bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors associated with challenging behaviour in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Authors: Poppes P. , van der Putten A.J.J. , Post W.J. , Vlaskamp C. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundSeveral factors that correlate with the onset or continuation of challenging behaviour are mentioned in research. These are factors related to persons with ID, but also to direct support professionals and the context. Although many of these factors seem to affect the onset or continuation of challenging behaviour in people with ID in general, results are often inconclusive and have little focus on people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). The present study aimed to assess the extent to which known factors related to challenging behaviour are also applicable to a group of 198 people with PIMD.MethodTo determine which factors were associated with challenging behaviour, univariate analyses on associations between known risk factors and challenging behaviour were conducted. The associated factors were then subject to a regression analysis to determine the extent to which they explain the prevalence of challenging behaviour and can thus be seen as factors associated with challenging behaviour.ResultsThe results show that, in particular, factors concerning the personal characteristics of people with PIMD, such as sleeping problems and auditory problems, were related to the variance in mean frequency of challenging behaviour. Only one factor related to the direct support professionals was found: when these professionals had been offered training on the subject of challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities in general, they identified significantly more withdrawn behaviour. We found no contextual factors related to challenging behaviour.ConclusionThese findings are generally consistent with findings reported in other studies, especially concerning the personal characteristics of people with PIMD. Further research should focus on the effects of providing safe auditory environments and appropriate sleep schedules for people with PIMD on the occurrence of challenging behaviour.
In Defense of Water: Modern Mining, Grassroots Movements, and Corporate Strategies in Peru
Authors: Li Fabiana 
Published: March 2016

ResumenEste artículo explora porqué el agua se ha convertido en un tema central de las controversias mineras recientes, centrándose en un conflicto entre la empresa minera Yanacocha y la comunidad de Combayo, en la sierra norte del Perú. En las protestas de 2006, los campesinos argumentaron que su lucha era por la protección de los recursos hídricos ante la expansión de la minería. La empresa trató de desacreditar estas quejas al arguir que las protestas comenzaron como una demanda por contratos de trabajo y proyectos de desarrollo. Esta separación entre el empleo y el agua, esconde cómo las tecnologías de la minería moderna transforman el paisaje, a la vez que introduce cambios en las prácticas corporativas de la empresa y medidas de acción política en respuesta a la actividad minera. Este artículo examina el papel del agua tanto en la movilización de manifestantes, la reconfiguración de las alianzas políticas existentes y, al propiciar un acuerdo que reduce el alcance del conflicto que da paso a argumentos técnicos sobre la calidad y cantidad de agua, la promesa de empleos, y un estudio hidrológico. [ecología, medio ambiente, movimientos sociales, Perú]
Clinical and biomarker profiling of prodromal Alzheimer's disease in workpackage 5 of the Innovative Medicines Initiative PharmaCog project: a ‘EuropeanADNIstudy’
Authors: Galluzzi S. , Marizzoni M. , Babiloni C. , Albani D. , Antelmi L. , Bagnoli C. , Bartres‐Faz D. , Cordone S. , Didic M. , Farotti L. , Fiedler U. , Forloni G. , Girtler N. , Hensch T. , Jovicich J. , Leeuwis A. , Marra C. , Molinuevo J. L. , Nobili F. , Pariente J. , Parnetti L. , Payoux P. , Del Percio C. , Ranjeva J.‐P. , Rolandi E. , Rossini P. M. , Schönknecht P. , Soricelli A. , Tsolaki M. , Visser P. J. , Wiltfang J. , Richardson J. C. , Bordet R. , Blin O. , Frisoni G. B. ,   the PharmaCog Consortium
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the validation of biomarkers for earlyADdiagnosis and for use as a surrogate outcome inADclinical trials is of considerable research interest.ObjectiveTo characterize the clinical profile and genetic, neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers of prodromalADin amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients enrolled in theIMI WP5 PharmaCog (also referred to as the EuropeanADNIstudy).MethodsA total of 147aMCIpatients were enrolled in 13 European memory clinics. Patients underwent clinical and neuropsychological evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and lumbar puncture to assess the levels of amyloid β peptide 1–42 (Aβ42), tau and p‐tau, and blood samples were collected. Genetic (APOE), neuroimaging (3T morphometry and diffusionMRI) andEEG(with resting‐state and auditory oddball event‐related potential (AO‐ERP) paradigm) biomarkers were evaluated.ResultsProdromalADwas found in 55aMCIpatients defined by low Aβ42 in the cerebrospinal fluid (Aβ positive). Compared to theaMCIgroup with high Aβ42 levels (Aβ negative), Aβ positive patients showed poorer visual (P= 0.001), spatial recognition (P< 0.0005) and working (P= 0.024) memory, as well as a higher frequency ofAPOE4 (P< 0.0005), lower hippocampal volume (P= 0.04), reduced thickness of the parietal cortex (P< 0.009) and structural connectivity of the corpus callosum (P< 0.05), higher amplitude of delta rhythms at rest (P= 0.03) and lower amplitude of posterior cingulate sources ofAO‐ERP(P= 0.03).ConclusionThese results suggest that, inaMCIpatients, prodromalADis characterized by a distinctive cognitive profile and genetic, neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers. Longitudinal assessment will help to identify the role of these biomarkers inADprogression.
Vascular proteomics in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Lynch M. , Barallobre‐Barreiro J. , Jahangiri M. , Mayr M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe vasculature is essential for proper organ function. Many pathologies are directly and indirectly related to vascular dysfunction, which causes significant morbidity and mortality. A common pathophysiological feature of diseased vessels is extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. Analysing the protein composition of the ECM by conventional antibody‐based techniques is challenging; alternative splicing or post‐translational modifications, such as glycosylation, can mask epitopes required for antibody recognition. By contrast, proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry enables the study of proteins without the constraints of antibodies. Recent advances in proteomic techniques make it feasible to characterize the composition of the vascular ECM and its remodelling in disease. These developments may lead to the discovery of novel prognostic and diagnostic markers. Thus, proteomics holds potential for identifying ECM signatures to monitor vascular disease processes. Furthermore, a better understanding of the ECM remodelling processes in the vasculature might make ECM‐associated proteins more attractive targets for drug discovery efforts. In this review, we will summarize the role of the ECM in the vasculature. Then, we will describe the challenges associated with studying the intricate network of ECM proteins and the current proteomic strategies to analyse the vascular ECM in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
What have we learned of ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation?
Authors: Maurer T. , Lundqvist C. B. , Tilz R. , Mont L. , Chierchia G‐B. , Malmborg H. , Metzner A. , Kuck K‐H. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAtrial fibrillation is a widespread disease of growing clinical, economic and social importance. Interventional therapy for atrial fibrillation offers encouraging results, with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as the established cornerstone. Yet, the challenge to create durable transmural lesions remains, leading to recurrence of atrial fibrillation in long‐term follow‐up even after multiple ablation procedures in 20% of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and approximately 50% with persistent atrial fibrillation. To overcome these limitations, innovative tools such as the cryoballoon and contact force catheters have been introduced and have demonstrated their potential for safe and effective PVI. Furthermore, advanced pharmacological and pacing manoeuvres enhance evaluation of conduction block in PVI.
Feeding different dietary protein to energy ratios to Holstein heifers: effects on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation parameters
Authors: Dong L. F. , Zhang W. B. , Zhang N. F. , Tu Y. , Diao Q. Y. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryEighteen Chinese Holstein heifers average age 230 ± 14 days were allocated to 1 of 3 dietary crude protein (CP) to metabolizable energy (ME) ratios to examine the effects on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation parameters with 90‐days experiment. Three different dietary CP:ME ratios were targeted based on the formulation of dietary CP contents of 10.85%, 12.78% and 14.63% on dry matter (DM) basis with similar ME contents (10.42 MJ/kg DM), which were categorized as low, medium and high dietary CP:ME ratios. The actual CP:ME ratios obtained in this study significantly increased from low to high CP:ME ratio groups with a value of 10.59, 11.83 and 13.38 g/MJ respectively. Elevated CP:ME ratios significantly increased CP intake (kg/day) and feed efficiency (FE) which was defined as dry matter intake as a proportion of average daily gain (ADG), whereas little difference was observed in body weight (kg), ADG (kg/day), DM intake (kg/day) and ME intake (MJ/day) among the three different CP:ME ratio groups. Increasing dietary CP to ME ratios significantly increased CP digestibility, whereas digestibility of DM and gross energy remained constant in the current experiment. Blood urea nitrogen and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 linearly increased with increasing dietary CP:ME ratios. There was significantly dietary treatment effect on rumen fermentation parameters including acetate, propionate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids. Therefore, this study indicated that increasing dietary CP levels with similar energy content contributed to increased protein intake and its digestibility, as well as FE. Holstein heifers between 200 and 341 kg subjected to 13.38 dietary CP:ME ratio showed improved feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, some blood metabolites and rumen fermentation characteristics for 0.90 kg/day rate of gain.
Discontinuity of care for mothers with chronic hepatitis B diagnosed during pregnancy
Authors: Rajbhandari R. , Barton K. , Juncadella A. C. , Rubin A. K. , Ajayi T. , Wu Y. , Ananthakrishnan A. N. , Chung R. T. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryAssiduous measures are taken to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to infants; it is unclear whether the mothers receive appropriate care for their chronic HBV. We sought to assess the quality of HBV care in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive mothers following pregnancy. HBsAg‐positive women (n = 243) who had sought prenatal care at Massachusetts General Hospital were retrospectively identified and charts reviewed. The primary outcome was adherence to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines. Over one‐third (37%) of women were first diagnosed with HBV infection at a prenatal visit. One‐third (32%) did not undergo timely liver function test measurements. HBV DNA was never measured in 26% and was untimely in 34% of patients. One‐third (34%) of the women were at high‐risk for HCC based on AASLD criteria, yet only 33% of these women underwent timely imaging. Nearly half (49%) never saw a liver specialist for their HBV care. In multivariate analysis, women were 3.7 times more likely to have a timely ALT and 8.1 times more likely to have a timely HBV DNA if they were followed by a liver specialist (P = 0.001, <0.001). We demonstrate remarkably inadequate and discontinuous HBV care for chronically infected mothers following pregnancy. As HBV infection is already being identified prenatally, quality improvement measures encompassing obstetricians, primary care providers and hepatologists are needed to ensure that HBV‐infected women are linked to care postpregnancy.
Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in mast cells contributes to the regulation of inflammatory cytokines in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
Authors: An S. , Zong G. , Wang Z. , Shi J. , Du H. , Hu J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundNitric oxide (NO) and mast cells (MCs) are possibly involved in the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but details on their role and interactions still remain undetermined. We aimed to investigate the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in MCs of the colon of IBS with diarrhea (IBS‐D), and elucidated a potential role of NO in the differential regulation of cytokines in MCs.MethodsColonic mucosal biopsies of 19 IBS‐D patients and 16 healthy controls were collected. The expression of tryptase and iNOS was investigated by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real‐time PCR. Effects of NO on the expression of cytokines in rat bone marrow MCs (BMMCs) were examined using a cytokine array by NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) treatment.Key ResultsImmunohistochemistry for tryptase revealed an increase in number of MCs with extensive iNOS expression in the colonic mucosa of IBS‐D. Tryptase, iNOS and interleukin (IL)‐1β mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in IBS‐D compared with healthy controls. Specifically, a positive correlation between tryptase and iNOS protein expression was observed in the colon of IBS‐D (r = 0.667, p < 0.05). Supernatant from IBS‐D increased iNOS expression in BMMCs. Antibody array showed that agrin, beta‐nerve growth factor, fractalkine, granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, IL‐1β, IL‐1R6, IL‐13, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha were suppressed, and cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)‐1, CINC‐2α, CINC‐3, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1, matrix metalloproteinase‐8 were strongly produced in L‐NAME treated BMMCs, comparable to levels in the control group.Conclusions & InferencesOur findings provide new evidence that NO is able to regulate many cytokines in MCs that may be involved in the development of IBS.
Temporal and geographical clustering of Kawasaki disease in Japan: 2007–2012
Authors: Sano Takashi , Makino Nobuko , Aoyama Yasuko , Ae Ryusuke , Kojo Takao , Kotani Kazuhiko , Nakamura Yosikazu , Yanagawa Hiroshi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundSince 1987, no study has reported the municipal‐level geographical clustering of Kawasaki disease (KD) in Japan. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify the temporal and municipal‐level geographical clustering of KD.MethodsThe annual incidence rates of KD for each municipality were calculated using nationwide data from 73 758 patients with KD (2007–2012). To determine whether temporal and municipal‐level clustering existed, we calculated the correlations of the annual incidence rates for each municipality during the study years, and compared these rates with those of the adjacent municipalities. Spatial scanning analysis was used to identify the geographical clusters for each year, and the incidence rates in those clusters were compared with the rates in the surrounding region.ResultsThe annual national incidence rate of KD, adjusted for the prefecture‐specific response rate, was 322.45 patients per 100 000 children aged 0–4 years. The correlation between the annual incidence rates during 2 consecutive years was significantly positive (coefficients, 0.149–0.428). On spatial scanning analysis, the most likely clusters were in the Tokyo metropolitan area during 2007–2010 and 2012, and in Kumamoto prefecture during 2011.ConclusionKawasaki disease exhibits temporal and municipal‐level clustering.
Use of an appendicitis medical information sheet in the pediatric primary care system
Authors: Oyachi Noboru , Yagasaki Hideaki , Suzuki Takeyuki , Higashida Kosuke , Komai Takayuki , Hasuda Norio , Takano Kunio , Obana Kazuko 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundAccurate and prompt diagnosis is required for the primary evaluation of pediatric appendicitis. Among pediatricians and surgeons working in Yamanashi Prefecture, the pediatric appendicitis medical information (PAMI) sheet was edited in April 2011 to reflect the diagnostic results of the pediatric primary and emergency medical service and used as a referral document for surgical consultation to secondary hospitals.MethodsThe PAMI sheet consisted of sections for history taking, symptoms, physical signs and laboratory findings without a scoring system. For 32 consecutive months starting in April 2011, 59 patients hospitalized for suspected appendicitis were retrospectively reviewed. In particular, a total of 17 referral patients evaluated with the PAMI sheet were assessed in order to evaluate the utility of the form.ResultsThe pediatric surgeons were able to easily determine patient condition from the PAMI sheet. In total, 13 of 17 patients had appendicitis. According to the physical findings of the 17 studied patients, the judgment of right lower quadrant tenderness (κ = 0.63) and guarding (κ = 1.00) was consistent between the pediatric surgeons and primary attending pediatricians.ConclusionsThe PAMI sheet aids in the collection of detailed history and objective data with a high level of accuracy, and provides useful referral diagnostic information to the secondary‐level hospitals.
Effect of Bovine Sperm‐Bound Antisperm Antibodies on Oviductal Binding Index
Authors: Ferrer MS , Anderson DE , Miller LMJ , George A , Miesner M , Wilkerson M 
Published: March 2016

ContentsThis study was designed to test the hypothesis that sperm‐bound IgG and IgA decrease binding of bull spermatozoa to oviductal epithelial cells in vitro. Three ejaculates were cryopreserved from each of four antisperm antibody (ASA)‐negative satisfactory breeder bulls. Bulls were then immunized with autologous spermatozoa, and three ASA‐positive ejaculates were cryopreserved from each bull post‐immunization. First, microscopy methods were compared to select the most appropriate assay for evaluation of oviductal binding index (BI). The BI did not differ when the evaluation was performed under fluorescence microscopy (131.1 sperm/mm2; 62.5–251.1 sperm/mm2), phase‐contrast microscopy (160.5 sperm/mm2; 56.8–397.4 mm2) or their combination (116.4 sperm/mm2; 56.8–249.6 sperm/mm2) (Median; IQR). The combination of microscopy methods was selected as it allowed better visualization of cells. Then, BI was compared between ASA‐negative and ASA‐positive ejaculates, and the association between BI and ASA binding was evaluated. The BI was less in ASA‐positive (114.9; 0 to 201.8 sperm/0.1 mm2) than ASA‐negative samples (218.9; 24.7 to 276.8 sperm/0.1 mm2) (P = 0.0002). This reduction in BI was significant in three of the four bulls. Regression analysis identified a negative association between BI and the percentage of IgG‐bound (p = 0.013) but not IgA‐bound spermatozoa. In conclusion, sperm‐bound IgG decreased the ability of bovine spermatozoa to bind to oviductal epithelial cells in vitro.
Short‐term depression of gap junctional coupling in reticular thalamic neurons of absence epileptic rats
Authors: Kohmann Denise , Lüttjohann Annika , Seidenbecher Thomas , Coulon Philippe , Pape Hans‐Christian 
Published: March 2016

Key points
Gap junctional electrical coupling between neurons of the reticular thalamic nucleus (RTN) is critical for hypersynchrony in the thalamo‐cortical network.
This study investigates the role of electrical coupling in pathological rhythmogenesis in RTN neurons in a rat model of absence epilepsy.
Rhythmic activation resulted in a Ca2+‐dependent short‐term depression (STD) of electrical coupling between pairs of RTN neurons in epileptic rats, but not in RTN of a non‐epileptic control strain.
Pharmacological blockade of gap junctions in RTN in vivo induced a depression of seizure activity.
The STD of electrical coupling represents a mechanism of Ca2+ homeostasis in RTN aimed to counteract excessive synchronization.
AbstractNeurons in the reticular thalamic nucleus (RTN) are coupled by electrical synapses, which play a major role in regulating synchronous activity. This study investigates electrical coupling in RTN neurons from a rat model of childhood absence epilepsy, genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), compared with a non‐epileptic control (NEC) strain, to assess the impact on pathophysiological rhythmogenesis. Whole‐cell recordings were obtained from pairs of RTN neurons of GAERS and NEC in vitro. Coupling was determined by injection of hyperpolarizing current steps in one cell and monitoring evoked voltage responses in both activated and coupled cell. The coupling coefficient (cc) was compared under resting condition, during pharmacological interventions and repeated activation using a series of current injections. The effect of gap junctional coupling on seizure expression was investigated by application of gap junctional blockers into RTN of GAERS in vivo. At resting conditions, cc did not differ between GAERS and NEC. During repeated activation, cc declined in GAERS but not in NEC. This depression in cc was restored within 25 s and was prevented by intracellular presence of BAPTA in the activated but not in the coupled cell. Local application of gap junctional blockers into RTN of GAERS in vivo resulted in a decrease of spike wave discharge (SWD) activity. Repeated activation results in a short‐term depression (STD) of gap junctional coupling in RTN neurons of GAERS, depending on intracellular Ca2+ mechanisms in the activated cell. As blockage of gap junctions in vivo results in a decrease of SWD activity, the STD observed in GAERS is considered a compensatory mechanism, aimed to dampen SWD activity.