bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MArray: analysing single, replicated or
reversed microarray experiments
Authors: Wang Junbai , Nygaard Vigdis , Smith-Sørensen Birgitte , Hovig Eivind , Myklebost Ola 
Published: September 2002

Abstract
Summary: MArray is a Matlab toolbox with a graphical user interface that allows the user to analyse single or paired microarray datasets by direct input of the raw data output file from image analysis packages, such as QuantArray or GenePiX. The application provides simple procedures to manually evaluate the quality of each measurement, multiple approaches to both ratio normalization (simple normalization, intensity dependent normalization) and evaluation of the reproducibility of paired experiments (using the techniques ‘simple statistical method’ and ‘quality control ellipse’ and ‘significance analysis of microarrays’). Specifically, interactive spot evaluation functions are available in MArray and an online gene information database (NCBI UniGene) is linked. The application may provide a valuable aid in selecting and optimizing experimental procedures, as well as serving as an analytical tool for two-state biological comparisons, such as a study of single-dose activation. It is entirely platform independent, and only requires Matlab installed.
Availability: http://matrise.uio.no/marray/marray.html
Contact: junbaiw@radium.uio.no
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Personal exposure monitoring of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide, including susceptible groups
Authors: Harrison R M , Thornton C A , Lawrence R G , Mark D , Kinnersley R P , Ayres J G 
Published: September 2002

Aims:To investigate the relation between personal exposures to nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and PM10, and exposures estimated from static concentrations of these pollutants measured within the same microenvironments, for healthy individuals and members of susceptible groups.Methods:Eleven healthy adult subjects and 18 members of groups more susceptible to adverse health changes in response to a given level of exposure to nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and/or PM10than the general population (six schoolchildren, six elderly subjects, and six with pre-existing disease—two with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), two with left ventricular failure (LVF), and two with severe asthma) were recruited. Daytime personal exposures were determined either directly or through shadowing. Relations between personal exposures and simultaneously measured microenvironment concentrations were examined.Results:Correlations between personal exposures and microenvironment concentration were frequently weak for individual subjects because of the small range in measured concentrations. However, when all subjects were pooled, excellent relations between measured personal exposure and microenvironment concentration were found for both carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, with slopes of close to one and near zero intercepts. For PM10, a good correlation was also found with an intercept of personal exposure (personal cloud) of 16.7 (SD 10.4) μg/m3. Modelled and measured personal exposures were generally in reasonably good agreement, but modelling with generic mean microenvironment data was unable to represent the full range of measured concentrations.Conclusions:Microenvironment measurements of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can well represent the personal exposures of individuals within that microenvironment. The same is true for PM10with the addition of a personal cloud increment. Elderly subjects and those with pre-existing disease received generally lower PM10exposures than the healthy adult subjects and schoolchildren by virtue of their less active lifestyles.
Motor neurone disease
Authors: Talbot K 
Published: September 2002

Abstract
Motor neurone disease (MND), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a neurodegenerative disorder of unknown aetiology. Progressive motor weakness and bulbar dysfunction lead to premature death, usually from respiratory failure. Confirming the diagnosis may initially be difficult until the full clinical features are manifest. For all forms of the disease there is a significant differential diagnosis to consider, including treatable conditions, and therefore specialist neurological opinion should always be sought. Clear genetic inheritance has been demonstrated in a minority of patients with familial ALS but elucidation of the biological basis of genetic subtypes is also providing important information which may lead to treatments for sporadic forms of the disease. In the absence of curative or disease modifying therapy, management is supportive and requires a multidisciplinary approach. If, as seems likely, complex inherited and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of MND, future treatment may involve a combination of molecular based treatments or restoration of cellular integrity using stem cell grafts.
Osteoporosis
Authors: Tuck S P , Francis R M 
Published: September 2002

Abstract
Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility and consequent increase in fracture risk. It is a common condition affecting one in three women and one in 12 men, resulting in substantial morbidity, excess mortality, and health and social services expenditure. It is therefore important to develop strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis in both men and women. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of primary and secondary osteoporosis, as well as diagnosis, investigation, and management. This should include lifestyle changes to reduce bone loss and decrease the risk of falls, the identification and treatment of secondary causes of bone loss, and specific treatment for osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy, raloxifene, bisphosphonates, calcium and vitamin D, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone have all been shown to improve bone density and decrease the risk of fracture in specific situations. It is important that treatment is tailored to the individual patient, to ensure compliance and optimise the potential benefits.
Investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia in general practice: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a simple management prompt
Authors: Logan E C M , Yates J M , Stewart R M , Fielding K , Kendrick D 
Published: September 2002

AbstractBackgroundIron deficiency anaemia (IDA) remains the most common cause of anaemia and is frequently secondary to occult gastrointestinal blood loss requiring further investigation. The study was designed to prospectively assess the adequacy of investigation of IDA and to establish whether a simple computerised prompt would increase the completeness of investigation of patients presenting to their general practitioners.Patients and methodsAll men aged &gt;20 and women aged &gt;50 newly found to have a probable IDA (n=431) in primary care were randomised according to general practice (n=89) to one of two computer generated prompts, by the haematology laboratories in two large district general hospitals. Data were collected 12 months after the index date. The primary outcome measure was the adequacy of investigation of the cause of anaemia. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse each binary outcome.ResultsTwo hundred and three (47%) of 431 patients presenting to their general practitioner with an IDA were adequately managed and 140/357 (39%) of patients who were otherwise fit for investigation had no tests at all. Twenty one (17%) of 125 patients who did have adequate investigation at the time of presentation were found to have colorectal cancer. Only 30% of patients had a confirmed diagnosis within 12 months.The prompt did not affect the level of investigation (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60 to 1.29, p=0.52). The initial prescribing of oral iron was improved (odds ratio 2.19, 95% CI 1.27 to 3.77, p=0.005), but not the documented prescribing of a full therapeutic course or the use of follow up blood counts.ConclusionsThe investigation and management of IDA presenting in general practice remains inadequate and is not improved by a simple management prompt.
Vaccination against hepatitis B infection in patients with end stage renal disease
Authors: Bel’eed K , Wright M , Eadington D , Farr M , Sellars L 
Published: September 2002

Abstract

Background
Experience of hepatitis B vaccination in a contemporary renal replacement programme is reported.

Methods
A total of 406 patients were involved: 214 on haemodialysis, 97 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, 67 predialysis (serum creatinine &gt;400 μmol/l), and 28 with a failing transplant. Primary vaccination comprised recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix B) 40 μg intramuscularly at 0, 1, 2, and 3 months. Booster doses were administered three monthly if anti-HBs titre was &lt;100 IU/l.

Results
Uptake of vaccine was 61% (haemodialysis 70%, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis 62%, predialysis 31%, transplant 61%, p&lt;0.0001). Primary seroconversion occurred in 64% of vaccinated patients (anti-HBs; 10–100 U/l, 33%; &gt;100 U/l, 31%). Booster doses led to further improvement in immunity in 66/115 (57%) patients after a first and 8/20 (40%) patients after a second booster dose, but uptake was again poor (first booster 74%, second 31%). Seroprotection declined unexpectedly rapidly; after a mean of 16 months 71/115 patients (62 %) had a significant fall in their anti-HBs titres; 30/115 (26%) lost detectable antibody.

Conclusions
Routine hepatitis B vaccination of patients with end stage renal failure is logistically difficult to administer on a large scale; primary seroconversion is relatively poor, but improves after repeated booster doses; protective anti-HBs titres decline rapidly, and yearly antibody checks with selective booster doses will be required to maintain seroprotection. The cost effectiveness of a vaccination programme will vary greatly depending on the prevalence of hepatitis B in the population at risk.
Middle cerebral artery to umbilical artery resistance index ratio in the prediction of neonatal outcome
Authors: Makhseed M , Jirous J , Ahmed M.A , Viswanathan D.L 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of the middle cerebral artery to umbilical artery resistance index ratio (C/U ratio) as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome, and to show that the absence of fetal umbilical artery end‐diastolic velocity (AEDV) in SGA fetuses is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Method: In this prospective study, color Doppler flow imaging was used for the estimation of the C/U ratio in fetuses that were small for their gestational age, in 70 singleton pregnancies between 29 and 42 weeks of gestation. The subjects were categorized into two groups, with Group A consisting of 35 small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses with a normal C/U ratio (1.05 or higher), and Group B comprising 35 SGA fetuses with an abnormal C/U ratio (below 1.05). Result: The mean C/U ratio values for birth weight and gestational age were higher in group A than in group B. Fetuses born to mothers in group B stayed longer in the neonatal special care unit (NSCU), whereas the period from ultrasound examination to delivery was higher in the cases in group A. A higher percentage of mothers with an abnormal C/U ratio underwent cesarean section. Fetuses with an absent end‐diastolic velocity of the umbilical artery had a higher morbidity. Three stillbirths occurred in fetuses with an absent end‐diastolic velocity of the umbilical artery. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the C/U ratio is a good predictor of neonatal outcome, and could be used to identify fetuses at risk of morbidity and mortality. Fetal umbilical artery AEDV with intrauterine growth restriction is associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Low pulse oxygen saturation in post‐menopausal women at high altitude is related to a high serum testosterone/estradiol ratio
Authors: Gonzales G.F , Villena A 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjective: The present study was designed to determine if low pulse oxygen saturation (Spo2) in post‐menopausal women at high altitude was related to high serum testosterone/estradiol (T/E2) ratio. Method: Studies were carried out in 191 women living in Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4340 m above sea level) and in 56 women living in Lima (150 m asl). Body weight, height, Spo2, hematocrit, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), T and E2 levels were measured in all women. Body mass index (BMI), menopausal status and serum T/E2 ratio were calculated from data. Result: At high altitude, the values of Spo2, serum T, and serum E2 were significantly lower in post‐menopausal than in pre‐menopausal women. Hematocrit, serum FSH levels, and serum T/E2 ratios were significantly higher in post‐menopausal women. Serum T and E2 levels, T/E2 ratio, Spo2, and hematocrit levels were not further changed with time after menopause. Women with Spo2<85% had lower serum E2, a higher serum T/E2 ratio, and higher hematocrit values than women with Spo2>90%. At high altitude, multiple regression analysis showed that low Spo2 was related to menopausal status (−2.6±0.83; β±S.E.; P<0.002) and not to chronological age (−0.06±0.04; P: NS). Further analysis showed that low Spo2 was related to high basal serum FSH levels and a high serum T/E2 ratio in the presence of an interaction between FSH and T/E2. Conclusion: Low values of Spo2 in women at high altitude were related to a high T/E2 ratio.
Arteriovenous malformations of the uterus associated with medical abortion
Authors: Wiebe E.R. , Switzer P. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractSeven cases of uterine arteriovenous malformations associated with pregnancy were initially suspected by the history of prolonged bleeding after a medical abortion and then confirmed by color Doppler scanning. All cases were managed expectantly and resolved spontaneously. When AVMs required diagnosis by pathology or angiography, only the most severe cases would have been reported. Now that they can be recognized on ultrasound, it is possible that mild cases such as these will be found to be much more common.
Decision‐directed hysterectomy: a possible approach to improve medical and economic outcomes
Authors: Kovac S.R. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjective: This study was undertaken to determine if the use of formal guidelines in selecting the route of hysterectomy would improve medical and economic outcomes. Method: Data from 4595 hysterectomies performed at a single center in women whose primary diagnosis were unrelated to invasive cancer or pregnancy were analyzed in terms of mean, uterine weight, costs, length of stay, and complications. Results: When formal guidelines were used to determine the route of hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy was performed in 90% of the patients treated and in 100% of the patients in whom the pathology was confined to the uterus. In comparison, when formal guidelines were not incorporated in the decision‐making process, vaginal hysterectomy was performed in 42% of the patients treated and in 64% of the patients in whom the pathology was confined to the uterus. Conclusions: Using these or similar guidelines to assist in clinical decision making would have resulted in a potential savings of US$1 184 000 for every 1000 hysterectomies performed at the institution where this study was undertaken and would have freed up 1020 patient‐bed days and reduced complications by approximately 20%.
Reflection of circumferential modes in a choked nozzle
Authors: STOW S. R. , DOWLING A. P. , HYNES T. P. 
Published: September 2002

Small perturbations of a choked flow through a thin annular nozzle are investigated.
Two cases are considered, corresponding to a ‘choked outlet’ and a ‘choked inlet’
respectively. For the first case, either an acoustic or entropy or vorticity wave is
assumed to be travelling downstream towards the nozzle contraction. An asymptotic
analysis for low frequency is used to find the reflected acoustic wave that is created.
The boundary condition found by Marble & Candel (1977) for a compact choked
nozzle is shown to apply to first order, even for circumferentially varying waves. The
next-order correction can be expressed as an ‘effective length’ dependent on the mean
flow (and hence the particular geometry of the nozzle) in a quantifiable way.For the second case, an acoustic wave propagates upstream and is reflected from a
convergent–divergent nozzle. A normal shock is assumed to be present. By considering
the interaction of the shock's position and flow perturbations, the reflected propagating
waves are found for a compact nozzle. It is shown that a significant entropy
disturbance is produced even when the shock is weak, and that for circumferential
modes a vorticity wave is also present. Numerical calculations are conducted using a
sample geometry and good agreement with the analysis is found at low frequency in
both cases, and the range of validity of the asymptotic theory is determined.
Decreased cerebral haemodynamic response to cognitive and physiological tasks in mood disorders as shown by near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: MATSUO, K. , KATO N. , KATO T. 
Published: September 2002

Background. Hypofrontality has been demonstrated in mood disorders by functional brain imaging methods such as positron emission tomography. However, the neurobiological basis of hypofrontality has not been well clarified. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive technique for continuous monitoring of alterations in oxygenated (oxyHb) and deoxygenated (deoxyHb) haemoglobin using near-infrared light, which penetrates biological tissues.Methods. We used NIRS during cognitive and physiological tasks to investigate alterations of haemoglobin oxygenation in the frontal region of euthymic patients with mood disorders (major depressive disorder (MD) and bipolar disorder (BP)) and in controls.Results. The increase of oxyHb during a verbal fluency task was significantly less in the MD and the BP groups than in the controls. The MD group showed a significantly smaller decrease of oxyHb during hyperventilation than the controls. The BP group also showed a similar trend.Conclusions. These findings suggest that the hypofrontality in mood disorders may be associated with a poor response in the cerebral blood vessels to neuronal and chemical stimuli.
Does sexual violence contribute to elevated rates of anxiety and depression in females?
Authors: FERGUSSON, D. M. , SWAIN-CAMPBELL N. R. , HORWOOD L. J. 
Published: September 2002

Background. It is well documented that females have higher rates of internalizing disorders (anxiety, depression) than males. It is also well known that females have higher exposure to childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault. Recently, it has been proposed that the higher levels of internalizing disorders in females may be caused by their greater exposure to sexual violence.Method. Data were gathered as part of the Christchurch Health and Development Study. In this study a cohort of 1265 children born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1977 have been studied from birth to age 21 years. The measures collected included: major depression and anxiety, childhood sexual abuse and adolescent sexual assault.Results. Findings confirmed the established conclusion that internalizing disorders are over twice as common in females than males (ORs 2·2–2·7). In addition, it was found that females were exposed to higher rates of sexual violence than males (ORs 5·1–8·4). Statistical control for gender related differences in exposure to sexual violence reduced the associations between gender and anxiety and depression. Nonetheless, even after such control, gender was significantly (P<0·0001) related to both anxiety (OR = 1·8; 95% CI, 1·3–2·4) and depression (OR = 1·9; 95% CI, 1·4–2·3).Conclusions. Greater female exposure to sexual violence may be a factor that contributes to greater female susceptibility to internalizing disorders. However, even after adjustment for gender differences in exposure to sexual violence it is clear that a substantial relationship between gender and internalizing disorder persists.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis function in patients with chronic depression
Authors: WATSON S. , GALLAGHER P. , DEL-ESTAL D. , HEARN A. , FERRIER I. N. , YOUNG A. H. 
Published: September 2002

Background. Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function in patients with chronic depression has previously been shown to be normal when measured using the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). We examined patients with chronic depression using the sensitive dexamethasone/corticotropin releasing hormone (dex/CRH) test and the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) to establish whether HPA axis abnormalities are present in this group. We also compared the sensitivity of the two tests and compared the results with previous studies in depression that have not specifically selected chronic patients.Method. Twenty-nine patients with the chronic subtype of major depressive disorder and 28 matched controls underwent examination of HPA axis function.Results. Neither the cortisol response to the DST or the dex/CRH test differed significantly between the patient and control groups. There was a trend in favour of more patients than controls having an abnormal response to the dex/CRH test (P = 0.052). Neither the patients with an abnormally enhanced response, nor the magnitude of response could be predicted by any illness or demographic variable.Conclusion. The HPA axis is not overtly abnormal in chronic depression. This contrasts with previous findings in acute depression and bipolar disorder and may suggest that the HPA axis abnormalities present in acute depression resolve, but are not accompanied by symptom resolution. Alternatively, a subgroup of depressives with less HPA dysfunction may progress to chronicity. This has implications for treatment and prognosis. The dex/CRH is a more sensitive test of HPA axis function than the DST in patients with chronic depression.
Linking soundscape composition
and acoustic ecology
Authors: Westerkamp Hildegard 
Published: September 2002

1. EXPLORING THE CONNECTIONThe term soundscape composition did not exist when I started composing with environmental sounds in the mid-1970s. Through a variety of fortunate circumstances and because of what the 1970s were in Vancouver and Canada - artistically inspiring and moneys were available for adventurous and culturally, socially, politically progressive projects - I had discovered that environmental sounds were the perfect compositional ‘language’ for me. I had learnt much while working with the World Soundscape Project at Simon Fraser University, about listening, about the properties of sound, about noise, the issues we face regarding the quality of the sound environment and much more. This in combination with learning to record and to work with analog technology in the sonic studio allowed me to speak with sound in a way I found irresistible. In addition, the start-up of Vancouver Co-operative Radio gave us the - at that time rare - opportunity to broadcast our work. It was a place where cultural exploration and political activism could meet. It was from within this exciting context of ecological concern for the soundscape and the availability of an alternate media outlet that my compositional work - now often called soundscape composition - emerged. And it came as a surprise to me, as I had never thought of composing nor of broadcasting as a professional choice in my life.