bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring agreement of administrative data with chart data using prevalence unadjusted and adjusted kappa
Authors: Chen Guanmin , Faris Peter , Hemmelgarn Brenda , Walker Robin L , Quan Hude 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Kappa is commonly used when assessing the agreement of conditions with reference standard, but has been criticized for being highly dependent on the prevalence. To overcome this limitation, a prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) has been developed. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the performance of Kappa and PABAK, and assess the agreement between hospital discharge administrative data and chart review data conditions.

Methods
The agreement was compared for random sampling, restricted sampling by conditions, and case-control sampling from the four teaching hospitals in Alberta, Canada from ICD10 administrative data during January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2003. A total of 4,008 hospital discharge records and chart view, linked for personal unique identifier and admission date, for 32 conditions of random sampling were analyzed. The restricted sample for hypertension, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, and case-control sample for those three conditions were extracted from random sample. The prevalence, kappa, PABAK, positive agreement, negative agreement for the condition was compared for each of three samples.

Results
The prevalence of each condition was highly dependent on the sampling method, and this variation in prevalence had a significant effect on both kappa and PABAK. PABAK values were obviously high for certain conditions with low kappa values. The gap between these two statistical values for the same condition narrowed as the prevalence of the condition approached 50%.

Conclusion
Kappa values varied more widely than PABAK values across the 32 conditions. PABAK values should usually not be interpreted as measuring the same agreement as kappa in administrative data, particular for the condition with low prevalence. There is no single statistic measuring agreement that captures the desired information for validity of administrative data. Researchers should report kappa, the prevalence, positive agreement, negative agreement, and the relative frequency in each cell (i.e. a, b, c and d) to enable the reader to judge the validity of administrative data from multiple aspects.
Targeting cyclin B1 inhibits proliferation and sensitizes breast cancer cells to taxol
Authors: Androic Ilija , Krämer Andrea , Yan Ruilan , Rödel Franz , Gätje Regine , Kaufmann Manfred , Strebhardt Klaus , Yuan Juping 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Cyclin B1, the regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1), is essential for the transition from G2 phase to mitosis. Cyclin B1 is very often found to be overexpressed in primary breast and cervical cancer cells as well as in cancer cell lines. Its expression is correlated with the malignancy of gynecological cancers.

Methods
In order to explore cyclin B1 as a potential target for gynecological cancer therapy, we studied the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on different gynecological cancer cell lines by monitoring their proliferation rate, cell cycle profile, protein expression and activity, apoptosis induction and colony formation. Tumor formation in vivo was examined using mouse xenograft models.

Results
Downregulation of cyclin B1 inhibited proliferation of several breast and cervical cancer cell lines including MCF-7, BT-474, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and HeLa. After combining cyclin B1 siRNA with taxol, we observed an increased apoptotic rate accompanied by an enhanced antiproliferative effect in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, control HeLa cells were progressively growing, whereas the tumor growth of HeLa cells pre-treated with cyclin B1 siRNA was strongly inhibited in nude mice, indicating that cyclin B1 is indispensable for tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion
Our data support the notion of cyclin B1 being essential for survival and proliferation of gynecological cancer cells. Concordantly, knockdown of cyclin B1 inhibits proliferation in vitro as well as in vivo. Moreover, targeting cyclin B1 sensitizes breast cancer cells to taxol, suggesting that specific cyclin B1 targeting is an attractive strategy for the combination with conventionally used agents in gynecological cancer therapy.
Alcohol and cardio-respiratory deaths in Chinese: a population-based case-control study of 32,462 older Hong Kong adults
Authors: Schooling C Mary , Lam Tai Hing , Ho Sai Yin , He Yao , Mak Kwok Hang , Leung Gabriel M 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
In observational studies moderate alcohol use reduces cardio-respiratory mortality. However observational studies may be biased by many factors including residual confounding by unmeasured differences between moderate alcohol users and other groups or by changes in alcohol use with ill-health and aging. We used two different analytic strategies in an under-studied population, i.e. southern Chinese, to provide an assessment of the specific impact of moderate alcohol use on mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).

Methods
In a population-based case-control study of all adult deaths in Hong Kong Chinese in 1998, we used adjusted logistic regression to compare alcohol use in decedents aged ≥ 60 years from IHD (2270) and COPD (1441) with 10,320 living and 9043 dead controls (all non-alcohol related deaths). We also examined whether the association of alcohol use with death from IHD or COPD varied with sex or smoking status.

Results
Using living controls and adjusted for age, socio-economic status and lifestyle, occasional and moderate alcohol use were generally associated with lower mortality from IHD and COPD. However, using dead controls the protection of occasional and moderate alcohol use appeared to be limited to ever-smokers for IHD (odds ratio (OR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46 to 0.73 for moderate compared to never-use in ever-smokers, but OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.50 in never-smokers), and possibly to men for COPD. High alcohol use was associated with lower IHD mortality and possibly with lower COPD mortality.

Conclusion
High levels of alcohol use in an older Chinese population were associated with lower IHD mortality. Moderate alcohol use was less consistently protective against IHD mortality. Alcohol use was associated with lower COPD mortality particularly in men, either due to some yet to be clarified properties of alcohol or as the artefactual result of genetic selection into alcohol use in a Chinese population. Given the increasing use of alcohol in China with economic development, other designs and analytic strategies are needed to assess the impact of alcohol in this population, so that an evidence-based public health policy can be formulated.
Diversity and abundance of photosynthetic sponges in temperate Western Australia
Authors: Lemloh Marie-Louise , Fromont Jane , Brümmer Franz , Usher Kayley M 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Photosynthetic sponges are important components of reef ecosystems around the world, but are poorly understood. It is often assumed that temperate regions have low diversity and abundance of photosynthetic sponges, but to date no studies have investigated this question. The aim of this study was to compare the percentages of photosynthetic sponges in temperate Western Australia (WA) with previously published data on tropical regions, and to determine the abundance and diversity of these associations in a range of temperate environments.

Results
We sampled sponges on 5 m belt transects to determine the percentage of photosynthetic sponges and identified at least one representative of each group of symbionts using 16S rDNA sequencing together with microscopy techniques. Our results demonstrate that photosynthetic sponges are abundant in temperate WA, with an average of 63% of sponge individuals hosting high levels of photosynthetic symbionts and 11% with low to medium levels. These percentages of photosynthetic sponges are comparable to those found on tropical reefs and may have important implications for ecosystem function on temperate reefs in other areas of the world. A diverse range of symbionts sometimes occurred within a small geographic area, including the three "big" cyanobacterial clades, Oscillatoria spongeliae, "Candidatus Synechococcus spongiarum" and Synechocystis species, and it appears that these clades all occur in a wide range of sponges. Additionally, spongin-permeating red algae occurred in at least 7 sponge species. This study provides the first investigation of the molecular phylogeny of rhodophyte symbionts in sponges.

Conclusion
Photosynthetic sponges are abundant and diverse in temperate WA, with comparable percentages of photosynthetic to non-photosynthetic sponges to tropical zones. It appears that there are three common generalist clades of cyanobacterial symbionts of sponges which occur in a wide range of sponges in a wide range of environmental conditions.
The signal transduction pathway of PKC/NF-κB/c-fos may be involved in the influence of high glucose on the cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats
Authors: Min Wang , Bin Zhang Wen , Quan Zhou Bin , Hui Zhu Jun , Sheng Fu Guo 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
High glucose could induce structure and function change in cardiomyocytes, PKC plays a core effect in the onset and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy, but its underlying downstream signal transduction pathway is still not completely understood.

Objectives
To study the influence of high glucose on the structure, function and signal transduction pathway of PKC (Protein Kinase C)/NF-κB(Nuclear factor-κB)/c-fos in cultured cardiomyocytes.

Methods
Using cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats as a model, groups were divided into: control group (glucose: 5 mmol/L); high glucose group (glucose: 10 mmol/L, 15 mmol/L, 20 mmol/L, 25.5 mmol/L); equimolar mannital group (5 mmol/L glucose + 20.5 mmol/L maninital); high glucose(25.5 mmol/L) add PKC inhibitor (Ro-31-8220, 50 nmol/L); high glucose (25.5 mmol/L) add NF-κB inhibitor (BAY11-7082, 5 μmol/L). The cellular contracting frequency and volumes were measured and the expression of PKC-α, PKC-β2, p-PKC-α, p-PKC-β2, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and c-fos were measured by western blot or RT-PCR.

Results
Cardiomyocytes cultured in high glucose level, but not iso-osmotic mannital, showed an increased pulsatile frequency and higher cellular volumes consistent with the increased glucose levels, and also higher expression of PKC-α, PKC-β2, p-PKC-α, p-PKC-β2, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, TNF-α and c-fos. The addition of Ro-31-8220 and BAY11-7082 could partly reverse these changes induced by high glucose level.

Conclusion
High glucose significantly increased the pulsatile frequency and cellular volumes of cultured cardiomyocytes via PKC/NF-κB/c-fos pathway, which might lead to diabetic cardiomyopathy.
A rare coexistence of adrenal cavernous hemangioma with extramedullar hemopoietic tissue: a case report and brief review of the literature
Authors: Arkadopoulos Nikolaos , Kyriazi Maria , Yiallourou Anneza I , Stafyla Vaia K , Theodosopoulos Theodosios , Dafnios Nikolaos , Smyrniotis Vassilis , Kondi-Pafiti Agathi 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Cavernous hemangiomas of the adrenal gland are rare, benign, non-functioning neoplastic tumors. To our knowledge, 55 cases have been reported in the literature to date.

Case presentation
We report the first case of a large, non-functioning adrenal cavernous hemangioma that was incidentally found during the preoperative staging workup of a 75 year old woman with left breast adenocarcinoma. Imaging with US, CT scan and MRI showed a heterogeneous 8 cm mass with non-specific radiological features that was located on the left adrenal gland. The mass was surgically excised and pathology revealed an adrenal hemangioma with areas of extramedullar hemopoiesis.

Conclusion
Although adrenal hemangiomas are rare and their preoperative diagnosis is difficult, they should always be included in the differential diagnosis of adrenal neoplasms.
Destabilization of the TAR hairpin leads to extension of the polyA hairpin and inhibition of HIV-1 polyadenylation
Authors: Vrolijk Martine M , Harwig Alex , Berkhout Ben , Das Atze T 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Two hairpin structures that are present at both the 5' and 3' end of the HIV-1 RNA genome have important functions in the viral life cycle. The TAR hairpin binds the viral Tat protein and is essential for Tat-mediated activation of transcription. The adjacent polyA hairpin encompasses the polyadenylation signal AAUAAA and is important for the regulation of polyadenylation. Specifically, this RNA structure represses polyadenylation at the 5' side, and enhancer elements on the 3' side overcome this suppression. We recently described that the replication of an HIV-1 variant that does not need TAR for transcription was severely impaired by destabilization of the TAR hairpin, even though a complete TAR deletion was acceptable.

Results
In this study, we show that the TAR-destabilizing mutations result in reduced 3' polyadenylation of the viral transcripts due to an extension of the adjacent polyA hairpin. Thus, although the TAR hairpin is not directly involved in polyadenylation, mutations in TAR can affect this process.

Conclusion
The stability of the HIV-1 TAR hairpin structure is important for the proper folding of the viral RNA transcripts. This study illustrates how mutations that are designed to study the function of a specific RNA structure can change the structural presentation of other RNA domains and thus affect viral replication in an indirect way.
Enzymatic transesterification of Jatropha oil
Authors: Kumari Annapurna , Mahapatra Paramita , Garlapati Vijay Kumar , Banerjee Rintu 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Transesterification of Jatropha oil was carried out in t-butanol solvent using immobilized lipase from Enterobacter aerogenes. The presence of t-butanol significantly reduced the negative effects caused by both methanol and glycerol. The effects of various reaction parameters on transesterification of Jatropha oil were studied.

Results
The maximum yield of biodiesel was 94% (of which 68% conversion was achieved with respect to methyl oleate) with an oil:methanol molar ratio of 1:4, 50 U of immobilized lipase/g of oil, and a t-butanol:oil volume ratio of 0.8:1 at 55°C after 48 h of reaction time. There was negligible loss in lipase activity even after repeated use for seven cycles.

Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on biodiesel synthesis using immobilized E. aerogenes lipase.
Complete heart block and severe aortic stenosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthtritis: a case report
Authors: Moyssakis Ioannis , Lionakis Nikolaos , Vlahodimitris Ioannis , Votteas Vassilios 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
A 77-year-old male patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis was admitted to our hospital for investigation of syncope and dyspnea on exertion class II according to NYHA class association.

Case presentation
The electrocardiogram revealed complete heart block whereas the echocardiogram showed severe aortic valve stenosis with a peak gradient = 80 mmHg. A permanent pacemaker was implanted in addition to aortic valve replacement. The coexistence of complete heart block and severe aortic stenosis with rheumatoid arthritis are presented.

Conclusion
Further studies are necessary to assess whether a true association of the above conditions exist.
Identification of novel transcripts with differential dorso-ventral expression in Xenopus gastrula using serial analysis of gene expression
Authors: Faunes Fernando , Sánchez Natalia , Castellanos Javier , Vergara Ismael A , Melo Francisco , Larraín Juan 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Background
Recent evidence from global studies of gene expression indicates that transcriptomes are more complex than expected. Xenopus has been typically used as a model organism to study early embryonic development, particularly dorso-ventral patterning. In order to identify novel transcripts involved in dorso-ventral patterning, we compared dorsal and ventral transcriptomes of Xenopus tropicalis at the gastrula stage using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE).

Results
Of the experimental tags, 54.5% were confidently mapped to transcripts and 125 showed a significant difference in their frequency of occurrence between dorsal and ventral libraries. We selected 20 differentially expressed tags and assigned them to specific transcripts using bioinformatics and reverse SAGE. Five mapped to transcripts with known dorso-ventral expression and the frequency of appearance for these tags in each library is in agreement with the expression described by other methods. The other 15 tags mapped to transcripts with no previously described asymmetric expression along the dorso-ventral axis. The differential expression of ten of these novel transcripts was validated by in situ hybridization and/or RT-PCR. We can estimate that this SAGE experiment provides a list of at least 86 novel transcripts with differential expression along the dorso-ventral axis. Interestingly, the expression of some novel transcripts was independent of β-catenin.

Conclusions
Our SAGE analysis provides a list of novel transcripts with differential expression in the dorso-ventral axis and a large number of orphan tags that can be used to identify novel transcripts and to improve the current annotation of the X. tropicalis genome.
Post-Challenge Hyperglycemia in Older Adults Is Associated with Increased Cardiovascular Risk Profile
Authors: Crandall Jill P. , Shamoon Harry , Cohen Hillel W. , Reid Migdalia , Gajavelli Srikanth , Trandafirescu Georgeta , Tabatabaie Vafa , Barzilai Nir 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Context: Post-challenge hyperglycemia (PCH) is common in older adults and is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and total mortality. However, PCH is rarely recognized in clinical settings, and the glycemic exposure and CVD risk profile of elderly individuals with PCH has not been defined.
Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize metabolic and CVD risk profile of elderly subjects with PCH and to determine the effect of acute postprandial metabolic changes on vascular biomarkers.
Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a standard meal challenge protocol.
Participants: Older adults with normal glucose tolerance (n = 30) or PCH (fasting glucose &lt;126 mg/dl and 2-h glucose ≥170 mg/dl; n = 28) participated in the study.
Main Outcome Measures: We assessed fasting and postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and adiponectin and endothelial function using reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry.
Results: Normal glucose tolerance and PCH subjects were matched for age, sex, body mass index, and ethnicity. Fasting glucose (102 ± 3 vs. 93 ± 2 mg/dl; P &lt; 0.001) and glycosylated hemoglobin (5.7 vs. 5.4%; P = 0.01) were modestly higher in the PCH group, which was also more insulin resistant (homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, 7.0 ± 1.3 vs. 4.1 ± 0.6; P = 0.03). Fasting high sensitivity C-reactive protein was higher (2.6 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.2 mg/dl; P = 0.05), and adiponectin was lower (11.6 ± 1.6 vs. 14.0 ± 1.3 μg/ml; P = 0.03) in subjects with PCH. Peak and 6-h postprandial area under the curve glucose, insulin, and lipids were higher in PCH subjects, who also had higher fasting and postprandial levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry declined postprandially only in PCH.
Conclusions: Older adults with PCH experience significant fasting and postprandial metabolic dysregulation, which is accompanied by a proatherosclerotic and prothrombotic vascular profile.
Effects of Somatostatin Analogs on Glucose Homeostasis: A Metaanalysis of Acromegaly Studies
Authors: Mazziotti Gherardo , Floriani Irene , Bonadonna Stefania , Torri Valter , Chanson Philippe , Giustina Andrea 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Somatostatin analogs (SSA) may influence glucose metabolism, but the clinical relevance of this effect is uncertain because trials performed so far are limited in terms of number of patients and heterogeneity for length and type of follow-up.Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess, via the metaanalysis of acromegaly studies, the clinical impact of SSA on glucose metabolism. The outcomes analyzed were fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, hemoglobin A(1c), and plasma glucose concentrations during oral glucose tolerance test.Study Selection: Eligibility criteria were: 1) duration of SSA treatment of at least 3 wk; 2) available numerical data for at least one of the four biochemical outcomes investigated; 3) measurement of the outcomes before and after SSA treatment; and 4) no selection of acromegalic patients for their responsivity to SSA. After revision, only 31 studies fulfilled eligibility criteria and were therefore selected for data extraction and analysis.Data Synthesis: SSA treatment was found to induce statistically significant decrease in fasting plasma insulin [effect size −0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) from −0.58 to −0.32, P &lt; 0.001], without any significant change of fasting plasma glucose (effect size +0.04, 95% CI from −0.07 to +0.15, P = 0.52) and hemoglobin A(1c) (effect size +0.11, 95% CI from −0.02 to +0.23, P = 0.09). Serum glucose values during the oral glucose tolerance test were shown to significantly change during SSA treatment (effect size +0.31, 95% CI from +0.17 to +0.45, P &lt; 0.001), although with high inconsistency among trials.Conclusions: Our data suggest that modifications of glucose homeostasis induced by SSA may have an overall minor clinical impact in acromegaly.
Improving access to psychological therapies: Phase IV prospective cohort study
Authors: Richards David A. , Suckling Rupert 
Published: February 2009

Objectives. To determine the effects of implementing stepped care evidence‐based psychological treatments for anxiety and depression in routine practice using a collaborative care implementation model.Design. Observational prospective cohort study/Phase IV field trial.Methods. We collected data on depression and anxiety from a prospective cohort of 3,994 consecutive patients referred to the UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies demonstration site in Doncaster for 12 months from August 2006 using PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7. We collected demographic and process information including the type and methods of treatments received. We calculated effect sizes, remission, and recovery rates for patients competing treatment and those who dropped out or were considered to be unsuitable.Results. Two thousand seven hundred and ninety‐five patients received an assessment, out of which 2,017 received two or more appointments. Out of these, 869 had completed treatment by the census date, 743 remained in treatment, 319 had dropped out, and 85 had been found to be unsuitable. Pre–post treatment effect sizes for anxiety and depression in those patients completing treatment were 1.39 and 1.41, respectively, with post‐treatment relative risks of depression and anxiety 0.29 and 0.34. The combined remission and recovery rates were 76% for depression and 74% for anxiety. The mean number of treatment sessions was 5.15 in a mean time of 2 h and 45 min. On an average, patients received at least three of these contacts by telephone. Outcomes are comparable with benchmarked trials, reviews, and routine datasets.Conclusions. Combining low‐intensity stepped care psychological treatment with a telephony‐based collaborative care organizational system can deliver good clinical outcomes in routine practice.