bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers in the United States, 1998–2005
Authors: Calvert Geoffrey M. , Karnik Jennifer , Mehler Louise , Beckman John , Morrissey Barbara , Sievert Jennifer , Barrett Rosanna , Lackovic Michelle , Mabee Laura , Schwartz Abby , Mitchell Yvette , Moraga‐McHaley Stephanie 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundApproximately 75% of pesticide usage in the United States occurs in agriculture. As such, agricultural workers are at greater risk of pesticide exposure than non‐agricultural workers. However, the magnitude, characteristics and trend of acute pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers are unknown.MethodsWe identified acute pesticide poisoning cases in agricultural workers between the ages of 15 and 64 years that occurred from 1998 to 2005. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the SENSOR‐Pesticides program provided the cases. Acute occupational pesticide poisoning incidence rates (IR) for those employed in agriculture were calculated, as were incidence rate ratios (IRR) among agricultural workers relative to non‐agricultural workers.ResultsOf the 3,271 cases included in the analysis, 2,334 (71%) were employed as farmworkers. The remaining cases were employed as processing/packing plant workers (12%), farmers (3%), and other miscellaneous agricultural workers (19%). The majority of cases had low severity illness (N = 2,848, 87%), while 402 (12%) were of medium severity and 20 (0.6%) were of high severity. One case was fatal. Rates of illness among various agricultural worker categories were highly variable but all, except farmers, showed risk for agricultural workers greater than risk for non‐agricultural workers by an order of magnitude or more. Also, the rate among female agricultural workers was almost twofold higher compared to males.ConclusionThe findings from this study suggest that acute pesticide poisoning in the agricultural industry continues to be an important problem. These findings reinforce the need for heightened efforts to better protect farmworkers from pesticide exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:883–898, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐genetic risk factors for gastroschisis
Authors: Rasmussen Sonja A. , Frías Jaime L. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractGastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect typically located to the right of the umbilical cord in which intestines and occasionally other abdominal contents herniate through the abdominal wall opening. The etiology of this defect is unknown. The increased recurrence risks observed in families with a child with gastroschisis suggest that genetic factors play a role in its causation. However, non‐genetic factors are also important, as evidenced by the increased occurrence of gastroschisis among younger mothers, the increasing prevalence of gastroschisis in recent years observed by several birth defects surveillance systems, and the frequent occurrence of gastroschisis in a cluster pattern. Despite recognition of the importance of non‐genetic factors in gastroschisis causation, no factors, other than young maternal age, have been definitively identified, limiting the development of prevention strategies. This article summarizes the currently available literature on non‐genetic risk factors for gastroschisis, including investigations of sociodemographic factors, maternal therapeutic medication and non‐therapeutic drug exposures, chemical exposures, and other factors. The article also discusses some of the challenges faced by investigators working to better understand gastroschisis etiology. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The embryology of body wall closure: Relevance to gastroschisis and other ventral body wall defects
Authors: Sadler T.W. , Feldkamp Marcia L. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDuring the 3rd and 4th weeks post‐fertilization (5 and 6 weeks from the last normal menstrual period [LNMP]), the human embryo is transformed from a flat disc‐shaped organism into the classic shape of an embryo in the “fetal” position. This change is effected by simultaneously rolling the top layer of the disc, the ectoderm, into the neural tube and the bottom layers of the disc, the endoderm and mesoderm, into the gut tube and body wall, respectively. In this manner, the flat disc is transformed into two tubes, one dorsal to the other, surrounded by supporting structures in the body wall. If closure of the neural tube fails, then neural tube defects (NTDs), such as anencephaly and spina bifida, occur; if closure of the ventral body wall fails, then ventral body wall defects, such as ectopia cordis, gastroschisis, and bladder and cloacal exstrophy, occur. Interestingly, no known closure defects have been described for the gut tube. Note, however, that all of the closure defects that do occur have their origins early in gestation during the third and fourth weeks of development. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gastroschisis: Clinical presentation and associations
Authors: Hunter Alasdair G.W. , Stevenson Roger E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractGastroschisis is a major malformation which requires immediate surgical care to return the exposed viscera to the abdominal cavity, parenteral nutrition until bowel motility permits oral feedings, and evaluation for coexisting malformations. Almost all cases are diagnosed prenatally using midtrimester ultrasound and maternal serum alphafetoprotein measurement. This allows most infants to be delivered in a tertiary care facility where the best mode of delivery and neonatal management can be determined. About 10% of infants with gastroschisis will have other malformations. Half of these are considered related to the gastroschisis (intestinal atresia or stenosis, malrotation, cryptorchidism, amyoplasia, urinary tract obstruction). Other associated malformations occur which are not recognized to be secondary to the gastroschisis. Prominent among these are cardiac and limb defects. Fetal and neonatal mortality are increased, but neither appear related to lethal malformations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical considerations in gastroschisis: Incremental advances against a congenital anomaly with severe secondary effects
Authors: Nichol Peter F. , Byrne Janice L.B.B. , Dodgion Christopher , Saijoh Yukio 
Published: July 2008

AbstractGastroschisis is one of the most challenging congenital anomalies that physicians treat in the first 2 months of life. Over the last 40 years, tremendous progress has been made in the management of this defect. Survival has increased significantly during this period as well. However, gastroschisis still presents the clinician with a unique set of challenges as a result of secondary effects on intestinal development. These challenges or clinical considerations are discussed in this review including a history of the management of the defect, prenatal counseling, prenatal intervention, postnatal and surgical management, complications and long‐term outcomes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ecological and reproductive variance in serum leptin in wild vervet monkeys
Authors: Whitten Patricia L. , Turner Trudy R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLeptin was originally thought to be an antiobesity hormone, but increasing evidence suggests that its ancestral role was to mobilize neuroendocrine responses to starvation. Research on wild primates is critical for interpreting the high leptin values seen in Western human populations and captive animals. This study examined natural variation in serum leptin in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops), testing the hypothesis that serum leptin in vervets varies with sex, adiposity, ecology, and reproductive state. Analyses made use of a unique dataset comprised of serum and morphometric measurements obtained from vervet monkeys in four Kenyan sites differing in altitude, temperature, rainfall, and access to human foods. Leptin and gonadal steroid concentrations were analyzed in serum samples from 116 adults. Low leptin levels in males and acyclic females support the contention that levels seen in captivity are not typical for wild primates. Measures of adiposity were not correlated with serum leptin, reflecting the extremely low fat storage in wild cercopithecine primates. Associations with habitat and season, however, indicate that leptin does register ecological variation in energy balance. Leptin levels were higher in sites and seasons with higher rainfall. Moreover, leptin varied significantly with reproductive state, with higher levels in pregnant than in acyclic females. Changes in leptin with gestation stage and duration of lactation suggest that transitory and reversible elevations were an important part of its ancestral role. These data show that in this wild primate population leptin is a sensitive index of natural variation in habitat and seasonally fluctuating reproductive state. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brief communication: Evidence bearing on the status of Homo habilis at Olduvai Gorge
Authors: Susman Randall L. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractStudents of the early hominin career have debated the status of Homo habilis since its discovery in 1960. Today discussion centers on which specimens should be included in the species and what constitutes the holotype. Recent reviews of early Homo suggest that the Olduvai Hominid 8 foot may sample Paranthropus while the OH 7 skull bones, mandible, and hand sample H. habilis. Moreover, some suggest that while H. habilis in Middle Bed I at Olduvai is craniodentally Homo‐like, the postcranial skeleton of H. habilis is more like that of Australopithecus. Evidence presented here indicates not only that OH 7 and OH 8 represent H. habilis but also that they come from a single individual. The association of OH 35 with OH 7 and OH 8 is less certain. Morphological, pathological, and taphonomic evidence favors the inclusion of OH 35 in the holotype. However, stratigraphic evidence suggests that OH 35 and OH 8 are not coterminous. With or without OH 35, the holotype of H. habilis ranks as one of the most complete early hominin skeletons and the most complete and functionally informative specimen of early Homo. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gray matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal study
Authors: Fisher Elizabeth , Lee Jar‐Chi , Nakamura Kunio , Rudick Richard A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo determine gray matter (GM) atrophy rates in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients at all stages of disease, and to identify predictors and clinical correlates of GM atrophy.MethodsMS patients and healthy control subjects were observed over 4 years with standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological examinations. Whole‐brain, GM, and white matter atrophy rates were calculated. Subjects were categorized by disease status and disability progression to determine the clinical significance of atrophy. MRI predictors of atrophy were determined through multiple regression.ResultsSubjects included 17 healthy control subjects, 7 patients with clinically isolated syndromes, 36 patients with relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS), and 27 patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Expressed as fold increase from control subjects, GM atrophy rate increased with disease stage, from 3.4‐fold normal in clinically isolated syndromes patients converting to RRMS to 14‐fold normal in SPMS. In contrast, white matter atrophy rates were constant across all MS disease stages at approximately 3‐fold normal. GM atrophy correlated with disability. MRI measures of focal and diffuse tissue damage accounted for 62% of the variance in GM atrophy in RRMS, but there were no significant predictors of GM atrophy in SPMS.InterpretationGray matter tissue damage dominates the pathological process as MS progresses, and underlies neurological disabillity. Imaging correlates of gray matter atrophy indicate that mechanisms differ in RRMS and SPMS. These findings demonstrate the clinical relevance of gray matter atrophy in MS, and underscore the need to understand its causes. Ann Neurol 2008
Motor outcome prediction using diffusion tensor tractography in pontine infarct
Authors: Jang Sung Ho , Bai Daiseg , Son Su Min , Lee Jun , Kim Dae‐Shik , Sakong Joon , Kim Dong Gyu , Yang Dong Seok 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe investigated whether the integrity of the corticospinal tract classified by diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) can predict the motor outcome in 25 patients with pontine infarct. DTTs were obtained in the early stage of stroke (5–30 days) and were classified into two groups (type A: the integrity of corticospinal tract was preserved around the infarct; type B: corticospinal tract was interrupted). DTT type A patients showed better motor function than the type B patients at 6 months after onset. DTT obtained at the early stage of pontine infarct appears to have predictive value for motor outcome in patients with pontine infarct. Ann Neurol 2008
Neurofibrillary tau pathology modulated by genetic variation of α‐synuclein
Authors: Peuralinna Terhi , Oinas Minna , Polvikoski Tuomo , Paetau Anders , Sulkava Raimo , Niinistö Leena , Kalimo Hannu , Hernandez Dena , Hardy John , Singleton Andrew , Tienari Pentti J. , Myllykangas Liisa 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe analyzed whether genetic variation of α‐synuclein modulates the extent of neuropathological changes in a population‐based autopsied sample of 272 elderly Finns. None of the 11 markers was associated with the extent of neocortical β‐amyloid pathology. The intron 4 marker rs2572324 was associated with the extent of neurofibrillary pathology (p = 0.0006, permuted p = 0.004; Braak stages IV‐VI vs 0‐II). The same variant also showed a trend for association with neocortical Lewy‐related pathology. These results suggest for the first time that variation of α‐synuclein modulates neurofibrillary tau pathology and support the recent observations of an interaction of α‐synuclein and tau in neurodegeneration. Ann Neurol 2008
Sustained improvement of spinal muscular atrophy mice treated with trichostatin a plus nutrition
Authors: Narver Heather L. , Kong Lingling , Burnett Barrington G. , Choe Dong W. , Bosch‐Marcé Marta , Taye Addis A. , Eckhaus Michael A. , Sumner Charlotte J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEarly treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, plus nutritional support extended median survival of spinal muscular atrophy mice by 170%. Treated mice continued to gain weight, maintained stable motor function, and retained intact neuromuscular junctions long after trichostatin A was discontinued. In many cases, ultimate decline of mice appeared to result from vascular necrosis, raising the possibility that vascular dysfunction is part of the clinical spectrum of severe spinal muscular atrophy. Early spinal muscular atrophy disease detection and treatment initiation combined with aggressive ancillary care may be integral to the optimization of histone deacetylase inhibitor treatment in human patients. Ann Neurol 2008; 64:465–470
Admission international normalized ratio and acute infarct volume in ischemic stroke
Authors: Ay Hakan , Arsava Ethem Murat , Gungor Levent , Greer David , Singhal Aneesh B. , Furie Karen L. , Koroshetz Walter J. , Sorensen A. Gregory 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveThe level of anticoagulation at the time of stroke onset may influence the size, composition, and dissolution rate of the occlusive clot. We explored the relation between admission international normalized ratio (INR) and acute infarct volume in patients with ischemic stroke.MethodsWe studied 93 consecutive patients with preadmission warfarin use who had INR measurement and diffusion‐weighted imaging performed within 24 hours of stroke onset. Ninety‐three etiologic stroke subtype‐matched patients without prior warfarin use served as control patients. Linear regression analysis was used to test for independence of INR as a predictor of infarct volume.ResultsIn patients with preadmission warfarin use, admission INR was inversely correlated with lesion volume on diffusion‐weighted imaging (r = −0.38). This relation was retained after adjustment for potential covariates (p = 0.014). INR less than 2.0 was associated with 3.5‐fold (95% confidence interval, 2.9–4.2) greater lesion volume on diffusion‐weighted imaging as compared with INR of 2.0 or more. Patients who were on therapeutic INR (≥2.0) had smaller infarcts compared with patients without preadmission warfarin use (p = 0.001). Admission INR was inversely correlated with acute perfusion defect (r = −0.33), chronic infarct volume (r = −0.42), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission (r = −0.27), and modified Rankin score at discharge (r = −0.28).InterpretationThese results suggest that preadmission warfarin use associated with therapeutic level of anticoagulation can offer a benefit in limiting the extent of ischemic injury in an event of acute stroke. Ann Neurol 2008
Asymmetric Aminocatalysis—Gold Rush in Organic Chemistry
Authors: Melchiorre Paolo , Marigo Mauro , Carlone Armando , Bartoli Giuseppe 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCatalysis with chiral secondary amines (asymmetric aminocatalysis) has become a well‐established and powerful synthetic tool for the chemo‐ and enantioselective functionalization of carbonyl compounds. In the last eight years alone, this field has grown at such an extraordinary pace that it is now recognized as an independent area of synthetic chemistry, where the goal is the preparation of any chiral molecule in an efficient, rapid, and stereoselective manner. This has been made possible by the impressive level of scientific competition and high quality research generated in this area. This Review describes this “Asymmetric Aminocatalysis Gold Rush” and charts the milestones in its development. As in all areas of science, progress depends on human effort.
Interfacial formation of porous membranes with poly(ethylene glycol) in a microfluidic environment
Authors: Kim Dongshin , Beebe David J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn a microfluidic environment, the liquid–liquid interface, formed by laminar flows of immiscible solutions, can be used to generate thin membranes via interfacial polymerization. Because these thin nylon membranes have a very small pore size or lack porosity entirely, their utilization in some biological applications is greatly limited. We introduce an in situ fabrication method using the interfacial reaction of a two‐phase system to generate a porous nylon membrane. The membranes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and fluorescent beads. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs verified the asymmetrical structure of the porous membrane, and the membrane pore sizes ranged from 0.1 to 1 μm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008.
Polyoxymethylene/polyurethane/alumina ternary composites: Structure, mechanical, thermal and dielectric properties
Authors: Siengchin S. , Karger‐Kocsis J. , Psarras G. C. , Thomann R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTernary composites composed of polyoxymethylene (POM), polyurethane (PU), and boehmite alumina were produced by melt blending with and without latex precompounding. Latex precompounding served for the predispersion of the alumina particles. The related masterbatch (MB) was produced by mixing the PU latex with water‐dispersible boehmite alumina. The dispersion of the alumina was studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques (TEM and SEM, respectively) and discussed. The crystallization of POM was inspected by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (DSC and polarized light microscopy, respectively). The mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the composites were determined in uniaxial tensile, dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), short‐time creep tests (performed at various temperatures), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The melt flow of the composites was characterized in a plate/plate rheometer. In addition, the dielectric response of the nanocomposites was investigated by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy at an ambient temperature. The composites produced by the MB technique outperformed the direct melt (DM) compounded composites in respect to the thermal and mechanical characteristics. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Thermal curing behavior of modified urea‐formaldehyde resin adhesives with two formaldehyde scavengers and their influence on adhesion performance
Authors: Park Byung‐Dae , Kang Eun‐Chang , Park Jong‐Young 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study investigated, by differential scanning calorimetry, the thermal curing behavior of urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins modified with two formaldehyde scavengers and its impact on the adhesion performance of particleboard bonded with modified UF resin adhesives. As the concentration of the two scavengers [i.e., urea–formaldehyde prepolymer (UFP) and urea solution (US)] increased, the gel time, peak temperature, and onset temperature of the modified UF resins did not change significantly for UFP‐modified UF resins, but these parameters increased for the US‐modified UF resins. These results indicated that the reactivity of the UF resin modified with UFP was maintained, but it deteriorated for the US‐modified UF resins. The formaldehyde emission of particleboard bonded with the modified UF resin decreased with an increase in the scavenger concentration. UFP was more effective than US in scavenging the formaldehyde emission and in achieving adhesion to the UF resin. The results showed an optimum UFP level of 20% in the UF resin for maintaining a balance between the formaldehyde emission and adhesion of the particleboard, and they indicated that both the thermal curing behavior of scavenger‐modified UF resins and the properties of particleboard bonded with them must be taken into account in the evaluation of a formaldehyde scavenger system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Self‐directed learning in gross human anatomy: Assessment outcomes and student perceptions
Authors: Smythe Gayle , Hughes Diane 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSpeech pathology students enrolled in a lecture‐based gross human anatomy program completed two out of nine topics in self‐directed mode. Student performance in quizzes was compared for the two modes, and the students completed questionnaires on their perceptions of the self‐directed mode of delivery. Students performed as well in the first self‐directed topic as they did in lecture‐based material, but performance declined significantly on the second self‐directed topic. Correlations showed that students who performed well in lecture‐based topics also performed well on self‐directed topics. The major issues that arose in the student questionnaires were primarily related to the amount of content in the topics and the length of time required for completion. We conclude that there is a strong need for appropriate design of distance education materials to reflect student perceptions of length, content, and time investment, and more importantly that there is a need to ensure extensive communication and support of students studying in distance education/self‐directed modes for the first time. Anat Sci Ed 2008. © 2008 American Association of Anatomists.