bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparticipation screening and prevention of sudden cardiac death in athletes: Implications for primary care
Authors: Morse Emily , Funk Marjorie 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPurposes: The purposes of this article are to explore the mechanism of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes and examine how preparticipation screenings help identify precipitating cardiac abnormalities. Electrocardiogram (ECG) testing has been implicated to play an important role in detecting subtle abnormalities that may cause SCD, but the routine implementation of this diagnostic tool remains a debate among experts.Data sources: This report was compiled by reviewing the scientific literature on SCD in athletes, preparticipation exams, and current screening guidelines using CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed search engines.Conclusions: Although the American Heart Association guidelines do not include ECG testing for preparticipation screenings, the implementation of routine ECG testing for preparticipation sports physicals is effective in preventing SCD in athletes.Implications for practice: Primary care providers should be aware of current guidelines for screening patients for heart diseases that predispose them to SCD and their legal obligations to be sure these athletes are safe. The implementation of ECG testing will assist in the decision whether to disqualify an athlete from participation as a result of preexisting cardiac conditions, and ultimately preventing the untimely death of a young athlete.
The roles of self‐efficacy and pretest counseling in type 2 herpes simplex virus screening in asymptomatic adults
Authors: Freeman Matthew , Zychowicz Michael , Feldman Gary , Gordon Shelley 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the role of counseling for patients undergoing screening for type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV‐2). Using pre‐ and post‐screening questionnaires, we evaluated correlations between demographic factors, measures of self‐efficacy and follow‐through with the screening test, and willingness to take antiviral medication and share results with sexual partners.Data sources: Subjects (N= 115) were recruited as part of usual care at a private, urban family practice. A total of 111 subjects completed pre‐screening questionnaires, and 38 completed post‐screening questionnaires.Conclusions: The overwhelming majority of participants were (a) willing to undergo screening; (b) take suppressive antiviral medication if necessary; (c) share their results with sexual partners; and (d) consider safer sexual practices as a consequence of screening. Older patients were less willing to consider daily antiviral medication. Men who have sex with men (MSM) had lower perceived susceptibility to HSV‐2 but were more likely to undergo and report screening.Implications for practice: Future research should include predictive models for determining the most appropriate patients to screen for HSV‐2 and best practices for those who test positive. Shared decision making between patients and advanced practice nurses regarding the risks and benefits of screening for HSV‐2 should be a component visits that include sexually transmitted disease screening. Particular attention should be paid to those at higher risk for contracting the virus, including patients with HIV and MSM.
Neuromyelitis optica shows hypermetabolism in 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography
Authors: Kawai Motoharu , Shimizu Fumitaka , Omoto Masatoshi , Ogasawara Jun‐Ichi , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Kanda Takashi 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNeuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an idiopathic severe necrotic inflammatory disease that mainly causes optic neuritis and myelopathy. Although it usually shows typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the spinal lesions in NMO might sometimes mimic neoplasms or multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques. We present two NMO patients who showed marked hypermetabolism using 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging at spinal cord lesions, corresponding to the gadolinium‐enhanced site. As MS plaques typically show hypometabolism, FDG‐PET imaging might be a useful and specific tool for the differential diagnosis of MS and NMO. Furthermore, NMO lesions should not be misdiagnosed as neoplasms simply because of the presence of hypermetabolism in FDG‐PET imaging. (Clin. Exp. Neuroimmunol. doi: 10.1111/j.1759‐1961.2011.00026.x, 2012)
Poverty and Violent Conflict: A Micro‐Level Perspective on the Causes and Duration of Warfare
Authors: Justino Patricia 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThis paper discusses how endogenous mechanisms linking processes of violent conflict and the economic well‐being of individuals and households in combat areas provide valuable micro foundations to the ongoing debate on the causes and duration of armed conflict. Notably, the endogenous relationship between conflict processes and household economic status leads to the emergence of symbiotic associations between armed groups and households living in areas they control that affect substantially the probability of a conflict starting and its effectiveness thereafter. Households in conflict areas draw on local armed groups to protect their economic status when anticipating violence and during the conflict, while armed groups make use of different levels of (either reluctant or voluntary) participation, support and cooperation from local populations to advance their strategic objectives at the onset and throughout the conflict. The level of household participation at the start and during the conflict is a function of two interdependent variables, namely household vulnerability to poverty and household vulnerability to violence. The poorer the household is at the start of the conflict, the higher is the probability of the household participating and supporting an armed group. The higher the risk of violence, the higher is the probability of the household participating and supporting armed groups. The interaction between these two variables varies with the conflict itself and is defined by the direct and indirect effects of conflict‐induced violence on the economic behaviour and decisions of households in combat areas.
Social Protection in Myanmar: Making the Case for Holistic Policy Reform
Authors: Nishino Yoshimi , Koehler Gabriele 
Published: January 2012

SummaryMyanmar is a country with a very low per capita income and distressing failures in nutrition, health, education, and others areas of social development. Currently, there appears to be some political softening, and in the realm of policymaking, a series of adaptations have been gradually introduced over the past three years. This paper examines vulnerability and poverty dynamics in the country and its evolving social protection framework. Building on pertinent regional examples, the paper makes the case for holistic social protection policy responses in the domains of social transfers for livelihood support and access to finance, education and health access, child protection, protection from exclusion, and as an emergency response. The outlook argues that comprehensive inclusive and ultimately transformative social protection needs to be introduced and could be within reach, as an integral part of deeper systemic reform in Myanmar.
Mapping Police Services in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Institutional Interactions at Central, Provincial and Local Levels
Authors: Nlandu Thierry Mayamba 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThis paper examines the roles, responsibilities and interactions between the various formal and informal institutions and stakeholders involved in the management of police services in the DRC. It identifies informal networks that influence decision‐making processes and policy implementation, and provides an analysis of interactions between the Congolese population and national and international actors. It also aims to highlight both horizontal and vertical accountability mechanisms within the existing legal framework, setting out to identify any legal gaps and contradictions, which could explain overlapping mandates.The study provides interesting geographical and administrative data on national security systems, and uses a multidimensional governance approach to understand the complexity of the security sector and the interconnectedness between the relevant actors.The study concludes that stakeholders of the security and police sectors of the DRC are linked together in a web of complex and dynamic systems, characterised by discrepancies between theory and practice. It is inaccurate to think of these systems and mechanisms as working either in opposition to one another or in parallel. In fact, these systems intertwine more than they conflict, and there are significant overlaps and confusion with regard to the mandates of the existing institutions, structures and actors involved. All security services in the DRC possess a legal framework within which they must operate. The legal contradictions and loopholes identified in this paper are often the result of dubious interpretations, or even deliberate misinterpretations of existing operational provisions underlying the functioning of security services.The research concludes that there is very poor coordination between the various actors and institutions involved in the management of security services in the DRC. This creates a dysfunctional structure characterised by a culture of impunity, with only a semblance of autonomy and independence among actors, but never with regard to senior civil servants in charge of coordination.
On the Driving Mechanism of the Annual Cycle of the Florida Current Transport
Authors: Czeschel Lars , Eden Carsten , Greatbatch Richard J. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The mechanisms involved in setting the annual cycle of the Florida Current transport are revisited using an adjoint model approach. Adjoint sensitivities of the Florida Current transport to wind stress reproduce a realistic seasonal cycle with an amplitude of ~1.2 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). The annual cycle is predominantly determined by wind stress forcing and related coastal upwelling (downwelling) north of the Florida Strait along the shelf off the North American coast. Fast barotropic waves propagate these anomalies southward and reach the Florida Strait within a month, causing an amplitude of ~1 Sv. Long baroclinic planetary Rossby waves originating from the interior are responsible for an amplitude of ~0.8 Sv but have a different phase. The sensitivities corresponding to the first baroclinic mode propagate westward and are highly influenced by topography. Considerable sensitivities are only found west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, with maximum values at the western shelf edge. The second baroclinic mode also has an impact on the Florida Current variability, but only when a mean flow is present. A second-mode wave train propagates southwestward from the ocean bottom on the western side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between ~36° and 46°N and at Flemish Cap, where the mean flow interacts with topography, to the surface. Other processes such as baroclinic waves along the shelf and local forcing within the Florida Strait are of minor importance.
On the Response of a Buoyant Plume to Downwelling-Favorable Wind Stress
Authors: Moffat Carlos , Lentz Steven 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Here, the response of a coastally trapped buoyant plume to downwelling-favorable wind forcing is explored using a simplified two-dimensional numerical model and a prognostic theory for the resulting width, depth, and density anomaly and along-shelf transport of the plume. Consistent with the numerical simulations, the analytical model shows that the wind causes mixing of the plume water and that the forced cross-shelf circulation can also generate significant deepening and surface narrowing, as well as increased along-shelf transport. The response is due to a combination of the purely advective process that leads to the steepening of the isopycnals and the entrainment of ambient water into the plume. The advective component depends on the initial plume geometry: plumes that have a large fraction of their total width in contact with the bottom (“bottom trapped”) suffer relatively small depth and width changes compared to plumes that have a large fraction of their total width detached from the bottom (“surface trapped”). Key theoretical parameters are Wγ/Wα, the ratio of the width of the plume detached from the bottom to the width of the plume in contact with it, and the ratio of the wind-generated mixed layer δe to the initial plume depth hp, which determines the amount of water initially entrained into the plume. The model results also show that the cross-shelf circulation can be strongly influenced by the wind-driven response in combination with the geostrophic shear of the plume. The continuous entrainment into the plume, as well as transient events, is also discussed.
Source and Pathway of the Western Arctic Upper Halocline in a Data-Constrained Coupled Ocean and Sea Ice Model
Authors: Nguyen An T. , Kwok Ronald , Menemenlis Dimitris 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
A coupled ocean and sea ice model is used to investigate dense water (DW) formation in the Chukchi and Bering shelves and the pathways by which this water feeds the upper halocline. Two 1992–2008 data-constrained solutions at 9- and 4-km horizontal grid spacing show that 1) winter sea ice growth results in brine rejection and DW formation; 2) the DW flows primarily down Barrow and Central–Herald Canyons in the form of bottom-trapped, intermittent currents to depths of 50–150 m from the late winter to late summer seasons; and 3) eddies with diameters ~ 30 km carry the cold DW from the shelf break into the Canada Basin interior at depths of 50–150 m. The 4-km data-constrained solution does not show eddy transport across the Chukchi Shelf at shallow depths; instead, advection of DW downstream of polynya regions is driven by a strong (~0.1 m s−1) mean current on the Chukchi Shelf. Upper halocline water (UHW) formation rate was obtained from two methods: one is based on satellite data and on a simple parameterized approach, and the other is computed from the authors’ model solution. The two methods yield 5740 ±1420 km3 yr−1 and 4190–4860 ±1440 km3 yr−1, respectively. These rates imply a halocline replenishment period of 10–21 yr. Passive tracers also show that water with highest density forms in the Gulf of Anadyr and along the eastern Siberian coast immediately north of the Bering Strait. These results provide a coherent picture of the seasonal development of UHW at high spatial and temporal resolutions and serve as a guide for improving understanding of water-mass formation in the western Arctic Ocean.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in SHSY5Y cells exposed to okadaic acid by suppression subtractive hybridization
Authors: Valdiglesias Vanessa , Fernández-Tajes Juan , Pásaro Eduardo , Méndez Josefina , Laffon Blanca 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Okadaic acid (OA), a toxin produced by several dinoflagellate species is responsible for frequent food poisonings associated to shellfish consumption. Although several studies have documented the OA effects on different processes such as cell transformation, apoptosis, DNA repair or embryogenesis, the molecular mechanistic basis for these and other effects is not completely understood and the number of controversial data on OA is increasing in the literature.

Results
In this study, we used suppression subtractive hybridization in SHSY5Y cells to identify genes that are differentially expressed after OA exposure for different times (3, 24 and 48 h). A total of 247 subtracted clones which shared high homology with known genes were isolated. Among these, 5 specific genes associated with cytoskeleton and neurotransmission processes (NEFM, TUBB, SEPT7, SYT4 and NPY) were selected to confirm their expression levels by real-time PCR. Significant down-regulation of these genes was obtained at the short term (3 and 24 h OA exposure), excepting for NEFM, but their expression was similar to the controls at 48 h.

Conclusions
From all the obtained genes, 114 genes were up-regulated and 133 were down-regulated. Based on the NCBI GenBank and Gene Ontology databases, most of these genes are involved in relevant cell functions such as metabolism, transport, translation, signal transduction and cell cycle. After quantitative PCR analysis, the observed underexpression of the selected genes could underlie the previously reported OA-induced cytoskeleton disruption, neurotransmission alterations and in vivo neurotoxic effects. The basal expression levels obtained at 48 h suggested that surviving cells were able to recover from OA-caused gene expression alterations.
Combining SNP discovery from next-generation sequencing data with bulked segregant analysis (BSA) to fine-map genes in polyploid wheat
Authors: Trick Martin , Adamski Nikolai Maria , Mugford Sarah G , Jiang Cong-Cong , Febrer Melanie , Uauy Cristobal 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are providing new ways to accelerate fine-mapping and gene isolation in many species. To date, the majority of these efforts have focused on diploid organisms with readily available whole genome sequence information. In this study, as a proof of concept, we tested the use of NGS for SNP discovery in tetraploid wheat lines differing for the previously cloned grain protein content (GPC) gene GPC-B1. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was used to define a subset of putative SNPs within the candidate gene region, which were then used to fine-map GPC-B1.

Results
We used Illumina paired end technology to sequence mRNA (RNAseq) from near isogenic lines differing across a ~30-cM interval including the GPC-B1 locus. After discriminating for SNPs between the two homoeologous wheat genomes and additional quality filtering, we identified inter-varietal SNPs in wheat unigenes between the parental lines. The relative frequency of these SNPs was examined by RNAseq in two bulked samples made up of homozygous recombinant lines differing for their GPC phenotype. SNPs that were enriched at least 3-fold in the corresponding pool (6.5% of all SNPs) were further evaluated. Marker assays were designed for a subset of the enriched SNPs and mapped using DNA from individuals of each bulk. Thirty nine new SNP markers, corresponding to 67% of the validated SNPs, mapped across a 12.2-cM interval including GPC-B1. This translated to 1 SNP marker per 0.31 cM defining the GPC-B1 gene to within 13-18 genes in syntenic cereal genomes and to a 0.4 cM interval in wheat.

Conclusions
This study exemplifies the use of RNAseq for SNP discovery in polyploid species and supports the use of BSA as an effective way to target SNPs to specific genetic intervals to fine-map genes in unsequenced genomes.
Prediction of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ (CIN2+) using HPV DNA testing after a diagnosis of atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASC-US) in Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Ibáñez Raquel , Moreno-Crespi Judit , Sardà Montserrat , Autonell Josefina , Fibla Montserrat , Gutiérrez Cristina , Lloveras Belen , Alejo María , Català Isabel , Alameda Francesc , Casas Miquel , Bosch F Xavier , de Sanjosé Silvia 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
A protocol for cervical cancer screening among sexually active women 25 to 65 years of age was introduced in 2006 in Catalonia, Spain to increase coverage and to recommend a 3-year-interval between screening cytology. In addition, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) was offered as a triage test for women with a diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). HPV testing was recommended within 3 months of ASC-US diagnosis. According to protocol, HPV negative women were referred to regular screening including a cytological exam every 3 years while HPV positive women were referred to colposcopy and closer follow-up. We evaluated the implementation of the protocol and the prediction of HPV testing as a triage tool for cervical intraepithelial lesions grade two or worse (CIN2+) in women with a cytological diagnosis of ASC-US.

Methods
During 2007-08 a total of 611 women from five reference laboratories in Catalonia with a novel diagnosis of ASC-US were referred for high risk HPV (hrHPV) triage using high risk Hybrid Capture version 2. Using routine record linkage data, women were followed for 3 years to evaluate hrHPV testing efficacy for predicting CIN2+ cases. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio for CIN2 +.

Results
Among the 611 women diagnosed with ASC-US, 493 (80.7%) had at least one follow-up visit during the study period. hrHPV was detected in 48.3% of the women at study entry (mean age 35.2 years). hrHPV positivity decreased with increasing age from 72.6% among women younger than 25 years to 31.6% in women older than 54 years (p < 0.01).
At the end of the 3 years follow-up period, 37 women with a diagnosis of CIN2+ (18 CIN2, 16 CIN3, 2 cancers, and 1 with high squamous intraepithelial lesions -HSIL) were identified and all but one had a hrHPV positive test at study entry. Sensitivity to detect CIN2+ of hrHPV was 97.2% (95%confidence interval (CI) = 85.5-99.9) and specificity was 68.3% (95%CI = 63.1-73.2). The odds ratio for CIN2+ was 45.3 (95% CI: 6.2-333.0), when among ASC-US hrHPV positive women were compared to ASC-US hrHPV negative women.

Conclusions
Triage of ASC-US with hrHPV testing showed a high sensitivity for the detection of CIN2+ and a high negative predictive value after 3 years of follow-up. The results of this study are in line with the current guidelines for triage of women with ASC-US in the target age range of 25-65. Non adherence to guidelines will lead to unnecessary medical interventions. Further investigation is needed to improve specificity of ASC-US triage.
Multi-locus stepwise regression: a haplotype-based algorithm for finding genetic associations applied to atopic dermatitis
Authors: Knüppel Sven , Esparza-Gordillo Jorge , Marenholz Ingo , Holzhütter Hermann-Georg , Bauerfeind Anja , Ruether Andreas , Weidinger Stephan , Lee Young-Ae , Rohde Klaus 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide an increasing number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with diseases. Our aim is to exploit those closely spaced SNPs in candidate regions for a deeper analysis of association beyond single SNP analysis, combining the classical stepwise regression approach with haplotype analysis to identify risk haplotypes for complex diseases.

Methods
Our proposed multi-locus stepwise regression starts with an evaluation of all pair-wise SNP combinations and then extends each SNP combination stepwise by one SNP from the region, carrying out haplotype regression in each step. The best associated haplotype patterns are kept for the next step and must be corrected for multiple testing at the end. These haplotypes should also be replicated in an independent data set. We applied the method to a region of 259 SNPs from the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) on chromosome 1q21 of a German GWAS using a case control set (1,914 individuals) and to 268 families with at least two affected children as replication.

Results
A 4-SNP haplotype pattern with high statistical significance in the case control set (p = 4.13 × 10-7 after Bonferroni correction) could be identified which remained significant in the family set after Bonferroni correction (p = 0.0398). Further analysis revealed that this pattern reflects mainly the effect of the well-known FLG gene; however, a FLG-independent haplotype in case control set (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.32-2.23, p = 5.6 × 10-5) and family set (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.18-2.38, p = 2.19 × 10-3) could be found in addition.

Conclusion
Our approach is a useful tool for finding allele combinations associated with diseases beyond single SNP analysis in chromosomal candidate regions.