bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity and Food Environments: Solutions to the Obesity Epidemic
Authors: SALLIS JAMES F. , GLANZ KAREN 
Published: March 2009

Context: Environmental, policy, and societal changes are important contributors to the rapid rise in obesity over the past few decades, and there has been substantial progress toward identifying environmental and policy factors related to eating and physical activity that can point toward solutions. This article is a status report on research on physical activity and food environments, and it suggests how these findings can be used to improve diet and physical activity and to control or reduce obesity. Methods: This article summarizes and synthesizes recent reviews and provides examples of representative studies. It also describes ongoing innovative interventions and policy change efforts that were identified through conference presentations, media coverage, and websites. Findings: Numerous cross‐sectional studies have consistently demonstrated that some attributes of built and food environments are associated with physical activity, healthful eating, and obesity. Residents of walkable neighborhoods who have good access to recreation facilities are more likely to be physically active and less likely to be overweight or obese. Residents of communities with ready access to healthy foods also tend to have more healthful diets. Disparities in environments and policies that disadvantage low‐income communities and racial minorities have been documented as well. Evidence from multilevel studies, prospective research, and quasi‐experimental evaluations of environmental changes are just beginning to emerge. Conclusions: Environment, policy, and multilevel strategies for improving diet, physical activity, and obesity control are recommended based on a rapidly growing body of research and the collective wisdom of leading expert organizations. A public health imperative to identify and implement solutions to the obesity epidemic warrants the use of the most promising strategies while continuing to build the evidence base.
Public Health Law and the Prevention and Control of Obesity
Authors: DIETZ WILLIAM H. , BENKEN DONALD E. , HUNTER ALICIA S. 
Published: March 2009

Context: Obesity constitutes a major public health challenge in the United States. Obesogenic environments have increased owing to the consumption of calorie‐dense foods of low nutritional value and the reduction of daily physical activity (e.g., increased portion sizes of meals eaten in and out of the home and fewer physical activity requirements in schools). Policymakers and public health practitioners need to know the best practices and have the competencies to use laws and legal authorities to reverse the obesity epidemic. For instance, statutes and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels of government have been implemented to improve nutritional choices and access to healthy foods, encourage physical activity, and educate consumers about adopting healthy lifestyles. Methods: In an effort to understand the application of laws and legal authorities for obesity prevention and control, in June 2008 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened the National Summit on Legal Preparedness for Obesity Prevention and Control. An outcome of this summit will be the publication of the proceeding's white papers written by eight law and subject‐matter experts with substantive contributions from summit participants, which will identify actionable options that sectors and organizations at various jurisdictional levels can consider adopting. Findings: Law has played a critical role in the control of chronic diseases and the behaviors that lead to them. The use of a systematic legal framework—the use of legislation, regulation, and policy to address the multiple factors that contribute to obesogenic environments—can assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a variety of legal approaches for obesity prevention and control. Conclusions: Although public health–focused legal interventions are in an early stage and the direct and indirect impact they may have on the obesity epidemic is not yet understood, efforts such as the summit and white papers should help determine potentially viable legal interventions and assess their impact on population‐level change.
A retrospective analysis of treatment responses of palmoplantar psoriasis in 114 patients
Authors: Adışen E , Tekin O , Gülekon A , Gürer MA 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Treatment options remain unsatisfactory for patients with palmoplantar psoriasis (PP) and palmoplantar pustular psoriasis (PPP).Aim  To evaluate the therapeutic responses of PP and PPP patients that were treated in our psoriasis polyclinic between 2003 and 2007.Methods  This retrospective study comprised PP (n = 62) and PPP (n = 52) patients. Treatments were individualized according to patient compliance and associating systemic diseases. The effect of systemic treatments was grouped as follows: ‘no improvement’: patients unresponsive for the present treatment; ‘partial improvement’: < 50% decrease in severity or affected area; ‘moderate improvement’: 50–75% decrease in severity or affected area, and ‘marked improvement’: > 75% decrease of the disease compared to baseline.Results  In the PP group, 17 of 62 patients showed marked improvement to topical agents, while the remaining patients required systemic agents including oral retinoids (n = 24), local psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA; n = 12), methotrexate (n = 9) and cyclosporine (n = 2). Marked improvement was achieved in 53%, 45%, 47% and 100%, respectively. In these patients, two (n = 10), three (n = 5), or four (n = 5) systemic agents were used alternately.In the PPP group, 18 of 52 patients achieved marked improvement by topical agents. Patients that required systemic agents were treated with colchicum (n = 19), local PUVA (n = 8), methotrexate (n = 4), oral retinoids (n = 3) and cyclosporine (n = 2). These treatments achieved a marked improvement in 60%, 33%, 57%, 83%, and 50% of the patients, respectively. In the course of the disease, 18 patients required two and 3 patients required three systemic agents alternately.Conclusions  Although the success rates appeared to be high, the high number of patients who required multiple systemic agents emphasized the fact that localized forms of psoriasis were resistant to therapy.Conflicts of interestNone declared
Familial risk analysis of the association between attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and psychoactive substance use disorder in female adolescents: a controlled study
Authors: Biederman Joseph , Petty Carter R. , Monuteaux Michael C. , Mick Eric , Clarke Allison , Ten Haagen Kristina , Faraone Stephen V. 
Published: March 2009

Background:  A robust and bi‐directional comorbidity between attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychoactive substance use disorder (PSUD, alcohol or drug abuse, or dependence) has been consistently reported in the literature. However, this literature has been based almost exclusively on male only samples and, therefore, the findings may not generalize to females.Methods:  First‐degree relatives from a large sample of pediatrically and psychiatrically referred girls with (123 probands, 403 relatives) and without ADHD (112 probands, 359 relatives) were comprehensively assessed by blind raters with structured diagnostic interviews. Familial risk analysis examined the risks in first‐degree relatives for ADHD and PSUD (alcohol or drug abuse or dependence) after stratifying probands by the presence and absence of these disorders.Results:  ADHD in the proband significantly increased the risk for ADHD in relatives independently of the comorbidity with PSUD. PSUD in the proband was associated with a significantly increased risk for PSUD in relatives regardless of ADHD status. There was no evidence of co‐segregation or non‐random mating in the families of probands with ADHD and PSUD.Conclusions:  Patterns of familial risk analysis suggest that the association between ADHD and PSUD in adolescent females is most consistent with the hypothesis that these disorders are independently transmitted, although the hypothesis of variable expressivity could not be ruled out. These findings are consistent with previously reported patterns of familial associations between ADHD and PSUD found in adolescent males. Longer follow‐up periods are needed to more fully clarify the relationship between ADHD and PSUD, as well as provide adequate power for separate analyses of alcohol and drug use.
Cognitive visual dysfunctions in preterm children with periventricular leukomalacia
Authors: FAZZI ELISA , BOVA STEFANIA , GIOVENZANA ALESSIA , SIGNORINI SABRINA , UGGETTI CARLA , BIANCHI PAOLO 
Published: March 2009

Aim  Cognitive visual dysfunctions (CVDs) reflect an impairment of the capacity to process visual information. The question of whether CVDs might be classifiable according to the nature and distribution of the underlying brain damage is an intriguing one in child neuropsychology.Method  We studied 22 children born preterm (12 males, 10 females; mean age at examination 8y, range 6–15y; mean gestational age 30wks, range 28–36wks) with periventricular leukomalacia, spastic diplegia, normal intelligence (mean Full‐scale IQ 84; mean Verbal IQ 97; mean Performance IQ 74), and normal visual acuity, focusing on higher visual functions. Brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) were analysed to establish the presence of lesions along the primary optic pathway, in the occipitoparietal and occipitotemporal regions.Results  Most children displayed an uneven cognitive profile, with deficits in visual object recognition, visual imagery, visual–spatial skills, and visual memory, and sparing of visual associative abilities, non‐verbal intelligence, and face and letter recognition. Conventional brain MRI did not document major alterations of parietal and temporal white matter, or cortical alteration of areas involved in visual associative functions.Interpretation  We suggest a widespread involvement of higher visual processing systems, involving both the ventral and dorsal streams, in preterm children with periventricular leukomalacia. The lack of major alterations on conventional MRI does not exclude the possibility of malfunctioning of higher visual processing systems, expressing itself through discrete CVDs. Possible mechanisms underlying these neuropsychological deficits are discussed.
Clinical Risk Index for Babies score for the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years of age in infants of very low birthweight
Authors: LODHA ABHAY , SAUVÉ REG , CHEN SOPHIE , TANG SELPHEE , CHRISTIANSON HEATHER 
Published: March 2009

Aim  In this study, we evaluated the Clinical Risk Index for Babies ‐ revised (CRIB‐II) score as a predictor of long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at 36 months’ corrected age.Method  CRIB‐II scores, which include birthweight, gestational age, sex, admission temperature, and base excess, were recorded prospectively on all infants weighing 1250g or less admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The sensitivity and specificity of CRIB‐II scores to predict poor outcomes were examined using receiver operating characteristic curves, and predictive accuracy was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC), based on the observed values entered on a continuous scale. Poor outcomes were defined as death or major neurodevelopmental disability (cerebral palsy, neurosensory hearing loss requiring amplification, legal blindness, severe seizure disorder, or cognitive score >2SD below the mean for adjusted age determined by clinical neurological examination and on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, or revised Leiter International Performance Scale).Results  Of the 180 infants admitted to the NICU, 155 survived. Complete follow‐up data were available for 107 children. The male:female ratio was 50:57 (47–53%), median birthweight was 930g (range 511–1250g), and median gestational age was 27 weeks (range 23–32wks). Major neurodevelopmental impairment was observed in 11.2% of participants. In a regression model, the CRIB‐II score was significantly correlated with long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes. It predicted major neurodevelopmental impairment (odds ratio [OR] 1.57, bootstrap 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–3.01; AUC 0.84) and poor outcome (OR 1.46; bootstrap 95% CI 1.31–1.71, AUC 0.82) at 36 months’ corrected age.Interpretation  CRIB‐II scores of 13 or more in the first hour of life can reliably predict major neurodevelopmental impairment at 36 months’ corrected age (sensitivity 83%; specificity 84%).
Presence of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on dorsal root ganglion neurons proved using knockout mice and selective α‐neurotoxins in histochemistry
Authors: Shelukhina Irina V. , Kryukova Elena V. , Lips Katrin Susanne , Tsetlin Victor I. , Kummer Wolfgang 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIn complex tissues where multiple subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed, immunohistochemistry has been the most popular tool for investigation of nAChR subunit distribution. However, recent studies with nAChR subunit knockout mice demonstrated that a large panel of antibodies is unsuitable. Thus, we aimed to develop a histochemical method for selective labeling of α7 nAChR with neurotoxins, utilizing α7 nAChR‐transfected cells, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord from wild‐type and knockout mouse. The specificity of Alexa Fluor 488‐conjugated α‐bungarotoxin (Alexa‐αBgt) was demonstrated in binding to α7‐transfected cells inhibited by long‐chain α‐cobratoxin (CTX), but not short‐chain α‐neurotoxin II (NTII). In contrast, binding toTorpedomuscle‐type nAChRs and to motor end plates in mouse tongue sections was prevented by both CTX and NTII. In tissue sections of DRG, expressing all neuronal nAChR subunits, only CTX precluded Alexa‐αBgt labeling of neurons, with no staining for α7 nAChR knockout tissue. It proved that α7 nAChRs are the major αBgt‐binding sites in mouse DRG. Corresponding results were obtained for terminals in the spinal cord. Thus, we present a protocol utilizing Alexa‐αBgt and non‐labeled CTX/NTII that allows specific histochemical detection of α7 nAChR with a spatial resolution at the level of single axon terminals.
MigClim: Predicting plant distribution and dispersal in a changing climate
Authors: Engler Robin , Guisan Antoine 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim  Many studies have forecasted the possible impact of climate change on plant distributions using models based on ecological niche theory, but most of them have ignored dispersal‐limitations, assuming dispersal to be either unlimited or null. Depending on the rate of climatic change, the landscape fragmentation and the dispersal capabilities of individual species, these assumptions are likely to prove inaccurate, leading to under‐ or overestimation of future species distributions and yielding large uncertainty between these two extremes. As a result, the concepts of ‘potentially suitable’ and ‘potentially colonizable’ habitat are expected to differ significantly. To quantify to what extent these two concepts can differ, we developed MigClim, a model simulating plant dispersal under climate change and landscape fragmentation scenarios. MigClim implements various parameters, such as dispersal distance, increase in reproductive potential over time, landscape fragmentation or long‐distance dispersal.Location  Western Swiss Alps.Methods  Using our MigClim model, several simulations were run for two virtual species by varying dispersal distance and other parameters. Each simulation covered the 100‐year period 2001–2100 and three different IPCC‐based temperature warming scenarios were considered. Results of dispersal‐limited projections were compared with unlimited and no‐dispersal projections.Results  Our simulations indicate that: (1) using realistic parameter values, the future potential distributions generated using MigClim can differ significantly (up to more than 95% difference in colonized surface) from those that ignore dispersal; (2) this divergence increases under more extreme climate warming scenarios and over longer time periods; and (3) the uncertainty associated with the warming scenario can be as large as the one related to dispersal parameters.Main conclusions  Accounting for dispersal, even roughly, can importantly reduce uncertainty in projections of species distribution under climate change scenarios.
Survivin is upregulated during liver regeneration in rats and humans and is associated with hepatocyte proliferation
Authors: Baba Hideo A. , Wohlschlaeger Jeremias , Schmitz Klaus J. , Nadalin Silvio , Lang Hauke , Benesch Alexandra , Gu Yanli , Biglarnia Ali‐R , Sotiropoulos Georgios C. , Takeda Atsushi , Takeda Nobuakira , Von Wnuck Lipinski Karen , Levkau Bodo 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground: Survivin regulates cell division and inhibits apoptosis. Liver regeneration is a complex process involving both proliferation and apoptosis. The role of survivin is not well elucidated and no data exist in humans.Methods: Seventy per cent liver resection was used to investigate liver regeneration in rats. Survivin was identified by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Proliferation and apoptosis were quantified. Liver biopsies from 33 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation were used to study survivin immuno‐expression, proliferation and apoptosis within the first 17 days after transplantation. Seven healthy donors served as controls.Results: Survivin transcript and protein were significantly upregulated in rat hepatocytes after 24–72 h during regeneration and showed a significant correlation with proliferation but not with apoptosis. In humans, survivin was nearly absent in donor and reperfused liver tissue but increased significantly 5–7 days after transplantation and correlated with proliferation but not with apoptosis.Conclusions: Survivin is upregulated in human and rodent liver regeneration and correlates with proliferation, suggesting an association of survivin and cell division.
Prognostic indicators in hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review of 72 studies
Authors: Tandon Puneeta , Garcia‐Tsao Guadalupe 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground: Although there are many studies of the predictors of death in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), most combine patients with and without cirrhosis and many combine those with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis.Objective: To perform a systematic review of the literature evaluating the predictors of death in patients with cirrhosis and HCC and to evaluate whether the predictors differ between patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis.Methods: Inclusion criteria: (i) publication in English, (ii) adult patients, (c) >80% of the patients had cirrhosis, (iv) follow‐up >6 months and (v) multivariable analysis. Quality was based on the accepted quality criteria for prognostic studies.Results: Of the 1106 references obtained, 947 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. A total of 23 968 patients were included in 72 studies (median, 177/study); 77% male, median age 64, 55% Child–Pugh class A. The most robust predictors of death were portal vein thrombosis, tumour size, α‐foetoprotein and Child–Pugh class. Sensitivity analysis using only 15 ‘good’ studies and 22 studies in which all patients had cirrhosis yielded the same variables. In the studies including mostly compensated or decompensated patients, the predictors were both liver and tumour related. However, these studies were few and the results were not robust.Conclusions: This systematic review of 72 studies shows that the most robust predictors of death in patients with cirrhosis and HCC are tumour related and liver related. Future prognostic studies should include these predictors and should be performed in specific patient populations to determine whether specific prognostic indicators are more relevant at different stages of cirrhosis.
Urea Breath Test in Children: The United States Prospective, Multicenter Study
Authors: Elitsur Yoram , Tolia Vasundhara , Gilger Mark A. , Reeves‐Garcia Jesse , Schmidt‐Sommerfeld Eberhard , Opekun Antone R. , El‐Zimaity Hala , Graham David Y. , Enmei Kyoko 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground: The urea breath test (UBT) is generally considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections in adults.Goals: To investigate the utility and accuracy of urea breath testing in children from the United States.Methods: Children scheduled to undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for various clinical symptoms underwent a 13C‐UBT using the US standard protocol for adults. Results were compared with rapid urease testing (RUT), culture, and histology. H. pylori positivity was defined according to the FDA, Division of Anti‐Infective Drug Products criteria, i.e. positive culture and/or positive RUT and histology. H. pylori negativity was defined as all tests negative. Results were evaluated by delta over baseline (DOB) and urea hydrolysis rate (UHR).Results: A total of 176 children from five centers were evaluated; 48 were infected. Compared to the defined standard, the results with the UBT based on delta over baseline (DOB) cut‐off value (positive: ≥ 2.4‰) showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the UBT were 97.9% and 96.1%, respectively. Based on the UHR cut‐off value (positive: ≥ 10.0 µg/min), the sensitivity and specificity were 95.8% and 99.2%. In young children (2‐ to 5‐year olds), sensitivity and specificity of UHR method were higher than the DOB method (100% and 100% vs 100% and 82.4%, respectively).Conclusion: The US standard 13C‐UBT proved to be both simple and accurate for the diagnosis of H. pylori infections in children. The UHR method to calculate of 13C‐UBT result provided excellent results for children of all ages.
Clinical neurophysiology with special reference to the electroencephalogram
Authors: Zifkin Benjamin G. , Avanzini Giuliano 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIn the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many important discoveries in nervous system structure and function involved the electrical properties of nerve tissue. The application of these advances, as well as those in electronic amplification and recording, led to the discovery of the human electroencephalogram (EEG) by Hans Berger, a German psychiatrist. Originally received with skepticism, the EEG became a subject of intense interest, and after World War II, became a leading clinical and experimental tool in neurology. Today, it remains important especially in the study and treatment of epilepsy. Though the EEG has also given rise to more sophisticated applications, these remain based on Berger’s initial work, one of the great discoveries of medical history.