bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and determinants of adolescent tobacco smoking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Rudatsikira Emmanuel , Abdo Abdurahman , Muula Adamson S 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Tobacco smoking is a growing public health problem in the developing world. There is paucity of data on smoking and predictors of smoking among school-going adolescents in most of sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, the aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of smoking and its associations among school-going adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods
Data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2003 were used to determine smoking prevalence, determinants, attitudes to, and exposure to tobacco advertisements among adolescents.

Results
Of the 1868 respondents, 4.5% males and 1% females reported being current smokers (p < 0.01). Having smoking friends was strongly associated with smoking after controlling for age, gender, parental smoking status, and perception of risks of smoking (OR = 33; 95% CI [11.6, 95.6]). Male gender and having one or both smoking parents were associated with smoking. Perception that smoking is harmful was negatively associated with being a smoker (odds ratio 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.2–0.5)

Conclusion
Prevalence of smoking among adolescents in Ethiopia is lower than in many other African countries. There is however need to strengthen anti-tobacco messages especially among adolescents.
A systematic review of tests of empathy in medicine
Authors: Hemmerdinger Joanne M , Stoddart Samuel DR , Lilford Richard J 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Empathy is frequently cited as an important attribute in physicians and some groups have expressed a desire to measure empathy either at selection for medical school or during medical (or postgraduate) training. In order to do this, a reliable and valid test of empathy is required. The purpose of this systematic review is to determine the reliability and validity of existing tests for the assessment of medical empathy.

Methods
A systematic review of research papers relating to the reliability and validity of tests of empathy in medical students and doctors. Journal databases (Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) were searched for English-language articles relating to the assessment of empathy and related constructs in applicants to medical school, medical students, and doctors.

Results
From 1147 citations, we identified 50 relevant papers describing 36 different instruments of empathy measurement. As some papers assessed more than one instrument, there were 59 instrument assessments. 20 of these involved only medical students, 30 involved only practising clinicians, and three involved only medical school applicants. Four assessments involved both medical students and practising clinicians, and two studies involved both medical school applicants and students.
Eight instruments demonstrated evidence of reliability, internal consistency, and validity. Of these, six were self-rated measures, one was a patient-rated measure, and one was an observer-rated measure.

Conclusion
A number of empathy measures available have been psychometrically assessed for research use among medical students and practising medical doctors. No empathy measures were found with sufficient evidence of predictive validity for use as selection measures for medical school. However, measures with a sufficient evidential base to support their use as tools for investigating the role of empathy in medical training and clinical care are available.
A qualitative study of referral to community mental health teams in the UK: exploring the rhetoric and the reality
Authors: Chew-Graham Carolyn , Slade Mike , Montana Carolyn , Stewart Mairi , Gask Linda 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Background
Generic community mental health teams (CMHTs) currently deliver specialist mental health care in England. Policy dictates that CMHTs focus on those patients with greatest need but it has proved difficult to establish consistent referral criteria. The aim of this study was to explore the referral process from the perspectives of both the referrers and the CMHTs.

Methods
Qualitative study nested in a randomised controlled trial. Interviews with general practitioner (GP) referrers, CMHT Consultant Psychiatrists and team leaders. Taping of referral allocation meetings.

Results
There was a superficial agreement between the referrers and the referred to on the function of the CMHT, but how this was operationalised in practice resulted in a lack of clarity over the referral process, with tensions apparent between the views of the referrers (GPs) and the CMHT team leaders, and between team members. The process of decision-making within the team was inconsistent with little discussion of, or reflection on, the needs of the referred patient.

Conclusion
CMHTs describe struggling to deal with GPs who are perceived as having variable expertise in managing patients with mental health problems. CMHT rhetoric about defined referral criteria is interpreted flexibly with CMHT managers and Psychiatrists concentrating on their own capacity, roles and responsibilities with limited consideration of the primary care perspective or the needs of the referred patient.

Trial Registration number
ISRCTN86197914
Association of dopamine receptor polymorphisms with schizophrenia and antipsychotic response in a South Indian population
Authors: Vijayan Neetha N. , Bhaskaran Sujatha , Koshy Linda V. , Natarajan Chandrasekhar , Srinivas Lekshmy , Nair Chandrasekharan M. , Allencherry Priya M. , Banerjee Moinak 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackgroundAlterations in the dopamine transmission and receptor density are hypothesized in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia but ethnic disparities are reported to exist in disease association and therapeutic response to psychotropic medication. Antipsychotics have higher binding affinity to D2 subtype of dopamine receptor. DRD2 Cys311, TaqIB1 and TaqIA1 variants are considered to have either reduced affinity for dopamine and hypo-dopaminergic activity.MethodsWe examined the role of Taq1B, Taq1D, S311C, H313H and Taq1A polymorphisms of DRD2 gene in schizophrenia and antipsychotic treatment response in 213 patients and 196 controls from a homogenous South Indian population. A more detailed genotype phenotype association analysis was carried out to understand the disease in terms of its socio-cultural factors.ResultsH313HTT genotype was found to be associated with schizophrenia (P = 0.004) while TaqIB1B1 genotype was significantly associated with higher psychopathology score. When treatment response was considered H313HCC, TaqIA2A2 and Taq1D1D1 had higher mean improvement scores. TaqID1D1 and H313HTT genotype were found to be significantly higher in responders than in nonresponder group. Distinct shift in the LD patterns of responder and non-responder group was observed. Certain symptoms were characteristic of our patient population. Following medication the scores and presentation of these symptoms tend to vary in the responder and non-responder groups.ConclusionBased on genotype phenotype correlations it can be suggested that certain polymorphisms can be defined for their critical functions in disease and their role in treatment response in South Indian population. The present study suggests that in addition to ethnic bias, socio-cultural factors should also be considered while evaluating genotype phenotype correlations, in association and treatment response to complex disorders like schizophrenia.
Co-localization of CENP-C and CENP-H to discontinuous domains of CENP-A chromatin at human neocentromeres
Authors: Alonso Alicia , Fritz Björn , Hasson Dan , Abrusan György , Cheung Fanny , Yoda Kinya , Radlwimmer Bernhard , Ladurner Andreas G , Warburton Peter E 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Background
Mammalian centromere formation is dependent on chromatin that contains centromere protein (CENP)-A, which is the centromere-specific histone H3 variant. Human neocentromeres have acquired CENP-A chromatin epigenetically in ectopic chromosomal locations on low-copy complex DNA. Neocentromeres permit detailed investigation of centromeric chromatin organization that is not possible in the highly repetitive alpha satellite DNA present at endogenous centromeres.

Results
We have examined the distribution of CENP-A, as well as two additional centromeric chromatin-associated proteins (CENP-C and CENP-H), across neocentromeric DNA using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) on CHIP assays on custom genomic microarrays at three different resolutions. Analysis of two neocentromeres using a contiguous bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) microarray spanning bands 13q31.3 to 13q33.1 shows that both CENP-C and CENP-H co-localize to the CENP-A chromatin domain. Using a higher resolution polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplicon microarray spanning the neocentromere, we find that the CENP-A chromatin is discontinuous, consisting of a major domain of about 87.8 kilobases (kb) and a minor domain of about 13.2 kb, separated by an approximately 158 kb region devoid of CENPs. Both CENP-A domains exhibit co-localization of CENP-C and CENP-H, defining a distinct inner kinetochore chromatin structure that is consistent with higher order chromatin looping models at centromeres. The PCR microarray data suggested varying density of CENP-A nucleosomes across the major domain, which was confirmed using a higher resolution oligo-based microarray.

Conclusion
Centromeric chromatin consists of several CENP-A subdomains with highly discontinuous CENP-A chromatin at both the level of individual nucleosomes and at higher order chromatin levels, raising questions regarding the overall structure of centromeric chromatin.
Impact of Acute and Chronic Low-Dose Glucocorticoids on Protein Metabolism
Authors: Burt Morton G. , Johannsson Gudmundur , Umpleby A. Margot , Chisholm Donald J. , Ho Ken K. Y. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Context: High-dose glucocorticoids cause acute protein loss by increasing protein breakdown and oxidation. Whether lower glucocorticoid doses, typical of therapeutic use, induce sustained catabolism has not been studied.
Objective: Our objective was to assess the effect of acute and chronic therapeutic glucocorticoid doses on protein metabolism.
Design and Setting: We conducted an open longitudinal and a cross-sectional study at a clinical research facility.
Patients and Intervention: Ten healthy subjects were studied before and after a short course of prednisolone (5 and 10 mg/d sequentially for 7 d each). Twelve subjects with inactive polymyalgia rheumatica receiving chronic (&gt;12 months) prednisone (mean = 5.0 ± 0.8 mg/d) were compared with 12 age- and gender-matched normal subjects.
Main Outcome Measure: Whole-body protein metabolism was assessed using a 3-h primed constant infusion of 1-[13C]leucine, from which rates of leucine appearance (leucine Ra, an index of protein breakdown), leucine oxidation (Lox, index of protein oxidation) and leucine incorporation into protein (LIP, index of protein synthesis) were estimated.
Results: Prednisolone induced an acute significant increase in Lox (P = 0.008) and a fall in LIP (P = 0.08) but did not affect leucine Ra. There was no significant difference between the effects of the 5- and 10-mg prednisolone doses on leucine metabolism. In subjects receiving chronic prednisone therapy, leucine Ra, Lox, and LIP were not significantly different from normal subjects.
Conclusion: Glucocorticoids stimulate protein oxidation after acute but not chronic administration. This time-related change suggests that glucocorticoid-induced stimulation of protein oxidation does not persist but that a metabolic adaptation occurs to limit protein loss.
Intact Kinase Homology Domain of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-B Is Essential for Skeletal Development
Authors: Hachiya Rumi , Ohashi Yuko , Kamei Yasutomi , Suganami Takayoshi , Mochizuki Hiroshi , Mitsui Norimasa , Saitoh Masaaki , Sakuragi Masako , Nishimura Gen , Ohashi Hirofumi , Hasegawa Tomonobu , Ogawa Yoshihiro 
Published: July 2007

AbstractContext: Natriuretic peptide receptor-B (NPR-B, GC-B in rodents; gene name NPR2) is a guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptor that mediates the effect of C-type natriuretic peptide. Homozygous mutations in human NPR-B cause acromesomelic dysplasia, type Maroteaux (OMIM 602875), an autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia. NPR-B has an intracellular kinase homology domain (KHD), which has no kinase activity, and its functional significance in vivo is currently unknown.Objective: We examined the functional significance of a novel NPR-B KHD mutation in humans.Patients and Methods: A 28-yr-old Japanese male presented with marked short stature (118.5 cm, −9.3 sd). His limbs showed marked shortening in the middle and distal segments. His parents had relatively short stature with height z-scores of −2.75 and −0.98 (his father and mother, respectively). Direct sequencing of coding region of the NPR2 gene of the family was performed. The mutant receptor activity was investigated by saturation binding assay and cGMP measurement. Additionally, interaction between the mutant and wild type allele was investigated by the titration experiments.Results: We identified a novel missense mutation L658F in KHD of NPR-B in homozygous and heterozygous states in the patient and his parents, respectively. The mutation conferred normal binding affinity for C-type natriuretic peptide but no discernible ligand-induced cGMP production. Furthermore, L658F mutant impaired wild-type NPR-B-mediated cGMP production in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that short stature found in L658F heterozygote can be caused by its dominant-negative effect.Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that intact KHD of NPR-B is essential for skeletal development.
Genetic Removal of Smad3 from Inhibin-Null Mice Attenuates Tumor Progression by Uncoupling Extracellular Mitogenic Signals from the Cell Cycle Machinery
Authors: Looyenga Brendan D. , Hammer Gary D. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Inhibin and activin are members of the TGFβ family that perform mutually antagonistic signaling roles in the anterior pituitary, gonads, and adrenal gland. Unopposed activin signaling in inhibin-null (Inha−/−) mice causes the formation of granulosa cell tumors in the gonads and adrenal cortex, which depend upon FSH for efficient growth and progression. In this study, we demonstrate that Smad3, a key effector of activin signaling, is expressed at high levels and is constitutively activated in tumors from these mice. Removal of Smad3 from Inha−/− mice by a genetic cross to Smad3-null (Madh3−/−) mice leads to a significant decrease in cyclinD2 expression and a significant attenuation of tumor progression in the gonads and adrenal. The decrease in cyclinD2 levels in compound knockout mice is related to a reduction in mitogenic signaling through the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/Akt pathway, which is required for normal cell cycle progression in tumor cells. Loss of PI3-kinase/Akt signaling cannot be attributed to alterations in IGF expression, suggesting instead that signaling through the FSH receptor is attenuated. Gene expression profiling in the ovaries of Madh3−/− and Inha−/−:Madh3−/− compound knockout mice supports this hypothesis and further suggests that Smad3 is specifically required for FSH to activate PI3-kinase/Akt, but not protein kinase A. Together these observations imply that activin/Smad3 signaling is necessary for efficient signaling by FSH in Inha−/− tumor cells and that interruption of this pathway uncouples FSH from its intracellular mitogenic effectors.
Dosing Considerations in the Use of Sodium Phosphate Bowel Preparations for Colonoscopy
Authors: Rex Douglas K 
Published: July 2007

Objective: To review dosing considerations and other treatment recommendations to maximize the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of sodium phosphate (NaP) preparations. Data Sources: Literature was accessed through PubMed (1990–May 2007) and abstracts from scientific meetings. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English-language publications including clinical trials and case reports were evaluated. Recent reports assessing newer bowel preparations containing reduced doses of NaP were reviewed to evaluate efficacy, tolerability, and safety. Data Synthesis: Among commonly administered bowel preparations for colonoscopy, NaP preparations are generally more effective and better tolerated compared with polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage solution regimens. However, NaP preparations are contraindicated in specific patient populations, and clinicians must use effective screening mechanisms to select proper patients to receive NaP preparation for colonoscopy. Recently, cases of renal failure in patients with previously normal renal function have been reported after NaP preparation for colonoscopy, heightening concerns about the safety of these agents. Newer products contain reduced doses of NaP and may improve the safety and tolerability of NaP purgatives without compromising efficacy of colon cleansing. In addition, accumulating clinical data and/or rationale support split dosing of NaP products, wide intervals between doses, and aggressive hydration before and during bowel preparation and after the colonoscopy procedure. Conclusions: Safe administration of NaP products requires rigorous attention to dosing considerations and other treatment recommendations, including administration of minimally effective doses of NaP, split-dosing schedules, and aggressive hydration.
Use of mental simulations to change theory of planned behaviour variables
Authors: Armitage Christopher J. , Reidy John G. 
Published: July 2007

Objectives The predictive validity of the theory of planned behaviour is well established, but much less is known about: (a) whether there are causal relationships between key components of the model and (b) how to go about changing the theory of planned behaviour variables. This study tested the ability of outcome and process simulations to change variables specified in the theory of planned behaviour in relation to blood donation.Design Participants (N = 146) were randomized to one of four conditions: outcome simulation only, process simulation only, process‐plus‐outcome simulation and a distractor control condition. The dependent variables were state anxiety, and intention attitude, subjective norm and perceived control from the theory of planned behaviour.Methods Participants were asked to empty their mind and visualize themselves: (a) after donating blood (outcome manipulation), (b) preparing to donate blood (process manipulation), (c) both preparing to donate blood and after having donated blood (process‐plus‐outcome manipulation) or (d) both preparing to get a high mark and after having got a high mark on their course (control condition). Following mental rehearsal, participants completed the dependent variables.Results There were no main effects of outcome simulation, but process simulation successfully increased intention, subjective norm and perceived control. There was also a significant outcome simulation × process simulation interaction for attitude. The effect of the process manipulation on intention was mediated by subjective norm and perceived control.Conclusions The findings show promise for the use of mental simulations in changing cognitions and further research is required to extend the present findings to other health behaviours.
Animal House: Economics of Pets and the Household
Authors: Schwarz Peter M , Troyer Jennifer L , Walker Jennifer Beck 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
We develop a model of the household that includes pets. We use over twenty years of data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey to consider pet ownership and expenditures for single and married households. Households with very young children are less likely to own pets and have lower pet expenditures, showing a substitute relationship. Households with older children are more likely to own pets, suggesting a complementary relationship. However, households with more children show reduced pet spending, evidence of a substitute relationship. Surprisingly, when the effect of income on pet ownership and pet spending are jointly considered in computing the income elasticities, women in married households have smaller income elasticities for pet expenditures than do men. This finding is the opposite of what has been found for women and men with regard to expenditures on children.
Regularization Parameter Selection in Discrete Ill-Posed Problems — The Use of the U-Curve
Authors: Krawczyk-Stańdo Dorota , Rudnicki Marek 
Published: July 2007

Regularization Parameter Selection in Discrete Ill-Posed Problems — The Use of the U-CurveTo obtain smooth solutions to ill-posed problems, the standard Tikhonov regularization method is most often used. For the practical choice of the regularization parameter α we can then employ the well-known L-curve criterion, based on the L-curve which is a plot of the norm of the regularized solution versus the norm of the corresponding residual for all valid regularization parameters. This paper proposes a new criterion for choosing the regularization parameter α, based on the so-called U-curve. A comparison of the two methods made on numerical examples is additionally included.
Iterative Estimators of Parameters in Linear Models with Partially Variant Coefficients
Authors: Hu Shaolin , Meinke Karl , Chen Rushan , Huajiang Ouyang 
Published: July 2007

Iterative Estimators of Parameters in Linear Models with Partially Variant CoefficientsA new kind of linear model with partially variant coefficients is proposed and a series of iterative algorithms are introduced and verified. The new generalized linear model includes the ordinary linear regression model as a special case. The iterative algorithms efficiently overcome some difficulties in computation with multidimensional inputs and incessantly appending parameters. An important application is described at the end of this article, which shows that this new model is reasonable and applicable in practical fields.
Selected Multicriteria Shortest Path Problems: An Analysis of Complexity, Models and Adaptation of Standard Algorithms
Authors: Tarapata Zbigniew 
Published: July 2007

Selected Multicriteria Shortest Path Problems: An Analysis of Complexity, Models and Adaptation of Standard AlgorithmsThe paper presents selected multicriteria (multiobjective) approaches to shortest path problems. A classification of multi-objective shortest path (MOSP) problems is given. Different models of MOSP problems are discussed in detail. Methods of solving the formulated optimization problems are presented. An analysis of the complexity of the presented methods and ways of adapting of classical algorithms for solving multiobjective shortest path problems are described. A comparison of the effectiveness of solving selected MOSP problems defined as mathematical programming problems (using the CPLEX 7.0 solver) and multi-weighted graph problems (using modified Dijkstra's algorithm) is given. Experimental results of using the presented methods for multicriteria path selection in a terrain-based grid network are given.
Cover Picture: Preparation of Highly Luminescent Nanocrystals and Their Application to Light‐Emitting Diodes (Adv. Mater. 15/2007)
Authors: Lim J. , Jun S. , Jang E. , Baik H. , Kim H. , Cho J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA detailed synthetic procedure for the preparation of highly luminescent nanocrystals in multigram amounts is described by Eunjoo Jang and co‐workers on p. 1927. In addition, application of the nanocrystals in an UV light‐emitting diode (LED) is reported. Efficiency and spectral measurements reveal that the nanocrystal‐LEDs have excellent performance characteristics. Thus, the scalable one‐pot synthesis enables the production of highly luminescent and photostable quantum dots, which have high potential as light converting materials in LED applications.