bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A bizarre Jurassic maniraptoran from China with elongate ribbon-like feathers
Authors: Zhang Fucheng , Zhou Zhonghe , Xu Xing , Wang Xiaolin , Sullivan Corwin 
Published: September 2008

AbstractRecent coelurosaurian discoveries have greatly enriched our knowledge of the dinosaur-bird transition, but all reported taxa close to this transition are from relatively well-known coelurosaurian groups^1-3^. Here we report a new basal avialan, Epidexipteryx hui gen. et sp. nov., from the Middle-Late Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China. This new species is characterized by an unexpected combination of characters seen in several different theropod groups, particularly the Oviraptorosauria. Phylogenetic analysis shows it to be the sister taxon to Epidendrosaurus^4,5^, forming a new clade at the base of Avialae^6^. Epidexipteryx also possesses two pairs of elongate ribbon-like tail feathers (ETFs), and its limbs lack contour feathers for flight. This finding shows that a member of the avialan lineage experimented with integumentary ornamentation as early as the Middle-Late Jurassic, and provides further evidence relating to this important aspect of the transition from non-avian theropods to birds.
Steroidal anti inflammatory drug betamethasone significantly alters level of striatal dopamine in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Shafiee Ardestani Mehdi , Mehrab Hasan , Geravand Amin , Mohajer Nasir , Saffari Mostafa 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMany scientific efforts have been well done to investigate the effects of anti inflammatory agents on the degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson’s (PD) or Alzheimer’s disease and their affiliated sings. Previously we showed the effectiveness of steroids on rigidity of PD and in the study for further mechanistic investigation of that observation the microdialysis technique was employed to determine the striatal dopamine changes in parkinsonian rats after administration of betamethasone (0.12, 0.24 mg/kg) respectively. Our findings showed us the significant increase in the striatal dopaminergic neurotransmission (P<0.05) after administration of betamethasone comparing to the controls. These observations suggest a new mechanism for betamethasone on striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission leading us to gather further evidence about effectiveness of betamethasone in PD.
School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Perspectives on Dysphagia Management in the Schools
Authors: Bailey Rita L. , Stoner Julia B. , Angell Maureen E. , Fetzer Alycia 
Published: September 2008

Purpose
Although provision of dysphagia services is within the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), little is known about the perspectives of school-based SLPs in relation to these services. The purpose of this study was to examine SLPs' perspectives related to school-based management of students with dysphagia.

Method
Focus group interviews were conducted with 33 SLPs who were employed by a large school district in the Midwest before development of district-supported policies and protocols related to dysphagia management. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative analysis methods.

Results
A variety of common perspectives emerged from the data, including a primary perceived difficulty in adapting practice in dysphagia from medical to educational service delivery models and settings. Additionally, 3 thematic categories of concerns emerged that were related to child characteristics, training, and support.

Implications
Information gained in this investigation may be used to develop effective service delivery models, policies, and protocols, as well as to identify necessary supports related to the management of students with dysphagia in school settings.
Phonemic Awareness Skill of Speech-Language Pathologists and Other Educators
Authors: Spencer Elizabeth J. , Schuele C. Melanie , Guillot Kathryn M. , Lee Marvin W. 
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Educators rely on sufficient knowledge and skill to provide effective phonemic awareness instruction, an important component of early literacy instruction, particularly for children who experience difficulty learning to read. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the phonemic awareness skill of several groups of educators, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs;
n
= 160), kindergarten teachers (
n
= 109), first-grade teachers (
n
= 112), reading teachers (
n
= 100), and special education teachers (
n
= 60).

Method
Participants completed a paper–pencil measure of phonemic awareness skill that included 3 tasks. The measure was designed to assess sophisticated explicit phonemic awareness skill within a print context, representing an advanced skill level that has been deemed critical to teaching.

Results

SLPs demonstrated superior performance on the measure of phonemic awareness skill when compared to other educators (
d
= 1.54). The performance of reading and special education teachers was comparable to that of kindergarten and first-grade teachers. Orthographic knowledge had an adverse impact on the performance of all groups. However, SLPs were far more proficient than other educators at segmenting words that had a complex relationship between speech and print (e.g.,
box, use
).

Clinical Implications
SLPs have relative expertise in phonemic awareness, yet their performance may not be proficient. Three recommendations are discussed: (a) Increase the phonemic awareness skill of all educators, (b) revise instructional materials to enhance educators' efforts to provide accurate and effective phonemic awareness instruction, and (c) include SLPs as members of the team responsible for phonemic awareness instruction and intervention.
Databases, data tombs and dust in the wind
Authors: Wren Jonathan D. , Bateman Alex 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Contact: jdwren@gmail.com
As biomedical data accumulates, the need to store, share and organize it grows. Consequently, the number of Internet-accessible databases has been rapidly growing on an annual basis. Bioinformatics regularly publishes descriptions of biomedically relevant databases, Nucleic Acids Research has published an annual database issue since 1996 and now a new open-access journal, Database: The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation, will soon be launched by Oxford University Press in 2009 (http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/databa/). Since databases can be made publicly available on the Internet without publication, it is worth considering what factors prioritize publication of database descriptions in a peer-reviewed journal. In general, publication of a database description in a journal advertises it as a valuable resource for scientific research. Implicitly, it is assumed that this resource is publicly available (most likely for free) and will be maintained. However, therein lies the problem: Database papers are simply not of the same nature as regular research articles. Over time, some databases simply become inaccessible, some are created but not maintained or updated, and some databases are never used (Galperin, 2006). Thus, for database creators, reviewers and journal editors, there are several additional considerations to judge, prior to publication, how potentially valuable these new databases may be.
Integrating and annotating the interactome using the MiMI plugin for cytoscape
Authors: Gao Jing , Ade Alex S. , Tarcea V. Glenn , Weymouth Terry E. , Mirel Barbara R. , Jagadish H.V. , States David J. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Summary: The MiMI molecular interaction repository integrates data from multiple sources, resolves interactions to standard gene names and symbols, links to annotation data from GO, MeSH and PubMed and normalizes the descriptions of interaction type. Here, we describe a Cytoscape plugin that retrieves interaction and annotation data from MiMI and links out to multiple data sources and tools. Community annotation of the interactome is supported.
Availability: MiMI plugin v3.0.1 can be installed from within Cytoscape 2.6 using the Cytoscape plugin manager in ‘Network and Attribute I/0’ category. The plugin is also preloaded when Cytoscape is launched using Java WebStart at http://mimi.ncibi.org by querying a gene and clicking ‘View in MiMI Plugin for Cytoscape’ link.
Contact: dstates@umich.edu
Screen detection and the WHO STEPwise approach to the prevalence and risk factors of arterial hypertension in Kinshasa
Authors: Longo-Mbenza Benjamin , Ngoma Dieudonné Vangu , Nahimana Damien , Mayuku Dominique Mupepe , Fuele Simon Mbungu , Ekwanzala Florent , Beya Christian 
Published: September 2008

Background The trend of hypertension and other risk factors of cardiovascular disease is changing because of epidemiological, demographic and nutritional transitions in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors of arterial hypertension in the Kinshasa region, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Design and methods Data were collected from random sample cross-sectional surveys of adult black Africans from Kinshasa, with the help of a structured questionnaire, physical examinations and blood samples, using the World Health Organisation (WHO) stepwise approach. Sex, age, place of residence (urban versus rural), psychosocial risk factors (socioeconomic status, stress), overweight status (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m2), general obesity (BMI: ≥ 30 kg/m2), abdominal obesity (waist circumference: ≥ 94 cm) and diabetes mellitus were considered to be the potential risk factors for screen-detected hypertension. Results The weighted prevalences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, overweight status, general obesity and abdominal obesity were 15.2, 140.2, 13.5, 4.8 and 7.5%, respectively. Blood pressure and the proportion of participants with hypertension increased with age and BMI group in the population, for both men and women. Age, rural residence, low socioeconomic status, high socioeconomic status, general obesity and abdominal obesity were the risk factors for hypertension. Women aged 55 years and above had higher levels of blood pressure and hypertension than men. Conclusion Absolute levels of hypertension, all types of obesity and diabetes mellitus are high risk factors in the army camps and semiurban extension cities; general obesity and abdominal obesity are the risk factors for detectable hypertension. Effective control of general obesity and abdominal obesity and psychosocial strategies that target both semirural and urban areas of the Kinshasa region have the potential to prevent much premature cardiovascular disease.
Community or patient preferences for cost-effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation: does it matter?
Authors: Oldridge Neil , Furlong William , Perkins Anthony , Feeny David , Torrance George W. 
Published: September 2008

BackgroundFew healthcare economic evaluations, and none in cardiac rehabilitation, report results based on both community and patient preferences for health outcomes. We published the results of a randomized trial of cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction in 1994 in which preferences were measured using both perspectives but only patient preferences were reported. This secondary analysis uses both types of preference measurements.MethodsWe collected community Quality of Well-Being (QWB) and patient Time Trade-off (TTO) preference scores from 188 patients (rehabilitation, n = 93; usual care, n = 95) on entry into the trial, at 2 months (end of the intervention) and again at 4, 8, and 12 months. Mean preference scores over the 12-month follow-up study period, estimates of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained per patient, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios [costs inflated to 2006 US dollars] and probabilities of the cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation for costs per QALY up to US$100 000 are reported.ResultsMean QWB preference scores were lower ( P < 0.01) than the corresponding mean TTO preference scores at each assessment point. The 12-month changes in mean QWB and TTO preference scores were large and positive ( P < 0.001) with rehabilitation patients gaining a mean of 0.011 (95% confidence interval, –0.030 to +0.052) more QWB-derived QALYs, and 0.040 (–0.026, 0.107) more TTO-derived QALYs, per patient than usual care patients. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for QWB-derived QALYs was estimated at $60270/QALY (about €50 600/QALY) and at $16580/QALY (about €13 900/QALY) with TTO-derived QALYs. With a willingness to spend $100 000/QALY, the probability of rehabilitation being cost-effective is 0.58 for QWB-derived QALYs and 0.83 for TTO-derived QALYs.ConclusionThis secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial indicates that cardiac rehabilitation is cost-effective from a community perspective and highly cost-effective from the perspective of patients.
Prognostic value of double product reserve
Authors: Rafie Amir H. Sadrzadeh , Sungar Gannon W. , Dewey Frederick E. , Hadley David , Myers Jonathan , Froelicher Victor F. 
Published: September 2008

Background Although the prognostic power of exercise capacity has been demonstrated, the relative prognostic potential of other hemodynamic responses has not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to assess the prognostic power of double product (DP) parameters in patients referred for standard exercise testing. Design A retrospective cohort study. Methods Analyses were performed on 1959 patients referred for exercise testing at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1997 to 2006. After removal of female and heart failure patients, 1759 male veterans (mean age 57 ± 12 years) remained. DP was calculated by multiplying systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR); variables and their products were subtracted to obtain the differences between rest and maximal exercise (reserve), and recovery. Results Multivariate Cox survival analysis was performed for 157 all-cause and 53 cardiovascular deaths during a mean follow-up of 5.4 ± 2.1 years. Although most of the hemodynamic variables were individually significant in Cox survival analysis, when age, DP reserve, exercise capacity (in metabolic equivalents), and HR recovery were entered together, only age and DP reserve were chosen. Of all hemodynamic measurements considered, DP reserve was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular prognosis after adjustment for age (Wald Z-score,-5.12; P < 0.0001) and when considering other potential confounders such as age, β-blocker use, and the Duke treadmill Score (Wald Z-score, –3.84; P < 0.0001). Conclusion In this study population, DP reserve had greater prognostic power than metabolic equivalents, maximal HR or systolic blood pressure, or HR recovery.
Marital status and cardiac rehabilitation attendance: a meta-analysis
Authors: Molloy Gerard J. , Hamer Mark , Randall Gemma , Chida Yoichi 
Published: September 2008

Background Marital status has been clearly linked to subsequent health outcomes in those with established coronary heart disease (CHD). This robust association may be because of both pathophysiological and behavioural mechanisms. Design We employed meta-regression to examine the association between marital status and attendance at outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in published studies. Methods We searched electronic databases, for example, Medline and Science Citation Index, for published studies that reported an association between a measure of marital or partnered status and CR attendance in patients with diagnosed CHD. Results Eleven studies were identified which incorporated 6984 CHD patients. Being married/partnered was associated with significantly higher odds of attending CR. Using a fixed effects model, the pooled odds ratio of CR attendance was 1.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50–1.97] for those who were married/partnered. There was no evidence of heterogeneity of effects ( P = 0.42) or publication bias ( P = 0.12). Conclusion CHD patients who are married or have a partner are between 1.5–2 times more likely to attend CR. Associations between marital status and CR attendance may partly explain CHD outcomes.
Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet and reduced prevalence of clustered cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of 3204 high-risk patients
Authors: Sánchez-Taínta Ana , Estruch Ramón , Bulló Mónica , Corella Dolores , Gómez-Gracia Enrique , Fiol Miquel , Algorta Jaime , Covas María-Isabel , Lapetra José , Zazpe Itziar , Ruiz-Gutiérrez Valentina , Ros Emilio , Martínez-González Miguel A. ,   for the PREDIMED group
Published: September 2008

Background The Mediterranean food pattern (MeDiet) has been suggested to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Scarcity of assessment of this effect on large samples of patients at high risk is, however, observed. Our objective was to estimate the association between adherence to MeDiet and the prevalence of risk factors in 3204 asymptomatic high-risk patients. Design Cross-sectional assessment of baseline characteristics of participants in a primary prevention trial. Methods Participants were assessed by their usual primary-care physicians to ascertain the prevalence of diet-related cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or obesity) using standard diagnostic criteria. A dietitian interviewed each participant to obtain a 14-point score measuring the degree of adherence to MeDiet. Results Adherence to MeDiet was inversely associated with individual risk factors and, above all, with the clustering of them. The multivariate adjusted odds ratio to present simultaneously the four risk factors for those above the median value of the MeDiet score was 0.67 (95% confidence interval: 0.53–0.85). The multivariate odds ratios for successive categories of adherence to MeDiet were 1 (ref.), 1.03, 0.85, 0.70 and 0.54 ( P for trend ≤0.001). Conclusion Following a MeDiet was inversely associated with the clustering of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia among high-risk patients.
C-reactive protein, insulin resistance and risk of cardiovascular disease: a population-based study
Authors: Jeppesen Jørgen , Hansen Tine W. , Olsen Michael H. , Rasmussen Susanne , lbsen Hans , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Hildebrandt Per R. , Madsbad Sten 
Published: September 2008

BackgroundC-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, and insulin resistance (IR), a metabolic disorder, are closely related. CRP and IR have both been identified as significant risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) after adjustment for conventional CVD risk factors. It is not clear whether CRP predicts CVD independent of IR.DesignProspective population-based study.MethodsTwo thousand three hundred and fifty-seven Danish men and women, recruited from the general population, aged 41–72 years, without major CVD at baseline were studied. Traditional and new risk factors were recorded at baseline. CRP was determined by a high-sensitivity assay, and IR was determined by the homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) method.ResultsOver a median follow-up of 9.4 years, the incidence of the prespecified CV event, defined as the composite event of CV death, nonfatal ischaemic heart disease and nonfatal stroke, amounted to 222 cases. In Cox proportional-hazard models, adjusted for age, sex, smoking habit, total cholesterol, waist circumference, levels of triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, physical activity and HOMA-IR, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of a CV event was 1.33 (1.14–1.55; 0.001) per standard deviation increase in log-transformed CRP level. In the same model, the hazard ratio of a CV event was 1.11 (1.02–1.21; P < 0.05) per standard deviation increase in HOMA-IR level.ConclusionIn a general Danish population free of major CVD at baseline, both CRP and IR were significantly related to risk of CVD.
Circulating progenitor cells decrease immediately after marathon race in advanced-age marathon runners
Authors: Adams Volker , Linke Axel , Breuckmann Frank , Leineweber Kirsten , Erbs Sandra , Kränkel Nicolle , Bröcker-Preuss Martina , Woitek Felix , Erbel Raimun d , Heusch Gerd , Hambrecht Rai ner , Schuler Gerhard , Möhlenkamp Stefan 
Published: September 2008

Introduction Exercise is thought to stimulate the release of hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) from the bone marrow. Little is known about the influence of strenuous exercise on the content of circulating progenitor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a marathon race on the amount of circulating progenitor cells immediately after the race in advanced-aged runners. Methods Sixty-eight healthy marathon runners (age: 57 ± 6 years) were included in this study. Blood cell counts were evaluated by standard methods, and circulating progenitor cells before and immediately after the race were quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results A marathon race led to a significant increase in white blood cell count (5283 ± 155 vs. 13706 ± 373 cells/μl; P < 0.001). Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis revealed a significant decrease of CD34pos cells (1829 ± 115 vs. 1175 ± 75 cells/ml blood; P < 0.0001), CD117pos cells (2478 ± 245 vs. 2193 ± 85 cells/ml blood; P < 0.05), and CD133pos cells (3505 ± 286 vs. 2239 ± 163 cells/ml blood; P < 0.001). No significant change was observed for EPCs defined as CD34pos/VEGF-R2pos cells (117 ± 8 vs. 128 ± 9cells/ml blood; P = 0.33). With respect to VEGF a significant downregulation was evident directly after the race (48.9 ± 8.0 vs. 34.0 ± 7.5 pg/ml; P < 0.05), whereas no change was obvious in EGF levels. Conclusion The results of our study suggest that finishing a marathon race will lead to an inflammatory response and downregulation of circulating hematopoietic stem cells. With respect to EPCs no change is observed, which may be because of a greater differentiation of the remaining CD34pos cells towards EPCs.
Dependence of Hearing Changes on the Dose of Intratympanically Applied Gentamicin: A Meta‐Analysis Using Mathematical Simulations of Clinical Drug Delivery Protocols
Authors: Salt Alec N. , Gill Ruth M. , Plontke Stefan K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: To establish safe dosing protocols for the treatment of patients with Meniere's disease with intratympanic gentamicin.Study Design: A validated computer model of gentamicin dispersion in the inner ear fluids was used to calculate cochlear drug levels resulting from specific clinical delivery protocols. Dosing in the cochlea was compared with changes of hearing sensitivity for 568 patients reported in 19 publications.Methods: Cochlear drug levels were calculated based on the concentration and volume of gentamicin applied, the time the drug remained in the middle ear, and on the specific timing of injections. Time courses were quantified in terms of the maximum concentration (C
max) and the area under the curve of the drug at specific cochlear locations.Results: Drug levels resulting from single, “one‐shot” injections were typically lower than those from repeated or continuous application protocols. Comparison of hearing sensitivity changes with gentamicin dosing revealed a flat curve with a near‐zero mean for lower doses, suggesting that hearing changes with doses over this range were probably unrelated to the applied drug. Higher intracochlear doses were generated with repeated or continuous delivery protocols, which in some cases caused substantial hearing losses and an increased incidence of deafened ears.Conclusions: One‐shot application protocols produce gentamicin doses in the cochlea that have minimal risk to hearing at the frequencies tested. Repeated or continuous application protocols result in higher doses that in some cases damage hearing. The high variability of hearing changes, even with low gentamicin doses, calls into question the rationale for using individual hearing changes to titrate the applied dose.