bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coexisting Cerebral Infarction in Alzheimer's Disease Is Associated with Fast Dementia Progression: Applying the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke/Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement en Neurosciences Neuroimaging Criteria in Alzheimer's Disease with Concomitant Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Sheng Bun , Cheng Lik Fai , Law Chun Bon , Li Ho Lun , Yeung Kwan Mo , Lau Kwok Kwong 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and coexisting cerebral infarction (CI) that satisfy the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke/Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement en Neurosciences (NINDS‐AIREN) neuroimaging criteria for vascular dementia (VaD) progress faster than those who do not satisfy the neuroimaging criteria.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.SETTING: Multidisciplinary memory clinic in a tertiary hospital.PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty consecutive patients with AD, with or without CI, followed up regularly for more than 1 year.MEASUREMENTS: The patients were classified according to the distribution and severity of CI as defined according to the NINDS‐AIREN neuroimaging criteria into those with AD and no CI (AD‐N), those with AD and CI not fulfilling neuroimaging criteria (AD‐I), and those with AD and CI fulfilling neuroimaging criteria (AD‐V), and their differences in dementia progression were tested. The loss of independence, indicated by institution admission or a clinical dementia rating (CDR) score of 3, was defined as the endpoint for a poor outcome.RESULTS: The mean age was 75.8, and 68.5% were women. The initial Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 15.3±0.4, and the average duration of follow up was 30.4 months. Fifty‐four patients had reached study endpoint at the time of analysis. AD‐V (hazard ratio (HR)=3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2–8.2), use of psychotropic drugs (HR=2.7, 95% CI=1.1–6.4), and initial MMSE score (HR=0.9, 95% CI=0.8–1.0) were independent predictors of poor outcome in the Cox regression model.CONCLUSION: In AD, co‐occurrence of CI with distribution and severity as defined in the NINDS‐AIREN neuroimaging criteria for VaD is associated with faster dementia progression.
The Effect of Age on Short‐Term Outcomes After Abdominal Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Richter Holly E. , Goode Patricia S. , Kenton Kim , Brown Morton B. , Burgio Kathryn L. , Kreder Karl , Moalli Pamela , Wright E. James , Weber Anne M. ,   for the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES: To compare perioperative morbidity and 1‐year outcomes of older and younger women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP).DESIGN: Prospective ancillary analysis.SETTING: Academic medical centers in National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Study.PARTICIPANTS: Women with POP and no symptoms of stress incontinence.INTERVENTION: Abdominal sacrocolpopexy with randomization to receive Burch colposuspension for treatment of possible occult incontinence or not.MEASUREMENTS: Perioperative complications and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification and quality‐of‐life (QOL) questionnaires (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, and Medical Outcomes Study Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 6 weeks and 3 and 12 months postoperatively).RESULTS: Three hundred twenty‐two women aged 31 to 82 (21% aged ≥70), 93% white. Older women had higher baseline comorbidity (P<.001) and more severe POP (P=.003). Controlling for prolapse stage and whether Burch was performed, there were no age differences in complication rates. Older women had longer hospital stays (3.1±1.0 vs 2.7±1.5 days, P=.02) and higher prevalence of incontinence at 6 weeks (54.7% vs 37.2%, P=.005). At 3 and 12 months, there were no differences in self‐reported incontinence, stress testing for incontinence, or prolapse stage. Improvements from baseline were significant on all QOL measures but with no age differences.CONCLUSION: Outcomes of prolapse surgery were comparable between older and younger women except that older women had slightly longer hospital stays.
Underperformance in Affluence: The Remarkable Relative Decline in U.S. Heights in the Second Half of the 20th Century*
Authors: Komlos John , Lauderdale Benjamin E. 
Published: May 2007

Objective. We use the complete set of NHES and NHANES data collected between 1959 and 2004 in order to construct trends for the physical stature of the non‐Hispanic white and black U.S. adult population and compare them to those of western and northern Europeans.Method. Regression analysis is used to estimate the trend in U.S. heights stratified by gender and ethnicity, holding income and educational attainment constant.Results. U.S. heights stabilized at mid‐century and a two‐decade period of stagnation set in with the birth cohorts 1955–1974, concurrent with continual rapid increases in heights in western and northern Europe. Americans had been the tallest in the world for (more than) two centuries until World War II, but by the end of the 20th century fell behind many European populations. Only since the most recent birth cohorts 1975–1983 is some gain apparent among whites but not among blacks. The relationship between height and income and between height and educational attainment has not changed appreciably over time for either men or women.Conclusion. We conjecture that the U.S. health‐care system, as well as the relatively weak welfare safety net, might be why human growth in the United States has not performed as well in relative terms as one would expect on the basis of income alone. The comparative pattern bears some similarly to that of life expectancy insofar as the United States is also lagging behind in that respect.
Effects of a Poverty Intervention Policy Demonstration on Parenting and Child Behavior: A Test of the Direction of Effects*
Authors: Epps Sylvia R. , Huston Aletha C. 
Published: May 2007

Objectives. This study compares two explanations for the effects of an employment‐based anti‐poverty intervention, the New Hope project, on parenting and child behavior. (1) Did the New Hope intervention directly affect child behavior and, if it did, is this the result of New Hope effects on earlier parenting practices? (2) Did the New Hope intervention directly affect parenting practices and, if it did, is this the result of New Hope effects on earlier child behavior?Methods. Assessments were collected two and five years after parents were randomly assigned to participate in New Hope or in a control group. The two models were tested using Baron and Kenny's (1986) recommendations for regression to test mediation.Results. The results support the second research question, but only for boys; neither model was supported for girls. New Hope led to increased positive behavior and reduced behavior problems for boys after two years; children's behavior accounted for experimental effects on parents' reports of their parenting behaviors after five years.Conclusions. Employment‐based interventions designed for low‐income parents can affect children directly; expanding such programs may help improve children's life chances.
Whose Risk in Philadelphia? Proximity to Unequally Hazardous Industrial Facilities*
Authors: Sicotte Diane , Swanson Samantha 
Published: May 2007

Objective. Few researchers have investigated who lives near the worst polluting facilities. In this study, we test for disparate impact from hazardous industrial and infrastructure facilities on racial/ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged, the working class, and manufacturing workers in the nine‐county Philadelphia MSA.Methods. Hazard Scores for Philadelphia‐area facilities in EPA's Risk‐Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) database were calculated and facilities mapped onto Census block group maps. One‐kilometer buffer zones around facilities were created and intersected with Census data on population inside and outside buffers. After correcting for spatial autocorrelation, we tested for relationships between Hazard Scores and characteristics of people near facilities using multivariate regression.Results. Hazard Scores rose along with percents black, Hispanic, disadvantaged, and employed in manufacturing in some (but not all) counties.Conclusions. Among those living near polluting facilities, minorities, the poor, and manufacturing workers lived near the most hazardous, constituting a disparate impact on these groups.
TRI to Communicate: Public Knowledge of the Federal Toxics Release Inventory*
Authors: Atlas Mark 
Published: May 2007

Objective. Investigate public knowledge and use of information from the U.S. Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the most internationally prominent and well‐regarded environmental information program, providing industrial facility chemical release and transfer data since 1989.Method. Three‐phase survey panel of 1,292 people in two counties.Results. Only very small percentages recalled, without prompting, TRI or recognized it when it was mentioned. Only minuscule percentages recalled TRI facility names when asked for local facilities using hazardous chemicals. Respondents did not recognize most local TRI facilities or know if they used hazardous chemicals. Very few who were aware of TRI information obtained it from the sources Congress intended. Finally, when provided with TRI information, many respondents did not review it and virtually no one took any action.Conclusions. These results raise concerns about the TRI program's effectiveness in enhancing public knowledge of nearby industrial facilities using hazardous chemicals.
Does Relationship Lending Still Matter in the Consumer Banking Sector? Evidence from the Automobile Loan Market*
Authors: Holmes Jessica , Isham Jonathan , Petersen Ryan , Sommers Paul M. 
Published: May 2007

Objective. This article examines the role of relationship lending in the automobile loan market at a community development credit union (CDCU) and at a traditional community bank.Method. Data collected from actual car loan applications are used in a probit analysis to estimate the importance of selected demographic, financial, and loan‐specific variables on the probability of loan approval at the two types of financial institutions.Results. We first show that the community bank relies on credit scoring, not relationship lending. Relationship lending is, however, a critical factor in the loan decision at the CDCU. Low‐income households with strong ties to the CDCU are likely to receive loans, despite poor credit histories.Conclusions. If consolidation, deregulation, and technology move mainstream financial institutions away from relationship lending and toward credit scoring, CDCUs will occupy an increasingly critical niche for low‐income households.
Focal Atrial Tachycardia Originating from the Left Atrial Appendage: Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiologic Characterization and Long‐Term Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: YUN‐LONG WANG , XUE‐BIN LI , XIN QUAN , JIN‐XIN MA , PING ZHANG , YUAN XU , HAI‐CHENG ZHANG , JI‐HONG GUO 
Published: May 2007

Introduction: This study sought to investigate electrophysiologic characteristics and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with focal atrial tachycardia (AT) arising from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Methods: This study included seven patients undergoing RFA with focal AT. Activation mapping was performed during tachycardia to identify an earlier activation in the left atria and the LAA. The atrial appendage angiography was performed to identify the origin in the LAA before and after RFA. Results: AT occurred spontaneously or was induced by isoproterenol infusion rather than programmed extrastimulation and burst atrial pacing in any patient. The tachycardia demonstrated a characteristic P‐wave morphology and endocardial activation pattern. The P wave was highly positive in inferior leads in all patients. Lead V1 showed upright or biphasic (±) component in all patients. Lead V2–V6 showed an isoelectric component in five patients or an upright component with low amplitude (<0.1 mV) in two patients. Earliest endocardial activity occurred at the distal coronary sinus (CS) ahead of P wave in all seven patients. Mean tachycardia cycle length was 381 ± 34 msec and the earliest endocardial activation at the successful RFA site occurred 42.3 ± 9.6 msec before the onset of P wave. RFA was acutely successful in all seven patients. Long‐term success was achieved in seven of the seven over a mean follow‐up of 24 ± 5 months. Conclusions: The LAA is an uncommon site of origin for focal AT (3%). There were consistent P‐wave morphology and endocardial activation associated with this type of AT. The LAA focal ablation is safe and effective. Long‐term success was achieved with focal ablation in all patients.
Treatment of a commercial, machined surface titanium implant with H2SO4/H2O2 enhances contact osteogenesis
Authors: Tavares Marconi Gonzaga , Tambasco de Oliveira Paulo , Nanci Antonio , Hawthorne Ana Carolina , Rosa Adalberto Luiz , Xavier Samuel Porfírio 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: It has recently been reported that controlled chemical oxidation of titanium (Ti) with sulfuric acid (H2SO4)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) significantly influences the early stages of in vitro osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this chemical treatment can also influence in vivo bone formation.Material and methods: Ti implants (Mk III) were etched with H2SO4/H2O2 for 4 h at room temperature. Mandibular premolars were extracted in eight dogs and, after 3 months, three treated and three untreated implants were placed in each animal. At 3 and 8 weeks postimplantation, the animals were sacrificed, and the implants with surrounding bone were harvested, fixed with formaldehyde, and processed for embedding in LR White. Sections of bone with the implants were prepared, stained with Stevenel's blue and Alizarin red, and analyzed histomorphometrically for percentage of bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC), percentage of mineralized bone area between threads (BABT), and percentage of mineralized bone area within the mirror area (BAMA). Data were analyzed statistically using two‐way analysis of variance.Results: Treated implants exhibited significantly more (P<0.05) BIC than control, untreated ones both at 3 (68.1% vs. 27.9%) and 8 weeks (73.5% vs. 14.7%) postimplantation. However, there was no difference in the BABT and BAMA. Histological analysis confirmed that, in most cases, new bone in contact with the implant formed in a direction away from it.Conclusions: These data indicate that a controlled chemical oxidation of Ti implants significantly enhances contact osteogenesis and suggest that this treatment may be beneficial for early loading of implants.
Computer‐guided flapless placement and immediate loading of four conical screw‐type implants in the edentulous mandible
Authors: Wittwer Gert , Adeyemo Wasiu Lanre , Wagner Arne , Enislidis Georg 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome of computer‐guided flapless placement and immediate loading of four conical screw‐type implants in the interforaminal region.Patients and methods:From May to August 2003, 25 consecutive patients (m : f=16 : 9) with edentulous mandibles were included in the study. After transmucosal drilling with computer‐assisted navigation, four implants were placed in the interforaminal region. The lower dentures were converted and implants immediately loaded.Results:One‐hundred implants were successfully placed. In two patients, all implants had to be submerged because of insufficient primary stability of one of the implants; another patient declined to receive immediate loading of implants after surgery and was lost to follow‐up. During follow‐up of the remaining 22 patients with 88 immediately loaded implants, loosening of four implants (4.5%) was seen in three patients. In these cases, immediate loading was terminated and all implants submerged; subsequently, two implants were lost in one patient, while the other two implants re‐osseointegrated. The cumulative survival and success rates of immediately loaded implants were 97.7% after 2 years. Prosthetic success was 100%.Conclusion:Transmucosal computer‐assisted placement and immediate loading of mandibular implants is a high‐end approach to edentulism that provides excellent results while being minimally invasive.
Informatic and genomic analysis of melanocyte cDNA libraries as a resource for the study of melanocyte development and function
Authors: Baxter Laura L. , Hsu Benjamin J. , Umayam Lowell , Wolfsberg Tyra G. , Larson Denise M. , Frith Martin C. , Kawai Jun , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Carninci Piero , Pavan William J. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryAs part of the RIKEN mouse encyclopedia project, two cDNA libraries were prepared from melanocyte‐derived cell lines, using techniques of full‐length clone selection and subtraction/normalization to enrich for rare transcripts. End sequencing showed that these libraries display over 83% complete coding sequence at the 5′ end and 96–97% complete coding sequence at the 3′ end. Evaluation of the libraries, derived from B16F10Y tumor cells and melan‐c cells, revealed that they contain clones for a majority of the genes previously demonstrated to function in melanocyte biology. Analysis of genomic locations for transcripts revealed that the distribution of melanocyte genes is non‐random throughout the genome. Three genomic regions identified that showed significant clustering of melanocyte‐expressed genes contain one or more genes previously shown to regulate melanocyte development or function. A catalog of genes expressed in these libraries is presented, providing a valuable resource of cDNA clones and sequence information that can be used for identification of new genes important for melanocyte development, function, and disease.
Evolutionary sequence comparison of the Mitf gene reveals novel conserved domains
Authors: Hallsson Jón Hallsteinn , Haflidadóttir Benedikta S. , Schepsky Alexander , Arnheiter Heinz , Steingrímsson Eiríkur 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is a member of the MYC family of basic helix–loop–helix leucine zipper transcription factors. The corresponding gene was initially discovered in the mouse based on mutations which affect the development of several different cell types, including melanocytes and retinal pigment epithelium cells. Subsequently, it was shown to be associated with deafness and hypo‐pigmentation disorders in humans. More recently, the gene has been shown to be critical in melanoma formation and to play a role in melanocyte stem cell maintenance. Thus, the mouse Mitf gene represents an important model system for the study of human disease as well as an interesting model for the study of transcription factor function in the organism. Here we use the evolutionary relationship of Mitf genes from numerous distantly related species, including vertebrates and invertebrates, to identify novel conserved domains in the Mitf protein and regions of possible functional importance in the 3′ untranslated region. We also characterize the nine different 5′ exons of the Mitf gene and identify a new 5′ exon in the Drosophila Mitf gene. Our analysis sheds new light on the conservation of the Mitf gene and protein and opens the door for further functional analysis.
Decrease in the number and apoptosis of alveolar bone osteoclasts in estrogen‐treated rats
Authors: Faloni A. P. S. , Sasso‐Cerri E. , Katchburian E. , Cerri P. S. 
Published: May 2007

Background and Objective:  Bone is a mineralized tissue that is under the influence of several systemic, local and environmental factors. Among systemic factors, estrogen is a hormone well known for its inhibitory function on bone resorption. As alveolar bone of young rats undergoes continuous and intense remodeling to accommodate the growing and erupting tooth, it is a suitable in vivo model for using to study the possible action of estrogen on bone. Thus, in an attempt to investigate the possibility that estrogen may induce the death of osteoclasts, we examined the alveolar bone of estrogen‐treated rats.Material and Methods:  Fifteen, 22‐d‐old female rats were divided into estrogen, sham and control groups. The estrogen group received estrogen and the sham group received corn oil used as the dilution vehicle. After 8 d, fragments containing alveolar bone were removed and processed for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)–an osteoclast marker. Quantitative analysis of the number of TRAP‐positive osteoclasts per mm of bone surface was carried out. For detecting apoptosis, sections were analyzed by the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP Nick‐End Labeling (TUNEL) method; TUNEL/TRAP combined methods were also used.Results:  The number of TRAP‐positive osteoclasts per mm of bone surface was significantly reduced in the estrogen group compared with the sham and control groups. TRAP‐positive osteoclasts exhibiting TUNEL‐positive nuclei were observed only in the estrogen group. In addition, in the estrogen group the ultrastructural images revealed shrunken osteoclasts exhibiting nuclei with conspicuous and tortuous masses of condensed chromatin, typical of apoptosis.Conclusion:  Our results reinforce the idea that estrogen inhibits bone resorption by promoting a reduction in the number of osteoclasts, thus indicating that this reduction may be, at least in part, a consequence of osteoclast apoptosis.
Serum Cytokine Levels of Interleukin‐1β, ‐6, ‐8, Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Tamoxifen and Supplemented with Co‐Enzyme Q10, Riboflavin and Niacin
Authors: Premkumar Vummidi Giridhar , Yuvaraj Srinivasan , Vijayasarathy Kothandaraman , Gangadaran Sitthu Govindaswamy Dinakaran , Sachdanandam Panchanatham 
Published: May 2007

Abstract: The prognostic significance of supplementing co‐enzyme Q10(CoQ10), riboflavin and niacin (CoRN) along with tamoxifen to breast cancer patients was evaluated by measuring the serum cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and vascular endothelial growth factor. In the present study, 84 breast cancer patients were randomized to receive a daily supplement of CoQ10100 mg, riboflavin 10 mg and niacin 50 mg, one dosage per day along with tamoxifen 10 mg twice a day. Serum cytokine levels were elevated in untreated breast cancer patients (Group II) and significantly reduced after tamoxifen therapy for more than 1 year (Group III). When group III breast cancer patients were supplemented with CoRN for 45 days (Group IV) and 90 days (Group V) along with tamoxifen, a significant reduction in cytokine levels were observed (P < 0.05). Such a decrease in serum cytokine levels after CoRN supplementation in breast cancer patients may suggest good prognosis and efficacy of the treatment, and might even offer protection from metastases and recurrence of cancer.