injection of pingyangmycin. The concentration of the drug was 1 mg/mL with an addition of dexamethasone. Repeated injections were performed at an interval of 3–4 weeks. The results were evaluated by clinical examinations and Doppler ultrasonography scan. The follow-up period was 12 months to eight years after the last treatment and the mean follow-up time was three years. All patients received 1–8 injections (mean, 3.0 injections) for the whole course of treatment. The total dose of pingyangmycin administered was 8–64 mg (mean, 24 mg). Results Fifteen patients had complete response with no cosmetic or functional problems. Three patients with macroglossia had a reduction of 50–90% in the lesion size and needed secondary surgery. No serious complications were encountered. Conclusion The results suggested that intralesional injection of pingyangmycin is an effective and safe treatment for microcystic LMs in the tongue, and can be used as the first-line treatment protocol.
Vision for Action in the Macaque Medial Posterior Parietal Cortex
Authors: Fattori Patrizia , Breveglieri Rossella , Raos Vassilis , Bosco Annalisa , Galletti Claudio 
Published: March 2012

Area V6A encodes hand configurations for grasping objects (Fattori et al., 2010). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether V6A cells also encode three-dimensional objects, and the relationship between object encoding and grip encoding. Single neurons were recorded in V6A of two monkeys trained to perform two tasks. In the first task, the monkeys were required to passively view an object without performing any action on it. In the second task, the monkeys viewed an object at the beginning of each trial and then they needed to grasp that object in darkness. Five different objects were used. Both tasks revealed that object presentation activates ∼60% of V6A neurons, with about half of them displaying object selectivity. In the Reach-to-Grasp task, the majority of V6A cells discharged during both object presentation and grip execution, displaying selectivity for either the object or the grip, or in some cases for both object and grip. Although the incidence of neurons encoding grips was twofold that of neurons encoding objects, object selectivity in single cells was as strong as grip selectivity, indicating that V6A cells were able to discriminate both the different objects and the different grips required to grasp them.Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that clustering of the object-selective responses depended on the task requirements (view only or view to grasp) and followed a visual or a visuomotor rule, respectively. Object encoding in V6A reflects representations for action, useful for motor control in reach-to-grasp.
Evaluating the Evidence for Transmission Distortion in Human Pedigrees
Authors: Meyer Wynn K , Arbeithuber Barbara , Ober Carole , Ebner Thomas , Tiemann-Boege Irene , Hudson Richard R , Przeworski Molly 
Published: March 2012

AbstractChildren of a heterozygous parent are expected to carry either allele with equal probability. Exceptions can occur, however, due to meiotic drive, competition among gametes, or viability selection, which we collectively term “transmission distortion” (TD). Although there are several well-characterized examples of these phenomena, their existence in humans remains unknown. We therefore performed a genome-wide scan for TD by applying the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) genome-wide to three large sets of human pedigrees of European descent: the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), a founder population of European origin (HUTT), and a subset of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). Genotyping error is an important confounder in this type of analysis. In FHS and HUTT, despite extensive quality control, we did not find sufficient evidence to exclude genotyping error in the strongest signals. In AGRE, however, many signals extended across multiple SNPs, a pattern highly unlikely to arise from genotyping error. We identified several candidate regions in this data set, notably a locus in 10q26.13 displaying a genome-wide significant TDT in combined female and male transmissions and a signature of recent positive selection, as well as a paternal TD signal in 6p21.1, the same region in which a significant TD signal was previously observed in 30 European males. Neither region replicated in FHS, however, and the paternal signal was not visible in sperm competition assays or as allelic imbalance in sperm. In maternal transmissions, we detected no strong signals near centromeres or telomeres, the regions predicted to be most susceptible to female-specific meiotic drive, but we found a significant enrichment of top signals among genes involved in cell junctions. These results illustrate both the potential benefits and the challenges of using the TDT to study transmission distortion and provide candidates for investigation in future studies.
Expanding the Recommendations for Annual Influenza Vaccination to School-Age Children in the United States
Authors: E. Fiore Anthony , Epperson Scott , Perrotta Dennis , Bernstein Henry , Neuzil Kathleen 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND
Despite long-standing recommendations to vaccinate children who have underlying chronic medical conditions or who are contacts of high-risk persons, vaccination coverage among school-age children remains low. Community studies have indicated that school-age children have the highest incidence of influenza and are an important source of amplifying and sustaining community transmission that affects all age groups.

METHODS
A consultation to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a universal recommendation for annual influenza vaccination of all children age ≥6 months was held in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 2007. Consultants provided summaries of current data on vaccine effectiveness, safety, supply, successful program implementation, and economics studies and discussed challenges associated with continuing a risk- and contact-based vaccination strategy compared with a universal vaccination recommendation.

RESULTS
Consultants noted that school-age children had a substantial illness burden caused by influenza, that vaccine was safe and effective for children aged 6 months through 18 years, and that evidence suggested that vaccinating school-age children would provide benefits to both the vaccinated children and their unvaccinated household and community contacts. However, implementation of an annual recommendation for all school-age children would pose major challenges to parents, medical providers and health care systems. Alternative vaccination venues were needed, and of these school-located vaccination programs might offer the most promise as an alternative vaccination site for school-age children.

CONCLUSIONS
Expansion of recommendations to include all school-age children will require additional development of an infrastructure to support implementation and methods to adequately evaluate impact.
Scaling and Root Planing Treatment for Periodontitis to Reduce Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kim Arthur J. , Lo Alexander J. , Pullin Deborah A. , Thornton‐Johnson Darneesh S. , Karimbux Nadeem Y. 
Published: March 2012

Background: The aim of this study is to perform an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of scaling and root planing (SRP) in reducing the preterm‐birth and low‐birth‐weight risks to analyze important subgroups and to further explore heterogeneity and bias risks in the pooled studies.Methods: The entire Cochrane Library was searched (from 1990 to September 2011), MEDLINE (from 1950 to September 2011), CINAHL (from 1980 to September 2011), University of Michigan School of Dentistry “Dentistry and Oral Sciences” database (from 1990 to September 2011), conference proceedings, and the ClinicalTrials.gov database. Authors were contacted when clarification was needed. Selection criteria included the following: 1) RCTs that reported preterm‐birth risk (<37 weeks) outcomes, 2) compared SRP treatment to either placebo or no treatment in pregnant patients with periodontitis, and 3) had a probing depth >4 mm or clinical attachment loss >2 mm for ≥1 site. Reviewers independently extracted data from each included study using a standardized, piloted form and assessed quality using a risk‐of‐bias tool modeled after Cochrane, and discrepancies were resolved. A random‐effects model was used to calculate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pooled data. For subgroup analysis with heterogeneity <50%, a fixed‐effects model was used.Results: After abstract review, 12 studies were identified by the search, and 11 were included in the main meta‐analysis (preterm birth <37 weeks). Overall quality and design of included studies was fair or good. For the main meta‐analysis, results ranged from risk ratio with periodontal treatment 0.14 (95% CI = 0.01, 2.55) to 1.24 (95% CI = 0.93, 1.67) for an overall risk ratio of 0.81 (95% CI = 0.64, 1.02). When analyzed separately by subgroup for excess prematurity risk, the high‐risk group (overall prematurity of 22.2% to 62.8%) showed combined risk ratios of 0.66 (95% CI = 0.54, 0.80). Remaining studies (overall prematurity of 4.0% to 10.4%) showed combined risk ratio of 0.97 (95% CI = 0.75, 1.24).Conclusions: This systematic review and meta‐analysis indicates statistically significant effect in reducing risk of preterm birth for SRP in pregnant women with periodontitis for groups with high risks of preterm birth only. Future research should attempt to confirm these findings and further define groups in which risk reduction may be effective.
Salmonella enterica shedding in hospitalized horses and associations with diarrhea occurrence among their stablemates and gastrointestinal-related illness or death following discharge
Authors: Hartnack Amanda K. , Van Metre David C. , Morley Paul S. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the potential association between Salmonella enterica shedding in hospitalized horses and the risk of diarrhea among stablemates, and to characterize gastrointestinal-related illness and death following discharge among horses that shed S enterica while hospitalized.
Design—Case-control study.
Animals—221 horses (59 that shed S enterica during hospitalization and 162 that tested negative for S enterica shedding ≥ 3 times during hospitalization).
Procedures—Information from medical records (signalment, results of microbial culture of fecal samples, clinical status at the time of culture, and treatment history) was combined with data collected through interviews with horse owners regarding formerly hospitalized horses and their stablemates. Data were analyzed to investigate risk factors for death and diarrhea.
Results—Occurrence of diarrhea among stablemates of formerly hospitalized horses was not associated with S enterica shedding in hospitalized horses but was associated with oral treatment with antimicrobials during hospitalization. Salmonella enterica shedding during hospitalization was not associated with risk of death or gastrointestinal-related illness in study horses ≤ 6 months after discharge, but shedding status and history of gastrointestinal illness were associated with increased risk of death during the preinterview period.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Stablemates of horses that shed S enterica during hospitalization did not appear to have an increased risk for diarrhea, but comingling with horses that receive orally administered antimicrobials may affect this risk. Salmonella enterica shedding during hospitalization may be a marker of increased long-term risk of death after discharge. Risks are likely influenced by the S enterica strain involved and biosecurity procedures used.
Diagnosis and management of hypoaldosteronism without hypoadrenocorticism in an alpaca
Authors: Butterworth Kelly A. , Pellegrini-Masini Alessandra M. , Barton Michelle H. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Case Description—Primary hypoaldosteronism without concurrent hypoadrenocorticism was diagnosed in an 8-year-old female alpaca with acute onset of weakness progressing to recumbency within 6 hours after onset.
Clinical Findings—Hematologic testing at admission revealed profound hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and acidemia with a normal blood potassium concentration. Further diagnostic testing, including an ACTH stimulation test, led to a diagnosis of hypoaldosteronism in conjunction with normal cortisol production.
Treatment and Outcome—The hembra responded well to IV polyionic fluid therapy with sodium supplementation and was managed successfully long term with free access to saline (0.9% NaCl) solution in addition to water ad libitum.
Clinical Relevance—To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hypoaldosteronism in an alpaca. Hypoaldosteronism should be considered in alpacas as a possible differential diagnosis for refractory hyponatremia or for hyponatremia in which an underlying etiology is not determined.
Adventitious shoot regeneration from dormant buds of persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) cv. Hachiya
Authors: Kochanová Zuzana , Onus Naci , Brindza Ján 
Published: March 2012

Adventitious shoot regeneration from dormant buds of persimmon (Diospyros kakiThunb.) cv. HachiyaThe effects of plant hormones 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on adventitious shoot regeneration from dormant persimmon buds were studied. The object of the study was the persimmon cultivar Hachiya, one of the most important persimmon cultivars in the Mediterranean area and Asia. Shoot regeneration was evaluated 4, 6 and 8 weeks after initiating the hormone treatment. Average shoot length was measured after 8 weeks and was evaluated by LSD test. Except for the media without hormone supplement, there was a statistically significant difference among average values of shoot length of plants, grown on the tested media. The increase in BAP had an effect on shoot regeneration that was significant and more pronounced with the addition of IBA, especially to the MS (1/2 N) medium. The highest value of shoot regeneration (98%) was obtained on medium MS (1/2 N), supplemented with 5 μmol l-1BAP and 1 μmol l-1IBA, with the highest average shoot length 23.69 mm, measured 8 weeks after the experiment initiation. The results indicate that adventitious shoots can be successfully produced in persimmon cv. Hachiya, especially with the supplement of hormone BAP, which, according to our results, plays an important role in persimmonin vitroregeneration.