bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of polymorphic trinucleotide and dinucleotide microsatellite loci for the ice goby, Leucopsarison petersii
Authors: KOKITA TOMOYUKI , TAKAHASHI SAYAKA 
Published: August 2007

AbstractEleven microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized for the ice goby, Leucopsarion petersii, from genomic libraries enriched for (ATG)9 and (CA)16. Twenty individuals from a single population were used to screen polymorphism in these loci. The number of alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity ranged from four to 22 and from 0.35 to 1.00, respectively. All loci did not significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and there was no evidence of linkage disequilibrium between all loci‐pairs. These loci showed Mendelian inheritance in a full‐sib family. The high level of polymorphism of these loci will be useful for studies of population genetics.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered Topeka shiner, Notropis topeka
Authors: ANDERSON CYNTHIA M. , SARVER SHANE K. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe have developed a set of eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered Topeka shiner, Notropis topeka. Allelic diversity at each of these loci was assessed in a single isolated population from eastern South Dakota, USA. The allelic diversity ranged from four to 15 alleles. These are the first microsatellite markers to be reported for this species. These markers are being used in a more thorough study of the population structure throughout the remaining range of this species.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Development and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered tree Euptelea pleiospermum (Eupteleaceae)
Authors: ZHANG J. , YAO X. , WEI X. , CHEN L. , JIANG M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractFourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for the endangered and tertiary relict tree, Euptelea pleiospermum. A genomic DNA enrichment protocol was used to isolate microsatellite loci and polymorphism was explored using 32 individuals from one natural population. The observed number of alleles ranged from two to nine. The ranges of observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.25–1.00 and 0.22–0.85, respectively. These microsatellite markers provide powerful tools for the ongoing conservation genetic studies of E. pleiospermum.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in an enigmatic East African bird, the spot‐throat (Modulatrix stictigula)
Authors: SELLAS ANNA B. , FELDHEIM KEVIN A. , BOWIE RAURI C. K. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe describe the isolation of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellites from the spot‐throat using an enrichment protocol. All loci were highly variable with the number of alleles ranging from six to 20 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.410 to 0.940. Although all loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, locus Mst95 showed significant homozygote excess in both surveyed populations, possibly a consequence of the presence of null alleles at this locus. These loci will be used to determine the extent to which spot‐throat populations are isolated in order to help set conservation priorities for this ancient African lineage.
Caenorhabditis elegans integrates food and reproductive signals in lifespan determination
Authors: Crawford Douglas , Libina Nataliya , Kenyon Cynthia 
Published: August 2007

SummaryDietary restriction extends lifespan and inhibits reproduction in many species. In Caenorhabditis elegans, inhibiting reproduction by germline removal extends lifespan. Therefore, we asked whether the effect of dietary restriction on lifespan might proceed via changes in the activity of the germline. We found that dietary restriction could increase the lifespan of animals lacking the entire reproductive system. Thus, dietary restriction can extend lifespan independently of any reproductive input. However, dietary restriction produced little or no increase in the long lifespan of animals that lack germ cells. Thus, germline removal and dietary restriction may potentially activate lifespan‐extending pathways that ultimately converge on the same downstream longevity mechanisms. In well‐fed animals, the somatic reproductive tissues are generally completely required for germline removal to extend lifespan. We found that this was not the case in animals subjected to dietary restriction. In addition, in these animals, loss of the germline could either further lengthen lifespan or shorten lifespan, depending on the genetic background. Thus, nutrient levels play an important role in determining how the reproductive system influences longevity.
MBNQA criteria in education: assigning weights from a Malaysian perspective and proposition for an alternative evaluation scheme
Authors: Islam Rafikul 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn order to improve quality and productivity among American companies, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) was launched by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the US Department of Commerce in 1987. Over the years, the award has proved to be effective in improving companies' market share, customer satisfaction, employee morale, and also profitability. MBNQA has been a ‘role model’ in developing a national quality award for many other countries in the world. Furthermore, for organizational self‐assessment, the criteria framework of MBNQA has been in use throughout the world. Presently, the award is offered in three categories: Business, Education, and Health care. The present paper is concerned with MBNQA in Education. NIST has developed a comprehensive set of criteria to be fulfilled in order to be eligible to win the award. However, in the existing literature, it is not clear how the weights are assigned to the criteria and subcriteria. The present paper uses the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to reassign criteria weights from a Malaysian perspective. Furthermore, the paper points out the fallacy of the present evaluation scheme and proposes an alternative one based upon the absolute measurement procedure of AHP. The modified scheme is expected to enhance the fairness of the evaluation of the award aspirants. The paper also shares the experiences gathered in data collection using AHP.
Meeting the Need for Personal Care among the Elderly: Does Medicaid Home Care Spending Matter?
Authors: Kemper Peter , Weaver France , Short Pamela Farley , Shea Dennis , Kang Hyojin 
Published: August 2007

Objective. To determine whether Medicaid home care spending reduces the proportion of the disabled elderly population who do not get help with personal care.Data Sources. Data on Medicaid home care spending per poor elderly person in each state is merged with data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey for 1992, 1996, and 2000. The sample (n=6,067) includes elderly persons living in the community who have at least one limitation in activities of daily living (ADLs).Study Design. Using a repeated cross‐section analysis, the probability of not getting help with an ADL is estimated as a function of Medicaid home care spending, individual income, interactions between income and spending, and a set of individual characteristics. Because Medicaid home care spending is targeted at the low‐income population, it is not expected to affect the population with higher incomes. We exploit this difference by using higher‐income groups as comparison groups to assess whether unobserved state characteristics bias the estimates.Principal Findings. Among the low‐income disabled elderly, the probability of not receiving help with an ADL limitation is about 10 percentage points lower in states in the top quartile of per capita Medicaid home care spending than in other states. No such association is observed in higher‐income groups. These results are robust to a set of sensitivity analyses of the methods.Conclusion. These findings should reassure state and federal policymakers considering expanding Medicaid home care programs that they do deliver services to low‐income people with long‐term care needs and reduce the percent of those who are not getting help.
Inpatient Hospital Utilization among the Uninsured Near Elderly: Data and Policy Implications for West Virginia
Authors: Spencer Donna L. , Richardson Sally K. , McCormick Melissa Kolb 
Published: August 2007

Objective. To inform state policy discussions about the insurance coverage of the near elderly in West Virginia (WV) and the impact of the uninsured near elderly on hospitals in the state.Data Sources. 2003 West Virginia Uniform Bill (UB) hospital discharge data. The data represent all adult inpatient discharges in the state during the year.Study Design. We compare the near elderly with other adults and examine differences by insurance status. Key variables include volume of discharges, health insurance coverage, patient characteristics, and charges incurred.Findings. The near elderly constitute the largest group of nonelderly adult inpatient hospital discharges. They are more likely than younger adults to be admitted for emergency conditions; have comorbidities and complications; have longer hospital stays; and incur higher charges on average. Although the near elderly are least likely to be uninsured, they represent the second largest group of uninsured discharges and incur the most in uninsured charges.Conclusions. The specific needs of the near elderly warrant consideration in WV's (and other states') ongoing development and evaluation of policies aimed at reducing uncompensated care costs, including programs to expand access to health insurance and primary and mental health care among the uninsured.
Impact of Medicaid Reimbursement on Mental Health Quality Indicators
Authors: Bellows Nicole M. , Halpin Helen A. 
Published: August 2007

Objective. To examine the relationship between the use of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) for determining Medicaid reimbursement to nursing facilities and the MDS Quality Indicators examining nursing facility residents' mental health.Data Sources. The 2004 National MDS facility Quality Indicator reports served as the dependent variables. Explanatory variables were based on the 2004 Online Survey Certification and Reporting system (OSCAR) and an examination of existing reports, a review of the State Medicaid Plans, and State Medicaid personnel.Study Design. Multilevel regression models were used to account for the hierarchical structure of the data.Data Collection. MDS and OSCAR data were linked by facility identifiers and subsequently linked with state‐level variables.Principal Findings. The use of the MDS for determining Medicaid reimbursement was associated with higher (poorer) quality indicator values for all four mental health quality indicators examined. This effect was not found in four comparison quality indicators.Conclusions. The findings indicate that documentation of mental health symptoms may be influenced by economic incentives. Policy makers should be cautioned from using these measures as the basis for decision making, such as with pay‐for‐performance initiatives.
Assessing Potential Enrollment and Budgetary Effects of SCHIP Premiums: Findings from Arizona and Kentucky
Authors: Kenney Genevieve , Marton James , McFeeters Joshua , Costich Julia 
Published: August 2007

Objective. To assess whether new premiums in SCHIP affect rates of disenrollment and reenrollment in SCHIP and whether they have spillover enrollment effects on Medicaid.Data Source. We used SCHIP administrative enrollment data from Arizona and Kentucky. The enrollment data covered July 2001 to December 2005 in Arizona and November 2001 to August 2004 in Kentucky.Study Design. We used administrative data from two states, Arizona and Kentucky, which introduced new premiums for certain income categories in their SCHIP programs in 2004 and 2003, respectively. We used multivariate hazard models to study rates of disenrollment and re‐enrollment for the recipients who had been enrolled in the categories of SCHIP in which the new premiums were implemented. Competing hazard models were used to determine if recipients leaving SCHIP following the introduction of the premium were obtaining other public coverage or exiting public insurance entirely at higher rates. We also used time‐series models to measure the effect of premiums on changes in caseloads in premium‐paying SCHIP and other categories of public coverage and we assessed the budgetary implications of imposing premiums.Principal Findings. In both states, the new premiums increased the rate of disenrollment and decreased the rate of re‐enrollment in premium‐paying SCHIP among the children who were enrolled in those categories before the premiums were implemented. The competing hazard models indicated that almost all of the increased disenrollment is caused by recipients leaving public insurance entirely. The time‐series models indicated that the new premium reduced caseloads in premium‐paying SCHIP, but that it might have increased caseloads for other types of public coverage. The amount of premiums collected net of the costs associated with administering premiums is small in both states. Estimating the full budgetary effects with certainty was not possible given the imprecision of the key time‐series estimates.Conclusion. These results suggest that the new premium reduced enrollment in the premium‐paying group by 18 percent (over 3,000 children) in Kentucky and by 5 percent (over 1,000 children) in Arizona, with some of these children apparently leaving public coverage altogether. While most children enrolled in these categories did not appear to be directly affected by the imposition of $10–$20 monthly premiums, the premiums may have caused some children to go without health insurance coverage, which in turn could have adverse effects on their access to care. Imposing nominal premiums may reduce state spending, but projected savings appear to be small relative to total state SCHIP spending and resulting increases in enrollment in other public programs and in uninsurance rates could offset those savings.
γ‐Glutamyltransferase and rapid virological response as predictors of successful treatment with experimental or standard peginterferon‐α‐2b in chronic hepatitis C non‐responders
Authors: Bergmann Jilling F. , Vrolijk Jan M. , Van Der Schaar Peter , Vroom Brigitte , Van Hoek Bart , Van Der Sluys Veer Annet , De Vries Richard A. , Verhey Elke , Hansen Bettina E. , Brouwer Johannes T. , Janssen Harry L. A. , Schalm Solko W. , De Knegt Robert J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground: High‐dose peginterferon‐α (PegIFN‐α) induction and prolongation of therapy may be an option to improve sustained virological response (SVR) rates among hepatitis C virus (HCV) non‐responders, although a higher and a longer dosing of PegIFN‐α may intensify side effects.Methods: We randomized 53 patients, who previously failed with standard IFN‐α±ribavirin, to a high‐dose induction and an extended regimen with PegIFN‐α‐2b [3.0 μg/kg once weekly (q.w.) 12 weeks→2.0 μg/kg q.w. 12 weeks→1.5 μg/kg q.w. 48 weeks] or a standard regimen (1.5 μg/kg q.w. 48 weeks). All patients received daily weight‐based ribavirin (800–1200 mg/day). The short‐form 36 health survey was used to evaluate health‐related quality of life (HRQL).Results: Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed no significant difference in SVR rate (44% vs. 37%, P=0.62) and relapse rate (9% vs. 31%, P=0.17) between experimental and standard treatment. Overall, 80% of the [positive predictive value (PPV)] patients with rapid virological response (RVR, HCV‐RNA negativity at week 4) achieved SVR. No significant dose‐related differences in HRQL were seen between both groups. At baseline, genotype 2 or 3 [odds ratio (OR): 7.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–33.3, P=0.01] and γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels <2 × ULN (upper limit of normal) (OR: 6.76, 95% CI: 1.5–31.3, P=0.009) were significantly associated with SVR. Multivariate logistic regression at week 4 showed that only baseline GGT <2 × ULN (OR: 7.3, 95% CI: 1.4–38.5, P=0.01) and RVR (OR: 15.6, 95% CI: 3.2–76.9, P<0.001) were independently predictive for SVR.Conclusion: Retreatment with PegIFN‐α‐2b and ribavirin for a minimum of 48 weeks should be considered in all patients unresponsive to previous IFN‐based therapies. Baseline GGT values and RVR are highly predictive for retreatment outcome.
Fulminant liver failure secondary to haemorrhagic dengue in an international traveller
Authors: Gasperino James , Yunen Jose , Guh Alice , Tanaka Kathryn E. , Kvetan Vladimir , Doyle Howard 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDengue infections are caused by a single‐stranded RNA virus, which has four serotypes (DEN 1–4); mosquitoes of the genus Aedes serve as vectors of transmission. Risk factors for dengue infection are related to both the host and virus. Age, gender, immune status, and genetic background of the host all contribute to the severity of dengue infection. Recently, international travel to endemic areas has also been identified as a major risk factor for both primary and secondary dengue infection. Dengue remains a diagnostic challenge, given its protean nature, ranging from mild febrile illness to profound shock. The most severe manifestation of dengue infection is dengue shock syndrome, which has an estimated mortality rate close to 50%. Dengue shock syndrome typically presents with increased anion gap metabolic acidosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, severe hypotension, and jaundice. Liver involvement appears to occur more frequently when infections involve DEN‐3 and DEN‐4 serotypes. While hepatocellular damage has been reported previously in dengue infection, acute liver failure is an extremely rare occurrence in adults. We report a patient with dengue shock syndrome who presented with acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy after recent travel to an endemic area.
Assessment of Endothelial Function in Alzheimer's Disease: Is Alzheimer's Disease a Vascular Disease?
Authors: Dede Didem Sener , Yavuz Bunyamin , Yavuz Burcu Balam , Cankurtaran Mustafa , Halil Meltem , Ulger Zekeriya , Cankurtaran Eylem Sahin , Aytemir Kudret , Kabakci Giray , Ariogul Servet 
Published: August 2007

OBJECTIVES: To compare endothelial function of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) with that of people without.DESIGN: Case‐control study.SETTING: Geriatric medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty‐five patients with AD who were free of vascular risk factors and 24 healthy elderly controls were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, evident stroke, smoking, documented coronary artery disease, history of myocardial infarction, heart failure, acute or chronic infection, malignancy, peripheral artery disease, renal disease, rheumatologic diseases, alcohol abuse, and certain drugs that may affect endothelial function. Both groups underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment and neuropsychiatric assessment.MEASUREMENTS: Endothelial function was evaluated according to flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) from the brachial artery.RESULTS: Mean age ± standard deviation was 78 ± 5.9 in the group with AD (11 female and 14 male) and 72.1 ± 5.8 in the control group (9 female and 11 male). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that FMD was significantly lower in patients with AD (median 3.45, range 0–7) than controls (median 8.41, range 1–14) (P < .001), independent of age. It was also found that FMD values were inversely correlated with the stage of the disease as determined according to the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (r=−0.603, P < .001).CONCLUSION: Endothelial function is impaired in patients with AD. Endothelial function was worse in patients with severe AD. These findings provide evidence that vascular factors have a role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Nonmalignant Chronic Pain Evaluation in the Turkish Population as Measured by the McGill Pain Questionnaire
Authors: Oksuz Ergun , Mutlu Esra Tuba , Malhan Simten 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of this study was to explore how Turkish nonmalignant pain patients described their pain and how the language of pain used by Turkish patients compares to the language found in common pain assessment tools.Objective:  Pain is influenced by a combination of ethnic, cultural, psychological, and social variants. In the Turkish language, six words are central to pain‐like experiences: ağrı (pain), acı (suffering), sızı (aching), sancı (colic), ıstırap (agony), and dert (torture). We assessed discriminant characteristics of the Turkish translation of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ).Methods:  Chronic clinical nonmalignant pain patients (n = 319, 35.7% males, 64.3% females) were questioned with the Turkish translation of the MPQ. Pain symptoms were categorized as headache (33.5%), musculoskeletal pain (33.2%), visceral pain (18.8%), and low back pain (14.5%).Results:  The visceral pain group had the highest mean value in the evaluative subscale (2.6 ± 1.9). Descriptions used for sensory subscale included throbbing, sharp, aching, and tingling, while affective subscale words included tiring, suffocating, sickening, cruel, and wretched. In all pain groups, frequently chosen words for the miscellaneous subscale were nagging and penetrating.Conclusion:  Pain descriptors were identified for each type of pain. This is, to our knowledge, the first assessment of the Turkish translation of the MPQ in nonmalignant pain patients.
Prospective, Randomized, Single‐Blind, Sham Treatment‐Controlled Study of the Safety and Efficacy of an Electromagnetic Field Device for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study
Authors: Harden R. N. , Remble T. A. , Houle T. T. , Long J. F. , Markov M. S. , Gallizzi M. A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectives:  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic electromagnetic fields (TEMF) on chronic low back pain. Secondary objectives included the investigation of the effects of TEMF on psychometric measures.Setting:  Pain Research center in an Urban Academic Rehabilitation Facility.Design:  Prospective, randomized, single‐blind, placebo (sham) treatment‐controlled design in which participants were evaluated over a 6‐week period. A total of 40 subjects were randomly assigned: 20 subjects to 15 milliTESLA (mT) treatment using a prototype electromagnetic field device and 20 to sham treatment.Interventions:  After a 2‐week baseline period, eligible individuals were randomized to one of the treatment groups (sham or 15 mT) for six 30‐minute treatments over 2 weeks, then a 2‐week follow‐up period.Outcome Measures:  The primary outcome measure was the self‐report of pain severity using a 100 mm visual analog scale collected using a twice daily McGill Pain Questionnaire—Short Form. Several secondary measures were assessed.Results:  Both groups (15 mT and sham) improved over time (P < 0.05). Although groups were similar during the treatment period, treated subjects (TEMF of 15 mT) improved significantly over sham treatment during the 2‐week follow‐up period (20.5% reduction in pain; F1,34 = 10.62, P = 0.003). There were no reported serious adverse events.Conclusions:  This study demonstrates that TEMF may be an effective and safe modality for the treatment of chronic low back pain disorders. More studies are needed to test this hypothesis.