bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gestational diabetes: utility of fasting plasma glucose as a screening test depends on the diagnostic criteria
Authors: Agarwal M. M. , Dhatt G. S. , Punnose J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAims  To demonstrate the effect of diagnostic criteria, as defined by four international expert panels, on the usefulness of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as a screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods  We tested 4602 pregnant women using a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for universal GDM screening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to determine the FPG performance to detect GDM by the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and the World Health Organization (WHO).Results  By applying ADA, Australasian, European and WHO criteria, respectively, the FPG: (i) AUC (95% CI) was 0.882 (0.866–0.897), 0.830 (0.809–0.852), 0.808 (0.791–0.825) and 0.690 (0.670–0.710); (ii) independently could ‘rule‐in’ GDM (with 100% specificity) in 74 (10.9%), 620 (53.5%), 252 (45.3%) and 74 (7.6%) women; (iii) independently could ‘rule‐out’ GDM in an additional 2864 (62.2%), 928 (20.2%), 1510 (32.8%) and 1171 (25.4%) women, at FPG thresholds (with 85% sensitivity); (iv) false‐positive rate (FPR) was 29.4, 75.5, 63.8 and 71.2%, at these thresholds.Conclusions  The value of the FPG as a screening test for GDM is highly dependent on the diagnostic criteria. The performance is excellent with the ADA criteria. With the other criteria, the high FPR (poor specificity) would limit its utility as a screening test. Regardless of the criteria used, initial testing by FPG can significantly decrease the number of cumbersome OGTTs needed for the diagnosis of GDM.
Democratization of Brazilian Health Councils: The Paradox of Bringing the Other Side into the Tent
Authors: COELHO VERA SCHATTAN P. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractContemporary discussions of ‘democratic innovation experiences’ have evolved into a heated debate about how effective these ‘new spaces’ are in including ordinary citizens, particularly those traditionally marginalized and excluded. This article focuses on the Brazilian experience with Health Councils and begins by discussing the conditions that have been pointed out by previous studies as favouring the inclusion of these groups in these ‘new spaces’. On the basis of these studies, one question that remains is about the democratic legitimacy of these experiences, as it seems that there is a bias towards the inclusion of those that already have political ties with the traditional political system. The local Health Councils in 31 subprefeituras(new administrative subdivisions) of the city of São Paulo were researched and a continuum was observed: ranging from a small number of one or two sectors that have historical ties with political parties included in the council to a far more diversified composition, including up to seven sectors with autonomous representatives and various types of association. Using these results as their starting‐point, the analyses conclude with a discussion of the relative significance of the factors previously identified as central in establishing the democratic legitimacy of these ‘new democratic spaces’.
Individual and Service Factors Affecting Deinstitutionalization and Community Use of People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Baker Peter A. 
Published: October 2006

Background  The aim was to evaluate the effect of the closure of a small intellectual disability hospital on the community use of those people involved. In addition, the study sought to identify those factors that might influence the community use of people with intellectual disabilities.Methods  The impact of resettlement was investigated using a mixed design in which changes in the dependent variable (The Guernsey Community Participation and Leisure Assessment, GCPLA scores) were measured within‐subjects (before and after leaving hospital) and between‐subjects (using a comparison group of people who lived in the community throughout the study). In addition, a standard multiple regression design was employed to explore the relative contribution of client and service variables to GCPLA scores.Results  Resettlement from hospital corresponded with significant increase in the range and frequency of leisure and community contacts, although community use remained low in comparison with the general population and in relation to other people with intellectual disabilities. Community and leisure use was found to be related to the place of residence, adaptive behaviour and the robustness of community goals within the service user's individual plan.
Sense of Coherence, Parenting Attitudes and Stress among Mothers of Children with Autism in Hong Kong
Authors: Mak Winnie W. S. , Ho Anna H. Y. , Law Rita W. 
Published: October 2006

Background  The moderating and mediating relationships among sense of coherence, parental attitudes and parenting stress for caregiving parents of children with autism were tested.Materials and Methods  One hundred and fifty‐seven mothers of children with autism recruited from representative community service centres in Hong Kong completed the Chinese versions of Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), Confidence and Acceptance subscales of Parent‐Attitude Survey Scales and Parenting Stress Index Short Form.Results  Accounting for mothers’ demographic background, SOC showed a moderating effect with child's symptoms and parenting stress. Mothers with a strong SOC perceived lower stress than their counterparts even when their children presented with more severe autistic symptoms. Two proximal factors in parenting, parental confidence and acceptance of the child, were found to partially mediate SOC and stress.Conclusions  The stress experience of mothers of children with autism is related strongly to a global sense of coherence as well as more specific parenting attitudes.
Non‐dipolar content of the T‐wave as a measure of repolarization inhomogeneity in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Kesek Milos , Bjorklund Erik , Jernberg Tomas , Lindahl Bertil , Xue Joel , Englund Anders 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe non‐dipolar content of the T‐wave, i.e. the component of the signal, which cannot be explained by a dipolar model, has been suggested as a measure of the local repolarization inhomogeneity. Our purpose was to study the non‐dipolar content of the T‐wave during the initial course of ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), when local repolarization inhomogeneity presumably is markedly increased. Twelve‐lead ECG was semicontinuously collected in 211 patients with STEMI, treated with a thrombolytic agent. The T‐wave was processed by principal component analysis. The absolute and relative T‐wave residues were used as measures of the non‐dipolar content. The median values for each hour and for the entire monitoring time were computed. Changes in the parameters were closer studied in two windows, 0–10 respectively, 11–24 h after start of ECG‐monitoring. The median of the absolute T‐wave residue during the entire monitoring period was 25 000 units in the STEMI‐group and 13 500 units in the comparison group. The median for hour 1 was 36 500 units and 28 800 units for hour 2. The decrease was greater in patients with ≥50% resolution of the ST‐elevation at 60 min. The moment of change, identified by cumulative sum‐method, showed no correlation to the time for 50% ST‐resolution. We conclude, that patients with thrombolysed STEMI have an increased non‐dipolar content of the T‐wave. Resolution of the ST‐elevation is associated with a decrease. The increased non‐dipolar content reflects a property of the repolarization phase, which is related to but separated from the ST‐elevation.
Acute administration of a single dose of valsartan improves left ventricular functions: a pilot study to assess the role of tissue velocity echocardiography in patients with systemic arterial hypertension in the TVE‐valsartan study I
Authors: Govind Satish C. , Brodin Lars‐Åke , Nowak Jacek , Ramesh S. S. , Saha Samir K. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground  The advent of colour‐coded tissue velocity echocardiography (TVE) has now made it possible to quantify left ventricular (LV) functions in patients with systemic arterial hypertension (HTN).Hypothesis  In this project, we have studied the cardiac effects of a single dose of orally administered valsartan in patients with known HTN.Methods  Fifty‐five patients with HTN with a mean age of 56 ± 10 years were given an early morning dose of 80 mg valsartan withholding regular antihypertensive medications on the day of investigation. TVE images, acquired on VIVID systems were digitized for postprocessing of longitudinal and radial peak systolic velocities, strain rate, and systolic and diastolic time intervals before (pre) and 5 h after (post) administration of the drug.Results  Blood pressure (mmHg) pre and post, respectively, were 147 ± 15 versus 137 ± 14 systolic and 90 ± 7 versus 86 ± 7 diastolic (all P<0·01). LV longitudinal systolic velocities (cm s−1) were significantly higher post in LV septum (5·7 ± 1·1 versus 6·4 ± 1·6; P<0·001) with similar results obtained in other LV walls. Radial strain rate (1 s−1) was significantly higher post compared with pre valsartan (2·1 ± 0·6 versus 2·3 ± 0·9; P<0·01). Regional diastolic filling and ejection times (ms) were significantly shorter post (390 ± 122 versus 370 ± 120 and 275 ± 32 versus 163 ± 36 respectively; all P<0·05).Conclusions  Within 5 h after oral administration of valsartan, improvement in regional myocardial systolic functions could be registered. Although the changes could well be secondary to afterload reduction, additional effects of the drug, evidenced by improved strain rate that is relatively load‐independent, may have contributed in this improvement.
Ethical, Legal, and Social Dimensions of Epilepsy Genetics
Authors: Shostak Sara , Ottman Ruth 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Emerging genetic information and the availability of genetic testing has the potential to increase understanding of the disease and improve clinical management of some types of epilepsy. However, genetic testing is also likely to raise significant ethical, legal, and social issues for people with epilepsy, their family members, and their health care providers. We review the genetic and social dimensions of epilepsy relevant to understanding the complex questions raised by epilepsy genetics. Methods: We reviewed two literatures: (a) research on the genetics of epilepsy, and (b) social science research on the social experience and social consequences of epilepsy. For each, we note key empiric findings and discuss their implications with regard to the consequences of emerging genetic information about epilepsy. We also briefly review available principles and guidelines from professional and advocacy groups that might help to direct efforts to ascertain and address the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of genetic testing for epilepsy. Results: Genetic information about epilepsy may pose significant challenges for people with epilepsy and their family members. Although some general resources are available for navigating this complex new terrain, no guidelines specific to epilepsy have yet been developed to assist people with epilepsy, their family members, or their health care providers. Conclusions: Research is needed on the ethical, legal, and social concerns raised by genetic research on epilepsy and the advent of genetic testing. This research should include the perspectives of people with epilepsy and their family members, as well as those of health care professionals, policymakers, and bioethicists.
Functional Impairment, Race, and Family Expectations of Death
Authors: Williams Brie A. , Lindquist Karla , Moody‐Ayers Sandra Y. , Walter Louise C. , Covinsky Kenneth E. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of functional impairment on family expectations of death and to examine how this association varies by race.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.SETTING: Community based.PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand two hundred thirty‐seven family members of decedents from the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), a national study of persons aged 50 and older.MEASUREMENTS: Families were interviewed within 2 years of the HRS participant's death. The primary outcome was whether death was expected. The primary predictors were the decedent's functional status (impairment in any activity of daily living (ADL; eating, dressing, transferring, toileting, or bathing) during the last 3 months of life and the decedent's race.RESULTS: Overall, 58% of families reported that their family member's death was expected. Expecting death was strongly associated with functional impairment; 71% of families of decedents with ADL disability expected death, compared with 24% of those without ADL disability (P<.01). Death was expected more often in families of white decedents (60%) than African Americans (49%) (P<.01), although the effect of ADL disability was similar in both groups. After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, there were still significant associations between expecting death and functional impairment (odds ratio (OR)=3.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.73–4.70), and families of African Americans expected death less often than families of white decedents (OR=0.63, 95% CI=0.46–0.86).CONCLUSION: Family members of older adults expected death only 58% of the time. Families of functionally impaired older people were more likely to expect death when it occurred than were families of older people who were not functionally impaired, and the expectation of death was lower for families of African Americans than for whites.
Identification and Characterization of the
Bacillus thuringiensi
s
phaZ
Gene, Encoding New Intracellular Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Depolymerase
Authors: Tseng Chi-Ling , Chen Hui-Ju , Shaw Gwo-Chyuan 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

A gene that codes for a novel intracellular poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerase has now been identified in the genome of
Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp.
israelensis
ATCC 35646. This gene, previously annotated as a hypothetical 3-oxoadipate enol-lactonase (PcaD) gene and now designated
phaZ
, encodes a protein that shows no significant similarity with any known PHB depolymerase. Purified His-tagged PhaZ could efficiently degrade trypsin-activated native PHB granules as well as artificial amorphous PHB granules and release 3-hydroxybutyrate monomer as a hydrolytic product, but it could not hydrolyze denatured semicrystalline PHB. In contrast, purified His-tagged PcaD of
Pseudomonas putida
was unable to degrade trypsin-activated native PHB granules and artificial amorphous PHB granules. The
B. thuringiensis
PhaZ was inactive against
p
-nitrophenylpalmitate, tributyrin, and triolein. Sonication supernatants of the wild-type
B. thuringiensis
cells exhibited a PHB-hydrolyzing activity in vitro, whereas those prepared from a
phaZ
mutant lost this activity. The
phaZ
mutant showed a higher PHB content than the wild type at late stationary phase of growth in a nutrient-rich medium, indicating that this PhaZ can function as a PHB depolymerase in vivo. PhaZ contains a lipase box-like sequence (G-W-S
102
-M-G) but lacks a signal peptide. A purified His-tagged S102A variant had lost the PHB-hydrolyzing activity. Taken together, these results indicate that
B. thuringiensis
harbors a new type of intracellular PHB depolymerase.
TheEscherichia coliK-12 NarL and NarP Proteins Insulate thenrfPromoter from the Effects of Integration Host Factor
Authors: Browning Douglas F. , Lee David J. , Wolfe Alan J. , Cole Jeffrey A. , Busby Stephen J. W. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTTheEscherichia coliK-12nrfoperon promoter can be activated fully by the FNR protein (regulator of fumarate and nitrate reduction) binding to a site centered at position −41.5. FNR-dependent transcription is suppressed by integration host factor (IHF) binding at position −54, and this suppression is counteracted by binding of the NarL or NarP response regulator at position −74.5. TheE. coli acsgene is transcribed from a divergent promoter upstream from thenrfoperon promoter. Transcription from the majoracsP2 promoter is dependent on the cyclic AMP receptor protein and is modulated by IHF and Fis binding at multiple sites. We show that IHF binding to one of these sites, located at position −127 with respect to thenrfpromoter, has a positive effect onnrfpromoter activity. This activation is dependent on the face of the DNA helix, independent of IHF binding at other locations, and found only when NarL/NarP are not bound at position −74.5. Binding of NarL/NarP appears to insulate thenrfpromoter from the effects of IHF. Theacs-nrfregulatory region is conserved in other pathogenicE. colistrains and related enteric bacteria but differs inSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium.
PAX6 Suppresses the Invasiveness of Glioblastoma Cells and the Expression of the Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Gene
Authors: Mayes Debra A. , Hu Yuanjie , Teng Yue , Siegel Eric , Wu Xiaosong , Panda Kishori , Tan Fang , Yung W.K. Alfred , Zhou Yi-Hong 
Published: October 2006

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive brain tumor. We have previously reported that the transcription factor PAX6 suppresses the tumorigenecity of GBM cells. By an in vitro Matrigel invasion assay on two GBM cell lines stably transfected with wild-type and/or two mutant forms of PAX6, this study displays the first evidence that PAX6 inhibits the invasiveness of GBM cells and that the DNA-binding domain of PAX6 is required for this function. Using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), gelatin zymography, and immunohistochemistry assays, the expression of the gene encoding matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) in GBM cell lines grown in vitro or in intracranial xenografts in nude mice was shown to be repressed by either stable or adenoviral-mediated overexpression of PAX6. Luciferase promoter assays revealed PAX6-mediated suppression of MMP2 promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed direct binding of PAX6 to the MMP2 promoter. A significant reverse correlation (P &lt; 0.05) occurred between PAX6 and MMP2 expression quantified by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 41 GBMs, 43 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 7 adjacent normal tissues. Interestingly, the degree and significance of the reverse correlation increased after excluding astrocytomas, whereas it became insignificant after excluding GBMs. In GBM cells stably transfected with a dominant negative mutant PAX6 showing increased MMP2 expression and invasiveness, knock-down of MMP2 revealed that MMP2 is one of the PAX6 target genes mediating its suppression of invasion. Overall data delineated a mechanism for the suppressive function of PAX6 in GBM: suppression of cell invasion by repressing the expression of proinvasive genes such as MMP2. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(20): 9809-17)
Coordinated Functions of E-Cadherin and Transforming Growth Factor β Receptor II In vitro and In vivo
Authors: Andl Claudia D. , Fargnoli Brenton B. , Okawa Takaomi , Bowser Mark , Takaoka Munenori , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Klein-Szanto Andres , Hua Xianxin , Herlyn Meenhard , Rustgi Anil K. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
In epithelial cells, E-cadherin plays a key role in cell-cell adhesion, and loss of E-cadherin is a hallmark of tumor progression fostering cancer cell invasion and metastasis. To examine E-cadherin loss in squamous cell cancers, we used primary human esophageal epithelial cells (keratinocytes) as a platform and retrovirally transduced wild-type and dominant-negative forms of E-cadherin into these cells. We found decreased cell adhesion in the cells expressing dominant-negative E-cadherin, thereby resulting in enhanced migration and invasion. To analyze which molecular pathway(s) may modulate these changes, we conducted microarray analysis and found up-regulation of transforming growth factor β receptor II (TβRII) in the wild-type E-cadherin-overexpressing cells, which was confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blot analyses. To investigate the in vivo relevance of this finding, we analyzed tissue microarrays of paired esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and adjacent normal esophagus, and we could show a coordinated loss of E-cadherin and TβRII in ∼80% of tumors. To determine if there may be an E-cadherin-dependent regulation of TβRII, we show the physical interaction of E-cadherin with TβRII and that this is mediated through the extracellular domains of E-cadherin and TβRII, respectively. In addition, TβRI is recruited to this complex. When placed in the context of three-dimensional cell culture, which reflects the physiologic microenvironment, TβRII-mediated cell signaling is dependent upon intact E-cadherin function. Our results, which suggest that E-cadherin regulates TβRII function, have important implications for epithelial carcinogenesis characterized through the frequent occurrence of E-cadherin and TβRII loss. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(20): 9878-85)
Relationships of Human Papillomavirus Type, Qualitative Viral Load, and Age with Cytologic Abnormality
Authors: Kovacic Melinda Butsch , Castle Philip E. , Herrero Rolando , Schiffman Mark , Sherman Mark E. , Wacholder Sholom , Rodriguez Ana C. , Hutchinson Martha L. , Bratti M. Concepción , Hildesheim Allan , Morales Jorge , Alfaro Mario , Burk Robert D. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Persistent cervical infections with carcinogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause virtually all cervical cancer. Cytologic abnormalities are the manifestations of HPV infections used to identify women at risk. To compare the potential of the full range of anogenital HPV genotypes to induce cytopathic effects, we examined the influences of HPV type, viral load, and age on cytopathology among 1,222 women having a single HPV type at enrollment into a 10,000-woman population-based study in Costa Rica. Cervical specimens were tested for ∼40 HPV types by MY09/MY11 L1 primer PCR and type-specific dot blot hybridization. Types were organized by phylogenetic species and cancer risk. PCR signal strength served as a qualitative surrogate for viral load. Overall, 24.8% [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 22.4-27.3] of single prevalent HPV infections had concurrent abnormalities (atypical squamous cells or worse) ranging from 0.0% to 80.0% based on HPV type. Noncarcinogenic α3/α15 types, although highly prevalent, uncommonly caused cytologic abnormalities (13.1%; 95% CI, 9.8-17.0). In contrast, one quarter to nearly one half of infections with a single major carcinogenic species type (α9/α11/α7/α5/α6) produced abnormalities. Greater abnormalities were observed with increasing qualitative viral load of carcinogenic types; fewer abnormalities were observed among older women (&gt;54 years). A high percentage (46.2%) of detected abnormalities in women infected with HPV16 or related α9 types were high grade or worse, consistent with strong carcinogenicity, compared with 10.7% in women infected with α7 types, including HPV18, a major cause of adenocarcinoma. The lack of evident severe abnormalities associated with HPV18 and related HPV types might have implications for screening for poorly detected glandular and α7-related lesions. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(20): 10112-9)