bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐rule quality control for the age‐related eye disease study
Authors: Caudill Samuel P. , Schleicher Rosemary L. , Pirkle James L. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe Age‐Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), sponsored by the National Eye Institute, was designed to study the natural history and risk factors of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract, and to evaluate the effect of high doses of antioxidants and zinc on eye disease progression. AMD and cataract are leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in the U.S., with frequency of both diseases increasing dramatically after age 65. Participants were randomly chosen to receive antioxidant or placebo tablets. Blood was drawn annually from a subset of patients, and serum concentrations of 17 different nutritional indicators were measured. Because of the complexity of the analytical methods, and possibility of instrument error due to failure of any one of many component parts, several different instruments were used for most analytes. In addition, to assure that the measurement systems were performing adequately across a wide range of concentrations, multiple control pools were monitored with analyte concentrations at low, medium, and high concentrations. We report here the multi‐rule quality control system (MRQCS) used during the later part of the trial (AREDS Phase III). This system was designed to monitor systematic error and random within‐ and among‐run error for analytical runs using 1–3 different quality control pools per run and 1–2 measurements of each pool per run. We demonstrate the features of the MRQCS using quality control (QC) data associated with vitamin C measurements. We also provide operating characteristics to demonstrate how the MRQCS responds to increases in systematic and/or random error. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Racial/ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage by 19 months of age: An evaluation of the impact of missing data resulting from record scattering
Authors: Smith Philip J. , Stevenson John 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe describe how trends in the vaccination coverage at 19 months of age vary by race/ethnicity; explore the extent to which data required to evaluate a child's up‐to‐date vaccination status is missing as a result of the scattering of vaccination records among many vaccination providers; evaluate how the prevalence of that missing data varies by race/ethnicity; and evaluate the impact that the missing data has on estimated race/ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage. We analyzed data from 255 043 children sampled between 1995 and 2006 by the National Immunization Survey (NIS). Among children who had 2+ vaccination providers reporting, estimated vaccination coverage was significantly lower by approximately 15 per cent among children who did not have all of their providers reporting to the NIS compared with children who had all of their vaccination providers reporting to the NIS. By comparing coverage estimates that were adjusted for missing data to unadjusted estimates, we found that unadjusted estimates consistently underestimated vaccination coverage by as much as 4.9 per cent for Asians, 4.8 per cent for Hispanics, 4.1 per cent for American Indian/Alaska Natives, 3.3 per cent for non‐Hispanic blacks, and 2.8 per cent for non‐Hispanic white children. Estimates of disparities in estimated vaccination coverage did not depend on whether coverage estimates were adjusted for missing data. Hispanic and non‐Hispanic black children had estimated coverage rates that were significantly less than that of non‐Hispanic white children, with median disparities of 4 and 9 per cent, respectively. Regardless of whether estimates are adjusted, data from the NIS show that disparities in vaccination coverage that existed in the early 1990s persist. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A statistical methodology for drug–drug interaction surveillance
Authors: Norén G. Niklas , Sundberg Rolf , Bate Andrew , Edwards I. Ralph 
Published: March 2008

AbstractInteraction between drug substances may yield excessive risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) when two drugs are taken in combination. Collections of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) related to suspected ADR incidents in clinical practice have proven to be very useful in post‐marketing surveillance for pairwise drug–ADR associations, but have yet to reach their full potential for drug–drug interaction surveillance. In this paper, we implement and evaluate a shrinkage observed‐to‐expected ratio for exploratory analysis of suspected drug–drug interaction in ICSR data, based on comparison with an additive risk model. We argue that the limited success of previously proposed methods for drug–drug interaction detection based on ICSR data may be due to an underlying assumption that the absence of interaction is equivalent to having multiplicative risk factors. We provide empirical examples of established drug–drug interaction highlighted with our proposed approach that go undetected with logistic regression. A database wide screen for suspected drug–drug interaction in the entire WHO database is carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. As always in the analysis of ICSRs, the clinical validity of hypotheses raised with the proposed method must be further reviewed and evaluated by subject matter experts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Mendelian randomization’ equals instrumental variable analysis with genetic instruments
Authors: Wehby George L. , Ohsfeldt Robert L. , Murray Jeffrey C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractInterest in instrumental variable (IV) analyses using genetic instruments has been growing over the past 4 years. The background, strength and weaknesses of this approach, which in the epidemiology literature has been referred to as ‘Mendelian randomization’, has been recently reviewed by Lawlor et al. (Statist. Med. 2007. DOI: 10.1002/sim.3034). We suggest a change in the nomenclature of ‘Mendelian randomization’ and discuss issues relevant to IV analysis including instrument validation, motivation of IV analysis and interpretation of IV estimates in order to motivate a more consistent and standard use of IV analysis across applications using genetic instruments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of a new bioassay technique using goldfish for assessment of water toxicity
Authors: Deguchi Yuya , Wu Nan Xiang , Toyoizumi Tomoyasu , Masuda Shuichi , Nagaoka Hiroaki , Watanabe Tetsushi , Totsuka Yukari , Wakabayashi Keiji , Kinae Naohide 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThere are a variety of chemicals in aquatic environment, so it is important to assess the toxicity. The biomarkers such as induction of DNA damage, micronuclei, vitellogenin, and hepatic P450 in fish are known to be effective for monitoring genotoxic and/or estrogenic chemicals. However, there is little study to use these biomarkers in same fish. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is widely used and is suitable in size to collect blood or organs. In this study, validity of multiple‐biomarkers in goldfish was checked using standard chemicals and applied in the river water. Ho River, which flows through the textile dyeing factory in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, was reported to show genotoxicity toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and YG1024. When the goldfish were exposed to Ho River, DNA damage, estrogenic activity, and CYP1A induction were observed. Through the study, it was assumed that not only mutagens/carcinogens but also endocrine disrupting chemicals and poly aromatic hydrocarbons were present in Ho River. Therefore, chemical identification should be required. We could evaluate both genotoxicity and estrogenic activity simultaneously, so goldfish might be a good experimental model for estimation of chemical contamination levels in aquatic environment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Surgical Training in the Netherlands
Authors: Borel‐Rinkes Inne H. M. , Gouma Dirk J. , Hamming Jaap F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSurgical training in the Netherlands has traditionally been characterized by learning on the job under the classic master‐trainee doctrine. Over the past decades, it has become regionally organized with intensive structural training courses, and a peer‐based quality control system. Recently, the nationwide programme has been modernized further and now involves a systematic, competency‐based education with structural training courses, formalized assessment and room for reflection by residents under the supervision of surgical teaching groups. To this end, a uniform web‐based digital portfolio is being introduced to facilitate monitoring of the individual resident's progress. Though requiring inspirational leadership, commitment, and determination, this modernization has sparked enthusiasm among trainees and teachers.
Long‐term Outcome of a Cuffed Expanded PTFE Graft for Hemodialysis Vascular Access
Authors: Tsoulfas George , Hertl Martin , Ko Dicken S. C. , Elias Nahel , Delmonico Francis L. , Romano Linda , Fernandes Isabel , Schoenfeld David , Kawai Tatsuo 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundDevelopment of venous outflow stenosis has been a major obstacle in maintaining the patency of dialysis vascular grafts. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed the long‐term results of cuffed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and non‐cuffed (standard) ePTFE grafts placed for hemodialysis access.Materials and methodsA total of 67 patients who underwent placement of either cuffed (n = 41) or standard (n = 26) ePTFE grafts were retrospectively analyzed. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, gender, cause of end‐stage renal disease, and anatomic placement of the graft. Endpoints consisted of primary (without any intervention) and secondary (with radiological or surgical intervention) graft patency rates at 1–3 years.ResultsThere was a trend toward better primary graft patency rates in the cuffed versus the standard ePTFE: 37.7% vs. 25.7% at 1 year, 35% vs. 10.3% at 2 years, 28% vs. 5.1% at 3 years, respectively (p = 0.086, Kaplan–Meier). Secondary patency rates in the cuffed group were significantly superior (p = 0.047) to those in the standard group (81.8% vs. 56.1% at 1 year, 61.8% vs. 46.3% at 2 years, 51.5% vs. 33.1% at 3 years, respectively). Thrombosis as a cause of complete graft failure was significantly higher (34%) in the standard group than in the cuffed group (9%) (p = 0.0125).ConclusionsCompared to the standard ePTFE, the cuffed ePTFE graft provided better long‐term outcome, especially in terms of secondary patency rates after radiological intervention.
Value of Multidetector‐row Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Portal Vein Invasion by Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Sugiura Teiichi , Nishio Hideki , Nagino Masato , Senda Yoshiki , Ebata Tomoki , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Igami Tsuyoshi , Oda Koji , Nimura Yuji 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundAlthough knowledge of cancer invasion of the portal bifurcation is vitally important in planning an operation for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, the diagnostic capability of multidetector‐row computed tomography (MDCT) for this purpose has not been assessed. We evaluated how well MDCT could identify cancer invasion of the portal bifurcation by perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsBetween April 2003 and June 2005, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma was resected in 87 patients, 83 of whom underwent MDCT within 1 month before the surgery. Three‐dimensional volume‐rendered (3DVR) and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images were examined for evidence of portal vein invasion. Agreement with intraoperative and pathologic findings was assessed. Portal bifurcation findings by 3DVR and MPR were classified into no portal vein stenosis, unilateral stenosis, or more extensive stenosis, and also into tumor contact with the bifurcation in no, one of two, or two projections.ResultsFor macroscopic portal vein invasion, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were 81.5, 91.1, 81.5, 91.1, and 88.0% in 3D portography and 96.3, 92.6, 86.7, 98.1, and 94.0% in MPR, respectively. Findings by both 3DVR and MPR were significantly correlated with depth of cancer invasion (p < 0.001).ConclusionMDCT is useful in assessing cancer invasion of the portal vein bifurcation by perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Genetic variants of transferrin in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Marklová E. , Albahri Z. , Vaníček H. , Dědek P. , Vališ M. , Kopáčová M. , Vávrová V. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground:Genetic polymorphism of serum transferrin (Tf) was studied in order to differentiate between protein genetic variants and congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), further focusing on unusual findings.Methods:Screening of Tf hypoglycosylation was carried out by isoelectric focusing with direct immunofixation and Coomassie blue staining in 100 healthy controls and a group of 1247 patients with various symptoms and diagnoses.Results:Of the seven different genotypes detected, a significantly higher (p = 0.004) frequency of Tf C1C2 was found among 92 patients with cystic fibrosis; only the most severe DF508 mutation (in either homozygous or heterozygous form) was regularly present in the carriers of this Tf genotype, in contrast to those with the Tf C1C1 variant.Conclusions:Association of Tf C2 allele with various malfunctions has been noticed before, but is so far unresolved. This is the a report on increased frequency of Tf C1C2 genotype found in cystic fibrosis. Analysis of larger samples and independent confirmation of our results are needed.
In Situ Rheo‐NMR Measurements of Solid Fat Content
Authors: Mazzanti Gianfranco , Mudge Elizabeth M. , Anom Emmanuel Y. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe properties of crystallized fats depend on their solid fat content (SFC) and their fractal structures. The SFC and the structures are dramatically affected during crystallization under shear flow. A mini‐Couette cell was developed to crystallize fat samples under shear. The cell was tested with blends of canola stearin (CS) in canola oil (CO) in a 20‐MHz NMR spectrometer. The blends were placed in the cell, melted at 80 °C, and then crystallized under different shear rates (58–460 s−1) at 40 °C inside the spectrometer for 4 h. Time averaged NMR free induction decay (FID) curves were captured at 20 s intervals. SFC values were calculated using parameters determined by a calibration procedure. The SFC values determined by the direct method with and without the shaft of the Couette device were reasonably close. Similar results were observed with and without shear in the Couette device. The FID curves did not show a significant difference either. Therefore this system is accurate for in‐situ time‐resolved determination of SFC under shear flow. Furthermore, a combination of the direct and the indirect methods was successfully used to estimate the temperature increase due to viscous heating. The system developed will help in understanding the effects of shear flow on SFC of nanostructured lipid multicomponent systems. This will permit the optimization of the manufacturing processes.
A condition for simultaneous propagation of coaxial Gaussian electromagnetic beams in a plasma, without convergence or divergence
Authors: SODHA MAHENDRA SINGH , SHARMA ASHUTOSH , AGARWAL SUJEET KUMAR 
Published: March 2008

AbstractFor coaxial Gaussian electromagnetic beams of equal width, a relation between the weighted sum of axial irradiances and the width of the beams, which corresponds to the propagation in a plasma, without convergence or divergence has been obtained in the paraxial approximation. The collisional (with and without thermal conduction), ponderomotive and relativistic nonlinearities have been separately considered in this investigation. The investigation has relevance to the study and application of multi-wave interaction phenomena such as the growth of combination frequencies, plasma beat wave acceleration and enhanced penetration in an overdense plasma.
Italian and Gallican alleluia psalmody
Authors: PFISTERER ANDREAS 
Published: March 2008

AbstractOne of the earliest forms of Christian psalmody, the alleluia psalmody, is difficult to explore since in most rites it is preserved only in part. Comparisons between direct and indirect traces of alleluia psalmody from Milan, Rome, Byzantium and Gaul as well as between alleluia psalmody and other genres of chant, especially the Mass alleluia, allow some conclusions about distinctive melodic characteristics. As one result, there seem to be common features in the Italian traditions that are missing in the Gallican tradition.
Tissue Doppler imaging in rheumatic carditis
Authors: Polat Tugcin Bora , Yalcin Yalim , Erdem Abdullah , Zeybek Cenap , Akdeniz Celal , Celebi Ahmet 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectiveOur study was undertaken to assess cardiac functions by tissue Doppler echocardiography in patient with primary episode of rheumatic carditis.MethodsWe divided 82 patients with rheumatic carditis were divided in two groups; 50 patients with mild and 32 patients with mitral regurgitation of grade two or more. A control group consisted of 30 healthy children free of any disease. All children underwent conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography initially and at the time of the follow-up examination.ResultsMyocardial systolic wave velocity of the mitral annulus was significantly higher in patients with mitral regurgitation of grade two or more when compared to the control group, but was not different between patients with mild mitral regurgitation and healthy subjects at the time of the initial attack. Myocardial precontraction time, myocardial contraction time, and the ratio of myocardial precontraction and contraction times were significantly prolonged, and the systolic myocardial velocity of the mitral annulus was significantly decreased in patients with mitral regurgitation of grade two or more at the time of the follow-up examination. The myocardial systolic wave velocity was significantly lower, and myocardial precontraction time, myocardial contraction time, and the ratio of the precontraction and contraction times, were significantly longer or greater between patients with grade two or more mitral regurgitation and the control group at follow-up examination.ConclusionWe detected subclinical systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in children with a primary episode of rheumatic carditis due to ongoing ventricular volume overload. Tissue Doppler imaging provides a quantifiable indicator useful for cardiac monitoring of disease during the period of follow up.
Predictors of trying to lose weight among overweight and obese Mexican-Americans: a signal detection analysis
Authors: Bersamin Andrea , Hanni Krista D , Winkleby Marilyn A 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectiveSignal detection analysis, a form of recursive partitioning, was used to identify combinations of sociodemographic and acculturation factors that predict trying to lose weight in a community-based sample of 957 overweight and obese Mexican-American adults (ages 18–69 years).DesignData were pooled from the 2004 and 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System conducted in a low-income, semi-rural community in California.ResultsOverall, 59 % of the population reported trying to lose weight. The proportion of adults who were trying to lose weight was highly variable across the seven mutually exclusive groups identified by signal detection (range 30–79 %). Significant predictors of trying to lose weight included BMI, gender, age and income. Women who were very overweight (BMI > 28·5 kg/m2) were most likely to be trying to lose weight (79 %), followed by very overweight higher-income men and moderately overweight (BMI = 25·0–28·5 kg/m2) higher-income women (72 % and 70 %, respectively). Moderately overweight men, aged 28–69 years, were the least likely to be trying to lose weight (30 %), followed by moderately overweight lower-income women (47 %) and very overweight lower-income men (49 %). The latter group is of particular concern since they have characteristics associated with medical complications of obesity (low education and poor access to medical care).ConclusionsOur findings highlight opportunities and challenges for public health professionals working with overweight Mexican-American adults – particularly lower-income adults who were born in Mexico – who are not trying to lose weight and are therefore at high risk for obesity-related co-morbidities.
Association between commercial television exposure and fast-food consumption among adults
Authors: Scully Maree , Dixon Helen , Wakefield Melanie 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between television advertising exposure and adults’ consumption of fast foods.DesignCross-sectional telephone survey. Questions included measures of frequency of fast-food consumption at different meal times and average daily hours spent watching commercial television.Subjects/settingSubjects comprised 1495 adults (41 % response rate) aged ≥18 years from Victoria, Australia.ResultsTwenty-three per cent of respondents usually ate fast food for dinner at least once weekly, while 17 % consumed fast food for lunch on a weekly basis. The majority of respondents reported never eating fast food for breakfast (73 %) or snacks (65 %). Forty-one per cent of respondents estimated watching commercial television for ≤1 h/d (low viewers); 29 % watched for 2 h/d (moderate viewers); 30 % watched for ≥3 h/d (high viewers). After adjusting for demographic variables, high viewers were more likely to eat fast food for dinner at least once weekly compared with low viewers (OR = 1·45; 95 % CI 1·04, 2·03). Both moderate viewers (OR = 1·53; 95 % CI 1·01, 2·31) and high viewers (OR = 1·81; 95 % CI 1·20, 2·72) were more likely to eat fast food for snacks at least once weekly compared with low viewers. Commercial television viewing was not significantly related (P> 0·05) to fast-food consumption at breakfast or lunch.ConclusionsThe results of the present study provide evidence to suggest that cumulative exposure to television food advertising is linked to adults’ fast-food consumption. Additional research that systematically assesses adults’ behavioural responses to fast-food advertisements is needed to gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms driving this association.
Lipoic acid supplementation and endothelial function
Authors: Tardif J‐C , Rhéaume E 
Published: March 2008

Endothelial dysfunction is caused by all the recognized cardiovascular risk factors and has been implicated in the complex processes leading to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Short‐term treatment with lipoic acid is shown in the current issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology to improve endothelial function of aortic rings of old rats. The age‐related decrease in phosphorylation of nitric oxide synthase and Akt was improved by lipoic acid supplementation. The improved phosphorylation status may have been due to reduced activity of the phosphatase PPA2, associated with decreased levels of endothelial ceramide induced by lipoic acid. Neutral sphingomyelinase activity was also reduced by lipoic acid, which was due, at least in part, to increased glutathione levels in endothelial cells. The favourable antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, metabolic and endothelial effects of lipoic acid shown in rodents, in this and other recently published studies, warrant further assessment of its potential role for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 1587–1588; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.74; published online 17 March 2008