bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune activation and IL-12 production during acute/early HIV infection in the absence and presence of highly active, antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Byrnes Adriana A , Harris David M , Atabani Sowsan F , Sabundayo Beulah P , Langan Susan J , Margolick Joseph B , Karp Christopher L 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSuppressed IL-12 production and maladaptive immune activation, both of which are ameliorated by successful highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), are thought to play important roles in the immunopathogenesis of chronic HIV infection. Despite the important effects of the immunological and virological events of early HIV infection on subsequent disease progression, IL-12 production and immune activation in early infection remain under-defined. To quantify IL-12 production and immune activation during acute/early HIV infection, in the presence and absence of HAART, we performed a prospective, longitudinal study of participants in the Baltimore site of the Acute Infection and Early Disease Research Program, with cross-sectional comparison to healthy control subjects. PBMC cytokine productive capacity and plasma immune activation markers [soluble CD8 (sCD8), sCD4, granzyme B, neopterin, β2-microglobulin, sIL-2R, sTNFRI, sTNFRII, and IL-12p70] were quantified by ELISA. Notably, PBMC from patients with acute/early HIV infection exhibited in vivo IL-12p70 production along with increased, maximal in vitro IL-12 production. Further, despite evidence from plasma markers of generalized immune activation, no elevation in plasma levels of sCD4 was observed, suggesting relative blunting of in vivo CD4+ T cell activation from the beginning of HIV infection. Finally, despite successful virological responses to HAART, heightened in vivo CD8+ T cell activation, IL-12 production, and IFN activity were sustained for at least 6 months during primary HIV infection. These data underscore the need for comparative mechanistic analysis of the immunobiology of early and chronic HIV infection.
New Books across the Disciplines
Authors: Cornett Michael 
Published: September 2008

“New Books across the Disciplines” is a bibliographic resource that facilitates a cross-disciplinary survey of recent publications. Its scope ranges from late antiquity to the seventeenth century. Coverage is comprehensive for the large majority of North American and British publishers. Other European titles are included whenever received. Books are classified under variable topical headings and listed alphabetically by author's name. Entries include complete bibliographical data and annotations. With few exceptions, books appearing here have been published within the previous two years. Many will be presented here before they are ordered and shelved by libraries.
The topics for this issue include:
Editions and translations Reference Historiography, historians, and critical theory Biographical studies Medicine, science, and technology The body Sexuality Gender and works of women Visual culture Authorship and textuality
Treatment appraisals and beliefs predict adherence to complementary therapies: A prospective study using a dynamic extended self‐regulation model
Authors: Bishop Felicity L. , Yardley Lucy , Lewith George T. 
Published: September 2008

Objectives Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by large numbers of the general public and is increasingly becoming integrated into the mainstream. An understanding of why people use CAM in general has been developed in the literature, but relatively little is known specifically about adherence to CAM. We tested hypotheses (derived from a dynamic extended version of Leventhal's common‐sense model) that patients' beliefs about treatment, perceptions of illness, and treatment appraisals would predict adherence to CAM.Design A prospective self‐report questionnaire study was carried out with a 3‐month follow‐up period.Methods A total of 240 patients from five CAM clinics completed self‐report questionnaire measures of treatment beliefs, illness perceptions, and treatment appraisals at baseline. Three months later, they completed self‐report measures of adherence to therapists' recommendations concerning attendance, remedy use, and life‐style changes.Results Logistic regression analyses showed that positive perceptions of one's therapist and belief that mental factors do not cause illness independently predicted adherence to appointments. Positive beliefs in holistic health and finding it difficult to travel to appointments predicted adherence to remedy use. Using homeopathy was the only independent predictor of adherence to life‐style changes.Conclusions Treatment appraisals, treatment beliefs, and illness perceptions explain modest proportions of the variance in adherence to CAM. This study highlights the value of operationalizing the appraisal element of the common‐sense model when investigating adherence to treatment.
Predicting and explaining transtheoretical model stage transitions in relation to condom‐carrying behaviour
Authors: Arden Madelynne A. , Armitage Christopher J. 
Published: September 2008

Objectives The stages of change component of the transtheoretical model have been applied to safe sex behaviours in cross‐sectional analyses, but have not yet been subject to prospective analysis. It was predicted that: (a) cross‐sectional analyses would demonstrate good discrimination between the stages of change; (b) prospective analyses would allow for the identification of predictors of stage transitions; and (c) implementation intentions would explain progression from the preparation stage.Design This study employed an experimental longitudinal design. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (implementation intention) or control conditions and completed questionnaires at baseline and at 2‐month follow‐up.Methods Five hundred and twenty‐five adolescents who were broadly representative of the UK population completed questionnaires at baseline and follow‐up (N=393) measuring: demographic variables; stage of change; theory of planned behaviour constructs; anticipated regret; and moral norm in relation to condom‐carrying behaviour. The experimental condition completed a self‐generated implementation intention to carry condoms at the end of the baseline questionnaire.Results Discriminant function analyses indicated that the stages of change could be accurately discriminated from one another cross‐sectionally and that, longitudinally, the measured variables were able to predict transitions between most stages. Implementation intentions caused people to progress from the preparation stage.Conclusions Transitions between most stages were reliably predicted, thereby providing potential targets for intervention. The brief implementation intention intervention was effective and could easily be utilized and expanded to encompass a broader range of sexual health behaviours.
Development of the benefit finding in multiple sclerosis (MS) caregiving scale: A longitudinal study of relations between benefit finding and adjustment
Authors: Pakenham Kenneth I. , Cox Stephen 
Published: September 2008

Benefit finding (BF) is a meaning‐making construct that has been shown to predict carer and care recipient adjustment.Purpose This longitudinal study investigated the dimensions, stability, and validity of the benefit finding in multiple sclerosis caregiving (BFiMSCare) scale.Methods Participants were 232 carers of persons with MS and their care recipients. Questionnaires were completed at Time 1 and 12 months later (Time 2).Results Factor analysis of the BFiMSCare scale revealed six psychometrically sound factors: enriched relationship; spiritual growth; family relations growth; life‐style gains; inspiration; and relationship opportunities. Results of regression analyses indicated that the Time 1 BFiMSCare factors and the total score accounted for significant amounts of variance in each of the Time 1 positive adjustment outcomes (life satisfaction, positive affect, dyadic adjustment) and in Time 2 positive affect and dyadic adjustment. The BFiMSCare total score predicted all Time 2 adjustment domains (positive affect, dyadic adjustment, care recipient adjustment ratings of carer) except life satisfaction and distress, whereas the six factors as a block predicted positive affect and life satisfaction.Conclusions Findings delineate the dimensional structure of BF in caregiving and the differential links between BF dimensions and adjustment, and have implications for the measurement of BF.
Relationship satisfaction in women: A longitudinal case‐control study about the role of breast cancer, personal assertiveness, and partners' relationship‐focused coping
Authors: Hinnen Chris , Hagedoorn Mariët , Ranchor Adelita V. , Sanderman Robbert 
Published: September 2008

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether a breast cancer diagnosis, personal assertiveness (i.e. frequency of assertive behaviour and tension associated with this behaviour), and partners' relationship‐focused coping (i.e. active engagement and protective buffering) were sources of variation in patients' relationship satisfaction, cross‐sectionally and over time.Design and method This longitudinal case‐control study assessed the two dimensions of personal assertiveness and relationship satisfaction in both women with cancer (N=72) and comparison controls (N=62). In addition, patients completed a measure assessing their partners' active engagement and protective buffering.Results Cases (i.e. women with breast cancer) were not found to report more relationship problems than controls. Women with breast cancer who tended not to express their concerns and feelings and who experienced much tension when they did, reported relatively low marital satisfaction. Moreover, partners' protective buffering was associated with less relationship satisfaction in especially more assertive (i.e. high frequency of assertive behaviour and low tension) women with cancer, while active engagement was associated with more relationship satisfaction, regardless of the women's personal assertiveness.Discussion The results of the present study indicate that a breast cancer diagnosis by itself may not be a risk factor for relationship problems. However, in the context of an illness such as cancer, personal assertiveness, and a partner's relationship‐focused coping strategies do seem to play a role in maintaining a satisfactory relationship with one's partner.
Dimensions and profiles of the generalized health‐related self‐concept
Authors: Wiesmann Ulrich , Niehörster Gabriele , Hannich Hans‐Joachim , Hartmann Ute 
Published: September 2008

Objectives We explore the significance of health as a potentially self‐relevant category from the perspective of dynamic self‐concept theory. Our intention was to describe the dimensional structure of the generalized health‐related self‐concept, to identify particular prototypes of health‐related self‐definition, and to see if these prototypes would differ with respect to appraisals of health behaviour and subjective health.Design We conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire study involving 545 college students (23.3% male) at the mean age of 22 years.Methods The self‐administered questionnaire assessed a relevant spectrum of health‐related cognitions denoting their generalized declarative knowledge about their health (the generalized health‐related self‐concept). Additionally, participants rated their multiple health behaviour, their perceived health, and their anticipated vulnerability.Results A principal components analysis of the health‐related cognitions revealed the following five dimensions: health‐protective dispositions, health‐protective motivation, vulnerability, health‐risky habits, and external, avoidant motivation. A two‐step cluster analysis of the five components identified six profiles of health‐related self‐concept: careless/carefree, omnipotents, risk‐takers, mentally affected, reluctant‐avoidant, and medically fragile. These prototypes could be successfully reclassified (97.6%). The six profiles differed with respect to their health behaviour and subjective health appraisals.Conclusions The dimensional structure represents both resources and deficits with respect to an individual's health‐related self‐concept. An individual's profile of these dimensions might correspond to a characteristic set of particular health needs and motivations. Successful health communications should follow a complementary strategy of affirming the self‐concept.
Sollten nach der Norm DIN EN ISO 15189 akkreditierte medizinische Laboratorien durch die Landesbehörden überwacht werden?
Authors: Lehnigk Katharina , Steinhorst Andreas 
Published: September 2008

Zusammenfassung
Die neue Richtlinie der Bundesärztekammer zur Qualitätssicherung laboratoriumsmedizinischer Untersuchungen besteht aus einem Teil A mit grundlegenden Anforderungen an Qualitätssicherung und Qualitätsmanagement, die von allen Laboratorien in Deutschland, in denen laboratoriumsmedizinische Untersuchungen im Rahmen der Ausübung der Heilkunde durchgeführt werden, zu erfüllen sind. Spezifische Anforderungen gelten, soweit ein spezieller Teil B formuliert ist. Gesetzliche Regelungen sind aber nur in dem Maße wirksam, wie die Überprüfung ihrer Einhaltung erfolgt.
Frau Dipl.-Biol. Lehnigk vertritt die Meinung, dass die behördliche Zuständigkeit der Überwachung der Länder auch für nach der Norm DIN EN ISO 15189 freiwillig akkreditierte medizinische Laboratorien gilt. Der Staat hat Sorge zu tragen, dass die gesetzlichen Vorgaben eingehalten werden. Eine Übertragung von Überwachungsaufgaben auf andere Stellen durch die zuständige Landesbehörde sei denkbar.
Dr. Steinhorst ist der Meinung, dass die Landesbehörden Vertrauen in die Akkreditierung nach der Norm DIN EN ISO 15189 haben und bei akkreditierten Laboratorien auf eigene Überprüfungen verzichten sollten, da die in der Norm festgelegten Anforderungen weit über die Anforderungen in der RiLi-BÄK 2008 hinausgehen. Darüber hinaus stützt sich die RiLi-BÄK im Teil A auf die Norm DIN EN ISO 15189.
Androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism is associated with serum testosterone levels, obesity and serum leptin in men with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Stanworth R D , Kapoor D , Channer K S , Jones T H 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveTo determine the relationships between androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism length (AR CAG), sex hormones and clinical variables in men with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Men with DM2 are known to have a high prevalence of low testosterone levels. Studies suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may improve insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control in men with DM2 and reduces central obesity and serum leptin. AR CAG is known to correlate negatively with AR sensitivity and positively with body fat, insulin levels, and leptin in healthy men.DesignCross-sectional study set in a district general hospital diabetes centre.MethodsSex hormones, AR CAG and symptoms of hypogonadism were assessed in 233 men with DM2. Associations were sought between these variables and others such as obesity, leptin, glycaemic control, and blood pressure.ResultsTestosterone was negatively associated and AR CAG positively associated with obesity and leptin. The associations of AR CAG with leptin and obesity were independent of testosterone, estradiol, gonadotropins, and age. AR CAG was also independently associated with total, bioavailable and free testosterone, LH, waist circumference, body mass index, leptin, and systolic blood pressure. There was no association of AR CAG with sex hormone binding globulin, estradiol, HbA1C or the symptoms of hypogonadism.ConclusionsThe association of longer AR CAG with obesity and leptin suggests that shorter AR CAG may have an influence in maintaining healthy anthropomorphics and metabolism in men with DM2. Testosterone and LH levels are higher in men with longer AR CAG, probably reflecting reduced negative feedback through a less sensitive receptor.
Gender dimorphism in body composition abnormalities in acromegaly: males are more affected than females
Authors: Sucunza N , Barahona M J , Resmini E , Fernández-Real J M , Farrerons J , Lluch P , Puig T , Wägner A M , Ricart W , Webb S M 
Published: September 2008

BackgroundAcromegaly changes body composition (BC), but long-term gender differences have not been reported.ObjectiveTo evaluate BC in active and controlled acromegalic patients.Design and methodsClinical and biochemical variables and BC (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) were evaluated in 60 acromegalic patients (19 active, 41 controlled) and 105 controls, matched for age and gender.ResultsAcromegalic males (n=24) had more total mass (89±13 vs 76.5±15.3 kg, P<0.001), lean body mass (LBM; 64.6±8.7 vs 56.4±5.8 kg, P<0.001), and bone mineral content (BMC; 2.9±0.5 vs 2.6±0.3 kg, P<0.05) than controls (n=33). Controlled male patients (n=14) had more total mass (89±14.7 vs 76.5±15.3 kg, P<0.05) and a trend to have more LBM (61.8±9.4 vs 56.4±5.8 kg, P=0.065) than controls. Only in active disease was a decrease in fat mass (FM) observed, compared with controlled patients and controls (males: 19.5±5.3 vs 27±6.2 and 25.9±4%, P<0.001; females: 30.3±6.7 vs 37.1±5.8 and 36.5±6.6%, P<0.01). In females, no further differences were observed. No differences in BMC were found between eugonadal and hypogonadal acromegalic patients, but in hypogonadal females, acromegaly appeared to prevent the BMC loss seen in hypogonadal postmenopausal controls. GH and IGF1 levels were negatively correlated with FM (males, P<0.05; females, P<0.001), but in the regression analysis GH was a predictor of FM only in women.ConclusionsControl of acromegaly reverts decreased FM in both genders; only in males more total mass and a trend for more LBM persist. The anabolic effect of GH on bone reverted in cured males, but persisted in females and appeared to override the bone loss of menopause.
Acylation stimulating protein but not complement C3 associates with metabolic syndrome components in Chinese children and adolescents
Authors: Wamba Ponce Cedric Fouejeu , Mi Jie , Zhao Xiao-Yuan , Zhang Mei-Xian , Wen Yu , Cheng Hong , Hou Dong-Qing , Cianflone Katherine 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveChildhood obesity is increasing worldwide and is increasingly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our aim was to examine acylation stimulating protein (ASP) and its precursor complement C3, in normal, overweight, and obese Chinese children and adolescents, and the relationships with body size, blood parameters, pubertal development, family environment, and MetS.MethodsChildren and adolescents (n=1603) from 6 to 18 years, boys (n=873) and girls (n=730), including normal weight (n=603), overweight (n=291) and obese (n=709) were assessed for body size parameters, pubertal development, blood lipids, glucose, insulin, ASP, and C3.ResultsASP levels were increased in overweight and obese versus normal weight (P<0.001), while C3 showed little variation. This effect of overweight/obesity remained throughout early stages when boys and girls were separated by pubertal development or age, although age and pubertal status itself had no effect. Separation based on ASP quintiles demonstrated significant associations with blood cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Chol), glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance in boys, and LDL-Chol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose in girls. A positive correlation with mother's body mass index in boys and girls (P=0.002 and P=0.014 respectively) as well as birth weight (P<0.001) was noted. MetS was strongly associated with increased ASP, the presence of a single MetS factor (especially hypertension, central obesity, or hyperglycemia) was associated with increased ASP.ConclusionChanges in the plasma adipokine ASP in early obesity are associated with blood lipid and glucose modifications, family environment, and distinct MetS risk factors.
A New Class of High Temperature and Corrosion Resistant Nickel‐Based Open‐Cell Foams
Authors: Walther G. , Klöden B. , Büttner T. , Weißgärber T. , Kieback B. , Böhm A. , Naumann D. , Saberi S. , Timberg L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA number of nickel‐based and iron‐based alloys have been successfully developed for applications at high service temperatures and in corrosive environments. Applications such as diesel particulate filters, heat exchangers, and catalyst supports require open‐cell porous structures with tailored and uniform material and structural properties, a requirement which can be met by high temperature and corrosion resistant metallic alloy foams prepared with compositions similar to those mentioned above. A new technology that transforms pure nickel foam into an alloy foam, and which has now reached the pilot plant production stage, will be introduced. This technique starts from commercially‐available nickel foam, which is uniformly coated with a pre‐alloyed powder using standard powder metallurgical methods, and subsequently transformed into the desired alloy throughout the strut cross‐section in a relatively short time with a carefully controlled heat treatment that utilizes transient liquid‐phase sintering. This process allows for the preparation of a wide variety of foam compositions and structural features, which is important for tailoring material properties to a specific application.
Aluminium Foam Sandwich Panels: Manufacture, Metallurgy and Applications
Authors: Banhart J. , Seeliger H.‐W. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSandwich panels consisting of a highly porous aluminium foam core and aluminium alloy face sheets are manufactured by roll‐bonding aluminium alloy sheets to a densified mixture of metal powders – usually Al‐Si or Al‐Si‐Cu alloys with 6–8% Si and 3–10% Cu – and titanium hydride, and foaming the resulting three‐layer structure by a thermal treatment. We review the various processing steps of aluminium foam sandwich (AFS) and the metallurgical processes during foaming, compare the process to alternative ways to manufacture AFS, e.g. by adhesive bonding, and give an overview of the available literature. Two ways to treat AFS after foaming are presented, namely forging and age‐hardening. Some current and potential applications are described and the market potential of AFS is assessed.
Porous Metals and Metallic Foams: Current Status and Recent Developments
Authors: Lefebvre L.‐P. , Banhart J. , Dunand D. C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPorous metals and metallic foams are presently the focus of very active research and development activities. There are currently around 150 institutions working on metallic foams worldwide, most of them focussing on their manufacture and characterisation. Various companies are developing and producing these materials which are now being used in numerous industrial applications such as lightweight structures, biomedical implants, filters, electrodes, catalysts, and heat exchangers. This review summarizes recent developments on these materials, with particular emphasis on research presented at the latest International Conference on Porous Metals and Metallic Foams (MetFoam 2007).
Cover Picture: Metallic Foams (Adv. Eng. Mater. 9/2008)
Authors: Lefebvre L.‐P. , Banhart J. , Dunand D. C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPorous metals and metallic foams are presently the focus of very active research and development activities. There are currently around 150 institutions working on metallic foams worldwide, most of them focussing on their manufacture and characterisation. Various companies are developing and producing these materials which are now being used in numerous industrial applications such as lightweight structures, biomedical implants, filters, electrodes, catalysts, and heat exchangers. This review summarizes recent developments on these materials, with particular emphasis on research presented at the latest International Conference on Porous Metals and Metallic Foams (MetFoam 2007).