bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promoting Tobacco‐Free School Policies Through a Statewide Media Campaign
Authors: Summerlin‐Long Shelley K. , Goldstein Adam O. , Davis James , Shah Vandana 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTBackground: Comprehensive, enforced tobacco‐free school (TFS) policies lead to significant reductions in youth tobacco use. North Carolina is the first state in the United States to develop a statewide mass media campaign to promote the adoption of and compliance with TFS policies.Methods: In order to guide campaign development, researchers conducted a literature review as well as interviews with 45 TFS‐policy experts, stakeholders, and North Carolina legislators. The experts included state and national TFS researchers and advocates, and the majority of stakeholders were North Carolina school administrators and personnel selected because of their personal knowledge of and experience with TFS policy. Interviewees provided information on messages they believed would be most salient to highlight in the media campaign and the best type of people to appear in ads.Results: Recommended themes included (1) a positive message about TFS becoming the norm in the state, (2) experiences of school districts that had successfully passed TFS policies, (3) the importance of adult role modeling, and (4) personal stories from youth about the importance of TFS policy. Recommended people to appear in ads included youth and adults with a personal connection to and experience with TFS policy. Using these recommended themes and people, the TFS media campaign began in the fall of 2006. In the 8 months following the campaign launch, 9 additional school districts adopted TFS policies, increasing the total from 78 to 87 (out of 115) by June 2007. In July 2007, the North Carolina legislature passed legislation mandating that all school districts adopt TFS policies by August 2008.Conclusions: Media campaigns can serve as part of a comprehensive strategy to advance TFS policies. Other states should consider these results in designing and evaluating a media campaign to promote adoption of and compliance with TFS policies.
Association between Waste Management and Cancer in Companion Animals
Authors: Marconato L. , Leo C. , Girelli R. , Salvi S. , Abramo F. , Bettini G. , Comazzi S. , Nardi P. , Albanese F. , Zini E. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Increased cancer rates have been documented in people residing in areas around Naples characterized by illegal dumping and incineration of waste.Hypothesis: Risk of cancer in dogs and cats is associated with waste management.Animals: Four hundred and fifty‐three dogs and cats with cancer and 1,554 cancer‐free animals.Methods: Hospital‐based case‐control study in Naples (low danger) and nearby cities having a history of illegal waste dumping (high danger). Odds ratio (OR) between high‐ and low‐danger areas was calculated for all tumors and various malignancies in dogs and cats.Results: An increased risk for cancer development was identified in dogs but not in cats residing in high‐danger areas (OR: 1.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.18–2.03; P < .01). A 2.39‐fold increased risk of lymphoma (P < .01) accounted for the greater tumor frequency in dogs residing in high‐danger areas. The risk of mast cell tumor and mammary cancer did not differ in dogs residing in high‐ or low‐danger areas.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Waste emission from illegal dumping sites increases cancer risk in dogs residing in high‐danger areas. An increased prevalence of lymphoma has been previously recognized in humans living close to illegal waste dumps. Thus, epidemiological studies of spontaneous tumors in dogs might suggest a role for environmental factors in canine and human carcinogenesis and can predict health hazards for humans.
Ionized Hypocalcemia in Critically Ill Dogs
Authors: Holowaychuk M.K. , Hansen B.D. , DeFrancesco T.C. , Marks S.L. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Ionized hypocalcemia (iHCa) is a common electrolyte disturbance in critically ill people, especially those with sepsis. The cause of the iHCa is not entirely understood and is likely multifactorial. Critically ill people with iHCa have longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates compared to people with normocalcemia. There are no published clinical studies evaluating the incidence and impact of iHCa in critically ill dogs.Hypothesis: iHCa occurs in critically ill dogs, is more prevalent in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis, and is associated with longer hospital stays and higher mortality.Animals: One hundred and forty‐one client‐owned dogs admitted to a companion animal intensive care unit (ICU) in a veterinary teaching hospital.Methods: Prospective observational study of sequentially enrolled dogs. Blood was collected and analyzed within an hour of admission from all dogs presented to the ICU that met study inclusion criteria.Results: The incidence of iHCa (iCa < 1.11 mmol/L) was 16%. The presence of iHCa was associated with longer ICU (P= .038) and hospital (P= .012) stays but not with decreased survival (P= .60). Dogs with sepsis as defined by ≥3 SIRS criteria and a positive culture were more likely to have iHCa (P= .050).Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: In dogs not previously treated with fluids or blood products intravenously, the finding of iHCa upon admission to the ICU predicted a longer duration of ICU and hospital stay. Septic dogs with positive cultures were more likely to have iHCa.
Serum Acute Phase Protein Concentrations in Dogs with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Mitchell K.D. , Kruth S.A. , Wood R.D. , Jefferson B. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Serial monitoring of acute phase protein (APP) concentrations in canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) has not been reported.Hypotheses:Acute canine AIHA is accompanied by an acute phase response (APR) characterized by increased C‐reactive protein (CRP) and α1‐acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations and decreased albumin concentrations.Animals:Twenty‐seven dogs with AIHA and 11 control dogs.Methods:Prospective, cohort study. CRP, AAG, and albumin concentrations, white blood cell (WBC) count, and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined at admission (day 1), every 48 hours until death or discharge, and on days 30, 90, 180, and 365.Results:Compared with controls, CRP and AAG concentrations were increased and albumin concentration was decreased in dogs with AIHA (days 1–7;P< .002) and normalized with disease stabilization (days 9–365;P> .05). APP concentrations on day 1 were not predictive of survival, duration of hospitalization, or number of blood transfusions (P= .153–.940). PCV correlated with APP concentrations over time (CRPr=−.600, AAGr=−.665, albuminr= .533;P< .0001) as did WBC count (CRPr= .253, AAGr= .486, albuminr=−.246;P< .006). Day 1 CRP concentration was lower for dogs that received corticosteroids before referral (115.3 μg/mL) compared with dogs that did not (191.2 μg/mL;P= .02).Conclusions:An APR occurs in canine AIHA. Initial APP concentrations are not predictive of acute survival, correlate with hematologic markers of remission, and normalize rapidly with disease stabilization.
Influence ofEnterococcus faeciumSF68 Probiotic on Giardiasis in Dogs
Authors: Simpson K.W. , Rishniw M. , Bellosa M. , Liotta J. , Lucio A. , Baumgart M. , Czarnecki‐Maulden G. , Benyacoub J. , Bowman D. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Giardiasis is a common, potentially zoonotic disease, and dogs often harbor and shed cysts without showing clinical signs. Treatment with the probioticEnterococcus faeciumSF68 has been shown to stimulate mucosal and systemic immunity in a variety of animal models and in young dogs, and to reduce giardial cyst and antigen shedding in rodents.Hypothesis:Adult dogs with chronic naturally acquired giardiasis will have decreased giardial fecal cyst and antigen shedding and increased innate and adaptive immunity after 6 weeks probiotic treatment withE. faeciumSF68.Animals:Twenty adult dogs.Methods:After a 6‐week dietary equilibration period, dogs were randomized to receiveE. faeciumSF68 or placebo for 6 weeks, and then crossed over to the alternate treatment. We measured cyst shedding, fecal giardial antigen, fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration, and circulating leukocyte phagocytic activity at multiple timepoints to determine the effect ofE. faeciumSF68 on giardiasis and immune responses in these dogs.Results:No differences were observed between placebo orE. faeciumSF68 treatment for giardial cyst shedding, fecal antigen shedding, fecal IgA concentration, or leukocyte phagocytic activity.Conclusions:Short‐term treatment withE. faeciumSF68 of dogs with chronic naturally acquired subclinical giardiasis fails to affect giardial cyst shedding or antigen content and does not alter innate or adaptive immune responses.
PRINCIPAL BUNDLES ON RATIONALLY CONNECTED FIBRATIONS OVER ABELIAN VARIETIES
Authors: BISWAS INDRANIL 
Published: March 2009

Let f : M → A be a smooth surjective algebraic morphism, where M is a connected complex projective manifold and A a complex abelian variety, such that all the fibers of f are rationally connected. We show that an algebraic principal G-bundle EG over M admits a flat holomorphic connection if EG admits a holomorphic connection; here G is any connected reductive linear algebraic group defined over ℂ. We also show that EG admits a holomorphic connection if and only if any of the following three statements holds. (1) The principal G-bundle EG is semistable, c2( ad (EG)) = 0, and all the line bundles associated to EG for the characters of G have vanishing rational first Chern class. (2) There is an algebraic principal G-bundle E'G on A such that f*E'G = EG, and all the translations of E'G by elements of A are isomorphic to E'G itself. (3) There is a finite étale Galois cover [Formula: see text] and a reduction of structure group [Formula: see text] to a Borel subgroup B ⊂ G such that all the line bundles associated to ÊB for the characters of B have vanishing rational first Chern class. In particular, the above three statements are equivalent.
APPROXIMATION OF FELLER PROCESSES BY MARKOV CHAINS WITH LÉVY INCREMENTS
Authors: BÖTTCHER BJÖRN , SCHILLING RENÉ L. 
Published: March 2009

We consider Feller processes whose generators have the test functions as an operator core. In this case, the generator is a pseudo differential operator with negative definite symbol q(x, ξ). If |q(x, ξ)| < c(1 + |ξ|2), the corresponding Feller process can be approximated by Markov chains whose steps are increments of Lévy processes. This approximation can easily be used for a simulation of the sample path of a Feller process. Further, we provide conditions in terms of the symbol for the transition operators of the Markov chains to be Feller. This gives rise to a sequence of Feller processes approximating the given Feller process.
HFEC282Y Mutation as a Genetic Modifier Influencing Disease Susceptibility for Chronic Myeloproliferative Disease
Authors: Andrikovics Hajnalka , Meggyesi Nora , Szilvasi Aniko , Tamaska Julia , Halm Gabriella , Lueff Sandor , Nahajevszky Sarolta , Egyed Miklos , Varkonyi Judit , Mikala Gabor , Sipos Andrea , Kalasz Laszlo , Masszi Tamas , Tordai Attila 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIron metabolism has been implicated in carcinogenesis and several studies assessed the potential role of genetic variants of proteins involved in iron metabolism (HFE C282Y, TFR S142G) in different malignancies. Few reports addressed this issue with relation to chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD). The aims of our study were (a) to examine the potential associations of CMPD development with genetic modifiers of iron metabolism in a large cohort of CMPD patients; (b) to examine associations of genetic variants of proteins involved in iron metabolism; and acquired JAK2 V617F mutation with clinical characteristics of CMPD. HFE C282Y was genotyped in 328 CMPD patients and 996 blood donors as controls, HFE H63D, and TFR S142G were tested in CMPD patients and 171 first time blood donors. JAK2 V617F mutation was tested in CMPD patients and in 122 repeated blood donors. Decreased C282Y allele frequency (allele frequency ± 95% confidence interval) was found in the CMPD group (1.8% ± 1.0%) compared with controls (3.4% ± 0.8%; P = 0.048). TFR S142G allele frequency was reduced among V617F-negative CMPD patients (34.8% ±7.6%) compared with controls (47.8% ± 5.4%; P = 0.02). The frequency of JAK2 V617F was 75.9% (249 of 328) in the CMPD group. At presentation, elevated hemoglobin levels were found in V617F-positive patients compared with V617F-negative counterparts (P &lt; 0.000). Vascular complications (26.6% versus 15.2%; P = 0.039) as well as female gender (57.4% versus 41.8%; P = 0.019) were more common in V617F-positive patients. We found that HFE C282Y might be associated with a protective role against CMPD. Because chronic iron deficiency or latent anemia may trigger disease susceptibility for CMPD, HFE C282Y positivity may be a genetic factor influencing this effect. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(3):929–34)
CD38Gene Polymorphisms Contribute to Genetic Susceptibility to B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Evidence from Two Case-Control Studies in Polish Caucasians
Authors: Jamroziak Krzysztof , Szemraj Zofia , Grzybowska-Izydorczyk Olga , Szemraj Janusz , Bieniasz Magdalena , Cebula Barbara , Giannopoulos Krzysztof , Balcerczak Ewa , Jesionek-Kupnicka Dorota , Kowal Malgorzata , Kostyra Aleksandra , Calbecka Malgorzata , Wawrzyniak Ewa , Mirowski Marek , Kordek Radzislaw , Robak Tadeusz 
Published: March 2009

AbstractGiven the recent findings on the importance of CD38 signaling in the pathogenesis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the CD38 gene may be related to B-CLL risk. We evaluated two potentially functional CD38 SNPs, intronic rs6449182 (184C&gt;G) and missense rs1800561 (418C&gt;T, Arg140Trp) in two hospital-based case-control studies (study A and validation study B). Genotyping was done using PCR-based assays in a total of 460 Polish Caucasian patients with B-CLL and 503 age-matched and gender-matched controls. We found that frequencies of both variant alleles (rs6449182 G and rs1800561 T) were significantly higher in B-CLL. In study A, logistic regression analysis revealed an association between B-CLL and genotypes: rs6449182 CG [odds ratio (OR), 3.57; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 2.4-5.3], rs6449182 GG (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 2.36-11.5), and rs1800561 CT (OR, 6.72; 95% CI, 1.5-30.1), although no homozygous rs1800561 TT genotype was detected in either study. These results were confirmed in study B, which showed an association between B-CLL and genotypes rs6449182 CG (OR, 4.00; 95% CI, 2.7-6.0), rs6449182 GG (OR, 12.84; 95% CI, 4.3-38.7), and rs1800561 CT (OR, 10.12; 95% CI, 1.3-81.6), and in the combined analysis of both studies. We also observed that rs6449182 G carriers had more advanced clinical stage (P = 0.002) and tended to be younger at diagnosis (P = 0.056). Furthermore, we found higher CD38 transcript levels and higher proportions of CD38-positive cells in carriers of rs6449182 G and rs1800561 T alleles (P &lt; 0.05 for all comparisons). In conclusion, our data show that CD38 SNPs may affect CD38 expression and contribute to the increased risk of B-CLL carcinogenesis. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(3):945–53)
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Cancer Survival in New Zealand: The Role of Extent of Disease at Diagnosis
Authors: Jeffreys Mona , Sarfati Diana , Stevanovic Vladimir , Tobias Martin , Lewis Chris , Pearce Neil , Blakely Tony 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
We examined socioeconomic inequalities in cancer survival in New Zealand among 132,006 people ages 15 to 99 years who had a cancer registered (1994-2003) and were followed up to 2004. Relative survival rates (RSR) were calculated using deprivation-specific life tables. A census-based measure of socioeconomic position (New Zealand deprivation based on the 1996 census) based on residence at the time of cancer registration was used. All RSRs were age-standardized, and further standardization was used to investigate the effect of extent of disease at diagnosis on survival. Weighted linear regression was used to estimate the deprivation gap (slope index of inequality) between the most and least deprived cases. Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer survival were evident for all of the major cancer sites, with the deprivation gap being particularly high for prostate (−0.15), kidney and uterus (both −0.14), bladder (−0.12), colorectum (−0.10), and brain (+0.10). Accounting for extent of disease explained some of the inequalities in survival from breast and colorectal cancer and melanoma and all of the deprivation gaps in survival of cervical cancer; however, it did not affect RSRs for cancers of the kidney, uterus, and brain. No substantial differences between the total compared with the non-Māori population were found, indicating that the findings were not due to confounding by ethnicity. In summary, socioeconomic disparities in survival were consistent for nearly all cancer sites, persisted in ethnic-specific analyses, and were only partially explained by differential extent of disease at diagnosis. Further investigation of reasons for persisting inequalities is required. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(3):915–21)
Progressive Commercial Cigarette Yield Reduction: Biochemical Exposure and Behavioral Assessment
Authors: Benowitz Neal L. , Dains Katherine M. , Hall Sharon M. , Stewart Susan , Wilson Margaret , Dempsey Delia , Jacob Peyton 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Background: Mandated reduction of exposure to nicotine and other cigarette toxins has been proposed as a possible national regulatory strategy. However, tapering using lower yield commercial cigarettes may not be effective in reducing nicotine or tar exposure due to compensatory smoking behavior. We examined the effects of gradual reduction of nicotine yield in commercial cigarettes on smoking behavior, with an assessment of nicotine intake and exposure to tobacco smoke toxins.
Methods: This 10-week longitudinal study of 20 smokers involved smoking the usual brand followed by different brands with progressively lower machine-determined yields, ranging from 0.9 to 0.1 mg nicotine, each smoked for 1 week. Subjects were followed for 4 weeks after returning to smoking the usual brand (or quitting). Smoking behaviors, biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure, and cardiovascular effects were measured.
Findings: Cotinine and other biomarkers of smoke exposure remained unchanged comparing the usual brand with the 0.4 mg nicotine brands. A 30% to 40% decrease in nicotine, carbon monoxide, and carcinogen exposure comparing 0.1 mg nicotine cigarettes with baseline was observed. Self-efficacy was significantly increased and dependence decreased after tapering.
Implications: We confirm prior cross-sectional population and experimental studies showing complete compensation for cigarettes down to the 0.4 mg nicotine range. Nicotine and tobacco toxin exposure were substantially reduced while smoking 0.1 mg nicotine cigarettes. Our data suggest that the degree of nicotine dependence of smokers may be lowered with progressive yield tapering. Gradual tapering of smokers from regular to ultralow nicotine yield commercial cigarettes might facilitate smoking cessation and warrants future research. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(3):876–83)
Yield of Claims Data and Surveys for Determining Colon Cancer Screening among Health Plan Members
Authors: Pignone Michael , Scott Tracy L. , Schild Laura A. , Lewis Carmen , Vázquez Raquel , Glanz Karen 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Screening can reduce incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer but has been underutilized. Efforts to increase screening depend on accurate data about screening status. We sought to evaluate the independent and combined yield of claims and direct survey for identifying colorectal cancer screening among average-risk health plan beneficiaries. Participants were Aetna members ages between 52 and 80 years from 32 primary care practices in Florida and Georgia participating in the Communicating Health Options through Information and Cancer Education study. Main outcomes were the proportion of average-risk patients who were up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening based on claims data and the estimated additional yield of survey data for patients with no evidence of screening in their claims history. Of 4,020 average-risk members identified, claims data indicated that 1,066 (27%) had recent colorectal cancer screening. Among the 1,269 average-risk members with no evidence of screening by claims data who returned surveys, 498 (39%) reported being up-to-date with screening. Combining claims data and survey data and accounting for survey nonresponse, we estimate that 47% to 59% of member patients were actually up-to-date with screening, an additional yield of 20 to 32 percentage points. We conclude that, among health plan members, the combination of claims data and survey information had substantially higher yield than claims data alone for identifying colorectal cancer screening. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(3):726–31)
Effect of Population Trends in Body Mass Index on Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the United States
Authors: Fesinmeyer Megan Dann , Gulati Roman , Zeliadt Steve , Weiss Noel , Kristal Alan R. , Etzioni Ruth 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Concurrent with increasing prostate cancer incidence and declining prostate cancer mortality in the United States, the prevalence of obesity has been increasing steadily. Several studies have reported that obesity is associated with increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer and prostate cancer mortality, and it is thus likely that the increase in obesity has increased the burden of prostate cancer. In this study, we assess the potential effect of increasing obesity on prostate cancer incidence and mortality. We first estimate obesity-associated relative risks of low- and high-grade prostate cancer using data from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. Then, using obesity prevalence data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and prostate cancer incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, we convert annual grade-specific prostate cancer incidence rates into incidence rates conditional on weight category. Next, we combine the conditional incidence rates with the 1980 prevalence rates for each weight category to project annual grade-specific incidence under 1980 obesity levels. We use a simulation model based on observed survival and mortality data to translate the effects of obesity trends on prostate cancer incidence into effects on disease-specific mortality. The predicted increase in obesity prevalence since 1980 increased high-grade prostate cancer incidence by 15.5% and prostate cancer mortality by between 7.0% (under identical survival for obese and nonobese cases) and 23.0% (under different survival for obese and nonobese cases) in 2002. We conclude that increasing obesity prevalence since 1980 has partially obscured declines in prostate cancer mortality. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(3):808–15)