bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurodevelopmental toxicity of prenatal polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by chemical structure and activity: a birth cohort study
Authors: Park Hye-Youn , Hertz-Picciotto Irva , Sovcikova Eva , Kocan Anton , Drobna Beata , Trnovec Tomas 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental toxins. Although there is growing evidence to support an association between PCBs and deficits of neurodevelopment, the specific mechanisms are not well understood. The potentially different roles of specific PCB groups defined by chemical structures or hormonal activities e.g., dioxin-like, non-dioxin like, or anti-estrogenic PCBs, remain unclear. Our objective was to examine the association between prenatal exposure to defined subsets of PCBs and neurodevelopment in a cohort of infants in eastern Slovakia enrolled at birth in 2002-2004.MethodsMaternal and cord serum samples were collected at delivery, and analyzed for PCBs using high-resolution gas chromatography. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development -II (BSID) were administered at 16 months of age to over 750 children who also had prenatal PCB measurements.ResultsBased on final multivariate-adjusted linear regression model, maternal mono-ortho-substituted PCBs were significantly associated with lower scores on both the psychomotor (PDI) and mental development indices (MDI). Also a significant association between cord mono-ortho-substituted PCBs and reduced PDI was observed, but the association with MDI was marginal (p= 0.05). Anti-estrogenic and di-ortho-substituted PCBs did not show any statistically significant association with cognitive scores, but a suggestive association between di-ortho-substituted PCBs measured in cord serum and poorer PDI was observed.ConclusionChildren with higher prenatal mono-ortho-substituted PCB exposures performed more poorly on the Bayley Scales. Evidence from this and other studies suggests that prenatal dioxin-like PCB exposure, including mono-ortho congeners, may interfere with brain developmentin utero. Non-dioxin-like di-ortho-substituted PCBs require further investigation.
The increase of plasma galectin-9 in a patient with insulin allergy: a case report
Authors: Chagan-Yasutan Haorile , Shiratori Beata , Siddiqi Umme Ruman , Saitoh Hiroki , Ashino Yugo , Arikawa Tomohiro , Hirashima Mitsuomi , Hattori Toshio 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAllergic reaction to insulin is known to be associated with eosinophilia and hyper IgE. Recent report showed that eosinophilia is related with the increased synthesis of galectin-9 (GAL-9) and osteopontin (OPN). Here, we examined plasma levels of GAL-9 and OPN first time in a case of 65-year old patient with insulin allergy. Insulin aspart & insulin aspart 30 mix were given to the patient and an elevation of the eosinophil count (8440/μl, 17.6 fold) and a moderate increase of IgE (501 U/ml, reference range: 10-350 U/ml), eotaxin-3 (168 pg/ml, 2 fold), histamine (0.95 ng/ml, 5.3 fold) were found 33 days later. The plasma levels of GAL-9 and OPN were 22.5 and 1.7 fold higher than the cut-off point, respectively. After one month cessation of insulin therapy, elevations of the eosinophil count (3,480/μl; 7.3 fold), and OPN (1.4 fold) still occurred but the GAL-9 levels became normal. Therefore, we noted the increases of GAL-9 and OPN in plasma for the first time in a patient with insulin allergy and propose that GAL-9 reflects the conditions of allergy more accurately.
Laser ablation-based one-step generation and bio-functionalization of gold nanoparticles conjugated with aptamers
Authors: Walter Johanna G , Petersen Svea , Stahl Frank , Scheper Thomas , Barcikowski Stephan 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Bio-conjugated nanoparticles are important analytical tools with emerging biological and medical applications. In this context, in situ conjugation of nanoparticles with biomolecules via laser ablation in an aqueous media is a highly promising one-step method for the production of functional nanoparticles resulting in highly efficient conjugation. Increased yields are required, particularly considering the conjugation of cost-intensive biomolecules like RNA aptamers.

Results
Using a DNA aptamer directed against streptavidin, in situ conjugation results in nanoparticles with diameters of approximately 9 nm exhibiting a high aptamer surface density (98 aptamers per nanoparticle) and a maximal conjugation efficiency of 40.3%. We have demonstrated the functionality of the aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles using three independent analytical methods, including an agglomeration-based colorimetric assay, and solid-phase assays proving high aptamer activity. To demonstrate the general applicability of the in situ conjugation of gold nanoparticles with aptamers, we have transferred the method to an RNA aptamer directed against prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Successful detection of PSMA in human prostate cancer tissue was achieved utilizing tissue microarrays.

Conclusions
In comparison to the conventional generation of bio-conjugated gold nanoparticles using chemical synthesis and subsequent bio-functionalization, the laser-ablation-based in situ conjugation is a rapid, one-step production method. Due to high conjugation efficiency and productivity, in situ conjugation can be easily used for high throughput generation of gold nanoparticles conjugated with valuable biomolecules like aptamers.
Clinical and psychological correlates of health-related quality of life in obese patients
Authors: Mannucci Edoardo , Petroni Maria L , Villanova Nicola , Rotella Carlo M , Apolone Giovanni , Marchesini Giulio ,   the QUOVADIS Study Group
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is poor in obese subjects and is a relevant outcome in intervention studies. We aimed to determine factors associated with poor HRQL in obese patients seeking weight loss in medical units, outside specific research projects.

Methods
HRQL, together with a number of demographic and clinical parameters, was studied with generic (SF-36, PGWB) and disease-specific (ORWELL-97) questionnaires in an unselected sample of 1,886 (1,494 women; 392 men) obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) patients aged 20-65 years attending 25 medical units scattered throughout Italy. The clinics provide weight loss treatment using different programs. General psychopathology (SCL-90 questionnaire), the presence of binge eating (Binge Eating scale), previous weight cycling and somatic comorbidity (Charlson's index) were also determined. Scores on SF-36 and PGWB were compared with Italian population norms, and their association with putative determinants of HRQL after adjustment for confounders was assessed through logistic regression analysis.

Results
HRQL scores were significantly lower in women than in men. A greater impairment of quality of life was observed in relation to increasing BMI class, concurrent psychopathology, associated somatic diseases, binge eating, and weight cycling. In multivariate analysis, psychopathology (presence of previously-diagnosed mental disorders and/or elevated scores on SCL-90) was associated with lower HRQL scores on both psychosocial and somatic domains; somatic diseases and higher BMI, after adjustment for confounders, were associated with impairment of physical domains, while binge eating and weight cycling appeared to affect psychosocial domains only.

Conclusions
Psychopathological disturbances are the most relevant factors associated with poor HRQL in obese patients, affecting not only psychosocial, but also physical domains, largely independent of the severity of obesity. Psychological/psychiatric interventions are essential for a comprehensive treatment of obesity, and to improve treatment outcome and to reduce the burden of disease.
Adenoviruses with an αvβ integrin targeting moiety in the fiber shaft or the HI-loop increase tumor specificity without compromising antitumor efficacy in magnetic resonance imaging of colorectal cancer metastases
Authors: Lavilla-Alonso Sergio , Bauerschmitz Gerd , Abo-Ramadan Usama , Halavaara Juha , Escutenaire Sophie , Diaconu Iulia , Tatlisumak Turgut , Kanerva Anna , Hemminki Akseli , Pesonen Sari 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundColorectal cancer is often a deadly disease and cannot be cured at metastatic stage. Oncolytic adenoviruses have been considered as a new therapeutic option for treatment of refractory disseminated cancers, including colorectal cancer. The safety data has been excellent but tumor transduction and antitumor efficacy especially in systemic administration needs to be improved.MethodsHere, the utility of αvβ integrin targeting moiety Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) in the Lys-Lys-Thr-Lys (KKTK) domain of the fiber shaft or in the HI-loop of adenovirus serotype 5 for increased tumor targeting and antitumor efficacy was evaluated. To this end, novel spleen-to-liver metastatic colorectal cancer mouse model was used and the antitumor efficacy was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultsBoth modifications (RGD in the HI-loop or in the fiber shaft) increased gene transfer efficacy in colorectal cancer cell lines and improved tumor-to-normal ratio in systemic administration of the vector.ConclusionsAntitumor potency was not compromised with RGD modified viruses suggesting increased safety profile and tumor specificity.
Two cases of breast carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells: Are the osteoclastic giant cells pro-tumoural differentiation of macrophages?
Authors: Shishido-Hara Yukiko , Kurata Atsushi , Fujiwara Masachika , Itoh Hiroki , Imoto Shigeru , Kamma Hiroshi 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Breast carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells (OGCs) is characterized by multinucleated OGCs, and usually displays inflammatory hypervascular stroma. OGCs may derive from tumor-associated macrophages, but their nature remains controversial. We report two cases, in which OGCs appear in common microenvironment despite different tumoural histology. A 44-year-old woman (Case 1) had OGCs accompanying invasive ductal carcinoma, and an 83-year-old woman (Case 2) with carcinosarcoma. Immunohistochemically, in both cases, tumoural and non-tumoural cells strongly expressed VEGF and MMP12, which promote macrophage migration and angiogenesis. The Chalkley count on CD-31-stained sections revealed elevated angiogenesis in both cases. The OGCs expressed bone-osteoclast markers (MMP9, TRAP, cathepsin K) and a histiocyte marker (CD68), but not an MHC class II antigen, HLA-DR. The results indicate a pathogenesis: regardless of tumoural histology, OGCs derive from macrophages, likely in response to hypervascular microenvironments with secretion of common cytokines. The OGCs have acquired bone-osteoclast-like characteristics, but lost antigen presentation abilities as an anti-cancer defense. Appearance of OGCs may not be anti-tumoural immunological reactions, but rather pro-tumoural differentiation of macrophage responding to hypervascular microenvironments induced by breast cancer.
Process evaluation of a participatory ergonomics programme to prevent low back pain and neck pain among workers
Authors: Driessen Maurice T , Proper Karin I , Anema Johannes R , Bongers Paulien M , van der Beek Allard J 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Both low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) are major occupational health problems. In the workplace, participatory ergonomics (PE) is frequently used on musculoskeletal disorders. However, evidence on the effectiveness of PE to prevent LBP and NP obtained from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is scarce. This study evaluates the process of the Stay@Work participatory ergonomics programme, including the perceived implementation of the prioritised ergonomic measures.

Methods
This cluster-RCT was conducted at the departments of four Dutch companies (a railway transportation company, an airline company, a steel company, and a university including its university medical hospital). Directly after the randomisation outcome, intervention departments formed a working group that followed the steps of PE during a six-hour working group meeting. Guided by an ergonomist, working groups identified and prioritised risk factors for LBP and NP, and composed and prioritised ergonomic measures. Within three months after the meeting, working groups had to implement the prioritised ergonomic measures at their department. Data on various process components (recruitment, reach, fidelity, satisfaction, and implementation components, i.e., dose delivered and dose received) were collected and analysed on two levels: department (i.e., working group members from intervention departments) and participant (i.e., workers from intervention departments).

Results
A total of 19 intervention departments (n = 10 with mental workloads, n = 1 with a light physical workload, n = 4 departments with physical and mental workloads, and n = 4 with heavy physical workloads) were recruited for participation, and the reach among working group members who participated was high (87%). Fidelity and satisfaction towards the PE programme rated by the working group members was good (7.3 or higher). The same was found for the Stay@Work ergocoach training (7.5 or higher). In total, 66 ergonomic measures were prioritised by the working groups. Altogether, 34% of all prioritised ergonomic measures were perceived as implemented (dose delivered), while the workers at the intervention departments perceived 26% as implemented (dose received).

Conclusions
PE can be a successful method to develop and to prioritise ergonomic measures to prevent LBP and NP. Despite the positive rating of the PE programme the implementation of the prioritised ergonomic measures was lower than expected.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN27472278
Prospective evaluation of microscopic extension using whole-mount preparation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Definition of clinical target volume for radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Weihu , Feng Xiaoli , Zhang Tao , Jin Jing , Wang Shulian , Liu Yueping , Song Yongwen , Liu Xinfan , Yu Zihao , LI Yexiong 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
To define the clinical target volume (CTV) for radiotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods
A prospective study was conducted to histologically evaluate the presence and the distance of microscopic extension (ME) for resected HCC on the basis of examination of whole-mount preparations of carcinoma tissue sections.

Results
A total of 380 whole-mount slides prepared from tumor samples of 76 patients with HCC were examined. Patients with elevated pretreatment AFP levels exhibited higher risk of ME as compared to those with normal pretreatment AFP levels (93.9% vs. 69.8%, P < 0.01). ME positivity was 16.7% for Grade 1, 79.1% for Grade 2, and 96.3% for Grade 3 tumors (P < 0.01). The mean distance of ME was 0.0 ± 0.1 mm (range 0-0.2 mm) for Grade 1, 0.9 ± 0.9 mm (range 0-4.5 mm) for Grade 2, and 1.9 ± 1.9 mm (range 0-8.0 mm) for Grade 3 tumors (P < 0.01).

Conclusions
The CTV margins for tumor Grades 1, 2, and 3 HCC, are recommended to be 0.2 mm, 4.5 mm, and 8.0 mm beyond the gross tumor margin, respectively, to account for possible ME of the tumors in all patients.
Interferon-β attenuates lung inflammation following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Cobelens Pieter M , Tiebosch Ivo ACW , Dijkhuizen Rick M , van der Meide Peter H , Zwartbol René , Heijnen Cobi J , Kesecioglu Jozef , van den Bergh Walter M 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIntroductionAneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) affects relatively young people and carries a poor prognosis with a case fatality rate of 35%. One of the major systemic complications associated with SAH is acute lung injury (ALI) which occurs in up to one-third of the patients and is associated with poor outcome. ALI in SAH may be predisposed by neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) and inflammatory mediators. The objective of this study was to assess the immunomodulatory effects of interferon-β (IFN-β) on inflammatory mediators in the lung after experimental SAH.MethodsMale Wistar rats were subjected to the induction of SAH by means of the endovascular filament method. Sham-animals underwent sham-surgery. Rats received IFN-β for four consecutive days starting at two hours after SAH induction. After seven days, lungs were analyzed for the expression of inflammatory markers.ResultsSAH induced the influx of neutrophils into the lung, and enhanced expression of the pulmonary adhesion molecules E-selectin, inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 compared to sham-animals. In addition, SAH increased the expression of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-2, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 in the lung. Finally, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was significantly increased in lungs from SAH-animals compared to sham-animals. IFN-β effectively abolished the SAH-induced expression of all pro-inflammatory mediators in the lung.ConclusionsIFN-β strongly reduces lung inflammation after experimental SAH and may therefore be an effective drug to prevent SAH-mediated lung injury.
The 1890's as a Turning Point in German Jewish History
Authors: Borut Yaakov 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
During the early 1890s, profound changes occurred in German Jewry's organizational culture and public activities, which amounted to a turning point in its history. They led to the rise of a Jewish organizational network that constituted a »partial subsociety«, in reversal of the previous trend towards disintegration of the Jewish realm. Those changes corresponded to major changes that took place within the German Reich during the same period. The former manner of public activity of German-Jewish leaders can be described as a »low profile mode«, keeping out of the public limelight, avoiding conflict with the government and refraining from public defense of Jewish interests. Three processes that were evident in German politics and society in the early 1890s were manifest within Jewish society: I) The rise of mass-politics and the use of noisy mass-propaganda techniques. Its Jewish manifestation was public defense against anti- Semitism. II) The rise of an extra-parliamentary political system based on pressure and interest groups. Its Jewish manifestation was the foundation of the Centralverein that defended Jewish interests and reversed the »low profile mode«. III) Rising particularism. Its Jewish manifestation was the creation of specifically Jewish groups, and especially a network of Societies for jüdische Geschichte und Literatur. An examination of the personal characteristics of the leaders who initiated those changes, in comparison with the older Jewish leaders (who mostly opposed the new initiatives), reveals common attributes shared by the new leaders, which explain their ability to grasp the changes occurring in Germany and implement them within German Jewry.
Nationalism at the Edge: The Jüdische Volksrat of Habsburg Bukovina
Authors: Rechter David 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The Jüdische Volksrat was the final expression of a distinctive brand of Jewish Volkspolitik that flourished in the final decades of Habsburg Austria. The article is a case study of a political culture that derived from two related contexts: Jewish nationalism – in its east central European variation – and the larger framework of Habsburg ethnic and nationalist politics. The Volksrat was the centerpiece of an attempt to put the Zionist house in Bukovina in order, and the article is also a first foray into the history of Bukovina Zionism. It is a story of famous success and infamous failure and conflict. If the stage was parochial, the issues at stake were not: power, autonomy, democracy, Zionism and Jewish nationalism — all were at play and all had local, regional and imperial implications.
Measurement of occupational humorous coping
Authors: Doosje Sibe , De Goede Martijn , Van Doornen Lorenz , Goldstein Jeffrey 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a Questionnaire of Occupational Humorous Coping (QOHC), partly based on the model of emotion regulation by Gross (Current Directions in Psychological Science 10: 214–219, 2001). Items intended to measure antecedent-focused, response-focused, and affiliative and aggressive-manipulative humorous coping methods were generated. Preliminary studies led to improvements in the questionnaire and to the removal of items controlling for acquiescence bias. Principal axis factoring with oblique rotation on a large sample yielded four stable and reliable factors: an antecedent-focused, a response-focused, an aggressive-manipulative and an affiliative instrumental humorous coping factor. Convergent and discriminant validity with existing humorous coping and other sense of humor measures (the CHS, the MSHS and the HSQ) was satisfactory, but not always in the expected direction. Antecedent-focused and generic humorous coping (CHS) were weakly associated with job-related positive affect and well-being; for the self-enhancing humor style these associations were moderate. Aggressive-manipulative, response-focused and generic humorous coping (CHS) showed weak associations with negative job-related affect. The findings are explained in terms of assessment issues and possible moderating effects of humorous coping.
Assessing the appreciation of the content and structure of humor: Construction of a new scale
Authors: Carretero-Dios Hugo , Pérez Cristino , Buela-Casal Gualberto 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe study describes the construction and initial validation of a new assessment instrument named EAHU (from the Spanish Escala de Apreciación del Humor, Humor Appreciation Scale, in English). A dimensional proposal is presented, which incorporates funniness and aversiveness of the content and structure of humor. The dimensions are incongruity-resolution, nonsense, sexual, black, man disparagement and woman disparagement humor. The construction strategy for the EAHU is outlined. The development of the EAHU involved using Spanish samples comprising more that 1500 participants altogether. The metric characteristics of the items and the internal structure of the scale appeared to be highly stable across the samples. The psychometric characteristics of the EAHU scales appeared to be satisfactory. There were sex differences only in the content scales, and a relevant role of age was observed in the EAHU scales. An interaction effect was found for sex, age and different type of humor. We conclude that the EAHU is an adequate instrument to assess the content and structure of humor.
Humor comprehension, humor production, and insight: An exploratory study
Authors: Kozbelt Aaron , Nishioka Kana 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe relation between humor comprehension and humor production was examined. Unlike earlier studies that used comprehension tasks requiring a productive component, here participants simply decided whether cartoons were matched or mismatched to presented “latent content” (i.e., the implied meaning of the cartoon). To test humor production, the same participants devised humorous captions for photographs, which judges reliably rated on funniness. Performance on the two tasks showed a significant positive correlation. Relations between response time, confidence, and funniness ratings in the comprehension task were consistent with an “insight” view of humor comprehension: correct responses were made more quickly, and matched latent content trials were identified faster and were rated as funnier than mismatched trials. In the humor production task, judged funniness showed a reliable (but rather small) positive correlation with response time, offering little support for an “insight” view of humor production. Limitations of the study and possibilities for future research on humor production, modeled on creativity research, are discussed.