bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drinking Rainwater: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study of Water Treatment Filters and Gastroenteritis Incidence
Authors: Rodrigo Shelly , Sinclair Martha , Forbes Andrew , Cunliffe David , Leder Karin 
Published: August 2010

Objectives. We examined whether drinking untreated rainwater, a practice that is on the rise in developed countries because of water shortages, contributes to community gastroenteritis incidence. Methods. We conducted a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial in Adelaide, Australia. Sham or active water treatment units were installed, and participants recorded incidences of illness in a health diary for 12 months. The primary outcome was highly credible gastroenteritis (HCG; characterized by a specified number of loose stools or vomiting alone or in combination with abdominal pain or nausea in a 24-hour period), and we used generalized estimating equations to account for correlations between numbers of HCG events for individuals in the same family. Results. Participants reported 769 episodes during the study (0.77 episodes/person/year), with an HCG incidence rate ratio (active vs sham) of 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.82, 1.33). Blinding of the participants was effective (index = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.58, 0.72). Conclusions. Our results suggest that consumption of untreated rainwater does not contribute appreciably to community gastroenteritis. However, our findings may not be generalizable to susceptible and immunocompromised persons because these groups were specifically excluded from the study.
The Myth of Meritocracy and African American Health
Authors: Kwate Naa Oyo A. , Meyer Ilan H. 
Published: August 2010

Recent theoretical and empirical studies of the social determinants of health inequities have shown that economic deprivation, multiple levels of racism, and neighborhood context limit African American health chances and that African Americans' poor health status is predicated on unequal opportunity to achieve the American Dream. President Obama's election has been touted as a demonstration of American meritocracy—the belief that all may obtain the American Dream—and has instilled hope in African Americans. However, we argue that in the context of racism and other barriers to success, meritocratic ideology may act as a negative health determinant for African Americans.
Gun Shows and Gun Violence: Fatally Flawed Study Yields Misleading Results
Authors: Wintemute Garen J. , Hemenway David , Webster Daniel , Pierce Glenn , Braga Anthony A. 
Published: August 2010

A widely publicized but unpublished study of the relationship between gun shows and gun violence is being cited in debates about the regulation of gun shows and gun commerce. We believe the study is fatally flawed. A working paper entitled “The Effect of Gun Shows on Gun-Related Deaths: Evidence from California and Texas” outlined this study, which found no association between gun shows and gun-related deaths. We believe the study reflects a limited understanding of gun shows and gun markets and is not statistically powered to detect even an implausibly large effect of gun shows on gun violence. In addition, the research contains serious ascertainment and classification errors, produces results that are sensitive to minor specification changes in key variables and in some cases have no face validity, and is contradicted by 1 of its own authors’ prior research. The study should not be used as evidence in formulating gun policy.
Genetic Susceptibility to Obesity and Related Traits in Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: den Hoed Marcel , Ekelund Ulf , Brage Søren , Grontved Anders , Zhao Jing Hua , Sharp Stephen J. , Ong Ken K. , Wareham Nicholas J. , Loos Ruth J.F. 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE
Large-scale genome-wide association (GWA) studies have thus far identified 16 loci incontrovertibly associated with obesity-related traits in adults. We examined associations of variants in these loci with anthropometric traits in children and adolescents.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Seventeen variants representing 16 obesity susceptibility loci were genotyped in 1,252 children (mean ± SD age 9.7 ± 0.4 years) and 790 adolescents (15.5 ± 0.5 years) from the European Youth Heart Study (EYHS). We tested for association of individual variants and a genetic predisposition score (GPS-17), calculated by summing the number of effect alleles, with anthropometric traits. For 13 variants, summary statistics for associations with BMI were meta-analyzed with previously reported data (Ntotal = 13,071 children and adolescents).

RESULTS
In EYHS, 15 variants showed associations or trends with anthropometric traits that were directionally consistent with earlier reports in adults. The meta-analysis showed directionally consistent associations with BMI for all 13 variants, of which 9 were significant (0.033–0.098 SD/allele; P &lt; 0.05). The near-TMEM18 variant had the strongest effect (0.098 SD/allele P = 8.5 × 10−11). Effect sizes for BMI tended to be more pronounced in children and adolescents than reported earlier in adults for variants in or near SEC16B, TMEM18, and KCTD15, (0.028–0.035 SD/allele higher) and less pronounced for rs925946 in BDNF (0.028 SD/allele lower). Each additional effect allele in the GPS-17 was associated with an increase of 0.034 SD in BMI (P = 3.6 × 10−5), 0.039 SD, in sum of skinfolds (P = 1.7 × 10−7), and 0.022 SD in waist circumference (P = 1.7 × 10−4), which is comparable with reported results in adults (0.039 SD/allele for BMI and 0.033 SD/allele for waist circumference).

CONCLUSIONS
Most obesity susceptibility loci identified by GWA studies in adults are already associated with anthropometric traits in children/adolescents. Whereas the association of some variants may differ with age, the cumulative effect size is similar.
Pharmacological Vasodilation Improves Insulin-Stimulated Muscle Protein Anabolism but Not Glucose Utilization in Older Adults
Authors: Timmerman Kyle L. , Lee Jessica L. , Fujita Satoshi , Dhanani Shaheen , Dreyer Hans C. , Fry Christopher S. , Drummond Micah J. , Sheffield-Moore Melinda , Rasmussen Blake B. , Volpi Elena 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE
Skeletal muscle protein metabolism is resistant to the anabolic action of insulin in healthy, nondiabetic older adults. This defect is associated with impaired insulin-induced vasodilation and mTORC1 signaling. We hypothesized that, in older subjects, pharmacological restoration of insulin-induced capillary recruitment would improve the response of muscle protein synthesis and anabolism to insulin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Twelve healthy, nondiabetic older subjects (71 ± 2 years) were randomized to two groups. Subjects were studied at baseline and during local infusion in one leg of insulin alone (Control) or insulin plus sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at variable rate to double leg blood flow. We measured leg blood flow by dye dilution; muscle microvascular perfusion with contrast enhanced ultrasound; Akt/mTORC1 signaling by Western blotting; and muscle protein synthesis, amino acid, and glucose kinetics using stable isotope methodologies.

RESULTS
There were no baseline differences between groups. Blood flow, muscle perfusion, phenylalanine delivery to the leg, and intracellular availability of phenylalanine increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05) in SNP only. Akt phosphorylation increased in both groups but increased more in SNP (P &lt; 0.05). Muscle protein synthesis and net balance (nmol · min−1 · 100 ml · leg−1) increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05) in SNP (synthesis, 43 ± 6 to 129 ± 25; net balance, −16 ± 3 to 26 ± 12) but not in Control (synthesis, 41 ± 10 to 53 ± 8; net balance, −17 ± 3 to −2 ± 3).

CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacological enhancement of muscle perfusion and amino acid availability during hyperinsulinemia improves the muscle protein anabolic effect of insulin in older adults.
Cardiac metastasis of osteosarcoma
Authors: Sahin Hilal , Ceylan Naim , Bayraktaroglu Selen , Savas Recep 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Cardiac osteosarcoma metastasis is extremely rare and is documented in several case reports in the literature. The behaviour of osteosarcoma metastases is similar to the primary tumour. Thoracic non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination is beneficial in the detection of calcific cardiac metastases. In this case report, we describe a 29-year-old woman with cardiac osteosarcoma metastasis after 7 years of follow-up, compare the demographic features with previous cases and discuss the imaging findings.
The effects of one-year simvastatin therapy on women’s bone mineral density
Authors: Dimic Aleksandar , Jankovic Dimitrije , Jankovic Irena , Savic Todorka , Karanovic Nevena 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Only few studies have reported that bone fracture risk is decreased in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women treated with statin therapy. Because of a lack of longitudinal studies on the effect of statins on bones, the aim of our investigation was to estimate the simvastatin therapy effects on bone mineral density in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Our investigation was carried out on 53 postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia. The women included in the study were divided into two groups. Group 1 was comprised of women with two or more (n=32) atherosclerosis risk factors, whereas group 2 had women with less than two (n=21) of these risk factors. All the women included in the study were placed on a hypocholesterolemic diet and the women in group 1 were additionally treated with 20 mg of simvastatin daily. The parameters of lipid status, body mass index, and L2–L4 densitometry were determined at baseline and then after one year. The simvastatin-treated group showed significant improvement of lipid parameters and increased bone mineral density. Finally, changes in bone mineral density between the groups showed significant differences (p<0.05). Although our investigation was carried out on a small group, our results showed a positive effect of the simvastatin therapy on the bone mineral density of postmenopausal women.
Vaginal hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse in Nepal
Authors: Sah DK , Doshi NR , Das CR 
Published: August 2010

Background: UVP is a significant Public Health Problem in Nepal. This problem is mainly prevalent in rural areas where the women are socio - economically less privileged and cannot afford the costs of treatment. Objective: An analysis of peri operative and post operative complications of vaginal hysterectomies for pelvic organ prolapse. Materials and methods: A hospital based prospective study was carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, NGMC followed up from the time of operation to time of discharge. Results: 632 cases underwent vaginal hysterectomy with financial support from UNFPA. There were no operative complications. The most common post operative complications as noted were retention of urine, pelvic infection & pelvic abscess. In two cases laparotomy was done for haemoperitoneum. Pelvic abscess was drained vaginally. Mortality was nil. Conclusion: Proper screening before operation is the key to reduce operative as well as peri operative complications. Key words: vaginal hysterectomy; pelvic organ prolapse; peri operative complications of vaginal hysterectomy DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v8i2.3576 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2010), Vol. 8, No. 2, Issue 30, 281-284
Premorbid oral antithrombotic therapy and risk for reaccumulation, reoperation, and mortality in acute subdural hematomas
Authors: Panczykowski David M. , Okonkwo David O. 
Published: August 2010

Object
Acute subdural hematomas (SDHs) impart serious morbidity and mortality on the elderly population, with only 5% of those older than 65 years of age attaining functional independence. Despite its widespread use, oral antithrombotic therapy (OAT) in the context of acute SDH has not been extensively studied. The authors sought to evaluate the impact of premorbid OAT on recurrence of SDH, radiographic outcome, and mortality in patients undergoing surgical evacuation of an acute SDH.

Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective comparative cohort study reviewing all surgically treated cases of acute SDH at their institution between September 2005 and December 2008. They assessed baseline demographics, coagulation parameters, surgical management, and clinical course. Study end points included additional craniotomy for SDH reaccumulation, follow-up Rotterdam score, recurrent SDH volumetric analysis, Glasgow Outcome Score, and death.

Results
A total of 300 patients with acute SDH treated by craniotomy were assessed. Of these patients, 49% (148 patients) were receiving OAT. Of those who were on a regimen of OAT, 49% were taking warfarin (mean international normalized ratio 3.1 ± 1.8), 31% were receiving antiplatelet therapy, and 20% were on a regimen of a combination of agents. On presentation, 72% of those using OAT received reversal agents. Recurrence of SDH necessitating additional evacuation was not significantly different with respect to premorbid OAT status (13% vs 14%). Patients with a history of OAT did not demonstrate a significant difference in Rotterdam score (2 vs 2), recurrent SDH volume (24.1 vs 19.6 cm3), GOS score (4 vs 3), or mortality (21% vs 24%). These findings remained stable after controlling for age, injury mechanism, and injury severity.

Conclusions
Premorbid OAT was not a significant risk factor for recurrence of SDH necessitating additional evacuation following acute SDH. Additionally, postoperative Rotterdam score, volume of SDH reaccumulation, and overall mortality were not predicted by antithrombotic history. While premorbid use may predispose the patient to an SDH, OAT does not increase the risk of morbidity or mortality following surgical intervention.
Self-reported adherence is more predictive of virological treatment response among patients with a lower tendency towards socially desirable responding
Authors: Nieuwkerk Pythia T , de Boer-van der Kolk I Marion , Prins Jan M , Locadia Mirjam , Sprangers Mirjam AG 
Published: August 2010

Background Self-report is the most commonly used measure of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy, but typically shows weaker associations with virological treatment outcome than more objective adherence assessment methods. Socially desirable responding might hamper the validity of self-reported adherence. We investigated whether stratifying patients according to their socially desirable response set might improve the prediction of virological treatment response by self-reported adherence. Methods Patients enrolled in the focus group of the Dutch national cohort ATHENA completed a social desirability scale, four self-report adherence questions, and had their plasma HIV type-1 (HIV-1) RNA concentrations measured. We calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for self-reported non-adherence to predict HIV-1 RNA>50 copies/ml among patients with a lower or a higher tendency towards socially desirable responding. Results A total of 331 patients were included. Self- reported non-adherence was significantly predictive of HIV-1 RNA>50 copies/ml on three out of four questions among patients with lower socially desirable responding ( n=198). Self-reported non-adherence did not predict HIV-1 RNA>50 copies/ml among patients with higher socially desirable responding ( n=132). Conclusions Stratifying patients according to their socially desirable response set improved the prediction of virological treatment response by self-reported adherence. This finding emphasizes the importance of discussing medication adherence with patients in a non-threatening and non-judgemental way that normalizes non-adherence in order to reduce socially desirable responding.
Les technologies de l'information au service du développement durable des territoires
Authors: Berhault Gilles 
Published: August 2010

Les civilisations du XXI e siècle sont numériques : 4 milliards de téléphones portables, 1,7 milliards d’ordinateurs connectés. Ce développement rapide, synchrone, mondial va encore s’accélérer. Une clé pour le développement durable réside dans le fait que la connectivité n’est plus réservée aux machines communicantes, ce sont les objets quotidiens et les corps qui deviendront de plus en plus fournisseurs et producteurs d’information. Elle permet de changer les comportements, partager et mutualiser, télétravailler, gouverner, éduquer. Il s’agit d’une opportunité pour rendre plus « verts » les bâtiments, la mobilité, l’énergie, l’économie (relocalisée).
Développement durable, gouvernance et insularité : le cas de la réserve naturelle marine de la Réunion
Authors: Brial Fabien 
Published: August 2010

La contribution des « aires marines protégées » (AMP) est essentielle à la conservation des écosystèmes mondiaux et au développement socio-économique notamment en milieu insulaire. L’omniprésence de l’environnement marin, l’exigence de sa qualité et l’urgence de limiter les dégradations causées par la croissance démographique font des projets de conservation de la biodiversité marine des enjeux primordiaux pour le développement durable des îles. À l’île de la Réunion, la réserve naturelle marine en fournit un exemple particulièrement pertinent. Mais comment la réserve concilie-t-elle gouvernance et développement durable ? Il s’agit tout d’abord d’identifier les différents acteurs décisionnels ayant autorité sur ce territoire, construction territoriale récente, de nature réglementaire, mais également espace sur lequel s’exercent de multiples compétences administratives. La lecture à différentes échelles de ceux-ci permet d’observer un maillage complexe de prérogatives et d’acteurs qui rendent la gouvernance de cette AMP, véritable « mille-feuille » institutionnel, particulièrement compliquée sinon confuse. Quelques recommandations permettent de proposer une mesure de l’efficacité de la gouvernance institutionnelle pour un développement durable.
Comparison of real‐time microvascular abnormalities in pediatric and adult sickle cell anemia patients
Authors: Cheung Anthony T.W. , Miller Joshua W. , Craig Sarah M. , To Patricia L. , Lin Xin , Samarron Sandra L. , Chen Peter C.Y. , Zwerdling Theodore , Wun Ted , Li Chin‐Shang , Green Ralph 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe conjunctival microcirculation in 14 pediatric and eight adult sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients was studied using computer‐assisted intravital microscopy. The bulbar conjunctiva in SCA patients in both age groups exhibited a blanched/avascular appearance characterized by decreased vascularity. SCA patients from both age groups had many of the same abnormal morphometric [vessel diameter, vessel distribution, morphometry (shape), tortuosity, arteriole:venule (A:V) ratio, and hemosiderin deposits] and dynamic [vessel sludging/sludged flow, boxcar blood (trickled) flow, and abnormal flow velocity] abnormalities. A severity index (SI) was computed to quantify the degree of vasculopathy for comparison between groups. The severity of vasculopathy differed significantly between the pediatric and adult patients (SI: 4.2 ± 1.8 vs. 6.6 ± 2.4; P = 0.028), indicative of a lesser degree of overall severity in the pediatric patients. Specific abnormalities that were less prominent in the pediatric patients included abnormal vessel morphometry and tortuosity. Sludged flow, abnormal vessel distribution, abnormal A:V ratio, and boxcar flow appeared in high prevalence in both age groups. The results indicate that SCA microvascular abnormalities develop in childhood and the severity of vasculopathy likely progresses with age. Intervention and effective treatment/management modalities should target pediatric patients to ameliorate, slow down, or prevent progressive microvascular deterioration. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identical IGHV‐D‐J gene rearrangement may precede the clinical onset of chronic lymphocytic leukemia by several years
Authors: Frezzato Maurizio , Giaretta Ilaria , Madeo Domenico , Rodeghiero Francesco 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has not been fully elucidated. Moreover, the time required for the initial B lymphocyte IGH gene rearranged clone to manifest as a clinical entity remains unknown. We searched for previous IGH gene rearranged B lymphocyte clones in healthy people who developed CLL and estimated the time for the clone to become clinically detectable. To this aim, we identified all incident cases of CLL diagnosed in a cohort of 15,055 healthy subjects aged 18–65 years enrolled in a prospective survey on thrombophilia. Seven CLL cases were identified at a median follow‐up of 54 months (range, 18–89). The estimated incidence was 0.46 cases/10,000 person‐years (CI: 0.17–1.00). A PCR was performed to detect IGH gene rearrangement at enrollment and at CLL diagnosis. Comparison was possible in six subjects. In five, the same IGH gene rearrangement and gene sequence were already present 39–89 months before CLL diagnosis. A mutated status was identified in four of five cases. The median age at diagnosis was 66.2 years, and all subjects were asymptomatic. Two patients expressing the IGHV1‐69 gene with an unmutated status required treatment 16 and 40 months after diagnosis. The IGHV4 family genes were rearranged in the remaining cases, all showing a mutated status. No additional rearrangements or mutations in the rearranged gene were found during follow‐up. An identical clonal IGH gene rearrangement may precede CLL diagnosis by several years. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Second‐line mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine for acute myeloid leukemia: A single‐center experience
Authors: Kohrt Holbrook E. , Patel Samit , Ho Michelle , Owen Terri , Pollyea Daniel A. , Majeti Ravindra , Gotlib Jason , Coutre Steve , Liedtke Michaela , Berube Caroline , Alizadeh Ash A. , Medeiros Bruno C. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will require second‐line chemotherapy for either relapsed or refractory disease. Currently, only allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) offers a curative option in this setting and no preferred regimen has been established. The reported efficacy of second‐line regimens is widely disparate, thus limiting informed clinical decision making. A retrospective review of 77 patients receiving therapy between 2001 and 2008 with relapsed, 42, and refractory, 35, AML was performed to determine overall response rate and survival following mitoxantrone (8 mg/m2/day), etoposide (100 mg/m2/day), and cytarabine (1,000 mg/m2/day) chemotherapy administered over 5 days. Among 77 patients (median age of 54 years and 64% intermediate risk karyotype) with median follow‐up of 153 days, 18% achieved a complete response and 8% a morphologic leukemia‐free state. Fifty‐seven (74%) experienced treatment failure, 10 of whom achieved a remission after additional therapy. Median overall survival (OS) was 6.8 months. Among patients achieving a response, 50% received consolidation with allogeneic HCT, autologous HCT (5%), or consolidation chemotherapy alone (45%). A nonsignificant trend in overall response (50%, 27%, and 23.8%) and median OS (8.3, 6.8, and 4.7 months) was observed by cytogenetic stratification into favorable, intermediate, and unfavorable risk. Patients with refractory versus relapsed disease had similar overall responses (20% and 31%, P = 0.41) and median OS (5.3 and 7.6 months, P = 0.36). Despite risk stratification by the European Prognostic Index, our series demonstrates inferior rates of response and survival, illustrating the limited activity of this regimen in our cohort. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.