bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow‐injection chemiluminescence determination of enrofloxacin using the Ru(phen)32+–Ce(IV) system and central composite design for the optimization of chemical variables
Authors: Rezaei B. , Mokhtari A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe main purpose of this study was to develop an inexpensive, simple, rapid and sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) method for the determination of enrofloxacin (ENRO) using a flow‐injection system. This method is based on rapid reduction of Ru(phen)33+, which is produced in the reaction between Ru(phen)32+ and acidic Ce(IV) by ENRO, producing strong CL. A central composite design (CCD) was used for optimization of the chemical variables. Regression analysis of the data from the CCD demonstrated that a second‐order polynomial model is an adequate description of the surface over the factor limits studied. Optimization using CCD gave approximately four‐fold better results than the single‐factor‐at‐a‐time method. Under optimal experimental conditions, the CL response was proportional to the concentration of ENRO over a wide range (0.008–3.6 µg/mL) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9986 and a detection limit of 0.003 µg/mL (3σ). The relative standard deviation for 11 repeated determinations of 0.14 µg/mL ENRO was 4.2%. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial formulations, spiked plasma and spiked poultry tissue. Sample analyses showed good recovery percentages for drugs and spiked plasma (95.1–103.9%). Recovery percentages for spiked poultry tissue were in the range 77.6–87.3%. The minimum sampling rate was 100 samples/h. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of free cholesterol based on a novel flow‐injection chemiluminescence method by immobilizing enzyme
Authors: Hu Yufei , Zhang Zhujun 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA novel flow injection chemiluminescence method is proposed for determination of cholesterol in this paper. The cholesterol oxidase was immobilized onto sol–gel and prepared as an enzymatic reaction column. The determination of cholesterol was performed by quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide produced from an enzymatic reaction. The luminol–H2O2–metal chelate diperiodatocuprate(III) system ensured that the method was highly sensitive and selective. Free cholesterol was determined over the range 5.0 × 10–8 mol/L–5.0 × 10–7 mol/L, with a limit of detection (3σ) of 1.9 × 10–8 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 2.5 × 10–7 mol/L was 2.7% (n = 7). The proposed method offered the advantages of sensitivity, selectivity, simplicity and rapidity for free cholesterol determination, and was successfully applied to the direct determination of free cholesterol in serum. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DISABKIDS smiley questionnaire: the TAKE 6 assisted health‐related quality of life measure for 4 to 7‐year‐olds
Authors: Chaplin John E. , Koopman Hendrik M. , Schmidt Silke ,   The DISABKIDS Group
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe DISABKIDS Smiley TAKE 6 was developed to meet the need for a research instrument to measure the health‐related quality of life (HrQoL) of children 4–7 years old. TAKE 6 is a European generic assisted‐report questionnaire with a proxy version. The items of TAKE 6, scored using a five‐point Likert scale, cover a single HrQoL domain. Child and parent focus groups identified the statements which, following a European pilot study, were reduced to six items. A field study of 435 children with a chronic disease in seven European countries revealed that the questionnaire had good reliability (inter‐class correlation 0.69), had convergent validity with the KINDL‐R (child quality of life questionnaire‐revised) (rho 0.60) and satisfactory construct validity showing separation between severity and different medical conditions. The questionnaire was understandable by young children and could be completed within two minutes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the mental health continuum–short form (MHC–SF) in setswana‐speaking South Africans
Authors: Keyes Corey L. M. , Wissing Marié , Potgieter Johan P. , Temane Michael , Kruger Annamarie , van Rooy Sinette 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA continuous assessment and a categorical diagnosis of the presence of mental health, described as flourishing, and the absence of mental health, characterized as languishing, is applied to a random sample of 1050 Setswana‐speaking adults in the Northwest province of South Africa. Factor analysis revealed that the mental health continuum–short form (MHC–SF) replicated the three‐factor structure of emotional, psychological and social well‐being found in US samples. The internal reliability of the overall MHC–SF Scale was 0.74. The total score on the MHC–SF correlated 0.52 with a measure of positive affect, between 0.35 and 0.40 with measures of generalized self‐efficacy and satisfaction with life, and between 0.30 and 0.35 with measures of coping strategies, sense of coherence, and community collective self‐efficacy. The total score on the MHC–SF correlated −0.22 with the total score on the General Health Questionnaire. Criteria for the categorical diagnosis were applied, and findings revealed that 20% were flourishing, 67.8% were moderately mentally healthy, and 12.2% were languishing. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized two‐continua model of mental health and mental illness found in the USA. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mental health of children and adolescents in 12 European countries—results from the European KIDSCREEN study
Authors: Ravens‐Sieberer Ulrike , Erhart Michael , Gosch Angela , Wille Nora ,   The European KIDSCREEN Group
Published: May 2008

AbstractWithin the European Screening for and Promotion of Health‐Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents—A European Public Health Perspective (KIDSCREEN) Study, emotional well‐being and behaviour was examined in national representative samples of 22 000 children and adolescents aged 8 to 18.The proportion of children and adolescents showing signs of mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire—SDQ) varied across countries and socio‐demographic and socio‐economic subgroups. Risk factors examined included adverse family climate, low socio‐economic status, poor social support and decreased mental well‐being of the parents. When several risk factors occur simultaneously, the prevalence of mental health problems increases markedly. Children and adolescents with mental health problems display distinctly impaired health‐related quality of life (KIDSCREEN‐10).Cross‐cultural differences in the observed patterns of mental health problems were discussed. High‐risk groups are cross‐culturally characterized by poor social support and mental distress of parents. Strengthening social and familial resources should be a key objective, both in prevention and in interventions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State transitions of Vibrio parahaemolyticus VBNC cells evaluated by flow cytometry
Authors: Falcioni Tania , Papa Stefano , Campana Raffaella , Manti Anita , Battistelli Michela , Baffone Wally 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundVibrio parahaemolyticus, in response to environmental conditions, may be present in a viable but nonculturable state (VBNC), which can still be responsible for cases of infectious diseases in humans.MethodsThe characterization of the cellular states of V. parahaemolyticus during entry into, persistence in, and resuscitation from the VBNC state, was assessed through plate culture method and epifluorescence microscope evaluation of actively respiring cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) in combination with SYBR Green I (SG) and propidium iodide allowed us to distinguish between viable, dead, and damaged‐cells. Immunofluorescence labeling detected by FCM was used to study changes in antibody affinity.ResultsTwo groups of bacteria, one with High Nucleic Acid (HNA) and one having Low Nucleic Acid (LNA) content, were differentiated using SG and FCM and each was correlated with cell viability. With the aging of the microcosm, the LNA bacteria population increased while the HNA population gradually disappeared. Cytofluorimetric immunofluorescence analyses showed that the bacterial cell levels dropped from 95% at day 0 to 40% at day 26 and by day 29, antibody affinity was virtually lost. FCM analyses of light scatter signals expressed by cell population highlighted morphological changes indicating a reduction in cell size, as also shown by scanning electron microscopy images and variations in cell structure.ConclusionsThe methodology used has provided useful data in relation to the state transitions of V. parahaemolyticus regarding cell viability, antigenic surface components, and the quantification of morphological variations during its entry into the VBNC state. © 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society
The clinical significance of subjective memory complaints in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Mitchell Alex J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundSubjective memory complaints (SMC) are frequently reported by individuals with objective evidence of cognitive decline although the exact rate of complaints and their diagnostic value is uncertain.MethodA meta‐analysis was conducted for all studies examining SMC and either concurrent dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).ResultsEight studies reported the rate of SMC in dementia, seven studies reported the rate of SMC in MCI and of these four compared the rate of SMC in dementia and MCI head‐to‐head. SMC were present in 42.8% of those with dementia and 38.2% of those with MCI. Across all levels of cognitive impairments 39.8% of people had SMC compared with 17.4% in healthy elderly controls (Relative Risk 2.3). In head‐to‐head studies there was a significantly higher rate of SMC in dementia vs MCI (48.4% vs 35.1%). Examining the diagnostic value of SMC in dementia, the meta‐analytic pooled sensitivity was 43.0% and specificity was 85.8%. For MCI, meta‐analytic pooled sensitivity was 37.4% and specificity was 86.9%. In community studies with a low prevalence the positive and negative predictive values were 18.5% and 93.7% for dementia and 31.4% and 86.9% for MCI. The clinical utility index which calculates the value of a diagnostic method suggested ‘poor’ value for ruling in a diagnosis of dementia but ‘good’ value for ruling out a diagnosis.ConclusionsWhen assessed by simple questions, SMC appear to be present in the minority of those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. In cross‐sectional community settings, even when people agree that they have SMC there is only a 20% or 30% chance that dementia or MCI are present, respectively. Despite this, the absence of SMC may be a reasonable method of excluding dementia and MCI and could be incorporated into short screening programs for dementia and MCI but replication is required in clinical settings. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A revisit on older adults suicides and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Y. T. , Chau P. H. , Yip Paul S. F. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 had an enormous impact on Hong Kong society and the suicide rate was also at its historical high, 18.6 per 100,000. The most significant increase was found among the older adults aged 65 or above.MethodsPoisson Regression Models were used to examine impact of the SARS epidemic on older adults suicides in Hong Kong. A complete set of the suicide statistics for the period 1993–2004 from the Coroners' Court were made available for the analysis. Chi‐square test was used to compare the profile of the older adult suicide cases in the pre‐SARS, peri‐SARS and post‐SARS periods.ResultsIt showed an excess of older adults suicides in April 2003, when compared to the month of April of the other years. A trough, instead of the usual summer peak, was observed in June, suggesting some of the older adults suicides might have been brought forward. On a year basis, the annual older adult's suicide rates in 2003 and 2004 were significantly higher than that in 2002, suggesting the suicide rate did not return to the level before the SARS epidemic. Based on the Coroners' suicide death records, overall severity of illness, level of dependency and worrying of having sickness among the older adult suicides were found to be significantly different in the pre‐SARS, peri‐SARS and post‐SARS periods.ConclusionThe SARS epidemic was associated with an increase in older adults' suicide rate in April 2003 and some suicide deaths in June 2003 might have been brought forward. Moreover, an increase in the annual older adults' suicide rate in 2003 was observed and the rate in 2004 did not return to the level of 2002. Loneliness and disconnectedness among the older adults in the community were likely to be associated with the excess older adults' suicides in 2003. Maintaining and enhancing mental well being of the public over the period of epidemic is as important as curbing the spread of the epidemic. Attention and effort should also be made to enhance the community's ability to manage fear and anxiety, especially in vulnerable groups over the period of epidemic to prevent tragic and unnecessary suicide deaths. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the association between computerised measures of attention and confusion assessment method defined delirium: a prospective study of older orthopaedic surgical patients, free of dementia
Authors: Lowery David Peter , Wesnes Keith , Brewster Nigel , Ballard Clive 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether attentional impairments are reliable neuropsychological markers of delirium.MethodA prospective cohort of one hundred patients admitted for elective orthopaedic surgery, 70 years and over, and free of dementia were recruited from an Orthopaedic unit in a university teaching hospital. Computerized assessments of attention and the Mini Mental State Examination were administered pre and post operatively. The Confusion Assessment Method was used to evaluate signs and symptoms of delirium.ResultsOver the first post operative week after surgery people with delirium scored lower on the MMSE (F = 23.53 (1, 53); p = 0.000); and performed less accurately (F = 20.02 (1, 55); p = 0.000), slower (F = 14.58 (1, 54); p = 0.000) and with greater variability of reaction time (F = 31.52 (1, 53); p = 0.000) than people without delirium. The group with delirium's neuropsychological performance was marked by a quadratic trend of accuracy (F = 10.5 (1, 8); p = 0.018) across the first post operative week. Conversely the group without delirium demonstrate quadratic trends for reaction time (F = 6.91 (1, 49); p = 0.011); and linear trends for the variability of reaction time (F = 7.06 (1, 49); p = 0.011) over this period.ConclusionsTo date the absence of any well validated neuropsychological markers of delirium has hindered progress of research of delirium. The data within this study suggest key indices of attention and in particular fluctuating cognition may offer excellent discriminative utility for this clinically important condition. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population projection of US adults with lifetime experience of depressive disorder by age and sex from year 2005 to 2050
Authors: Heo Moonseong , Murphy Christopher F. , Fontaine Kevin R. , Bruce Martha L. , Alexopoulos George S. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the projected population of US adults aged 18 years or older with lifetime experience of doctor‐diagnosed depressive disorder from 2005–2050.MethodsBased on nationally representative survey data from the year 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), prevalence estimates of doctor‐diagnosed depression (minor or major, and dysthymia) were weighted to incorporate the complex sampling design and increase generalizability of the findings. The weighted prevalence data by age and sex in 2006 were then used to estimate the projected adult population with lifetime experience of depressive disorder based on the sex‐specific US Census national population projections from year 2005–2050.ResultsIn year 2006 the (weighted) prevalence of lifetime experience of depressive disorder was 15.7% among 188,292 respondents aged 18 years or older. Female prevalence was 20.6%, which was about twice as high as the prevalence among males (11%). From year 2005–2050, the total number of US adults with depressive disorder will increase from 33.9 million to 45.8 million, a 35% increase. The increase is projected to be greater in the elderly population aged ≥65 years (3.8–8.2, a 117% increase) than in the young population aged <65 years (30.1–37.7, a 25% increase).ConclusionsBy year 2050, approximately 46 million US adults aged 18 years or older will be diagnosed with a depressive disorder. The increase will be more pronounced in adults aged 65 or older. Prevention, detection, and treatment of depressive disorders might attenuate the magnitude of this estimate. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locus control region mediated regulation of adult β‐globin gene expression
Authors: Liang Shermi , Moghimi Babak , Yang Thomas P. , Strouboulis John , Bungert Jörg 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMany genes residing in gene clusters and expressed in a differentiation or developmental‐stage specific manner are regulated by locus control regions (LCRs). These complex genetic regulatory elements are often composed of several DNAse I hypersensitive sites (HS sites) that function together to regulate the expression of several cis‐linked genes. Particularly well characterized is the LCR associated with the β‐globin gene locus. The β‐globin LCR consists of five HS sites that are located upstream of the β‐like globin genes. Recent data demonstrate that the LCR is required for the association of the β‐globin gene locus with transcription foci or factories. The observation that RNA polymerase II associates with the LCR in erythroid progenitor or hematopoietic stem cells which do not express the globin genes suggests that the LCR is always in an accessible chromatin configuration during differentiation of erythroid cells. We propose that erythroid specific factors together with ubiquitous proteins mediate a change in chromatin configuration that juxtaposes the globin genes and the LCR. The proximity then facilitates the transfer of activities from the LCR to the globin genes. In this article we will discuss recent observations regarding β‐globin locus activation with a particular emphasis on LCR mediated activation of adult β‐globin gene expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 9–16, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Irregularity strength of dense graphs
Authors: Cuckler Bill , Lazebnik Felix 
Published: May 2008

AbstractLet G be a simple graph of order n with no isolated vertices and no isolated edges. For a positive integer w, an assignment f on G is a function f: E(G) → {1, 2,…, w}. For a vertex v, f(v) is defined as the sum f(e) over all edges e of G incident with v. f is called irregular, if all f(v) are distinct. The smallest w for which there exists an irregular assignment on G is called the irregularity strength of G, and it is denoted by s(G). We show that if the minimum degree δ (G) ≥ 10n3/4 log1/4 n, then s(G) ≤ 48 (n/δ) + 6. For these δ, this improves the magnitude of the previous best upper bound of Frieze et al. by a log n factor. It also provides an affirmative answer to a question of Lehel, whether for every α ∈ (0, 1), there exists a constant c = c( α) such that s(G) ≤ c for every graph G of order n with minimum degree δ(G) ≥ (1 − α)n. Specializing the argument for d‐regular graphs with d ≥ 104/3 n2/3 log1/3 n, we prove that s(G) ≤ 48 (n/d) + 6. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 58: 299–313, 2008
Non‐path spectrum sets
Authors: Chen Guantao , Faudree Ralph. J. , Li Xuechao , Schiermeyer Ingo 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA path of a graph is called maximal if it is not a proper subpath of any other path of the graph. The path spectrum of a graph G, denoted by ps(G), is the set of lengths of all maximal paths in the graph. A set S of positive integers is called a path spectrum if there is a connected graph G such that ps(G) = S. Jacobson et al. showed that all sets of positive integers with cardinality of 1 or 2 are path spectrum sets. Their results raised the question of whether all sets of positive integers are path spectra. We show that, for every positive integer k ≥ 3, there are infinitely many sets of k positive integers which are not path spectra. A set S of positive integers is called an absolute path spectrum if there are infinitely many connected graphs G such that ps(G) = S. We completely characterize absolute path spectra S for |S| ≤ 2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 58: 329–350, 2008
Regulation of A1adenosine receptor functioning induced by P2Y1purinergic receptor activation in human astroglial cells
Authors: Tonazzini I. , Trincavelli M. L. , Montali M. , Martini C. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn the rat brain, a heteromeric association between adenosine A1and purinergic P2Y1receptors has been demonstrated. It is suggested that this association plays an important role in the control of purine‐mediated responses during pathophysiological conditions. Recently, we have demonstrated that these receptors colocalize on glutamatergic synaptic and astroglial membranes in rat hippocampus and reciprocally interact, thus modulating their functional responses at the G protein coupling level. In the present work, by means of immunoprecipitation studies, we demonstrated that A1and P2Y1receptors are present in human astroglial cells (ADF) and aggregate to form a multimeric complex. P2Y1receptor activation by its agonist, 2‐methylthio‐adenosine 5′‐diphosphate (MeSADP), induced a time‐dependent reduction in agonist‐mediated A1receptor functional responses, causing a drop in A1receptor agonist potency to promote receptor–G protein coupling and to inhibit the adenylate cyclase pathway. These effects appeared to be selectively mediated by P2Y1receptor activation and probably occurred as a consequence of a direct receptor–receptor interaction at the plasma membrane level. These results indicated that P2Y1receptor activation induces A1receptor heterologous desensitization. The interaction between A1and P2Y1receptors may play an important role in the purinergic signaling cascade in astrocytes, which are involved in cell‐to‐cell communication and in control of synaptic transmission, particularly during pathological conditions, when large amounts of purines are released. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Astrocyte‐only Npc1 reduces neuronal cholesterol and triples life span of Npc1–/– mice
Authors: Zhang Min , Strnatka Diana , Donohue Carolyn , Hallows Janice L. , Vincent Inez , Erickson Robert P. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractNiemann‐Pick type C (NPC) disease is an autosomal recessive, lethal neurodegenerative disorder. Although neurodegeneration of Purkinje cells in the mouse model (Npc1–/–) is thought to be autonomous, the basis of neuronal death in other regions of the brain remains elusive. We addressed this issue in vivo by using the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter to direct astrocyte‐specific, replacement expression of Npc1 in Npc1–/– mice. These mice showed enhanced survival, decreased neuronal storage of cholesterol associated with less accumulation of axonal spheroids, lower numbers of degenerated neurons and reactive astrocytes, and restoration of myelin tracts. Their death was not associated with the usual terminal decline in weight but instead with a loss of Purkinje cells and motor coordination. We conclude that neurodegeneration of Npc1–/– mice is greatly affected by the loss of fibrillary astrocyte function. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.