bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adolescent obesity in Syria: prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Nasreddine L. , Mehio‐Sibai A. , Mrayati M. , Adra N. , Hwalla N. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground Data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Eastern Mediterranean countries remain scarce, particularly for children and adolescents. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of obesity and examine associated factors and covariates amongst school adolescents in Syria.Methods A cross‐sectional survey of a representative sample of 776 adolescents (386 males and 390 females), aged 15–18 years, was conducted in six randomly chosen secondary schools in Damascus, the capital city of Syria. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment data were collected using standard methods and techniques. Overweight and obesity were defined according to World Health Organization 2007 child growth standards.Results The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were estimated at 18.9 and 8.6%, respectively. Carbohydrate and saturated fatty acid intakes were significantly higher amongst overweight and obese (250.66 and 32.82 g/day, respectively) as compared with normal weight adolescents (218.12 and 26.10 g/day, respectively). Regression analysis showed that the likelihood of obesity was significantly greater amongst adolescent boys than girls (OR = 2.30,P< 0.05) and amongst subjects reporting family history of obesity (OR = 2.98,P< 0.05). The odds of obesity increased consistently with increasing educational attainment of both parents and was higher (OR = 1.63) amongst adolescents reporting lower crowding index than their counterparts.Conclusion Our findings of a positive association between obesity and socio‐economic status measured by parental education and crowding index call for intervention strategies for the promotion of healthy dietary practices not only amongst school adolescents but also parents, targeting families as the unit of intervention. Further studies are needed to examine nutritional habits and food choices amongst families of different socio‐economic strata.
Controlled source electromagnetic three‐dimensional grid‐modelling based on a complex resistivity structure of the seafloor: effects of acquisition parameters and geometry of multi‐layered resistors
Authors: Bhuyian Anwar H. , Thrane Bård P. , Landrø Martin , Johansen Ståle E. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTA comprehensive controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) modelling study, based on complex resistivity structures in a deep marine geological setting, is conducted. The study demonstrates the effects of acquisition parameters and multi‐layered resistors on CSEM responses. Three‐dimensional (3D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) grid‐modelling is used for CSEM sensitivity analysis. Interpolation of normalized CSEM responses provides attributes representing relative sensitivity of the modelled structures. Modelling results show that fine grid, 1 × 1 km receiver spacing, provides good correlations between CSEM responses and the modelled structures, irrespective of source orientation. The resolution of CSEM attributes decreases for receiver spacing >2 × 2 km, when using only in‐line data. Broadside data in the grid geometry increase data density by 100 – approximately 200% by filling in in‐line responses and improve the resolution of CSEM attributes. Optimized source orientation (i.e., oblique to the strike of an elongated resistor) improves the structural definition of the CSEM anomalies for coarse‐grid geometries (receiver spacing ≥3 × 3 km). The study also shows that a multi‐resistor anomaly is not simply the summation but a cumulative response with mutual interference between constituent resistors. The combined response of constituent resistors is approximately 50% higher than the cumulative response of the multi‐resistor for 0.5 Hz at 4000 m offset. A gradual inverse variation of offset and frequency allows differentiation of CSEM anomalies for multi‐layered resistors. Similar frequency‐offset variations for laterally persistent high‐resistivity facies show visual continuity with varying geometric expressions. 3D grid‐modelling is an effective and adequate tool for CSEM survey design and sensitivity analysis.
On shear‐wave triplications in a multilayered transeversely isotropic medium with vertical symmetry axis
Authors: Roganov Yuriy , Stovas Alexey 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTThe presence of triplications (caustics) can be a serious problem in seismic data processing and analysis. The traveltime curve becomes multi‐valued and the geometrical spreading correction factor tends to zero due to energy focusing.We analyse the conditions for the qSV‐wave triplications in a homogeneous transversely isotropic medium with vertical symmetry axis. The proposed technique can easily be extended to the case of horizontally layered vertical symmetry axis medium. We show that the triplications of the qSV‐wave in a multilayered medium imply certain algebra. We illustrate this algebra on a two‐layer vertical symmetry axis model.
Drosophila G9a is implicated in germ cell development
Authors: Lee K.‐S. , Yoon J. , Park J. S. , Kang Y.‐K. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn Drosophila ovaries, germline stem cells (GSCs) divide asymmetrically in the germaria to produce daughter GSCs and cystoblasts. Single cystoblasts differentiate to form germline cysts with 16 germline cells, all of which are connected by the fusome, a vesiculated structure critical for oocyte specification. We here show that histone H3K9 methyltransferase dg9a is associated with spectrosome/fusome formation in the germarium; dG9a13414 mutant ovaries have disorganized spectrosome/fusome in about half the germaria, with reduced levels of hu‐li tai shao and α‐SPECTRIN proteins. We found that the amount of germline cells within cysts was reduced and that oocyte determination often failed in egg chambers of the dG9a13414 mutant ovaries. These results suggest that a mutation in dG9a gene gives rise to anomalous spectrosome/fusome structures, which in turn lead to faulty germ‐cell development in Drosophila ovaries.
Soy extract phytoestrogens with high dose of isoflavones for menopausal symptoms
Authors: Ferrari Augusto 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim:  The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a standardized compound based on an extract of soy phytoestrogens, with high doses of isoflavones in the management of menopausal hot flushes.Methods:  A total of 180 women aged 40–65 years with a minimum of five moderate‐to‐severe hot flushes in the last 7 days at baseline and absence of menstruation for at least 6 months participated in a 12‐week prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicenter trial. After a 2‐week run‐in period, women received one tablet a day of 80 mg isoflavones (corresponding to 60 mg of genistein) or a matching placebo.Results:  The mean daily number of moderate‐to‐severe hot flushes decreased in both study groups, but the reduction was greater in the isoflavones arm at 6 (36.2%) and 12 weeks (41.2%) than in the placebo arm (24.0% at 6 weeks, 29.3% at 12 weeks), with a difference of 1.1 (95% CI [−2.0 to −0.06]) (P = 0.038) at 6 weeks and 1.1 (95% CI [−2.05 to −0.15]) (P = 0.023) at 12 weeks. Similar findings were obtained for hot flushes of any intensity. The Kupperman index decreased in both study groups. Relief of hot flushes was greater when time to menopause was ≥12 months and in cases of BMI ≥27 kg/m2.Conclusion:  In daily practice conditions, high doses of isoflavones, particularly genistein, can be used for the management of hot flushes in postmenopausal women not treated with hormone replacement therapy due to their superior efficacy to placebo and very good safety profile.
Tension‐free vaginal tape‐obturator procedure for treatment of severe urodynamic stress incontinence: Subjective and objective outcomes during 2 years of follow‐up
Authors: Su Tsung‐Hsien , Huang Wen‐Chu , Lee Mei‐Yu , Lin Tzu‐Yin , Chang Hui‐Chin , Chen Chih‐Ping 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim:  To report our experience of the tension‐free vaginal tape‐obturator (TVT‐O) procedure for the treatment of severe female urodymanic stress incontinence (USI) during 2 years of follow‐up.Methods:  Between January 2005 and June 2007, 67 women with severe USI who underwent the TVT‐O procedure were enrolled in the study. Pelvic examination, pad test, urodynamic study, and quality of life (QoL) assessment were performed pre‐ and post‐operatively. Regular follow‐up was arranged for analysis.Results:  The median duration of follow‐up was 24 months. The objective cure rate was 76.2%. The postoperative pad test revealed significant reduction of leakage. The subjective cure rate was 83.5%, and improvement occurred in 14.9%. The postoperative QoL showed significant improvement. One (1.5%) extrusion of tape occurred and three cases of de novo detrusor overactivity were detected. Three patients (4.4%) had immediate postoperative urine retention. No major complications occurred.Conclusion:  Our results show that the TVT‐O procedure is an effective and safe surgical procedure for severe female USI with satisfactory outcomes, significant improvement in quality of life, and few complications during 2 years of follow‐up.
The Importance of Slack for New Organizations Facing ‘Tough’ Environments
Authors: Bradley Steven W. , Shepherd Dean A. , Wiklund Johan 
Published: December 2009

abstractStrategy‐based models centre on the management of unique and valuable resources to take advantage of specific market opportunities. Less examined in this approach are the roles of slack resources in the process of generating firm value – particularly for new firms in ‘tough’ environments where fewer opportunities are available. Using a cohort panel of 951 new manufacturing firms over nine years, our findings provide evidence for the importance of financial slack resources in understanding opportunity generation and also for reconciling theoretical arguments regarding the slack resource–performance link. We find that while financial slack does provide buffering capacity (in hostile and dynamic environments), and flexibility for experimentation (in munificent and dynamic environments) as suggested by prior theory, the most positive relationship between financial slack and performance for new firms was in low discretion environments (hostile and stable environments) – where firms need to develop their own opportunities. The implications of these findings for theory are discussed.
Theiler’s virus infection chronically alters seizure susceptibility
Authors: Stewart Kerry‐Ann A. , Wilcox Karen S. , Fujinami Robert S. , White H. Steve 
Published: December 2009

SummaryPurpose: Central nervous system infections greatly increase the risk for the development of seizures and epilepsy (recurrent unprovoked seizures). We have previously shown that Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (Theiler’s virus or TMEV) infection causes acute symptomatic seizures in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. The objective of the present study was threefold: (1) to assess pathologic changes associated with acute TMEV infection and infection‐induced seizures, (2) to determine whether Theiler’s virus infection and associated acute seizures lead to chronically altered seizure susceptibility, and (3) to determine whether genetic background influences seizure susceptibility following Theiler’s virus infection.Methods: Immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess Theiler’s virus antigen localization in the brain and associated neuronal cell death. A battery of electroconvulsive threshold (ECT) tests and corneal kindling studies were conducted to assess whether there were chronic alterations in seizure susceptibility and kindling development. Studies were conducted in both B6 and SJL/J mice to assess strain‐dependent effects.Results: Histopathologic analyses indicate that TMEV has specific tropism for limbic structures and causes widespread cell death in these regions. Results from ECT studies demonstrate that B6 mice that displayed acute symptomatic seizures have significantly reduced seizure thresholds and kindle faster than either control mice or infected mice without acute seizures. Furthermore, these effects were mouse‐strain dependent, since SJL/J mice displayed a different seizure threshold spectrum.Discussion: These findings indicate that Theiler’s virus infection leads to chronically altered seizure susceptibility in mice. It is important to note that Theiler’s virus infection of B6 mice represents a novel model to study postinfection hyperexcitability.
Prevalence of epileptiform discharges in healthy children—New data from a prospective study using digital EEG
Authors: Borusiak Peter , Zilbauer Matthias , Jenke Andreas C. W. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryPurpose:  Data on epileptiform electroencephalography (EEG) discharges in healthy children are limited, with published studies dating back more than 20 years. Moreover, analyses have been performed exclusively using paper‐recorded EEG, and reported prevalences differ significantly. With recent reports using these data as reference suggesting an increased prevalence of epileptiform EEG discharges in children with behavioral disturbances, acquisition of exact prevalence data has become even more critical. The aim of our study was to analyze the frequency of epileptiform EEG discharges in healthy children using digitally recorded EEG (DEEG) and to compare these data to those of previously published studies.Methods:  Prospective analysis of DEEG was performed in 382 healthy children (226 male, 156 female) ages 6–13 years admitted to our hospital for minor head trauma. Recording was carried out for a minimum of 20 min including hyperventilation and photic stimulation. Analysis was carried out by two board‐certified clinical neurophysiologists.Results:  Epileptiform EEG discharges were detected in 25 of 382 children (11 of 226 male, 14 of 156 female) corresponding to an overall prevalence of 6.5%. Of these 25 children, 4 had either generalized or bifrontal spikes, 12 showed constant localized focal discharges, and 9 showed multifocal discharges. Compared to previous studies using non‐DEEG recording, the prevalence of epileptiform EEG discharges in our population was significantly higher. No significant difference was found when comparing our data to prevalences recently reported in children with behavioral disturbances using DEEG.Conclusions:  Our study further highlights the urgent need to reevaluate the prevalence of epileptiform EEG discharges in healthy children using DEEG recordings in a large cohort.
The Role of Primary Care Physicians in Advanced Cancer Care: Perspectives of Older Patients and Their Oncologists
Authors: O'Toole Elizabeth , Step Mary M. , Engelhardt Kathryn , Lewis Steven , Rose Julia Hannum 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine data from advanced cancer patients and their oncologists regarding patient age‐related differences in patient and oncologist perspectives on involvement of primary care physicians (PCPs) in aspects of cancer management.DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial of a support intervention for patients with late‐stage cancer treated in two teaching hospital‐based cancer clinics caring for underserved populations.PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred fifty‐seven patients who had an oncologist and PCP enrolled 2 to 3 months after an advanced cancer diagnosis.MEASUREMENTS: Sociodemographic data and structured interviews were used to assess patients' perceptions of PCP involvement in care discussions and decision‐making and satisfaction with that involvement, oncologists' beliefs about how involved PCPs should be in these discussions and decisions, and their shared care practices.RESULTS: Older patients (≥65) were more likely to have a PCP (P=.02). Patients reported a broad range of perceived PCP involvement and satisfaction with that involvement. Greater involvement was associated with greater satisfaction (P<.001). Half of oncologists reported themselves as PCP for more than 25% of their patients. Approximately half of oncologists reported that more older than younger patients had PCPs, yet only 20% reported differences in PCP involvement or in their communication with PCPs for older late‐stage patients.CONCLUSION: Results support involvement of PCPs in advanced cancer care and demonstrate variable perspectives on PCP involvement. Matching patient preferences and practices may improve satisfaction. Clarification of elements in the partnership between patients, PCPs, and oncologists will inform efforts to optimally care for older patients with advanced cancer.
Toward Advocacy in Cancer Care for Older Adults: Survivors Have Cautious Personal Actions but Bold Advice for Others
Authors: Kahana Eva , Kahana Boaz , Kelley‐Moore Jessica , Adams Scott A. , Hammel Rachel , Kulle Diana , Brown Jane A. , King Cathie 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine narratives of personal coping with the cancer experience and compare them with narratives of advice offered to other cancer patients by community‐dwelling elderly cancer survivors.DESIGN: Qualitative and quantitative mixed methods.SETTING: Community.PARTICIPANTS: Interviews were conducted with 100 elderly adults who had reported cancer diagnosis from among participants of a panel study of 1,107 community‐dwelling elderly adults. Mean age of the sample was 78.7±6.8; 62% were female, and 62% were married.MEASUREMENTS: Three raters identified consistent themes through content analyses of interviews using a staged content analysis process. Themes reporting personal coping were coded separately from advice respondents would offer to others.RESULTS: Respondents reported themes of personal coping that corresponded well to previously established modes of problem‐focused and emotion‐focused coping. Themes for personal coping primarily reflected reframing, normalizing, and obtaining social support. Assertive healthcare consumerism and self‐care were seldom reported as personal coping strategies but emerged as important coping approaches, along with positive attitude maintenance, in advice offered to others. Length of survivorship was unrelated to coping strategies.CONCLUSION: Elderly cancer survivors use passive modes of coping and rely on physicians, family, or cognitive acceptance in coping with cancer, but they offer far more proactive advice to other cancer patients. These findings underscore the importance of physician encouragement of older cancer patient initiative and proactivity in expressing views and preferences. Physicians should offer reassurance that elderly patients' questions and initiatives are welcomed.
Health and Well‐Being in Older Married Female Cancer Survivors
Authors: Townsend Aloen L. , Ishler Karen J. , Bowman Karen F. , Rose Julia Hannum , Peak Nicole Juszczak 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differences between older married female cancer survivors and a matched comparison sample on physical health and on effects of health on depressive symptomatology.DESIGN AND SETTING: National survey data from the 1992 Health and Retirement Study.PARTICIPANTS: Married women who reported having been diagnosed with cancer (N=245) and married women who did not report a cancer diagnosis but who matched the survivors on age, race, and ethnicity (N=245).MEASUREMENTS: Outcome measure was depressive symptomatology (modified CES‐D). Predictors were multiple indicators of health and demographic characteristics.RESULTS: Cancer survivors reported significantly worse health on all indicators but not higher depressive symptomatology after health and demographics were controlled. Predictors of higher depression were fatigue, pain, and lower education. These effects did not differ between groups.CONCLUSION: Health impairment in cancer survivors highlights the need for ongoing follow‐up care. Survivorship was associated indirectly with higher depressive symptomatology through its relationship with health impairment.
International Emergency Medicine: A Review of the Literature From 2008
Authors: Lippert Suzanne , Levine Adam C. , Becker Joseph , Foran Mark , Rosborough Stephanie , Arnold Kris ,   on behalf of the International Emergency Medicine Literature Review Group
Published: December 2009

AbstractAs the specialty of emergency medicine (EM) continues to evolve in countries around the world, and as interest in international emergency medicine (IEM) continues to grow within the United States, the IEM Literature Review Group recognizes a need for a high‐quality, consolidated, and easily accessible evidence base of literature. In response to that need, the group created an annual publication that strives to provide readers with access to the highest quality and most relevant IEM research. This publication represents our fourth annual review, covering the top 26 IEM research articles published in 2008. Articles were selected for the review according to explicit, predetermined criteria that include both methodologic quality and perceived impact of the research. It is our hope that this annual review will act as a forum for disseminating best practices while also stimulating further research in the field of IEM.
Use of an Automated Device for External Chest Compressions by First‐aid Workers Unfamiliar With the Device: A Step Toward Public Access?
Authors: Lapostolle Frédéric , Agostinucci Jean Marc , Bertrand Philippe , Catineau Jean , Chassery Carine , Kessler Mathieu , Galinski Michel , Adnet Frédéric 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjective:  The objective was to establish the feasibility of using an automated external chest compression (ECC) device among first‐aid workers unfamiliar with the device.Methods:  Eighty first‐aid workers unfamiliar with the Autopulse ECC device were randomized into three groups. Group 1 was given two explanatory illustrations on device use. Group 2 was given four explanatory illustrations. Group 3 was shown a 5‐minute video on the placement and use of the device and allowed to handle the device for 5 minutes. The time taken to place and start the device on a mannequin was recorded.Results:  There was no significant difference among the three groups with regard to age, sex ratio, experience, and time elapsed since their last training session. No mistakes in device placement were made by any of the groups. All 80 participants started ECC in less than 160 seconds. There was no significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 in time taken to place or start the device (medians and 25–75 percentiles = 72 [54–112] vs. 86 [46–130] seconds and 154 [103–183] vs. 156 [120–197] seconds, respectively). However, Group 3 first‐aid workers obtained significantly better results (19 [16–26] seconds to place and 48 [40–65] seconds to start; p<0.0001).Conclusions:  An automated ECC device can be rapidly placed and used by first‐aid workers unfamiliar with the device. In the light of these results, use of the device by the general public can be envisaged.