bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methodological aspects of a GIS-based environmental health inspection program used in the Athens 2004 Olympic and Para Olympic Games
Authors: Hadjichristodoulou Christos , Soteriades Elpidoforos S , Kolonia Virginia , Falagas Matthew E , Pantelopoulos Efstathios , Panagakos Georgios , Mouchtouri Varvara , Kremastinou Jeni 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
The use of geographical information system (GIS) technologies in public health surveillance is gradually gaining momentum around the world and many applications have already been reported in the literature. In this study, GIS technology was used to help county departments of Public Health to implement environmental health surveillance for the Athens 2004 Olympic and Para Olympic Games.

Methods
In order to assess the workload in each Olympic county, 19 registry forms and 17 standardized inspection forms were developed to register and inspect environmental health items requiring inspection (Hotels, restaurants, swimming pools, water supply system etc), respectively. Furthermore, related databases were created using Epi Info 2002 and a geographical information system (GIS) were used to implement an integrated Environmental Health inspection program. The project was conducted in Athens by the Olympic Planning Unit (OPU) of the National School of Public Health, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity and the corresponding departments of Public Health in all municipalities that were scheduled to host events during the Athens 2004 Olympic and Para Olympic games.

Results
A total of 44,741 premises of environmental health interest were geocoded into GIS databases and several electronic maps were developed. Using such maps in association with specific criteria, we first identified the maximum workload required to execute environmental health inspections in all premises within the eleven Olympic County Departments of Public Health. Six different scenarios were created for each county, based on devised algorithms in order to design the most effective and realistic inspection program using the available inspectors from each municipality. Furthermore, GIS applications were used to organize the daily inspection program for the Olympic games, provide coloured displays of the inspection results and link those results with the public health surveillance of specific cases or outbreak investigation.

Conclusion
Our computerised program exhibited significant efficiency in facilitating the prudent use of public health resources in implementing environmental health inspections in densely populated urban areas as well as in rural counties. Furthermore, the application of simple algorithms in integrating human and other resources provided tailored and cost-effective applications to different public health agencies.
A new paradigm in respiratory hygiene: increasing the cohesivity of airway secretions to improve cough interaction and reduce aerosol dispersion
Authors: Zayas Gustavo , Dimitry John , Zayas Ana , O'Brien Darryl , King Malcolm 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
Infectious respiratory diseases are transmitted to non-infected subjects when an infected person expels pathogenic microorganisms to the surrounding environment when coughing or sneezing. When the airway mucus layer interacts with high-speed airflow, droplets are expelled as aerosol; their concentration and size distribution may each play an important role in disease transmission. Our goal is to reduce the aerosolizability of respiratory secretions while interfering only minimally with normal mucus clearance using agents capable of increasing crosslinking in the mucin glycoprotein network.

Methods
We exposed mucus simulants (MS) to airflow in a simulated cough machine (SCM). The MS ranged from non-viscous, non-elastic substances (water) to MS of varying degrees of viscosity and elasticity. Mucociliary clearance of the MS was assessed on the frog palate, elasticity in the Filancemeter and the aerosol pattern in a "bulls-eye" target. The sample loaded was weighed before and after each cough maneuver. We tested two mucomodulators: sodium tetraborate (XL"B") and calcium chloride (XL "C").

Results
Mucociliary transport was close to normal speed in viscoelastic samples compared to non-elastic, non-viscous or viscous-only samples. Spinnability ranged from 2.5 ± 0.6 to 50.9 ± 6.9 cm, and the amount of MS expelled from the SCM increased from 47 % to 96 % adding 1.5 μL to 150 μL of XL "B". Concurrently, particles were inversely reduced to almost disappear from the aerosolization pattern.

Conclusion
The aerosolizability of MS was modified by increasing its cohesivity, thereby reducing the number of particles expelled from the SCM while interfering minimally with its clearance on the frog palate. An unexpected finding is that MS crosslinking increased "expectoration".
Household out-of-pocket medical expenditures and national health insurance in Taiwan: income and regional inequality
Authors: Chu Tu-Bin , Liu Tsai-Ching , Chen Chin-Shyan , Tsai Yi-Wen , Chiu Wen-Ta 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
Unequal geographical distribution of medical care resources and insufficient healthcare coverage have been two long-standing problems with Taiwan's public health system. The implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) attempted to mitigate the inequality in health care use. This study examines the degree to which Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) has reduced out-of-pocket medical expenditures in households in different regions and varying levels of income.

Methods
Data used in this study were drawn from the 1994 and 1996 Surveys of Family Income and Expenditure. We pooled the data from 1994 and 1996 and included a year dummy variable (NHI), equal to 1 if the household data came from 1996 in order to assess the impact of NHI on household out-of-pocket medical care expenditures shortly after its implementation in 1995.

Results
An individual who was older, female, married, unemployed, better educated, richer, head of a larger family household, or living in the central and eastern areas was more likely to have greater household out-of-pocket medical expenditures. NHI was found to have effectively reduced household out-of-pocket medical expenditures by 23.08%, particularly for more affluent households. With the implementation of NHI, lower and middle income quintiles had smaller decreases in out-of-pocket medical expenditure. NHI was also found to have reduced household out-of-pocket medical expenditures more for households in eastern Taiwan.

Conclusion
Although NHI was established to create free medical care for all, further effort is needed to reduce the medical costs for certain disadvantaged groups, particularly the poor and aborigines, if equality is to be achieved.
Childhood obesity, prevalence and prevention
Authors: Dehghan Mahshid , Akhtar-Danesh Noori , Merchant Anwar T 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in developed countries. Twenty five percent of children in the US are overweight and 11% are obese. Overweight and obesity in childhood are known to have significant impact on both physical and psychological health. The mechanism of obesity development is not fully understood and it is believed to be a disorder with multiple causes. Environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, and cultural environment play pivotal roles in the rising prevalence of obesity worldwide. In general, overweight and obesity are assumed to be the results of an increase in caloric and fat intake. On the other hand, there are supporting evidence that excessive sugar intake by soft drink, increased portion size, and steady decline in physical activity have been playing major roles in the rising rates of obesity all around the world. Consequently, both over-consumption of calories and reduced physical activity are involved in childhood obesity.
Almost all researchers agree that prevention could be the key strategy for controlling the current epidemic of obesity. Prevention may include primary prevention of overweight or obesity, secondary prevention or prevention of weight regains following weight loss, and avoidance of more weight increase in obese persons unable to lose weight. Until now, most approaches have focused on changing the behaviour of individuals in diet and exercise. It seems, however, that these strategies have had little impact on the growing increase of the obesity epidemic. While about 50% of the adults are overweight and obese in many countries, it is difficult to reduce excessive weight once it becomes established. Children should therefore be considered the priority population for intervention strategies. Prevention may be achieved through a variety of interventions targeting built environment, physical activity, and diet. Some of these potential strategies for intervention in children can be implemented by targeting preschool institutions, schools or after-school care services as natural setting for influencing the diet and physical activity. All in all, there is an urgent need to initiate prevention and treatment of obesity in children.
Complications during pharmacological stress echocardiography: a video-case series
Authors: Varga Albert , Kraft Giuliano , Lakatos Ferenc , Bigi Riccardo , Paya Rafael , Picano Eugenio 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
Stress echocardiography is a cost-effective tool for the modern noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Several physical and pharmacological stresses are used in combination with echocardiographic imaging, usually exercise, dobutamine and dipyridamole. The safety of a stress is (or should be) a major determinant in the choice of testing. Although large scale single center experiences and multicenter trial information are available for both dobutamine and dipyridamole stress echo testing, complications or side effects still can occur even in the most experienced laboratories with the most skilled operators.

Case presentation
We decided to present a case collection of severe complications during pharmacological stress echo testing, including a ventricular tachycardia, cardiogenic shock, transient ischemic attack, torsade de pointe, fatal ventricular fibrillation, and free wall rupture.

Conclusion
We believe that, in this field, every past complication described is a future complication avoided; what happens in your lab is more true of what you read in journals; and Good Clinical Practice is not "not having complications", but to describe the complications you had.
Long-term therapy of interferon-alpha induced pulmonary arterial hypertension with different PDE-5 inhibitors: a case report
Authors: Jochmann Nicoline , Kiecker Felix , Borges Adrian C , Hofmann Maja A , Eddicks Stephan , Sterry Wolfram , Baumann Gert , Trefzer Uwe 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

background
Interferon alpha2 is widely used in hepatitis and high-risk melanoma. Interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension as a side effect is rare.

Case presentation
We describe a melanoma patient who developed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension 30 months after initiation of adjuvant interferon alpha2b therapy. Discontinuation of interferon did not improve pulmonary arterial hypertension. This patient could be treated successfully with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy.

Conclusion
This is only the 5th case of interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension and the first documented case where pulmonary arterial hypertension was not reversible after termination of interferon alpha2 therapy. If interferon alpha2 treated patients develop respiratory symptoms, pulmonary arterial hypertension should be considered in the differential diagnosis. For these patients phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil or vardenafil, could be an effective therapeutic approach.
Fundamental roles of reactive oxygen species and protective mechanisms in the female reproductive system
Authors: Fujii Junichi , Iuchi Yoshihito , Okada Futoshi 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Controlled oxidation, such as disulfide bond formation in sperm nuclei and during ovulation, plays a fundamental role in mammalian reproduction. Excess oxidation, however, causes oxidative stress, resulting in the dysfunction of the reproductive process. Antioxidation reactions that reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species are of prime importance in reproductive systems in maintaining the quality of gametes and support reproduction. While anti-oxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, play a central role in eliminating oxidative stress, reduction-oxidation (redox) systems, comprised of mainly glutathione and thioredoxin, function to reduce the levels of oxidized molecules. Aldo-keto reductase, using NADPH as an electron donor, detoxifies carbonyl compounds resulting from the oxidation of lipids and proteins. Thus, many antioxidative and redox enzyme genes are expressed and aggressively protect gametes and embryos in reproductive systems.
How useful is satellite positioning system (GPS) to track gait parameters? A review
Authors: Terrier Philippe , Schutz Yves 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Over the last century, numerous techniques have been developed to analyze the movement of humans while walking and running. The combined use of kinematics and kinetics methods, mainly based on high speed video analysis and forceplate, have permitted a comprehensive description of locomotion process in terms of energetics and biomechanics. While the different phases of a single gait cycle are well understood, there is an increasing interest to know how the neuro-motor system controls gait form stride to stride. Indeed, it was observed that neurodegenerative diseases and aging could impact gait stability and gait parameters steadiness. From both clinical and fundamental research perspectives, there is therefore a need to develop techniques to accurately track gait parameters stride-by-stride over a long period with minimal constraints to patients. In this context, high accuracy satellite positioning can provide an alternative tool to monitor outdoor walking. Indeed, the high-end GPS receivers provide centimeter accuracy positioning with 5–20 Hz sampling rate: this allows the stride-by-stride assessment of a number of basic gait parameters – such as walking speed, step length and step frequency – that can be tracked over several thousand consecutive strides in free-living conditions. Furthermore, long-range correlations and fractal-like pattern was observed in those time series. As compared to other classical methods, GPS seems a promising technology in the field of gait variability analysis. However, relative high complexity and expensiveness – combined with a usability which requires further improvement – remain obstacles to the full development of the GPS technology in human applications.
Human herpesvirus 8 – A novel human pathogen
Authors: Edelman Daniel C 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
In 1994, Chang and Moore reported on the latest of the gammaherpesviruses to infect humans, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) [1]. This novel herpesvirus has and continues to present challenges to define its scope of involvement in human disease. In this review, aspects of HHV-8 infection are discussed, such as, the human immune response, viral pathogenesis and transmission, viral disease entities, and the virus's epidemiology with an emphasis on HHV-8 diagnostics.
Spinal Cord NR1 Serine Phosphorylation and NR2B Subunit Suppression following Peripheral Inflammation
Authors: Caudle Robert M , Perez Federico M , Del Valle-Pinero Arseima Y , Iadarola Michael J 
Published: September 2005

Background: Spinal cord N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are intimately involved in the development and maintenance of central sensitization. However, the mechanisms mediating the altered function of the NMDA receptors are not well understood. In this study the role of phosphorylation of NR1 splice variants and NR2 subunits was examined following hind paw inflammation in rats. We further examined the level of expression of these proteins following the injury. Results: Lumbar spinal cord NR1 subunits were found to be phosphorylated on serine residues within two hours of the induction of hind paw inflammation with carrageenan. The enhanced NR1 serine phosphorylation reversed within six hours. No phosphorylation on NR1 threonine or tyrosine residues was observed. Likewise, no NR2 subunit phosphorylation was observed on serine, threonine or tyrosine residues. An analysis of NR1 and NR2 protein expression demonstrated no change in the levels of NR1 splice variants or NR2A following the inflammation. However, spinal cord NR2B expression was depressed by the hind paw inflammation. The expression of NR2B remained depressed for more than one week following initiation of the inflammation. Conclusion: These data suggest that NR1 serine phosphorylation leads to an initial increase in NMDA receptor activity in the spinal cord following peripheral injury. The suppression of NR2B expression suggests compensation for the enhanced nociceptive activity. These data indicate that spinal cord NMDA receptors are highly dynamic in the development, maintenance and recovery from central sensitization following an injury. Thus, chronic pain therapies targeted to NMDA receptors should be designed for the exact configuration of NMDA receptor subunits and post-translational modifications present during specific stages of the disease.
Hypothalamic 3′,5′-Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element-Binding Protein Loss Causes Anterior Pituitary Hypoplasia and Dwarfism in Mice
Authors: Mantamadiotis Theo , Kretz Oliver , Ridder Stephanie , Bleckmann Susanne C. , Bock Dagmar , Gröne Hermann-Josef , Malaterre Jordane , Dworkin Sebastian , Ramsay Robert G. , Schütz Günther 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe principal regulation of body growth is via a cascade of hormone signals emanating from the hypothalamus, by release of GHRH, which then directs the somatotroph cells of the pituitary to release GH into the blood stream. This in turn leads to activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5-dependent expression of genes such as IGF-I in hepatocytes, acid labile substance, and serine protease inhibitor 2.1, resulting in body growth. Here, using conditional cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) mutant mice, we show that loss of the CREB transcription factor in the brain, but not the pituitary, results in reduced postnatal growth consistent with dwarfism caused by GH deficiency. We demonstrate that although there appears to be no significant impact upon the expression of GHRH mRNA in CREB mutant mice, the amount of GHRH peptide is reduced. These findings show that CREB is required for the efficient production of GHRH in hypothalamus, in addition to its previously reported role in pituitary GH production and somatotroph expansion.
Specification and maintenance of the spinal cord stem zone
Authors: Delfino-Machín Mariana , Lunn J. Simon , Breitkreuz Dorette N. , Akai Jun , Storey Kate G. 
Published: September 2005

Epiblast cells adjacent to the regressing primitive streak behave as a stem zone that progressively generates the entire spinal cord and also contributes to paraxial mesoderm. Despite this fundamental task, this cell population is poorly characterised, and the tissue interactions and signalling pathways that specify this unique region are unknown. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is implicated but it is unclear whether it is sufficient and/or directly required for stem zone specification. It is also not understood how establishment of the stem zone relates to the acquisition of spinal cord identity as indicated by expression of caudal Hox genes.Here, we show that many cells in the chick stem zone express both early neural and mesodermal genes; however, stem zone-specific gene expression can be induced by signals from underlying paraxial mesoderm without concomitant induction of an ambivalent neural/mesodermal cell state. The stem zone is a site of FGF/MAPK signalling and we show that although FGF alone does not mimic paraxial mesoderm signals, it is directly required in epiblast cells for stem zone specification and maintenance. We further demonstrate that caudal Hox gene expression in the stem zone also depends on FGF and that neither stem zone specification nor caudal Hox gene onset requires retinoid signalling. These findings thus support a two step model for spinal cord generation -FGF-dependent establishment of the stem zone in which progressively more caudal Hox genes are expressed, followed by the retinoid-dependent assignment of spinal cord identity.
Disassembling Single-walled Carbon Nanotube Bundles by Dipole/Dipole Electrostatic Interactions
Authors: Fugetsu Bunshi , Han Wenhai , Endo Noriaki , Kamiya Yuichi , Okuhara Toshio 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Dipole/dipole electrostatic attraction was used for the first time for disassembling the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) bundles. A self-assembled zwitterionic monolayer (SAZM) was created by modification of the SWCNT bundles with a sulfonate/quaternary-ammonium type of zwitterionic surfactants. The headgroups of the SAZM align at the terminal-end and form anti-parallel doublets. Dipole/dipole electrostatic attractions occurred readily as the SAZM approached to another. SWCNT bundles have been disassembled into individual tubes because of the strong dipole/dipole attractions. Large quantities of unbundled single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were obtained within a single step by this method. Concentric circular membranes containing the unbundled SWCNTs were prepared. The unbundled SWCNTs were found to have tendencies to curve around the circular direction.
Capillary Forces between Planar Anchoring Surfaces in the Isotropic Phase of a Nematic Liquid Crystal
Authors: Shinto Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Kiwamu , Hyodo Terumasa , Ishida Naoyuki , Higashitani Ko 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
The interaction forces between the planar anchoring surfaces of a carbon microsphere and a graphite plate immersed in 8CB liquid crystal have been measured at different temperatures above the nematic–isotropic transition point, using an atomic force microscopy. The attractive force was observed between the surfaces when they came closer. The magnitude and the range of the attractive force increased with decreasing temperature. This attractive force is attributable to the confinement-induced phase separation of 8CB.
A New One-pot Synthesis of Thiocarbamates from Isocyanates and Disulfides in the Presence of Zn/AlCl3 System
Authors: Movassagh Barahman , Zakinezhad Yousef 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
A novel method has been developed for the synthesis of S-alkyl(aryl) thiocarbamates. The route involves, first, the formation of zinc thiolates by reductive cleavage of disulfides in the presence of Zn/AlCl3 system; then subsequent reaction of the thiolate anions with isocyanates gives the desired thiocarbamates in high to excellent yields.