bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutritional status and body composition among persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Odencrants Sigrid , Ehnfors Margareta , Ehrenberg Anna 
Published: February 2009

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine whether a relationship exists between nutritional status, assessed by three recommended instruments, and body composition for older persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Background. Commonly reported symptoms of COPD include impaired nutritional status. This is difficult to assess accurately, because currently recommended instruments for risk identification do not evaluate body composition reliably.Design. A descriptive and correlational study; data were collected in 2007.Method. Study participants were 47 women and 34 men with a mean age of 65 years and 48% with very severe COPD. Data collection included body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR), fat‐free mass index (FFMI), lung functions and assessment of nutritional status by the mini nutritional assessment (MNA), the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and a national disease‐specific instrument (ENS).Results. Participants’ BMIs ranged from 15·9 to 43·8. Out of 15 with very low FFMIs five were classified as overweight. One of those participants was identified as malnourished by the MNA, two were identified by the MUST as at high risk for malnutrition and none was identified by the ENS as in need of qualified help with nutrition. Six participants were assessed using each instrument as being in need of special attention for their nutritional status. Correlations between each of the instrument and FFMIs were significant at the 0·01 level for each instrument.Conclusion. A combination of methods gives richer information as single measurements may give misleading results. Assessment of nutritional status cannot rely only on instrument values; there is a need for an astute ‘clinical eye’ as well.Relevance to clinical practice. The methods are suitable for skilled professional use in clinical practice with people with COPD, but the short form of the MNA and the ENS should be used with caution.
Identification and location of Stb9, a gene for resistance to septoria tritici blotch in wheat cultivars Courtot and Tonic
Authors: Chartrain L. , Sourdille P. , Bernard M. , Brown J. K. M. 
Published: February 2009

This study reports the discovery of a gene for resistance to septoria tritici blotch (STB) in two spring wheat cultivars, Courtot and Tonic. The gene, named Stb9, confers resistance to Mycosphaerella graminicola isolate IPO89011. It was mapped by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using an existing map of Courtot × Chinese Spring and was located between markers Xfbb226 (3·6 cM) and XksuF1b (9 cM) on the long arm of chromosome 2B. Markers linked to Stb9 in Courtot were then shown to be linked to resistance to IPO89011 in F3 families of Tonic × Longbow. Allelism tests in which Tonic was crossed with Courtot confirmed that Tonic has a gene for resistance to IPO89011 at or very close to the Stb9 locus. SSR markers flanking Stb9 may be used in marker‐assisted selection to introgress this gene into winter cultivars or in spring wheat breeding programmes outside Europe.
Prediction of chronic allograft damage index of renal allografts using serum level of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1
Authors: Chang Horng‐Rong , Yang Shun‐Fa , Lian Jong‐Da , Lin Chiu‐Chu , Wen Mei‐Chin , Chen Yen Ta , Jan Yee‐Jee , Hsieh Yih‐Shou 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Background:  Plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) plays an important role in renal fibrosis. We conducted this study to examine whether serum PAI‐1 has a role in predicting chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN).Methods:  Fifty kidney transplant recipients receiving graft biopsies were enrolled. The pathologic diagnoses were acute tubular necrosis (ATN; n = 12), borderline rejection (BR; n = 7), acute rejection (ACR; n = 12), CAN (n = 11), polyomavirus nephropathy (PVN; n = 3) and others (n = 5; glomerulopathy, n = 4; calcineurin inhibitor nephropathy, n = 1). The serum level of PAI‐1 and chronic allograft damage index (CADI) score of each patient were determined.Results:  The CADI score of all patients was 4 (0–10) (median and range) and in each group was ATN 0.5 (0–4), BR 2.0 (1–4), ACR 4.0 (2–8), CAN 5.0 (4–10), PVN 7 (4–8) and others 2 (0–8). The serum PAI‐1 level of each group was ATN 9.38 (2.35–14.52) ng/mL, BR 10.09 (0.61–18.06) ng/mL, ACR 11.08 (2.32–20.68) ng/mL, CAN 14.51 (3.66–21.12), PVN 14.79 (13.94–21.94) and others 16.35 (4.05–21.01) ng/mL. CADI score is associated with serum PAI‐1 activity (r = 0.405, p = 0.003) and is inversely associated with serum creatinine (r = −0.348, p = 0.011), but not with estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.124).Conclusion:  Serum PAI‐1 level has the potential to be a marker to predict CADI score, the quantitative score of CAN.
Impact of body mass index on clinical and cost outcomes after radical cystectomy
Authors: Bagrodia Aditya , Grover Sonal , Srivastava Abhishek , Gupta Amit , Bolenz Christian , Sagalowsky Arthur I. , Lotan Yair 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) on the cost and clinical variables after radical cystectomy (RC), as studies show that obesity might adversely affect the outcomes after RC.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe charts of patients who had RC from January 2004 to March 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Complete cost and clinical information was available for 99 patients; the patient and tumour characteristics and peri‐operative outcomes were recorded. Detailed cost information (room and board, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, operating room, surgical supply, anaesthesia, and recovery room) was obtained from hospital billing. Patients were stratified and compared in three groups of BMI, i.e. normal weight (<25), overweight (25–<30) and obese (≥30).RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 66 years; 27% were normal weight, 38% were overweight and 34% were obese. Of obese patients, 24% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 0, vs none and 2.6% in the normal and overweight groups, respectively (P = 0.001). Those of normal weight had the highest overall and major complication rates (P = 0.57 and 0.28, respectively). Obese patients had insignificantly higher transfusion rates (P = 0.28). The direct cost was higher in normal weight ($14 314) than overweight ($13 808) and obese ($13 666) patients (P = 0.47). Higher room and board cost in normal‐weight patients was the only significant cost difference (P = 0.008).CONCLUSIONBMI was not associated with increased costs of cystectomy. The absence of differences in cost‐related and clinical outcomes might be attributable to variable comorbidity among groups and the experience of a high‐volume surgeon and staff at a tertiary‐care referral centre that routinely cares for obese patients.
Laparoscopic debulking of bulky lymph nodes in women with cervical cancer: indication and surgical outcomes
Authors: Tozzi R , Lavra F , Cassese T , Campanile R Garruto , Pedicini V , Bignardi M , Scorsetti M , Bertuzzi A 
Published: February 2009

Objective  To describe the technique and the surgical outcome of laparoscopic resection of bulky lymph nodes before adjuvant treatment.Design  Prospective pilot study.Setting  Gynaecological oncology cancer centre.Population  From January 2006 to February 2008, 22 consecutive women presented with cervical cancer and bulky metastatic lymph nodes (>2 cm).Methods  All women underwent resection of bulky lymph nodes by laparoscopy. A prospective record of the main surgical outcomes was performed.Main outcome measures  Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic resection of bulky lymph nodes, conversion to laparotomy, intra‐ and perioperative morbidity.Results  All the operations were completed by laparoscopy. Median operative time was 197 minutes (range 180–320). Median blood loss was 60 cc (range 10–100), two women experienced complications: one thermal injury of the sciatic root provoking postoperative leg palsy and one chylous ascites. The woman with the thermal injury has recovered most leg function with physiotherapy and the woman with chylous ascites recovered within 2 weeks, slightly delaying the adjuvant treatment. All women were discharged within 4 days from the operation (range 2–4). Pathology reports confirmed the presence of tumour metastases and the lymph nodes size. The adjuvant treatment started at a median time of 12 days (range 3–22).Conclusion  Debulking of large pelvic and para‐aortic lymph nodes was effectively accomplished by laparoscopy in all 22 women with 9% complication rate. The surgical outcome is similar to historical series on women operated on by laparotomy, with the advantage of a faster recovery and an early start of adjuvant treatment.
The value of medical history taking as risk indicator for tuboperitoneal pathology: a systematic review
Authors: Luttjeboer FY , Verhoeve HR , van Dessel HJ , van der Veen F , Mol BWJ , Coppus SFPJ 
Published: February 2009

Background  Guidelines recommend diagnostic laparoscopy in subfertile women with known co‐morbidities in their medical history. Aggregated evidence underpinning these recommendations is, however, currently lacking.Objective  The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the available evidence on the association between items reported during medical history taking and tuboperitoneal pathology.Search strategy  MEDLINE (from 1966 to May 2007), EMBASE (from 1960 to January 2007) and bibliographies of retrieved primary articles.Selection criteria  All relevant studies that compared medical history with the presence or absence of tubal pathology.Data collection and analysis  Studies comparing medical history with the presence or absence of tubal pathology were included. A diagnosis of tubal pathology had to be made by hysterosalpingography, laparoscopy or a combination of both. In the absence of invasive tubal testing, tuboperitoneal pathology was considered to be absent in case of intrauterine pregnancy. Homogeneity between studies was assessed, and the association between medical history and tubal pathology was expressed as a common odds ratio with a 95% CI. No language restriction was applied.Main results  We included 32 studies. In cohort studies, strong associations were found for a history of complicated appendicitis (OR 7.2, 95% CI 2.2–22.8), pelvic surgery (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4–9.0) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.6), and in case–control studies, for a history of complicated appendicitis (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.8–6.3), PID (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.7–11.0), ectopic pregnancy (OR 16.0, 95% CI 12.5–20.4), endometriosis (OR 5.9, 95% CI 3.2–10.8) and sexually transmitted disease (OR 11.9, 95% CI 4.3–33.3).Author’s conclusions  Subfertile women reporting a history of PID, complicated appendicitis, pelvic surgery, ectopic pregnancy and endometriosis are at increased risk of having tuboperitoneal pathology. In these women, diagnostic laparoscopy should be offered early in the fertility work‐up.
The N‐terminal tripeptide of insulin‐like growth factor‐I protects against β‐amyloid‐induced somatostatin depletion by calcium and glycogen synthase kinase 3β modulation
Authors: Burgos‐Ramos Emma , Martos‐Moreno Gabriel Á , López Manuela G. , Herranz Rosario , Aguado‐Llera David , Egea Javier , Frechilla Diana , Cenarruzabeitia Edurne , León Rafael , Arilla‐Ferreiro Eduardo , Argente Jesús , Barrios Vicente 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe protective effects of insulin‐like growth factor I on the somatostatin (SRIF) system in the temporal cortex after β‐amyloid (Aβ) injury may be mediated through its N‐terminal tripeptide glycine‐proline‐glutamate (GPE). GPE is cleaved to cyclo[Pro‐Gly] (cPG), a metabolite suggested to mediate in neuroprotective actions. We evaluated the effects of GPE and cPG in the temporal cortex of Aβ25–35‐treated rats on SRIF and SRIF receptor protein and mRNA levels, adenylyl cyclase activity, cell death, Aβ25–35 accumulation, cytosolic calcium levels ([Ca2+]c) and the intracellular signaling mechanisms involved. GPE and cPG did not change Aβ25–35 levels, but GPE partially restored SRIF and SRIF receptor 2 protein content and mRNA levels and protected against cell death after Aβ25–35 insult, which was coincident with Akt activation and glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibition. In addition, GPE displaced glutamate from NMDA receptors and blocked the glutamate induced rise in cytosolic calcium in isolated rat neurons and moderately increased Ca2+ influx per se. Our findings suggest that GPE, but not its metabolite, mimics insulin‐like growth factor I effects on the SRIF system through a mechanism independent of Aβ clearance that involves modulation of calcium and glycogen synthase kinase 3β signaling.
Allodynia‐Associated Symptoms, Pain Intensity and Time to Treatment: Predicting Treatment Response in Acute Migraine Intervention
Authors: Cady Roger K. , Freitag Frederick G. , Mathew Ninan T. , Elkind Arthur H. , Mao Lian , Fisher Alan C. , Biondi David M. , Finlayson Gary , Greenberg Steven J. , Hulihan Joseph F. 
Published: February 2009

Objective.— To evaluate the relationship between treatment outcomes and allodynia‐associated symptoms (AAS) at the time of treatment with almotriptan.Methods.— Analyses were performed with data collected prospectively from patients in 2 recently completed early intervention trials, AXERT® Early miGraine Intervention Study (AEGIS) and AXERT® 12.5 mg time vs Intensity Migraine Study (AIMS): 2‐hour pain free, 2‐hour pain relief (AEGIS only), sustained pain free (SPF), use of rescue medication, and median headache duration (AIMS only), in the presence and absence of pretreatment AAS, which was determined by responses to a questionnaire. Analyses were conducted to evaluate possible prognostic variables.Results.— The presence of pretreatment AAS did not have a significant effect on 2‐hour pain‐free, 2‐hour pain‐relief or SPF rates, use of rescue medication, or headache duration. Significant factors for most favorable outcomes (greater 2‐hour pain‐free, 2‐hour pain‐relief and SPF rates, less use of rescue medication, and shorter headache duration) included treatment with almotriptan 12.5 mg, treatment of mild or moderate headache pain, and treatment within 1 hour of headache onset.Conclusion.— Almotriptan 12.5 mg was efficacious in providing 2‐hour pain free, 2‐hour pain relief, SPF, and reducing rescue medication use irrespective of the presence of AAS at the time of treatment. The most optimal efficacy outcomes occurred when patients treated migraine attacks early and before the onset of severe pain. The presence of AAS, which may indicate an early phase of allodynia, did not influence the efficacy of almotriptan therapy.
Self‐administered Vaginal Swabs Are a Feasible Alternative to Physician‐assisted Cervical Swabs for Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening in the Emergency Department
Authors: Berwald Nicole , Cheng Susan , Augenbraun Michael , Abu‐Lawi Khaled , Lucchesi Michael , Zehtabchi Shahriar 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the emergency department (ED) is limited by the need for pelvic examination. It has been suggested that using self‐administered vaginal swabs (SAVS) for this purpose may save time and resources and may be more comfortable for patients.Objectives:  The objective was to test the feasibility of using SAVS for STI screening in the ED.Methods:  This was a prospective study of female ED patients 18 to 55 years old who consented to physician‐assisted cervical swab (PACS) and SAVS in two urban teaching hospitals. The ED personnel offered the test to all patients, whether or not a pelvic examination was indicated, based on their chief complaint. All specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Categorical data are presented as percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Patients with a positive test result for Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae were considered positive for STI. PACS were used as the criterion standard.Results:  One‐hundred sixty‐two subjects were enrolled from July 2006 to July 2007 (mean [±SD] age = 32 [±10] years). Eighty‐one percent of patients had a genitourinary symptom (most common: vaginal bleeding/spotting). SAVS had a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI = 60% to 99%), specificity of 99% (95% CI = 95% to 99%), positive likelihood ratio of 91, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.09 in diagnosing STIs. None of the patients reported difficulty or discomfort using this technique.Conclusions:  Self‐administered vaginal swabs can be utilized as a feasible alternative to PACS for STI screening in the ED.
Renin–angiotensin gene polymorphisms in relation to severe chronic periodontitis
Authors: Gürkan Ali , Emingil Gülnur , Saygan Buket Han , Atilla Gül , Köse Timur , Baylas Haluk , Berdeli Afig 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim: Evidence suggests that the ultimate product of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin II, exerts inflammatory actions. The present study aimed to evaluate the inter‐relation between gene polymorphisms of the RAS components; angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin II type‐I receptor (AT1R), and severe chronic periodontitis (CP).Material and Methods: DNA was obtained from peripheral blood of 90 CP patients and 126 periodontally healthy subjects, and the clinical parameters were recorded. ACE I/D, AGT M235T and AT1R A1166C polymorphisms were genotyped by the PCR–RFLP method. Chi‐square, anova and logistic regression methods were used in statistical analyses.Results: The frequency of the ACE D allele was significantly lower in the CP group than the healthy group (pcorr=0.015). CP subjects exhibited increased C allele carriage and C allele frequency of the AT1R gene (pcorr=0.03 and pcorr=0.03, respectively). All clinical parameters of CP patients were found to be similar in variant allele‐carrying and non‐carrying subjects (p>0.05).Conclusions: The present findings suggest that ACE I/D and AT1R polymorphisms might be associated with susceptibility to CP but not with disease severity. The D allele of ACE I/D might be associated with decreased, whereas the C variant of AT1R A1166C might be associated with an elevated risk for CP in Turkish population.
Juvenile Court Variations: Procedural and Processing Differences in a Midwestern State
Authors: Maier Elizabeth Ann 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis study examined whether location and type of juvenile court impacted processing for juveniles in a Midwestern state.1 For the analysis, the author used qualitative data. This article was built on the opinions and observations of those who work in the juvenile justice system on a daily basis. The author observed juvenile courts and interviewed judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. The information contained herein verifies the differences between rural and urban juvenile justice practice and procedure. The results of this study also revealed that processing varies across jurisdictions and type of court in the juvenile justice system.
A Politics of Ontology: Continuities and Discontinuities
Authors: Kondos Vivienne 
Published: February 2009

PreambleThey wait, then they swoop. At whoever is to get the shoe‐garland. One will try to sling it around that person's neck. The others will help if it falls. But they will have to move quickly if they are to manage to get the string of dirty sandals and shoes around the man's shoulders before he can stop them. One will try to put soot on the victim's face… Then they will rush from the place.
Discourses of Deception: Cheating in Professional Running1
Authors: Mewett Peter G. 
Published: February 2009

Cheating, it is claimed, is anathema to sport. But is this the case? In this paper it is argued that cheating is integral to modern sport, that the model of sport as ‘fair play’ is simply an ideological guise of amateurism. The paper focuses on the sport of professional running which, since its origins in the eighteenth century, has been a gambling sport. Strategies involving cheating to manipulate wins, or losses, have featured in this sport as ways of increasing the probability of striking successful wagers. Such strategies are an accepted part of professional running: participants anticipate and expect others to be playing it in this way. However, a distinction is made between what is referred to in the paper as ‘clean’ cheating and ‘dirty’ cheating. The former is an accepted way of the sport, the latter occurs but is deprecated. The paper explores these different forms of cheating and the athletes' responses to them.Through a focus on the discourses of success in capitalist society, a model of cheating is developed to interpret such practices. Within the context of professional running, a working class sport, it is argued that, given the habitus of its practitioners, ‘success’ may be measured in terms of monetary gains and the ‘kick‐on’ in life that these might provide. Cheating practices may serve to enhance the probability of success and social mobility. Given the relatively short career spans of sports people and the costs involved in developing the requisite skills, cheating may promote success and establish a financial base for post‐sport careers. The paper concludes that cheating in sport can be anticipated as a feature of an acquisitive capitalist society.
Bar workers’ health and environmental tobacco smoke exposure (BHETSE): symptomatic improvement in bar staff following smoke-free legislation in Scotland
Authors: Ayres J G , Semple S , MacCalman L , Dempsey S , Hilton S , Hurley J F , Miller B G , Naji A , Petticrew M 
Published: February 2009

Objective:To examine changes in the health of bar workers after smoke-free legislation was introduced.Design:Longitudinal study following bar workers from before legislation introduction, at 2 months after introduction and at 1 year to control for seasonal differences.Setting:Bars across a range of socio-economic settings in Scotland.Participants:371 bar workers recruited from 72 bars.Intervention:Introduction of smoke-free legislation prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places, including bars.Main outcomes measures:Change in prevalence of self-reported respiratory and sensory symptoms.Results:Of the 191 (51%) workers seen at 1-year follow-up, the percentage reporting any respiratory symptom fell from 69% to 57% (p = 0.02) and for sensory symptoms from 75% to 64% (p = 0.02) following reductions in exposure, effects being greater at 2 months, probably partly due to seasonal effects. Excluding respondents who reported having a cold at either baseline or 1 year, the reduction in respiratory symptoms was similar although greater for “any” sensory symptom (69% falling to 54%, p = 0.011). For non-smokers (n = 57) the reductions in reported symptoms were significant for phlegm production (32% to 14%, p = 0.011) and red/irritated eyes (44% to 18%, p = 0.001). Wheeze (48% to 31%, p = 0.006) and breathlessness (42% to 29%, p = 0.038) improved significantly in smokers. There was no relationship between change in salivary cotinine levels and change in symptoms.Conclusions:Bar workers in Scotland reported significantly fewer respiratory and sensory symptoms 1 year after their working environment became smoke free. As these improvements, controlled for seasonal variations, were seen in both non-smokers and smokers, smoke-free working environments may have potentially important benefits even for smokers.