bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Home-centred physical fitness programme in morbidly obese individuals: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tumiati Riccardo , Mazzoni Gianni , Crisafulli Ernesto , Serri Barbara , Beneventi Claudio , Lorenzi Cristina M , Grazzi Giovanni , Prato Francesco , Conconi Francesco , Fabbri Leonardo M , Clini Enrico M 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of domiciliary physical fitness programmes in obese individuals. Design: Nine-month randomized controlled trial. Setting: Home-based intervention with outpatient visits. Subjects: Morbidly obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) ≥30) aged 25—65 years suitable for physical activities at home. Intervention: At the end of a preliminary one-month in-hospital rehabilitation programme (baseline), 52 patients were randomly assigned either to a structured educational programme (intervention group) of daily incremental physical activity at home (walking and skeletal muscle resistance training, with booklets and written instructions) or to a programme of general advice (control group) regarding exercise and long-term fitness. Main measures: Both groups were evaluated at baseline and every three months for: (1) time, metabolic equivalents (METs), and heart rate reserve (HRR) during a standardized 2-km walking test (2kmWT); (2) anthropometric measures (body weight, BMI, abdominal and neck circumference); (3) the Polar Fitness Test index (PFTI), and (4) time to exhaustion while sustaining consecutive isoload extensions in the dominant leg (isoload LE). Time during 2kmWT was the study primary outcome. Results: Body weight, BMI and abdominal circumference improved significantly (P<0.05) over time in the intervention group. The cardiopulmonary fitness variables changed significantly (P<0.05) over time in both study groups. However, all variables improved in the intervention patients, while some worsened or remained stable in the controls. Thus, the mean group difference in changes was significant (P<0.05) for 2kmWT time (—77.4 seconds), HRR (11.7%), and PFTI (5.4 points). Conclusion: This structured domiciliary fitness programme is feasible and provides sustained anthropometric and physiological benefits in some morbidly obese individuals.
Immediate effect of treadmill walking practice versus overground walking practice on overground walking pattern in ambulatory stroke patients: an experimental study
Authors: Kuys Suzanne S , Brauer Sandra G , Ada Louise , Russell Trevor G 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To determine whether 10 minutes of treadmill walking had a different effect on overground walking pattern compared with 10 minutes of overground walking in newly ambulatory stroke patients. Are any changes influenced by walking ability? Design: A within-participant, repeated measures experimental study was conducted. Each participant carried out 10 minutes of overground walking practice followed by 10 minutes of treadmill walking practice at matched heart rate on separate days. Setting: An inpatient rehabilitation facility. Subjects: Twenty-one participants receiving inpatient rehabilitation following stroke. Measures: Overground walking pattern was measured as linear and angular kinematics using GAITRite and a two-dimensional webcam application respectively. Results: Following treadmill walking practice, there was 6 degrees (95% confidence interval (CI) 2 to 10) more knee extension at heel strike during overground walking than following overground walking practice. Poorer walkers increased non-paretic limb step length following treadmill walking practice more than those with better walking ability (mean difference 2.2 cm, 95% CI 0 to 5). Conclusions: Ten minutes of treadmill walking practice resulted in a similar overground walking pattern compared with overground walking practice in newly ambulatory stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, regardless of walking ability.
The Usefulness of Cube Copying for Evaluating Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Palmqvist Sebastian , Hansson Oskar , Minthon Lennart , Londos Elisabet 
Published: October 2008

Aims: Cube copying measures visuospatial ability, which is often impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cube copying was examined as an evaluation of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) treatment in AD. Methods: Eighty-five ChEI-treated AD patients were included. Cube drawings made at prebaseline, baseline, 6 months, and 12 months were assessed. Cube drawings from 56 healthy individuals were also examined. Results : The healthy individuals remained stable in cube copying, whereas untreated AD patients deteriorated during a median period of 6 months. When treatment was given, the deterioration was interrupted. After 12 months, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) had deteriorated compared with baseline whereas cube copying was unchanged. Conclusions: The results indicate that cube copying can be used to evaluate ChEI treatment. It might also show a more long-lasting response to treatment than MMSE. Cube copying only measures a narrow cognitive function and can preferably be used with MMSE, which evaluates visuospatial ability poorly.
Information-based methods for predicting gene function from systematic gene knock-downs
Authors: Weirauch Matthew T , Wong Christopher K , Byrne Alexandra B , Stuart Joshua M 
Published: October 2008

Abstract

Background
The rapid annotation of genes on a genome-wide scale is now possible for several organisms using high-throughput RNA interference assays to knock down the expression of a specific gene. To date, dozens of RNA interference phenotypes have been recorded for the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Although previous studies have demonstrated the merit of using knock-down phenotypes to predict gene function, it is unclear how the data can be used most effectively. An open question is how to optimally make use of phenotypic observations, possibly in combination with other functional genomics datasets, to identify genes that share a common role.

Results
We compared several methods for detecting gene-gene functional similarity from phenotypic knock-down profiles. We found that information-based measures, which explicitly incorporate a phenotype's genomic frequency when calculating gene-gene similarity, outperform non-information-based methods. We report the presence of newly predicted modules identified from an integrated functional network containing phenotypic congruency links derived from an information-based measure. One such module is a set of genes predicted to play a role in regulating body morphology based on their multiply-supported interactions with members of the TGF-β signaling pathway.

Conclusion
Information-based metrics significantly improve the comparison of phenotypic knock-down profiles, based upon their ability to enhance gene function prediction and identify novel functional modules.
The role of the t-SNARE SNAP-25 in action potential-dependent calcium signaling and expression in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons
Authors: Tafoya Lawrence CR , Shuttleworth C William , Yanagawa Yuchio , Obata Kunihiko , Wilson Michael C 
Published: October 2008

Abstract

Background
The soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, comprised of SNAP-25, syntaxin 1A, and VAMP-2, has been shown to be responsible for action potential (AP)-dependent, calcium-triggered release of several neurotransmitters. However, this basic fusogenic protein complex may be further specialized to suit the requirements for different neurotransmitter systems, as exemplified by neurons and neuroendocrine cells. In this study, we investigate the effects of SNAP-25 ablation on spontaneous neuronal activity and the expression of functionally distinct isoforms of this t-SNARE in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons of the adult brain.

Results
We found that neurons cultured from Snap25 homozygous null mutant (Snap25
-/-) mice failed to develop synchronous network activity seen as spontaneous AP-dependent calcium oscillations and were unable to trigger glial transients following depolarization. Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) mediated calcium transients evoked by depolarization, nevertheless, did not differ between soma of SNAP-25 deficient and control neurons. Furthermore, we observed that although the expression of SNAP-25 RNA transcripts varied among neuronal populations in adult brain, the relative ratio of the transcripts encoding alternatively spliced SNAP-25 variant isoforms was not different in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons.

Conclusion
We propose that the SNAP-25b isoform is predominantly expressed by both mature glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons and serves as a fundamental component of SNARE complex used for fast synaptic communication in excitatory and inhibitory circuits required for brain function. Moreover, SNAP-25 is required for neurons to establish AP-evoked synchronous network activity, as measured by calcium transients, whereas the loss of this t-SNARE does not affect voltage-dependent calcium entry.
Combinatorial interaction between CCM pathway genes precipitates hemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Gore Aniket V. , Lampugnani Maria Grazia , Dye Louis , Dejana Elisabetta , Weinstein Brant M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY
Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a particularly severe form of stroke whose etiology remains poorly understood, with a highly variable appearance and onset of the disease (Felbor et al., 2006; Frizzell, 2005; Lucas et al., 2003). In humans, mutations in any one of three CCM genes causes an autosomal dominant genetic ICH disorder characterized by cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM). Recent evidence highlighting multiple interactions between the three CCM gene products and other proteins regulating endothelial junctional integrity suggests that minor deficits in these other proteins could potentially predispose to, or help to initiate, CCM, and that combinations of otherwise silent genetic deficits in both the CCM and interacting proteins might explain some of the variability in penetrance and expressivity of human ICH disorders. Here, we test this idea by combined knockdown of CCM pathway genes in zebrafish. Reducing the function of rap1b, which encodes a Ras GTPase effector protein for CCM1/Krit1, disrupts endothelial junctions in vivo and in vitro, showing it is a crucial player in the CCM pathway. Importantly, a minor reduction of Rap1b in combination with similar reductions in the products of other CCM pathway genes results in a high incidence of ICH. These findings support the idea that minor polygenic deficits in the CCM pathway can strongly synergize to initiate ICH.
Novel One-pot Sol–Gel Preparation of Amino-functionalized Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Song , Osaka Akiyoshi , Hayakawa Satoshi , Tsuru Kanji , Fujii Eiji , Kawabata Koji 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm in diameter were directly prepared from precursor mixtures of tetraethoxysilane and aminopropyltriethoxysilane in ethanol/water solutions via a novel one-pot sol–gel procedure.
Accurate Measurement of Vicinal Carbon–Hydrogen Coupling Constants via Ammonium Nitrogen Based on HMBC Experiments
Authors: Yamaguchi Toshiyuki , Maruyoshi Keisuke , Matsumori Nobuaki , Murata Michio 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Vicinal spin–spin coupling constants frequently used for conformation analysis were determined for ammonium-containing 13C–N–C–1H systems by using HMBC. 1-Deoxynojirimycin hydrochloride provided an appropriate system for measuring the antiperiplanar and gauche interactions, which were determined to be 7.3 and 1.6 Hz, respectively.
Laboratory testing in clinical trials under consideration of the ICH-GCP guideline1
Authors: Nordmann Stephan , Wieland Eberhard 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Clinical trials are a prerequisite for the launch and registration of new drugs. During recent years the regulations have become more strict worldwide including Germany. The German law governing the manufacture and prescription of drugs (German Drugs Act, AMG) has adopted the contents of the guideline for Good Clinical Practice (GCP) which was harmonised by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) and makes binding recommendations with respect to ethics and quality of clinical trials. Since laboratory investigations form an integral part of most clinical trials it is beyond doubt that these recommendations and laws do also apply to laboratory testing. In consideration of these rules it is a demand that laboratories and laboratory physicians be involved early in the planning of clinical trials. In addition, laboratories must be informed of ongoing trials before they are initiated in a trial site of a hospital. Optimally, a separate laboratory contract has been signed and laboratory testing is reimbursed according to the German fee regulations for physicians (GOÄ). In the authors' opinion, the dissemination of proficiency testing documents and reference values to the sponsor after a trial has been completed is insufficient to fulfil legal requirements and to comprehensively exclude legal liability of the laboratory personnel.
Volumenstrommessung mit gravimetrischen Normalmessanlagen Flow Measurement with Gravimetric Weighing Systems
Authors: Mathies Nicolaus , Adunka Franz , Schupp Reiner 
Published: October 2008

Zusammenfassung
Die innerhalb definierter Messunsicherheiten liegende Volumenbestimmung strömender Medien in geschlossenen Rohrleitungen ist Abrechnungsgrundlage für eine Vielzahl von Anwendungsfällen. Steigende Kosten bei allen Produkten erheben den Anspruch an eine höhere Genauigkeit der eingesetzten Messgeräte und damit auch an die bei der Kalibrierung dieser Messgeräte zum Einsatz kommenden Messanlagen. Dies erfordert hierbei einerseits genaue Kenntnisse über Messanlage und Prüfverfahren, andererseits für die weltweite Vergleichbarkeit von Messdaten ein einheitliches Vorgehen bei der Messunsicherheitsanalyse. Im Folgenden werden aktuelle Prüfverfahren bei der Durchflussmessung sowie Mess- und Berechnungsverfahren für deren Eingangsgrößen vorgestellt und am Beispiel einer Messanlage erläutert.
Association of CD40 and thyroglobulin genes with later-onset Graves' disease in Taiwanese patients
Authors: Hsiao Jeng-Yueh , Hsieh Ming-Chia , Hsiao Cheng-Ting , Weng Hsu-Huei , Ke Der-Shin 
Published: October 2008

ObjectiveGraves' disease (GD) is known to be associated with thyroglobulin (TG) and CD40 genes. Therefore, we decided to investigate the relationship of age at onset of GD with CD40 and TG gene susceptibilities in a Taiwanese population.Design and methodWe analyzed the association of TG and CD40 polymorphisms with age at onset of GD in Taiwanese patients. We stratified patients into those with early onset (<40 years; 30.3±4.8 years; n=135) and later onset (≥40 years; 52.3±6.3 years; n=80) and compared the results with those of 141 normal controls.ResultsWe found a significant statistical difference in the T/T genotype frequency of E33 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and G/G genotype frequency of E12 SNP when compared with the control group (P<0.001). In addition, the frequencies of the T allele and TT genotype of the CD40 SNP were found to be significantly increased in GD patients who developed GD aged over 40 years than those below 40 years (allele: χ2=5.299, P=0.021, OR=1.597; genotype: χ2=6.168, P=0.046). By contrast, the frequencies of genotypes in the TG gene E10, E12, and E33 SNPs were not found to be significantly different in GD patients who developed GD when aged over 40 years when compared with those aged below 40 years.ConclusionsThese data suggest that the T/T genotype and T allele in the CD40 gene are more likely to be associated with late-onset GD in Taiwanese patients.
Results of surgical and somatostatin analog therapies and their combination in acromegaly: a retrospective analysis of the German Acromegaly Register
Authors: Petersenn S , Buchfelder M , Reincke M , Strasburger C M , Franz H , Lohmann R , Quabbe H-J , Plöckinger U , _ _ 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundData on surgical and medical treatment outcomes in acromegaly mostly originate from specialized centers. We retrospectively analyzed the data on surgery, primary somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy, surgery preceded by SSA, and SSA preceded by surgery in 1485 patients from the German Acromegaly Register.MethodsTwo trained nurses visited all centers (N=42) for data acquisition.ResultsPrimary surgery: out of 889 patients, 554 yielded analyzable data (microadenomas 22.9%, macroadenomas 77.1%). GH and IGF1 normalized in 54.3 and 67.2%. Partial or total pituitary insufficiency occurred in 28.6% initially and 41.2% post-surgery. Primary SSA (≥3 months): out of 329 patients, 145 yielded analyzable data (microadenomas 26.7%, macroadenomas 73.3%). GH and IGF1 normalized in 36.3 and 30.5%, increasing to 40.8 and 41.5% with longer SSA (≥360 days) in 54 patients. Pituitary function did not change. SSA (≥3 months) prior to surgery: out of 234 patients, 93 yielded analyzable data. Post-surgery GH and IGF1 was normalized in 62.9 and 68.4%. GH improvement was slightly, but significantly better after SSA pretreatment. Surgery followed by SSA: out of 122 patients, 34 yielded analyzable data. GH and IGF1 normalized during SSA in 24.1 and 45.5%. Relative GH decrease was significantly larger compared with primary SSA.ConclusionsPituitary surgery was more effective to lower GH and IGF1 concentrations than primary SSA. Primary SSA may be an option in selected patients. SSA prior to surgery only marginally improved surgical outcome. Debulking surgery may result in better final outcome in patients with a high GH concentration and a large tumor.
Aquatic Macrophyte Encroachment in Chinook Salmon Spawning Beds: Lessons Learned from Gravel Enhancement Monitoring in the Lower Mokelumne River, California
Authors: Merz Joseph E. , Smith James R. , Workman Michelle L. , Setka Jose D. , Mulchaey Bert 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
We studied the effects of colonization of the spawning habitat of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha by rooted aquatic macrophytes in a regulated central California river. At least seven species of plants invaded four spawning sites below the lowest nonpassable dam during an extended period of relatively low instream flows. The depths associated with aquatic vegetation were similar to those used by spawning salmon. Velocities were significantly lower where plants took root. As plants expanded over riffles, spawning females avoided those areas. We observed significant overall reductions in vegetation after flow events predicted to be of sufficient magnitude to mobilize substrates. However, the proportion of vegetation dislodged did not strongly correlate with the proportion of substrate that we predicted would mobilize. Even so, in areas where vegetation was reduced, use by salmon spawning subsequently increased. While shear stress may be part of the overall predictive equation for macrophyte control at spawning sites, other factors must be studied before a specific management action can be recommended.
Influence of Patient Characteristics on Success of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
Authors: Fravel Michelle A. , Ernst Michael E. , Weber Cynthia A. , Dawson Jeffrey D. , Carter Barry L. , Bergus George R. 
Published: October 2008

Study Objective. To examine the influence of specific patient characteristics on the success of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).Design. Retrospective analysis.Setting. University‐affiliated family care center.Patients. Five hundred thirty patients (mean age 52.7 yrs, range 14–90 yrs) who were undergoing ABPM between January 1, 2001, and July 1, 2007.Measurement and Main Results. Specific patient characteristics were identified through an electronic medical record review and then examined for association with ABPM session success rate. These patient characteristics included age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), occupation, clinic blood pressure, travel distance to clinic, and presence of diabetes mellitus or renal disease. The percentage of valid readings obtained during an ABPM session was analyzed continuously (0–100%), whereas overall session success was analyzed dichotomously (0–79% or 80–100%). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the influence of patient characteristics on the percentage of valid readings and the overall likelihood of achieving a successful session. In the 530 patients, the average percentage of valid readings was 90%, and a successful ABPM session (≥ 80% valid readings) was obtained in 84.7% (449 patients). A diagnosis of diabetes was found to negatively predict ABPM session success (continuous variable analysis, p=0.019; dichotomous variable analysis, odds ratio [OR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23‐0.87, p=0.019), as did renal disease (continuous variable analysis, p=0.006; dichotomous variable analysis, OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17‐0.90, p=0.027) and increasing BMI (continuous variable analysis, p<0.001; dichotomous variable analysis, OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65‐0.93, p=0.005). Renal disease and BMI remained significant predictors in adjusted analyses.Conclusion. For most patients, ABPM was successful; however, elevated BMI and renal disease were associated with less complete ABPM session results. Adaptation and individualization of the ABPM process may be necessary to improve results in these patients.
DermabondTM Tissue Adhesive Versus Steri-StripsTM in Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair: An Audit of Infection and Hypertrophic Scar Rates
Authors: Wilson Andrew D. H. , Mercer Nigel 
Published: October 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the infection and hypertrophic scar rates in unilateral cleft lip repairs, having had Steri-Strips or Dermabond tissue glue applied across the repair as the final stage. Design: Retrospective study over 13 years of 307 unilateral cleft lip repairs by a single surgeon. The application of either Steri-Strips from 1992 to 1998 (121 patients) or Dermabond tissue adhesive from 1998 to 2006 (186 patients) was used in the final stage of the repair. Setting: Regional Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate Care, South West of England. Participants: 307 consecutive unilateral cleft lip patients seen from 1992 to 2006. Main Outcome Measures and Results: There were five (4%) infections in the Steri-Strip group. All infections were with Staphylococcus aureus . No infections occurred in the Dermabond group (p < .001). There were 15 (12%) hypertrophic scars in the Steri-Strip group and 33 (18%) hypertrophic scars in the Dermabond group (p  =  .142). Revision surgery was required in a total of seven (6%) patients in the Steri-Strip group. No revisions were required in the Dermabond group (p. 1). Conclusion: We found a lower infection and revision rate and a similar hypertrophic scar rate when Dermabond was used instead of Steri-Strips in the final stage of unilateral cleft lip repair and suggest this study further supports the use of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in unilateral cleft lip repair.