bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in the utilization of health-care services among the older adult population of Spain
Authors: Redondo-Sendino Áurea , Guallar-Castillón Pilar , Banegas José Ramón , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Compared to men, women report greater morbidity and make greater use of health-care services. This study examines potential determinants of gender differences in the utilization of health-care services among the elderly.

Methods
Cross-sectional study covering 3030 subjects, representative of the non-institutionalized Spanish population aged 60 years and over. Potential determinants of gender differences in the utilization of health services were classified into predisposing factors (age and head-of-family status), need factors (lifestyles, chronic diseases, functional status, cognitive deficit and health-related quality of life (HRQL)) and enabling factors (educational level, marital status, head-of-family employment status and social network). Relative differences in the use of each service between women and men were summarized using odds ratios (OR), obtained from logistic regression. The contribution of the variables of interest to the gender differences in the use of such services was evaluated by comparing the OR before and after adjustment for such variables.

Results
As compared to men, a higher percentage of women visited a medical practitioner (OR: 1.24; 95% confidence limits (CL): 1.07–1.44), received home medical visits (OR: 1.67; 95% CL: 1.34–2.10) and took ≥3 medications (OR: 1.54; 95% CL: 1.34–1.79), but there were no gender differences in hospital admission or influenza vaccination. Adjustment for need or enabling factors led to a reduction in the OR of women compared to men for utilization of a number of services studied. On adjusting for the number of chronic diseases, the OR (95% CL) of women versus men for ingestion of ≥3 medications was 1.24 (1.06–1.45). After adjustment for HRQL, the OR was 1.03 (0.89–1.21) for visits to medical practitioners, 1.24 (0.98–1.58) for home medical visits, 0.71 (0.58–0.87) for hospitalization, and 1.14 (0.97–1.33) for intake of ≥3 medications. After adjustment for the number of chronic diseases and HRQL, the OR of hospitalization among women versus men was 0.68 (0.56–0.84).

Conclusion
The factors that best explain the greater utilization of health-care services by elderly women versus men are the number of chronic diseases and HRQL. For equal need, certain inequality was observed in hospital admission, in that it proved less frequent among women.
Alterations in regional vascular geometry produced by theoretical stent implantation influence distributions of wall shear stress: analysis of a curved coronary artery using 3D computational fluid dynamics modeling
Authors: LaDisa John F , Olson Lars E , Douglas Hettrick A , Warltier David C , Kersten Judy R , Pagel Paul S 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
The success of stent implantation in the restoration of blood flow through areas of vascular narrowing is limited by restenosis. Several recent studies have suggested that the local geometric environment created by a deployed stent may influence regional blood flow characteristics and alter distributions of wall shear stress (WSS) after implantation, thereby rendering specific areas of the vessel wall more susceptible to neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis. Stents are most frequently implanted in curved vessels such as the coronary arteries, but most computational studies examining blood flow patterns through stented vessels conducted to date use linear, cylindrical geometric models. It appears highly probable that restenosis occurring after stent implantation in curved arteries also occurs as a consequence of changes in fluid dynamics that are established immediately after stent implantation.

Methods
In the current investigation, we tested the hypothesis that acute changes in stent-induced regional geometry influence distributions of WSS using 3D coronary artery CFD models implanted with stents that either conformed to or caused straightening of the primary curvature of the left anterior descending coronary artery. WSS obtained at several intervals during the cardiac cycle, time averaged WSS, and WSS gradients were calculated using conventional techniques.

Results
Implantation of a stent that causes straightening, rather than conforms to the natural curvature of the artery causes a reduction in the radius of curvature and subsequent increase in the Dean number within the stented region. This straightening leads to modest skewing of the velocity profile at the inlet and outlet of the stented region where alterations in indices of WSS are most pronounced. For example, time-averaged WSS in the proximal portion of the stent ranged from 8.91 to 11.7 dynes/cm2 along the pericardial luminal surface and 4.26 to 4.88 dynes/cm2 along the myocardial luminal surface of curved coronary arteries as compared to 8.31 dynes/cm2 observed throughout the stented region of a straight vessel implanted with an equivalent stent.

Conclusion
The current results predicting large spatial and temporal variations in WSS at specific locations in curved arterial 3D CFD simulations are consistent with clinically observed sites of restenosis. If the findings of this idealized study translate to the clinical situation, the regional geometry established immediately after stent implantation may predispose portions of the stented vessel to a higher risk of neointimal hyperplasia and subsequent restenosis.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Survival in Older Women With Hormone Receptor–Negative Breast Cancer: Assessing Outcome in a Population-Based, Observational Cohort
Authors: Elkin Elena B. , Hurria Arti , Mitra Nandita , Schrag Deborah , Panageas Katherine S. 
Published: June 2006

Purpose For older breast cancer patients, there is limited evidence of the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy from randomized clinical trials. Our goal wastoassess the relationship between adjuvant chemotherapy use and survival in a large, population-based cohort of older women with hormone receptor (HR) –negative breast cancer. Methods We identified women age 66 and older diagnosed with HR-negative, nonmetastatic breast cancer from 1992 to 1999 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registries. Chemotherapy use was identified in Medicare claims linked to SEER records. Clinical and sociodemographic predictors of chemotherapy use were identified using logistic regression. The effect of chemotherapy on survival was evaluated using propensity score methods and multivariable proportional hazards regression. Results A total of 1,711 (34%) of 5,081 women with HR-negative breast cancer received chemotherapy within 6 months of cancer diagnosis. Chemotherapy use decreased with increasing age and comorbidity, and increased with year of diagnosis, tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, and higher tumor grade. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a mortality reduction of approximately 15% whether analyzed using propensity scores or standard multivariable methods. The greatest overall survival benefit was observed in patients with node-positive disease and in the node-negative patients most likely to receive chemotherapy. Conclusion This analysis suggests a survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with HR-negative breast cancer. The benefit of chemotherapy is most pronounced in the patients most likely to be selected for treatment, including those with involved lymph nodes or other high-risk disease characteristics.
End-of-Life Decisions Among Cancer Patients Compared With Noncancer Patients in Flanders, Belgium
Authors: Van den Block Lieve , Bilsen Johan , Deschepper Reginald , Van Der Kelen Greta , Bernheim Jan L. , Deliens Luc 
Published: June 2006

Purpose Incidence studies reported more end-of-life decisions with possible/certain life-shortening effect (ELDs) among cancer patients than among noncancer patients. These studies did not correct for the different proportions of sudden/unexpected deaths of cancer versus noncancer patients, which could have biased the results. We investigated incidences and characteristics of ELDs among nonsudden cancer and noncancer deaths. Methods We sampled 5,005 certificates of all deaths in 2001 (Flanders, Belgium) stratified for ELD likelihood. Questionnaires were mailed to the certifying physicians. Data were corrected for stratification and nonresponse. Results The response rate was 59%. Among 2,128 nonsudden deaths included, ELDs occurred in 74% of cancer versus 50% of noncancer patients (P < .001). Symptom alleviation with possible life-shortening effect occurred more frequently among cancer patients (P < .001); nontreatment decisions occurred less frequently (P < .001). The higher incidence of lethal drug use among cancer patients did not hold after correcting for patient age. Half of the cancer patients who died after an ELD were incompetent to make decisions compared with 76% of noncancer patients (P < .001). Discussion with patients and relatives was similar in both groups. In one fifth of all patients the ELD was not discussed. Conclusion ELDs are common in nonsudden deaths. The different incidences for symptom alleviation with possible life-shortening effect and nontreatment decisions among cancer versus noncancer patients may be related to differences in dying trajectories and in timely recognition of patient needs. The end-of-life decision-making process is similar for both groups: consultation of patients and relatives can be improved in a significant minority of patients.
Celecoxib Versus Placebo for Men With Prostate Cancer and a Rising Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen After Radical Prostatectomy and/or Radiation Therapy
Authors: Smith Matthew R. , Manola Judith , Kaufman Donald S. , Oh William K. , Bubley Glenn J. , Kantoff Philip W. 
Published: June 2006

Purpose To assess the biologic activity of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in men with recurrent prostate cancer using change in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT) as the primary outcome variable. Patients and Methods Participants had histologically confirmed prostate cancer, no recent hormone therapy, rising serum PSA after radical prostatectomy and/or radiation therapy, and no radiographic evidence of metastases. Patients were randomly assigned to celecoxib (400 mg by mouth twice daily) or placebo. Treatment continued until disease progression or until adverse effects stopped treatment. A positive outcome was defined as post-treatment PSADT of more than 200% baseline PSADT with no new metastases. Results The study was terminated early after information about the cardiovascular safety of celecoxib prompted review of ongoing clinical studies. Before discontinuation of the study, 78 men were assigned randomly to either celecoxib or placebo. Eight (20%) of 40 men in the placebo group and 15 (40%) of 38 men in the celecoxib group had post-treatment PSADT of more than 200% of baseline PSADT with no new metastases (P = .08). Mean PSA velocity increased by 3.0% for the placebo group and decreased by 3.4% for the celecoxib group (P = .02). Conclusion Although the primary efficacy objective was not met, this study provides some evidence for biologic activity of celecoxib in prostate cancer. Compared with placebo, celecoxib significantly decreased mean PSA velocity and tended to increase the proportion of men who doubled their PSADT.
Predicting Tissue HER2 Status Using Serum HER2 Levels in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Kong Sun-Young , Nam Byung-Ho , Lee Keun Seok , Kwon Youngmee , Lee Eun Sook , Seong Moon-Woo , Lee Do Hoon , Ro Jungsil 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) are reliable ways to identify overexpression or amplification of the HER-2/neu (HER2, symbol ERBB2) gene, but each technique requires a high-quality tissue sample, which may not be available. We investigated whether serum concentrations of the HER2 extracellular domain (ECD) can be used as an alternative to tissue HER2 status in metastatic breast cancer, and we defined an optimal decision-level concentration of serum HER2 for prediction of tissue HER2 status.Methods: In 195 patients with metastatic breast cancer, we determined HER2 expression by IHC and performed FISH analysis on tumors for which IHC staining was graded as 2+. We measured serum HER2 by immunoassay and used ROC curve analysis to determine optimal serum HER2 ECD concentrations for differentiation between positive and negative HER2 status.Results: IHC results were 0/1+ for 30 (15%) of the patients, 2+ for 89 (46%), and 3+ for 76 (39%). FISH revealed HER2 amplification in 19 (21%) of the IHC 2+ tumors. Mean (SE) serum HER2 ECD was 22.2 (5.1) μg/L in the tissue HER2-negative group, significantly lower than the concentration of 363 (96) μg/L in the tissue HER2-positive group (P &lt;0.0001). ROC curve analysis showed 95% specificity and 62% sensitivity for tissue HER2 positivity at 37 μg/L of serum HER2.Conclusion: To use serum HER2 concentration as an alternative to direct determination of tissue HER2 status, we suggest 37 μg/L as a cutoff for predicting positive tissue HER2 with 95% specificity. Sensitivity, however, is low.
Establishment of detailed reference values for luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, and progesterone during different phases of the menstrual cycle on the Abbott ARCHITECT® analyzer
Authors: Stricker Reto , Eberhart Raphael , Chevailler Marie-Christine , Quinn Frank A. , Bischof Paul , Stricker René 
Published: June 2006

AbstractDuring a normal menstrual cycle, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and progesterone can vary widely between cycles for the same woman, as well as between different woman. Reliable reference values based on the local population are important for correct interpretation of laboratory results. The purpose of our study was to determine detailed reference values for these hormones throughout the menstrual cycle using the Abbott ARCHITECT system. From 20 volunteers (age 20–36years) with normal cycles and no use of oral contraceptives, samples were taken every day during their cycle. Volunteers received three vaginal ultrasound examinations (days 10 and 13, and 1 or 2days after ovulation) to measure follicular and corpus luteum development. Hormone levels were measured using the corresponding ARCHITECT assay and were synchronized to the LH peak. Median, and 5th and 95th percentile values were determined for each day of the cycle, as well as for early follicular (days −15 to −6), late follicular (days −5 to −1), LH peak (day 0), early luteal (+1 to +4), mid-luteal (days +5 to +9), and late luteal (days +10 to +14) phases of the cycle. Based on our data, we were able to establish detailed reference values for LH, FSH, estradiol, and progesterone, which should aid in the interpretation of results for these reproductive hormones in a variety of circumstances.Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:883–7.
The Economics of Global Food Security
Authors: Tweeten Luther 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis article outlines a food security synthesis: that food insecurity traces to poverty, that poverty must be addressed by economic development, and that economic development flows from application of the standard model that is now mainstream economics. Food‐insecure countries do not follow the standard model; their policies for agriculture and other sectors deter development. Reasons lie in institutions such as government and in attitudes. The economics of food security is straightforward. The challenge of food security for our time is for economists to work with others regarding socioinstitutional changes essential for proven policies and practices to supply adequate diets.
Differences between Farmer and Agency Attitudes Regarding Policies to Reduce Phosphorus Pollution in the Minnesota River Basin
Authors: McCann Laura M. J. , Easter K. William 
Published: June 2006

AbstractFarmers and agency staff were surveyed regarding their opinions on alternative policies to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution in the Minnesota River. Farmers were also asked about their land and nutrient management practices. The information was used to examine determinants of policy preferences. For agency staff, farmer resistance and administrative or transaction costs were more important than farmer costs. Both agency staff and farmers indicated that their preferred policy was a requirement for conservation tillage on highly erodible land. Changes in how soil test results are reported may have potential to reduce phosphorous applications, as would improved manure management.
How Quality Management Metasystems Are Affecting the Food Industry
Authors: Caswell Julie A. , Bredahl Mary E. , Hooker Neal H. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe future competitiveness of the U.S. food industry depends on its ability to deliver high‐quality products at competitive prices to domestic and international markets. Recent developments in the establishment and operation of quality management metasystems are having important effects on this competitiveness. Their use has the potential to enhance product quality, simplify contractual relationships, demonstrate compliance with regulations, and improve responsiveness to customers. Their use is also requiring novel internal organization and market linkages between firms.
On the way to understand biological complexity in plants: S-nutrition as a case study for systems biology
Authors: Hesse Holger , Hoefgen Rainer 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe establishment of technologies for high-throughput DNA sequencing (genomics), gene expression (transcriptomics), metabolite and ion analysis (metabolomics/ionomics) and protein analysis (proteomics) carries with it the challenge of processing and interpreting the accumulating data sets. Publicly accessible databases and newly development and adapted bioinformatic tools are employed to mine this data in order to filter relevant correlations and create models describing physiological states. These data allow the reconstruction of networks of interactions of the various cellular components as enzyme activities and complexes, gene expression, metabolite pools or pathway flux modes. Especially when merging information from transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics into consistent models, it will be possible to describe and predict the behaviour of biological systems, for example with respect to endogenous or environmental changes. However, to capture the interactions of network elements requires measurements under a variety of conditions to generate or refine existing models. The ultimate goal of systems biology is to understand the molecular principles governing plant responses and consistently explain plant physiology.
Orphan nuclear hormone receptor NR4A1 interacts with HPV16 E2 regulatory protein
Authors: Olejnik-Schmidt Agnieszka , Schmidt Marcin , Goździcka-Józefiak Anna 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe human NR4A1 orphan receptor is a member of the TR3 steroid receptor superfamily, which binds DNA at the NBRE and NurRE responsive elements. The TR3 receptors are involved in the regulation of differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. We report that NR4A1 interacts with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E2 protein — a key papillomavirus regulatory factor. This interaction might be involved in the transcription regulation of the HPV16 genes and the regulation of infected cell homeostasis.
The breakdown of bilayer lipid membranes by dendrimers
Authors: Shcharbin Dzmitry , Drapeza Alexander , Loban Valeri , Lisichenok Alexej , Bryszewska Maria 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe BLM-system for studying the electrophysical properties of bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) was applied to investigate interactions between polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and lipid bilayers. The cationic PAMAM G5 dendrimer effectively disrupted planar phosphatidylcholine membranes, while the hydroxyl PAMAM-OH G5 and carboxyl PAMAM G4.5 dendrimers had no significant effect on them.
Growth hormone therapy and scoliosis in patients with Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Nagai T. , Obata K. , Ogata T. , Murakami N. , Katada Y. , Yoshino A. , Sakazume S. , Tomita Y. , Sakuta R. , Niikawa N. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractGrowth hormone (GH) therapy for short stature in patients with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) has started worldwide, and various favorable effects have been reported. However, the possibility of progression of scoliosis arises as a new problem of the GH therapy. In this study, we analyzed whether 72 patients who have been followed up in our hospital have such a problem. They included 46 males and 26 females (41 patients with the GH therapy and 31 without it) aged from one to 49 years. Consequently, 33 (45.8%) of 72 patients had scoliosis with the Cobb angle of >10 degrees. Twenty (48.8%) of forty‐one patients who received a GH therapy and 13 (41.9%) of 31 patients without the therapy had scoliosis, the frequency of scoliosis between the two groups showing no statistical difference (P = 0.56). Height velocity of scoliotic and non‐scoliotic patients during the first year of the therapy was 8.59 ± 1.92 and 10.70 ± 2.54 cm, respectively, showing a significant difference (P < 0.001). This shows that accelerated height velocity may not induce scoliosis. Comparison of starting age of a GH treatment revealed that non‐scoliotic patients received the therapy earlier than scoliotic patients (P = 0.021). Among 20 scoliotic patients who received the GH therapy, the degree of scoliosis progressed during the therapy in six patients, improved in three and fluctuated in one. Many patients showed progression of scoliosis with age irrespective of the use of GH, and some patients improved their scoliosis during the GH therapy. These findings showed that a GH therapy increases height velocity of PWS patients but does not necessarily develop scoliosis, and early start of the therapy may not be an exacerbating factor of scoliosis. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutational and genotype–phenotype correlation analyses in 28 Polish patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome
Authors: Yan Jiong , Saifi Gulam Mustafa , Wierzba Tomasz H. , Withers Marjorie , Bien‐Willner Gabriel A. , Limon Janusz , Stankiewicz Paweł , Lupski James R. , Wierzba Jolanta 
Published: June 2006

AbstractCornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a multisystem congenital anomaly disorder characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, developmental delay, distinctive facial dysmorphism, limb malformations, and multiple organ defects. Mutations in the NIPBL gene have been discovered recently as a major etiology for this syndrome, and were detected in 27–56% of patients. Two groups have found significant differences in the severity or penetrance of some phenotypes between mutation positive and mutation negative patients. Different clinical features have also been described among patients with missense versus truncating mutations. In this study, we identified 13 NIPBL mutations in 28 unrelated Polish CdLS patients (46.4%), 11 were novel. Mutation positive patients were more severely affected in comparison to mutation negative individuals with respect to weight, height, and mean head circumference at birth, facial dysmorphism and speech impairment. Analyses of combined data from this and the two previous studies revealed that the degree of growth, developmental delay and limb defects showed significant differences between patients with and without mutations and between patients with missense and truncating mutations, whereas only a portion of these features differed significantly in any individual study. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses of the NIPBL protein revealed several novel domains, which may give further clues about potential functions of this protein. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.