bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled trial to prevent glycemic relapse in longitudinal diabetes care: Study protocol (NCT00362193)
Authors: Huizinga Mary Margaret , Shintani Ayumi , Michon Stephanie , Brown Anne , Wolff Kathleen , Shackleford Laurie , King Elaine Boswell , Gregory Rebecca Pratt , Davis Dianne , Stiles Renee , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Chen Kong , Rothman Russell , Pichert James W , Schlundt David , Elasy Tom A 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Diabetes is a common disease with self-management a key aspect of care. Large prospective trials have shown that maintaining glycated hemoglobin less than 7% greatly reduces complications but translating this level of control into everyday clinical practice can be difficult. Intensive improvement programs are successful in attaining control in patients with type 2 diabetes, however, many patients experience glycemic relapse once returned to routine care. This early relapse is, in part, due to decreased adherence in self-management behaviors.

Objective
This paper describes the design of the Glycemic Relapse Prevention study. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal frequency of maintenance intervention needed to prevent glycemic relapse. The primary endpoint is glycemic relapse, which is defined as glycated hemoglobin greater than 8% and an increase of 1% from baseline.

Methods
The intervention consists of telephonic contact by a nurse practitioner with a referral to a dietitian if indicated. This intervention was designed to provide early identification of self-care problems, understanding the rationale behind the self-care lapse and problem solve to find a negotiated solution. A total of 164 patients were randomized to routine care (least intensive), routine care with phone contact every three months (moderate intensity) or routine care with phone contact every month (most intensive).

Conclusion
The baseline patient characteristics are similar across the treatment arms. Intervention fidelity analysis showed excellent reproducibility. This study will provide insight into the important but poorly understood area of glycemic relapse prevention.
Gene expression signatures of morphologically normal breast tissue identify basal-like tumors
Authors: Finak Greg , Sadekova Svetlana , Pepin Francois , Hallett Michael , Meterissian Sarkis , Halwani Fawaz , Khetani Karim , Souleimanova Margarita , Zabolotny Brent , Omeroglu Atilla , Park Morag 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Introduction
The role of the cellular microenvironment in breast tumorigenesis has become an important research area. However, little is known about gene expression in histologically normal tissue adjacent to breast tumor, if this is influenced by the tumor, and how this compares with non-tumor-bearing breast tissue.

Methods
To address this, we have generated gene expression profiles of morphologically normal epithelial and stromal tissue, isolated using laser capture microdissection, from patients with breast cancer or undergoing breast reduction mammoplasty (n = 44).

Results
Based on this data, we determined that morphologically normal epithelium and stroma exhibited distinct expression profiles, but molecular signatures that distinguished breast reduction tissue from tumor-adjacent normal tissue were absent. Stroma isolated from morphologically normal ducts adjacent to tumor tissue contained two distinct expression profiles that correlated with stromal cellularity, and shared similarities with soft tissue tumors with favorable outcome. Adjacent normal epithelium and stroma from breast cancer patients showed no significant association between expression profiles and standard clinical characteristics, but did cluster ER/PR/HER2-negative breast cancers with basal-like subtype expression profiles with poor prognosis.

Conclusion
Our data reveal that morphologically normal tissue adjacent to breast carcinomas has not undergone significant gene expression changes when compared to breast reduction tissue, and provide an important gene expression dataset for comparative studies of tumor expression profiles.
Cytomegalovirus blocks intestinal stroma-induced down-regulation of macrophage HIV-1 infection
Authors: Maheshwari Akhil , Smythies Lesley E , Wu Xiaoyun , Novak Lea , Clements Ronald , Eckhoff Devin , Lazenby Audrey J , Britt William J , Smith Phillip D 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Intestinal macrophages, unlike macrophages from other tissues, do not support HIV-1 infection or produce proinflammatory cytokines. In vitro studies suggest this unique, functional phenotype is a result of the exposure of newly recruited blood monocytes to intestinal stromal products. However, in AIDS-related CMV colitis, mucosal macrophages express HIV-1 and proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we investigated the mechanism by which CMV confers permissiveness to HIV-1 and cytokine production on intestinal macrophages. We show that intestinal stroma-conditioned media (S-CM) down-regulated monocyte-derived macrophage infection by HIV-1 (pseudotyped with YU2 envelope or vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein) and production of TNF-α, but preinfection of the cells with CMV reversed this down-regulation, enhancing HIV-1 infection, p24 production, and TNF-α release. The ability of CMV to reverse S-CM down-regulation of macrophage HIV-1 infection was blocked by anti-TNF-α antibodies and over-ridden by exogenous TNF-α. Immunohistochemical analysis of monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to CMV and HIV-1 (YU2 pseudotype) revealed that the cells infrequently contained CMV and HIV-1 viral proteins. In addition, analysis of colon tissue sections from HIV-1-infected patients with CMV colitis showed that some macrophage-like cells contained CMV and TNF-α proteins, others contained HIV-1 and TNF-α proteins, but cells infrequently contained CMV and HIV-1 proteins. These results indicate that CMV blocks stromal product inhibition of HIV-1 infection in macrophages, and this inhibition is mediated, at least in part, by CMV-induced TNF-α acting in trans to enhance HIV-1 infection.
Effect of Provider Continuity on Test Repetition
Authors: van Walraven Carl , Cernat Geta , Austin Peter C 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground: Provider continuity (PC) occurs when a patient is treated by the same physician over time. A perceived benefit of PC is decreased test repetition. Repeat tests make up a significant proportion of overall laboratory utilization. This study determined whether test repetition increases when PC decreases.Methods: Cohort study of adults in eastern Ontario, Canada between September 1999 and September 2000 using population-based clinical databases. The primary study outcome was the probability that 7 common laboratory tests (hemoglobin, sodium, creatinine, thyrotropin, total cholesterol, ferritin, and hemoglobin A1C) were repeated at physician visits subsequent to the index test. We determined whether the probability of test repetition changed if the follow-up physician ordered the index test. We adjusted for multiple factors regarding the patient (age, sex, days in hospital, and number of physician visits in previous year), index test (normality and location), follow-up visit (location and time from index test), and follow-up physician (age and specialty).Results: The study included 881 353 patients, 1 419 438 index laboratory tests, and 7 622 938 follow-up physician visits. After adjusting for other important factors, we found that tests were significantly more likely to be repeated if the follow-up physician ordered the index test (adjusted odds ratio range 2.5–5.9). This association was consistent in most subgroups.Conclusions: For these common laboratory investigations, PC was associated with increased, not decreased, test repetition. This suggests that increased PC alone will likely not decrease test utilization.
A Novel Real-Time Duplex PCR Assay for Detecting penA and ponA Genotypes in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Comparison with Phenotypes Determined by the E-Test
Authors: Vernel-Pauillac Frédérique , Merien Fabrice 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Background: For many years, the pathogenic bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the etiologic agent of gonorrhea, was generally susceptible to penicillin, until the emergence of resistant strains. Well-characterized genetic variations in the penicillin resistance–determining region correlate with decreased susceptibility to penicillin. At least 5 genes (penA, penB, mtrR, ponA, and penC) are involved in the chromosomally mediated resistance to this antibiotic. To date, no development of multiplex PCR assays targeting a range of gonococcal genes and variations as a means of predicting antibiotic resistance has been reported.
Methods: The aim of this study was to develop a duplex assay using DNA from isolated strains. We describe the development and evaluation on the LightCycler platform of a real-time duplex PCR assay (hybridization probe format) for rapid and specific detection of ponA and penA variations, predicting penicillin susceptibilities.
Results: The real-time duplex PCR assay successfully detected variations in ponA and penA genes by use of distinct melting temperatures from a total of 120 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates. Moreover, the variation profiles obtained with the real-time PCR and the melting analysis showed good correlation with the pattern of penicillin susceptibility generated with classical antibiograms. Nucleotide sequencing data were in complete agreement with multiplex assay results.
Conclusions: The presented assay is suitable for the detection of chromosomally mediated resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in genotyping studies and could be valuable in the effective antimicrobial strategy to gonococci.
Effect of Fluoride on Corrosion of Cooling System Metals in Ethylene Glycol-Based Antifreeze/Coolants
Authors: Yang B , Gershun AV , Marinho FJ , Woyciesjes PM 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Automotive and light-duty vehicle heat exchangers such as radiators are now predominantly made of aluminum alloys. For over 20 years, a brazing technique known as “controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) with noncorrosive fluxes” has become the preferred process for producing aluminum automotive heat exchangers for original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers. Fluoride-based fluxes are typically used in the CAB processes to dissolve the aluminum oxide layer on the surface and inhibit reoxidation during the brazing cycle to allow the clad alloy to flow properly. The flux is generally a mixture of potassium fluoroaluminate, (K3AlF6, K2AlF5, and KAlF4). The flux residue left on the internal surface of heat exchangers after brazing is thought to be insoluble and noncorrosive, hence no removal is necessary. Although external corrosion of brazed aluminum heat exchangers has been studied using salt spray tests, a study addressing the effect of interaction between different antifreeze and flux residues on internal corrosion has not been reported. To the authors' knowledge, few studies on the effect of fluoride in engine coolants on metal corrosion are available. In this paper, laboratory test data are provided to show that flux residue is soluble in commercially available coolants and can generate fluoride ions that enhance cooling system corrosion. Systematic study on the effect of fluoride on metal corrosion in cooling systems and its remedies are also presented and discussed.
New Synthesis Method and Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Matrix Composites
Authors: Zhang X , Wang H , Liao L , Ma N 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
A new method to in situ fabricate magnesium alloy reinforced with 8 wt % of TiB2 and TiC is described. The XRD result revealed the formation of TiB2 and TiC in master alloy magnesium matrix composites. Uniform distribution of fine reinforcement in the matrix material obtained through microstructural characterization. Mechanical characterization revealed that the presence of TiB2 and TiC leads to an increase on microhardness and tensile strength of magnesium matrix composites. Scanning electronic micrographs taken from the tensile fracture surface of magnesium matrix composites revealed typical brittle fracture.
Differential Gene Expression Associated with Migration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Conditioned Medium from Tumor Cells or Bone Marrow Cells
Authors: Menon Lata G. , Picinich Sonia , Koneru Rajeth , Gao Hui , Lin Siang Yo , Koneru Mythili , Mayer-Kuckuk Philipp , Glod John , Banerjee Debabrata 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Distinct signals that guide migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to specific in vivo targets remain unknown. We have used rat MSCs to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in such migration. Rat MSCs were shown to migrate to tumor microenvironment in vivo, and an in vitro migration assay was used under defined conditions to permit further mechanistic investigations. We hypothesized that distinct molecular signals are involved in the homing of MSCs to tumor sites and bone marrow. To test this hypothesis, gene expression profiles of MSCs exposed in vitro to conditioned medium (CM) from either tumor cells or bone marrow were compared. Analysis of the microarray gene expression data revealed that 104 transcripts were upregulated in rat MSCs exposed to CM from C85 human colorectal cancer cells for 24 hours versus control medium. A subset of 12 transcripts were found to be upregulated in rat MSCs that were exposed to tumor cell CM but downregulated when MSCs were exposed to bone marrow CM and included CXCL-12 (stromal cell-derived factor-1 [SDF-1]), CXCL-2, CINC-2, endothelial cell specific molecule-1, fibroblast growth factor-7, nuclear factor-κB p105, and thrombomodulin. Exposure to tumor cell CM enhanced migration of MSCs and correlated with increased SDF-1 protein production. Moreover, knockdown of SDF-1 expression in MSCs inhibited migration of these cells to CM from tumor cells, but not bone marrow cells, confirming the importance of SDF-1 expression by MSCs in this differential migration. These results suggest that increased SDF-1 production by MSCs acts in an autocrine manner and is required for migratory responses to tumor cells.
Uncertainty analysis of single-concentration exposure data for risk assessment—introducing the species effect distribution approach
Authors: Scott-fordsmand Janeck J. , Damgaard Christian 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
In recent years, the inclusion of uncertainty analysis in risk assessment has been much debated. One pertinent issue is the translation of the effects observed with a limited number of test species to a general protection level for most or all species present in the environment. In a number of cases, toxicity data may consist of data from tests employing only a control and one treatment. Given that more species (or processes) have been tested with the same treatment, the treatment can be considered as fixed, and the effect level of the individual species (or processes) can be considered as variable. The distribution of effects can be viewed as a species effect distribution for that treatment. The distribution will represent all organisms and may be used to predict the maximum impact on any fraction of all organisms (e.g., 95% of all species). Hence, it is possible to predict the maximum effect level, with a selected certainty, for a given fraction of all species.
Comparative acute toxicity of potassium permanganate to nontarget aquatic organisms
Authors: Hobbs Melissa S. , Grippo Richard S. , Farris Jerry L. , Griffin Billy R. , Harding Lora L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPotassium permanganate (KMnO4) is used worldwide in freshwater pond aquaculture for treatment and prevention of waterborne external parasitic, bacterial, and fungal diseases. Nevertheless, KMnO4 has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and insufficient information exists to allow evaluation of the environmental risk of KMnO4 exposures. Limited data exist concerning KMnO4 toxicity to nontarget species in systems receiving aquaculture effluent from treated ponds. The goal of this research is to generate effects data for use in developing an ecological risk assessment of KMnO4. Toxicity tests were used to compare the relative sensitivities of five standard aquatic test species to KMnO4. Acute toxicity test results using synthetic moderately hard water show static 96-h mean median lethal concentration (LC50) values ± standard deviation (SD) of 0.058 ± 0.006 mg/L for Ceriodaphnia dubia, 0.053 ± 0.009 mg/L for Daphnia magna, 2.13 ± 0.07 mg/L for Pimephales promelas, 4.74 ± 1.05 mg/L for Hyalella azteca, and 4.43 ± 0.79 mg/L for Chironomus tentans. Most of these values are below the recommended KMnO4 treatment rate of at least 2.0 mg/L or 2.5 times the water's potassium permanganate demand (PPD; an estimation of the available reducing agents in the exposure water), suggesting significant environmental risk. However, repeating these laboratory tests using pond water resulted in significantly reduced toxicity, with static 96-h mean LC50 values (±SD) of 2.39 ± 0.36 mg/L for C. dubia, 1.98 ± 0.12 mg/L for D. magna, 11.22 ± 1.07 mg/L for P. promelas, 13.55 ± 2.24 mg/L for H. azteca, and 12.30 ± 2.83 mg/L for C. tentans. The PPD of synthetic moderately hard water was 0.329 ± 0.114 mg/L; however, pond water PPD was 5.357 ± 0.967 mg/L. The effective disease-treating dose based on 2.5 times the PPD would thus be 0.823 and 13.392 mg KMnO4/L, respectively, exceeding the LC50 for most of these nontarget organisms, even in pond water, immediately after treatment.
Organohalogen contaminants and reproductive hormones in incubating glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from the Norwegian Arctic
Authors: Verreault Jonathan , Letcher Robert J. , Ropstad Erik , Dahl Ellen , Gabrielsen Geir W. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractOrganohalogen contaminants detected globally in avian wildlife, including populations from the Arctic, have been related to various reproductive hormone potencies, and altered hormonal balance and functions. Besides legacy organochlorine (OC) substances, that is, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and OC pesticides and by-products, endocrine-disruptive properties have been defined for chemicals of new and emerging environmental concern, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and metabolically derived products like methylsulfonyl (MeSO2)- and hydroxyl (OH)-PCBs. We investigated the relationships between plasma concentrations of selected legacy OCs, PBDEs, and MeSO2- and OH-PCB metabolites and the circulating reproductive hormones testosterone (T), 17β-estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P4) in incubating male and female glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from the Norwegian Arctic. Principal component and regression analyses demonstrated that P4 levels in male glaucous gulls were associated positively with variations of sum (∑) PCB, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (∑DDT), chlordane (∑CHL), and ∑PBDE concentrations, which were the most recalcitrant organohalogens determined in glaucous gulls. No such relationship was found for female glaucous gulls as well as between concentrations of any of the selected organohalogens and levels of T for both sexes. The E2 was not detected in any plasma samples. Present results were highly suggestive that exposure to high organohalogen concentrations in glaucous gulls, particularly the most persistent compound classes, may have the potential to interfere with steroidogenesis and impinge on circulating P4 homeostasis. Because significant effects were found in males exclusively, it cannot be completely ruled out that male glaucous gulls are more sensitive than females to organohalogen-mediated alteration of P4 synthesis and breakdown.
Effects of dietary methylmercury on reproductive behavior of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)
Authors: Sandheinrich Mark B. , Miller Kevin M. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
We examined the effects of dietary methylmercury on the production of testosterone in and the reproductive behavior of male fish. Juvenile fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were fed one of three diets contaminated with methylmercury at concentrations of 0.06 (control), 0.87 (low), and 3.93 (medium) μg Hg/g dry weight. After attaining sexual maturity, fish were paired for mating, and male behaviors were recorded. Carcass mercury and plasma testosterone concentrations also were measured. No significant differences were found in the amount of time spent by male fish in nest preparation or courtship activities, but dietary methylmercury suppressed mating behavior. Fish that were fed control diets spent approximately 5% of their time spawning; fish that were fed methylmercury-contaminated diets spent approximately 0.5% of their time spawning. Total mercury concentration in the carcass was not correlated with any individual reproductive behavior but was correlated with hypoactivity. Fish that were fed the low- and medium-methylmercury diets and with mean carcass concentrations of 0.71 to 4.2 μg Hg/g dry weight spent an average of 19 to 26% of their time being inactive; control fish with an average of 0.07 μg Hg/g dry weight spent only 8% of their time being inactive. No significant difference was found in testosterone concentrations among dietary treatments; however, testosterone was positively correlated with individual nest preparatory, courtship, and spawning behaviors and negatively correlated with the total amount of time spent in all nonreproductive behaviors. The relation between testosterone, reproductive behavior, and spawning success suggests that altered behavior is, in part, responsible for suppression of reproduction in methylmercury-exposed fish. Moreover, reproductive behavior may be more sensitive than steroid hormones to alteration by dietary methylmercury.
Acute to chronic ratios in aquatic toxicity—variation across trophic levels and relationship with chemical structure
Authors: Ahlers Jan , Riedhammer Caroline , Vogliano Michaela , Ebert Ralf-Uwe , Kühne Ralph , Schüürmann Gerrit 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
For fish, daphnids, and algae, acute to chronic ratios (ACRs) have been determined from experimental data regarding new and existing chemicals. Only test results in accord with the European Union Technical Guidance Document (TGD) and validated by authorities were considered. Whereas the median ACRs of 10.5 (fish), 7.0 (daphnids), and 5.4 (algae) are well below the ACR safety factor of 100 as implied by the TGD, individual ACRs vary considerably and go up to 4,400. The results suggest that a safety factor of 100 is not protective for all chemicals and trophic levels. Neither a correlation between ACR and baseline toxicity as modeled through the logarithmic octanol–water partition coefficient nor an ACR correlation across trophic levels exists. Narcosis is associated with a preference for a low ACR; nevertheless, low ACRs are frequently obtained for nonnarcotics. Analysis of chemical structures led to the derivation of structural alerts to identify compounds with a significantly increased potential for a high ACR, which may prove to be useful in setting test priorities. At present, however, life-cycle tests are the only way to conservatively predict long-term toxicity.