bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic determinants of health related quality of life in childhood and adolescence: results from a European study
Authors: Spencer Nick 
Published: August 2006

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Von Rueden, U.,
Gosch, A.,
Rajmil, L.,
Bisegger, C.,
Ravens‐Sieberer, U.
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(
2006
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60
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130
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135
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Study objective  The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of two different socio‐economic status (SES) measures on child and adolescent self‐reported health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The European KIDSCREEN project aims at simultaneous developing, testing and implementing a generic HRQoL instrument.Design and setting  The pilot version of the questionnaire was applied in school surveys to students from 8 to 18 years of age, as well as to their parents, together with such determinants of health status as two SES indicators, the parental educational status and the number of material goods in the family (family affluence scale).Participants  Students from seven European countries: 754 children (39.8%; mean: 9.8 years), and 1142 adolescents (60.2%; mean: 14.1 years), as well as their respective parents.Main results  In children, a higher parental educational status was found to have a significant positive impact on the KIDSCREEN dimensions: physical well‐being, psychological well‐being, moods and emotions, bullying and perceived financial resources. Increased risk of low HRQoL was detected for adolescents in connection with their physical well‐being. Family wealth plays a part for children’s physical well‐being, parent relations and home life, and perceived financial resources. For adolescents, family wealth furthermore predicts HRQoL on all KIDSCREEN dimensions.Conclusions  There is evidence to suggest that exposure to low parental educational status may result in a decreased HRQoL in childhood, whereas reduced access to material (and thereby social) resources may lead to a lower HRQoL especially in adolescence.
Spatial QRS‐T angle: association with diabetes and left ventricular performance
Authors: Voulgari Ch. , Tentolouris N. , Moyssakis I. , Dilaveris P. , Gialafos E. , Papadogiannis D. , Votteas V. , Cokkinos D. V. , Stefanadis Ch. , Katsilambros N. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  The spatial QRS‐T angle obtained by vectorcardiography is a combined measurement of the electrical activity of the heart and predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Disturbances in repolarization and depolarization are common in diabetes. No data, however, exist on the effect of diabetes on QRS‐T angle. In this study we examined differences in QRS‐T angle between type 2 diabetic and non‐diabetic subjects; in addition, the potential relationship between QRS‐T angle and left ventricular performance as well as glycaemic control were also examined.Patients and methods  A total of 74 subjects with type 2 diabetes and 74 non‐diabetic individuals, matched for age and sex with the diabetic subjects were examined. All subjects were free of clinically apparent macrovascular complications. Spatial vectorcardiogaphic descriptors of ventricular depolarization and repolarization were reconstructed from the 12‐electrocardiographic leads using a computer‐based electrocardiogram. Left ventricular mass and performance were measured using M‐mode and Doppler echocardiography.Results  QRS‐T angle values were higher (by almost 2‐fold) in the diabetic in comparison with the non‐diabetic subjects (P < 0·001). After multivariate adjustment, QRS‐T angle was independently associated with age (P = 0·01), HbA1c (P = 0·003), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P = 0·04) in the non‐diabetic, and with HbA1c (P = 0·03) as well as Tei index (P = 0·003) in the diabetic subjects.Conclusions  The spatial QRS‐T angle is high in subjects with type 2 diabetes and is associated with glycaemic control and left ventricular performance. The prognostic importance of the higher spQRS‐T angle values in subjects with diabetes remains to be evaluated in prospective studies.
Impact of antiretroviral therapy on visfatin and retinol‐binding protein 4 in HIV‐infected subjects
Authors: Schindler K. , Haider D. , Wolzt M. , Rieger A. , Gmeinhart B. , Luger A. , Nowotny P. , Ludvik B. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  To determine circulating levels of adipocytokines, especially the recently characterized visfatin, and the fat‐derived factor retinol‐binding protein‐4 (RBP‐4) in HIV‐infected subjects and their respective changes following treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).Materials and methods  Fourteen HIV‐positive, HAART‐naïve subjects were compared with 10 HIV‐negative healthy controls and reassessed after a 1‐year treatment with HAART. Plasma visfatin and RBP‐4 were determined by ELISA, whereas leptin and adiponectin by RIA. Body composition was measured with dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR) was assessed using insulin and glucose levels.Results  Visfatin and RBP‐4 levels in HIV‐positive subjects were comparable with those of HIV‐negative controls before treatment with HAART. Treatment with HAART for 12 months resulted in a 6·9‐fold and 7·1‐fold increase of visfatin and RBP‐4 levels (+54·0 ± 9·7 ng mL−1, P < 0·0001 and +95·3 ± 31·7 ng mL−1, P < 0·01), respectively. Leptin (−2·7 ± 1·6 ng mL−1, P = 0·054) was unchanged and adiponectin (−2·8 ± 0·7 µg mL−1, P < 0·01) decreased. Changes of visfatin concentrations correlated significantly with the increases of RBP‐4 (r = 0·78, P = 0·001), fat‐free mass (FFM, r = 0·75, P < 0·05) and change of HOMA‐IR (r = 0·64, P < 0·05). Parameters of glucose metabolism and body fat mass were unchanged during the observation period.Conclusions  Treatment with HAART induced a pronounced increase of plasma visfatin and RBP‐4 as well as a decrease of adiponectin in HIV‐infected patients on HAART. Although body weight, fat mass and parameters of glucose metabolism remained stable, the changes in the adipocytokines might herald subsequent alterations of these parameters.
Hearing loss in Fabry disease: data from the Fabry Outcome Survey
Authors: Hegemann S. , Hajioff D. , Conti G. , Beck M. , Sunder‐Plassmann G. , Widmer U. , Mehta A. , Keilmann A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Hearing loss is a common symptom in Fabry disease, but neither its natural course nor its aetiology has been defined precisely. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed epidemiological description of hearing impairment in patients in the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS), which is the largest available database of Fabry patients.Materials and methods  Questionnaires were completed by 566 Fabry patients, of whom 316 reported ear‐related symptoms. Pure‐tone audiograms from 86 patients, performed before starting enzyme replacement therapy, were analysed and compared with age‐ and sex‐specific normal values (International Organization for Standardization, ISO 7029).Results  When compared to an age‐matched population (ISO 7029), 74% of patients had a threshold elevated above the 95th centile in at least one tested frequency. All frequencies were affected to a similar degree. However, only 14 patients (16%) were clinically affected by hearing impairment according to the age‐independent World Health Organization (WHO) classification (mean threshold at 0·5, 1 and 2 kHz worse than 25 dB). Hearing loss was sensorineural in 63 patients (73%) of whom 7 patients (8%) had also a conductive component. One patient had a purely conductive hearing loss. Episodes of sudden hearing loss seemed to occur more frequently than in the general population. Men were affected earlier and more severely than women.Conclusions  Hearing in Fabry disease is significantly worse than in an age‐matched general population but leads to clinically relevant hearing impairment in only 16% of cases. It resembles accelerated presbycusis with an additional Fabry‐specific strial‐type hearing loss.
Autoantibody against β1‐adrenergic receptor and left ventricular remodeling changes in response to metoprolol treatment
Authors: Miao G. B. , Liu J. C. , Liu M. B. , Wu J. L. , Zhang G. , Chang J. , Zhang L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractsBackground  Autoantibodies specific for the β1‐adrenoceptor (β1‐AR) have been implicated in the pathology of congestive heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that the presence of autoantibodies against β1‐AR (anti‐β1‐AR) is associated with left ventricular (LV) remodelling in response to metoprolol.Materials and methods  Synthetic β1‐AR peptides served as the target antigen in an ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) were used to screen the sera of 106 CHF patients. Patients were separated into positive (+) anti‐β1‐AR or negative (–) anti‐β1‐AR groups according to their anti‐β1‐AR reactivity. Echocardiography (ECG) was performed at baseline and after one year of metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for CHF, that is, digoxin, diuretics and an ACEI (angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor). The dose of metoprolol was doubled on a biweekly basis up to 50 mg × 2 daily (b.i.d./day) or attainment of maximum tolerated dose.Results  Ninety‐six patients completed final data analysis. Fifty‐four patients with (+) anti‐β1‐AR had greater improvements than 42 patients with (–) anti‐β1‐AR in LVEDD (left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension) (P < 0·01, from 69 ± 0·8 to 58·0 ± 0·5 mm vs. 69·0 ± 0·8–63·6 ± 0·9 mm) and LVESD (left ventricular end‐systolic dimension) (P < 0·01, from 57·1 ± 1·4 to 43·9 ± 0·8 mm vs. 56·2 ± 0·9–48·6 ± 1·0 mm), and LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) (P < 0·01, from 35·4 ± 1·3 to 49·8 ± 0·6% vs. 34·4 ± 1·0–44·3 ± 1·1%) by metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for one year. Of the CHF patients with (+) anti‐β1‐AR, 65·4% responded to target metoprolol dose as compared to 21·4% of CHF patients without anti‐β1‐AR (P < 0·01). Response to target metoprolol dose occurred more rapidly in (+) anti‐β1‐AR than (–) anti‐β1‐AR of CHF patients (67·5 ± 2·4 vs. 100·8 ± 3·0 days, P < 0·01).Conclusion  These results demonstrated that CHF patients with (+) anti‐β1‐AR had greater improvements in LV remodelling and heart function by metoprolol as compared to (–) anti‐β1‐AR patients. Moreover, patients with (+) anti‐β1‐AR have better tolerance to metoprolol therapy than patients without anti‐β1‐AR.
Genetic relationships among American species of the genus Prosopis (Mimosoideae, Leguminosae) inferred from ITS sequences: evidence for long‐distance dispersal
Authors: Bessega C. , Vilardi J. C. , Saidman B. O. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAim  The genus Prosopis includes 44 species and has a pseudoamphitropical, disjunct distribution. We aimed to determine whether American Prosopis sections arose in North or South America, and to explain the current distribution of their species on the basis of their genetic relationships.Location  South‐western USA, Mexico, Caribbean Antilles, Peru–Ecuador, central and northern Argentina, south‐western Argentina (Patagonia) and Cuyo, south‐western Asia and northern Africa.Methods  Internal transcribed spacer fragments from 21 species of Prosopis were sequenced and the data were used to analyse the phylogenetic relationships using Microlobius and Mimosa as outgroups. Genetic distances were calculated to estimate the degree of divergence. Dispersal–vicariance (DIVA) analysis was conducted to help understand the biogeographical history of the genus.Main conclusions  The sections Strombocarpa and Algarobia are not monophyletic. Prosopis argentina (section Monilicarpa) and the species of Algarobia are included in single clade. The phylogeny, DIVA analysis, and the pattern of genetic distances indicate that the ancestral area for the American species was wide, from south‐western USA to Central and northern Argentina. Successive vicariance events split this area, and long‐distance dispersal episodes (perhaps mediated by birds) led to recolonizations from North to South America, and vice versa.
Genome‐scale Assessment of Molecular Pathology in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases using Microarray Technology: A Potential Breakthrough Diagnostic and Individualized Therapy‐design Tool
Authors: Centola M. , Frank M. B. , Bolstad A. I. , Alex P. , Szanto A. , Zeher M. , Hjelmervik T. O. , Jonsson R. , Nakken B. , Szegedi G. , Szodoray P. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSystemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases are of complex aetiology, characterized by an intricate interplay of various factors. A myriad of genes lies behind the heterogeneous manifestations of these diseases, and the overexpression and repression of particular genes form a specific gene‐expression profile (genetic fingerprints) that is characteristic to the given disease phenotype. Besides the description of various cell types by using gene‐expression profiling, the data should be directly applicable to the design of individual therapeutic protocols for patients suffering from various autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the gene‐expression profile, various genetic signatures of different autoimmune diseases and give an overview on the possible interpretations of the data. The application of recent breakthroughs in high‐throughput molecular profiling technologies, such as microarray technology has been the basis for a revolution in biomedical research, as well as diagnostics and pharmaceutical development. It is easy to envision a day when personalized medicine, which is the diagnosis and treatment of a given patient with agents and procedures tailored to that patient's genetics, physiology and pathology, will become the standard of care.
Pax5 – a Critical Inhibitor of Plasma Cell Fate
Authors: Nera K.‐P. , Lassila O. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPaired box protein 5 (Pax5) is essential for early B cell commitment as well as for B cell development, and continuous expression of Pax5 is required throughout the B cell lineage to maintain the functional identity of B cells. During B cell activation, Pax5 is downregulated before terminal differentiation into antibody‐secreting plasma cells, and enforced expression of Pax5 prevents plasmacytic development. Recently, loss of Pax5 was shown to result in the substantial transition to a plasma cell state, demonstrating a functionally significant role for Pax5 in the regulation of terminal B cell differentiation. Here we elucidate the current understanding about the function of Pax5 as a key inhibitor of plasma cell differentiation.
Role of Dendritic Cells in Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Vogelsang P. , Jonsson M. V. , Dalvin S. T. , Appel S. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory and lymphoproliferative autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology. It is characterised by progressive mononuclear cell infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands and a decreased glandular secretion, resulting in dryness of the mouth and eyes (xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, respectively). Dendritic cells (DC) are considered to be the most potent antigen‐presenting cells. Because of their central role in initiating an immune response while maintaining tolerance, impaired function of these cells might lead to the break of peripheral tolerance and initiation of immune responses to self‐antigens. This review will focus on the possible role of DC in SS.
An Optimized Method for the Functional Analysis of Human Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Oberg H.‐H. , Wesch D. , Lenke J. , Kabelitz D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractNaturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg) suppress the activation of antigen‐responsive T cells in a cell contact‐dependent manner. In order to investigate the impact of soluble mediators and receptor–ligand interactions on the interplay between naive T cells and Treg, a reproducible suppressor cell assay which functions in the absence of additional feeder cells or antigen‐presenting cells is mandatory. Here, we describe such a method which is suited to study the modulation of responder T cell/Treg interactions in vitro. Treg were isolated from negatively purified total human CD4+ T cells by positive selection using anti‐CD25 monoclonal antibody (MoAb)‐coated Dynabeads followed by a detachment step. The remaining CD4+ CD25− responder T cells were cocultured with CD4+ CD25+ Treg in the presence of T‐cell Activation/Expansion Beads from Miltenyi Biotec pre‐coated with anti‐CD3 plus anti‐CD28 monoclonal antibody (MoAb). The optimal concentration for coating was 5 μg/ml for both MoAb. At this concentration, strong proliferation of responder T cells was elicited which was almost completely suppressed by Treg at 1:1 cell ratios. When higher concentrations of anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 MoAb were used for coating, Treg also showed some degree of proliferation. The optimized suppressor assay proved to be highly reproducible and was used here to confirm the partial or complete reversal of Treg‐mediated T‐cell suppression by some cytokines (IL‐2, IL‐15), soluble IL‐6 receptor/IL‐6 fusion protein and recombinant GITR‐ligand. Furthermore, our data confirm that Treg do not need other cell types to suppress proliferation of CD4+ CD25− responder T cells.
The ghost of unbalanced species distribution data in geographical model predictions
Authors: Jiménez‐Valverde A. , Lobo J. M. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTUnbalanced samples are considered a drawback in predictive modelling of species’ potential habitats, and a prevalence of 0.5 has been extensively recommended. We argue that unbalanced species distribution data are not such a problem from a statistical point of view, and that good models can be obtained provided that the right predictors and cut‐off to convert probabilities into presence/absence are chosen. The effects of unbalanced prevalence should not be confused with those of low‐quality data affected by false absences, low sample size, or unrepresentativeness of the environmental and spatial gradient. Finally, we point out the necessity of greater research effort aimed at improving both the quality of training data sets, and the processes of validating and testing of models.
Spread and current potential distribution of an alien grass, Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees, in the southwestern USA: comparing historical data and ecological niche models
Authors: Schussman Heather , Geiger Erika , Mau‐Crimmins Theresa , Ward Judy 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe potential distribution of alien species in a novel habitat often is difficult to predict because factors limiting species distributions may be unique to the new locale. Eragrostis lehmanniana is a perennial grass purposely introduced from South Africa to Arizona, USA in the 1930s; by the 1980s, it had doubled its extent. Based on environmental characteristics associated with its introduced and native range, researchers believed that E. lehmanniana had reached the limits of its distribution by the early 1990s. We collected data on E. lehmanniana locations from various land management agencies throughout Arizona and western New Mexico and found new records that indicate that E. lehmanniana has continued to spread. Also, we employed two modelling techniques to determine the current potential distribution and to re‐investigate several environmental variables related to distribution. Precipitation and temperature regimes similar to those indicated by past research were the most important variables influencing model output. The potential distribution of E. lehmanniana mapped by both models was 71,843 km2 and covers a large portion of southeastern and central Arizona. Logistic regression (LR) predicted a potential distribution of E. lehmanniana more similar to this species current distribution than GARP based on average temperature, precipitation, and grassland species composition and recorded occurrences. Results of a cross‐validation assessment and extrinsic testing showed that the LR model performed as well or better than GARP based on sensitivity, specificity, and kappa indices.
Visual outcomes for optic nerve sheath fenestration in pseudotumour cerebri and related conditions
Authors: Chandrasekaran Sujatha , McCluskey Peter , Minassian Darwin , Assaad Nazih 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground:  To determine the efficacy and safety of optic nerve sheath fenestration, and to identify factors predicting visual field (VF) and visual acuity (VA) in patients with progressive pseudotumour cerebri syndrome.Methods:  This retrospective observational case series studied 51 eyes of 32 patients with pseudotumour cerebri syndrome, by chart review and comparison of preoperative and postoperative examinations. Main outcome measures included VF, VA and complications.Results:  Postoperative VF mean deviation scores improved (P = 0.03) within 6 months when compared with preoperative VF. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that eyes with mean deviation ≥ −20 dB were associated with improved or stabilized VA at 6 months, odds ratio 7.5 and confidence interval (1.2, 46.1), P = 0.03. Eyes with VF defects outside 10° of fixation were associated with improved or stabilized VF at 6 months odds ratio 9.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 85.9, P = 0.04. Five patients developed self‐limiting complications from surgery.Conclusions:  Optic nerve sheath fenestration is safe and effective in stabilizing or improving VF and VA in the short to medium term. Patients with mild VF loss improved following surgery, and patients with severe VF loss stabilized following surgery.
Prognostic indicators for open globe injury
Authors: Rofail Marc , Lee Graham A , O’Rourke Peter 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the study is to identify factors predictive of outcome after open globe injury in 273 patients admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland, Australia between 1992 and 2003.Methods:  Data were collected retrospectively regarding demographic and geographical factors, injury circumstances, initial visual acuity (VA), injury parameters, details of initial and subsequent surgery, final best corrected VA and complications. Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was utilized to identify which factors were related to outcome.Results:  83% of patients were male, with a mean age of 38.3 years. The mean duration of follow up was 16.6 months and 58% of patients (135 of 231) achieved an overall improvement in their vision. Forty‐one cases (15%) were enucleated, with half of these cases performed primarily. The prognostic factors indicating the likelihood of a VA of counting fingers or worse were poor initial VA, a large laceration >10 mm and the presence of a relative afferent pupil defect. Rural patients had a significantly worse final VA than city dwellers and had higher rates of endophthalmitis and enucleation.Conclusions:  Assessment of prognostic factors at the time of presentation of an open globe injury enables realistic expectations of final visual outcome by the doctor and the patient. In order to improve outcomes in patients from rural areas, access to specialized eye services need to be upgraded.
Ophthalmology in proverbs and aphorisms
Authors: Mansour Ahmad M , Hamam Rola N , Mehio‐Sibai Abla 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAfter a comprehensive review of available texts and literature covering five millennia, the authors present a collection of ophthalmic proverbs and aphorisms with an examination of their applicability within current medical knowledge. A total of 74 ophthalmic proverbs and aphorisms were retrieved from 130 texts and divided into seven categories: (i) importance of vision (‘The eyes, like sentinels, hold the highest place in the body’); (ii) definition of blindness and anatomical observations (‘The eye is protected by the lashes, eyebrows, and orbit’); (iii) diseases of the eye such as presbyopia, sensitivity to light and dry eye (‘Tear in the eye is jewel’); (iv) the eye as a window of the body; (v) vulnerability of the eye (‘The eye cannot oppose an awl’); (vi) health behaviours and protection of sight (‘Be gentle with two: women and eyes’), and finally; and (vii) nutrition and vision (‘Carrots improve vision’). The majority of these proverbs and aphorisms can be used as a guide, not for prognosis, diagnosis or cure, but rather for ocular health promotion.