bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of Alcohol Consumption and the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Fan Amy Z. , Russell Marcia , Naimi Timothy , Li Yan , Liao Youlian , Jiles Ruth , Mokdad Ali H. 
Published: July 2008

Context and Objective: Protective and detrimental associations have been reported between alcohol consumption and the metabolic syndrome. This may be due to variations in drinking patterns and different alcohol effects on the metabolic syndrome components. This study is designed to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and the metabolic syndrome.
Design, Setting, Participants, and Measures: The 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a population-based survey of noninstitutionalized U.S. adults. Current drinkers aged 20–84 yr without cardiovascular disease who had complete data on the metabolic syndrome and drinking patterns were included in the analysis (n = 1529). The metabolic abnormalities comprising the metabolic syndrome included having three of the following: impaired fasting glucose/diabetes mellitus, high triglycerides, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, and low high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Measures of alcohol consumption included usual quantity consumed, drinking frequency, and frequency of binge drinking.
Results: In multinomial logistic regression models controlling for demographics, family history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and lifestyle factors, increased risk of the metabolic syndrome was associated with daily consumption that exceeded U.S. dietary guideline recommendations (more than one drink per drinking day for women and more than two drinks per drinking day for men (odds ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.22–2.11) and binge drinking once per week or more [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.51 (1.01–2.29]. By individual metabolic abnormality, drinking in excess of the dietary guidelines was associated with an increased risk of impaired fasting glucose/diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, abdominal obesity, and high blood pressure.
Conclusion: Public health messages should emphasize the potential cardiometabolic risk associated with drinking in excess of national guidelines and binge drinking.
Mitochondrial Function in Skeletal Muscle Is Normal and Unrelated to Insulin Action in Young Men Born with Low Birth Weight
Authors: Brøns Charlotte , Jensen Christine B. , Storgaard Heidi , Alibegovic Amra , Jacobsen Stine , Nilsson Emma , Astrup Arne , Quistorff Bjørn , Vaag Allan 
Published: July 2008

Objective: Low birth weight (LBW) is an independent risk factor of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) may play a key role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in aging and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine whether LBW in humans is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle.
Methods: Mitochondrial capacity for ATP synthesis was assessed by 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in forearm and leg muscles in 20 young, lean men with LBW and 26 matched controls. On a separate day, a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp with excision of muscle biopsies and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning was performed. Muscle gene expression of selected OXPHOS genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results: The LBW subjects displayed a variety of metabolic and prediabetic abnormalities, including elevated fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, reduced insulin-stimulated glycolytic flux, and hepatic insulin resistance. Nevertheless, in vivo mitochondrial function was normal in LBW subjects, as was the expression of OXPHOS genes.
Conclusions: These data support and expand previous findings of abnormal glucose metabolism in young men with LBW. In addition, we found that the young, healthy men with LBW exhibited hepatic insulin resistance. However, the study does not support the hypothesis that muscle mitochondrial dysfunction per se is the underlying key metabolic defect that explains or precedes whole body insulin resistance in LBW subjects at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Transonic turbine vane tests in a new miniature cascade facility
Authors: Povey T , Oldfield M L G , Haselbach F 
Published: July 2008

A new two-dimensional mini-cascade blow-down tunnel, with eight vane passages of only 20 mm true chord, 15 mm pitch, and 40 mm span, has been developed for testing gas turbine nozzle guide vane profiles at transonic exit Mach numbers ( M) and realistic Reynolds numbers ( Re) with a quick turnaround and high accuracy. The small size of the cascade has many advantages. Vane profiles can be tested at adjustable engine representative Re at room temperature with exit static pressures above atmospheric and Re and M can be independently varied. The mass flow is small and the long run times (>3 min) allow downstream traversing with a three-hole miniature probe. The inaccuracies inherent in the traditional method of mounting the vanes/blades on pegs in the Schlieren windows have been eliminated by accurately computer numerical control (CNC) machining the whole cascade of vanes integral with the tunnel side walls, with re-usable, plug-in Schlieren windows. Cascades of new test vane profiles are quickly machined and tested, with a fast turn-around for comparative studies. A new Schlieren photography lens arrangement is demonstrated, which captures numerous flow visualization images per run directly into a digital SLR camera. Lower-than-atmospheric exhaust pressures were achieved by using a long exhaust designed to maximize exit flow dynamic pressure recovery using the self-ejector pumping effect. Exhaust pressures as low as 0.7 bar were achieved using the self-pumping exhaust, allowing M up to 1.6 with 3 bar inlet pressure and an exhaust at atmospheric pressure. An analytical model is developed for the mildly supersonic exit flow condition and validated against experimental data. Excellent agreement is achieved. Results presented for a typical transonic cascade show that the tunnel performs well in the subsonic and low supersonic region, but, as the exit M increases, shock-wave reflections from the free jet boundary, seen on the Schlieren, cause non-periodicity. Deep in the cascade, the flow is still periodic and can be used for investigations of loss and shock boundary-layer interaction. Interestingly, if the downstream pressure is reduced further to give even higher (but unrealistic) M, the cascade becomes axially supersonic and excellent periodicity is restored. Schlieren results are compared with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the tunnel flow, and the loss measurements are validated against measurements conducted using a large-scale cascade at Göttingen.
Acetaminophen Overdose with Altered Acetaminophen Pharmacokinetics and Hepatotoxicity Associated with Premature Cessation of Intravenous N-Acetylcysteine Therapy
Authors: Smith Silas W , Howland Mary Ann , Hoffman Robert S , Nelson Lewis S 
Published: July 2008

Objective To report a case of erratic absorption, double peak serum concentrations, and hepatotoxicity following premature cessation of intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment in the setting of a massive acetaminophen overdose. Case Summary: A 78-year-old man reportedly ingested approximately 96 immediate-release acetaminophen 500-mg tablets (48 g) over a one-hour period in an apparent suicide attempt. The acetaminophen concentration at 2.25 hours was 264 μg/mL. Intravenous NAC was initiated 5 hours postingestion. At 6.25 hours postingestion, the acetaminophen concentration was 281 μg/mL. Following administration of intravenous NAC for 21 hours, therapy was discontinued despite a residual acetaminophen concentration of 116 μg/mL. The patient experienced hepatotoxicity, coagulopathy, and renal injury. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed significantly prolonged acetaminophen absorption and a second peak acetaminophen concentration of 228 μg/mL approximately 48 hours post ingestion. Direct in-hospital monitoring of the patient made a second ingestion unlikely. Discussion: Acetaminophen overdose is usually effectively managed with NAC. Patients with massive ingestions may have altered absorption kinetics due to acetaminophen's solubility being exceeded, physiologically or chemically altered gastrointestinal emptying or motility, or other factors. These patients may benefit from gastrointestinal decontamination and prolonged NAC therapy. Conclusions: In patients with massive acetaminophen ingestion, erratic absorption may occur, and toxic serum concentrations may persist beyond a standard 21–hour course of intravenous NAC therapy. Acetaminophen concentrations and aminotransferase levels should be evaluated at the completion of the intravenous NAC infusion to ensure complete elimination of acetaminophen and absence of hepatotoxicity and to exclude the need lor prolonged treatment.
Association Between Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors, Second-Generation Antipsychotics, and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: Stevens Debra L 
Published: July 2008

Objective To review the published reports of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) associated with the use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and second-generation antipsychotics. Data Source: Information was selected from a MEDLINE search of English-language literature (1950–May 2008). Manual search of all published cases indexed in MEDLINE (English language only) of NMS associated with second-generation antipsychotics was also performed. Study Selection And Data Extraction: Pertinent information from all reports obtained was included, with specific emphasis on patient age, sex, second-generation antipsychotic involved, SSRI or other antidepressant involved, time of onset of NMS symptoms in relation to medication changes, treatment administered, and outcome of the reaction. Data Synthesis: NMS has been reported with every second-generation antipsychotic agent. It is unclear whether concomitant therapy with other agents may increase the risk of NMS development via pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic mechanisms or both, The suggested pharmacodynamic mechanism for increased risk of NMS with concomitant use of SSRIs is the effect of serotonin on dopamine release. Serotonin further inhibits dopamine release and thereby may worsen a hypodopaminergic state induced by antipsychotics. Pharmacokinetic factors may also play a role in some NMS cases involving an SSRI by increasing antipsychotic concentrations. An examination of case reports seems to indícale that at least in some casos, a temporal relationship exists with the addition of an SSRI to existing antipsychotic therapy. Conclusions: The use of SSRIs may be associated with an increased risk of NMS development in (hose receiving second-generation antipsychotics. Clinicians should closely monitor patients for the potential development of NMS.
Racial Differences in Sleep Medication Use: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project
Authors: Allen Kelli D , Renner Jordan B , DeVellis Brenda , Helmick Charles G , Jordan Joanne M 
Published: July 2008

Background Little is known about racial differences in the use of sleep medications. Objectives: To compare sleep medication use among African Americans and whites with self-reported current sleep problems. Methods Participants were 1910 individuals (69% female. 34% African American, 66% white) from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. We examined racial differences in self-reported current use of prescription, nonprescription, herbal, and other medications for sleep. Muitivariable logistic regression models controlled for age, sex, education, health insurance, symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis, depressive symptoms, obesity, fair or poor general health, and self-reported annual days of sleep problems. Models were conducted separately for the whole sample and for men and women. Results: Among participants with current sleep problems, 31% were using one or more types of sleep medication: 17% prescription, 12% nonprescription, 1% herbal, and 3% other products. African Americans were less likely than whites to be using any sleep medication (25% vs 35%; p < 0.001), prescription sleep medication (14% vs 19%; p = 0.003), and nonprescription sleep medication (10% vs 13%; p = 0.048). These racial differences persisted in multivariable models. In sex-stratified analyses, there were significant racial differences in sleep medication use only among women. Conclusions: African Americans were less likely than whites to report current use of prescription and nonprescription sleep medications; those results appeared to be largely driven by racial differences among women. Additional research should study possible underlying factors and determine whether these racial differences impact clinical outcomes.
Der Gegenschlag der Ärztezunft? Medizin und Poesie in Tat'jana Tolstajas Erzählung „Poėt i muza”
Authors: Henseler Daniel 
Published: July 2008

Summary
This article looks at Tatyana Tolstaya's short story Poėt i muza (1986). Tolstaya conceptualizes her story as a commentary to Pushkin's poem Ja pamjatnik sebe vozdvig nerukotvornyj (1836) and thus presents her own conception of the immortality of the poet. As my contribution argues, Poėt i muza also refers to Anton Chekhov's story Poprygun'ja (1892). Both references, those to Pushkin and those to Chekhov, shed light on a topic of Tolstaya's story that has been little researched so far: this is the clash of the world of arts (i. e., poetry) with the world of sciences (medicine). In Chekhov's as well as in Tolstaya's work this conflict erupts in a marriage, with an artist and a doctor being the respective participants.
Phantastische Objekte. Stanisław Lems Beitrag zur Semantik1
Authors: Kuße Holger 
Published: July 2008

Summary
Being an empiricist, Lem advocated an extensional semantics, a fundamental aspect of which is the distinction between designata with and designata without an empirical extension (pol. nazwy puste). The latter include fantastic objects, such as flying snails, dwarves, computers that hypnotise etc. Referring to Lem's classification of the Fantastic, the paper raises the question of the possibility and usefulness of creating terms that are not empirically extensional, which is the main question in the theory of language and communication in Lem's theoretical publications as well as in his works of fiction. Since Lem saw definitions of such terms in texts (of any length), and since the meaning of a text always depends on the situation in which it is embedded, Lem's semantics can be described as partial contextualism. Linguistic signs are considered being representations of facts and objects in the world. But they represent extra-linguistic facts always in pragmatic situations (contexts). And the overall pragmatic situation determines the possibilities and limitations of the production and reception of signs and meanings. Against this background, dealing with fantastic objects as part of literature meant for Lem pacing out the borders of communication.
Rituximab in relapsing Graves' disease, a phase II study
Authors: Heemstra Karen A , Toes Rene E , Sepers Jan , Pereira Alberto M , Corssmit Eleonora P , Huizinga Tom W J , Romijn Johannes A , Smit Johannes W 
Published: July 2008

ObjectiveConventional therapies for Graves' disease, consisting of medical therapy or radioiodine are unsatisfactory, because of limited efficacy and adverse events. Interventions aimed at the underlying autoimmune pathogenesis of Graves' disease may be worthwhile to explore. We therefore performed a prospective, 26-week phase II study with open-ended observational extension to assess the efficacy of rituximab in patients with recurrent Graves' disease.DesignWe performed a prospective, 26-week phase II study with open-ended observations.MethodsThirteen patients with relapsing Graves' disease (9 females and 4 males, age 39.5±9.5 years) received 2 dosages of rituximab 1000 mg i.v. with a 2-week interval. Before administration and on several periods after the administration of TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII) and the proportion of CD19 and MS4A1 positive peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured.ResultsThe proportion of MS4A1 positive lymphocytes decreased in all patients from 5.8% at baseline to 1.4% at 26 weeks (P=0.007). Four patients with high initial FT4 levels did not respond to treatment. All remaining patients had a decrease in FT4 levels at 26 weeks (P=0.001) and an increase in TSH levels (P=0.011). TBII decreased in all remaining patients (P=0.003). At a follow-up time of 14–27 months, nine of these patients were still euthyroid with normal FT4 (P<0.001) and TSH levels (P=0.008).ConclusionsThe present study results suggest a beneficial role of rituximab in mild relapsing Graves' disease. A subsequent randomized controlled trial with rituximab is recommended.
Using field data and weight of evidence to develop water quality criteria
Authors: Cormier Susan M , Paul John F , Spehar Robert L , Shaw-Allen Patricia , Berry Walter J , Suter Glenn W 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
In the United States, ambient aquatic life water quality criteria are derived using guidelines developed in 1985 that include a clear and consistent methodology using data from standard toxicity tests. The methodology from these guidelines has been successful, but a broader methodology is needed because some effects of pollutants do not lend themselves to conventional toxicity testing. Criterion assessment is proposed as that methodology. In criterion assessment, a specific environmental goal is translated into a measurable benchmark of effect that is used together with a modeled exposure—response relationship to estimate a range of exposures that will achieve the specific goal. The model of the exposure—response relationships and the benchmark effect are developed from field data and laboratory data using multiple analytical methods. Then the model is solved for the effect, thereby estimating the criterion, an upper threshold for acceptable exposures. The resulting candidate criteria are synthesized to select criteria and other benchmark values, such as remedial goals. The criterion assessment process is illustrated using the US Environmental Protection Agency Framework for Developing for Suspended and Bedded Sediments Water Quality Criteria, which recommends developing alternative candidate criterion values and then evaluating them to select a final criterion. Candidate criteria may be derived from models of field observations, field manipulations, laboratory tests, or empirical and theoretical models. Final selection of a criterion uses a weight-of-evidence comparison that engenders confidence because causal associations are confirmed on the basis of different assumptions, independent data sets, and varied statistical methods, thereby compensating for the concerns raised by individual studies and methods. Thus, it becomes possible to specify criteria for agents with biological or physical modes of action, as well as those with chemical modes of action, to best achieve environmental goals.
Predicted Impacts From Offshore Produced-Water Discharges on Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Bierman Victor J. , Hinz Scott C. , Justic Dubravko , Scavia Don , Veil John A. , Satterlee Kent , Parker Michael E. , Wilson Scott 
Published: July 2008

Summary
Summer hypoxia (dissolved oxygen&lt;2 mg/L) in the bottom waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico has received considerable scientific and policy attention because of potential ecological and economic impacts. This hypoxic zone forms off the Louisiana coast each summer and has increased from an average of 8,300 km2 in 1985–1992 to over 16,000 km2 in 1993–2001, reaching a record 22,000 km2 in 2002. The almost threefold increase in nitrogen load from the Mississippi River Basin (MRB) to the Gulf since the middle of the last century is the primary external driver for hypoxia.
A goal of the 2001 Federal Action Plan is to reduce the 5-year running average size of the hypoxic zone to below 5,000 km2 by 2015. After the Action Plan was developed, a new question arose as to whether sources other than the MRB may also contribute significant quantities of oxygen-demanding substances. One very visible potential source is the hundreds of offshore oil and gas platforms located within or near the hypoxic zone, many of which discharge varying volumes of produced water.
The objectives of this study were to assess the incremental impacts of produced water discharges on dissolved oxygen in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and to evaluate the significance of these discharges relative to loadings from the MRB. Predictive simulations were conducted with three existing models of Gulf hypoxia using produced water loads from an industry study. Scenarios were designed that addressed loading uncertainties, settleability of suspended constituents, and different assumptions on delivery locations for the produced water loads. Model results correspond to the incremental impacts of produced water loads, relative to the original model results, which included only loads from the MRB.
The predicted incremental impacts of produced water loads on dissolved oxygen in the northern Gulf of Mexico from all three models were small. Even considering the predicted ranges between lower- and upper-bound results, these impacts are likely to be within the errors of measurement for bottomwater dissolved oxygen and hypoxic area at the spatial scale of the entire hypoxic zone.