bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arthritis patients' perceptions of rheumatologists' participatory decision‐making style and communication about complementary and alternative medicine
Authors: Sleath Betsy , Callahan Leigh F. , Devellis Robert F. , Beard Ashley 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine if patients with arthritis who reported using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) were more likely to tell their physicians about their CAM use if they rated their rheumatologist as using a more participatory decision‐making style and what reasons patients gave for telling or not telling their rheumatologist about their CAM use.MethodsA survey that asked about CAM use, health status, demographics, physician use of a participatory decision‐making style, and medical skepticism was sent to individuals with arthritis who saw 23 rheumatologists at universities and private practice clinics in North Carolina. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 92% of patients reported using CAM for their arthritis and 54% of these patients discussed their CAM use with their rheumatologist. Women, patients who used more types of CAM, and patients who rated their rheumatologist as using a more participatory decision‐making style were significantly more likely to tell their physicians about their CAM use.ConclusionOur findings suggest that if rheumatologists use more participatory styles of decision making with patients and involve them when making treatment decisions, patients are more likely to tell them about their CAM use.
The clinimetric properties of the world health organization disability assessment schedule II in early inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Baron Murray , Schieir Orit , Hudson Marie , Steele Russell , Kolahi Sousan , Berkson Laeora , Couture Francois , Fitzcharles M. A. , Gagné Michel , Garfield Bruce , Gutkowski Andrzej , Kang Harb , Kapusta Morton , Ligier Sophie , Mathieu Jean‐Pierre , Ménard Henri , Starr Michael , Stein Michael , Zummer Michel 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the clinimetric properties of a new health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II), in patients with early inflammatory arthritis.MethodsInternal consistency as well as criterion, construct, and discriminative validity of the WHODAS II were assessed in 172 patients with early inflammatory arthritis who completed the WHODAS II, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF‐36), and other measures of disease severity, functioning, pain, depression, and resource use. Test–retest reliability of the WHODAS II was assessed by having a subset of 20 patients complete the WHODAS II a second time, 1 week after the first assessment.ResultsThe WHODAS II had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96 for patients working or in school and 0.93 for patients not working or in school). Test–retest intraclass correlation coefficients of the WHODAS II total score and subscales ranged from 0.82–0.96. The WHODAS II total score was strongly correlated with the SF‐36 physical component score (Kendall's tau‐b 0.51, P < 0.001) and moderately correlated with the SF‐36 mental component score (tau‐b 0.43, P < 0.001). WHODAS II correlations with disease outcomes ranged from Kendall's tau‐b 0.15–0.55. The WHODAS II significantly differentiated between every aspect of disease severity assessed with the exception of measures of health resource use.ConclusionThe WHODAS II is a valid and reliable measure of HRQOL in cross‐sectional studies of patients with early inflammatory arthritis. Research is still required to investigate potential item redundancy and determine its usefulness in longitudinal studies.
The cutaneous lupus erythematosus disease activity and severity index: Expansion for rheumatology and dermatology
Authors: Krathen M. S. , Dunham J. , Gaines E. , Junkins‐Hopkins J. , Kim E. , Kolasinski S. L. , Kovarik C. , Kwan‐Morley J. , Okawa J. , Propert K. , Rogers N. , Rose M. , Thomas P. , Troxel A. B. , Van Voorhees A. , Feldt J. Von , Weber A. L. , Werth V. P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the validity of the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) for use by rheumatologists via reliability testing, and to extend the validation for dermatologists.MethodsFourteen subjects with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE; n = 10), a mimicker skin disease only (a cutaneous lesion that may appear clinically similar to CLE; n = 1), or both (n = 3) were rated with the CLASI by academic‐based dermatologists (n = 5) and rheumatologists (n = 5).ResultsThe dermatology intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.92 for activity and 0.82 for damage; for rheumatology the ICC was 0.83 for activity and 0.86 for damage. For intrarater reliability, the dermatology Spearman's rho was 0.94 for activity and 0.97 for damage; for rheumatology the Spearman's rho was 0.91 for activity and 0.99 for damage.ConclusionOur data confirm the reliability of the CLASI when used by dermatologists and support the CLASI as a reliable instrument for use by rheumatologists.
Lateral wedges in knee osteoarthritis: What are their immediate clinical and biomechanical effects and can these predict a three‐month clinical outcome?
Authors: Hinman Rana S. , Payne Craig , Metcalf Ben R. , Wrigley Tim V. , Bennell Kim L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess immediate effects of laterally wedged insoles on walking pain, external knee adduction moment, and static alignment, and whether these immediate effects together with age, body mass index, and disease severity predict clinical outcome after 3 months of wearing insoles in medial knee osteoarthritis.MethodsForty volunteers (mean age 64.7 years, 16 men) were tested in random order with and without a pair of 5° full‐length lateral wedges. Immediate changes in static alignment were measured via radiographic mechanical axis and changes in adduction moment via 3‐dimensional gait analysis. After 3 months of treatment with insoles, changes in pain and physical functioning were assessed via the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and patient‐perceived global change scores.ResultsReductions in the adduction moment occurred with insoles (first peak mean [95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] −0.22 [−0.28, −0.15] Nm/body weight × height %), accompanied by a reduction in walking pain of ∼24% (mean [95% CI] −1.0 [−4.0, 2.0]). Insoles had no mean effect on static alignment. Mean improvement in WOMAC pain (P = 0.004) and physical functioning (mean [95% CI] −6 [−11, −1]) was observed at 3 months, with 25 (69%) and 26 (72%) of 36 individuals reporting global improvement in pain and functioning, respectively. Regression analyses demonstrated that disease severity, baseline functioning, and magnitude of immediate change in walking pain and the first peak adduction moment with insoles were predictive of clinical outcome at 3 months.ConclusionLateral wedges immediately reduced knee adduction moment and walking pain but had no effect on static alignment. Although some parameters predicted clinical outcome, these explained only one‐third of the variance, suggesting that other unknown factors are also important.
High rates of depressive symptoms among patients with systemic sclerosis are not explained by differential reporting of somatic symptoms
Authors: Thombs Brett D. , Fuss Samantha , Hudson Marie , Schieir Orit , Taillefer Suzanne S. , Fogel Joshua , Ford Daniel E. , Baron Murray ,   Canadian Scleroderma Research Group
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveBetween 36% and 65% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) report symptoms of depression above cutoff thresholds on self‐report questionnaires. The objective of this study was to assess whether these high rates result from differential reporting of somatic symptoms related to the high physical burden of SSc.MethodsSymptom profiles reported on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) were compared between a multicenter sample of 403 patients with SSc and a sample of respondents to an Internet depression survey, matched on total CES‐D score, age, race/ethnicity, and sex. An exact nonparametric generalized Mantel‐Haenszel procedure was used to identify differential item functioning between groups.ResultsPatients with SSc reported significantly higher frequencies (moderate to large effect size; P < 0.01) on 4 CES‐D somatic symptom items: bothered, appetite, effort, and sleep. Internet respondents had higher item scores on 2 items that assessed interpersonal difficulties (unfriendly, large effect size; P < 0.01; disliked, large effect size; P < 0.01) and on 2 items that assessed lack of positive effect (happy, moderate effect size; P = 0.01; enjoy, large effect size; P < 0.01). Adjustment of standard CES‐D cutoff criteria for potential bias due to somatic symptom reporting resulted in a reduction of only 3.6% in the number of SSc patients with significant symptoms of depression.ConclusionHigh rates of depressive symptoms in SSc are not due to bias related to the report of somatic symptoms. The pattern of differential item functioning between the SSc and Internet groups, however, suggests some qualitative differences in depressive symptom presentation.
Reliability and validity of the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Thombs Brett D. , Hudson Marie , Schieir Orit , Taillefer Suzanne S. , Baron Murray ,   The Canadian Scleroderma Research Group
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveReported rates of depressive symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are high. No depression assessment tools, however, have been validated for patients with SSc. Our objective was to assess the internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and structural/construct validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) in patients with SSc.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional, multicenter study of 470 SSc patients. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and structural/construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsInternal consistency reliability was good for the overall CES‐D scale (α = 0.88) and for its 4 factors (α = 0.67–0.88). Correlations of the CES‐D total score were −0.73 with mental health, −0.36 with physical health, 0.41 with disability, and 0.44 with pain. The 4‐factor model originally found in the general population and validated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (depressed affect, somatic/vegetative, [lack of] positive affect, and interpersonal factors) fit the data well, as did a second‐order version of the same model with an overarching depression factor that loaded onto each of the 4 first‐order factors. The 4‐factor model fit the SSc data better than alternative models.ConclusionInternal consistency reliability and convergent validity were good, the 4‐factor structure reported in the general population was replicated, and a second‐order model with an overarching depression factor fit well. These findings indicate that the CES‐D is a valid and reliable measure of depressive symptoms for patients with SSc.
Climate teleconnections related to El Niño winters in a lake‐effect region of west‐central New York
Authors: Grimaldi Richard 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA 64‐year climatological record for the cold season in Syracuse, New York is analyzed for temperature and snowfall. Evidence suggests that El Niño winters are characterized by warmer temperatures and below normal snowfall during the first month of winter followed by colder temperatures and above normal snowfall for the second month of winter. Major snow events were more than five times more likely to occur for El Niño winters compared to climatology. It is suggested that the greater frequency of heavy snowfalls is related to both favorable dynamics and warmer lake/ocean temperatures which follow the mild early winter period. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Epidermal growth factor promotes breast cancer cell chemotaxis in CXCL12 gradients
Authors: Mosadegh Bobak , Saadi Wajeeh , Wang Shur‐Jen , Jeon Noo Li 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 play an important role in breast cancer invasion and metastasis, and induce the chemotaxis of various types of cancer cells. Previous studies of CXCL12‐induced chemotaxis have, for the most part, relied on endpoint assays (e.g., transwell assays) that provide poor control over the cell microenvironment. Specifically, these assays lacked the ability to dissect the role that autocrine and paracrine growth factors play in chemokine‐induced cancer cell chemotaxis. Here, we employ a microfluidic chemotaxis chamber that allows the effects of specific exogenous factors on cell migration to be directly characterized, without the interference of autocrine/paracrine signaling. Using this approach, we investigated the migration of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells in well‐defined CXCL12 gradients. We found that CXCL12 alone failed to stimulate chemotaxis of these cells; however, when the CXCL12 gradient was supplemented with a uniform stimulus of either EGF or conditioned media, a directional response was induced. This dependence on growth factor signaling points to the importance of autocrine and paracrine factors in determining the migratory response of the cells, and may play an important role in cancer metastasis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 1205–1213. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation‐comorbidity index and Karnofsky performance status are independent predictors of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Sorror Mohamed , Storer Barry , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Maloney David G. , Chauncey Thomas R. , Langston Amelia , Maziarz Richard T. , Pulsipher Michael , McSweeney Peter A. , Storb Rainer 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDElderly and medically infirm cancer patients are increasingly offered allogeneic nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). A better understanding of the impact of health status on HCT outcomes is warranted. Herein, a recently developed HCT‐specific comorbidity index (HCT‐CI) was compared with a widely acceptable measure of health status, the Karnofsky performance status (KPS).METHODSThe outcomes of 341 patients were evaluated, conditioned for either related or unrelated HCT by 2‐gray (Gy) total body irradiation given alone or combined with fludarabine at a dose of 90 mg/m2. Comorbidities were assessed retrospectively by the HCT‐CI. Performance status before and toxicities after HCT were graded prospectively using the KPS and National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity criteria, respectively.RESULTSWeak Spearman rank correlations were noted between HCT‐CI and KPS and between the 2 measures and age, number of prior chemotherapy regimens, and intervals between diagnosis and HCT (all r < 0.20). High‐risk diseases correlated significantly with higher mean HCT‐CI scores (P = .009) but not low KPS (P = .37). In multivariate models, the HCT‐CI had significantly greater independent predictive power for toxicities (P = .004), nonrelapse mortality (P = .0002), and overall mortality (P = .0002) compared with the KPS (P = .05, .13, and .05, respectively). Using consolidated HCT‐CI and KPS scores, patients were stratified into 4 risk groups with 2‐year survivals of 68%, 58%, 41%, and 32%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSHCT‐CI and KPS should be assessed simultaneously before HCT. The use of both tools combined likely refines risk‐stratification for HCT outcomes. Novel guidelines for assessment of performance status among HCT patients are warranted. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Cloning and differential expression of two β‐pigment‐dispersing hormone (β‐PDH) isoforms in the crab Cancer productus: Evidence for authentic β‐PDH as a local neurotransmitter and β‐PDH II as a humoral factor
Authors: Hsu Yun‐Wei A. , Stemmler Elizabeth A. , Messinger Daniel I. , Dickinson Patsy S. , Christie Andrew E. , de la Iglesia Horacio O. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTwo β‐pigment‐dispersing hormone (β‐PDH) isoforms have been identified in several decapod crustaceans, including the crab Cancer productus, but whether these peptides serve common or distinct physiological roles remains to be elucidated. Here we show that the distribution of β‐PDH‐like immunoreactivity in the nervous system of C. productus is similar to that found in other brachyurans, suggesting roles as both a circulating hormone and a locally released transmitter for members of this peptide family. cDNAs encoding NSELINSILGLPKVMNDAamide (authentic β‐PDH; here termed Canpr‐β‐PDH I) or NSELINSLLGISRLMNEAamide (Canpr‐β‐PDH II) were cloned. Double in situ hybridization revealed that these two β‐PDH isoforms are differentially distributed within the eyestalk. For example, in most neurons between the medulla interna (MI) and the medulla terminalis (MT), both isoforms appear present; however, in some neurons in this region, mRNA for only one or the other isoform was detected. Likewise, only prepro‐β‐pdh I mRNA was detected in the somata of the lamina ganglionaris (LG) and in the brain. By direct tissue mass spectrometry, only Canpr‐β‐PDH II was detected in the neurosecretory sinus gland (SG), whereas Canpr‐β‐PDH I was found in all other parts of the eyestalk. Collectively, these data suggest distinct functions for each of the C. productus β‐PDHs; Canpr‐β‐PDH II appears to be a neurohormone in the SG, whereas Canpr‐β‐PDH I may function as a local transmitter/modulator. Our data support the hypothesis that duplication and subsequent mutation of a common neuropeptide gene may underlie the evolution of two differentially distributed transcripts that serve distinct physiological roles. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:197–211, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of fibroblasts responsible for cartilage destruction in arthritis
Authors: Treese C. , Mittag A. , Lange F. , Tarnok A. , Loesche A. , Emmrich F. , Lehmann J. , Sack U. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), synovial fibroblasts (SF) play a key role as they secrete distinct patterns of cytokines and express variable levels of costimulatory and adhesion molecules. The murine fibroblast cell line LS48 has been shown to be invasive in the cartilage destruction models in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of this study was to examine in detail the LS48 phenotype, to obtain a better understanding of the SF‐mediated cartilage destruction in RA. The destructive fibroblasts line LS48 and the nondestructive 3T3 cells were cultured and characterized with slide‐based and flow cytometry, using antibodies against several adhesion molecules, immunological acting molecules, and marker proteins. The invasive LS48 fibroblasts are characterized by significantly higher expression of adhesion molecules such as CD47 (IAP), CD51 (integrin αV), CD61 (GPIIIa), and CD147 (EMMPRIN), and immunological acting molecules such as CD40 (Bp50), CD55 (DAF), and TLR‐2. The results from the slide‐based and flow cytometry analyses were exactly the same, except for the selected CD147 and TLR‐2. This study demonstrated that the destructive fibroblast cell line LS48 has the characteristics of RA SFs. The high expression of specific costimulatory and adhesion molecules underlines the aberrant phenotype of these cells when compared with noninvasive fibroblasts. Furthermore, slide‐based and flow cytometry complement each other in fibroblast phenotyping. Overall, this study shows that LS48 is an excellent tool to gain a deeper understanding of SF in RA. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Flow‐cytometric measurement of respiratory burst in rat polymorphonuclear granulocytes: Comparison of four cell preparation procedures, and concentration–response evaluation of soluble stimulants
Authors: Bitzinger Diane I. , Schlachetzki Felix , Lindner Regina , Trabold Benedikt , Dittmar Michael S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPolymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) contribute to organ injury in sepsis, stroke, and other diseases. Evaluation of the oxidative burst by flow cytometry (FCM) is frequently applied to examine PMN status in humans, but rarely in rats. We established a method to assess granulocyte activation in rats by means of FCM analysis of oxidative burst. Two methods for PMN isolation involving Histopaque separation were investigated, and additionally two whole blood techniques. In addition, the concentration–response relation of the stimulants fMLP, PMA, TNF‐α, and LPS has been determined, both as sole stimulants and for priming. A novel technique with diluted rat whole blood proved to be most appropriate for PMN preparation. One micromolar PMA and fMLP, respectively, are effective concentrations for PMN stimulation in rat whole blood. Priming with 0.1 μg/ml TNF‐α and 1 μg/ml LPS, respectively, resulted in optimal additional stimulation. This study defined the appropriate conditions for evaluating the reactive oxygen derivate production in rat PMNs by flow cytometry. The rapid, simple, and reliable cell preparation procedure of whole blood dilution that preserves cell integrity and requires only small sample quantities. This is the first systematic dose–response evaluation of soluble stimulants of neutrophil respiratory burst in rats. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Zone division models and algorithms in zonal pricing power market
Authors: Zhang Ruiyou , Han Shui , Zhang Jinzhu , Wang Dingwei 
Published: February 2008

AbstractZone division is a major problem in new electricity trading arrangements (NETA) and some other zone‐pricing power markets. However, the research efforts in this field are very limited. Therefore, a kind of zone division problem is primarily studied in this paper. The concept of zone of a node set is proposed and defined as the minimum‐girthed convex polygon containing these nodes, which can help us implement the proximity of nodes within groups in geographical locations. Furthermore, two combinatorial optimization models for given group number and minimizing the group number are built. Two algorithms based on tabu search (TS) and embedded by TS are developed to solve the models. Finally, the models are tested and proved by a real‐life example from the northeastern grid of China. Compared to the existing methods, the proposed method is auto‐operable and electrical‐information based, and hence applicable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous production of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate by high‐cell‐density cultivation of Wautersia eutropha
Authors: Khanna Shilpi , Srivastava Ashok K 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation is triggered by limitation of a nutrient other than carbon. The production cost of PHB is very high. In order to reduce this cost, continuous cultivation for the accumulation of PHB was investigated. The culture was first allowed to grow under fed‐batch conditions to yield a significant increase in biomass and PHB accumulation. Thereafter this high‐cell‐density biomass containing PHB was allowed to grow and maintained under conditions of continuous cultivation so that the overall process could be simplified and economised.RESULTS: For continuous cultivation a medium containing 90 g L−1 fructose and 2.5 g L−1 nitrogen (as urea) was fed continuously at a dilution rate of 0.1 h−1. A steady state biomass of 27.7 g L−1 with a PHB concentration of 5.5 g L−1 was established in the bioreactor. This resulted in a continuous PHB productivity of 0.55 g L−1 h−1.CONCLUSION: The experiments have resulted in the development of a novel production technology involving the integration of batch, fed‐batch and continuous processes. At the same time the production of PHB under continuous cultivation increases the overall industrial importance of the system. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry