bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and hormone use: new validation results of MRS scale
Authors: Dinger Jürgen , Zimmermann Thomas , Heinemann Lothar AJ , Stoehr Diana 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
The Menopause Rating Scale is a health-related Quality of Life scale developed in the early 1990s and step-by-step validated since then. Recently the MRS scale was validated as outcomes measure for hormone therapy. The suspicion however was expressed that the data were too optimistic due to methodological problems of the study. A new study became available to check how founded this suspicion was.

Method
An open post-marketing study of 3282 women with pre- and post- treatment data of the self-administered version of the MRS scale was analyzed to evaluate the capacity of the scale to detect hormone treatment related effects with the MRS scale. The main results were then compared with the old study where the interview-based version of the MRS scale was used.

Results
The hormone-therapy related improvement of complaints relative to the baseline score was about or less than 30% in total or domain scores, whereas it exceeded 30% improvement in the old study. Similarly, the relative improvement after therapy, stratified by the degree of severity at baseline, was lower in the new than in the old study, but had the same slope. Although we cannot exclude different treatment effects with the study method used, this supports our hypothesis that the individual MRS interviews performed by the physician biased the results towards over-estimation of the treatment effects. This hypothesis is underlined by the degree of concordance of physician's assessment and patient's perception of treatment success (MRS results): Sensitivity (correct prediction of the positive assessment by the treating physician) of the MRS and specificity (correct prediction of a negative assessment by the physician) were lower than the results obtained with the interview-based MRS scale in the previous publication.

Conclusion
The study confirmed evidence for the capacity of the MRS scale to measure treatment effects on quality of life across the full range of severity of complaints before treatment. The difference of the relative improvement after therapy between the old and current study as well as the observed different sensitivity/specificity is – as a matter of probability – more likely to be caused by a bias introduced by the different application of the MRS scale than by real differences in the efficacy of the therapy. A randomized clinical trial would be needed to test the impact of the latter. The message for future studies is: The MRS scale should be only used as self-administered tool where the suggestive effect of questions raised by health professionals ("therapeutic optimism") can be largely excluded.
PI3K signaling and miRNA expression during the response of quiescent human fibroblasts to distinct proliferative stimuli
Authors: Gu Jian , Iyer Vishwanath R 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Background
Serum treatment of quiescent human dermal fibroblasts induces proliferation, coupled with a complex physiological response that is indicative of their normal role in wound-healing. However, it is not known to what extent such complex transcriptional events are specific to a given cell type and signal, and how these global changes are coordinately regulated. We have profiled the global transcriptional program of human fibroblasts from two different tissue sources to distinct growth stimuli, and identified a striking conservation in their gene-expression signatures.

Results
We found that the wound-healing program of gene expression was not specific to the response of dermal fibroblasts to serum but was regulated more broadly. However, there were specific differences among different stimuli with regard to signaling pathways that mediate these transcriptional programs. Our data suggest that the PI3-kinase pathway is differentially involved in mediating the responses of cells to serum as compared with individual peptide growth factors. Expression profiling indicated that let7 and other miRNAs with similar expression profiles may be involved in regulating the transcriptional program in response to proliferative signals.

Conclusion
This study provides insights into how different stimuli use distinct as well as conserved signaling and regulatory mechanisms to mediate genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming during cell proliferation. Our results indicate that conservation of transcriptional programs and their regulation among different cell types may be much broader than previously appreciated.
Dynamics of CD81 expression on lymphocyte subsets during interferon-α-based antiviral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Kronenberger Bernd , Herrmann Eva , Hofmann W Peter , Wedemeyer Heiner , Sester Martina , Mihm Ulrike , Ghaliai Temam , Zeuzem Stefan , Sarrazin Christoph 
Published: May 2006

AbstractCD81 is a hepatitis C virus (HCV) coreceptor with important functions in lymphocytes. During treatment, CD81 expression may be changed directly by the antiviral therapy or indirectly by reduction of the HCV serum level. The regulation of CD81 on lymphocyte subtypes has not been investigated so far and may be relevant for the control of viral infection and treatment response. CD81 was analyzed by flow cytometry in CD8(+), CD4(+), CD19(+), and CD56(+) lymphocyte subtypes from 20 patients with chronic hepatitis C before, during, and after antiviral treatment with pegylated interferon-α (IFN-α) and ribavirin. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was achieved in 11 patients. Dynamics of CD81 were investigated in correlation with HCV-RNA dynamics and the outcome of therapy. During treatment, the following typical patterns of CD81 regulation were observed: down-regulation on CD8(+) T cells (P=0.022) and most significantly, on CD56(+) natural killer cells (P&lt;0.001), transient up-regulation on CD19(+) B cells (P=0.006), and weak and late down-regulation on CD4(+) T cells (P=0.028). During treatment, CD81 expression was not associated with the HCV-RNA serum level on all lymphocyte subtypes. After end of treatment, CD81 increased again in CD8(+) and CD56(+) cells (P=0.001, P=0.002). On CD8(+) T cells post-treatment, CD81 remained lower in patients who achieved a SVR compared with patients who failed to eliminate HCV after treatment (P=0.033). Lymphocyte subsets show different patterns of CD81 response before and during antiviral treatment, which are associated with administration of IFN-α and antiviral response.
Health-Related Quality of Life Among Child and Adolescent Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Authors: Speechley Kathy N. , Barrera Maru , Shaw Amanda K. , Morrison Howard I. , Maunsell Elizabeth 
Published: May 2006

Purpose The main objective was to compare parent-reported health-related quality of life (HRQL) of child and adolescent survivors of childhood cancer to that of controls who had no history of cancer. Methods We assessed HRQL of 800 child and adolescent survivors younger than 16 years and 923 randomly selected, age- and sex-matched controls from the general population in a national multicenter retrospective cohort study using the Child Health Questionnaire parent report. Participation was 69% among survivors and 57% among controls. Results Survivors had means that were consistently lower than controls on the HRQL physical summary (PH; 49.9 v 55.3; P <.005), psychosocial summary (PS; 49.4 v 52.6; P < .005), and all but one of the eight subscale scores. Clinically important survivor-control differences in means on PH were found for survivors of CNS tumors, bone tumors, lymphoma, leukemia, soft tissue sarcoma and Wilms' tumor (differences: −8.7, −7.0, −6.3, −5.4, −4.4, −3.8/100, respectively); on PS, survivors of CNS tumors were most compromised (−6.1/100). Survivor-control differences in both PH and PS were also large for survivors treated with radiation only (−5.8 and −11.9/100, respectively), or radiation combined with surgery (−6.6 and −5.9/100, respectively), or radiation combined with both surgery and chemotherapy (−7.8 and −5.1/100, respectively). Cranial radiation was associated with the most compromised HRQL. Conclusion According to parents, HRQL for survivors was somewhat poorer, overall, than for controls. Survivors of CNS tumors, lymphoma, and leukemia and those patients treated with cranial radiation were reported to have poorest HRQL. These findings support development of guidelines for levels of follow-up care for particular groups of survivors.
Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitors for Early Breast Cancer After Chemotherapy-Induced Amenorrhoea: Caution and Suggested Guidelines
Authors: Smith Ian E. , Dowsett Mitch , Yap Yoon-Sim , Walsh Geraldine , Lønning Per E. , Santen Richard J. , Hayes Daniel 
Published: May 2006

Purpose Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are now established as adjuvant therapy for early hormone receptor–positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Their use is sometimes extended to younger women after chemotherapy-induced amenorrhoea; we have audited this in one institution's breast unit, and we propose guidelines for use in such circumstances. Patients and Methods The use of aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant therapy in younger women age ≥ 40 with hormone receptor–positive early breast cancer and chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea has been audited clinically and biochemically. Results A total of 45 such women were identified in the audit, with a median age of 47 years (range, 39 to 52 years). Twelve women (27%) showed a return of ovarian function (10 renewed menses, one pregnancy, one biochemically premenopausal) after starting an AI. Median age at restart of ovarian function was 44 years (range, 40 to 50 years). Conclusion AIs may promote recovery of ovarian function in some women with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea and should be used with caution. Biochemical monitoring of ovarian function requires highly sensitive immunoassays. Guidelines for the selection and delivery of adjuvant endocrine therapy in such patients are proposed.
Continuous Methimazole Therapy and Its Effect on the Cure Rate of Hyperthyroidism Using Radioactive Iodine: An Evaluation by a Randomized Trial
Authors: Bonnema Steen Joop , Bennedbæk Finn Noe , Veje Annegrete , Marving Jens , Hegedüs Laszlo 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Background: A randomized clinical trial was performed to clarify whether continuous use of methimazole (MTZ) during radioiodine (131I) therapy influences the final outcome of this therapy.
Design: Consecutive patients with Graves’ disease (n = 30) or a toxic nodular goiter (n = 45) were rendered euthyroid by MTZ and randomized to stop MTZ 8 d before 131I (−MTZ; n = 36) or to continue MTZ until 4 wk after 131I (+MTZ; n = 39). Calculation of the 131I activity included an assessment of the 131I half-life and the thyroid volume.
Results: The 24-h thyroid 131I uptake was lower in the +MTZ group than in the −MTZ group (44.8 ± 15.6% vs. 62.1 ± 9.9%, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). At 3 wk after therapy, no significant change in serum free T4 index was observed in the +MTZ group (109 ± 106 vs. 83 ± 28 nmol/liter at baseline; P = 0.26), contrasting an increase in the −MTZ group (180 ± 110 vs. 82 ± 26 nmol/liter; P &lt; 0.001). The number of cured patients was 17 (44%) and 22 (61%) in the +MTZ and −MTZ groups, respectively (P = 0.17). Cured patients tended to have a lower 24-h thyroid 131I uptake (50.1 ± 13.8% vs. 56.4 ± 17.1%; P = 0.09). By adjusting for a possible interfactorial relationship through a regression analysis (variables: randomization, 24- and 96-h thyroid 131I uptake, type and duration of disease, age, gender, presence of antithyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroid volume, dose of MTZ), only the continuous use of MTZ correlated with treatment failure (P = 0.006), whereas a low 24-h thyroid 131I uptake predicted a better outcome (P = 0.006).
Conclusion: Continuous use of MTZ hinders an excessive increase of the thyroid hormones during 131I therapy of hyperthyroid diseases. However, such a strategy seems to reduce the final cure rate, although this adverse effect paradoxically is attenuated by the concomitant reduction of the thyroid 131I uptake.
Difference in Risks of Allergic Reaction to Sulfonamide Drugs Based on Chemical Structure
Authors: Verdel B Marianne , Souverein Patrick C , Egberts Antoine CG , Leufkens Hubert GM 
Published: May 2006

Background: The chemical structure of sulfonamide antibiotics and sulfonamide nonantibiotics can affect the potential for adverse reactions. Objective: To assess whether differences in chemical structure of the various sulfonamide drugs influence the risk of allergic events. Methods: A case–control study was conducted among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) using data from the General Practice Research Database. Cases were defined as patients with a diagnosis of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction. The date of the last event was the index date. Controls were matched on practice, type of DM, and index date. Current use of sulfonamides was defined as use in a 14 day time window before the index date. Sulfonamides were classified according to the presence/absence of an N1 substituent (N1+/-) and/or an arylamine (N4+/-). Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate strength of association and expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Overall, current use of N1+ N4+ sulfonamide drugs was associated with the outcome (adjusted OR 3.71; 95% Cl 1.40 to 9.81). Current use of N1+ N4- and N1- N4- sulfonamide drugs was also associated with the occurrence of allergic reactions, although not as strongly: adjusted OR 2.48 (95% Cl 2.12 to 2.89) and 2.07 (95% Cl 1.74 to 2.46), respectively. Sex and age seemed to be effect modifiers. There was no clear evidence for effect modification by immune disease state. Conclusions: Although we did not identify major differences between the groups, we believe that this approach is an innovative manner to examine adverse drug reactions by using chemical structure instead of therapeutic drug classes to classify exposure.
A Combined Multiple‐Regression and Bioenergetics Model for Simulating Fish Growth in Length and Condition
Authors: Bajer Przemyslaw G. , Hayward Robert S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe determined the relationships between the length relative growth rate (LRGR) and weight relative growth rate (WRGR) in white crappies Pomoxis annularis of various sizes (35–399 g) and condition factors (relative weight [Wr] range, 73–109) grown at varying rates via the manipulation of ration in eight 60‐d laboratory experiments. The WRGR alone explained 63% of the variation in LRGR. However, the slope (β1) of the LRGR–WRGR relationship varied with white crappie Wr and body weight; β1 increased exponentially with Wr and declined as a power function of weight. A multiple‐regression (MR) model that predicted LRGR from WRGR, Wr, and fish weight was constructed (R2 = 0.77; P < 0.0001) and combined with an existing white crappie bioenergetics model (BEM) that was originally capable of predicting growth in terms of weight only. Output from the BEM provided input to the MR model in each modeling time step. Independent evaluations showed that the combined BEM–MR model accurately predicted the observed trajectories of white crappie growth in length (±2.1%) and Wr (±4.1 units) from daily predictions of fish weight and length over 60‐d periods. The combined BEM–MR model was initiated with a fish's day‐1 observed weight, length, and Wr values and was run continuously (without resetting values) for full‐experiment durations by use of previous‐day outputs as inputs for next‐day predictions. The demonstrated capacity to adapt an existing BEM to accurately simulate a fish species' growth in length and change in condition, in addition to growth in weight, is expected to substantially expand the scope of application of BEMs in fisheries management and aquatic ecology.
Comparison of Adult Steelhead Migrations in the Mid‐Columbia Hydrosystem and in Large Naturally Flowing British Columbia Rivers
Authors: English K. K. , Robichaud D. , Sliwinski C. , Alexander R. F. , Koski W. R. , Nelson T. C. , Nass B. L. , Bickford S. A. , Hammond S. , Mosey T. R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe migration of 1,263 adult radio‐tagged steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss was assessed in the Nass, Skeena, Bella Coola, Fraser, and mid‐Columbia rivers from 1993 to 2001. Of the summer‐run steelhead tagged in the mid‐Columbia River, 80–87% eventually continued their upstream migration after being tagged, and 87–90% of those were detected in spawning areas. Similar results were seen for summer‐run steelhead tracked on the Nass and Skeena rivers. Mid‐Columbia summer‐run steelhead stocks that passed five dams en route to their spawning destinations (Methow and Okanogan rivers) traveled at a median rate of 20 km/d, which exceeded the median rates for summer‐run steelhead tracked on the Nass (3.8 km/d) and Skeena rivers (12–16 km/d). The upstream migration rates were best explained by river gradient and distance of the study area from the ocean. When the effects of river gradient and reach location were taken into account, impoundment was still a significant factor increasing the upstream migration speeds of summer‐run steelhead. Kelting speeds varied widely among rivers and did not appear to be a function of gradient.
Observer Error Structure in Bull Trout Redd Counts in Montana Streams: Implications for Inference on True Redd Numbers
Authors: Muhlfeld Clint C. , Taper Mark L. , Staples David F. , Shepard Bradley B. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractDespite the widespread use of redd counts to monitor trends in salmonid populations, few studies have evaluated the uncertainties in observed counts. We assessed the variability in redd counts for migratory bull trout Salvelinus confluentus among experienced observers in Lion and Goat creeks, which are tributaries to the Swan River, Montana. We documented substantially lower observer variability in bull trout redd counts than did previous studies. Observer counts ranged from 78% to 107% of our best estimates of true redd numbers in Lion Creek and from 90% to 130% of our best estimates in Goat Creek. Observers made both errors of omission and errors of false identification, and we modeled this combination by use of a binomial probability of detection and a Poisson count distribution of false identifications. Redd detection probabilities were high (mean = 83%) and exhibited no significant variation among observers (SD = 8%). We applied this error structure to annual redd counts in the Swan River basin (1982–2004) to correct for observer error and thus derived more accurate estimates of redd numbers and associated confidence intervals. Our results indicate that bias in redd counts can be reduced if experienced observers are used to conduct annual redd counts. Future studies should assess both sources of observer error to increase the validity of using redd counts for inferring true redd numbers in different basins. This information will help fisheries biologists to more precisely monitor population trends, identify recovery and extinction thresholds for conservation and recovery programs, ascertain and predict how management actions influence distribution and abundance, and examine effects of recovery and restoration activities.
Early Cellular Responses in Cortical Bone Healing Around Unloaded Titanium Implants: An Animal Study
Authors: Slaets Elke , Carmeliet Geert , Naert Ignace , Duyck Joke 
Published: May 2006

Background: A clear understanding of the early cellular events leading to osseointegration of implants is currently lacking. To gain better insight, titanium implants were inserted in a rabbit model and histologic and histomorphometric analyses were performed at early time points after insertion.Methods: Thirty‐six cylindrical implants were inserted in the tibial diaphysis of six rabbits and left to heal for 1 to 42 days. Samples were processed into paraffin or methylmethacrylate sections, on which the surface of new bone, region of altered nuclear morphology, relative surface of basic multicellular units (BMUs) and blood vessels, and bone‐to‐implant contact were measured.Results: After coagulum formation, osteoclasts and osteoblasts were observed at the bone surface 1 week after healing. In the preexisting bone, osteocytic lacunae appeared to be devoid of cells. This region of altered nuclear morphology continued to extend for 28 days (P <0.05) after implant insertion. This expansion was accompanied by an invasion of the damaged bone by BMUs that initiated intensive bone remodeling, which reached its maximum after 4 weeks (P <0.05) but was ongoing after 6 weeks of implant insertion.Conclusions: This study evaluated the early cellular events in cortical bone surrounding titanium implants. The insertion of an implant into bone initiates a series of biologic processes, including the formation of a hematoma, altered nuclear morphology of the osteocytes surrounding the implantation site, intensive bone remodeling, and the formation of new bone, eventually leading to the osseointegration of the implant.
The Gene Expression Profile in Refractory Periodontitis Patients
Authors: Kim David M. , Ramoni Marco F. , Nevins Myron , Fiorellini Joseph P. 
Published: May 2006

Background: There are no specific bacterial profiles or diagnostic tests capable of identifying refractory periodontitis patients before a treatment regimen is initiated. Therefore, in this high‐risk cohort of patients who do not respond appropriately, host factors that might be partly under genetic control may play a crucial role in their susceptibility. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that patients with refractory periodontitis have multiple upregulated and/or downregulated genes that might be important in influencing clinical risk.Methods: Oral subepithelial connective tissues were harvested aseptically from seven refractory periodontitis and seven periodontally well‐maintained patients. An RNA isolation kit was used to isolate total RNA from tissue samples that had been stabilized in the RNA stabilizing reagent. The isolated total RNA was then subjected to gene expression profiling using the microarray to measure gene expression levels. The retrieved data were analyzed with a computer program for the differential analysis of gene expression microarray experiments. In addition, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed on selected samples to confirm the microarray data's gene expression patterns.Results: A total of 68 upregulated and six downregulated genes were identified that were differentially expressed at least two‐fold out of 22,283 genes we analyzed. The selected model provided a 93% intrinsic validation along with a 93% extrinsic validation. To validate the microarray data, five upregulated genes (lactotransferrin [LTF], matrix metalloproteinase‐1 [MMP‐1], MMP‐3, interferon induced‐15 [IFI‐15], and Homo sapiens hypothetical protein MGC5566) and two downregulated genes (keratin 2A [KRT2A] and desmocollin‐1 [DSC‐1]) were randomly selected for further analysis by real‐time PCR. The relative RNA expression level of these genes measured by real‐time PCR was similar to those measured by microarrays.Conclusion: The combined use of microarray technology with the computer program for the differential analysis of gene expression microarray experiments provided a set of candidate genes that may serve as novel therapeutic intervention points and improved diagnostic and screening procedures for high‐risk individuals.