bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary spatiotemporal analysis of the association between socio-environmental factors and suicide
Authors: Qi Xin , Tong Shilu , Hu Wenbiao 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe seasonality of suicide has long been recognised. However, little is known about the relative importance of socio-environmental factors in the occurrence of suicide in different geographical areas. This study examined the association of climate, socioeconomic and demographic factors with suicide in Queensland, Australia, using a spatiotemporal approach.MethodsSeasonal data on suicide, demographic variables and socioeconomic indexes for areas in each Local Government Area (LGA) between 1999 and 2003 were acquired from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Climate data were supplied by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. A multivariable generalized estimating equation model was used to examine the impact of socio-environmental factors on suicide.ResultsThe preliminary data analyses show that far north Queensland had the highest suicide incidence (e.g., Cook and Mornington Shires), while the south-western areas had the lowest incidence (e.g., Barcoo and Bauhinia Shires) in all the seasons. Maximum temperature, unemployment rate, the proportion of Indigenous population and the proportion of population with low individual income were statistically significantly and positively associated with suicide. There were weaker but not significant associations for other variables.ConclusionMaximum temperature, the proportion of Indigenous population and unemployment rate appeared to be major determinants of suicide at a LGA level in Queensland.
Suppression of growth, migration and invasion of highly-metastatic human breast cancer cells by berbamine and its molecular mechanisms of action
Authors: Wang Shan , Liu Qian , Zhang Ying , Liu Ke , Yu Pengfei , Liu Kun , Luan Jinling , Duan Huiying , Lu Zhaoqiao , Wang Fengfei , Wu Erxi , Yagasaki Kazumi , Zhang Guoying 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among females worldwide. Berbamine (BER), a kind of bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, has been used to treat clinical patients with inflammation and cancer for many years in China. The purpose of this study is to investigate the activity of BER against highly-metastatic human breast cancer and its molecular mechanisms of action.

Results
In our study, we found that BER inhibits growth of highly-metastatic human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435S cells dose-dependently and time-dependently. The sera from BER-treated rats suppress the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells. BER shows synergistic effects with some existing anticancer agents such as trichostatin A (TSA, the histone deacetylase inhibitor), celecoxib (the inhibitor of COX-2), and carmofur against the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells. BER also displays the strong activity of inducing apoptosis in both estrogen receptor-negative MDA-MB-231 cells and estrogen receptor-alpha-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells, but not in normal human mammary epithelial cell line MCF10A. BER down-regulates anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 levels and up-regulates pro-apoptotic protein Bax expressions in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435S cells. BER also has synergistic effects with anticancer agents trichostatin A, celecoxib and/or carmofur on reducing Bcl-2/Bax ratios and VEGF secretions in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, BER significantly suppresses cell migration and invasion, as well as decreases pro-MMP-9/pro-MMP-2 activation in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, BER suppresses Akt and nuclear factor κ B signaling by reducing the phosphorylation of c-Met and Akt, and inhibiting their downstream targets such as nuclear factor κ B p-65, Bcl-2/Bax, osteopontin, VEGF, MMP-9 and MMP-2 on protein and/or mRNA levels in breast cancer cells.

Conclusion
Our findings have showed that BER suppresses the growth, migration and invasion in highly-metastatic human breast cancer cells by possibly inhibiting Akt and NF-κ B signaling with their upstream target c-Met and downstream targets Bcl-2/Bax, osteopontin, VEGF, MMP-9 and MMP-2. BER has synergistic effects with anticancer agents trichostatin A, celecoxib and carmofur on inhibiting the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells and reducing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and/or VEGF expressions in the cancer cells. These findings suggest that BER may have the wide therapeutic and/or adjuvant therapeutic application in the treatment of human breast cancer and other cancers.
Audit of short term outcomes of surgical and medical second trimester termination of pregnancy
Authors: Mauelshagen Annamarie , Sadler Lynn C , Roberts Helen , Harilall Mahesh , Farquhar Cynthia M 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
As comparisons of modern medical and surgical second trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) are limited, and the optimum method of termination is still debated, an audit of second trimester TOP was undertaken, with the objective of comparing the outcomes of modern medical and surgical methods.

Methods
All cases of medical and surgical TOP between the gestations of 13 and 20 weeks from 1st January 2007 to 30th June 2008, among women residing in the local health board district, a tertiary teaching hospital in an urban setting, were identified by a search of ICD-10 procedure codes (surgical terminations) and from a ward database (medical terminations). Retrospective review of case notes was undertaken. A total of 184 cases, 51 medical and 133 surgical TOP, were identified. Frequency data were compared using Chi-squared or Fischer's Exact tests as appropriate and continuous data are presented as mean and standard deviation if normally distributed or median and interquartile range if non-parametric.

Results
Eighty-one percent of surgical terminations occurred between 13 to 16 weeks gestation, while 74% of medical terminations were performed between 17 to 20 weeks gestation. The earlier surgical TOP occurred in younger women and were more often indicated for maternal mental health. Sixteen percent of medical TOP required surgical delivery of the placenta. Evacuation of retained products was required more often after medical TOP (10%) than after surgical TOP (1%). Other serious complications were rare.

Conclusion
Both medical and surgical TOP are safe and effective for second trimester termination. Medical TOP tend to be performed at later gestations and are associated with a greater likelihood of manual removal of the placenta and delayed return to theatre for retained products. This case series does not address long term complications.
The third Symptom Management Research Trial in Oncology (SMaRT Oncology-3): a randomised trial to determine the efficacy of adding a complex intervention for major depressive disorder (Depression Care for People with Lung Cancer) to usual care, compared to usual care alone in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Walker Jane , Cassidy Jim , Sharpe Michael ,   SMaRT Oncology-3 Trialists
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background

Depression Care for People with Lung Cancer is a complex intervention delivered by specially trained cancer nurses, under the supervision of a psychiatrist. It is given as a supplement to the usual care for depression, which patients receive from their general practitioner and cancer service. The third Symptom Management Research Trial in Oncology (SMaRT Oncology-3 Trial) will test its efficacy when compared to usual care alone.

Design
A two arm parallel group multi-centre randomised controlled trial. 200 patients will be recruited through established systematic Symptom Monitoring Services, which screen patients for depression. Patients will have: a diagnosis of lung cancer; an estimated life expectancy of three months or more and a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. Patients will be randomised to usual care or usual care plus Depression Care for People with Lung Cancer. Randomisation will be carried out by telephoning a secure computerised central randomisation system or by using a secure web interface. The primary outcome measure is average depression severity. This will be assessed using scores on the 20-item Symptom Hopkins Checklist (SCL-20D), collected every four weeks over 32 weeks. Secondary outcomes include severity of anxiety, pain and fatigue; self-rated improvement of depression; quality of life and satisfaction with depression care.

Trial Registration
Current controlled trials ISRCTN75905964
Enzymatic hydrolyzing performance of Acremonium cellulolyticus and Trichoderma reesei against three lignocellulosic materials
Authors: Fujii Tatsuya , Fang Xu , Inoue Hiroyuki , Murakami Katsuji , Sawayama Shigeki 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Bioethanol isolated from lignocellulosic biomass represents one of the most promising renewable and carbon neutral alternative liquid fuel sources. Enzymatic saccharification using cellulase has proven to be a useful method in the production of bioethanol. The filamentous fungi Acremonium cellulolyticus and Trichoderma reesei are known to be potential cellulase producers. In this study, we aimed to reveal the advantages and disadvantages of the cellulase enzymes derived from these fungi.

Results
We compared A. cellulolyticus and T. reesei cellulase activity against the three lignocellulosic materials: eucalyptus, Douglas fir and rice straw. Saccharification analysis using the supernatant from each culture demonstrated that the enzyme mixture derived from A. cellulolyticus exhibited 2-fold and 16-fold increases in Filter Paper enzyme and β-glucosidase specific activities, respectively, compared with that derived from T. reesei. In addition, culture supernatant from A. cellulolyticus produced glucose more rapidly from the lignocellulosic materials. Meanwhile, culture supernatant derived from T. reesei exhibited a 2-fold higher xylan-hydrolyzing activity and produced more xylose from eucalyptus (72% yield) and rice straw (43% yield). Although the commercial enzymes Acremonium cellulase (derived from A. cellulolyticus, Meiji Seika Co.) demonstrated a slightly lower cellulase specific activity than Accellerase 1000 (derived from T. reesei, Genencor), the glucose yield (over 65%) from lignocellulosic materials by Acremonium cellulase was higher than that of Accellerase 1000 (less than 60%). In addition, the mannan-hydrolyzing activity of Acremonium cellulase was 16-fold higher than that of Accellerase 1000, and the conversion of mannan to mannobiose and mannose by Acremonium cellulase was more efficient.

Conclusion
We investigated the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials by cellulase derived from two types of filamentous fungi. We found that glucan-hydrolyzing activity of the culture supernatant from A. cellulolyticus was superior to that from T. reesei, while the xylan-hydrolyzing activity was superior for the cellulase from T. reesei. Moreover, Acremonium cellulase exhibited a greater glucan and mannan-hydrolyzing activity than Accellerase 1000.
ALLPATHS 2: small genomes assembled accurately and with high continuity from short paired reads
Authors: MacCallum Iain , Przybylski Dariusz , Gnerre Sante , Burton Joshua , Shlyakhter Ilya , Gnirke Andreas , Malek Joel , McKernan Kevin , Ranade Swati , Shea Terrance P , Williams Louise , Young Sarah , Nusbaum Chad , Jaffe David B 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe demonstrate that genome sequences approaching finished quality can be generated from short paired reads. Using 36 base (fragment) and 26 base (jumping) reads from five microbial genomes of varied GC composition and sizes up to 40 Mb, ALLPATHS2 generated assemblies with long, accurate contigs and scaffolds. Velvet and EULER-SR were less accurate. For example, for Escherichia coli, the fraction of 10-kb stretches that were perfect was 99.8% (ALLPATHS2), 68.7% (Velvet), and 42.1% (EULER-SR).
Epidemiology and disease burden from allergic disease in Scotland: analyses of national databases
Authors: Anandan C , Gupta R , Simpson CR , Fischbacher C , Sheikh A 
Published: October 2009

Summary Background There are ongoing concerns about the quality of care provided to patients with allergic disorders in Scotland, but there are relatively few reliable data on the overall disease burden. We sought to: (1) describe the incidence, prevalence and outcome of allergic disorders; (2) estimate healthcare burden and costs; and (3) investigate ethnic variations in the epidemiology and outcomes from allergic disorders in Scotland. Methods Data sources: national surveys; primary care data; prescribing and medication data; hospital admissions data and mortality data. Results Allergic disorders are extremely common in Scotland, affecting about one in three of the population at some time in their lives. Incidence was highest for eczema (10.2 per 1000 registered patients). Over 4% of all GP consultations and 1.5% of hospital admissions were for allergic disorders. There were 100 asthma deaths in 2005 (20 per million people). Direct healthcare costs for allergic disorders were an estimated £130 million per year, the majority of these being incurred in primary care and related to asthma. Conclusions Allergic disorders are common in Scotland and given the very high proportion of children now affected, the high disease burden associated with these conditions is likely to persist for many decades.
Examination performance of graduate entry medical students compared with mainstream students
Authors: Calvert Melanie J , Ross Nick M , Freemantle Nick , Xu Yong , Zvauya Remigio , Parle Jim V 
Published: October 2009

Summary Objectives To assess whether medical students on graduate entry/fast- track programmes perform as well as students on standard courses. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting University of Birmingham Medical School. Participants Medical students on graduate entry/fast-track course and standard (5-year) course (‘mainstream’). Main outcome measures Examination marks from all assessments taken simultaneously by graduate entry course (GEC) and mainstream course students once the cohorts have combined: i.e. for the final three years of the programme. Honours awards for 2007 and 2008 graduates. Results In total 19,263 examination results were analysed from 1547 students. Of these 161 were GEC students and 1386 were mainstream medical students. On average mainstream students, male students, overseas students and students of South Asian ethnicity obtained lower examination marks than graduate entry students, female students, home or EU students and students of non-South Asian ethnicity, respectively. Graduate entry students were significantly more likely to achieve honours degrees than mainstream students. Conclusion On average the academic performance of Graduate Entry medical students at the University of Birmingham is better than mainstream medical students.
Simultaneous Screening and Quantification of 29 Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid by Solid-Phase Extraction and Ultraperformance LC-MS/MS
Authors: Badawi Nora , Simonsen Kirsten Wiese , Steentoft Anni , Bernhoft Inger Marie , Linnet Kristian 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Background: The European DRUID (Driving under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol And Medicines) project calls for analysis of oral fluid (OF) samples, collected randomly and anonymously at the roadside from drivers in Denmark throughout 2008–2009. To analyze these samples we developed an ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for detection of 29 drugs and illicit compounds in OF. The drugs detected were opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
Method: Solid-phase extraction was performed with a Gilson ASPEC XL4 system equipped with Bond Elut Certify sample cartridges. OF samples (200 mg) diluted with 5 mL of ammonium acetate/methanol (vol/vol 90:10) buffer were applied to the columns and eluted with 3 mL of acetonitrile with aqueous ammonium hydroxide. Target drugs were quantified by use of a Waters ACQUITY UPLC system coupled to a Waters Quattro Premier XE triple quadrupole (positive electrospray ionization mode, multiple reaction monitoring mode).
Results: Extraction recoveries were 36%–114% for all analytes, including Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and benzoylecgonine. The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 μg/kg for all analytes. Total imprecision (CV) was 5.9%–19.4%. With the use of deuterated internal standards for most compounds, the performance of the method was not influenced by matrix effects. A preliminary account of OF samples collected at the roadside showed the presence of amphetamine, cocaine, codeine, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, tramadol, and zopiclone.
Conclusions: The UPLC-MS/MS method makes it possible to detect all 29 analytes in 1 chromatographic run (15 min), including Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and benzoylecgonine, which previously have been difficult to incorporate into multicomponent methods.
Causers in English, Korean, and Chinese and the individuation of events
Authors: Wolff Phillip , Jeon Ga-Hyun , Li Yu 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe kinds of entities that can be described as causing an event depend, in part, on the language one speaks. Whereas in English and Chinese it is possible to sayThe knife cut the breadorThe key opened the door, in Korean and many other languages, such sentences sound very odd. According to theinitiator hypothesis, languages fall into two major groups with respect to possible external arguments in causal expressions: those that require that the causer be capable of generating its own energy and those that require only that the causer participate in the causal chain leading up to a particular result. In support of this hypothesis, we show that ability to self-energize has a larger impact on acceptability ratings in Korean than in either English or Chinese (Exp. 1). We also show that restrictions on possible causers extend to the semantics of possible causes in the descriptions of animations depicting causal chains (Exp. 2). Finally, we show that cross-linguistic differences in the linguistic coding of causers may have consequences for the way people conceptualize animations of causal chains in terms of number of events (Exp. 3). Implications for the representation of verb meaning and the semantics of external arguments in other languages are discussed.
Nodular disease and parafollicular C-cell distribution: results from a prospective and retrospective clinico-pathological study on the thyroid isthmus
Authors: Papi Giampaolo , Rossi Giulio , Corsello Salvatore Maria , Corrado Stefania , Fadda Guido , Di Donato Carlo , Pontecorvi Alfredo 
Published: October 2009

ObjectiveThe isthmus represents a peculiar, as yet partially unexplored, thyroid gland area.Aim of the studyTo assess i) the prevalence and clinico-pathological features of solitary thyroid isthmic nodules (STIN); ii) the frequency of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) arising from the isthmus; and iii) the C-cell distribution in the isthmus of patients with MTC and benign nodular thyroid disease (NTD).Subjects and methodsPatients referred from 2006 to 2008 for STIN were prospectively recruited, and underwent serum calcitonin (Ct) measurement and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). MTCs diagnosed from 1993 to 2005 were retrospectively searched. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-Ct antibodies on lateral lobes and isthmi of 50 benign NTD and 50 MTC cases.ResultsFrom 1993 to 2005, 150 patients underwent surgery for MTC. All patients had the neoplasm located in lateral thyroid lobes, none in the isthmus. In the 3 years following, 192 STIN patients (40 (21%) males, 152 (79%) females; mean age: 46.2±7.1 years; 6.4% of NTD subjects) were recruited. All had normal Ct concentrations. FNAC was malignant or suspicious for malignancy in 14 (7.3%) patients. Histology found malignancy in 17 (9%) cases, MTC in none. C cells were disclosed in lateral thyroid lobes of 100% MTC and 77% benign NTD patients; isthmi were free of C cells in either group.ConclusionsSTINs are significantly less likely to be MTC in patients presenting with sporadic disease. Therefore, Ct screening is not warranted in these subjects. Nonetheless, STINs are more likely to be neoplastic and deserve equal attention as those of the lateral lobes.
Persistent increase of osteoprotegerin levels after cortisol normalization in patients with Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Camozzi Valentina , Sanguin Francesca , Albigier Nora , Scaroni Carla , Mantero Franco , Zaninotto Martina , Frigo Annachiara , Piccolo Michele , Luisetto Giovanni 
Published: October 2009

ObjectiveOsteoprotegerin (OPG) has been identified as a decoy receptor that inhibits osteoclast differentiation and, more recently, as a paracrine regulator of vascular calcification. OPG is suppressed by glucocorticoids (GC); however, results from experimental and clinical studies are not univocal. The aim of this study was to evaluate OPG and bone metabolism in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) before and after cure.Design and methodsTwenty-six patients with CS (all women, mean age: 39.1±11.9 years) and 24 age- and gonadal status-matched healthy women were studied for bone mineral density, bone metabolism, OPG, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand at baseline. Twelve patients were also studied 6–18 months after surgery, with persistent normalization of cortisol levels.ResultsOPG was significantly higher and osteocalcin (OC) was significantly lower in CS patients than in controls (OPG: 4.17±1.23 vs 2.95±0.79 pmol/l, P=0.00001; OC: 15.0±6.1 vs 18.8±6.8 ng/ml, P=0.04 in CS and controls respectively). After cure, we found no difference in OPG levels, despite a significant increase in OC levels (from 16.4±11 to 37.2±15 ng/ml, P=0.03).ConclusionPatients with CS showed increased OPG serum levels that remained unchanged after recovery, despite a restoration of bone formation. We speculate that high levels of OPG could reflect the persistent damage of the GCs on cardiovascular system.
Compliance With Multiple-Dose Vaccine Schedules Among Older Children, Adolescents, and Adults: Results From a Vaccine Safety Datalink Study
Authors: Nelson Jennifer C. , Bittner Rachel C. L. , Bounds Lora , Zhao Shanshan , Baggs James , Donahue James G. , Hambidge Simon J. , Jacobsen Steven J. , Klein Nicola P. , Naleway Allison L. , Zangwill Kenneth M. , Jackson Lisa A. 
Published: October 2009

Objectives. We studied compliance with multiple-dose vaccine schedules, assessed factors associated with noncompliance, and examined timeliness of series completion among older children, adolescents, and adults. Methods. We conducted a large, multisite, retrospective cohort study of older children, adolescents, and adults in the Vaccine Safety Datalink population from 1996 through 2004. We quantified the rates of completion of all required doses for varicella, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines according to their recommended schedules. Results. Among those who received a first dose of varicella (n = 16 075), hepatitis A (n = 594 917), and hepatitis B (n = 590 445) vaccine, relatively few completed the series (55%–65% for hepatitis B vaccine and 40%–50% for hepatitis A and varicella vaccines in most age groups). Compliance was lowest among adolescents (35.9%) and Medicaid recipients (29.7%) who received varicella vaccine and among younger adult age groups who received hepatitis A vaccine (25%–35% across those age groups). Even among series completers, there was a relatively long interval of undervaccination between the first and last doses. Conclusions. Compliance with multiple-dose vaccine series among older children, adolescents, and adults is suboptimal. Further evaluations of strategies to improve compliance in these populations are needed.