bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why More Boys Than Girls With ADHD Receive Treatment: A Study of Dutch Twins
Authors: Derks Eske M. , Hudziak James J. , Boomsma Dorret I. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMore boys than girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) receive treatment. One explanation for this bias may be that boys score higher on disruptive behavior scales than girls. Although this was supported by findings in clinical samples, recent studies in nonreferred samples showed that boys and girls with ADHD are similar with respect to their levels of disruptive behavior as reported by their mother. In this report, we investigate whether the difference in treatment rate is associated with higher teacher problem scores in boys with ADHD than in girls with ADHD. Data were obtained from mothers and teachers in a nonreferred sample of 283 boys and 291 girls with and without ADHD. Children were selected when they scored either low (controls) or high (probands) on attention problems. Mothers completed DSM-IV interviews, Child Behavior Checklists (CBCL) and the Conners Rating Scale (CRS). Teachers filled in the Teacher Report Form (TRF), and the CRS. Boys and girls with ADHD had similar levels of psychiatric illness and school impairment (such as being held back, special class placement and learning problems) by mother report. Mothers reported similar levels of aggression and attention problems in boys and girls with ADHD. In contrast, teachers consistently rated boys with ADHD as having higher scores on reports of attention problems and aggression than girls with ADHD. Gender differences vary across settings: boys and girls with ADHD are rated as behaving differently at school, but not at home. The higher level of teacher reported problem behavior at school may explain the high male–female ratio for ADHD in clinical settings. These findings have implications for the results of genetic studies that rely on referred samples, as these studies may give a distorted view of sex differences in the population.
Validation of the Gross Motor Function Measure for Use in Children and Adolescents With Traumatic Brain Injuries
Authors: Linder-Lucht Michaela , Othmer Verena , Walther Michael , Vry Julia , Michaelis Ulla , Stein Sabine , Weissenmayer Heike , Korinthenberg Rudolf , Mall Volker ,   and the Gross Motor Function Measure-Traumatic Brain Injury Study Group
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVES. Motor function recovery is a key goal during rehabilitation of children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury. To evaluate how well treatment strategies improve motor function, we need validated outcome measures that are responsive to change in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury. The Gross Motor Function Measure has demonstrated excellent psychometric properties in children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, yet its responsiveness in patients with pediatric traumatic brain injury has not been proven irrefutably. Our aim was to validate the Gross Motor Function Measure for this patient group.
METHODS. Seventy-three patients (mean age: 11.4 years; range: 0.8–18.9 years) with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury were recruited in 12 rehabilitation centers and assessed twice with the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 over 4 to 6 weeks. As an external standard, we used judgements of change made independently by parents, physiotherapists, and 2 video assessors who were not familiar with the patients. We formulated and statistically investigated a priori hypotheses of how Gross Motor Function Measure change scores would correlate with those judgements of change. Both Gross Motor Function Measure versions, the original Gross Motor Function Measure-88 and the more recently developed Gross Motor Function Measure-66, were evaluated.
RESULTS. Both Gross Motor Function Measure change scores correlated significantly with all of the clinical judgements of change. The degree of correlation that we postulated, that the Gross Motor Function Measure change score would correlate highest with the video rating followed by physiotherapists and parents, was fully confirmed by the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 and largely confirmed by the Gross Motor Function Measure-66. Both Gross Motor Function Measure versions revealed convincing discriminative capability. Test-retest reliability was excellent.
CONCLUSIONS. We demonstrate convincing evidence of responsiveness and validity to support the use of both Gross Motor Function Measure versions as evaluative measures of gross motor function in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury.
Family Breakup and Adolescents' Psychosocial Maladjustment: Public Health Implications of Family Disruptions
Authors: Roustit Christelle , Chaix Basile , Chauvin Pierre 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVES. Recent changes in family structure are associated with an increase in psychosocial maladjustment in adolescents. We examined, from a public health intervention perspective, the association between family breakup and psychosocial maladjustment in adolescents and assessed the mediating role of family-functioning variables.METHODS. We analyzed data from the Social and Health Survey of Children and Adolescents in Quebec, Montreal, Canada, which was conducted in 1999. Sample-weighted logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk of internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders, substance abuse, and alcohol consumption in relation to family breakups and family-functioning variables, after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.RESULTS. All 4 of the indicators of psychosocial maladjustment were significantly associated with family breakup. The association between family breakups and internalizing disorders was mediated by parental psychological distress and low paternal emotional support. Independently, the witnessing of interparental violence was also strongly associated with internalizing disorders. For the other 3 outcomes, that is, externalizing disorders, substance abuse, and alcohol consumption, family breakup and family-functioning variables had independent effects.CONCLUSIONS. Family-based interventions and social approaches are complementary support modalities for adolescents experiencing family disruptions.
Influence of Gender and Age on Upper-Airway Length During Development
Authors: Ronen Ohad , Malhotra Atul , Pillar Giora 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE. Obstructive sleep apnea has a strong male predominance in adults but not in children. The collapsible portion of the upper airway is longer in adult men than in women (a property that may increase vulnerability to collapse during sleep). We sought to test the hypothesis that in prepubertal children, pharyngeal airway length is equal between genders, but after puberty boys have a longer upper airway than girls, thus potentially contributing to this change in apnea propensity.
METHODS. Sixty-nine healthy boys and girls who had undergone computed tomography scans of their neck for other reasons were selected from the computed tomography archives of Rambam and Carmel hospitals. The airway length was measured in the midsagittal plane and defined as the length between the lower part of the posterior hard palate and the upper limit of the hyoid bone. Airway length and normalized airway length/body height were compared between the genders in prepubertal (4- to 10-year-old) and postpubertal (14- to 19-year-old) children.
RESULTS. In prepubertal children, airway length was similar between boys and girls (43.2 ± 5.9 vs 46.8 ± 7.7 mm, respectively). When normalized to body height, airway length/body height was significantly shorter in prepubertal boys than in girls (0.35 ± 0.03 vs 0.38 ± 0.04 mm/cm). In contrast, postpubertal boys had longer upper airways (66.5 ± 9.2 vs 52.2 ± 7.0 mm) and normalized airway length/body height (0.38 ± 0.05 vs 0.33 ± 0.05 mm/cm) than girls.
CONCLUSIONS. Although boys have equal or shorter airway length compared with girls among prepubertal children, after puberty, airway length and airway length normalized for body height are significantly greater in boys than in girls. These data suggest that important anatomic changes at puberty occur in a gender-specific manner, which may be important in explaining the male predisposition to pharyngeal collapse in adults.
Validity of Parental Report of Influenza Vaccination in Children 6 to 59 Months of Age
Authors: Shinall Myrick C. , Plosa Erin J. , Poehling Katherine A. 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to assess the validity of parental report of influenza vaccinations.
PATIENTS AND METHODS. A cross-sectional study of children who were 6 to 59 months of age and presented to a large, pediatric residency clinic from February through April 2005 was performed. A standardized, parental questionnaire ascertained the influenza vaccination status of children during the 2004–2005 influenza season and was compared with the medical chart, the criterion standard. Children were classified as being at high risk when they had a specific influenza vaccine recommendation in 2004–2005 by age (6–23 months of age) or by chronic medical condition.
RESULTS. Of 218 parents approached in the pediatric residency clinic, 198 (95%) children who were 6 to 59 months of age were enrolled, and 84 (42%) were vaccinated according to the medical chart. More children who were 6 to 23 months than those who were 24 to 59 months of age were vaccinated (63% vs 21%). Children with chronic medical conditions were more likely to be vaccinated than healthy children who were 24 to 59 months of age (57% vs 11%), but no difference was observed for children who were 6 to 23 months of age (79% vs 60%). In comparison with the medical chart, parental report of influenza vaccination had a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 90%, and a κ coefficient of 0.78. For children who were 6 to 23 months of age or had a chronic medical condition (n = 123), parental report had a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 81%, and a κ coefficient of 0.71.
CONCLUSIONS. Parental report of influenza vaccination among children who were 6 to 59 months of age had reasonable sensitivity, specificity, and reliability as compared with the medical chart in this study population.
The AMP-activated protein kinase activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-d-ribonucleoside, regulates lactate production in rat Sertoli cells
Authors: Galardo María Noel , Riera María Fernanda , Pellizzari Eliana Herminia , Cigorraga Selva Beatriz , Meroni Silvina Beatriz 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate whether the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, is present in Sertoli cells and whether its activation by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-d-ribonucleoside (AICAR) results in the regulation of cell metabolism to ensure lactate supply for germ cell development. Sertoli cell cultures from 20-day-old rats were used. Western blot analysis for the α-subunit of AMPK showed that high levels of AMPK are present in Sertoli cells. Treatment of the cultures with AICAR resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase of P-AMPK levels indicating activation of the enzyme. A possible effect of AICAR on Sertoli cell lactate production was then analyzed. A dose- and time-dependent increment in lactate secretion was observed. The participation of AMPK activation in different biochemical processes that may be implicated in the regulation of lactate production was also analyzed. AICAR stimulated glucose uptake in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, AICAR increased the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and decreased the glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) mRNA levels. As for the role of AMPK in the regulation of the monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 (MCT1 and MCT4), it has been observed that AICAR treatment decreased MCT1 and increased MCT4 mRNA levels. In summary, the results presented herein show that AMPK is present in Sertoli cells and that its activation by AICAR increases lactate production as a result, at least in part, of a) an increase in glucose uptake, b) an increase in GLUT1 expression, and c) a decrease in MCT1 and an increase in MCT4 levels. Altogether, these results suggest an important role of AMPK in modulating the nutritional function of Sertoli cells.
CLIMATIC/EDAPHIC CONTROLS ON SOIL CARBON/NITROGEN RESPONSE TO SHRUB ENCROACHMENT IN DESERT GRASSLAND
Authors: Wheeler C. Winston , Archer Steven R. , Asner Gregory P. , McMurtry Chad R. 
Published: October 2007

The proliferation of woody plants in grasslands over the past 100+ years can alter carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles and influence land surface–atmosphere interactions. Although the majority of organic carbon in these ecosystems resides belowground, there is no consensus on how this change in land cover has affected soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) pools. The degree to which duration of woody plant occupation, climate, and edaphic conditions have mediated SOC and TN responses to changes in life‐form composition are poorly understood. We addressed these issues at a desert grassland site in Arizona, USA, where the leguminous shrub velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) has proliferated along an elevation/precipitation/temperature gradient and on contrasting soil morphologic surfaces.On sandy loam complexes of mid‐Holocene origin, mean SOC and TN of soils in the grassland matrix increased ∼68% and ∼45%, respectively, with increasing elevation. Soil organic carbon pools were comparable and TN pools were ∼23% higher in Pleistocene‐aged clay loam complexes co‐occurring with Holocene‐aged soils at the upper elevation/climatic zone. Across the site, belowground resources associated with largeProsopisplants were 21–154% (SOC) and 18–127% (TN) higher than those in the grassy matrix.The variance in SOC and TN pools accounted for byProsopisstem size (a rough surrogate for time of site occupation) was highest at the low‐ and mid‐elevation sites (69–74%) and lowest at the upper elevation site (32–38%). Soil δ15N values ranged from 5.5‰ to 6.7‰ across the soil/elevation zones but were comparable in herbaceous and shrub‐impacted soils and exhibited a weak relationship withProsopisbasal stem diameter (r2< 0.1) and TN (r2< 0.08). The SOC δ13C values decreased linearly with increasingProsopisbasal diameter, suggesting that size and isotopic composition of the SOC pool is a function of time ofProsopissite occupation. Isotopic mixture models indicate that encroachment of C3woody plants has also promoted SOC additions from C4plant sources, indicative of long‐term herbaceous facilitation. Grassy sites in contrasting soil/elevation combinations, initially highly distinctive in their SOC pool size and δ13C, appear to be converging on similar values following ∼100 years of woody plant proliferation.
ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION MAY AFFECT NORTHERN HARDWOOD FOREST COMPOSITION BY ALTERING SOIL NUTRIENT SUPPLY
Authors: Zaccherio Meredith T. , Finzi Adrien C. 
Published: October 2007

In the northeastern United States, the input of reactive nitrogen (N) via atmospheric deposition has increased rapidly since the onset of the industrial revolution. During the same period of time, acid precipitation and forest harvest have removed substantial quantities of base cations from soil. Because of the dominance of base‐poor soils and the low rates of atmospheric base cation deposition, soils throughout the northeastern United States may be increasingly rich in N but poor in calcium (Ca). We studied the consequences of a change in soil N and Ca availability on forest composition by transplanting seedlings of four tree species into replicate plots in the understory and in canopy gaps amended with N and Ca in factorial combination. In this paper, we report on the growth and survivorship of seedlings over a four‐year period.Relative to control plots, fertilization with N increased red maple growth by an average of 39% whereas fertilization with Ca decreased survivorship in the understory by 41%. In sugar maple, fertilization with Ca increased growth by 232% and 46% in the forest understory and in canopy gaps, respectively, and significantly increased high light survivorship. Fertilization with N decreased white pine survivorship by 69% in the understory whereas high Ca availability significantly increased survivorship. Fertilization with N or Ca alone reduced red oak growth but had no effect on survivorship. The results of this study suggest that historical losses of soil Ca and the continuing effects of atmospheric‐N deposition on N availability are likely to alter the composition of northeastern North American forests because of the positive effects of N enrichment on the growth of red maple and the negative effects of Ca loss on the growth and survivorship of sugar maple and white pine.
Deepwater Drilling Made More Efficient and Cost-Effective Using the Microflux Control Method and an Ultralow Invasion Fluid to Open the Mud-Weight Window
Authors: Santos Helio , Reid Paul , McCaskill John , Kinder Joe , Kozicz John 
Published: October 2007

Summary
A common major challenge in deepwater drilling is the narrow margin between pore pressure and fracture gradient. In many basins, deepwater wells are becoming even more challenging, with subsalt and deeper horizons introducing problems that can lead to well abandonment before the target depth (TD) is reached. The key to drilling these wells safely and cost-effectively is to use technologies, methods, and procedures that allow the mud-weight window to be widened.
This paper describes two technologies that, when combined, can widen the effective mud-weight window significantly. One is the Micro-Flux Control (MFC) method. This is a closed-loop drilling system that allows the safe use of a mud weight as close as possible to the pore pressure. The other technology is an ultralow invasion-drilling fluid (ULIF) that increases the leakoff pressure of the openhole section, thereby opening the mud-weight window. Several field cases involving the drilling fluid are described, with increases of more than 1.5 lbm/gal in the leakoff pressure observed in wells in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
Results obtained with the MFC method at a test facility in the USA are described. These show the ability of the method to deal very effectively with any influx or loss.
Significant operational savings have already been obtained with the drilling fluid. However, the combination of the two technologies will produce a step change in safety, technical capability, and economics in many deepwater operations.
Marco Polo Tension Leg Platform: Deepwater Completion Performance
Authors: Burman Jack , Renfro Kevin , Conrad Mark 
Published: October 2007

SummaryNovel well completion techniques and exceptional field execution (per Dodson Completion Performance Database) allowed the six well completions on the Anadarko operated Marco Polo Deepwater Tension Leg Platform (TLP) project in Green Canyon (GC) block 608 to be accomplished significantly ahead of schedule. All six wells (17 frac packs) were placed on production in approximately 168 days (including 14 days lost because of storms) after riser tieback operations were complete. An operational efficiency of 85%, with weather downtime accounting for 9% and other lost time accounting for 6%, was obtained during the completion campaign.This paper will focus on how the implementation challenges of completing 17 zones in six deepwater dry-tree wells with a 1,000hp rig were met, and will highlight a number of concepts and "technical firsts" that can be applied to other deepwater-development projects.
Metformin Inhibits Hepatic Gluconeogenesis Through AMP-Activated Protein Kinase–Dependent Regulation of the Orphan Nuclear Receptor SHP
Authors: Kim Yong Deuk , Park Keun-Gyu , Lee Yong-Soo , Park Yun-Yong , Kim Don-Kyu , Nedumaran Balachandar , Jang Won Gu , Cho Won-Jea , Ha Joohun , Lee In-Kyu , Lee Chul-Ho , Choi Hueng-Sik 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE—Metformin is an antidiabetic drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine whether metformin regulates hepatic gluconeogenesis through the orphan nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner (SHP; NR0B2).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We assessed the regulation of hepatic SHP gene expression by Northern blot analysis with metformin and adenovirus containing a constitutive active form of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (Ad-AMPK) and evaluated SHP, PEPCK, and G6Pase promoter activities via transient transfection assays in hepatocytes. Knockdown of SHP using siRNA SHP was conducted to characterize the metformin-induced inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression in hepatocytes, and metformin–and adenovirus SHP (Ad-SHP)–mediated hepatic glucose production was measured in B6-Lepob/ob mice.
RESULTS—Hepatic SHP gene expression was induced by metformin, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR), and Ad-AMPK. Metformin-induced SHP gene expression was abolished by adenovirus containing the dominant negative form of AMPK (Ad-DN-AMPK), as well as by compound C. Metformin inhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α–or FoxA2-mediated promoter activity of PEPCK and G6Pase, and the inhibition was blocked with siRNA SHP. Additionally, SHP knockdown by adenovirus containing siRNA SHP inhibited metformin-mediated repression of cAMP/dexamethasone-induced hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression. Furthermore, oral administration of metformin increased SHP mRNA levels in B6-Lepob/ob mice. Overexpression of SHP by Ad-SHP decreased blood glucose levels and hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression in B6-Lepob/ob mice.
CONCLUSIONS—We have concluded that metformin inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis through AMPK-dependent regulation of SHP.
In Vivo Evidence for Inverse Agonism of Agouti-Related Peptide in the Central Nervous System of Proopiomelanocortin-Deficient Mice
Authors: Tolle Virginie , Low Malcolm J. 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE—Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) peptides processed from proopiomelanocortin (POMC) regulate energy homeostasis by activating neuronal melanocortin receptor (MC-R) signaling. Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) is a naturally occurring MC-R antagonist but also displays inverse agonism at constitutively active melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R) expressed on transfected cells. We investigated whether AgRP functions similarly in vivo using mouse models that lack all neuronal MSH, thereby precluding competitive antagonism of MC-R by AgRP.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Feeding and metabolic effects of the MC-R agonist melanotan II (MTII), AgRP, and ghrelin were investigated after intracerebroventricular injection in neural-specific POMC-deficient (Pomc−/−Tg/+) and global POMC-deficient (Pomc−/−) mice. Gene expression was quantified by RT-PCR.
RESULTS—Hyperphagic POMC-deficient mice were more sensitive than wild-type mice to the anorectic effects of MTII. Hypothalamic melanocortin-3 (MC3)/4-R mRNAs in POMC-deficient mice were unchanged, suggesting increased receptor sensitivity as a possible mechanism for the heightened anorexia. AgRP reversed MTII-induced anorexia in both mutant strains, demonstrating its ability to antagonize MSH agonists at central MC3/4-R, but did not produce an acute orexigenic response by itself. The action of ghrelin was attenuated in Pomc−/−Tg/+ mice, suggesting decreased sensitivity to additional orexigenic signals. However, AgRP induced delayed and long-lasting modifications of energy balance in Pomc−/−Tg/+, but not glucocorticoid-deficient Pomc−/− mice, by decreasing oxygen consumption, increasing the respiratory exchange ratio, and increasing food intake.
CONCLUSIONS—These data demonstrate that AgRP can modulate energy balance via a mechanism independent of MSH and MC3/4-R competitive antagonism, consistent with either inverse agonist activity at MC-R or interaction with a distinct receptor.