bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Bar Sinister: Does Handlebar Level Damage the Pelvic Floor in Female Cyclists?
Authors: Partin Sarah N. , Connell Kathleen A. , Schrader Steven , LaCombe Julie , Lowe Brian , Sweeney Anne , Reutman Susan , Wang Andrea , Toennis Christine , Melman Arnold , Mikhail Madgy , Guess Marsha K. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Cycling is associated with genital neuropathies and erectile dysfunction in males. Women riders also have decreased genital sensation; however, sparse information exists addressing the effects of modifiable risks on neurological injuries in females.

Aim
This study assesses the effects of bicycle setup and cyclists’ attributes on GS and saddle pressures among female cyclists.

Methods
Previously, we compared genital sensation in competitive female cyclists (N = 48) to that of female runners (N = 22). The current study is a subanalysis of the 48 cyclists from the original study group. Nonpregnant, premenopausal women who rode at least 10 miles per week, 4 weeks per month were eligible for participation.

Main Outcome Measures
Genital sensation was measured in microns using biosthesiometry measures of vibratory thresholds (VTs). Perineal and total saddle pressures were determined using a specialized pressure map and recorded in kilopascals (kPA).

Results
Handlebars positioned lower than the saddle correlated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased anterior vaginal and left labial genital sensation (P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.02, P &lt; 0.03, respectively). Low handlebars were not associated with total saddle pressures or altered genital sensation in other areas. After adjusting for age and saddle type, low handlebars were associated with a 3.47-kPA increase in mean perineum saddle pressures (P &lt; 0.04) and a 0.86-micron increase in anterior vagina VT (P &lt; 0.01).

Conclusion
Handlebars positioned lower than the saddle were significantly associated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased genital sensation in female cyclists. Modifying bicycle setup may help alleviate neuropathies in females. Additional research is warranted to further assess the extent of the associations.
ACCUMULATION OF 5‐HYDROXYMETHYL‐2‐FURFURAL DURING TOASTING OF WHITE BREAD SLICES
Authors: KIRIT AYSE BASAK , ERDOGDU FERRUH , OZDEMIR YUKSEL 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThe chemical reactions involved in a toasting process are mainly Maillard reaction (MR) and caramelization. A possible mutagen, 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furfural (HMF), is an intermediate product of MR and is also formed with caramelization from the degradation of sugars at high temperatures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the relationship between HMF formation and temperature evolution during toasting of bread slices. For this purpose, bread slices were toasted up to 250 s in a double‐slot toaster, and HMF determination in crust and crumb sections was performed with a high‐pressure liquid chromatography method. Center and surface temperatures of the slices were recorded using thermocouples and an infrared camera. Significant HMF accumulation and distribution through a slice were determined during toasting. Knowing the relationship of HMF formation with temperature evolution is significant to control toasting and for further design and optimization studies.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSBread is the most popular food in the world, and its nutritive value is reduced significantly during toasting. Toasting, occupying a major segment of the food industry, is preferred due to the easier digestion and increased flavor and edibility compared with fresh bread, especially after staling starts. Maillard reaction and caramelization take place during toasting of bread slices, and this results in formation and accumulation of potent odorants and high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furfural (HMF) is one of the possible mutagens, and knowing the relationship of HMF formation with temperature evolution is significant to control toasting and for further design and optimization studies.
Integrating Multi‐Sensor Remote Sensing Data for Land Use/Cover Mapping in a Tropical Mountainous Area in Northern Thailand
Authors: WANG YI‐CHEN , FENG CHEN‐CHIEH , VU DUC HUAN 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAccurate mapping of land use/cover conditions provides essential information for managing natural resources and is critical for further examination of land use/cover change and its subsequent impacts on the environment. Remote sensing offers a means of acquiring land use/cover data in a timely manner, with optical remote sensing images commonly being used in land use/cover related studies. The persistent cloud cover during the rainy season in Southeast Asia, however, presents a challenge for using optical images in land use/cover mapping. Integrating multi‐sensor images of different spectral domains is thus desirable because more information can be extracted to improve the mapping accuracy. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential of using multi‐sensor data sets for land use/cover mapping in a tropical mountainous area in northern Thailand. Optical data from Landsat Thematic Mapper, radar images from Advanced Land Observing Satellite/Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), and topographical data were used, providing complementary information on land use/cover. Classification and accuracy assessment were conducted for 12 different combinations of the data sets. The results suggested that short crop mapping using multi‐temporal Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar images offered insights into the distributions of crop and paddy fields. Because of the mountainous environment of the study area, combining topographic data of elevation and slope into the classification greatly reduced the confusion between different land use/cover types. Improvement of classification accuracy was evident especially in separating evergreen and deciduous forests from other vegetation types and discriminating urban village and the fallow field classes.
Bacterial and Virus‐Like Particle Abundances in Purged and Unpurged Groundwater Depth Profiles
Authors: Roudnew Ben , Seymour Justin R. , Jeffries Thomas C. , Lavery Trish J. , Smith Renee J. , Mitchell James G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBacteria and viruses are ubiquitous in subterranean aquatic habitats. Bacterial abundance is known to vary with depth in aquifers; however, whether viral abundance varies with depth is less well known. Here we use flow cytometry (FCM) to enumerate bacteria and virus‐like particles (VLP) from groundwater depth profiles. Groundwater samples were obtained from a set of nested piezometers from depths of 15, 30, 45, 60, 80, and 90 m and bacteria and VLP abundances were determined in purged aquifer water and unpurged water at each slot depth. Mean bacterial abundance (cells / mL) was not significantly different in unpurged water (3.2 × 105) compared to purged water (1.4 × 105); however, mean VLP abundance (particles / mL) was significantly greater in unpurged water (4.4 × 105) compared to purged water (2.3 × 105). Purged water was used to investigate the aquifer depth profile and bacterial and VLP abundances were observed to vary significantly between depths. The virus‐bacteria ratio was determined and was observed to steadily increase with depth. Overall, our data indicate the dynamic nature of bacterial and viral abundances in subsurface environments which should be considered when designing groundwater microbial sampling methodologies.
Upstream Transcription Factor 1 (USF1) Polymorphisms Associate with Alzheimer's Disease‐related Neuropathological Lesions: Tampere Autopsy Study
Authors: Isotalo Karita , Kok Eloise Helena , Luoto Teemu M , Haikonen Satu , Haapasalo Hannu , Lehtimäki Terho , Karhunen Pekka J 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene associates with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cholesterol levels. Upstream transcription factor 1 (USF1) regulates lipid metabolism genes, including APOE, and the AD Aβ‐precursor protein. We investigated associations between 6 haplotype‐tagging USF1 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (and haplotypes) and AD‐related neuropathological lesions [senile plaques (SP), neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) ] in an autopsy series comprising 603 cases (ages 0–97, mean 62 years, 215 women) that died out‐of‐hospital. In age‐ and APOE‐adjusted analyses, the minor G‐allele of rs2774276, previously linked to elevated cholesterol, associated with late‐stage burnt out SP among women and early non‐neuritic SP among men. The G‐allele of the previously unreported rs10908821 showed significant risk of having SP, especially neuritic and burnt out SP, among women but not men. USF1 haplotype GCGCAC carriers (risk alleles of rs2774276 and rs10908821) associated with SP risk, especially neuritic and late‐stage burnt out SP, among women but not men. Younger CCGCAC carriers (risk allele of rs2774276 and protective of rs10908821) were more likely to have non‐neuritic and diffuse SP. Conversely, USF1 CCGCAC haplotype carriers had lower NFT prevalence among 65+ year‐olds. These results suggest USF1 has an independent but gender‐ and age‐associated effect on AD‐related brain lesion development.
Antagonistic Effect of the Ainu‐Selected Traditional Beneficial Plants on the Transformation of an Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor
Authors: Nishiumi Shin , Hosokawa Keizo , Anetai Masaki , Shibata Toshiro , Mukai Rie , Yoshida Ken‐ichi , Ashida Hitoshi 
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Transformation of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is the initial step to express the multiple toxicity of halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs and PAHs) including dioxins. Therefore, it has been suggested that suppression of the transformation induced by HAHs and PAHs leads to reduce their toxicological effects. In this study, the antagonistic effect of 110 indigenous plants (192 plant parts) used as medicine and/or food by the Ainu on the 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD)‐induced AhR transformation was investigated. Of these, a stalk of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seemann and a bark of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. var. japonica Maxim. exhibited the strong antagonistic effect in a dose‐dependent manner. An antioxidative activity and polyphenol content were also measured, and the strong correlation (r= 0.96) between these two parameters could be confirmed. However, correlation coefficients of the antagonistic effect of 192 extracts compared to their antioxidative activity and polyphenol content were 0.17 and 0.20, respectively. These results suggest that the Ainu‐selected traditional beneficial plants are useful source for findings of novel AhR antagonists, and the antagonistic activity of these plants may be independent on their antioxidative activity and polyphenol content.Practical Application:  Our findings lead to discovery of the valuable plants used by the Ainu and the novel active compounds useful for human's life, and furthermore, may contribute to the development of new medicines and functional foods.
Identification of a Gamma‐irradiated Ingredient (Garlic Powder) in Korean Barbeque Sauce by Thermoluminescence Analysis
Authors: Ahn Jae‐Jun , Akram Kashif , Lee Jeongeun , Kim Kyong‐Su , Kwon Joong‐Ho 
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis was applied to identify gamma‐irradiated garlic powder in Korean barbeque sauce before and after pasteurization (85 °C, 30 min), when blended in different ratios (1%, 3%, and 5%). The sauce sample with nonirradiated garlic powder gave a background glow curve. However, the sample blended with irradiated ingredient (1 and 10 kGy) showed typical TL glow curves at temperatures of 150 to 200 °C. The identification properties of sauce samples were more influenced by blending ratios than by irradiation doses, showing that 3% and 5% added samples produced glow curves at 150 to 250 °C. After pasteurization of the samples containing the irradiated ingredient, TL glow intensity decreased but did not change its shape or temperature range. As a result, the pasteurization of  Barbeque sauces containing irradiated ingredients had reduced TL glow intensity, but the shape and temperature range of glow curve were still able to provide information required for confirming irradiation treatment.Practical Application:  To monitor the irradiated food in international market, thermoluminescence (TL) analysis is considered most promising identification technique because of its sensitivity and long‐term stability. In this study the applicability of TL analysis to detect an irradiated ingredient (garlic powder) added in low quantity to a food matrix (sauce) was investigated. The effect of processing (pasteurization) on TL results was also evaluated.
Recent developments in our understanding of the antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: De GROOT P. G. , MEIJERS J. C. M. , URBANUS R. T. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that manifests clinically as recurrent thrombotic complications or foetal losses and serologically with elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies in the plasmas of these patients. The term ‘antiphospholipid syndrome’ is confusing, because the auto‐antibodies are not directed against phospholipids but towards a plasma protein, β2‐glycoprotein I. For many years, the reason why auto‐antibodies against β2‐glycoprotein I were pro‐thrombotic was unclear, because β2‐glycoprotein I seems to be an obsolete protein in our circulation. Human and mice deficient in this protein do not express a clear phenotype. Recent studies on the structure and function of β2‐glycoprotein I have provided novel insights into the importance of this protein in physiology and its role in the pathology of the antiphospholipid syndrome.
Agreement Between Community Pharmacy and Ambulatory and Home Blood Pressure Measurement Methods to Assess the Effectiveness of Antihypertensive Treatment: The MEPAFAR Study
Authors: Sabater‐Hernández Daniel , De La Sierra Alejandro , Sánchez‐Villegas Pablo , Santana‐Pérez Fidelina M. , Merino‐Barber Luisa , Faus María J. ,   on behalf of the MEPAFAR Study Workgroup
Published: March 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:236–244. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.The usefulness of the community pharmacy blood pressure (CPBP) method in the diagnosis or treatment of hypertension has not been adequately addressed in controlled studies. The authors’ aim was to assess the agreement between awake ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), home blood pressure (HBP), and CPBP in treated hypertensive patients. This was a cross‐sectional study carried out in 169 patients in which blood pressure (BP) was measured at the pharmacy (4 visits), at home (4 days), and by 24‐hour ABP monitoring. Lin correlation‐concordance coefficient (CCC) and Bland‐Altman plots were used to evaluate quantitative agreement. The qualitative agreement to establish the degree of BP control was evaluated using κ coefficient. The agreement was acceptable between HBP and CPBP (CCC=0.80 for systolic BP [SBP] and 0.80 for diastolic BP [DBP]; κ=0.62) and moderate between awake ABP and CPBP (CCC=0.74/0.67, respectively; κ=0.56). The Bland‐Altman plots also showed lowest mean differences (0.5/0.3 for SBP and DBP, respectively) for the comparison between CPBP and HBP. The CPBP has a better agreement with HBP than with awake ABP. Thus, the CPBP measurement method could be a good alternative to HBP monitoring, whereas it cannot be used as a screening test to assess the degree of BP control by awake ABP.
Evaluation of Blood Pressure Measurement and Agreement in an Academic Health Sciences Center
Authors: Minor Deborah S. , Butler Kenneth R. , Artman Katherine L. , Adair Cathy , Wang Wanmei , McNair Valerie , Wofford Marion R. , Griswold Michael 
Published: March 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:222–227. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.The authors assessed the process of blood pressure (BP) measurement and level of adherence to recommended procedures at representative sites throughout a large academic health sciences center. A casual observer assessed the setting and observed the process, noting the equipment, technique, and BP recorded by site personnel. A trained observer then repeated the patient’s BP measurement following American Heart Association recommendations. Significant biases were observed between measurements by site personnel and the trained observer. Site personnel reported on average an increased systolic BP (SBP) of 5.66 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.09–8.23; P<.001) and a decreased diastolic BP (DBP) of −2.96 mm Hg (95% CI, −5.05 to −0.87; P=.005). Overall, 41% of patients had a ≥10‐mm Hg difference in SBP between measurements. Similarly, 54% had differences of ≥5 mm Hg in DBP between measurements. Inaccurate BP measurement and poor technique may lead to misclassification, misdiagnosis, and inappropriate medical decisions. Concordance of measured SBP between our site personnel and trained observer was less than optimal. Several areas for improvement were identified. Routine calibration and use of system‐wide standardized equipment, establishment of BP measurement protocols, and periodic technique and equipment recertification can be addressed in future quality initiatives.
Improvement of Arterial Stiffness by Reducing Oxidative Stress Damage in Elderly Hypertensive Patients After 6 Months of Atorvastatin Therapy
Authors: Wang Junhong , Xu Jian , Zhou Chuanwei , Zhang Ying , Xu Di , Guo Yan , Yang Zhijian 
Published: March 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:245–249. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Atorvastatin is postulated to improve arterial stiffness in patients with diabetes mellitus or hypercholesterolemia; however, in elderly hypertensive patients, its effect on arterial stiffness and the possible mechanisms are unknown. A total of 73 elderly hypertensive patients were enrolled to receive atorvastatin for 6 months. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and circulating biomarkers were measured before and after the intervention. After 6 months of treatment, the patients experienced a 19.66% reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.90±0.58 vs 2.33±0.56 mmol/L, P<.01) and a 10.63% reduction in baPWV (2100.89±513.21 vs 1877.56±432.06 cm/s, P=.01). In addition, a 21.79% reduction in circulating N‐(epsilon)‐carboxymethyl‐lysine and a 20% reduction in Von Willebrand factor level were observed after treatment. Meanwhile, the activity of copper/zinc‐containing superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) was increased by 26.64% (5.04±1.01 vs 6.87±1.83 U/L, P<.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated that the increase of Cu/Zn SOD activity was related to the reductions of arterial stiffness (r=−0.340, P=.003). Taken together, these findings suggest that atorvastatin can improve arterial stiffness possibly by reducing oxidative stress levels in elderly hypertensive patients.
Class and the Service Encounter: New Approaches to Inequality in the Service Work‐place
Authors: Hanser Amy 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn recent decades, scholars of service work have generated many new insights about the organization of work, but in the process one of the traditional concerns of industrial sociology – class – became relatively marginal. However, recent studies of interactive service work have begun to reconceptualize the service encounter as an important site where class‐based entitlements and interactive expectations are created. These analyses attempt to make linkages between the “status” encounters in service interactions and the larger, socio‐economic inequalities associated with class. The renewed interest in class in the (service) workplace may be attributable in part to the growing influence of Bourdieu in North American sociology as well as a burgeoning literature on consumers and consumption, allowing for new approaches that consider service worker‐customer interactions as integral to the construction of classed cultures of consumption and entitlement.
Molecular Epidemiology ofCryptosporidiumandGiardiain Humans on Prince Edward Island, Canada: Evidence of Zoonotic Transmission From Cattle
Authors: Budu‐Amoako E. , Greenwood S. J. , Dixon B. R. , Sweet L. , Ang L. , Barkema H. W. , McClure J. T. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryTo determine the zoonotic potential ofCryptosporidiumandGiardiain Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, 658 human faecal specimens were screened that were submitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital diagnostic laboratory. Overall, 143 (22%) samples wereCryptosporidiumpositive, while three (0.5%) were positive forGiardia. Successful genotyping of 25Cryptosporidiumisolates by sequence analysis of the HSP70 gene revealed that 28 and 72% wereC. hominisandC. parvum,respectively.Cryptosporidiumisolates from humans and previously genotypedC. parvumfrom beef cattle were subtyped by sequence analysis of the GP60 gene. Subtyping identified three subtypes belonging to the family IIa. All three subtypes IIaA16G2RI (55%), IIaA16G3RI (22%) and IIaA15G2RI (22%) were found in the animal isolates, while two of the subtypes found in the animals, IIaA16G2RI (80%) and IIaA15G2RI (20%), were also identified in the human isolates.Cryptosporidiuminfection in humans peaked in April–June. Molecular epidemiological analysis of the human data showed aC. parvumpeak in the spring and a relatively smaller peak forC. hominisin July–September. The majority (57%) of humanCryptosporidiumisolates were found in children between 5 and 10 years of age. All threeGiardiaisolates were identified asG. duodenalisassemblage A. The overallCryptosporidiumprevalence in our human samples was high relative to other studies, but because the samples were submitted to a hospital diagnostic laboratory, the results may not be representative of the general population. Further, the presence of the same zoonoticC. parvumsubtypes in cattle and human isolates implies that transmission is largely zoonotic and cattle may be a source of sporadic human infections on PEI. The presence ofGiardiain people on PEI is rare, and the assemblage A found in humans might originate from humans, livestock or other domestic or wild animals.