bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence of Headache and Its Association With Socioeconomic Status Among Schoolchildren in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Işık Uğur , Topuzoğlu Ahmet , Ay Pınar , Ersu Refika Hamutçu , Arman Ayşe Rodopman , Önsüz M. Fatih , Karavuş Melda , Dağlı Elif 
Published: January 2009

Objective.— The etiology and pathogenesis of migraine and other types of headache are still under discussion. An interaction of organic, psychological, and psychosocial factors is operative. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of headache and its association with socioeconomic status among schoolchildren.Study Design.— A cross‐sectional study was performed on 2669 schoolchildren via a parental questionnaire. Socioeconomic status was determined according to the Turkish socioeconomic status scale.Results.— The mean age of the students was 8.2 ± 2.4 years. The headache prevalence was 46.2% (95% CI: 44.3‐48.1). The prevalence of migraine was 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8‐4.1), the prevalence of probable migraine was 8.7% (95% CI: 7.6‐9.8), and that of non‐migraine headache was 34.1% (95% CI: 32.3‐35.9). Multivariate analysis revealed that older age, being a girl, having a family history of headache, and exposure to passive smoking at home were independently associated with headache. There was an inverse association between socioeconomic status and all 3 types of headaches after adjusting for age, sex, family history of headache, and presence of passive smoking. When the group with the lowest socioeconomic status was taken as the reference category, the odds ratios for the highest socioeconomic group were 0.33 (95% CI: 0.16‐0.69, P = .003) for the migraine, 0.30 (95% CI: 0.11‐0.89, P = .029) for the probable migraine, and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16‐0.72, P = 0.005) for the non‐migraine headache.Conclusion.— Headache is more common among children with lower socioeconomic groups. Social causation can play a role in the pathogenesis of headache.
Population pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam and dosing recommendation in children with epilepsy
Authors: Chhun Stephanie , Jullien Vincent , Rey Elisabeth , Dulac Olivier , Chiron Catherine , Pons Gérard 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPurpose:  To develop a population pharmacokinetic model to evaluate the demographic and physiologic determinants of levetiracetam (LEV) pharmacokinetics (PK) and to suggest recommended doses of LEV in children.Methods:  LEV PK were investigated in a prospective open trial of LEV as adjunctive therapy using a population approach performed with NONMEM (Nonlinear Mixed Effects Model) on 170 LEV concentration–time records and covariate information from 44 children between 4 and 16 years of age. Possible associations between pharmacokinetic parameters and age, gender, body weight, creatinine clearance, and concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were assessed. The final model was used to perform Monte Carlo simulations in order to identify the dosing regimens that should achieve the same nominal target concentration range as in adults.Results:  LEV PK were well described by a one‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination. Both LEV apparent clearance and distribution volume were related to body weight, and no pharmacokinetic interaction was observed. Monte Carlo simulations showed that a 10mg/kg twice daily (b.i.d.) regimen provides a plasma concentration similar to that obtained in adults for the recommended 500 mg b.i.d. starting dose, and that a 20 mg/kg b.i.d. regimen would achieve the previously described 6–20 mg/L target range for the trough concentration.Discussion:  Our results support the use of a weight‐based LEV dosing regimen and provide a basis for a recommended pediatric dosage regimen. The relationship between LEV plasma concentrations and clinical effect has not been evaluated fully and could differ between adults and children. Clinical studies should be able to validate these dosing recommendations.
The effects of right and left amygdala kindling on the female reproductive system in rats
Authors: Hum Kathryn M. , Megna Sofia , McIntyre Burnham W. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPurpose:  Women with epilepsy often have comorbid reproductive dysfunction. Using the amygdala kindling model in rats, the present study examined the effects of seizures of limbic origin on the reproductive system.Methods:  Female Wistar rats were kindled from the left or right basolateral amygdala to a criterion of 40 stage V seizures. Sham‐kindled subjects were handled but not stimulated. Vaginal cytology was assessed daily for the duration of the study. Twenty‐four hours following the last kindled seizure, kindled subjects and their yoked controls were sacrificed and their brains and serum were extracted.Results:  Kindled subjects displayed significantly more abnormal estrous cycle days and significantly elevated levels of estradiol as compared to controls. There was, however, no total suppression of cycling. No laterality effects were seen for estrous cycle abnormalities.Discussion:  Seizures of limbic origin cause changes in estrous cycling. Right and left kindling seem to have a similar effect. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to monitor reproductive issues among individuals with epilepsy.
Surgery for pharmacoresistant epilepsy in the developing world: A pilot study
Authors: Boling Warren , Palade Adriana , Wabulya Angela , Longoni Nicoletta , Warf Benjamin , Nestor Scott , Alpitsis Rubina , Bittar Richard , Howard Charles , Andermann Frederick 
Published: January 2009

SummaryEpilepsy prevalence in the developing world is many fold that found in developed countries. For individuals whose conditions failed to respond to pharmacotherapy, surgery is the only opportunity for cure. In Uganda, we developed a center for treatment of intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (iTLE) that functions within the technologic and expertise constraints of a severely low resource area. Our model relies on partnership with epilepsy professionals and training of local staff. Patients were prescreened at regional clinics for iTLE. Individuals meeting inclusion criteria were referred to the treating Ugandan hospital (CURE Children’s’ Hospital of Uganda, CCHU) for video‐EEG (electroencephalography), computed tomography (CT) imaging, and neuropsychological evaluation. Data were transferred to epilepsy experts for analysis and treatment recommendations. Ten patients were diagnosed with iTLE and surgically treated at CCHU. Six (60%) were seizure free, and there was no neurologic morbidity or mortality. Our model for surgical treatment of pharmacoresistant TLE has functioned successfully in a true developing world low resource setting.
Searching for Responders to Acamprosate and Naltrexone in Alcoholism Treatment: Rationale and Design of thePredict Study
Authors: Mann Karl , Kiefer Falk , Smolka Michael , Gann Horst , Wellek Stefan , Heinz Andreas ,   and the PREDICT Study research team
Published: January 2009

Background: Alcoholism represents a major public health issue and treating alcohol dependent patients remains an imminent challenge. Evidence based psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies are available. However, when administered to heterogeneous populations of patients effect sizes are only modest. We present the rationale and design of a double‐blind randomized trial comparing acamprosate, naltrexone, and placebo. Additionally we subtype patients on the basis of biological and psychometric measures and explore their treatment response to both acamprosate and naltrexone. According to our initial hypothesis, the “relief drinker/craver” is an endophenotype associated with glutamatergic dysfunction who responds to acamprosate. The “reward drinker/craver” is mainly associated with alterations in the dopaminergic and opioidergic system and responds to naltrexone.Methods: The study is planned for 430 patients (2:2:1 for both drugs and placebo) over 12 weeks of medication. All receive manualized counselling to improve compliance (Medical Management) which is extended to 6 months. Subtyping is primarily done using the acoustic startle reflex, functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography (in a subset of patients), and the Inventory of Drinking Situations. Relapsers will be re‐randomized into a second study where additional psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Intervention) is used in a stepped care approach. Genotyping and additional analyses such as health economy are being done as well. The study follows the assessment methods, treatments, and medications used in the U.S. based COMBINE study, which will allow for a direct comparison between this U.S. study trial and a study performed in Europe.
Chronic Ethanol Feeding Alters Hepatocyte Memory Which is not Altered by Acute Feeding
Authors: Bardag‐Gorce F. , Oliva Joan , Dedes Jennifer , Li Jun , French Barbara A. , French Samuel W. 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Gene expression changes in the liver after acute binge drinking may differ from the changes seen in chronic ethanol feeding in the rat. The changes in gene expression after chronic ethanol feeding may sensitize the liver to alcohol‐induced liver damage, which is not seen after acute binge drinking.Methods:  To test this hypothesis, gene microarray analysis was performed on the livers of rats (n = 3) fed an acute binge dose of ethanol (6 g/kg body wt) and killed at 3 and 12 hours after ethanol by gavage. The gene microarrays were compared with those made on the liver of rats from a previous study, in which the rats were fed ethanol by intragastric tube for 1 month (36% of calories derived from ethanol).Results:  Microarray analysis data varied between the acute and chronic models in several important respects. Growth factors increased mainly in the chronic alcohol fed rat. Changes in enzymes involved in oxidative stress were noted only with chronic ethanol feeding. Gene expression of fat metabolism was increased only with chronic ethanol feeding. Most importantly, epigenetic related enzymes and acetylation and methylation of histones changed only after chronic ethanol feeding.Conclusions:  The results support the concept that chronic ethanol ingestion induces altered gene expression as a result of changes in epigenetic mechanisms, where acetylation and methylation of histones were altered.
Association Between Val66Met Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Gene Polymorphism and Post‐Treatment Relapse in Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Wojnar Marcin , Brower Kirk J. , Strobbe Stephen , Ilgen Mark , Matsumoto Halina , Nowosad Izabela , Sliwerska Elzbieta , Burmeister Margit 
Published: January 2009

Background:  The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between genetic markers of central serotonin (5‐HT) and dopamine function, and risk for post‐treatment relapse, in a sample of alcohol‐dependent patients.Methods:  The study included 154 patients from addiction treatment programs in Poland, who met DSM‐IV criteria for alcohol dependence. After assessing demographics, severity of alcohol use, suicidality, impulsivity, depression, hopelessness, and severity of alcohol use at baseline, patients were followed for approximately 1 year to evaluate treatment outcomes. Genetic polymorphisms in several genes (TPH2, SLC6A4, HTR1A, HTR2A, COMT, and BDNF) were tested as predictors of relapse (defined as any drinking during follow‐up) while controlling for baseline measures.Results:  Of 154 eligible patients, 123 (80%) completed follow‐up and 48% (n = 59) of these individuals relapsed. Patients with the Val allele in the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism and the Met allele in the Val158Met COMT polymorphism were more likely to relapse. Only the BDNF Val/Val genotype predicted post‐treatment relapse [odds ratio (OR) = 2.62; p = 0.019], and time to relapse (OR = 2.57; p = 0.002), after adjusting for baseline measures and other significant genetic markers. When the analysis was restricted to patients with a family history of alcohol dependence (n = 73), the associations between the BDNF Val/Val genotype and relapse (OR = 5.76, p = 0.0045) and time to relapse (hazard ratio = 4.93, p = 0.001) were even stronger.Conclusions:  The Val66Met BDNF gene polymorphism was associated with a higher risk and earlier occurrence of relapse among patients treated for alcohol dependence. The study suggests a relationship between genetic markers and treatment outcomes in alcohol dependence. Because a large number of statistical tests were conducted for this study and the literature on genetics and relapse is so novel, the results should be considered as hypothesis generating and need to be replicated in independent studies.
Field and Laboratory Alcohol Detection With 2 Types of Transdermal Devices
Authors: Marques Paul R. , McKnight A. Scott 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Two types of transdermal electrochemical sensors that detect alcohol at the skin surface were evaluated. One, the AMS SCRAM™ device, is locked onto the ankle and is based on a fuel cell sensor; the other, a Giner WrisTAS™ device, worn on the wrist, is based on a proton exchange membrane. SCRAM is used by several court systems in the United States to monitor alcohol offenders, WrisTAS, a research prototype, is not commercially available.Methods:  The 2 devices were worn concurrently by 22 paid research subjects (15 men, 7 women), for a combined total of 96 weeks. Subjects participated in both laboratory‐dosed drinking to a target of 0.08 g/dl blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and normal drinking on their own; all subjects were trained to use and carry a portable fuel‐cell breath tester for BAC determinations. Overall 271 drinking episodes with BAC ≥ 0.02 g/dl formed the signal for detection—60 from laboratory dosing, and 211 from self‐dosed drinking, with BAC ranging from 0.02 to 0.230 g/dl (mean 0.077 g/dl).Results:  False negatives were defined as a transdermal alcohol concentration response equivalent <0.02 g/dl when BAC ≥ 0.02 g/dl. The overall true‐positive hit rate detected by WrisTAS was 24%. The low detection rate was due to erratic output and not recording during nearly 67% of all episodes; reportedly a chipset, not a sensor problem. SCRAM correctly detected 57% across all BAC events, with another 22% (total 79%) detected, but as <0.02 g/dl. When subjects dosed themselves to BAC ≥ 0.08 g/dl, SCRAM correctly detected 88% of these events. SCRAM devices lost accuracy over time likely due to water accumulation in the sensor housing. Neither unit had false‐positive problems when true BAC was <0.02 g/dl.Conclusions:  Each device had peculiarities that reduced performance, but both types are able to detect alcohol at the skin surface. With product improvements, transdermal sensing may become a valuable way to monitor the alcohol consumption of those who should be abstaining.
Quantitative Lipid Metabolomic Changes in Alcoholic Micropigs With Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Zivkovic Angela M. , Bruce German J. , Esfandiari Farah , Halsted Charles H. 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Chronic ethanol consumption coupled with folate deficiency leads to rapid liver fat accumulation and progression to alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH). However, the specific effects of alcohol on key liver lipid metabolic pathways involved in fat accumulation are unknown. It is unclear whether lipid synthesis, lipid export, or a combination of both is contributing to hepatic steatosis in ASH.Methods:  In this study we estimated the flux of fatty acids (FA) through the stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD), phosphatidylethanolamine‐N‐methyltransferase (PEMT), and FA elongation pathways in relation to liver triacylglycerol (TG) content in Yucatan micropigs fed a 40% ethanol folate‐deficient diet with or without supplementation with S‐adenosyl methionine (SAM) compared with controls. Flux through the SCD and PEMT pathways was used to assess the contribution of lipid synthesis and lipid export respectively on the accumulation of fat in the liver. Liver FA composition within TG, cholesterol ester (CE), phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine classes was quantified by gas chromatography.Results:  Alcoholic pigs had increased liver TG content relative to controls, accompanied by increased flux through the SCD pathway as indicated by increases in the ratios of 16:1n7 to 16:0 and 18:1n9 to 18:0. Conversely, flux through the elongation and PEMT pathways was suppressed by alcohol, as indicated by multiple metabolite ratios. SAM supplementation attenuated the TG accumulation associated with alcohol.Conclusions:  These data provide an in vivo examination of liver lipid metabolic pathways confirming that both increased de novo lipogenesis (e.g., lipid synthesis) and altered phospholipid metabolism (e.g., lipid export) contribute to the excessive accumulation of lipids in liver affected by ASH.
Improvements in Life Cycle Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Corn‐Ethanol
Authors: Liska Adam J. , Yang Haishun S. , Bremer Virgil R. , Klopfenstein Terry J. , Walters Daniel T. , Erickson Galen E. , Cassman Kenneth G. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryCorn‐ethanol production is expanding rapidly with the adoption of improved technologies to increase energy efficiency and profitability in crop production, ethanol conversion, and coproduct use. Life cycle assessment can evaluate the impact of these changes on environmental performance metrics. To this end, we analyzed the life cycles of corn‐ethanol systems accounting for the majority of U.S. capacity to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy efficiencies on the basis of updated values for crop management and yields, biorefinery operation, and coproduct utilization. Direct‐effect GHG emissions were estimated to be equivalent to a 48% to 59% reduction compared to gasoline, a twofold to threefold greater reduction than reported in previous studies. Ethanol‐to‐petroleum output/input ratios ranged from 10:1 to 13:1 but could be increased to 19:1 if farmers adopted high‐yield progressive crop and soil management practices. An advanced closed‐loop biorefinery with anaerobic digestion reduced GHG emissions by 67% and increased the net energy ratio to 2.2, from 1.5 to 1.8 for the most common systems. Such improved technologies have the potential to move corn‐ethanol closer to the hypothetical performance of cellulosic biofuels. Likewise, the larger GHG reductions estimated in this study allow a greater buffer for inclusion of indirect‐effect land‐use change emissions while still meeting regulatory GHG reduction targets. These results suggest that corn‐ethanol systems have substantially greater potential to mitigate GHG emissions and reduce dependence on imported petroleum for transportation fuels than reported previously.
Persistent Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Up‐to‐Date Colorectal Cancer Testing in Medicare Enrollees
Authors: Fenton Joshua J. , Tancredi Daniel J. , Green Pamela , Franks Peter , Baldwin Laura‐Mae 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether greater colonoscopy use among white as compared with nonwhite Medicare enrollees since Medicare established coverage for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been associated with a widening in white versus nonwhite disparities in up‐to‐date CRC testing status.DESIGN: Serial cross‐sectional analysis of Medicare claims.SETTING: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) regions in nine states, representing 14% of the U.S. population.PARTICIPANTS: A 5% random sample of fee‐for‐service Medicare enrollees aged 70 to 79 within each 6‐month period from mid‐1995 through 2003.MEASUREMENTS: Trends in up‐to‐date status (having a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) claim in the prior year or a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy claim in the prior 5 years) according to race or ethnicity, estimated using repeated‐measures logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, rural versus urban residence, income, comorbidity, and SEER region.RESULTS: From mid‐1995 through 2003, the adjusted percentage of enrollees that were up‐to‐date increased by a similar magnitude in whites (from 39.4% to 47.3%), blacks (from 29.0% to 38.1%), Asians and Pacific Islanders (from 33.1% to 41.8%), and Hispanics (from 23.7% to 33.2%). Although white versus nonwhite disparities in up‐to‐date status via colonoscopy widened, this was counterbalanced by narrowing white versus nonwhite disparities in up‐to‐date status via FOBT and sigmoidoscopy.CONCLUSION: White versus nonwhite disparities in up‐to‐date CRC testing status in Medicare enrollees largely persisted through 2003.
Low‐avidity HPA‐1a alloantibodies in severe neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia are detectable with surface plasmon resonance technology
Authors: Socher Ines , Andrei‐Selmer Cornelia , Bein Gregor , Kroll Hartmut , Santoso Sentot 
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is mostly caused by maternal alloantibodies directed against the human platelet alloantigen (HPA)‐1a. Currently, the serologic diagnosis of FNAIT is based on the characterization of the HPA alloantibodies in monoclonal antibody–based antigen‐capture assays (e.g., MAIPA assay). Accumulated current evidence indicated that such assays may overlook some HPA‐1a antibodies.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study employed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology using immunoaffinity‐purified glycoprotein IIb/IIIa isoforms immobilized on biosensor chips to study the binding kinetics of HPA‐1a alloantibodies from different FNAIT cases in real time.RESULTS: Analysis of HPA‐1a alloantibodies from FNAIT cases (n = 9) in SPR showed a moderate relative response (22.2‐69.7 resonance units [RU]) and slow antibody dissociation. After the dissociation phase, varying amounts of bound antibodies (41%‐79%) remained on the chip. In contrast in HPA‐1a alloantibodies from a patient suffering from posttransfusion purpura, a high relative response (∼490 RU) was observed at the end of the association phase and no dissociation of antibody binding was detectable. Of particular relevance, by the use of this SPR technique, HPA‐1a alloantibodies were detected in two severe FNAIT cases that had determined as false negative by MAIPA assay. In SPR, these HPA‐1a alloantibodies showed low‐avidity nature characterized by gradual dissociation of antibody during the association phase and complete detachment of antibody binding after the dissociation phase. This high “off‐rate” character of low‐avidity HPA‐1a alloantibodies indicates that such antibody binding is easily detachable by the extensive washing procedure of the MAIPA.CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the SPR method can facilitate the diagnosis of clinically relevant low‐avidity HPA‐1a antibodies.
Effects of applied muscle tension on the likelihood of blood donor return
Authors: Ditto Blaine , France Christopher R. , Albert Michael , Byrne Nelson , Smyth‐Laporte Julie 
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: Blood donation–related symptoms such as dizziness and fainting are unpleasant for the donor and a significant disincentive for repeat donation. The muscle tensing technique of applied muscle tension reduced symptoms in several studies.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Follow‐up data from a randomized controlled trial of different components of applied tension were obtained. The number of subsequent blood donations in a 2‐year period was determined for 1059 of 1209 donors originally assigned to one of six conditions involving tension of different muscle groups or donation as usual.RESULTS: In general, women who were assigned to one of the applied tension conditions were significantly more likely to return than women assigned to the donation as usual condition (67% vs. 55%, χ2(1) = 4.71, p = 0.03). There was no significant enhancement of return among male donors. Also, there was no association between the actual reduction of symptoms in different applied tension conditions and higher levels of return.CONCLUSION: Participation in a condition that involved learning repeated muscle tension with the expectation that this might help reduce blood donation–related symptoms was associated with a greater likelihood of return for women.