bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Choice of rating method for assessing occupational asbestos exposure: Study for compensation purposes in France
Authors: Gramond Celine , Rolland Patrick , Lacourt Aude , Ducamp Stephane , Chamming's Soizick , Creau Yvon , Hery Michel , Laureillard Jacques , Mohammed‐Brahim Brahim , Orlowski Ewa , Paris Christophe , Pairon Jean‐Claude , Goldberg Marcel , Brochard Patrick ,   for the PNSM Study Group
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundIn the course of setting up the National Mesothelioma Surveillance Program (PNSM), established in France in 1998, the question arose as to the most suitable method of assessing occupational exposure. The aim of this study was to define the most suitable rating method for assessing occupational asbestos exposure in order to assess medico‐social care.MethodThe study included 100 subjects—50 cases of mesothelioma and 50 controls—randomly selected and representing 457 jobs held. Job asbestos exposure was assessed by a six‐expert panel using two methods: “by job” rating, where all the jobs in were assessed regardless of the subjects; and “by subject” rating, where all the jobs of a subject were assessed at the same time. Consensus was obtained and subjects' exposure was calculated for each rating. Then, two internal experts assessed job asbestos exposure with the “by subject” rating. Kappa coefficients were used to measure agreement between the ratings.ResultsAgreement between “by job” and “by subject” ratings was very good for subject probability of exposure (kappa = 0.84) and cumulative exposure index (kappa = 0.80). Agreement between the six‐expert panel and the two internal experts was good for subject exposure (kappa for probability = 0.71; kappa for cumulative exposure index= 0.68).ConclusionThis study shows that the two rating systems have good or very good agreement. These results validate the routine use in the PNSM of the “by subject” rating, with the advantage of being convenient and quick to provide feedback on occupational asbestos exposure to mesothelioma cases for compensation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:440–449, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of antinuclear antibodies in the United States
Authors: Satoh Minoru , Chan Edward K. L. , Ho Lindsey A. , Rose Kathryn M. , Parks Christine G. , Cohn Richard D. , Jusko Todd A. , Walker Nigel J. , Germolec Dori R. , Whitt Irene Z. , Crockett Patrick W. , Pauley Brad A. , Chan Jason Y. F. , Ross Steven J. , Birnbaum Linda S. , Zeldin Darryl C. , Miller Frederick W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence, types, and sociodemographic and biobehavioral correlates of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in the US.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of 4,754 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004. ANAs were assessed by indirect immunofluorescence. In ANA‐positive individuals, cellular staining patterns were determined, and specific autoantibody reactivities were assessed by immunoprecipitation.ResultsThe ANA prevalence in the US population of individuals ages 12 years and older was 13.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 12.2–15.5%). ANA prevalence increased with age (P = 0.01), and ANAs were more prevalent among females than males (17.8% versus 9.6%; P < 0.001), with the female‐to‐male ratio peaking at 40–49 years of age. ANA prevalence was modestly higher in African Americans compared with whites (age‐adjusted prevalence odds ratio [POR] 1.30, 95% CI 1.00–1.70). Remarkably, ANAs were less common in overweight and obese individuals (age‐adjusted POR 0.74) than in persons of normal weight. No significant associations of ANA with education, family income, alcohol use, smoking history, serum levels of cotinine, or C‐reactive protein were observed. In ANA‐positive individuals, nuclear patterns were seen in 84.6%, cytoplasmic patterns were seen in 21.8%, and nucleolar patterns were seen in 6.1%; the most common specific autoantibodies were anti‐Ro (3.9%) and anti‐Su (2.4%).ConclusionThese findings suggest that more than 32 million persons in the US have ANAs, and that the prevalence is higher among females, older individuals, African Americans, and those with a normal body weight. These data will serve as a useful baseline for future investigations of predictors and changes in ANA prevalence over time.
Functionalization and Dispersion of Hexagonal Boron Nitride (h‐BN) Nanosheets Treated with Inorganic Reagents
Authors: Nazarov Albert S. , Demin Viktor N. , Grayfer Ekaterina D. , Bulavchenko Alexander I. , Arymbaeva Aida T. , Shin Hyeon‐Jin , Choi Jae‐Young , Fedorov Vladimir E. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA mixture of bulk hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) with hydrazine, 30 % H2O2, HNO3/H2SO4, or oleum was heated in an autoclave at 100 °C to produce functionalized h‐BN. The product formed stable colloid solutions in water (0.26–0.32 g L−1) and N,N‐dimethylformamide (0.34–0.52 g L−1) upon mild ultrasonication. The yield of “soluble” h‐BN reached about 70 wt %. The dispersions contained few‐layered h‐BN nanosheets with lateral dimensions in the order of several hundred nanometers. The functionalized dispersible h‐BN was characterized by IR spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is shown that h‐BN preserves its hexagonal structure throughout the functionalization procedure. Its exfoliation into thin platelets upon contact with solvents is probably owing to the attachment of hydrophilic functionalities.
Randomized clinical trial of omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented enteral nutrition versus standard enteral nutrition in patients undergoing oesophagogastric cancer surgery
Authors: Sultan J , Griffin S M , Di Franco F , Kirby J A , Shenton B K , Seal C J , Davis P , Viswanath Y K S , Preston S R , Hayes N 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Oesophagogastric cancer surgery is immunosuppressive. This may be modulated by omega-3 fatty acids (O-3FAs). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of perioperative O-3FAs on clinical outcome and immune function after oesophagogastric cancer surgery.

Methods
Patients undergoing subtotal oesophagectomy and total gastrectomy were recruited and allocated randomly to an O-3FA enteral immunoenhancing diet (IED) or standard enteral nutrition (SEN) for 7 days before and after surgery, or to postoperative supplementation alone (control group). Clinical outcome, fatty acid concentrations, and HLA-DR expression on monocytes and activated T lymphocytes were determined before and after operation.

Results
Of 221 patients recruited, 26 were excluded. Groups (IED, 66; SEN, 63; control, 66) were matched for age, malnutrition and co-morbidity. There were no differences in morbidity (P = 0·646), mortality (P = 1·000) or hospital stay (P = 0·701) between the groups. O-3FA concentrations were higher in the IED group after supplementation (P &lt; 0·001). The ratio of omega-6 fatty acid to O-3FA was 1·9:1, 4·1:1 and 4·8:1 on the day before surgery in the IED, SEN and control groups (P &lt; 0·001). There were no differences between the groups in HLA-DR expression in either monocytes (P = 0·538) or activated T lymphocytes (P = 0·204).

Conclusion
Despite a significant increase in plasma concentrations of O-3FA, immunonutrition with O-3FA did not affect overall HLA-DR expression on leucocytes or clinical outcome following oesophagogastric cancer surgery. Registration number: ISRCTN43730758 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).
Comprehensive national analysis of emergency and essential surgical capacity in Rwanda
Authors: Petroze R T , Nzayisenga A , Rusanganwa V , Ntakiyiruta G , Calland J F 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Disparities in the global availability of operating theatres, essential surgical equipment and surgically trained providers are profound. Although efforts are ongoing to increase surgical care and training, little is known about the surgical capacity in developing countries. The aim of this study was to create a baseline for surgical development planning at a national level.

Methods
A locally adapted World Health Organization survey was conducted in November 2010 to assess emergency and essential surgical capacity and volumes, with on-site interviews at 44 district and referral hospitals in Rwanda. Results were compiled for education and capacity development discussions with the Rwandan Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Surgical Society.

Results
Among 10·1 million people, there were 44 hospitals and 124 operating rooms (1·2 operating rooms per 100 000 persons). There was a total of 50 surgeons practising full- or part-time in Rwanda (0·49 total surgeons per 100 000 persons). The majority of consultant surgeons worked in the capital (covering 10 per cent of the population). Anaesthesia was performed primarily by anaesthesia technicians, and six of 44 hospitals had no trained anaesthesia provider. Continuous availability of electricity, running water and generators was lacking in eight hospitals, and 19 reported an absence or shortage in the availability of pulse oximetry. Equipment for life-saving surgical airway procedures, particularly in children, was lacking. A dedicated emergency area was available in only 19 hospitals. In 2009 and 2010 over 80 000 surgical procedures (major and minor) were recorded annually in Rwanda.

Conclusion
A comprehensive countrywide assessment of surgical capacity in resource-limited settings found severe shortages in available resources. Immediate local feedback is a useful tool for creating a baseline of surgical capacity to inform country-specific surgical development.
Tri‐ and Pentacalix[4]pyrroles: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Use in the Extraction of Halide Salts
Authors: Aydogan Abdullah , Akar Ahmet 
Published: January 2012

AbstractCalixpyrrole‐based oligomeric compounds were synthesized by “click chemistry” from the corresponding alkyne‐ and azide‐functionalized calix[4]pyrroles. Calix[4]pyrrole 3, possessing an alkyne functional group, was prepared through a mixed condensation of pyrrole with acetone and but‐3‐ynyl 4‐oxopentanoate. Another alkyne‐group‐containing calix[4]pyrrole 5 was obtained by treatment of 4′‐hydroxyphenyl‐functionalized calixpyrrole 4 with propargyl bromide. Tetrakis(azidopentyl)‐functionalized calix[4]pyrrole 7 was synthesized by reacting NaN3 with tetrabromopentyltetraethylcalix[4]pyrrole 6, which was prepared through a condensation reaction of pyrrole and 7‐bromohept‐2‐one. Oligomeric calixpyrrole compounds were found to be capable of extracting tetrabutylammonium chloride and fluoride salts from aqueous media. Extraction abilities of the oligomeric compounds were monitored by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.
Synthesis of Amphiphilic Azo‐Anion‐Radical Complexes of Chromium(III) and the Development of Ultrathin Redox‐Active Surfaces by the Langmuir–Schaefer Technique
Authors: Joy Sucheta , Pal Prabir , Mondal Tapan Kumar , Talapatra G. B. , Goswami Sreebrata 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNeutral tris‐chelated chromium complex [Cr(La)3] (1 a), and its surfactant derivatives [Cr(Lb)3] (1 b), [Cr(Lc)3] (1 c), and [Cr(Ld)3] (1 d) (where La=2‐(4′‐methoxyphenylazo)pyridine, Lb=2‐(4′‐butyloxyphenylazo)pyridine, Lc=2‐(4′‐octyloxyphenylazo)pyridine, and Ld=2‐(4′‐dodecyloxyphenylazo)pyridine) were synthesized. The molecular structure of compound 1 a, determined by X‐ray diffraction, showed that the local geometry around the metal center is a distorted octahedral with meridional coordination of the ligands. The structural parameters, spectroscopic data, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations on representative complex 1 a suggest that ligand La is predominantly an azo‐anion‐radical‐type, and so the complex can be represented as [CrIII(La.−)3]. An assessment of their physicochemical and surface properties was performed with the aim of using these triple‐tailed metallosurfactants as precursors for redox‐responsive films. The surface‐pressure–molecular‐area isotherm measurement for compound 1 d shows that the complex forms a stable Langmuir film at the air/water interface. The monolayer and multilayers were successfully transferred onto the quartz substrate and the platinum working electrode at a surface pressure of 10 mN m−1 by the Langmuir–Schaefer (LS) technique. The LS films were studied by UV/Vis spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. A good linear relationship between the absorbance at 370 nm and the thickness of the layers against the number of deposited layers indicated the uniformity and reproducibility of this transfer process. Voltammograms for platinum‐surface‐bound LS film of compound 1 d showed that the redox response owing to the first oxidation is stable and reproducible after many cycles (>300 cycles). Spectroscopic studies and electrochemical measurements of compound 1 d on the LS films revealed that these complexes are potential candidates for molecular devices.
Different classes of input and output neurons reveal new features in microglomeruli of the adult Drosophila mushroom body calyx
Authors: Butcher Nancy J. , Friedrich Anja B. , Lu Zhiyuan , Tanimoto Hiromu , Meinertzhagen Ian A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTo investigate how sensory information is processed, transformed, and stored within an olfactory system, we examined the anatomy of the input region, the calyx, of the mushroom bodies of Drosophila melanogaster. These paired structures are important for various behaviors, including olfactory learning and memory. Cells in the input neuropil, the calyx, are organized into an array of microglomeruli each comprising the large synaptic bouton of a projection neuron (PN) from the antennal lobe surrounded by tiny postsynaptic neurites from intrinsic Kenyon cells. Extrinsic neurons of the mushroom body also contribute to the organization of microglomeruli. We employed a combination of genetic reporters to identify single cells in the Drosophila calyx by light microscopy and compared these with cell shapes, synapses, and circuits derived from serial‐section electron microscopy. We identified three morphological types of PN boutons, unilobed, clustered, and elongated; defined three ultrastructural types, with clear‐ or dense‐core vesicles and those with a dark cytoplasm having both; reconstructed diverse dendritic specializations of Kenyon cells; and identified Kenyon cell presynaptic sites upon extrinsic neurons. We also report new features of calyx synaptic organization, in particular extensive serial synapses that link calycal extrinsic neurons into a local network, and the numerical proportions of synaptic contacts between calycal neurons. All PN bouton types had more ribbon than nonribbon synapses, dark boutons particularly so, and ribbon synapses were larger and with more postsynaptic elements (2–14) than nonribbon (1–10). The numbers of elements were in direct proportion to presynaptic membrane area. Extrinsic neurons exclusively had ribbon synapses. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2185–2201, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synaptic plasticity in the medial superior olive of hearing, deaf, and cochlear‐implanted cats
Authors: Tirko Natasha N. , Ryugo David K. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe medial superior olive (MSO) is a key auditory brainstem structure that receives binaural inputs and is implicated in processing interaural time disparities used for sound localization. The deaf white cat, a proven model of congenital deafness, was used to examine how deafness and cochlear implantation affected the synaptic organization at this binaural center in the ascending auditory pathway. The patterns of axosomatic and axodendritic organization were determined for principal neurons from the MSO of hearing, deaf, and deaf cats with cochlear implants. The nature of the synapses was evaluated through electron microscopy, ultrastructure analysis of the synaptic vesicles, and immunohistochemistry. The results show that the proportion of inhibitory axosomatic terminals was significantly smaller in deaf animals when compared with hearing animals. However, after a period of electrical stimulation via cochlear implants the proportion of inhibitory inputs resembled that of hearing animals. Additionally, the excitatory axodendritic boutons of hearing cats were found to be significantly larger than those of deaf cats. Boutons of stimulated cats were significantly larger than the boutons in deaf cats, although not as large as in the hearing cats, indicating a partial recovery of excitatory inputs to MSO dendrites after stimulation. These results exemplify dynamic plasticity in the auditory brainstem and reveal that electrical stimulation through cochlear implants has a restorative effect on synaptic organization in the MSO. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2202–2217, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efferent projections of C3 adrenergic neurons in the rat central nervous system
Authors: Sevigny Charles P. , Bassi Jaspreet , Williams David A. , Anderson Colin R. , Thomas Walter G. , Allen Andrew M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractC3 neurons constitute one of three known adrenergic nuclei in the rat central nervous system (CNS). While the adrenergic C1 cell group has been extensively characterized both physiologically and anatomically, the C3 nucleus has remained relatively obscure. This study employed a lentiviral tracing technique that expresses green fluorescent protein behind a promoter selective to noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons. Microinjection of this virus into the C3 nucleus enabled the selective tracing of C3 efferents throughout the rat CNS, thus revealing the anatomical framework of C3 projections. C3 terminal fields were observed in over 40 different CNS nuclei, spanning all levels of the spinal cord, as well as various medullary, mesencephalic, hypothalamic, thalamic, and telencephalic nuclei. The highest densities of C3 axon varicosities were observed in Lamina X and the intermediolateral cell column of the thoracic spinal cord, as well as the dorsomedial medulla (both commissural and medial nuclei of the solitary tract, area postrema, and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus), ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, dorsal parabrachial nucleus, periventricular and rhomboid nuclei of the thalamus, and paraventricular and periventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. In addition, moderate and sparse projections were observed in many catecholaminergic and serotonergic nuclei, as well as the area anterior and ventral to the third ventricle, Lamina X of the cervical, lumbar, and sacral spinal cord, and various hypothalamic and telencephalic nuclei. The anatomical map of C3 projections detailed in this survey hopes to lay the first steps toward developing a functional framework for this nucleus. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2352–2368, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Lack of early pattern stimulation prevents normal development of the alpha (Y) retinal ganglion cell population in the cat
Authors: Burnat Kalina , Van Der Gucht Estelle , Waleszczyk Wioletta J. , Kossut Malgorzata , Arckens Lutgarde 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBinocular deprivation of pattern vision (BD) early in life permanently impairs global motion perception. With the SMI‐32 antibody against neurofilament protein (NFP) as a marker of the motion‐sensitive Y‐cell pathway (Van der Gucht et al. [2001] Cereb. Cortex 17:2805–2819), we analyzed the impact of early BD on the retinal circuitry in adult, perceptually characterized cats (Burnat et al. [2005] Neuroreport 16:751–754). In controls, large retinal ganglion cells exhibited a strong NFP signal in the soma and in the proximal parts of the dendritic arbors. The NFP‐immunoreactive dendrites typically branched into sublamina a of the inner plexiform layer (IPL), i.e., the OFF inner plexiform sublamina. In the retina of adult BD cats, however, most of the NFP‐immunoreactive ganglion cell dendrites branched throughout the entire IPL. The NFP‐immunoreactive cell bodies were less regularly distributed, often appeared in pairs, and had a significantly larger diameter compared with NFP‐expressing cells in control retinas. These remarkable differences in the immunoreactivity pattern were typically observed in temporal retina. In conclusion, we show that the anatomical organization typical of premature Y‐type retinal ganglion cells persists into adulthood even if normal visual experience follows for years upon an initial 6‐month period of BD. Binocular pattern deprivation possibly induces a lifelong OFF functional domination, normally apparent only during development, putting early high‐quality vision forward as a premise for proper ON–OFF pathway segregation. These new observations for pattern‐deprived animals provide an anatomical basis for the well‐described motion perception deficits in congenital cataract patients. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2414–2429, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Metabolic syndrome, physical activity and cardiac autonomic function
Authors: Soares‐Miranda Luisa , Sandercock Gavin , Vale Susana , Santos Rute , Abreu Sandra , Moreira Carla , Mota Jorge 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundOur primary aim was to investigate the associations that components of metabolic syndrome and physical activity have with cardiac autonomic nervous system activity as estimated by heart rate variability (HRV) in young adults free of metabolic abnormalities. We also aimed to identify predictors of 3‐year changes in HRV.MethodsPhysical activity was assessed annually in 163 healthy participants over 3 years (2008–2010). Components of metabolic syndrome measured annually were; waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, high‐density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose, and C‐reactive protein. A linear mixed regression model was used to assess associations between HRV, metabolic syndrome components and physical activity. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of changes in HRV.Results Metabolic syndrome components were negatively associated with HRV indices and higher heart rate, while physical activity was associated with higher HRV and lower heart rate. Physical activity and inflammation were predictors of positive and negative changes in HRV indices, respectively.Conclusions In participants without significant metabolic abnormalities, metabolic syndrome components were still associated with less favourable HRV profiles. Physical activity and inflammation were both able to predict changes in HRV, albeit in different directions. It appears that the process of autonomic dysfunction starts at a young age and may be mediated in part by inflammation. Metabolic syndrome prevalence is increasing in younger populations; promoting the metabolic and autonomic benefits of exercise remains imperative. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.