bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iron plaque decreases cadmium accumulation in Oryza sativa L. and serves as a source of iron
Authors: Sebastian A. , Prasad M. N. V. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) contamination occurs in paddy soils; hence it is necessary to reduce Cd content of rice. Application and mode of action of ferrous sulphate in minimizing Cd in rice was monitored in the present study.

Pot culture with Indian rice variety Swarna (MTU 7029) was maintained in Cd‐spiked soil containing ferrous sulphates, which is expected to reduce Cd accumulation in rice. Responses in rhizosphere pH, root surface, metal accumulation in plant and molecular physiological processes were monitored.

Iron plaque was induced on root surfaces after FeSO4 application and the amount of Fe in plaque reduced with increases in Cd in the soil. Rhizosphere pH decreased during plaque formation and became more acidic due to secretion of organic acids from the roots under Cd treatment. Moreover, iron chelate reductase activity increased with Cd treatment, but in the absence of Cd, activity of this enzyme increased in plaque‐induced plants. Cd treatment caused expression of OsYSL18, whereas OsYSL15 was expressed only in roots without iron plaque. Fe content of plants increased during plaque formation, which protected plants from Cd‐induced Fe deficiency and metal toxicity. This was corroborated with increased biomass, chlorophyll content and quantum efficiency of photo‐synthesis among plaque‐induced plants.

We conclude that ferrous sulphate‐induced iron plaque prevents Cd accumulation and Fe deficiency in rice. Iron released from plaque via organic acid mediated dissolution during Cd stress.
Clinically remitted childhood asthma is associated with airflow obstruction in middle‐aged adults
Authors: Omori Keitaro , Iwamoto Hiroshi , Yamane Takashi , Nakashima Taku , Haruta Yoshinori , Hattori Noboru , Yokoyama Akihito , Kohno Nobuoki 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveWhile adult asthma has been shown to be a risk factor for COPD, the effect of remitted childhood asthma on adult lung function has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to examine whether remitted childhood asthma is a risk factor for airflow obstruction in a middle‐aged general population.MethodsA total of 9896 participants (range: 35–60 years) from five healthcare centres were included in the study. The participants were classified into four categories based on the presence or absence of physician‐diagnosed childhood/adulthood asthma and asthma symptoms as follows: healthy controls (n = 9154), remitted childhood asthma (n = 287), adulthood‐onset asthma (n = 354) and childhood–adulthood asthma (n = 101).ResultsThe prevalence of respiratory symptoms was similar in both the participants with remitted childhood asthma and healthy controls. The prevalence of airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1
)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 0.7) was significantly higher in the participants with remitted childhood asthma, those with adult‐onset asthma and those with childhood–adulthood asthma (5.2%, 14.4% and 16.8%, respectively) compared with healthy controls (2.2%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that remitted childhood asthma was independently associated with airflow obstruction. Among the participants with remitted childhood asthma, ever‐smokers had significantly lower FEV1
/FVC than never‐smokers.ConclusionClinically remitted childhood asthma is associated with airflow obstruction in middle‐aged adults. Smoking and remitted childhood asthma may be additive factors for the development of airflow obstruction.
Developing a complex intervention programme for informal caregivers of stroke survivors: The Caregivers’ Guide
Authors: Krieger Theresia , Feron Frans , Dorant Elisabeth 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundStroke affects the entire family system. Failure to meet the needs of caregivers leads to physical and mental overburdening. Stroke caregivers may benefit from professional support. The literature reviews have shown that there is still no clarity concerning the most appropriate set‐up of a support programme. In Germany, there is no stroke caregiver support programme that operates throughout the course of rehabilitation.AimThe aim was to develop a complex intervention programme for stroke caregivers in North‐Rhine Westphalia, Germany.MethodsA naturalistic enquiry approach, using a mixed‐methods design, was applied. Within one overarching qualitative study, three separate, explorative, inductive, qualitative substudies were conducted: (i) seven explorative interviews with experienced stroke caregivers, (ii) six semi‐structured interviews with professionals working within stroke rehabilitation and (iii) seventeen participant observations with focus on professional–caregiver interactions. Regional stroke units, rehabilitation centres, outpatient services and the home environment of caregivers were included. By means of a four‐step qualitative content analysis, all three data sets were coded, categorised and subsequently condensed into subthemes, clustered into main themes, and finally translated into ‘Conceptual Building Blocks’ of the programme.ResultsThe need for a personalised, holistic and multicomponent caregiver support programme emerged from all three substudies. Fourteen themes were condensed from the subthemes. Caregivers should be approached directly after stroke using outreach counselling. Support should be provided by a specially trained focal person across the entire patient's rehabilitation trajectory. The newly developed support programme consists of five flexible ‘Conceptual Building Blocks’: Content, Human Resources, Personalised Approach, Timing and Setting.ConclusionThrough a qualitative mixed‐methods design, an in‐depth contextual understanding of stroke caregiver needs within the rehabilitative support system was reached. This allowed the development of a context tailored comprehensive caregiver support programme consisting of five ‘Conceptual Building Blocks’.
‘It's a matter of patient safety’: understanding challenges in everyday clinical practice for achieving good care on the surgical ward – a qualitative study
Authors: Jangland Eva , Nyberg Berit , Yngman‐Uhlin Pia 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundSurgical care plays an important role in the acute hospital's delivery of safe, high‐quality patient care. Although demands for effectiveness are high in surgical wards quality of care and patient safety must also be secured. It is therefore necessary to identify the challenges and barriers linked to quality of care and patient safety with a focus on this specific setting.AimTo explore situations and processes that support or hinder good safe patient care on the surgical ward.MethodThis qualitative study was based on a strategic sample of 10 department and ward leaders in three hospitals and six surgical wards in Sweden. Repeated reflective interviews were analysed using systematic text condensation.FindingsFour themes described the leaders’ view of a complex healthcare setting that demands effectiveness and efficiency in moving patients quickly through the healthcare system. Quality of care and patient safety were often hampered factors such as a shift of care level, with critically ill patients cared for without reorganisation of nurses' competencies on the surgical ward.ConclusionsThere is a gap between what is described in written documents and what is or can be performed in clinical practice to achieve good care and safe care on the surgical ward. A shift in levels of care on the surgical ward without reallocation of the necessary competencies at the patient's bedside show consequences for quality of care and patient safety. This means that surgical wards should consider reviewing their organisation and implementing more advanced nursing roles in direct patient care on all shifts. The ethical issues and the moral stress on nurses who lack the resources and competence to deliver good care according to professional values need to be made more explicit as a part of the patient safety agenda in the surgical ward.
Patient participation: causing moral stress in psychiatric nursing?
Authors: Jansen Trine‐Lise , Hanssen Ingrid 
Published: July 2016

AimThe aim of this study was to explore psychiatric nurses’ experiences and perspectives regarding patient participation. Patient participation is an ambiguous, complex and poorly defined concept with practical/clinical, organisational, legal and ethical aspects, some of which in psychiatric units may cause ethical predicaments and moral stress in nurses, for instance when moral caring acts are thwarted by constraints.MethodsAn explorative quantitative pilot study was conducted at a psychiatric subacute unit through three focus group interviews with a total of nine participants. A thematic analytic approach was chosen. Preliminary empirical findings were discussed with participants before the final data analysis. Ethical research guidelines were followed.ResultsPatient participation is a difficult ideal to realise because of vagueness of aim and content. What was regarded as patient participation differed. Some interviewees held that patients may have a say within the framework of restraints while others saw patient participation as superficial. The interviewees describe themselves as patient's spokespersons and contributing to patients participating in their treatment as a great responsibility. They felt squeezed between their ethical values and the ‘system’. They found themselves in a negotiator role trying to collaborate with both the doctors and the patients. Privatisation of a political ideal makes nurses vulnerable to burn out and moral distress.ConclusionNurses have a particular ethical responsibility towards vulnerable patients, and may themselves be vulnerable when caught in situations where their professional and moral values are threatened. Unclear concepts make for unclear division of responsibility. Patient participation is often a neglected value in current psychiatric treatment philosophy. When healthcare workers’ ethical sensibilities are compromised, this may result in moral stress.
Americanizing Latinos, Latinoizing America: The Political Consequences of Latino Incorporation*
Authors: Yang Alan , de la Garza Rodolfo O. 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveBecause of the increased attention Democrats and Republicans are paying to the Latino vote, both parties may find it necessary to change their platforms and rhetoric to appeal to Latino policy preferences. This research examines the impact of Americanization on Latino policy preferences.MethodsUsing data from the 2006 Latino National Survey, we create a continuous scale that measures the extent to which Latinos have Americanized, that is, become incorporated into the U.S. mainstream. We use multivariate analyses to examine the effect of Americanization on a wide range of salient policy preferences.ResultsOur research shows that across a wide array of issues, Latinos vary considerably among themselves in terms of their level of Americanization, even after accounting for a rich set of control variables commonly found to predict policy preferences. Our results also indicate that, regardless of levels of Americanization, Latinos approach unanimity in their support of an expanded socioeconomic safety net supported by the government.ConclusionsOur results indicate that Latino policy preferences are well to the left of the national mainstream and indeed include policies that are anathema to the Republican Party. The political implications of these preferences are that despite increased outreach, Republicans will find it difficult to woo Latino voters, and it will be challenging for Democrats to maintain or increase their Latino support.
Soluble monomers, dimers and HLA‐G‐expressing extracellular vesicles: the three dimensions of structural complexity to use HLA‐G as a clinical biomarker
Authors: Nardi F. da Silva , König L. , Wagner B. , Giebel B. , Santos Manvailer L. F. , Rebmann V. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe HLA‐G molecule belongs to the family of nonclassical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I. At variance to classical HLA class I, HLA‐G displays (i) a low number of nucleotide variations within the coding region, (ii) a high structural diversity, (iii) a restricted peptide repertoire, (iv) a limited tissue distribution and (v) strong immune‐suppressive properties. The physiological HLA‐G surface expression is restricted to the maternal–fetal interface and to immune‐privileged adult tissues. Soluble forms of HLA‐G (sHLA‐G) are detectable in various body fluids. Cellular activation and pathological processes are associated with an aberrant or a neo‐expression of HLA‐G/sHLA‐G. Functionally, HLA‐G and its secreted forms are considered to be key players in the induction of short‐ and long‐term tolerance. Thus, its unique expression profile and tolerance‐inducing functions render HLA‐G/sHLA‐G an attractive biomarker to monitor the systemic health/disease status and disease activity/progression for clinical approaches in disease management and treatments. Here, we place emphasis on (i) the current status of the tolerance‐inducing functions by HLA‐G/sHLA‐G, (ii) the current complexity to implement this molecule as a meaningful clinical biomarker regarding the three dimensions of structural diversity (monomers, dimers and HLA‐G‐expressing extracellular vesicles) with its functional implications, and (iii) novel and future approaches to detect and quantify sHLA‐G structures and functions.
Electroretinographic changes after intravenous lipid emulsion therapy in a dog and a foal with ivermectin toxicosis
Authors: Pollio Danielle , Michau Tammy M. , Weaver Ellen , Kuebelbeck K. Leann 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis case report describes ivermectin‐induced blindness in a dog and a foal with normal ophthalmic fundic examinations and attenuated electroretinography (ERG). Subsequent recovery inERGwas noted following intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy. A dog and a foal were evaluated for ivermectin‐induced blindness. Clinical signs included dull mentation, absent pupillary light reflexes (PLRs), and absent menace on presentation. The animals had normal fundoscopic examinations; however, in both casesERGwas consistent with neurosensory retinal dysfunction. FollowingILEtherapy for ivermectin toxicosis, return of menace,PLRs, and normal mentation were noted, as was improvement inERGand serum ivermectin levels. These are the first documented cases of ivermectin‐induced blindness in a dog and a foal with normal fundic examinations and attenuatedERG.ERGimproved in both animals afterILEtherapy.ERGmay assist in the diagnosis of ivermectin toxicosis in dogs and horses.ILEtherapy may hasten recovery in treatment of ivermectin‐induced blindness.
Islet cell transplantation from Göttingen minipigs to cynomolgus monkeys: analysis of virus safety
Authors: Morozov Vladimir A. , Ludwig Stefan , Ludwig Barbara , Rotem Avi , Barkai Uriel , Bornstein Stefan R. , Denner Joachim 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundXenotransplantation using pig cells, tissues or organs may be associated with the transmission of porcine zoonotic micro‐organisms. Hepatitis E virus (HEV), porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) and porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are potentially zoonotic micro‐organisms which do not show clinical symptoms in pigs and which are due to the low expression level difficult to detect. Göttingen Minipigs (GöMP) are often used for biomedical investigations and they are well characterized concerning the presence of numerous bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites and therefore may be used for islet cell transplantation.MethodsIslet cells derived from three GöMP were transplanted into four healthy, non‐diabetic cynomolgus monkeys using a macroencapsulation device. PCR, nested PCR, real‐time PCR, real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot analyses were used to estimate the presence of PERV, PCMV and HEV in the donors and recipients.ResultsUsing sensitive detection methods, no HEV was found in the donor pigs and in the pig islet cell preparations. Antibodies against PERV, PCMV and HEV were not found in all cynomolgus monkeys with exception of one monkey showing an immune response against HEV. Using real‐time PCR, no PCMV and HEV were found in the sera of all monkeys.ConclusionAlthough the donor islet cells and the recipients were negative for HEV using PCR and Western blot analysis, in one recipient, antibodies against HEV were found, indicating infection in a single case. All recipients were negative for antibodies against PERV, and all were negative for PCMV, indicating absence of infection. As HEV was not detected in the donor pig before transplantation, a more complex and regular screening of the animals using highly sensitive methods is required to avoid virus transmission.
Progressive impairment of cerebellar mGluR signalling and its therapeutic potential for cerebellar ataxia in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 model mice
Authors: Shuvaev Anton N. , Hosoi Nobutake , Sato Yamato , Yanagihara Dai , Hirai Hirokazu 
Published: July 2016

Key points
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by a gene defect, leading to movement disorder such as cerebellar ataxia.
It remains largely unknown which functional defect contributes to the cerebellar ataxic phenotype in SCA1.
In this study, we report progressive dysfunction of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) signalling, which leads to smaller slow synaptic responses, reduced dendritic Ca2+ signals and impaired synaptic plasticity at cerebellar synapses, in the early disease stage of SCA1 model mice.
We also show that enhancement of mGluR signalling by a clinically available drug, baclofen, leads to improvement of motor performance in SCA1 mice.
SCA1 is an incurable disease with no effective treatment, and our results may provide mechanistic grounds for targeting mGluRs and a novel drug therapy with baclofen to treat SCA1 patients in the future.
AbstractSpinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that presents with cerebellar ataxia and motor learning defects. Previous studies have indicated that the pathology of SCA1, as well as other ataxic diseases, is related to signalling pathways mediated by the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1), which is indispensable for proper motor coordination and learning. However, the functional contribution of mGluR signalling to SCA1 pathology is unclear. In the present study, we show that SCA1 model mice develop a functional impairment of mGluR signalling which mediates slow synaptic responses, dendritic Ca2+ signals, and short‐ and long‐term synaptic plasticity at parallel fibre (PF)–Purkinje cell (PC) synapses in a progressive manner from the early disease stage (5 postnatal weeks) prior to PC death. Notably, impairment of mGluR‐mediated dendritic Ca2+ signals linearly correlated with a reduction of PC capacitance (cell surface area) in disease progression. Enhancement of mGluR signalling by baclofen, a clinically available GABAB receptor agonist, led to an improvement of motor performance in SCA1 mice and the improvement lasted ∼1 week after a single application of baclofen. Moreover, the restoration of motor performance in baclofen‐treated SCA1 mice matched the functional recovery of mGluR‐mediated slow synaptic currents and mGluR‐dependent short‐ and long‐term synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that impairment of synaptic mGluR cascades is one of the important contributing factors to cerebellar ataxia in early and middle stages of SCA1 pathology, and that modulation of mGluR signalling by baclofen or other clinical interventions may be therapeutic targets to treat SCA1.
The Relationship Between Early-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis and Lower-Extremity Alignment, Joint Laxity, and Subjective Scores of Pain, Stiffness, and Function
Authors: Hicks-Little Charlie A. , Peindl Richard D. , Hubbard-Turner Tricia J. , Cordova Mitchell L. 
Published: July 2016

Context:Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease that affects an estimated 27 million Americans. Changes in lowerextremity alignment and joint laxity have been found to redistribute the medial and/or lateral loads at the joint. However, the effect that changes in anteroposterior knee-joint laxity have on lower-extremity alignment and function in individuals with knee OA remains unclear.Objective:To examine anteroposterior knee-joint laxity, lower-extremity alignment, and subjective pain, stiffness, and function scores in individuals with early-stage knee OA and matched controls and to determine if a relationship exists among these measures.Design:Case control.Setting:Sports-medicine research laboratory.Participants:18 participants with knee OA and 18 healthy matched controls.Intervention:Participants completed the Western Ontario McMaster (WOMAC) osteoarthritis questionnaire and were tested for total anteroposterior knee-joint laxity (A-P) and knee-joint alignment (ALIGN).Main Outcome Measures:WOMAC scores, A-P (mm), and ALIGN (°).Results:A significant multivariate main effect for group (Wilks’ Λ = 0.30, F7,26 = 8.58, P < .0001) was found. Knee-OA participants differed in WOMAC scores (P < .0001) but did not differ from healthy controls on ALIGN (P = .49) or total A-P (P = .66). No significant relationships were identified among main outcome measures.Conclusion:These data demonstrate that participants with early-stage knee OA had worse pain, stiffness, and functional outcome scores than the matched controls; however, ALIGN and A-P were no different. There was no association identified among participants’ subjective scores, ALIGN, or A-P measures in this study.
Associations Between Functional and Isolated Performance Measures in College Women’s Soccer Players
Authors: McCann Ryan S. , Kosik Kyle B. , Terada Masafumi , Beard Megan Q. , Buskirk Gretchen E. , Gribble Phillip A. 
Published: July 2016

Context:The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) are functional performance measures capable of predicting lower-extremity injury risk. While suboptimal SEBT and FMS performances are influenced by multiple factors, the contribution of hip strength and flexibility to these tests is mostly unknown. Examination of hip strength and flexibility influences on the SEBT and FMS may direct clinicians to better methods of correcting functional deficits.Objective:Determine the relationships of isometric hip strength and hip passive range of motion (PROM) with functional performance measures.Design:Cross-sectional.Setting:Athletic training facility.Participants:43 NCAA Division I women’s soccer players (19.65 ± 1.12 y; 166.93 ± 3.84 cm; 60.99 ± 4.31 kg) volunteered.Data Collection and Analysis:All participants were tested bilaterally in the SEBT; the deep squat, in-line lunge, hurdle step, and straight leg raise, comprising a lower-extremity FMS (FMS-LE); hip internal and external rotation PROM; and isometric hip extension strength (HEXT). The mean of the 3 averaged, normalized SEBT scores was used as a composite score. Pearson product moment correlations assessed relationships of SEBT and FMS-LE scores with PROM and HEXT. Significance was set a priori at P < .05.Results:Pearson correlations revealed anterior (ANT) SEBT scores had a low negative association with HEXT (r = –0.33,P = .004) and a low positive association with hip internal rotation PROM (PROM-IR) (r = .43,P = .003). All other correlations were negligible.Conclusions:Flexibility training aimed at PROM-IR may contribute to improved ANT scores. Targeting HEXT and hip external rotation PROM are likely not preferred means of correcting deficits in SEBT and FMS-LE performance.