bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of fruit and vegetable intake on oxidative stress and inflammation in COPD: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Baldrick Francina R. , Elborn J. Stuart , Woodside Jayne V. , Treacy Katherine , Bradley Judy M. , Patterson Chris C. , Schock Bettina C. , Ennis Madeleine , Young Ian S. , McKinley Michelle C. 
Published: November 2011

Epidemiological evidence supports a positive relationship between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increasing FV intake may attenuate the oxidative stress and inflammation associated with COPD.An exploratory randomised controlled trial to examine the effect of increased consumption of FV on oxidative stress and inflammation in moderate-to-severe COPD was conducted. 81 symptomatically stable patients with a habitually low FV intake (two or fewer portions of FV per day) were randomised to the intervention group (five or more portions of FV per day) or the control group (two or fewer portions of FV per day). Each participant received self-selected weekly home deliveries of FV for 12 weeks.75 participants completed the intervention. There was a significant between-group change in self-reported FV intake and biomarkers of FV intake (zeaxanthin (p=0.034) and β-cryptoxanthin (p=0.015)), indicating good compliance; post-intervention intakes in intervention and control groups were 6.1 and 1.9 portions of FV per day, respectively. There were no significant changes in biomarkers of airway inflammation (interleukin-8 and myeloperoxidase) and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein) or airway and systemic oxidative stress (8-isoprostane).This exploratory study demonstrated that patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were able to comply with an intervention to increase FV intake; however, this had no significant effect on airway or systemic oxidative stress and inflammation.
Early detection of COPD is important for lung cancer surveillance
Authors: Sekine Yasuo , Katsura Hideki , Koh Eitetsu , Hiroshima Kenzo , Fujisawa Takehiko 
Published: November 2011

It is well known that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant risk factor for lung cancer. Approximately 1% of COPD patients develop lung cancer every year, which may be associated with genetic susceptibility to cigarette smoke. Chronic inflammation caused by toxic gases can induce COPD and lung cancer. Inflammatory mediators may promote the growth of bronchioalveolar stem cells, and activation of nuclear factor-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 play crucial roles in the development of lung cancer from COPD.Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is an effective procedure for the early detection of lung cancer in high-risk patients. However, determining which patients should be screened for lung cancer in a primary care setting is difficult. In this article, we review the epidemiology and aetiology of lung cancer associated with COPD, verify the efficacy of lung cancer screening by LDCT, and discuss the importance of early detection of COPD for lung cancer surveillance.We propose that, for the prevention of both diseases, COPD screening in smokers should be initiated as early as possible, so they can stop smoking and so that candidates for an efficient lung cancer screening programme can be identified.
Effects of a physical education intervention on cognitive function in young children: randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Fisher Abigail , Boyle James ME , Paton James Y , Tomporowski Phillip , Watson Christine , McColl John H , Reilly John J 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Randomized controlled trials (RCT) are required to test relationships between physical activity and cognition in children, but these must be informed by exploratory studies. This study aimed to inform future RCT by: conducting practical utility and reliability studies to identify appropriate cognitive outcome measures; piloting an RCT of a 10 week physical education (PE) intervention which involved 2 hours per week of aerobically intense PE compared to 2 hours of standard PE (control).

Methods
64 healthy children (mean age 6.2 yrs SD 0.3; 33 boys) recruited from 6 primary schools. Outcome measures were the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB), the Attention Network Test (ANT), the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) and the short form of the Connor's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS:S). Physical activity was measured habitually and during PE sessions using the Actigraph accelerometer.

Results
Test- retest intraclass correlations from CANTAB Spatial Span (r 0.51) and Spatial Working Memory Errors (0.59) and ANT Reaction Time (0.37) and ANT Accuracy (0.60) were significant, but low. Physical activity was significantly higher during intervention vs. control PE sessions (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between intervention and control group changes in CAS scores. Differences between intervention and control groups favoring the intervention were observed for CANTAB Spatial Span, CANTAB Spatial Working Memory Errors, and ANT Accuracy.

Conclusions
The present study has identified practical and age-appropriate cognitive and behavioral outcome measures for future RCT, and identified that schools are willing to increase PE time.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN70853932 (http://www.controlled-trials.com)
Oscillation of higher-order quasi-linear neutral differential equations
Authors: Xing Guojing , Li Tongxing , Zhang Chenghui 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
In this note, we establish some oscillation criteria for certain higher-order quasi-linear neutral differential equation. These criteria improve those results in the literature. Some examples are given to illustrate the importance of our results.

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification 34C10; 34K11.
An analysis on equal width quantization and linearly separable subcode encoding-based discretization and its performance resemblances
Authors: Lim Meng-Hui , Teoh Andrew Beng Jin , Toh Kar-Ann 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Biometric discretization extracts a binary string from a set of real-valued features per user. This representative string can be used as a cryptographic key in many security applications upon error correction. Discretization performance should not degrade from the actual continuous features-based classification performance significantly. However, numerous discretization approaches based on ineffective encoding schemes have been put forward. Therefore, the correlation between such discretization and classification has never been made clear. In this article, we aim to bridge the gap between continuous and Hamming domains, and provide a revelation upon how discretization based on equal-width quantization and linearly separable subcode encoding could affect the classification performance in the Hamming domain. We further illustrate how such discretization can be applied in order to obtain a highly resembled classification performance under the general Lp distance and the inner product metrics. Finally, empirical studies conducted on two benchmark face datasets vindicate our analysis results.
Prevalence of Korean cats with natural feline coronavirus infections
Authors: An Dong-Jun , Jeoung Hye-Young , Jeong WooSeog , Park Jee-Yong , Lee Myoung-Heon , Park Bong-Kyun 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Feline coronavirus is comprised of two pathogenic biotypes consisting of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) and feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), which are both divided into two serotypes. To examine the prevalence of Korean cats infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV) type I and II, fecal samples were obtained from 212 cats (107 pet and 105 feral) in 2009.

Results
Fourteen cats were FCoV-positive, including infections with type I FCoV (n = 8), type II FCoV (n = 4), and types I and II co-infection (n = 2). Low seroprevalences (13.7%, 29/212) of FCoV were identified in chronically ill cats (19.3%, 16/83) and healthy cats (10.1%, 13/129).

Conclusions
Although the prevalence of FCoV infection was not high in comparison to other countries, there was a higher prevalence of type I FCoV in Korean felines. The prevalence of FCoV antigen and antibody in Korean cats are expected to gradually increase due to the rising numbers of stray and companion cats.
Dopamine and α-synuclein dysfunction in Smad3 null mice
Authors: Tapia-González Silvia , Giráldez-Pérez Rosa M , Cuartero M Isabel , Casarejos M José , Mena M Ángeles , Wang Xiao-Fan , Sánchez-Capelo Amelia 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra (SN). Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels increase in patients with PD, although the effects of this increment remain unclear. We have examined the mesostriatal system in adult mice deficient in Smad3, a molecule involved in the intracellular TGF-β1 signalling cascade.ResultsStriatal monoamine oxidase (MAO)-mediated dopamine (DA) catabolism to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) is strongly increased, promoting oxidative stress that is reflected by an increase in glutathione levels. Fewer astrocytes are detected in the ventral midbrain (VM) and striatal matrix, suggesting decreased trophic support to dopaminergic neurons. The SN of these mice has dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in its rostral portion, and the pro-survival Erk1/2 signalling is diminished in nigra dopaminergic neurons, not associated with alterations to p-JNK or p-p38. Furthermore, inclusions of α-synuclein are evident in selected brain areas, both in the perikaryon (SN and paralemniscal nucleus) or neurites (motor and cingulate cortices, striatum and spinal cord). Interestingly, these α-synuclein deposits are detected with ubiquitin and PS129-α-synuclein in a core/halo cellular distribution, which resemble those observed in human Lewy bodies (LB).ConclusionsSmad3 deficiency promotes strong catabolism of DA in the striatum (ST), decrease trophic and astrocytic support to dopaminergic neurons and may induce α-synuclein aggregation, which may be related to early parkinsonism. These data underline a role for Smad3 in α-synuclein and DA homeostasis, and suggest that modulatory molecules of this signalling pathway should be evaluated as possible neuroprotective agents.
The impact of therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on intelligence quotients; results of the risk-stratified randomized central nervous system treatment trial MRC UKALL XI
Authors: Halsey Christina , Buck Georgina , Richards Sue , Vargha-Khadem Faraneh , Hill Frank , Gibson Brenda 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe MRC UKALLXI trial tested the efficacy of different central nervous system (CNS) directed therapies in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). To evaluate morbidity 555/1826 randomised children underwent prospective psychological evaluations. Full Scale, verbal and performance IQs were measured at 5 months, 3 years and 5 years. Scores were compared in; (1) all patients (n = 555) versus related controls (n = 311), (2) low-risk children (presenting white cell count (WCC) < 50 × 109/l) randomised to intrathecal methotrexate (n = 197) versus intrathecal and high-dose intravenous methotrexate (HDM) (n = 202), and (3) high-risk children (WCC ≥ 50 × 109/l, age ≥ 2 years) randomised to HDM (n = 79) versus cranial irradiation (n = 77).ResultsThere were no significant differences in IQ scores between the treatment arms in either low- or high-risk groups. Despite similar scores at baseline, results at 3 and 5 years showed a significant reduction of between 3.6 and 7.3 points in all three IQ scores in all patient groups compared to controls (P < 0.002) with a higher proportion of children with IQs < 80 in the patient groups (13% vs. 5% at 3 years p = 0.003).ConclusionChildren with ALL are at risk of CNS morbidity, regardless of the mode of CNS-directed therapy. Further work needs to identify individuals at high-risk of adverse CNS outcomes.Trial registrationISRCTN:ISRCTN16757172
LCAT, HDL Cholesterol and Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study of HDL Cholesterol in 54,500 Individuals
Authors: Haase Christiane L. , Tybjærg-Hansen Anne , Ali Qayyum Abbas , Schou Jesper , Nordestgaard Børge G. , Frikke-Schmidt Ruth 
Published: November 2011

Background:Epidemiologically, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels associate inversely with risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease. Whether this is a causal relation is unclear.Methods:We studied 10,281 participants in the Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS) and 50,523 participants in the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS), of which 991 and 1,693 participants, respectively, had developed myocardial infarction (MI) by August 2010. Participants in the CCHS were genotyped for all six variants identified by resequencing lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase in 380 individuals. One variant, S208T (rs4986970, allele frequency 4%), associated with HDL cholesterol levels in both the CCHS and the CGPS was used to study causality of HDL cholesterol using instrumental variable analysis.Results:Epidemiologically, in the CCHS, a 13% (0.21 mmol/liter) decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol levels was associated with an 18% increase in risk of MI. S208T associated with a 13% (0.21 mmol/liter) decrease in HDL cholesterol levels but not with increased risk of MI or other ischemic end points. The causal odds ratio for MI for a 50% reduction in plasma HDL cholesterol due to S208T genotype in both studies combined was 0.49 (0.11–2.16), whereas the hazard ratio for MI for a 50% reduction in plasma HDL cholesterol in the CCHS was 2.11 (1.70–2.62) (Pcomparison = 0.03).Conclusion:Low plasma HDL cholesterol levels robustly associated with increased risk of MI but genetically decreased HDL cholesterol did not. This may suggest that low HDL cholesterol levels per se do not cause MI.
Measurement of leg-length discrepancy using laser-based ultrasound method
Authors: Rannisto Satu , Paalanne Niko , Rannisto Pasi-Heikki , Haapanen Arto , Oksaoja Sanna , Uitti Jukka , Karppinen Jaro 
Published: November 2011

Background The evidence on the role of leg-length discrepancy (LLD) in low back pain (LBP) is contradictory, possibly due to the diversity of measurement methods. Purpose To assess the reliability of a laser-based ultrasound method and its agreement with the radiographic method. Material and Methods The measurement device consisted of a laser measure fixed to a rod holding the scanning head of the ultrasound and could be moved automatically by a linear actuator. The reliability of the measurement was evaluated using 20 healthy voluntary subjects with no known previous LLD (90% women, mean age 23 years). We assessed the agreement of the ultrasound method with a radiographic LLD measurement using 19 voluntary patients (95% men, mean age 38 years), who had had radiographic LLD measurements taken during the previous year. We used intraclass correlation co-efficients (ICC) and Bland & Altman analysis in the statistical analysis. Results The ICC value for agreement between methods was 0.97 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.93–0.99) indicating almost perfect agreement. The ICC values for both raters indicated almost perfect agreement between repeated measurements (ICC 0.996 and 0.994, respectively). In the Bland and Altman analysis, the mean difference was close to zero (0.56 mm and 0.40 mm), indicating minimal systematic error. Conclusion The ultrasound-laser technique is quick and easy to perform. Both reliability and agreement with the radiographic method are excellent. The ultrasound measurement is non-invasive and therefore a potential alternative to radiographic methods in the evaluation of LLD.
Emerging HIV-1 resistance to tipranavir and darunavir in patients with virological failure to first-generation protease inhibitors in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh S-M , Chang S-Y , Hung C-C , Sheng W-H , Chen M-Y , Chang S-C 
Published: November 2011

Summary Ritonavir-boosted tipranavir (TPV/r) and darunavir (DRV/r) have been approved in patients with virological resistance to multiple protease inhibitors (Pis). Whether the HIV-1 from these patients with virological failure to first-generation Pls remains susceptible to TPV/r or DRV/r is questionable. The susceptibilities of HIV-1 isolates to second-generation Pls in patients who experienced virological failure in three time periods were analysed: 9-2006 to 4-2007 (period 1), 5-2007 to 12-2007 (period 2) and 1-2008 to 8-2008 (period 3). A total of 53 subjects were enrolled, and 51 subject isolates (96.2%) were resistant to ≥1 Pls. The mutation scores for TPV and DRV, and the percentage of isolates with resistance to TPV or DRV, increased significantly from period 1 to period 3. Our data revealed a significant increase in the levels of genotypic resistance to TPV and DRV over the past two years in patients with virological failure to first-generation Pls.
Enrolment and programmatic trends and predictors of antiretroviral therapy initiation from President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-supported public HIV care and treatment sites in rural Mozambique
Authors: Moon T D , Burlison J R , Blevins M , Shepherd B E , Baptista A , Sidat M , Vergara A E , Vermund S H 
Published: November 2011

Summary Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made antiretroviral therapy (ART) available in urban settings, but the progress of treatment expansion into rural Africa has been slower. We analysed routine data for patients enrolled in a rural HIV treatment programme in Zambézia Province, Mozambique (1 June 2006 through 30 March 2009). There were 12,218 patients who were ≥15 years old enrolled (69% women). Median age was 25 years for women and 31 years for men. Older age and higher level of education were strongly predictive of ART initiation (P < 0.001). Patients with a CD4+ count of 350 cells/μL versus 50 cells/μL were less likely to begin ART (odds ratio [OR]: 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16-0.23). In rural sub-Saharan Africa, HIV testing, linkage to care, logistics for ART initiation and fears among some patients to take ART require specialized planning to maximize successes. Sustainability will require improved health manpower, infrastructure, stable funding, continuous drug supplies, patient record systems and, most importantly, community engagement.
Young adults’ preferred options for receiving chlamydia screening test results: a cross-sectional survey of 6085 young adults
Authors: Brugha R , Balfe M , Conroy R M , Clarke E , Fitzgerald M , O'connell E , Jeffares I , Vaughan D , Fleming C , O'donovan D 
Published: November 2011

Summary We investigated how young adults aged 18-29 years would like to be notified of chlamydia screening test results, and, when they test positive, their willingness and preferred mechanism for informing their partners. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 6085 young adults and found that a call to their mobile phone was their preferred way of receiving positive test results (selected by 50%), followed by email. Text messages (short message service [SMS]) and calls to landline phones were unpopular options, selected by between 5 and 10%. Over 75% of respondents stated they would inform their current partner of a positive chlamydia diagnosis, and 50% would inform their previous partners. Most were willing to receive yearly reminders to go for a chlamydia test. Young adults preference for being informed of chlamydia test results by mobile phone call, rather than by email or SMS text, especially if they test positive, suggests they place high value on the security of the communication mechanism. Offering a range of mechanisms for receipt of test results may increase the acceptability and coverage of sexually transmitted infection (STI) control strategies.
Ceramium cormacii sp. nov. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta), a new Mediterranean species epizoic on loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)
Authors: Serio Donatella , Catra Marcello , Collodoro Daria , Nisi Alessandro 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Ceramium cormacii is newly described based on both vegetative and tetrasporangial features of specimens growing on loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Mediterranean Sea. The new species is characterised by both prostrate and erect axes (9–12 mm high), dichotomously to pseudo-dichotomously branched with apices straight or slightly incurved, attached to the substratum by unicellular rhizoids often terminating in multicellular pads, incomplete cortication formed by one to three rows of acropetal cells, five to six periaxial cells, and tetrahedral tetrasporangia produced by periaxial cells, strongly protruding and partially involucrated.
A new soy flour-polyepoxide adhesive system for making interior plywood
Authors: Huang Jian , Li Chunhong , Li Kaichang 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
In this study, triglycidylamine (TGA) was synthesized and evaluated as a crosslinking agent for soy flour (SF) for making five-ply plywood from yellow poplar. Glycerol polyglycidyl ether (GPE) and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TTE) were also investigated as crosslinking agents for SF as adhesive for plywood. The plywood panels bonded with SF-TGA and SF-GPE adhesives did meet and those with SF-TTE adhesive did not meet the water-resistance requirement for interior application. The former two adhesives are formaldehyde-free, environmentally friendly, easy to use and readily available. They can be derived completely from renewable materials. The adhesion mechanisms are discussed in detail.
A Semi-analytical Solution of 1-D Diffusion–Convection Equation with Variable Convection Velocity
Authors: Jia Xinfeng 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Solvent-based EOR techniques, such as vapour extraction (VAPEX) and miscible/near-miscible flooding, have been studied and applied in petroleum industry. Diffusion–convection mass-transfer process is one of the most important EOR mechanisms in these techniques. This paper develops an accurate semi-analytical solution to a 1-D diffusion-convection mass-transfer model. The velocity term in the diffusion–convection equation has been assumed as a constant in previous works. This assumption is actually not valid in the solvent-based miscible flooding, since the velocity is a function of local viscosity and density, both of which depend on the local concentration. In this study, the spatially and temporally varying convection velocity is rigorously simulated through an accurate semi-analytical approach. First, we consider a sequence of time steps. In each time step, the convection velocity varies with space. Then the spatially varying velocity profile is divided into multiple sections. The velocity profile in each section is approximated with a linear function, so that the analytical solution for the diffusion-convection equation in each section can be obtained in Laplace domain. Then, the solutions in all sections are couped together and solved to obtain the mass-transfer rate through which the concentration distribution can be computed. Finally, a new convection velocity profile can be acquired by using Darcy's law for the next time step. The semianalytical solution is validated by an analytical solution for a special hyperbolic velocity case. In comparison with the numerical solution, the semi-analytical result is free from truncation error and numerical dispersion, thus it is more accurate and more reliable in computing the concentration distributions. The proposed method can be used in streamline simulation, or coupled with other functions to improve the simulation of solvent-based EOR techniques.