bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of women’s breast cancer fear and social support perceptions on the process of participating in screening
Authors: Kissal Aygul , Vural Birgül , Ersin Fatma , Solmaz Tuğba 
Published: February 2017

Introduction: Social support and fear have been shown to be important factors affecting women’s participation in breast cancer screening. This study aimed to determine the effect of women’s perceived breast cancer fear and social support on participating in the breast cancer screening process, and to investigate the relationship between the perception of breast cancer fear and social support. Methods: This is a descriptive study, carried out in a state hospital on 198 women. The data were collected through a Socio-Demographic Data Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Breast Cancer Fear Scale (BCFS) by the researchers by means of face-to-face interview. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the women’s perceptions of social support and breast cancer fear and screening behaviors ( p > 0.05). It was found that the mean BCFS score of those who had a family history of breast cancer was high, and the MSPSS score was lower ( p < 0.05). There was a quite weak and statistically insignificant positive relationship between the women’s BCFS scores and perceived social support ( r = 0.08, p > 0.05), friend support ( r = 0.04, p > 0.05) and support from a special person ( r = 0.14, p > 0.05). Conclusion: We found no statistically significant difference between breast cancer fear, social support and the women’s screening behavior. However, breast cancer fear and the effect of social support on screening attitude may be important. Nurses and other health workers should particularly focus on social support and breast cancer fear in their health education programs. Formative research into the use of social support to promote positive empowering messages should be carried out and incorporated in future health promotion campaigns to improve the breast cancer screening process.
Reduced subarachnoid fluid diffusion in enlarged subarachnoid spaces of infancy
Authors: Whitehead Matthew T , Lee Bonmyong , McCarron Audrey , Fricke Stanley T , Vezina Gilbert 
Published: February 2017

Background and purpose Enlargement of the subarachnoid spaces in infancy (ESSI) is a common cause of macrocephaly without proven explanation. We have observed subarachnoid diffusion to be decreased in these patients. We aim to quantify the diffusivity of ventricular and subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid in ESSI patients, to determine if diffusion characteristics deviate from normocephalic infants, and to propose a unique mechanism for ESSI. Materials and methods 227 consecutive brain magnetic resonance exams from different macrocephalic children were retrospectively reviewed after institutional review board waiver. Patients with noncommunicating hydrocephalus, substantial ventriculomegaly, atrophy, structural bone and/parenchymal abnormalities, abnormal brain signal, hemorrhages, meningitis, and normal imaging were excluded. A total of 53 exams from macrocephalic patients and 21 normocephalic subjects were analyzed. Mean quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were obtained from the ventricular frontal horn and frontal subarachnoid spaces. The subarachnoid:ventricular ADC ratios were compared using a Mann–Whitney U-test. Results The mean age was 13 +/−8 months (macrocephalic cohort) and 13 +/− 6 months (normocephalic cohort). The subarachnoid fluid mean ADC was 2.50+/−0.26 × 10−3 mm2/s in the macrocephalic group and 2.84+/−0.29 × 10−3 mm2/s in the normocephalic group. The ventricular fluid mean ADC was 2.97+/−0.37 × 10−3 mm2/s and 2.74 +/−0.32 × 10−6 mm2/s, respectively. The mean quantitative ADC ratios in the macrocephalic group were 0.85, significantly smaller than the normocephalic group (1) ( z = −6.3; p = 0). Conclusion Subarachnoid space fluid diffusivity is reduced in patients with enlarged subarachnoid spaces of infancy. We propose insufficient frontotemporal capillary protein resorption to be the initiating factor in ESSI, leading to unbalanced osmotic/hydrostatic pressures, and secondary congestion.
Utilization of cholera toxin B as a mucosal adjuvant elicits antibody-mediated protection against S. pneumoniae infection in mice
Authors: Wiedinger Kari , Pinho Daniel , Bitsaktsis Constantine 
Published: February 2017

Backgound: The introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines have been valuable tools for combating invasive pneumococcal infection in children and healthy adults. Despite the available vaccination strategies, pneumococcal pneumonia and associated diseases continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in individuals with chronic disease and ageing populations. Next-generation pneumococcal vaccines will need to be highly immunogenic across patient populations providing both mucosal and systemic protective immunity. Mucosal immunization is an effective strategy for stimulating the immune response at the site of pathogen entry while increasing systemic immunity. In this study we utilized intranasal immunization with pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), in combination with the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin B (CTB), to characterize the immune components providing protection against S. pneumoniae challenge. Methods: Mice were immunized intranasally with CTB and PspA individually, and in combination, followed by lethal bacterial challenge with S. pneumoniae, strain A66.1. Animals were monitored for survival and tested for lung bacterial burden, cytokine production as well as S. pneumoniae-specific antibody titer in mouse sera. The primary immunological contributor to the observed protection was confirmed by cytokine neutralization and serum passive transfer. Results: The combination of CTB and PspA provided complete protection against bacterial challenge, which coincided with a significant decrease in lung bacterial burden. Increases in the T-helper (Th) 1 cytokines, interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-2 were observed in the lung 24 h post-challenge while decreases in proinflammatory mediators IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were also recorded at the same time point. The adjuvanted PspA immunization induced significant titers of S. pneumoniae-specific antibody in the serum of mice prior to infection. Serum adoptive transfer passively protected animals against subsequent challenge while IFN-γ neutralization had no impact on the outcome of immunization, suggesting a primary role for antibody-mediated protection in the context of this immunization strategy. Conclusion: Mucosal immunization with CTB and PspA induced a local cellular immune response and systemic humoral immunity which resulted in effective reduction of pulmonary bacterial burden and complete protection against S. pneumoniae challenge. While induction of the pleiotropic cytokine IFN-γ likely contributes to control of infection through activation of effector pathways, it was not required for protection. Instead, immunization with PspA and CTB-induced S. pneumoniae-specific antibodies in the serum prior to infection that were sufficient to protect against mucosal challenge.
Short-term clinico-radiological outcome of chronic knee synovitis among haemophilia A patients post phosphorus-32 radiosynoviorthesis
Authors: TY Prasanna , Menon Jagadish , AR Nataraj , Halanaik Dhanapathi , Kramadhari Harshith 
Published: February 2017

Purpose: Various modes of therapy have been directed at breaking the vicious cycle at early stage of synovitis in haemophilia patients. This study was planned to assess the short-term clinico-radiological outcome of chronic knee synovitis among haemophilia A patients post phosphorus-32 (P-32) radiosynoviorthesis. Methods: P-32 samarium radiocolloid was injected into the knee and patients were followed up at 1 and 3 months, respectively. Clinical outcomes was assessed using Tegner Lysholm scores (TLSs), Modified Knee Society Clinical Rating System (MKSS) score and circumference of the knee joint. The radiological outcomes were assessed using X-ray, ultrasonography and bone scan. Results: Among the fifteen haemophilia A patients studied, there was statistically significant difference in TLS ( χ2(2) = 27.887 and p value < 0.001), MKSS scores ( χ2(2) = 27.745 and p < 0.001) and circumference of the knee joint ( χ2(2) = 21.333 and p < 0.001) at preoperatively, 1- and 3-month follow-up. There were no changes noted in follow-up X-rays compared with the preoperative X-ray. Ultrasonography showed that clinical improvement was more in suprapatellar and medial parapatellar regions in the last 2 months compared to the first month of follow-up. Post P-32 bone scan showed marked decrease in uptake in the affected knee joint suggestive of radio ablation of synovial tissue. Conclusion: P-32 radiosynoviorthesis done for chronic synovitis among haemophilia A patients showed significant improvement in both clinical and radiological parameters. Ultrasonography can be utilized as non-invasive radiological modality for follow-up of P32 response for knee joint.
Removal of interlocking intramedullary nail for relieve of knee pain after tibial fracture repair
Authors: Zhang Shaodong , Wu Xiaotao , Liu Lei , Wang Chen 
Published: February 2017

Objective: To investigate the effects of intramedullary nail removal after tibial fracture repair. Methods: Sixty patients at our hospital were enrolled in a prospective study and divided into moderate/severe knee pain (visual analog scale (VAS) ≥ 4) and mild/no knee pain (VAS < 4) groups after interlocking intramedullary nailing. Variables studied included the distance from the tip of the nail to the tibial plateau and the front of the tibia on a normalized lateral X-ray, the VAS score of knee and ankle pain, the range of motion of the knee and ankle, and Johner–Wruhs criteria before, 6 weeks after operation, and at the last follow-up. Results: Fifty-seven patients were followed for a mean of 8.4 (2–17) months. In patients with moderate or severe knee pain intramedullary nail removal led to significant pain reductions ( p < 0.05). A significantly shorter distance from the tip of the nail to the tibial plateau (<10 mm) and the anterior border of tibia (<6 mm) was found in the 24 patients with moderate or severe knee pain. Knee pain VAS scores significantly lowered 6 weeks postoperatively and at the last follow-up, compared to before the operation ( p < 0.05). However, no significant changes occurred with respect to ankle pain VAS scores, range of motion, and Johner–Wruhs criteria ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: For patients complaining knee pain after interlocking intramedullary nailing of tibial fractures, especially with a short distance from the tip of the nail tail to the tibial plateau (<10 mm) and the anterior border of the tibia (<6 mm) removal of the intramedullary nails relieved the pain significantly.
Reduced prothrombinase inhibition by tissue factor pathway inhibitor contributes to the factor V Leiden hypercoagulable state
Authors: Wood Jeremy P. , Baumann Kreuziger Lisa M. , Ellery Paul E. R. , Maroney Susan A. , Mast Alan E. 
Published: February 2017

Key PointsFVL platelet-poor and platelet-rich plasma have a reduced threshold for the activation of blood coagulation, which is modulated by TFPIα. Prothrombinase assembled with FVL is less susceptible to inhibition by TFPIα than is prothrombinase assembled with FV.
Mosaic chromosome 20q deletions are more frequent in the aging population
Authors: Machiela Mitchell J. , Zhou Weiyin , Caporaso Neil , Dean Michael , Gapstur Susan M. , Goldin Lynn , Rothman Nathaniel , Stevens Victoria L. , Yeager Meredith , Chanock Stephen J. 
Published: February 2017

Key PointsThe frequency of 20q deletions increases with age and is more common than myeloid disorders. Mosaic 20q deletions spanning regions deleted in myeloid disorders are found in individuals without diagnosis of myeloid disorders.
Implementing a Method for Evaluating Patient-Reported Outcomes Associated With Oral Oncolytic Therapy
Authors: Mackler Emily , Petersen Laura , Severson Jane , Blayney Douglas W. , Benitez Lydia L. , Early Caitlin R. , Hough Shannon , Griggs Jennifer J. 
Published: February 2017

Introduction: The paradigm shift in health care toward value-based reimbursement has brought emphasis to providing better quality of care to patients with chronic diseases, including patients with cancer. In accordance with providing better quality of care to patients, there has been a growing interest in evaluating quality of life through patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS-r) is a tool that can be used to assess PROs and has been validated for use in patients with cancer. This initiative sought to use this standard assessment tool to acquire PROs concerning symptom burden from patients prescribed oral oncolytics. Patients and Methods: Eight oncology practices in the state of Michigan used a modified ESAS-r to evaluate symptom burden of patients prescribed oral oncolytics before each outpatient visit. Thirteen symptoms were categorized as mild (0 to 3), moderate (4 to 6), or severe (7 to 10). Results: A total of 1,235 modified ESAS-r surveys were collected and analyzed; 82.5% of symptoms were categorized as mild, 11.9% of symptoms were categorized as moderate, and 5.6% of symptoms were categorized as severe. Conclusion: PROs can be evaluated through the use of a standardized tool, such as the ESAS-r, in oncology patients receiving oral oncolytic therapy. Implementing such a tool in both community and academic practices is feasible and may facilitate improvements in the quality of care.
Giant FAZ10 is required for flagellum attachment zone stabilization and furrow positioning in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Moreira Bernardo P. , Fonseca Carol K. , Hammarton Tansy C. , Baqui Munira M. A. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT
The flagellum and flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) are important cytoskeletal structures in trypanosomatids, being required for motility, cell division and cell morphogenesis. Trypanosomatid cytoskeletons contain abundant high molecular mass proteins (HMMPs), but many of their biological functions are still unclear. Here, we report the characterization of the giant FAZ protein, FAZ10, in Trypanosoma brucei, which, using immunoelectron microscopy, we show localizes to the intermembrane staples in the FAZ intracellular domain. Our data show that FAZ10 is a giant cytoskeletal protein essential for normal growth and morphology in both procyclic and bloodstream parasite life cycle stages, with its depletion leading to defects in cell morphogenesis, flagellum attachment, and kinetoplast and nucleus positioning. We show that the flagellum attachment defects are probably brought about by reduced tethering of the proximal domain of the paraflagellar rod to the FAZ filament. Further, FAZ10 depletion also reduces abundance of FAZ flagellum domain protein, ClpGM6. Moreover, ablation of FAZ10 impaired the timing and placement of the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis, resulting in premature or asymmetrical cell division.
Error-prone meiotic division and subfertility in mice with oocyte-conditional knockdown of pericentrin
Authors: Baumann Claudia , Wang Xiaotian , Yang Luhan , Viveiros Maria M. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT
Mouse oocytes lack canonical centrosomes and instead contain unique acentriolar microtubule-organizing centers (aMTOCs). To test the function of these distinct aMTOCs in meiotic spindle formation, pericentrin (Pcnt), an essential centrosome/MTOC protein, was knocked down exclusively in oocytes by using a transgenic RNAi approach. Here, we provide evidence that disruption of aMTOC function in oocytes promotes spindle instability and severe meiotic errors that lead to pronounced female subfertility. Pcnt-depleted oocytes from transgenic (Tg) mice were ovulated at the metaphase-II stage, but show significant chromosome misalignment, aneuploidy and premature sister chromatid separation. These defects were associated with loss of key Pcnt-interacting proteins (γ-tubulin, Nedd1 and Cep215) from meiotic spindle poles, altered spindle structure and chromosome–microtubule attachment errors. Live-cell imaging revealed disruptions in the dynamics of spindle assembly and organization, together with chromosome attachment and congression defects. Notably, spindle formation was dependent on Ran GTPase activity in Pcnt-deficient oocytes. Our findings establish that meiotic division is highly error-prone in the absence of Pcnt and disrupted aMTOCs, similar to what reportedly occurs in human oocytes. Moreover, these data underscore crucial differences between MTOC-dependent and -independent meiotic spindle assembly.
Selective transport of neurotransmitters and modulators by distinct volume-regulated LRRC8 anion channels
Authors: Lutter Darius , Ullrich Florian , Lueck Jennifer C. , Kempa Stefan , Jentsch Thomas J. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT
In response to swelling, mammalian cells release chloride and organic osmolytes through volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs). VRACs are heteromers of LRRC8A and other LRRC8 isoforms (LRRC8B to LRRC8E), which are co-expressed in HEK293 and most other cells. The spectrum of VRAC substrates and its dependence on particular LRRC8 isoforms remains largely unknown. We show that, besides the osmolytes taurine and myo-inositol, LRRC8 channels transport the neurotransmitters glutamate, aspartate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the co-activator D-serine. HEK293 cells engineered to express defined subsets of LRRC8 isoforms were used to elucidate the subunit-dependence of transport. Whereas LRRC8D was crucial for the translocation of overall neutral compounds like myo-inositol, taurine and GABA, and sustained the transport of positively charged lysine, flux of negatively charged aspartate was equally well supported by LRRC8E. Disruption of LRRC8B or LRRC8C failed to decrease the transport rates of all investigated substrates, but their inclusion into LRRC8 heteromers influenced the substrate preference of VRAC. This suggested that individual VRACs can contain three or more different LRRC8 subunits, a conclusion confirmed by sequential co-immunoprecipitations. Our work suggests a composition-dependent role of VRACs in extracellular signal transduction.
Mitochondrial depolarization in yeast zygotes inhibits clonal expansion of selfish mtDNA
Authors: Karavaeva Iuliia E. , Golyshev Sergey A. , Smirnova Ekaterina A. , Sokolov Svyatoslav S. , Severin Fedor F. , Knorre Dmitry A. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT
Non-identical copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) compete with each other within a cell and the ultimate variant of mtDNA present depends on their relative replication rates. Using yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells as a model, we studied the effects of mitochondrial inhibitors on the competition between wild-type mtDNA and mutant selfish mtDNA in heteroplasmic zygotes. We found that decreasing mitochondrial transmembrane potential by adding uncouplers or valinomycin changes the competition outcomes in favor of the wild-type mtDNA. This effect was significantly lower in cells with disrupted mitochondria fission or repression of the autophagy-related genes ATG8, ATG32 or ATG33, implying that heteroplasmic zygotes activate mitochondrial degradation in response to the depolarization. Moreover, the rate of mitochondrially targeted GFP turnover was higher in zygotes treated with uncoupler than in haploid cells or untreated zygotes. Finally, we showed that vacuoles of zygotes with uncoupler-activated autophagy contained DNA. Taken together, our data demonstrate that mitochondrial depolarization inhibits clonal expansion of selfish mtDNA and this effect depends on mitochondrial fission and autophagy. These observations suggest an activation of mitochondria quality control mechanisms in heteroplasmic yeast zygotes.
Micro-epidemiological structuring of Plasmodium falciparum parasite populations in regions with varying transmission intensities in Africa.
Authors: Omedo Irene , Mogeni Polycarp , Bousema Teun , Rockett Kirk , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Oyier Isabella , Stevenson Jennifer C. , Baidjoe Amrish Y. , de Villiers Etienne P. , Fegan Greg , Ross Amanda , Hubbart Christina , Jeffreys Anne , Williams Thomas N. , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Bejon Philip 
Published: February 2017

Background: The first models of malaria transmission assumed a completely mixed and homogeneous population of parasites. Recent models include spatial heterogeneity and variably mixed populations. However, there are few empiric estimates of parasite mixing with which to parametize such models. Methods: Here we genotype 276 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5199 P. falciparum isolates from two Kenyan sites and one Gambian site to determine the spatio-temporal extent of parasite mixing, and use Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and linear regression to examine the relationship between genetic relatedness and relatedness in space and time for parasite pairs. Results: We show that there are no discrete geographically restricted parasite sub-populations, but instead we see a diffuse spatio-temporal structure to parasite genotypes. Genetic relatedness of sample pairs is predicted by relatedness in space and time. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeted malaria control will benefit the surrounding community, but unfortunately also that emerging drug resistance will spread rapidly through the population.
Inventory Decisions and Signals of Demand Uncertainty to Investors
Authors: Lai Guoming , Xiao Wenqiang 
Published: February 2017

This paper examines how managerial short-termism can affect a firm’s inventory decision when external investors have only partial information about the firm’s demand uncertainty. We first study the scenario where the manager’s short-termism is exogenously given. We derive the full equilibrium spectrum ranging from stable separating to pooling equilibria, which yields insights for learning firms’ demand uncertainty from their inventory and sales information and for understanding the effect of managerial short-termism on firm performance. We then analyze the scenario where the manager’s short-termism is endogenous. We find that, unlike the scenario with exogenous short-termism, the first-best inventory decisions might be achieved in equilibrium on the basis of an alternative signal. This paper has been accepted for the Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Special Issue on Interface of Finance, Operations, and Risk Management.
Spaces of inequality: It’s not differentiation, it is inequality! A socio-spatial analysis of the City of Porto
Authors: Alves Sónia 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
As territorial magnets for people and activities, cities simultaneously concentrate opportunities (e.g. employment, consumption, entertainment) and problems (e.g. unemployment, lack of affordable housing, crime). As a result, they can be regarded as complex social systems, which to some extent are characterized by, and are a source of, inequalities. By analysing the issue of inequality from a socio-spatial perspective, this article aims to show that the post-industrial city is changing insofar as social and spatial disparities are increasing on the basis of income and political influence. The article consists of two parts. The first addresses the issue of inequality and the city, providing a review of the literature on the relationship between social and spatial inequalities. The second is empirical, focusing upon the city of Porto and exploring several intersecting ideas related to the selective processes of de-concentration (or suburbanization) of people and activities, and the way they shape the separation of classes across geographical space. The results confirm the initial hypotheses of increasing socio-spatial inequality in Porto, in a context in which public policies are not geared towards the goal of mitigating socio-economic disparities, but are shaped inversely by consolidated economic ones.