bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature variability and vertical vegetation belt shifts during the last ∼50,000 yr in the Qilian Mountains (NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau, China)
Authors: Herzschuh Ulrike , Kürschner Harald , Mischke Steffen 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA 13.94-m-long sediment core, collected from a medium-sized lake in the Qilian Mountains (NE Tibetan Plateau, China), was analysed palynologically at 81 horizons. The interpretation of indicator taxa yielded various vertical shifts of the vegetation belts. These palaeovegetation results have been checked with lake surface pollen spectra from 8 lakes representing different altitudinal vegetation belts. Our main findings are the following: A short period of the late Marine Isotope Stage 3 (around ∼46,000 yr ago) was characterized by interglacial temperature conditions with a tree line above its present-day altitude. During the LGM, the vicinity of the lake was not covered by ice but by sparse alpine vegetation and alpine deserts, indicating that the climate was colder by ∼4–7°C than today. Markedly higher temperatures were inferred from higher arboreal pollen frequencies between ∼13,000 and ∼7,000 yr ago with a Holocene temperature optimum and a maximal Picea–Betula mixed-forest expansion between ∼9,000 and ∼7000 yr ago, when temperatures exceeded the present-day conditions by at least 1–2°C. Alpine steppes and meadows and sub-alpine shrub vegetation dominated around the lake since the middle Holocene, suggesting that vegetation and climate conditions were exceptionally stable in comparison to previous periods.
The fear of necrotizing enterocolitis versus achieving optimal growth in preterm infants—an opinion
Authors: Flidel‐Rimon Orna , Branski David , Shinwell Eric S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractVery‐low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants suffer marked growth delay despite well‐intentioned efforts at combining enteral and parenteral nutrition. Fear of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has traditionally influenced neonatologists toward delaying and progressing slowly with enteral feeding, while supporting the infant with parenteral nutrition. Current evidence suggests significant benefits of enteral feeding that is started early and advanced at rates of 20–35 ml/kg/d. Conclusion: We conclude that fear of inadequate growth should replace the fear of NEC in guiding nutritional strategies for these infants.
Postnatal growth, neurodevelopment and altered adiposity after preterm birth—from a clinical nutrition perspective
Authors: Yeung Melinda Y. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractEvidence reveals a dilemma that under‐nutrition and growth retardation during brain growth are associated with neurodevelopmental deficits, and nutritional supplement resulting in catch‐up growth and relative visceral adiposity leads to metabolic/cardiovascular morbidities. Hyperinsulinaemia secondary to insulin resistance appears to play a central role in the development of visceral adiposity through its action on adipocyte ?3‐adrenoceptor.Conclusion: Optimal nutritional management to minimize hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance may potentially improve neurodevelopment and facilitate catch‐up growth with normal body composition.
Head circumference from birth to age 48 months for infants in Sweden
Authors: WERNER BO , BODIN LENNART 
Published: May 2006

Abstract Aim: To describe the development of head circumference, from birth to age 48 mo, of infants in Sweden. Methods: Every infant born on the 15th of any month in the 1981 birth cohort, living in Sweden as of 31 December 1989, was studied from birth to age 48 mo (n=3158). By collecting data from child healthcare records and then analysing these data using piecewise linear regression, means and other statistics were produced for every age. Data were analysed for all and with exclusions for low birthweight and those born outside Sweden. Results: From the sample of 3158, data for 3107 infants were collected, making the percentage of missing individuals 1.6%; thus, non‐response bias is minimized and high national representativeness is achieved. Summary statistics for head circumference are presented. Comparisons are made to international reference materials, and to previous and current Swedish reference curves.Conclusion: For the first time in Sweden, and without selection bias, means and distribution of head circumference measurements are documented longitudinally for a nationally representative sample of infants.
Pragmatic skills in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease: an analysis by means of a referential communication task
Authors: Feyereisen Pierre , Berrewaerts Joëlle , Hupet Michel 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground: Disordered discourse in cases of senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) has mainly been described in conversation and picture description tasks. The referential communication task provides researchers and clinicians with new insights on the nature of these disorders.Aims: To study to what extent persons suffering from DAT can benefit from shared experience through trial repetition to achieve common reference.Methods & Procedures: Thirteen persons suffering from DAT at minimal or mild stage (MMSE score range = 18–27) were compared with 13 healthy elderly adults (64–86 years) in neuropsychological assessment of executive functions and in a referential communication paradigm. To study how the two partners achieve mutual understanding by progressively elaborating a common ground, the task was repeated three times.Outcomes & Results: Persons with DAT produced a larger number of words than control participants and they benefited from the task repetition. However, they were less able to take into account previously shared information, used no definite referential expressions and were more idiosyncratic in their descriptions of the referent. This decline of communicative effectiveness was found not to relate closely to executive deficits.Conclusions: Collaborative exchanges allow healthy elderly persons to ground reference in common experience. This process is severely disturbed in persons with DAT, in relation to poor memory of preceding episodes or to other cognitive impairments.
Violent victimization and drug involvement among Mexican middle school students
Authors: Ramos‐Lira Luciana , Gonzalez‐Forteza Catalina , Wagner Fernando A. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To answer the following research questions: (a) is there an association between violent victimization and exposure to opportunities to use marijuana, inhalants and cocaine and (b) is there an association between violent victimization and actual drug use among youth with drug‐using opportunities?Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Setting  Two middle schools located in the Historic Downtown area of Mexico City.Participants  The entire body of students (n = 767; mean age 13.8 years, 52% males).Measurements  Qualitative research was used to develop questions on drug exposure opportunities and violent victimization. Standardized questions on life‐time alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalant drugs and cocaine use were also included, as well as questions on violent victimization and other covariates.Findings  One‐quarter (25%) of students had an opportunity to try marijuana, inhalant drugs or cocaine; 35% who had an opportunity actually used at least one drug. In this sample, 59% had been victimized violently. Youth who had been victimized had greater odds of opportunities to use drugs compared to those who had not been victimized [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.4, 6.1]. Once exposure opportunity is taken into consideration, no association was evident between violent victimization and actual drug use (adjusted OR = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.4, 2.1).Conclusions  It is possible to trace back the association between violent victimization and drug use to differences in exposure to opportunities. Limitations considered, this study suggests interventions to improve micro and macro contexts, such as families, schools and communities, so young people can have better places to live and develop.
Estimating the effect of help‐seeking on achieving recovery from alcohol dependence
Authors: Dawson Deborah A. , Grant Bridget F. , Stinson Frederick S. , Chou Patricia S. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate the effect of help‐seeking on the likelihood of recovery from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM‐IV) alcohol dependence, specifically examining the impact of model selection, factors that moderate the effect of help‐seeking and distinctions between the effects of 12‐Step participation and formal treatment.Design  This analysis is based on data from the Wave 1 2001–02 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a cross‐sectional, retrospective survey of a nationally representative sample of US adults 18 years of age and over. The analytical sample consisted of 4422 individuals with prior‐to‐past‐year (PPY) onset of DSM‐IV alcohol dependence.Methods  Logistic regression, proportional hazards and time‐dependent proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effects of help‐seeking on three outcomes: (1) any recovery from alcohol dependence, which required full remission of all symptoms of alcohol abuse and dependence and excluded asymptomatic drinkers whose alcohol consumption exceeded low‐risk drinking guidelines; (2) non‐abstinent recovery (NR), representing low‐risk asymptomatic drinkers; and (3) abstinent recovery (AR), representing abstainers.Findings  Only one‐quarter of individuals with PPY‐onset alcohol dependence had ever sought help for alcohol problems, including 3.1% who had participated in 12‐Step programs only, 5.4% who had received formal treatment only and 17.0% with both 12‐Step and formal treatment. Based on the most appropriate model, help‐seeking increased the likelihood of any recovery [hazard rate ratio (HRR) = 2.38], NR (HRR = 1.50) and AR (HRR = 4.01). The impact of help‐seeking on AR did not show any significant variation across the exposure period but was modified by severity among other factors. Individuals who participated in 12‐Step programs in addition to formal treatment had almost twice the chance of recovery and more than more than twice the chance of AR compared with those who received formal treatment alone.Conclusions  Help‐seeking plays a significant role in the achievement of abstinent recovery from alcohol dependence, with 12‐Step participation playing a major role. Appropriate model selection is critical to assessing the impact of help‐seeking.
The use of record linkage to examine illicit drug use in pregnancy
Authors: Burns Lucy , Mattick Richard P. , Cooke Margaret 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the obstetric and perinatal outcomes for women with a drug‐related hospital admission during pregnancy.Design  Antenatal and birth admissions to New South Wales (NSW) hospitals from the NSW Inpatient Statistics Collection were linked to birth information from the NSW Midwives Data Collection over a 5‐year period (1998–2002).Measurements  Birth admissions were flagged as positive for drug use where a birth admission or any pregnancy admission for that birth involved an opioid, cannabis or stimulant‐related International Classification of Diseases version 10 Australian modification (ICD‐10AM) code.Findings  A total of 416 834 live births were analysed over a 5‐year period (1998–2002). Of these, 1974 pregnancies had an opioid ICD‐10AM diagnosis recorded, 552 a stimulant‐related ICD‐10AM and 2172 a cannabis ICD‐10AM diagnosis. Births in each of the drug groups were to women who were younger, had a higher number of previous pregnancies, were indigenous, smoked heavily and were not privately insured. These women also presented later in their pregnancy to antenatal services and were more likely to arrive at hospital unbooked. Neonates born to women in each of the drug groups were more likely to be premature and were admitted to neonatal intensive care and special care nursery more often, with neonates born to women in the opioid group admitted most often.Conclusions  Linked population level administrative data is a powerful method for examining the maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with the use of specific illicit drugs during pregnancy.
The effects of nicotine gum and counseling among African American light smokers: a 2 × 2 factorial design
Authors: Ahluwalia Jasjit S. , Okuyemi Kolawole , Nollen Nicole , Choi Won S. , Kaur Harsohena , Pulvers Kim , Mayo Matthew S. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAim  Approximately 50% of African American smokers are light smokers (smoke ≤ 10 cigarettes a day). The prevalence of light smoking in the United States is increasing, yet there has not been a single smoking cessation clinical trial targeting light smokers. The purpose of this 2 × 2 factorial, randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of nicotine gum (2 mg versus placebo) and counseling (motivational interviewing versus health education) for African American light smokers.Design  Participants were assigned randomly to one of four study arms: 2 mg nicotine gum plus health education (HE); 2 mg nicotine gum plus motivational interviewing (MI); placebo gum plus HE; and placebo gum plus MI.Participants and setting  A total of 755 African American light smokers (66% female, mean age = 45) were enrolled at a community health center over a 16‐month period.Intervention and measurements  Participants received an 8‐week supply of nicotine gum and six counseling sessions during the course of the 26‐week study. Biochemical measures included expired carbon monoxide (CO) and serum and salivary cotinine.Findings  Seven‐day quit rates for nicotine gum were no better than for the placebo group (14.2% versus 11.1%, P = 0.232) at 6 months. However, a counseling effect emerged, with HE performing significantly better than MI (16.7% versus 8.5%, P < 0.001). These results were consistent across outcome time‐points (weeks 1, 8, and 26).Conclusions  Results highlight the potential positive impact of directive information and advice‐oriented counseling on smoking cessation. Studies are needed to assess other interventions that may further improve quit rates among African American light smokers who are motivated to quit.
White wine and beer induce gastro‐oesophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease
Authors: PEHL C. , WENDL B. , PFEIFFER A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackgroundAn induction of gastro‐oesophageal reflux has been reported after ingestion of alcoholic beverages in healthy volunteers. However, it is unknown whether reflux in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients will be enhanced by the ingestion of alcoholic beverages.AimTo investigate the effects of wine and beer on postprandial reflux in reflux patients.MethodsTwenty‐five patients (reflux oesophagitis 15, non‐erosive reflux disease 10; 18 men and seven women) drank 300‐mL white wine (n = 17), 500‐mL beer (n = 8), or identical amounts of tap water (controls) together with a standardized meal in a randomized order. pH‐measurement was carried out during three postprandial hours by pH‐metry and the percentage of time pH < 4 was calculated.ResultsBoth alcoholic beverages increased reflux compared with water [wine 23% (median), water 12%, P < 0.01; beer 25%, water 11%, P < 0.05]. Between wine and beer, no difference in reflux induction was obtained. The reflux induction was seen in patients with (23%, P < 0.01) and without reflux oesophagitis (22%, P < 0.05) and in both sexes (women 23%, men 25%, P < 0.05 each).ConclusionsIngestion of commonly consumed alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer induces gastro‐oesophageal reflux in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients. Therefore, these patients should be advised to avoid the intake of large amounts (≥300 mL) of these beverages.
Systematic review: evidence‐based management of hepatocellular carcinoma – an updated analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: LOPEZ P. M. , VILLANUEVA A. , LLOVET J. M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe treatment strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma applied following scientific guidelines is only supported by 77 randomized controlled trials published so far, a figure that clearly pinpoints hepatocellular carcinoma as an ‘orphan’ cancer in terms of clinical research when compared with other high‐prevalent cancers worldwide.A systematic review analysing 61 randomized controlled trials (1978–2002) showed a modest survival benefit from chemoembolization in patients with intermediate tumours, and the lack of an effective first‐line treatment option for patients with advanced disease. These conclusions have been endorsed by the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.The present updated evidence‐based approach includes 16 randomized controlled trials published from 2002 to 2005 assessing percutaneous ablation (seven), other loco‐regional therapies (three) and systemic therapies (six). Eight showed high‐quality methodological profiles.Four randomized controlled trials demonstrated a better local hepatocellular carcinoma control in tumours larger than 2 cm treated by radiofrequency ablation compared with ethanol injection. No survival advantages were obtained from systemic treatments in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, an area that is an unmet need. Therefore, there is an urgent request to conduct well‐designed phase III investigations in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
Serum bilirubin and colorectal cancer risk: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: IOANNOU G. N. , LIOU I. W. , WEISS N. S. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackgroundBilirubin has antioxidant properties and has been postulated to protect against the development of malignancies.AimTo investigate whether baseline serum bilirubin concentration predicts the incidence of colorectal cancer in a nationally representative sample of the US population.MethodsParticipants of the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were divided into four groups based on quartiles of baseline serum bilirubin concentration in mg/dL: <0.38 (n = 1410), 0.38 to <0.5 (n = 1287), 0.5 to <0.6 (n = 1048) and ≥0.6 (n = 1742). The incidence of colorectal cancer during the following 20 years was determined from hospitalization records and death certificates.Results110 cases of colorectal cancer‐related death or hospitalization were identified among 5487 participants during 88 339 person‐years of follow‐up (12 per 10 000 person‐years). There was no association between baseline serum bilirubin concentration and the incidence of colorectal cancer either in unadjusted analyses or after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, smoking, body mass index, alcohol consumption and educational attainment.ConclusionsBaseline serum bilirubin concentration did not predict the subsequent incidence of colorectal cancer in this population‐based cohort study.
Simulated clinical evaluation of four fluid warming devices*
Authors: Turner M. , Hodzovic I. , Mapleson W. W. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe fluid warming capabilities of the Bair Hugger, Hotline, Standard Ranger and Fluido devices were evaluated in the laboratory with gravity flow via a 14G cannula (1 m head of fluid) and with the fluid bag pressurised to 300 mmHg. The resulting flows (70–450 ml.min−1) were recorded. At a room temperature of 22 °C, no device warmed the fluid to 37 °C. However, the Standard Ranger with gravity flow and the Fluido with both gravity and pressurised flow achieved 35 °C, whereas the Bair Hugger and Hotline with both gravity and pressurised flow, and the Standard Ranger with pressurised flow, achieved only 24–31 °C. However, from the way delivered temperatures changed with flow, we calculated that all four devices would achieve close to 37 °C at the flows specified by the manufacturers: 17, 83, 150 and 800 ml.min−1 for the Bair Hugger, Hotline, Standard Ranger and Fluido, respectively.
The effect of genetic variants in the thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) gene on TAFI‐antigen levels, clot lysis time and the risk of venous thrombosis
Authors: Martini C.H. , Brandts A. , De Bruijne E.L.E. , Van Hylckama Vlieg A. , Leebeek F.W.G. , Lisman T. , Rosendaal F.R. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is an important inhibitor of fibrinolysis. High TAFI antigen levels are associated with an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Because TAFI levels are partly determined genetically, we assessed the association between three TAFI gene polymorphisms (−438 G/A, 505 A/G and 1040 C/T), TAFI antigen levels and clot lysis times and the risk of DVT. Carriers of the 505G allele, which is associated with lower TAFI antigen levels than the 505A allele, showed an increased risk of DVT. This indicates that the relationship between TAFI and venous thrombosis is more complex than previously suggested.
Role of dystrophins and utrophins in platelet adhesion process
Authors: Cerecedo Doris , Mondragón Ricardo , Cisneros Bulmaro , Martínez‐Pérez Francisco , Martínez‐Rojas Dalila , Rendón Alvaro 
Published: May 2006

SummaryPlatelets are crucial at the site of vascular injury, adhering to the sub‐endothelial matrix through receptors on their surface, leading to cell activation and aggregation to form a haemostatic plug. Platelets display focal adhesions as well as stress fibres to contract and facilitate expulsion of growth and pro‐coagulant factors contained in the granules and to constrict the clot. The interaction of F‐actin with different actin‐binding proteins determines the properties and composition of the focal adhesions. Recently, we demonstrated the presence of dystrophin‐associated protein complex corresponding to short dystrophin isoforms (Dp71d and Dp71) and the uthophin gene family (Up400 and Up71), which promote shape change, adhesion, aggregation, and granule centralisation. To elucidate participation of both complexes during the platelet adhesion process, their potential association with integrin β‐1 fraction and the focal adhesion system (α‐actinin, vinculin and talin) was evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays. It was shown that the short dystrophin‐associated protein complex participated in stress fibre assembly and in centralisation of cytoplasmic granules, while the utrophin‐associated protein complex assembled and regulated focal adhesions. The simultaneous presence of dystrophin and utrophin complexes indicates complementary structural and signalling mechanisms to the actin network, improving the platelet haemostatic role.
Activation-associated phenotype of CD3+ T cells in acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Paz Morante M , Briones J , Canto E , Sabzevari H , Martino R , Sierra J , Rodriguez-Sanchez J L , Vidal S 
Published: May 2006

SummaryDuring the effector phase of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) response, donor T cells play an essential role and they are believed to change the expression of activation and co-stimulatory markers associated with functional alloreactivity. We analysed the expression of CD25, CD69, HLA-DR, CD154 and CD134 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry during acute GvHD (aGvHD) in 24 patients receiving human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-identical stem cell transplants. Expression of these molecules in nine patients with stages I–IV aGvHD was compared with 15 patients without aGvHD (n = 15). Serial analysis showed that peripheral blood of aGvHD patients presented a significant increase of CD4+ CD25+ cells (P &lt; 0.03), CD4+ CD69+ (P &lt; 0.04) and CD4+ CD134+ cells (P &lt; 0.01). Additionally, there was a significant increase in CD8+ cells expressing CD134 (P = 0.007) and CD154 (P = 0.02). After resolution of aGvHD, the increased expression of these molecules returned to values comparable to patients without aGvHD. Only two of the 15 patients without clinical signs of aGvHD presented activated T cells that could not be attributed to development of aGvHD. In summary, our data show that multiple activation molecules are preferentially up-regulated on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from patients with aGvHD. These patients had a significant increase in the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD134 and CD154.