bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The burden of disease and injury in Iran 2003
Authors: Naghavi Mohsen , Abolhassani Farid , Pourmalek Farshad , Moradi Lakeh Maziar , Jafari Nahid , Vaseghi Sanaz , Mahdavi Hezaveh Niloufar , Kazemeini Hossein 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
The objective of this study was to estimate the burden of disease and injury in Iran for the year 2003, using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) at the national level and for six selected provinces.

Methods
Methods developed by the World Health Organization for National Burden of Disease (NBD) studies were applied to estimate disease and injury incidence for the calculation of Years of Life Lost due to premature mortality (YLL), Years Lived with Disability (YLD), and DALYs. The following adjustments of the NBD methodology were made in this study: a revised list with 213 disease and injury causes, development of new and more specific disease modeling templates for cancers and injuries, and adjustment for dependent comorbidity. We compared the results with World Health Organization (WHO) estimates for Eastern Mediterranean Region, sub-region B in 2002.

Results
We estimated that in the year 2003, there were 21,572 DALYs due to all diseases and injuries per 100,000 Iranian people of all ages and both sexes. From this total number of DALYs, 62% were due to disability premature deaths (YLD) and 38% were due to premature deaths (YLL); 58% were due to noncommunicable diseases, 28% – to injuries, and 14% – to communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritional conditions. Fifty-three percent of the total number of 14.349 million DALYs in Iran were in males, with 36.5% of the total due to intentional and unintentional injuries, 15% due to mental and behavioral disorders, and 10% due to circulatory system diseases; and 47% of DALYs were in females, with 18% of the total due to mental and behavioral disorders, 18% due to intentional and unintentional injuries, and 12% due to circulatory system diseases. The disease and injury causes leading to the highest number of DALYs in males were road traffic accidents (1.071 million), natural disasters (548 thousand), opioid use (510 thousand), and ischemic heart disease (434 thousand). The leading causes of DALYs in females were ischemic heart disease (438 thousand), major depressive disorder (420 thousand), natural disasters (419 thousand), and road traffic accidents (235 thousand). The burden of disease at the province level showed marked variability. DALY estimates by Iran's NBD study were higher than those for EMR-B by WHO.

Conclusion
The health and disease profile in Iran has made the transition from the dominance of communicable diseases to that of noncommunicable diseases and road traffic injuries. NBD results are to be used in health program planning, research, and resource allocation and generation policies and practices.
Early calcium increase triggers the formation of olfactory long-term memory in honeybees
Authors: Perisse Emmanuel , Raymond-Delpech Valérie , Néant Isabelle , Matsumoto Yukihisa , Leclerc Catherine , Moreau Marc , Sandoz Jean-Christophe 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackgroundSynaptic plasticity associated with an important wave of gene transcription and protein synthesis underlies long-term memory processes. Calcium (Ca2+) plays an important role in a variety of neuronal functions and indirect evidence suggests that it may be involved in synaptic plasticity and in the regulation of gene expression correlated to long-term memory formation. The aim of this study was to determine whether Ca2+is necessary and sufficient for inducing long-term memory formation. A suitable model to address this question is the Pavlovian appetitive conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex in the honeybeeApis mellifera,in which animals learn to associate an odor with a sucrose reward.ResultsBy modulating the intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the brain, we show that: (i) blocking [Ca2+]i increase during multiple-trial conditioning selectively impairs long-term memory performance; (ii) conversely, increasing [Ca2+]i during single-trial conditioning triggers long-term memory formation; and finally, (iii) as was the case for long-term memory produced by multiple-trial conditioning, enhancement of long-term memory performance induced by a [Ca2+]i increase depends onde novoprotein synthesis.ConclusionAltogether our data suggest that during olfactory conditioning Ca2+is both a necessary and a sufficient signal for the formation of protein-dependent long-term memory. Ca2+therefore appears to act as a switch between short- and long-term storage of learned information.
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): reliability and validity of the Greek version
Authors: Moussas George , Dadouti Georgia , Douzenis Athanassios , Poulis Evangelos , Tselebis Athanasios , Bratis Dionisios , Christodoulou Christos , Lykouras Lefteris 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Problems associated with alcohol abuse are recognised by the World Health Organization as a major health issue, which according to most recent estimations is responsible for 1.4% of the total world burden of morbidity and has been proven to increase mortality risk by 50%. Because of the size and severity of the problem, early detection is very important. This requires easy to use and specific tools. One of these is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

Aim
This study aims to standardise the questionnaire in a Greek population.

Methods
AUDIT was translated and back-translated from its original language by two English-speaking psychiatrists. The tool contains 10 questions. A score ≥ 11 is an indication of serious abuse/dependence. In the study, 218 subjects took part: 128 were males and 90 females. The average age was 40.71 years (± 11.34). From the 218 individuals, 109 (75 male, 34 female) fulfilled the criteria for alcohol dependence according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), and presented requesting admission; 109 subjects (53 male, 56 female) were healthy controls.

Results
Internal reliability (Cronbach α) was 0.80 for the controls and 0.80 for the alcohol-dependent individuals. Controls had significantly lower average scores (t test P < 0.001) when compared to the alcoholics. The questionnaire's sensitivity for scores >8 was 0.98 and its specificity was 0.94 for the same score. For the alcohol-dependent sample 3% scored as false negatives and from the control group 1.8% scored false positives. In the alcohol-dependent sample there was no difference between males and females in their average scores (t test P > 0.05).

Conclusion
The Greek version of AUDIT has increased internal reliability and validity. It detects 97% of the alcohol-dependent individuals and has a high sensitivity and specificity. AUDIT is easy to use, quick and reliable and can be very useful in detection alcohol problems in sensitive populations.
Breastfeeding in China: a review
Authors: Xu Fenglian , Qiu Liqian , Binns Colin W , Liu Xiaoxian 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
This review aims to describe changes in breastfeeding and summarise the breastfeeding rates, duration and reasons of discontinuing 'any breastfeeding' or 'exclusive breastfeeding' in P.R. China. Breastfeeding rates in China fell during the 1970s when the use of breast milk substitutes became widespread, and reached the lowest point in the 1980s. As a result many efforts were introduced to promote breastfeeding. The breastfeeding rate in China started to increase in the 1990s, and since the mid-1990s 'any breastfeeding' rates in the majority of cities and provinces, including minority areas, have been above 80% at four months. But most cities and provinces did not reach the national target of 'exclusive breastfeeding' of 80%. The 'exclusive breastfeeding' rates in minority areas were relatively lower than comparable inland provinces. The mean duration of 'any breastfeeding' in the majority of cities or provinces was between seven and nine months. The common reasons for ceasing breastfeeding, or introducing water or other infant food before four months, were perceived breast milk insufficiency, mother going to work, maternal and child illness and breast problems. Incorrect traditional perceptions have a strong adverse influence on 'exclusive breastfeeding' in less developed areas or rural areas. China is a huge country, geographically and in population size, and there is considerable ethnic diversity. Therefore breastfeeding rates in different parts of China can vary considerably.
The Symbiosis Interactome: a computational approach reveals novel components, functional interactions and modules in Sinorhizobium meliloti
Authors: Rodriguez-Llorente Ignacio , Caviedes Miguel A , Dary Mohammed , Palomares Antonio J , Cánovas Francisco M , Peregrín-Alvarez José M 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background

Rhizobium-Legume symbiosis is an attractive biological process that has been studied for decades because of its importance in agriculture. However, this system has undergone extensive study and although many of the major factors underpinning the process have been discovered using traditional methods, much remains to be discovered.

Results
Here we present an analysis of the 'Symbiosis Interactome' using novel computational methods in order to address the complex dynamic interactions between proteins involved in the symbiosis of the model bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti with its plant hosts. Our study constitutes the first large-scale analysis attempting to reconstruct this complex biological process, and to identify novel proteins involved in establishing symbiosis. We identified 263 novel proteins potentially associated with the Symbiosis Interactome. The topology of the Symbiosis Interactome was used to guide experimental techniques attempting to validate novel proteins involved in different stages of symbiosis. The contribution of a set of novel proteins was tested analyzing the symbiotic properties of several S. meliloti mutants. We found mutants with altered symbiotic phenotypes suggesting novel proteins that provide key complementary roles for symbiosis.

Conclusion
Our 'systems-based model' represents a novel framework for studying host-microbe interactions, provides a theoretical basis for further experimental validations, and can also be applied to the study of other complex processes such as diseases.
Down-regulated miR-9 and miR-433 in human gastric carcinoma
Authors: Luo Hongchun , Zhang Hongbin , Zhang Zhenzhen , Zhang Xia , Ning Bo , Guo Jinjun , Nie Na , Liu Bo , Wu Xiaoling 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
MircoRNAs(miRNAs) are short, endogenously non-coding RNAs. The abnormal expression of miRNAs may be valuable for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Methods
To screening the special miRNAs in gastric carcinoma, expression level of miRNAs in gastric carcinoma and normal gaster samples were detected by miRNA gene chip. Then, the expressions of miR-9 and miR-433 in gastric carcinoma tissue and SGC7901 cell line were validated by qRT-PCR. GRB2 and RAB34, targets of miR-433 and miR-9 respectively, were detected by Western blot.

Results
We found 19 miRNAs and 7 miRNAs were down-regulated and up-regulated respectively. Compared with normal gaster samples, our data showed that miR-9 and miR-433 were down-regulated in gastric carcinoma. Meanwhile, we also found that miR-433 and miR-9 regulated the expression levels of GRB2 and RAB34 respectively.

Conclusion
Our data show miR-9 and miR-433 was down-regulated in gastric carcinoma. The targets of miR-433 and miR-9 were tumor-associated proteins GRB2 and RAB34 respectively. This result provided the related information of miRNAs in gastric carcinoma.
Contoured, prefabricated foot orthoses demonstrate comparable mechanical properties to contoured, customised foot orthoses: a plantar pressure study
Authors: Redmond Anthony C , Landorf Karl B , Keenan Anne‐Maree 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackgroundFoot orthoses have been demonstrated to be effective in the management of a range of conditions, but there is debate as to the benefits of customised foot orthoses over less expensive, prefabricated devices.MethodsIn a randomised, cross‐over trial, 15 flat‐footed participants aged between 18 and 45 years were provided with semi‐rigid, customised orthoses and semi‐rigid, contoured, prefabricated orthoses. Pressures and forces were measured using an in‐shoe system with subjects wearing shoes alone, wearing customised orthoses, and again when wearing contoured prefabricated orthoses. Two weeks acclimatisation was included between cross‐over of therapy. Repeated measures ANOVA models with post‐hoc, pair‐wise comparisons were used to test for differences.ResultsWhen compared to wearing shoes alone, wearing either the customised orthoses or the prefabricated orthoses was associated with increases in force and force time integrals in the midfoot region. Peak and maximum mean pressure and pressure‐time, and force‐time integrals were reduced in both the medial and lateral forefoot. There were, however, no significant differences between the customised orthoses and the prefabricated orthoses at any site.ConclusionThere was a similar change in loading with both the semi‐rigid customised and the semi‐rigid prefabricated orthoses when compared to the shoe alone condition. However, while customised devices offered minor differences over prefabricated orthoses in some variables, these were not statistically significant. The results suggest that there may be only minor differences in the effects on plantar pressures between the customised and the less expensive prefabricated orthoses tested in this study, however further research is warranted.
A novel and universal method for microRNA RT-qPCR data normalization
Authors: Mestdagh Pieter , Van Vlierberghe Pieter , De Weer An , Muth Daniel , Westermann Frank , Speleman Frank , Vandesompele Jo 
Published: June 2009

AbstractGene expression analysis of microRNA molecules is becoming increasingly important. In this study we assess the use of the mean expression value of all expressed microRNAs in a given sample as a normalization factor for microRNA real-time quantitative PCR data and compare its performance to the currently adopted approach. We demonstrate that the mean expression value outperforms the current normalization strategy in terms of better reduction of technical variation and more accurate appreciation of biological changes.
Personal development planning: First-year Master of Pharmacy students' engagement with, and attitudes towards, reflective self-assessment
Authors: Dyke Janet E , Gidman Wendy K , Wilson Sarah E , Becket Gordon 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Objectives
The aims of this study were to determine whether first-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) students would engage with an activity similar to pharmacists' continuing professional development, and to explore attitudes surrounding this task.

Methods
A paper version of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's electronic template for recording continuing professional development was developed. Students were asked to use this paper version to record the planning, action and evaluation carried out while completing a written assignment. The records were assessed to determine any reflective self-assessment contained in the evaluation section, and whether this reflection related to the specified learning outcome and the planning and action stages. Six focus groups were run, during which the students discussed their reaction to completing these records. The study was carried out during the first semester with first-year undergraduate MPharm students in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK.

Key findings
It was found that few students appeared to engage fully with the whole recording process. During focus-group sessions competence to self-assess was raised as an issue by students, and the value of the reflective process was questioned. Some students did recognize the value of undertaking and recording reflective self-assessment.

Conclusions
It appears that undergraduate students need a more gradual introduction to the process of reflective self-assessment. We suggest that the findings are linked to students' previous education experience and conclude there is a need for students to be encouraged to take ownership of their undergraduate learning, to gain confidence in self-assessment and to increase the value they place on reflection.
A systematic review of interventions to improve recall of medical advice in healthcare consultations
Authors: Watson Philip Wb , Mckinstry Brian 
Published: June 2009

Background In order for patients to adhere to healthcare advice, it is essential that they are able to recall this following a consultation. Although psychological research exists which highlights techniques and factors postulated to influence recall, only a limited body of work has been conducted to evaluate their effectiveness in a clinical context. Aim To carry out a systematic review of intervention trials designed to enhance recall of medical information. Methods We searched Medline (1950-April 2007); Embase (1980-April 2007); Cinahl (1982-April 2007); PsychINFO (1969-2007); and the Cochrane Library Collection. Secondary searches were made through reference to relevant journals and reference lists from relevant papers/review papers. Results From 69 papers provisionally identified, 34 papers met the inclusion criteria. Nine recall interventions had been evaluated (audio recordings, written materials, adjunct questions, prompt sheets, visual aids, cognitive strategies, rehearsal, communication styles and personalized teaching). Despite the experimental and theoretical evidence which could have informed cognitive interventions to enhance recall of healthcare advice, most studies primarily focused on the use of written and/or audio-recorded medical instructions. Although the majority of studies supported these approaches insofar as they enhanced recall, the findings were equivocal. Conclusion While written and tape-recorded instructions appear to improve recall in most situations, a dearth of interventions incorporating psychological theory was readily apparent. Further research is required in clinical settings to determine if cognitive interventions based on a more over-arching psychological model of recall are effective.
Entwicklung nanomechanischer Messverfahren auf der Grundlage von MEMSDevelopment of Nanomechanical Measurement Methods on the Basis of MEMS
Authors: Li Zhi , Gao Sai , Herrmann Konrad , Wolff Helmut 
Published: June 2009

Zusammenfassung
In jüngster Zeit haben mikroelektromechanische Systeme (MEMS) immer mehr Anwendungen in der Messtechnik in Form von Sensoren und Aktoren gefunden. Hier wird über die Entwicklung und Erprobung nanomechanischer Messverfahren und Messsysteme auf der Grundlage von MEMS berichtet. Im Mittelpunkt stehen ein Nanokraftaktor, ein Nanoindentor, ein System für den Nanozugversuch und ein Rastersondenmikroskop, die alle in Form von MEMS ausgeführt sind. In dem Artikel werden das Prinzip dieser Messsysteme, das Design, die Herstellung und die Montage der MEMS sowie erste Ergebnisse der Erprobung und erreichte Leistungsparameter beschrieben.
Molecular Genetic Analysis of Suppressor 2 of zeste Identifies Key Functional Domains
Authors: Emmons Richard B , Genetti Heather , Filandrinos Stephen , Lokere Jillian , Wu Chao-ting 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The Su(z)2 complex contains Posterior sex combs (Psc) and Suppressor 2 of zeste [Su(z)2], two paralogous genes that likely arose by gene duplication. Psc encodes a Polycomb group protein that functions as a central component of the PRC1 complex, which maintains transcriptional repression of a wide array of genes. Although much is known about Psc, very little is known about Su(z)2, the analysis of which has been hampered by a dearth of alleles. We have generated new alleles of Su(z)2 and analyzed them at the genetic and molecular levels. Some of these alleles display negative complementation in that they cause lethality when heterozygous with the gain-of-function Su(z)21 allele but are hemizygous and, in some cases, homozygous viable. Interestingly, alleles of this class identify protein domains within Su(z)2 that are highly conserved in Psc and the mammalian Bmi-1 and Mel-18 proteins. We also find several domains of intrinsic disorder in the C-terminal regions of both Psc and Su(z)2 and suggest that these domains may contribute to the essential functions of both proteins.
Age Structure, Changing Demography and Effective Population Size in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Palstra Friso P , O'Connell Michael F , Ruzzante Daniel E 
Published: June 2009

AbstractEffective population size (Ne) is a central evolutionary concept, but its genetic estimation can be significantly complicated by age structure. Here we investigate Ne in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations that have undergone changes in demography and population dynamics, applying four different genetic estimators. For this purpose we use genetic data (14 microsatellite markers) from archived scale samples collected between 1951 and 2004. Through life table simulations we assess the genetic consequences of life history variation on Ne. Although variation in reproductive contribution by mature parr affects age structure, we find that its effect on Ne estimation may be relatively minor. A comparison of estimator models suggests that even low iteroparity may upwardly bias Ne estimates when ignored (semelparity assumed) and should thus empirically be accounted for. Our results indicate that Ne may have changed over time in relatively small populations, but otherwise remained stable. Our ability to detect changes in Ne in larger populations was, however, likely hindered by sampling limitations. An evaluation of Ne estimates in a demographic context suggests that life history diversity, density-dependent factors, and metapopulation dynamics may all affect the genetic stability of these populations.
High-Throughput Multiplex Sequencing to Discover Copy Number Variants in Drosophila
Authors: Daines Bryce , Wang Hui , Li Yumei , Han Yi , Gibbs Richard , Chen Rui 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCopy number variation (CNV) contributes in phenotypically relevant ways to the genetic variability of many organisms. Cost-effective genomewide methods for identifying copy number variation are necessary to elucidate the contribution that these structural variants make to the genomes of model organisms. We have developed a novel approach for the identification of copy number variation by next generation sequencing. As a proof of concept our method has been applied to map the deletions of three Drosophila deficiency strains. We demonstrate that low sequence coverage is sufficient for identifying and mapping large deletions at kilobase resolution, suggesting that data generated from high-throughput sequencing experiments are sufficient for simultaneously analyzing many strains. Genomic DNA from two Drosophila deficiency stocks was barcoded and sequenced in multiplex, and the breakpoints associated with each deletion were successfully identified. The approach we describe is immediately applicable to the systematic exploration of copy number variation in model organisms and humans.