bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intervals Longer Than 20 Weeks From Breast-Conserving Surgery to Radiation Therapy Are Associated With Inferior Outcome for Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Who Are Not Receiving Chemotherapy
Authors: Olivotto Ivo A. , Lesperance Mary L. , Truong Pauline T. , Nichol Alan , Berrang Tanya , Tyldesley Scott , Germain François , Speers Caroline , Wai Elaine , Holloway Caroline , Kwan Winkle , Kennecke Hagen 
Published: November 2008

Purpose To determine the interval from breast-conserving surgery (BCS) to radiation therapy (RT) that affects local control or survival. Patients and Methods The 10-year Kaplan-Meier (KM) local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), and breast cancer–specific survival (BCSS) were computed for 6,428 women who had T1 to 2, N0 to 1, M0 breast cancer that was diagnosed in British Columbia between 1989 and 2003, and who were treated with BCS and RT without chemotherapy. Intervals from BCS to RT were grouped by weeks as follows: ≤ 4 (n = 83), greater than 4 to 8 (n = 2,288; reference group); greater than 8 to 12 (n = 2,606); greater than 12 to 16 (n = 961); greater than 16 to 20 (n = 358); and greater than 20 weeks (n = 132). Cox proportional hazards models and matching were used to control for confounding variables. Results The median follow-up time was 7.5 years. The 10-year KM outcomes were as follows: LRFS, 95.4%; DRFS, 90.5%; and BCSS, 92.5%. Compared with the greater than 4 to 8 weeks group, hazard ratios (HR) were not significantly different for any outcome among patients who were treated up to 20 weeks after BCS. However, LRFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; P = .15), DRFS (HR, 1.86; P = .02) and BCSS (HR, 2.15; P = .009) were inferior for women with BCS-to-RT intervals greater than 20 weeks compared with those greater than 4 to 8 weeks. The matched analysis yielded similar results. Conclusion Outcomes were statistically similar for BCS-to-RT intervals up to 20 weeks, but they were inferior for intervals beyond 20 weeks. Time can be reasonably allowed for the breast to heal and for patients to consider treatment options, but RT should start within 20 weeks of BCS.
Adaptive genetic variation, stress and glucose regulation
Authors: Oriel Roxanne C. , Wiley Christopher D. , Dewey Michael J. , Vrana Paul B. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY
Elevated glucose levels in the presence of insulin are indicative of type 2 diabetes and the more inclusive metabolic syndrome. Alleles conferring susceptibility to these and other common conditions may be adaptations to past environments. It is possible that other mammals exhibiting environmental diversity harbor similar variants; therefore, we assessed glucose regulation in two species of deer mice (Peromyscus), a diverse endemic North American group. The prairie deer mouse, P. maniculatus bairdii (BW), and the Oldfield mouse, P. polionotus subgriseus (PO) differ in sexual dimorphism, behavior and habitat. PO animals exhibit better regulatory ability than BW animals, particularly among males, although both species display equivalent insulin levels/responses and non-fasted glucose levels. Hybrid males exhibit a PO glucose challenge response and subsequent analysis of consomic animals implicates Y chromosome variation as the genetic cause. Two pieces of evidence indicate that the male glucose regulatory differences are mediated by stress response: (1) fasting and handling alone account for most of the variation; (2) an inhibitor of glucocorticoid (GC) stress hormone synthesis eliminates these differences. PO males have GC levels that are twice those of BW males, indicating the presence of alleles that attenuate the GC response. We hypothesize that the interspecific physiological and behavioral differences are interrelated and that similar human variants exist.
Analysis of mouse models carrying the I26T and R160C substitutions in the transcriptional repressor HESX1 as models for septo-optic dysplasia and hypopituitarism
Authors: Sajedi Ezat , Gaston-Massuet Carles , Signore Massimo , Andoniadou Cynthia L. , Kelberman Daniel , Castro Sandra , Etchevers Heather C. , Gerrelli Dianne , Dattani Mehul T. , Martinez-Barbera Juan Pedro 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY
A homozygous substitution of the highly conserved isoleucine at position 26 by threonine (I26T) in the transcriptional repressor HESX1 has been associated with anterior pituitary hypoplasia in a human patient, with no forebrain or eye defects. Two individuals carrying a homozygous substitution of the conserved arginine at position 160 by cysteine (R160C) manifest septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), a condition characterised by pituitary abnormalities associated with midline telencephalic structure defects and optic nerve hypoplasia. We have generated two knock-in mouse models containing either the I26T or R160C substitution in the genomic locus. Hesx1I26T/I26T embryos show pituitary defects comparable with Hesx1−/− mouse mutants, with frequent occurrence of ocular abnormalities, although the telencephalon develops normally. Hesx1R160C/R160C mutants display forebrain and pituitary defects that are identical to those observed in Hesx1−/− null mice. We also show that the expression pattern of HESX1 during early human development is very similar to that described in the mouse, suggesting that the function of HESX1 is conserved between the two species. Together, these results suggest that the I26T mutation yields a hypomorphic allele, whereas R160C produces a null allele and, consequently, a more severe phenotype in both mice and humans.
Fetuin-A and BMD in Older Persons: The Health Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study
Authors: Ix Joachim H , Wassel Christina L , Bauer Douglas C , Toroian Damon , Tylavsky Frances A , Cauley Jane A , Harris Tamara B , Price Paul A , Cummings Steven R , Shlipak Michael G 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Fetuin-A is a hepatic secretory protein that promotes bone mineralization in vitro. Whether fetuin-A levels are associated with BMD in humans is unknown. The Health Aging and Body Composition study enrolled 3075 well-functioning black and white persons 70–79 yr of age and measured BMD. This cross-sectional study measured serum fetuin-A using ELISA among a random sample of 508 participants within sex and race strata. Multivariate linear regression analysis evaluated the associations of fetuin-A with BMD. Among women (n = 257), higher fetuin-A levels were significantly associated with higher total hip (p = 0.02), lumbar spine (p = 0.03), and whole body BMD (p = 0.01) in models adjusted for age, race, diabetes, alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity, body mass index, C-reactive protein levels, calcium supplement, and estrogen use. For example, each SD (0.38 g/liter) higher level of fetuin-A was associated with 0.016 g/cm2 higher total hip areal BMD. The association was of similar magnitude and direction for femoral neck BMD but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11). In contrast, among men (n = 251), fetuin-A had no significant associations with total hip (p = 0.79), lumbar spine (p = 0.35), whole body (p = 0.46), or femoral neck BMD (p = 0.54) in multivariable models. We conclude that higher fetuin-A levels are independently associated with higher BMD among well-functioning community-dwelling older women but not older men. Future studies should evaluate whether fetuin-A may refine fracture risk assessment in older women.
Divergent Effects of Glucocorticoids on Cortical and Trabecular Compartment BMD in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Wetzsteon Rachel J , Shults Justine , Zemel Babette S , Gupta Pooja U , Burnham Jon M , Herskovitz Rita M , Howard Krista M , Leonard Mary B 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GC) effects on skeletal development have not been established. The objective of this pQCT study was to assess volumetric BMD (vBMD) and cortical dimensions in childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS), a disorder with minimal independent deleterious skeletal effects. Tibia pQCT was used to assess trabecular and cortical vBMD, cortical dimensions, and muscle area in 55 SSNS (age, 5–19 yr) and &gt;650 control participants. Race-, sex-, and age-, or tibia length-specific Z-scores were generated for pQCT outcomes. Bone biomarkers included bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and urinary deoxypyridinoline. SSNS participants had lower height Z-scores (p &lt; 0.0001) compared with controls. In SSNS, Z-scores for cortical area were greater (+0.37; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.66; p = 0.01), for cortical vBMD were greater (+1.17; 95% CI = 0.89, 1.45; p &lt; 0.0001), and for trabecular vBMD were lower (−0.60; 95% CI, = −0.89, −0.31; p &lt; 0.0001) compared with controls. Muscle area (+0.34; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.61; p = 0.01) and fat area (+0.56; 95% CI = 0.27, 0.84; p &lt; 0.001) Z-scores were greater in SSNS, and adjustment for muscle area eliminated the greater cortical area in SSNS. Bone formation and resorption biomarkers were significantly and inversely associated with cortical vBMD in SSNS and controls and were significantly lower in the 34 SSNS participants taking GCs at the time of the study compared with controls. In conclusion, GCs in SSNS were associated with significantly greater cortical vBMD and cortical area and lower trabecular vBMD, with evidence of low bone turnover. Lower bone biomarkers were associated with greater cortical vBMD. Studies are needed to determine the fracture implications of these varied effects.
Focal Adhesion Kinase Is Important for Fluid Shear Stress-Induced Mechanotransduction in Osteoblasts
Authors: Young Suzanne RL , Gerard-O'Riley Rita , Kim Jae-Beom , Pavalko Fredrick M 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Mechanical loading of bone is important for maintenance of bone mass and structural stability of the skeleton. When bone is mechanically loaded, movement of fluid within the spaces surrounding bone cells generates fluid shear stress (FSS) that stimulates osteoblasts, resulting in enhanced anabolic activity. The mechanisms by which osteoblasts convert the external stimulation of FSS into biochemical changes, a process known as mechanotransduction, remain poorly understood. Focal adhesions are prime candidates for transducing external stimuli. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase found in focal adhesions, may play a key role in mechanotransduction, although its function has not been directly examined in osteoblasts. We examined the role of FAK in osteoblast mechanotransduction using short interfering RNA (siRNA), overexpression of a dominant negative FAK, and FAK−/− osteoblasts to disrupt FAK function in calvarial osteoblasts. Osteoblasts were subjected to varying periods oscillatory fluid flow (OFF) from 5 min to 4 h, and several physiologically important readouts of mechanotransduction were analyzed including: extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, upregulation of c-fos, cyclooxygenase-2, and osteopontin, and release of prostaglandin E2. Osteoblasts with disrupted FAK signaling exhibited severely impaired mechanical responses in all endpoints examined. These data indicate the importance of FAK for both short and long periods of FSS-induced mechanotransduction in osteoblasts.
Vertebral Fracture Status and the World Health Organization Risk Factors for Predicting Osteoporotic Fracture Risk
Authors: Chen Peiqi , Krege John H , Adachi Jonathan D , Prior Jerilynn C , Tenenhouse Alan , Brown Jacques P , Papadimitropoulos Emmanuel , Kreiger Nancy , Olszynski Wojciech P , Josse Robert G , Goltzman David 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fracture, and patients with prevalent vertebral fractures have a greater risk of future fractures. However, radiographically determined vertebral fractures are not identified as a distinct risk factor in the World Health Organization (WHO) fracture risk assessment tool. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare potential risk factors including morphometric spine fracture status and the WHO risk factors for predicting 5-yr fracture risk. We hypothesized that spine fracture status provides prognostic information in addition to consideration of the WHO risk factors alone. A randomly selected, population-based community cohort of 2761 noninstitutionalized men and women ≥50 yr of age living within 50 km of one of nine regional centers was enrolled in the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMOS), a prospective and longitudinal cohort study following subjects for 5 yr. Prevalent and incident spine fractures were identified from lateral spine radiographs. Incident nonvertebral fragility fractures were determined by an annual, mailed fracture questionnaire with validation, and nonvertebral fragility fracture was defined by investigators as a fracture with minimal trauma. A model considering the WHO risk factors plus spine fracture status provided greater prognostic information regarding future fracture risk than a model considering the WHO risk factors alone. In univariate analyses, age, BMD, and spine fracture status had the highest gradient of risk. A model considering these three risk factors captured almost all of the predictive information provided by a model considering spine fracture status plus the WHO risk factors and provided greater predictive information than a model considering the WHO risk factors alone. The use of spine fracture status along with age and BMD predicted future fracture risk with greater simplicity and higher prognostic accuracy than consideration of the risk factors included in the WHO tool.
Evidence for Shared Genetic Influences on Self-Reported ADHD and Autistic Symptoms in Young Adult Australian Twins
Authors: Reiersen Angela M. , Constantino John N. , Grimmer Marisa , Martin Nicholas. G. , Todd Richard D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractRecent clinic-based and population-based studies have shown evidence of association between ADHD and autistic symptoms in children and adolescents as well as evidence for genetic overlap between these disorders. The objective of the current study was to confirm the association between autistic and ADHD symptoms in a young adult twin sample assessed by self-report, and investigate whether shared genetic and/or environmental factors can explain the association. We performed twin-based structural equation modeling using self-report data from 11 Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) items and 12 DSM-IV ADHD inattentive and impulsive symptom items obtained from 674 young adult Australian twins. Phenotypic correlation between autistic and ADHD symptoms was moderate. The most parsimonious univariate models for SRS and ADHD included additive genetic effects and unique environmental effects, without sex differences. ADHD and autistic traits were both moderately heritable. In a bivariate model, genetic correlation (rg) between SRS and ADHD was 0.72. Our results suggest that in young adults, a substantial proportion of the genetic influences on self-reported autistic and ADHD symptoms may be shared between the two disorders.
Clones in the Classroom: A Daily Diary Study of the Nonshared Environmental Relationship Between Monozygotic Twin Differences in School Experience and Achievement
Authors: Asbury Kathryn , Almeida David , Hibel Jacob , Harlaar Nicole , Plomin Robert 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDo genetically identical children experience the same classroom differently? Are nonshared classroom experiences associated with differences in achievement? We designed a telephone diary measure which we administered every school day for 2 weeks to 122 10-year-olds in 61 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs. Each pair shared genes, a classroom, peers and a teacher. We found that MZ twins did experience their classrooms differently (rMZ < 0.65 for all measures of classroom experience). Furthermore, MZ differences in peer problems were significantly associated with MZ differences in Mathematics achievement (ES = 8%); differences in positivity about school were significantly associated with differences in Mathematics (ES = 15%) and Science (ES = 8%) achievement; and differences in ‘flow’ in Science lessons were associated with differences in Science achievement (ES = 12%). In a multiple regression analysis, MZ differences in positivity about school significantly predicted MZ differences in Mathematics achievement (R2= 0.16,p< .01) and MZ differences in ‘flow’ in Science significantly predicted MZ differences in Science achievement (R2= 0.10,p< .05). These results indicate that MZ twins experience the classroom differently and that differences in their experience are associated with differences in their achievement.
CD36Gene Promoter Polymorphisms Are Associated With Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol in Normal Twins and After a Low-Calorie Diet in Obese Subjects
Authors: Goyenechea Estibaliz , Collins Laura J. , Parra Dolores , Liu Gaifen , Snieder Harold , Swaminathan Ramasamyiyer , Spector Tim D. , Martínez J. Alfredo , O'Dell Sandra D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCommon polymorphisms of theCD36fatty acid transporter gene have been associated with lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease. Association of aCD36promoter single nucleotide polymorphism genotype with anthropometry and serum lipids was investigated in normal subjects, and in obese subjects during an 8-week low calorie diet and 6-month weight-maintenance period. 2728 normal female Twins UK subjects (mean body mass index 24.8 ± 4.4 kg/m2; age 47.3 ± 12.5 y) and 183 obese male and female Spanish subjects (mean body mass index 30.6 ± 3.0 kg/m2; age 35.0 ± 5.0 y) were genotyped for theCD36-22674T/C(rs2151916) promoter single nucleotide polymorphism. In the Twins UK full cohort, theC-allele was associated with lower low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p= .02,N= 2396). No associations were found in the obese Spanish subjects at baseline, but 6 months after the end of the low-calorie diet, theC-allele was associated with lower total- (p= .03) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p= .01) and higher high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p= .01). Intake of saturated fatty acids was lower in carriers of theC-allele at baseline, but not significantly so (p= .11). However, 6 months after the end of the low-calorie diet, elements of the lipid profile were correlated with saturated fatty acid intake: total cholesterolr= .21,p= .060; low density lipoprotein-cholesterol:r= .25,p= .043; high density lipoprotein-cholesterol:r= –.26,p= .007.CD36promoter SNP allele –22674Cis therefore associated with lower serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in normal female twins and with improved lipid profile during weight loss and maintenance in obese subjects.
Obstetric Events as a Risk Factor for Febrile Seizures: A Community-Based Twin Study
Authors: Helbig Ingo , Lawrence Kate M. , Connellan Mary M. , Torn-Broers Yvonne , Vadlamudi Lata , Eckhaus Jazmin , Milne Roger L. , Hopper John L. , Berkovic Samuel F. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAdverse events during the perinatal period have traditionally been thought to contribute to the risk of febrile seizures although an association has not been found in large epidemiological studies. Disease-discordant twins provide a means to assess the role of non-shared environmental factors while matching for confounding factors and avoiding difficulties of epidemiological studies in singletons. This study aimed to examine the association of obstetric events and febrile seizures in a community-based twin study. Twenty-one twin pairs discordant for febrile seizures were ascertained from a community-based twin register. Obstetric events were scored using the McNeil-Sjöström Scale for Obstetric Complications and expressed as a summary score (OC score). The frequency of individual obstetric events in affected and unaffected twins, the within-pair differences in OC scores and other markers of perinatal risk including birthweight, birth order and Apgar scores were examined. No significant difference was found in the frequency of individual obstetric events, nor in OC scores between affected and unaffected twins. No differences in birth weight, birth order, 1- or 5-minute Apgar scores were observed. Our results confirm previous findings that obstetric events are not associated with the risk of febrile seizures.
Weight Growth Charts from Birth to 6 Years of Age in Japanese Triplets
Authors: Yokoyama Yoshie , Sugimoto Masako , Silventoinen Karri , Kaprio Jaakko 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe analyzed the characteristics of weight growth and present the weight growth charts from birth to 6 years of age in Japanese triplets. The study included 366 mothers and their 1098 triplet children, who were born between 1978 and 2006. Data were collected through a mailed questionnaire sent to the mothers asking for information recorded in medical records. For these births, data on triplets' weight growth, gestational age, sex, parity, and maternal age at delivery were obtained from records in the Maternal and Child Health Handbooks, which is provided by the authorities after a report of pregnancy. Birthweight proved to be the strongest contribution on weight of triplets from 1 to 6 years of age. In addition, gestational age was also a significant contributing factor to weight from birth to 6 years of age. Moreover, males had a higher weight from birth to 6 years of age than females. Compared to the 50th percentile of the growth standard for the general population of Japan, the weight deficit of the triplets was more than 40% at birth (male, –1.28 kg; female, –1.28 kg), decreased within the first 1 year of age, and fluctuated between 4% and 9% until 6 years of age (male, –1.82 kg; female, –1.78 kg). In conclusion, triplets have lower birth weight than singletons and in spite of the rapid catch-up growth during first year of life they are behind singletons even in mid-childhood. This study provides growth curves for use in triplets.
Experimental determination of coupled thermal-mechanical effects on fracture toughness of sandstone
Authors: Zuo Jian-ping , Xie He-ping , Zhou Hong-wei 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
In situ observations of the microscopic failure evolvement of sandstone under the coupled thermal-mechanical loadings were carried out by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). These results indicate that the effects of temperatures on cracking behavior and fracture toughness of sandstone are obvious. And, it is found that a critical transforming temperature is about 150°C for the fracture toughness of sandstone. That is, the fracture toughness value is to increase exponentially when the range of the temperature is from 25 to 150°C, but decreases exponentially when the range of the temperature is from 150 to 300°C. Therefore, in the present work the exponential relationships between fracture toughness and temperature are reported first. This is in good agreement with existing experimental evidence for the growth of micro cracks and thermal cracking.
Erosion Test Evaluation by Noncumulative Mass Loss Data
Authors: Meged Y. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Erosion tests are generally represented by cumulative erosion-time curves. These curves are evaluated by means of several criteria, such as nominal incubation time (NIT), maximum erosion rate (MER), time to reach a mean depth of erosion of 100 μm (t100) and terminal erosion rate (TER). These criteria are applied to assess the precision, and to obtain values of normalized erosion resistance (NER). The drawbacks of this evaluation method stem from the fact that these criteria are: 1. Point values–t100 and NIT2. Local values–MER and TER3. Rare value–TER4. With rather large variation–NIT5. Dependent on reference materials—NER.In order to overcome these drawbacks an alternative method is suggested. This method is based on noncumulative mass loss data, measured at equal test time intervals, along a specified test duration. These values are applied to study the erosion process and to characterize each material. This method is illustrated by analysis of erosion test results of four materials. The main advantage of this method is its ability to evaluate the erosion process on a micro-scale, thereby supplementing the prevailing method.