bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Awareness and Knowledge of Occupational Therapy among Nigerian Medical and Health Sciences Undergraduates
Authors: Olaoye Olumide Ayoola , Emechete Anne A.I. , Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim , Mbada Chidozie Emmanuel 
Published: May 2016

Objective/Background Consequent to the introduction of occupational therapy (OT) training programmes in Nigeria in the past decade, this study sought to assess the awareness and knowledge of Nigerian medical and other health career undergraduates about OT. Methods Three hundred and eighty-one undergraduates and students of other health disciplines from the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria responded to a validated three section questionnaire assessing their awareness and knowledge about OT. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean and percentages and inferential statistics of chi-square test of association. Results The mean age of the respondents was 20.96 ±2.88 years. Over 80% of the respondents were aware of the OT profession, with higher rates among male respondents (83.7%), students in the 2nd year of study (94.7%), and those in the medical rehabilitation programme (99.1%). Amongst the respondents, < 40% had good knowledge of OT while a majority had knowledge ranging from poor to moderate (62.7%). Respondents’ course of study and level of study were significantly associated with awareness and knowledge about OT. Conclusion Nigerian medical and health sciences undergraduates had high awareness, but poor to moderate knowledge about the OT profession, roles, and work settings. Level of awareness and knowledge about OT were significantly influenced by the rehabilitation-related course of study and lower level of study. Replication of similar studies in countries with different cultural backgrounds is suggested.
Community survey on awareness and use of obstetric ultrasonography in rural Sarlahi District, Nepal
Authors: Kozuki Naoko , Katz Joanne , Khatry Subarna K. , Tielsch James M. , LeClerq Steven C. , Mullany Luke C. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo assess levels of awareness and use of obstetric ultrasonography in rural Nepal.MethodsBetween March 2014 and March 2015, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted among married women aged 15–40 years residing in rural Sarlahi District, Nepal, regarding their knowledge and use of obstetric ultrasonography during their most recent pregnancy. Regression analyses were conducted to identify reproductive health, socioeconomic, and other characteristics that increased the likelihood of undergoing an obstetric ultrasonographic examination.ResultsAmong 6182 women, 1630 (26.4%) had undergone obstetric ultrasonography during their most recent pregnancy, of whom 1011 (62.0%) received only one examination. Odds of receiving an ultrasonographic examination were higher among women with post‐secondary education than among those with none (≥ 11 years' education: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 10.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.55–19.04), and among women whose husbands had post‐secondary education than among those with husbands with none (≥ 11 years' education: aOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.47–2.69). Odds were lower among women younger than 18 years than among those aged 18–34 years (aOR 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.59–0.90).ConclusionUtilization of obstetric ultrasonography in rural Nepal was very limited. Further research is necessary to assess the potential health impact of obstetric ultrasonography in low‐resource settings, while addressing limitations such as cost and misuse.
Thyroperoxidase antibodies and polycystic ovarian morphology
Authors: Ramezani Tehrani Fahimeh , Bahri Khomami Mahnaz , Amouzegar Atieh , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the association between polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) and thyroperoxidase antibody level.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was undertaken of women aged 15–49 years living in one of four provinces in Iran recruited between February 2009 and November 2010. Eligible women did not have hirsutism and were eumenorrheic. All participants underwent a comprehensive interview, clinical examination, blood sampling, and ultrasonographic assessment. The serum concentration of thyroperoxidase antibodies was compared between women with and without PCOM.ResultsAmong 491 participants, 74 (15.1%) had PCOM. In total, 11 (14.9%) women with PCOM and 61 (14.6%) women with normal morphology tested positive for thyroperoxidase antibodies. The serum concentration of thyroperoxidase antibodies was higher among women with PCOM (48.45 ± 135.74 IU/mL) than among those with normal ovarian morphology (37.99 ± 96.49 IU/mL), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.42).ConclusionThyroperoxidase antibody levels were higher in Iranian women with PCOM than in women with normal morphology, although the difference was not significant. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether the treatment of thyroid disorders can prevent the development of PCOM.
Risk factors for amiodarone‐induced thyroid dysfunction in Japan
Authors: Kinoshita Sayoko , Hayashi Tomohiro , Wada Kyoichi , Yamato Mikie , Kuwahara Takeshi , Anzai Toshihisa , Fujimoto Mai , Hosomi Kouichi , Takada Mitsutaka 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundAmiodarone is associated with a number of significant adverse effects, including elevated transaminase levels, pulmonary fibrosis, arrhythmia, and thyroid dysfunction. Although thyroid dysfunction is considered to be a common and potentially serious adverse effect of amiodarone therapy, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown because of its complex manifestations. Therefore, the prevalence of, and risk factors for, amiodarone‐induced thyroid dysfunction in Japanese patients were investigated in the present study.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients treated with amiodarone between January 2012 and December 2013 was performed. A total of 317 patients with euthyroidism, or subclinical hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, were enrolled in this study.ResultsAfter being treated with amiodarone, 30 (9.5%) and 60 patients (18.9%) developed amiodarone‐induced hyperthyroidism and amiodarone‐induced hypothyroidism, respectively. Ten (33.3%) patients with amiodarone‐induced hyperthyroidism and 40 (66.6%) with amiodarone‐induced hypothyroidism were diagnosed within two years of the initiation of amiodarone therapy. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) [Adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.30 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26–8.90)], and cardiac sarcoidosis [Adjusted OR 6.47 (95% CI: 1.60–25.77)] were identified as predictors of amiodarone‐induced hyperthyroidism. The baseline free thyroxine (T4) level [Adjusted OR 0.13 (95% CI: 0.03–0.68)], and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) level [Adjusted OR1.47 (95% CI: 1.26–1.74)] were identified as predictors of amiodarone‐induced hypothyroidism.ConclusionDCM and cardiac sarcoidosis were identified as risk factors for amiodarone‐induced hyperthyroidism. Risk factors for amiodarone‐induced hypothyroidism included higher baseline TSH level and lower baseline free T4 level, suggesting that subclinical hypothyroidism may be a potential risk factor for the development of amiodarone‐induced hypothyroidism.
DOES PREPARTUM SUPPLEMENTAL FEED IMPACT BEEF CATTLE PROFITABILITY THROUGH FINISHING?
Authors: LEWIS KAREN E. , GRIFFITH ANDREW P. , BOYER CHRISTOPHER N. , RHINEHART JUSTIN 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLittle is known about the impact of a supplemental prepartum feed ration for cows on the profitability of their calves. Therefore, we investigated the impact of animal characteristics and a supplemental prepartum feed program for cows on net returns to finished steers and the probability of a steer grading Choice or higher. Data were collected for 160 Tennessee steers that were finished in a feedlot. The supplemental prepartum feeding program decreased net returns of finished steers. Several animal characteristics were found to influence net returns of finished steers and the probability of a steer grading Choice or higher.
New York State Public Health System Response to Hurricane Sandy: An Analysis of Survey Feedback
Authors: Shipp Hilts Asante , Mack Stephanie , Li Yunshu , Eidson Millicent , Nguyen Trang , Birkhead Guthrie S. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to provide a broad spectrum of New York State and local public health staff the opportunity to contribute anonymous feedback on their own and their agencies’ preparedness and response to Hurricane Sandy, perceived challenges, and recommendations for preparedness improvement.MethodsIn 2015, 2 years after Hurricane Sandy, public health staff who worked on Hurricane Sandy response were identified and were provided a link to the anonymous survey. Quantitative analyses were used for survey ratings and qualitative content analyses were used for open-ended questions.ResultsSurveys were completed by 129 local health department (LHD) staff in 3 counties heavily impacted by Sandy (Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester) and 69 staff in the New York State Department of Health who supported the LHDs. Staff agreed that their Hurricane Sandy responsibilities were clearly defined and that they had access to adequate information to perform their jobs. Challenges were reported in the operational, communication, service interruptions, and staff categories, with LHD staff also reporting challenges with shelters.ConclusionsNew York local and state public health staff indicated that they were prepared for Hurricane Sandy. However, their feedback identified specific challenges and recommendations that can be addressed to implement improved preparedness and response strategies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:454–462)
Resveratrol directly targets DDX5 resulting in suppression of the mTORC1 pathway in prostate cancer
Authors: Taniguchi T , Iizumi Y , Watanabe M , Masuda M , Morita M , Aono Y , Toriyama S , Oishi M , Goi W , Sakai T 
Published: May 2016

AbstractResveratrol has various attractive bioactivities, such as prevention of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and obesity-related diseases. Therefore, identifying its direct binding proteins is expected to discover druggable targets. Sirtuin 1 and phosphodiesterases have so far been found as the direct molecular targets of resveratrol. We herein identified 11 novel resveratrol-binding proteins, including the DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box helicase 5 (DDX5, also known as p68), using resveratrol-immobilized beads. Treatment with resveratrol induced degradation of DDX5 in prostate cancer cells. Depletion of DDX5 caused apoptosis by inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Moreover, knockdown of DDX5 attenuated the inhibitory activities of resveratrol against mTORC1 signaling and cancer cell growth. These data show that resveratrol directly targets DDX5 and induces cancer cell death by inhibiting the mTORC1 pathway.
PfCRT and PfMDR1 modulate interactions of artemisinin derivatives and ion channel blockers
Authors: Eastman Richard T. , Khine Pwint , Huang Ruili , Thomas Craig J. , Su Xin-zhuan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractTreatment of the symptomatic asexual stage of Plasmodium falciparum relies almost exclusively on artemisinin (ART) combination therapies (ACTs) in endemic regions. ACTs combine ART or its derivative with a long-acting partner drug to maximize efficacy during the typical three-day regimen. Both laboratory and clinical studies have previously demonstrated that the common drug resistance determinants P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and multidrug resistance transporter (PfMDR1) can modulate the susceptibility to many current antimalarial drugs and chemical compounds. Here we investigated the parasite responses to dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and various Ca2+ and Na+ channel blockers and showed positively correlated responses between DHA and several channel blockers, suggesting potential shared transport pathways or mode of action. Additionally, we demonstrated that PfCRT and PfMDR1 could also significantly modulate the pharmacodynamic interactions of the compounds and that the interactions were influenced by the parasite genetic backgrounds. These results provide important information for better understanding of drug resistance and for assessing the overall impact of drug resistance markers on parasite response to ACTs.
Is lymphovascular invasion a powerful predictor for biochemical recurrence in pT3 N0 prostate cancer? Results from the K-CaP database
Authors: Park Yong Hyun , Kim Yejin , Yu Hwanjo , Choi In Young , Byun Seok-Soo , Kwak Cheol , Chung Byung Ha , Lee Hyun Moo , Kim Choung Soo , Lee Ji Youl 
Published: May 2016

AbstractTo assess the impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) on the risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) in pT3 N0 prostate cancer, clinical data were extracted from 1,622 patients with pT3 N0 prostate cancer from the K-CaP database. Patients with neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (n = 325) or insufficient pathologic or follow-up data (n = 87) were excluded. The primary endpoint was the oncologic importance of LVI, and the secondary endpoint was the hierarchical relationships for estimating BCR between the evaluated variables. LVI was noted in 260 patients (21.5%) and was significantly associated with other adverse clinicopathologic features. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, LVI was significantly associated with an increased risk of BCR after adjusting for known prognostic factors. In the Bayesian belief network analysis, LVI and pathologic Gleason score were found to be first-degree associates of BCR, whereas prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, seminal vesicle invasion, perineural invasion, and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia were considered second-degree associates. In the random survival forest, pathologic Gleason score, LVI, and PSA level were three most important variables in determining BCR of patients with pT3 N0 prostate cancer. In conclusion, LVI is one of the most powerful adverse prognostic factors for BCR in patients with pT3 N0 prostate cancer.
Mobility and Muscle Strength Together are More Strongly Correlated with Falls in Suburb-Dwelling Older Chinese
Authors: Wang Xiuyang , Ma Yixuan , Wang Jiazhong , Han Peipei , Dong Renwei , Kang Li , Zhang Wen , Shen Suxing , Wang Jing , Li Dongfang , Zhou Maoran , Wang Liancheng , Niu Kaijun , Guo Qi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFalls are common in older adults and result in adverse outcomes. Impaired mobility and poor muscle strength have been consistently identified as the main contributors to falls. We choose three easy-to-perform tests (i.e. Timed Up and Go test (TUGT), walking speed (WS) and grip strength (GS)) in order to assess mobility and muscle strength to further define their relationship with falls. This study is cross-sectional, consisting of 1092 residents over 60-year-old; 589 were female. 204 (18.68%) participants reported falling at least once in the past year. It was found that, of the three tests evaluated independently, a TUGT < 9.1750 s had the strongest association with fewer falls. When evaluating these tests as pairs, the combination of a TUGT < 9.1750 s and a WS < 0.9963 m/s was the best protective indicator of falls after adjusting for age, sex and other variables. When evaluating all three tests in conjunction with each other, the combination of a TUGT < 9.1750 s, a WS < 0.9963 m/s and a GS > 0.3816 was most correlated with less possibility of falls. The combination of a better TUGT performance, a stronger GS and a slower WS is the most strongly correlated with less possibility of falls.
Social correlates of the dominance rank and long-term cortisol levels in adolescent and adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Feng Xiaoli , Wu Xujun , Morrill Ryan J. , Li Zhifei , Li Chunlu , Yang Shangchuan , Li Zhaoxia , Cui Ding , Lv Longbao , Hu Zhengfei , Zhang Bo , Yin Yong , Guo Liyun , Qin Dongdong , Hu Xintian 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA common pattern in dominance hierarchies is that some ranks result in higher levels of psychosocial stress than others. Such stress can lead to negative health outcomes, possibly through altered levels of stress hormones. The dominance rank-stress physiology relationship is known to vary between species; sometimes dominants show higher levels of glucocorticoid stress hormones, whereas in other cases subordinates show higher levels. It is less clear how this relationship varies between groups of different ages or cultures. In this study, we used long-term cortisol measurement methods to compare the effect of rank on cortisol levels in adult and adolescent male rhesus macaques. In the adult groups, subordinates had significantly higher cortisol levels. In the adolescents, no significant correlation between cortisol and status was found. Further analysis demonstrated that the adult hierarchy was stricter than that of the adolescents. Adult subordinates received extreme aggression more frequently than dominants and this class of behavior was positively correlated with cortisol; by contrast, adolescents showed neither trend. Together, these findings provide evidence for a cortisol-rank relationship determined by social factors, namely, despotism of the group and highlight the importance of group-specific social analysis when comparing or combining results obtained from different groups of animals.
Asymmetric masks for laboratory-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging with edge illumination
Authors: Endrizzi Marco , Astolfo Alberto , Vittoria Fabio A. , Millard Thomas P. , Olivo Alessandro 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe report on an asymmetric mask concept that enables X-ray phase-contrast imaging without requiring any movement in the system during data acquisition. The method is compatible with laboratory equipment, namely a commercial detector and a rotating anode tube. The only motion required is that of the object under investigation which is scanned through the imaging system. Two proof-of-principle optical elements were designed, fabricated and experimentally tested. Quantitative measurements on samples of known shape and composition were compared to theory with good agreement. The method is capable of measuring the attenuation, refraction and (ultra-small-angle) X-ray scattering, does not have coherence requirements and naturally adapts to all those situations in which the X-ray image is obtained by scanning a sample through the imaging system.
Mapping human dispersals into the Horn of Africa from Arabian Ice Age refugia using mitogenomes
Authors: Gandini Francesca , Achilli Alessandro , Pala Maria , Bodner Martin , Brandini Stefania , Huber Gabriela , Egyed Balazs , Ferretti Luca , Gómez-Carballa Alberto , Salas Antonio , Scozzari Rosaria , Cruciani Fulvio , Coppa Alfredo , Parson Walther , Semino Ornella , Soares Pedro , Torroni Antonio , Richards Martin B. , Olivieri Anna 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRare mitochondrial lineages with relict distributions can sometimes be disproportionately informative about deep events in human prehistory. We have studied one such lineage, haplogroup R0a, which uniquely is most frequent in Arabia and the Horn of Africa, but is distributed much more widely, from Europe to India. We conclude that: (1) the lineage ancestral to R0a is more ancient than previously thought, with a relict distribution across the Mediterranean/Southwest Asia; (2) R0a has a much deeper presence in Arabia than previously thought, highlighting the role of at least one Pleistocene glacial refugium, perhaps on the Red Sea plains; (3) the main episode of dispersal into Eastern Africa, at least concerning maternal lineages, was at the end of the Late Glacial, due to major expansions from one or more refugia in Arabia; (4) there was likely a minor Late Glacial/early postglacial dispersal from Arabia through the Levant and into Europe, possibly alongside other lineages from a Levantine refugium; and (5) the presence of R0a in Southwest Arabia in the Holocene at the nexus of a trading network that developed after ~3 ka between Africa and the Indian Ocean led to some gene flow even further afield, into Iran, Pakistan and India.
Spatiotemporal analysis of RhoA/B/C activation in primary human endothelial cells
Authors: Reinhard Nathalie R. , van Helden Suzanne F. , Anthony Eloise C. , Yin Taofei , Wu Yi I. , Goedhart Joachim , Gadella Theodorus W. J. , Hordijk Peter L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractEndothelial cells line the vasculature and are important for the regulation of blood pressure, vascular permeability, clotting and transendothelial migration of leukocytes and tumor cells. A group of proteins that that control the endothelial barrier function are the RhoGTPases. This study focuses on three homologous (>88%) RhoGTPases: RhoA, RhoB, RhoC of which RhoB and RhoC have been poorly characterized. Using a RhoGTPase mRNA expression analysis we identified RhoC as the highest expressed in primary human endothelial cells. Based on an existing RhoA FRET sensor we developed new RhoB/C FRET sensors to characterize their spatiotemporal activation properties. We found all these RhoGTPase sensors to respond to physiologically relevant agonists (e.g. Thrombin), reaching transient, localized FRET ratio changes up to 200%. These RhoA/B/C FRET sensors show localized GEF and GAP activity and reveal spatial activation differences between RhoA/C and RhoB. Finally, we used these sensors to monitor GEF-specific differential activation of RhoA/B/C. In summary, this study adds high-contrast RhoB/C FRET sensors to the currently available FRET sensor toolkit and uncover new insights in endothelial and RhoGTPase cell biology. This allows us to study activation and signaling by these closely related RhoGTPases with high spatiotemporal resolution in primary human cells.
Early change in left atrial function in patients treated with anthracyclines assessed by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography
Authors: Shi Jing , Guo Ye , Cheng Leilei , Song Feiyan , Shu Xianhong 
Published: May 2016

AbstractReal-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE) has allowed a better assessment of LA volumes and function. We sought to assess the early change in left atrial size and function in patients treated with anthracyclines using RT-3DE. 61 patients aged 44.9 ± 11.9 years with large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with doxorubicin were studied. Blood collection and echocardiography were performed at baseline and 1 day after completion of the chemotherapy. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), maximum, minimum and pre-atrial contraction LA volumes were measured and reservoir, conduit and booster pump function were assessed. Despite normal LVEF, passive emptying percent of total emptying (0.51 ± 0.14 vs. 0.40 ± 0.12, P < 0.001) and passive emptying index (0.29 ± 0.10 vs. 0.23 ± 0.06, P < 0.001) were remarkably reduced compared to baseline values, while active emptying percent of total emptying (0.49 ± 0.14 vs. 0.60 ± 0.12, P < 0.001) and active emptying index (0.41 ± 0.16 vs. 0.47 ± 0.16, P = 0.048) were increased. GLS (−21.64 ± 2.83 vs. −17.30 ± 2.50) was markedly reduced, cTnT levels was elevated from 0.005 ± 0.004 to 0.020 ± 0.026 ng/mL at the completion of chemotherapy (P all  < 0.001). Early LA functional change occur after doxorubicin exposure in patients with preserved LVEF, which could be detected by RT-3DE.