bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bone mass density in adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Sarrai Mona , Duroseau Herold , D‘Augustine Jean , Moktan Sabita , Bellevue Rita 
Published: January 2007

SummarySickle cell disease (SCD) leads to many complications including osteoporosis and osteopenia. We studied the prevalence and predisposing factors of low bone mass density (BMD) in adults with SCD. In this retrospective study, dual X‐ray absorptiometry bone scans were used to determine BMD in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and ultra distal radius of 103 patients (73 females, 30 males, aged 15–80 years). Chart reviews and a patient questionnaire were used to collect patient characteristics, disease course and severity, and low BMD risk factors. The 79·6% of patients (mean age 36·5 ± 12·5 years) had an abnormal BMD, with a predilection for the lumbar spine (P = 0·001). Analysis by 3 (low BMD versus very low BMD versus normal) or by 2 groups (abnormal versus normal) showed that abnormal BMD was associated with lower body mass index (BMI) (P = 0·003), lower Hb level (P = 0·001) and higher ferritin (P = 0·003). Low BMD patients were more likely to be SS, SC or Sβ0thal than Sβ+thal (P = 0·022). Abnormal BMD was not related to age, sex, menarche, SCD complications, number of crises, iron overload, treatment with hydroxycarbamide or desferal, renal disease, smoking or alcohol. Patients treated with hydroxycarbamide for at least 6 months were more likely to have an abnormal BMD. In this SCD population, abnormal BMD seemed to be independent of sex, age and menopause, whereas BMI, ferritin level, Hb type and level appeared to play a major role.
Charge differences between in vivo deposits in immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis and non‐amyloid light chain deposition disease*
Authors: Kaplan Batia , Livneh Avi , Gallo Gloria 
Published: January 2007

SummaryImmunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) and non‐amyloid light chain deposition disease (NALCDD) are different forms of protein aggregation disorders that may occur in plasma cell dyscrasias with dysproteinemia. In systemic AL, the deposits are fibrillar and patchy in distribution, within and amongst different organs, whereas in NALCDD, the deposits are granular and diffusely distributed in systemic basement membranes, suggesting different mechanisms of aggregation and deposition. Previous evidence, that charge differences between the light chains in AL and NALCDD might account for their different phenotypes, prompted the present study, which compared the isoelectric points (pIs) of AL and NALCDD protein deposits extracted from human tissues. The pI profiles (5·2–8·8) of polypeptides in AL deposits were heterogenous in four cases, with a spread of both anionic and cationic isoforms; in contrast, in three of NALCDD the pI profiles (8·2–8·8) were homogeneous and restricted in the cationic range. These in vivo findings in human disease, together with other reported in vitro and in vivo experimental data, suggest that the fibrillar deposits in AL may form by electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged polypeptides, whereas the granular deposits in NALCDD form by the binding of cationic polypeptides to anionic proteoglycans sites in basement membranes.
Putting context in the statistics: paediatricians’ experiences discussing obesity during office visits
Authors: Barlow S. E. , Richert M. , Baker E. A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIntroduction  Surveys poorly capture how paediatric providers interact with individual patients and families to encourage behaviour change for obesity treatment. Paediatricians’ descriptions of their specific experiences may suggest new ways to approach office‐based obesity care.Methods  Face‐to‐face interviews with eight paediatricians from diverse backgrounds and practice settings in the Saint Louis area. They described their experiences identifying and treating obesity, the perceived response and suggestions for improved office‐based treatment. Transcriptions of audiotaped interviews were analysed using qualitative techniques.Results  Paediatricians believed they identify most overweight children but without the use of body mass index (BMI). They recognized excess weight using weight and height charts, which also helped them inform families of the condition. Consistent with available recommendations, the paediatricians emphasized health problems of obesity, advised simple behaviour changes for the entire household and adapted messages to individual families. They sometimes took extra time to discuss obesity. Despite their efforts, they observed almost no success. In addition to poor home environments in many families, they described low family commitment. In their experience, the rare, successful patients came to office visits already motivated. They suggested some office‐based improvements, such as better handouts although they stressed the need for improved school and community environments.Conclusion  Despite following available obesity treatment recommendations, the paediatricians observed little success. These findings suggest that promoting paediatrician compliance with recommendations will not improve outcome. Instead, improving patient motivation prior to visits and new handouts designed with parent input may be more effective. BMI use will likely increase only when paediatricians are persuaded of its utility.
The importance of size and growth in infancy: integrated findings from systematic reviews of scientific evidence and lay perspectives
Authors: Lucas P. J. , Roberts H. M. , Baird J. , Kleijnen J. , Law C. M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  Associations between growth and size during infancy and adult disease have led some to recommend that interventions in infancy might benefit lifelong health. Any such recommendations should be informed by both the scientific evidence for relationships between infancy and later outcomes and the views and opinions of those who care for babies.Methods  Separate, but interlinked, systematic reviews were conducted of the epidemiological evidence relating infant size or growth to later health and of lay perspectives on infant size and growth. Findings were compared and integrated to consider policy implications.Results  Lay and scientific perspectives both cast infant growth and size as an indicator of other aspects of an infant’s life, rather than being of fundamental importance. While the scientific literature is most often concerned with infants at the extreme ends of the population distribution, and towards long‐term outcomes, the literature on lay perspectives suggests a focus on defining the ‘normal’ range, and on current health.Conclusions  Differences and similarities between scientific and lay perspectives on health can highlight areas of agreement, as well as areas of potential misunderstanding or miscommunication.
Tectonic control on peritidal carbonate parasequence formation: an investigation using forward tectono‐stratigraphic modelling
Authors: BENEDICTIS DARIO DE , BOSENCE DAN , WALTHAM DAVE 
Published: January 2007

AbstractStudies of Quaternary extensional faults indicate that they have instantaneous amounts of throw (0·4 to 4 m), average slip rates (0·05 to 2·8 m kyr−1) and frequency of recurrence (<40 000 years) accounting for the accommodation space required for the accumulation of peritidal carbonate parasequences (PCPs). Hangingwall sites and graben are characterized by fault down‐dropping together with regional subsidence, and footwall sites and horsts by fault‐related uplift alternating with periods of regional subsidence. The relative sea‐level curves generated by these processes operating in a maritime rift setting are used as inputs to a forward stratigraphic modelling program SedTec2000 to simulate how fault‐related changes in accommodation space can account for high‐frequency PCP formation. Each instantaneous fault slip generates a flooding surface or aggradation in hangingwall and graben settings. High‐frequency cycles in hangingwall sites are either symmetric (deepening then shallowing upward) or asymmetric (shallowing‐upward). The major factor controlling cycle types is the balance between rates of carbonate accumulation and generation of accomodation space. High‐frequency cycles in footwall sites and horsts comprise shallow subtidal facies, with no distinctive bathymetric trends, capped by erosional boundaries generated by footwall uplift. The modelled cycles are of the same thickness, with bathymetric trends and frequency to cycles commonly interpreted to be due to orbitally driven eustatic sea‐level changes or autocyclic processes. These numerical experiments demonstrate that high‐frequency PCPs can be generated by tectonic, fault‐related processes, a hypothesis that is frequently discounted.
Effect of processing parameters on static strength of dissimilar friction stir spot welds between different aluminium alloys
Authors: TOZAKI Y. , UEMATSU Y. , TOKAJI K. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTThe effect of processing parameters on static strength and fracture mechanisms of dissimilar friction stir spot welds between different aluminium alloys was studied. Tensile shear strength increased with decreasing tool rotational speed and increasing tool holding time, while cross tension strength decreased with increasing both parameters. Two fracture modes were observed: nugget shear fracture and mixed mode fracture under tensile shear loading, and debonding and pull‐out of the nugget under cross tension loading. Based on experimental observation, the dependence of static strength on processing parameters and the occurrence of different fracture modes were discussed.
Repeat prostate biopsy in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian cancer screening trial
Authors: Pinsky Paul F. , Crawford E. David , Kramer Barnett S. , Andriole Gerald L. , Gelmann Edward P. , Grubb Robert , Greenlee Robert , Gohagan John K. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVETo determine patterns of repeat prostate biopsy in a cohort of men undergoing prostate cancer screening who have a negative initial biopsy.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe Prostate, Colorectal, Lung, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening trial is an ongoing study the prostate component of which consists of six annual screens with measurements of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level and a digital rectal examination (DRE). The diagnostic follow‐up of positive screening results is done by the subject’s healthcare provider outside the purview of the PLCO. We analysed the experience of repeat biopsy in men in the PLCO with an initial negative biopsy. Men were divided by indication for initial biopsy into those with suspicious PSA levels and those with suspicious DRE findings.RESULTSThe probability of having a repeat biopsy within 3 years of initial biopsy was 43% for 1736 men with suspicious PSA levels and 13% for 1025 men with suspicious DRE findings. Rates of third and fourth biopsy after a previous negative biopsy were similar to the initial repeat biopsy rate in PSA‐positive men. Most men had a repeat biopsy only after having an additional round of screening. The PSA level and PSA velocity determined after initial biopsy were independent risk factors for a repeat biopsy, both in PSA‐positive and DRE‐positive men. High‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was a risk factor for repeat biopsy before any repeat PSA or DRE testing.CONCLUSIONThe experience of this cohort should be generally representative of patterns of care for repeat biopsy in men undergoing periodic screening. These data can provide context to the debate over optimum practices for repeat biopsy.
The Collaborative Study of Obesity and Diabetes in Adults (CODA) project: meta‐analysis design and description of participating studies
Authors: Duval S. , Vazquez G. , Baker W. L. , Jacobs D. R. ,   for the CODA Study Group
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe Collaborative Study of Obesity and Diabetes in Adults (CODA) project was formed to establish an international database of studies of abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to provide analyses of these associations using individual participant data (IPD) meta‐analytic techniques. The collaboration involves obtaining raw data from existing studies. The main objectives of the collaboration are to assess which simple anthropometric indices most closely predict the risk of T2DM in adults, and to investigate ethnicity and other factors that potentially modify that prediction. A second task related to primary prevention of diabetes subsequently evolved, the CODA‐2 project, and is concerned with population‐based methods to identify people most likely to benefit from diabetes interventions. This article describes the meta‐analysis design and the studies involved. The collaboration currently has 37 studies enrolled, providing data on 260 000 participants. The proposed IPD meta‐analyses will help resolve several outstanding issues in diabetes.
DNA barcoding using chitons (genus Mopalia)
Authors: KELLY RYAN P. , SARKAR INDRA NEIL , EERNISSE DOUGLAS J. , DESALLE ROB 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIncorporating substantial intraspecific genetic variation for 19 species from 131 individual chitons, genus Mopalia (Mollusca: Polyplacophora), we present rigorous DNA barcodes for this genus as per the currently accepted approaches to DNA barcoding. We also have performed a second kind of analysis that does not rely on blast or the distance‐based neighbour‐joining approach as currently resides on the Barcode of Life Data Systems website. Our character‐based approach, called characteristic attribute organization system, returns fast, accurate, character‐based diagnostics and can unambiguously distinguish between even closely related species based on these diagnostics. Using statistical subsampling approaches with our original data matrix, we show that the method outperforms blast and is equally effective as the neighbour‐joining approach. Our approach differs from the neighbour‐joining approach in that the end‐product is a list of diagnostic nucleotide positions that can be used in descriptions of species. In addition, the diagnostics obtained from this character‐based approach can be used to design oligonucleotides for detection arrays, polymerase chain reaction drop off diagnostics, TaqMan assays, and design of primers for generating short fragments that encompass regions containing diagnostics in the cytochrome oxidase I gene.
Development of simple sequence repeat markers for the plant pathogenic rust fungus Puccinia triticina
Authors: SZABO LES J. , KOLMER JAMES A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractEighteen polymorphic di‐ and trinucleotide simple sequence repeat markers were developed for the phytopathogenic rust fungus Puccinia triticina. The allelic diversity varied from two to nine alleles per locus. Levels of observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.095 to 0.952. Seven of the loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.002) with 70% having levels of observed heterozygosity higher than expected heterozygosity. Null allele(s) were observed for locus PtSSR76 with a frequency of 9%. A preliminary screen of other cereal rust fungi (P. coronata, P. graminis, P. recondita and P. striiformis) indicated that these primer pairs are specific to P. triticina.
Effect of the o2 time‐averaging interval on the reproducibility of o2max in healthy athletic subjects
Authors: Midgley Adrian W. , McNaughton Lars R. , Carroll Sean 
Published: January 2007

SummaryAims:  Limited research has investigated the most appropriate oxygen uptake (o2) data averaging method to obtain reliable and valid maximal oxygen uptake (o2max) values. This study investigated the effect of the o2 time‐averaging interval on the reproducibility of o2max.Methods and results:  Twenty‐two competitive distance runners (six female) performed two identical incremental treadmill tests to their limit of exercise tolerance separated by at least 48 h. Commencing at 7 km h−1, running speed was increased by 1 km h−1 per minute for five stages and 0·5 km h−1 thereafter. Breath‐by‐breath o2 data collected during each incremental test were time‐averaged over 10‐, 15‐, 20‐, 30‐ and 60‐s and the highest averaged o2 value was regarded as o2max for each time‐averaging interval. The o2max values derived from different o2 time‐averaging intervals were significantly different for the first (F = 39·6; P<0·001) and second (F = 68·9; P<0·001) incremental test. There was a tendency for o2max to significantly increase as the time‐averaging interval became shorter. The reproducibility of o2max was similar for all five o2 time‐averages, with no significant differences between the within‐subject variance (F = 0·4; P = 0·6).Conclusion:  The results of this study suggests that the reproducibility of o2max is not affected by the length of the o2 time‐average interval. However, o2max was significantly altered by changing the o2 time‐averaging interval between 10 and 60 s. Consistency in the o2 time‐averaging interval is therefore an important methodological consideration for repeated determinations of o2max.
Longitudinal progression of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: a pilot study from India
Authors: PINTO Charles , SEETHALAKSHMI Ramanathan 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIntroduction:  Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) vary across different types, stages and different time spans of dementia. BPSD form an important determinant in the effective management of dementia as they contribute significantly to the prognosis and outcome of dementia.Methods:  Thirty‐three individuals with dementia were assessed across three different time periods for changes in behavioral problems as noted on the BEHAV‐AD. Of the 33 individuals, eight had received medications that primarily consisted of low‐dose typical antipsychotics.Results:  Although, it was noted that behavioral problems fluctuate over time; significant variations in intensity were noted only in delusions. BPSD variations were similar in both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Individuals on medications showed significant improvement in nearly all behavioral problems and a decrease in caregiver distress.Discussion:  Behavioral symptoms vary across different time spans and follow a general pattern. Detailed analyses of these longitudinal variations in BPSD can be useful in planning cost‐effective treatment strategies.
Lack of genetic association between cholesteryl ester transfer protein and Japanese sporadic Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: KITAJIMA Akiyoshi , SHIBATA Nobuto , OHNUMA Tohru , HIGASHI Shinji , OHKUBO Taku , USUI Chie , WATANABE Tomoko , KAWASHIMA Ritsuko , OHTSUKA Mieko , UEKI Akira , NAGAO Masatsugu , ARAI Heii 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground:  Cholesteryl ester transfer protein regulates the plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, which is considered to play an antiatherogenic role in humans. The presence of apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele is a strong risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Since apolipoprotein E is a regulator of lipid metabolism, it is reasonable to assume that lipids play important roles in the pathogenesis of AD.Methods:  We studied the relationship between polymorphisms of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene and risk for AD, analyzing two common polymorphisms of the gene and the relationship between them and plasma cholesterol level control samples.Results:  These polymorphisms showed no association with risk for AD. In rs5882, there was no significant difference in the mean plasma cholesterol concentrations found between patients with the A/A, A/G and G/G genotype. For rs2303790, no significant difference in the mean baseline cholesterol concentrations was found between patients with the A/A genotype and carriers of the G allele.Conclusion:  Our study indicates that these polymorphisms, rs5882 and rs2303790 were not associated with risk for AD. We also pointed out that these two polymorphisms do not affect plasma cholesterol levels in our Japanese AD samples.
Neuropsychological test for the detection of dementia in elderly individuals: the Nishimura Dementia Test
Authors: FUKUNAGA Tomoko , UKAI Satoshi , KOBAYASHI Toshiko , NISHIMURA Tsuyoshi , TAKEDA Masatoshi 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground:  Progression of the core and accessory symptoms of dementia can be slowed if drug therapies and psychosocial interventions are administered at an early stage. The aim of this study was to develop and standardize a neuropsychological test for the elderly that can detect dementia at an early stage with high sensitivity and can evaluate a wide range of severities of dementia based on assessments of various cognitive functions.Methods:  A preliminary test consisting of 23 items and the Nishimura Mental State Scale for the Elderly (NM Scale), which evaluates the mental functions of elderly individuals by observing their actual behaviors in daily life, were administered to 448 elderly subjects. After applying Hayashi’s quantification theory type I to the results, we revised the preliminary test to construct a neuropsychological test for the elderly, which we named the Nishimura Dementia Test (ND Test), and standardized it. Then, we examined its validity and test–retest reliability.Results:  Among the 448 subjects, there was a strong correlation between the ND Test scores and NM Scale scores. The ND Test showed a good general agreement rate for the discrimination of the severity of dementia, and good sensitivity and specificity of discrimination of dementia when compared with the actual NM Scale. Using different groups of elderly subjects, the ND Test showed validity and test–retest reliability, and the ND Test scores showed strong correlations with the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores and the Mini‐Mental State Examination scores.Conclusions:  The ND Test is based on assessment of a variety of cognitive functions and can evaluate a wide range of severities of dementia with good validity and reliability.
Role of Cell Culture for Virus Detection in the Age of Technology
Authors: Leland Diane S. , Ginocchio Christine C. 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY
Viral disease diagnosis has traditionally relied on the isolation of viral pathogens in cell cultures. Although this approach is often slow and requires considerable technical expertise, it has been regarded for decades as the “gold standard” for the laboratory diagnosis of viral disease. With the development of nonculture methods for the rapid detection of viral antigens and/or nucleic acids, the usefulness of viral culture has been questioned. This review describes advances in cell culture-based viral diagnostic products and techniques, including the use of newer cell culture formats, cryopreserved cell cultures, centrifugation-enhanced inoculation, precytopathogenic effect detection, cocultivated cell cultures, and transgenic cell lines. All of these contribute to more efficient and less technically demanding viral detection in cell culture. Although most laboratories combine various culture and nonculture approaches to optimize viral disease diagnosis, virus isolation in cell culture remains a useful approach, especially when a viable isolate is needed, if viable and nonviable virus must be differentiated, when infection is not characteristic of any single virus (i.e., when testing for only one virus is not sufficient), and when available culture-based methods can provide a result in a more timely fashion than molecular methods.