bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interpreting analyses of continuous covariates in affected sibling pair linkage studies
Authors: Schmidt Silke , Qin Xuejun , Schmidt Michael A. , Martin Eden R. , Hauser Elizabeth R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDatasets collected for linkage analyses of complex human diseases often include a number of clinical or environmental covariates. In this study, we evaluated the performance of three linkage analysis methods when the relationship between continuous covariates and disease risk or linkage heterogeneity was modeled in three different ways: (1) The covariate distribution is determined by a quantitative trait locus (QTL), which contributes indirectly to the disease risk; (2) the covariate is not genetically determined, but influences the disease risk through statistical interaction with a disease susceptibility locus; (3) the covariate distribution differs in families linked or unlinked to a particular disease susceptibility locus. We analyzed simulated datasets with a regression‐based QTL analysis, a nonparametric analysis of the binary affection status, and the ordered subset analysis (OSA). We found that a significant OSA result may be due to a gene that influences variability in the population distribution of a continuous disease risk factor. Conversely, a regression‐based QTL analysis may detect the presence of gene‐environment (G × E) interaction in a sample of primarily affected individuals. The contribution of unaffected siblings and the size of baseline lod scores may help distinguish between QTL and G × E models. As illustrated by a linkage study of multiplex families with age‐related macular degeneration, our findings assist in the interpretation of analysis results in real datasets. They suggest that the side‐by‐side evaluation of OSA and QTL results may provide important information about the relationship of measured covariates with either disease risk or linkage heterogeneity. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What is elder abuse—who decides?
Authors: Selwood Amber , Cooper Claudia , Livingston Gill 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo test the hypothesis that family and professional caregivers have different views about what constitutes elder abuse.DesignA vignette was given to family and professional carers. They were asked to rate 13 management strategies for behavioural difficulties in a person with dementia on a Likert scale ranging from good idea to abusive. Some of the strategies were abusive according to the Department of Health's ‘No Secrets’ definition.Setting and participantsFamily carers were recruited as part of a study of Alzheimer's disease. We recruited professionals working in several clinical disciplines and settings from a mental health service for older people.ResultsSeventy‐four family and 38 professional carers completed questionnaires. The only abusive strategy that significantly more professionals than family carers identified correctly was preventing someone moving by putting a table over their lap (33(86.8%) vs 35(47.3%), p < 0.0005). In contrast, significantly more family carers identified that the neglect item of accepting someone was not clean was abusive (21(28.4%) vs 3(7.9%), p = 0.009).ConclusionsProfessionals and carers reported significantly different views from each other and guidelines about what constituted elder abuse. This may be because abuse remains unacknowledged if people feel there are no better management options, and reporting leads only to punitive action for the carer perhaps coupled with institutionalisation for the person with dementia. Successful guidelines require societal agreement about what constitutes abuse and that prevention leads to better outcomes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Caregiver psychological characteristics predict discontinuation of care for disabled elderly at home
Authors: Okamoto K. , Hasebe Y. , Harasawa Y. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectiveThis study sought to determine the predictors of discontinuation of care for the disabled elderly at home using multivariate regression analysis.MethodsIn January to February 2005, using a self‐administered questionnaire, data were collected from 193 caregivers of frail elderly listed on a roster for utilization of day service or short stay service from two Home Visit Nursing Care Stations. Family caregivers were defined as co‐resident family members who provided a minimum of 1 h of daily care for at least 3 months. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to detect predictors of a discontinuation for the disabled elderly at home.ResultsThe mean age of caregivers was around 59.0 years, accounting for about 80% of the women among caregivers. Of those caregivers, the proportion of desire to institutionalization (high DI) (56.8%) was higher than that of desire to care at home (low DI) (43.2%). Among the following three factors selected by multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, the strength of the relationship was stronger in frequent mood swings and irritability as carerecipient characteristic (adjusted OR = 5.93; 95% CI, 2.09–16.8) than in no advanced or skilled care (adjusted OR = 3.13; 95% CI, 1.41–7.14) and a high caregiver burden (adjusted OR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03–1.23) as caregiver's one.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the carerecipients' psychological characteristics may be more strongly related to the decision to continue care for disabled elderly at home than that of the caregivers'. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Caregiver preference for rivastigmine patch relative to capsules for treatment of probable Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Winblad Bengt , Kawata Ariane K. , Beusterien Kathleen M. , Thomas Simu K. , Wimo Anders , Lane Roger , Fillit Howard , Blesa Rafael 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundFamily caregivers comprise a critical component in the care of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Among their many tasks, caregivers are responsible for administering and managing medications. Effective interventions incorporate the needs of both the AD patient and the caregiver, and understanding treatment preferences may maximize intervention effectiveness. Transdermal patches may offer advantages over conventional oral formulations.MethodsA 24‐week randomized controlled trial compared the rivastigmine patch to the rivastigmine capsule and placebo in patients with probable AD. At baseline and Weeks 8 and 24, the AD Caregiver Preference Questionnaire (ADCPQ) was used to evaluate caregiver expectations, preferences and satisfaction with treatment. Double‐dummy treatment blinding ensured that caregiver preference for the patch or capsule was not confounded by perceptions of efficacy or tolerability. Reasons for preference were also elicited. The analytic sample included caregivers who completed the ADCPQ at Weeks 8 and/or 24.ResultsOne thousand and fifty‐nine caregivers completed the ADCPQ. More than 70% of caregivers preferred the rivastigmine patch to the capsule. The patch was significantly preferred to the capsule with respect to ease of following the schedule and ease of use. Caregivers indicated greater satisfaction overall, greater satisfaction with administration, and less interference with daily life with the patch versus the capsule (all p ≤ 0.01).ConclusionCaregivers of AD patients preferred the patch to the capsule for drug delivery. Preference for the rivastigmine patch could potentially lead to improved compliance and improved clinical benefits. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The construction of standard gamble utilities
Authors: van Osch Sylvie M. C. , Stiggelbout Anne M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractHealth effects for cost‐effectiveness analysis are best measured in life years, with quality of life in each life year expressed in terms of utilities. The standard gamble (SG) has been the gold standard for utility measurement. However, the biases of probability weighting, loss aversion, and scale compatibility have an inconclusive effect on SG utilities. We determined their effect on SG utilities using qualitative data to assess the reference point and the focus of attention. While thinking aloud, 45 healthy respondents provided SG utilities for six rheumatoid arthritis health states. Reference points, goals, and focuses of attention were coded. To assess the effect of scale compatibility, correlations were assessed between focus of attention and mean utility. The certain outcome served most frequently as reference point, the SG was perceived as a mixed gamble. Goals were mostly mentioned with respect to this outcome. Scale compatibility led to a significant upward bias in utilities; attention lay relatively more on the low outcome and this was positively correlated with mean utility. SG utilities should be corrected for loss aversion and probability weighting with the mixed correction formula proposed by prospect theory. Scale compatibility will likely still bias SG utilities, calling for research on a correction. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of private providers in treating child diarrhoea in Latin America
Authors: Waters Hugh R. , Hatt Laurel E. , Black Robert E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDiarrhoeal disease, a leading cause of child mortality, disproportionately affects children in low‐income countries – where private and non‐governmental providers are often an important source of health care. We use 10 Living Standards Measurement Surveys from Latin America to model the choice of care for child diarrhoea in the private sector compared to the public sector. A total of 36.8% of children in the combined data set saw a private provider rather than a public one when taken for treatment. Each additional quintile of household economic status is associated with an increase of 6.5 percentage points in the probability that a child with diarrhoea is taken to a private provider (p<0.001).However, treatments provided in the private sector are manifestly of worse quality than in the public sector. A total of 33.0% of children visiting a public provider received Oral Rehydration Solution, compared to 13.7% of those visiting a private provider. Conversely, children treated by a private provider are more likely to receive drugs, most commonly unnecessary antibiotics. Ironically, when it comes to treatment for child diarrhoea, wealthier and better educated households in Latin America are paying for treatment in the private sector that is ineffective in comparison with treatments that are commonly and inexpensively available. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IgVH gene mutation status and genomic imbalances in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with increased prolymphocytes (CLL/PL)
Authors: Balogh Zsófia , Reiniger Lilla , Deák Linda , Bödör Csaba , Csomor Judit , Szepesi Ágota , Gagyi Éva , Kopper László , Matolcsy András 
Published: April 2007

AbstractChronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) with increased prolymphocytes (CLL/PL) has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification and considered as a progressive and clinically aggressive variant of CLL. To further characterize the biological features of this disease, we performed IgVH gene mutational status, FISH and high‐resolution comparative genomic hybridization (HR‐CGH) analysis in 17 cases of CLL/PL. All CLL/PL utilized members of VH1, VH3 and VH4 families, with the highest prevalence of the VH1‐69 gene. In all but one cases analyzed, the VH genes were unmutated. The FISH and HR‐CGH analyses showed frequent occurrence of trisomy 12, del(11)(q23), del(17)(p13) and genetic imbalances, but recurrent genetic lesion characteristic for CLL/PL was not found. The follow‐up HR‐CGH analysis of two cases showed that increase of prolymphocytes in the course of CLL or CLL/PL are associated with clonal evolution and selection of the tumour clone. In conclusion, this study suggests that CLL/PL is a relatively homogeneous disease regarding VH gene mutation, but heterogeneous regarding genetic lesions. The heterogeneity and high number of genomic imbalances found in CLL/PL suggest that a genome‐wide instability of the neoplastic cells may play a role in the development of the disease. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SELDI‐TOF MS versus prostate specific antigen analysis of prospective plasma samples in a nested case–control study of prostate cancer
Authors: Skytt Åsa , Thysell Elin , Stattin Pär , Stenman Ulf‐Håkan , Antti Henrik , Wikström Pernilla 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThere is an urgent need for better biomarkers for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa). Recent studies suggest that surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF MS) analysis of serum may provide diagnostic information. The aim of this study was to investigate if PCa cases could be identified by applying predefined SELDI‐TOF analysis conditions on prospectively, uniformly collected plasma samples from PCa cases and matched controls. Prospective samples from 387 incident PCa cases and an equal number of controls, matched for age and time for recruitment, were analyzed by SELDI‐TOF MS (IMAC30/Cu chip) and multivariate classification analysis. Prospective prostate specific antigen levels were subjected to ROC curve analysis giving an AUC of 0.87 for the total cohort with a median lag time between blood sampling and diagnosis of 6.1 years. No markers were found by SELDI‐TOF MS that significantly discriminated between cases and controls in the total cohort or in subanalysis of cases with less than 2 years between blood donation and diagnosis (n = 42). Cases with aggressive disease at the time of diagnosis who gave blood less than 4 years prior to diagnosis (n = 23) could however be separated from their controls (sensitivity 70%, specificity 83%) by a model based on SELDI‐TOF MS and OPLS‐DA data analysis. We were thus not able to confirm previous results with SELDI‐TOF MS identifying men with PCa from healthy individuals, but we report an optimal experimental set‐up for verification of markers for early detection of cancer in prospectively collected samples. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Over‐expression of parathyroid hormone Type 1 receptor confers an aggressive phenotype in osteosarcoma
Authors: Yang Rui , Hoang Bang H. , Kubo Tadahiko , Kawano Hirotaka , Chou Alexander , Sowers Rebecca , Huvos Andrew G. , Meyers Paul A. , Healey John H. , Gorlick Richard 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOsteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and is associated with rapid bone growth. Parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTHrP) signaling via parathyroid hormone Type 1 receptor (PTHR1) is important for skeletal development and is involved in bone metastases in other tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of PTHrP/PTHR1 and its possible role in osteosarcoma. In a preliminary screening, a higher level of PTHR1 mRNA, but not PTHrP, was found in 4 osteosarcoma xenografts as compared with 4 standard cell lines, or 5 patient derived cell lines (p < 0.05) using quantitative RT‐PCR. It was therefore extended to 55 patient specimens, in which a significantly higher level of PTHR1 mRNA was detected in metastatic or relapsed samples than those from primary sites (p < 0.01). Cell behavior caused by PTHR1 overexpression was further studied in vitro using PTHR1 transfected HOS cell line as a model. Over‐expression of PHTR1 resulted in increased proliferation, motility and Matrigel invasion without addition of exogenous PTHrP suggesting an autocrine effect. Importantly, the aggressiveness in PTHR1‐expressing cells was completely reversed by RNAi mediated gene knockdown. In addition, PTHR1 over‐expression led to delayed osteoblastic differentiation and upregulation of genes involved in extracellular matrix production, such as TGF‐β1 and connective tissue growth factor. When cocultured with bone marrow derived monocytes, PTHR1 transfected HOS cells induced a greater number of osteoclasts. This study suggests that PTHR1 over‐expression may promote osteosarcoma progression by conferring a more aggressive phenotype, and forming a more favorable microenvironment. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative assessment of hardening of demineralized dentin under lining materials using an ultramicroindentation system
Authors: Schmidlin Patrick R. , Zehnder Matthias , Imfeld Thomas , Swain Michael V. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe aim of the current in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of three lining materials with a reported mineralizing capacity on hardness and elasticity of demineralized dentin. Four standardized microcavities were prepared in exposed dentin surfaces of 16 extracted human molars each. Dentin was demineralized in 0.5M EDTA for 2 h. One microcavity was left empty. The others were filled with a resin‐modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), a bioactive glass S53P4 suspension, and a prototype Ca‐PO4 cement. Teeth were then immersed in deionized water or simulated oral fluid. After 3 weeks, hardness and composite elastic modulus of the dentin subjacent to the microcavities were assessed under wet conditions using the ultramicroindentation system (UMIS). After immersion in deionized water, there was no significant improvement of the mechanical properties of dentin irrespective of the material applied beforehand, indicating a lack of direct material effects. Exposure to simulated oral fluid resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher hardness and composite elastic modulus values of the dentin subjacent to empty microcavities and counterparts lined with bioactive glass compared to corresponding dentin under the RMGIC. UMIS profiles showed little variance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2007
Development and in vivo testing of a Nitinol tracheal stent
Authors: Vearick Samanta B. , Michelon Marcelo D. O. , Schaeffer Lirio , Xavier Rogério G. , Kuhl Gabriel , Sanches Paulo R. S. , Duarte Marcos E. S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis article describes the development of a Nitinol tracheal stent (HCPA NiTi‐stent) and its application in a feline animal model. Straight‐annealed, bright‐polished Nitinol wire (55.8%Ni‐44.2%Ti) was weaved around a 40‐mm‐long metal fixture with 8‐mm diameter. The prototypes were submitted to different times of shape‐setting heat treatment (530°C), which resulted in stents of different colors and caused some variation in length and diameter. The prototypes were then submitted to compression testing, and the most resistant pieces, requiring the greatest force to achieve a 25% reduction in diameter and presenting the least variation in length and diameter (dark blue, 9 min of heat treatment), were submitted to fatigue testing. After that, only dark blue stents were manufactured and implanted in felines. No migration, tracheal stenosis, or any other type of damage were observed after 40 weeks. The integrity of the tracheal wall in contact with the stent was confirmed by macro and microscopic analyses. The development and in vivo testing of the HCPA NiTi‐stent were successful. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2007
Development of the wing‐attached rod for acceleration of “Biotube” vascular grafts fabrication in vivo
Authors: Sakai Osamu , Kanda Keiichi , Ishibashi‐Ueda Hatsue , Takamizawa Keiichi , Ametani Akihiro , Yaku Hitoshi , Nakayama Yasuhide 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo accelerate the fabrication of in vivo tissue‐engineered autologous vascular prosthetic tissues, the “Biotube,” a novel wing‐attached rod mold was designed for a tissue rolling technique based on a two‐step in body tissue incubation (IBTI) process. The new mold consisted of a silicone rod (3‐mm diameter, 23‐mm length) partly connected to a poly(ethylene terephthalate) film (a wing, 23 × 19 × 0.1 mm). While the molds were embedded into the dorsal subcutaneous pouches of rabbits for 2 weeks (primary IBTI), they were encapsulated fully with thin connective tissues. After removal of the wing materials, the remaining saccular membranous tissues were rolled up on the core tubular tissues that had formed around the silicone rods. Following another 2‐week embedding of the assembled tissues (secondary IBTI), the layered tissues fused to each other to form compliant and stiff tubular tissues, “Rolled Biotubes.” The wall thickness of the Rolled Biotubes was about 800 μm and the burst strength was about 4000 mmHg, both of which were significantly higher than those of Biotubes prepared by one‐step, 4‐week IBTI or two‐step, 2‐week IBTI (p < 0.05). A Rolled Biotube could be applied as middle or large caliber arterial prostheses. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2007
Adhesive performance of dentin bonding agents applied in vivo and in vitro. Effect of intrapulpal pressure and dentin depth
Authors: Hebling Josimeri , Castro Fabrício L. A. , Costa Carlos A. S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of intrapulpal pressure and dentin depth on bond strengths of an etch‐and‐rinse and a self‐etching bonding agent to dentin in vitro and in vivo. Twenty‐four pairs of premolars were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6) according to the dentin bonding agent, Single Bond and Clearfil SE Bond, and intrapulpal pressure, null or positive. Each tooth of the pair was further designated to be treated in vivo or in vitro. The intrapulpal pressure was controlled in vivo by the delivery of local anesthetics containing or not a vasoconstrictor, while in vitro, it was achieved by keeping the teeth under hydrostatic pressure. Class I cavities were prepared and the dentin bonding agents were applied followed by incremental resin restoration. For the teeth treated in vitro, the same restorative procedures were performed after a 6 month‐storage period. Beams with 1 mm2 cross‐sectional area were prepared and microtensile tested. Clearfil SE Bond was not influenced by any of the variables of the study, while bond strengths produced in vitro were significantly higher for Single Bond. Overall, lower bond strengths were produced in deep dentin, which reached statistical significance when Single Bond was applied under physiological or simulated intrapulpal pressure. In conclusion, in vitro bonding may overestimate the immediate adhesive performance of more technique‐sensitive dentin bonding systems. The impact of intrapulpal pressure on bond strength seems to be more adhesive dependent than dentin morphological characteristics related to depth. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2007