bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperinsulinemia and sulfonylurea use are independently associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with suboptimal blood glucose control
Authors: Inoue Tomoaki , Maeda Yasutaka , Sonoda Noriyuki , Sasaki Shuji , Kabemura Teppei , Kobayashi Kunihisa , Inoguchi Toyoshi 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveAlthough diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the underlying mechanisms leading to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) remain poorly understood. The study was designed to assess the risk factors for LVDD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Research design and methodsThe study cohort included 101 asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without overt heart disease. Left ventricular diastolic function was estimated as the ratio of early diastolic velocity (E) from transmitral inflow to early diastolic velocity (e’) of tissue Doppler at mitral annulus (E/e’). Parameters of glycemic control, plasma insulin concentration, treatment with antidiabetic drugs, lipid profile, and other clinical characteristics were evaluated, and their association with E/e’ determined. Patients with New York Heart Association class >1, ejection fraction <50%, history of coronary artery disease, severe valvulopathy, chronic atrial fibrillation, or creatinine clearance <30 mL/min, as well as those receiving insulin treatment, were excluded.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that E/e’ was significantly correlated with age (p<0.001), sex (p<0.001), duration of diabetes (p=0.002), systolic blood pressure (p=0.017), pulse pressure (p=0.010), fasting insulin concentration (p=0.025), and sulfonylurea use (p<0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that log E/e’ was significantly and positively correlated with log age (p=0.034), female sex (p=0.019), log fasting insulin concentration (p=0.010), and sulfonylurea use (p=0.027).ConclusionsHyperinsulinemia and sulfonylurea use may be important in the development of LVDD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Impact of holding the baby following stillbirth on maternal mental health and well-being: findings from a national survey
Authors: Redshaw Maggie , Hennegan Julie M , Henderson Jane 
Published: August 2016

ObjectivesTo compare mental health and well-being outcomes at 3 and 9 months after the stillbirth among women who held or did not hold their baby, adjusting for demographic and clinical differences.DesignSecondary analyses of data from a postal population survey.PopulationWomen with a registered stillbirth in England in 2012.Methods468 eligible responses were compared. Differences in demographic, clinical and care characteristics between those who held or did not hold their infant were described and adjusted for in subsequent analysis. Mental health and well-being outcomes were compared, and subgroup comparisons tested hypothesised moderating factors.Outcome MeasuresSelf-reported depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and relationship difficulties.ResultsThere was a 30.2% response rate to the survey. Most women saw (97%, n=434) and held (84%, n=394) their baby after stillbirth. There were some demographic differences with migrant women, women who had a multiple birth and those whose pregnancy resulted from fertility treatment being less likely to hold their baby. Women who held their stillborn baby consistently reported higher rates of mental health and relationship difficulties. After adjustment, women who held their baby had 2.12 times higher odds (95% CI 1.11 to 4.04) of reporting anxiety at 9 months and 5.33 times higher odds (95% CI 1.26 to 22.53) of reporting relationship difficulties with family. Some evidence for proposed moderators was observed with poorer mental health reported by women who had held a stillborn baby of <33 weeks’ gestation, and those pregnant at outcome assessment.ConclusionsThis study supports concern about the negative impact of holding the infant after stillbirth. Results are limited by the observational nature of the study, survey response rate and inability to adjust for women's baseline anxiety. Findings add important evidence to a mixed body of literature.
Echocardiographic reference ranges for sedentary donkeys in the UK
Authors: Roberts S. L. , Dukes‐McEwan J. 
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to provide two‐dimensional (2D) and M‐mode echocardiographic reference ranges from a sample of the UK population of donkeys including geriatrics (>30 years), owned by The Donkey Sanctuary, and to assess the influence of gender, weight and age on these variables. A total of 36 donkeys with no clinical or echocardiographic evidence of cardiovascular disease were examined; 24 geldings and 12 females, aged 3–45 years old, weighing 130–262 kg. Left atrial to aortic ratio was larger in geldings (P=0.004). There was no significant difference for left ventricular M‐mode diastolic diameter between females and geldings (P=0.121) after exclusion of one heavy female outlier. 2D measurements significantly increased with bodyweight including maximal left atrial diameter (R2=0.112; P=0.046), aortic diameter at various levels (e.g. annulus: R2=0.35; P<0.001) and the pulmonary artery diameter (R2=0.124; P=0.035). M‐mode measurements were not significantly influenced by weight other than the left ventricular free wall in systole (R2=0.118; P=0.041). Age and heart rate did not have any significant effect on echocardiographic variables. This is the first UK study to report on echocardiographic reference ranges of sedentary donkeys across a wide age range and shows differences compared with reference ranges from working donkeys.
Differential wolf-pack-size persistence and the role of risk when hunting dangerous prey
Authors: Barber-Meyer Shannon M. , Mech L. David , Newton Wesley E. , Borg Bridget L. 
Published: August 2016

Risk to predators hunting dangerous prey is an emerging area of research and could account for possible persistent differences in gray wolf (Canis lupus) pack sizes. We documented significant differences in long-term wolf-pack-size averages and variation in the Superior National Forest (SNF), Denali National Park and Preserve, Yellowstone National Park, and Yukon, Canada (). The SNF differences could be related to the wolves’ risk when hunting primary prey, for those packs () hunting moose (Alces americanus) were significantly larger than those () hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (, ). Our data support the hypothesis that differential pack-size persistence may be perpetuated by differences in primary prey riskiness to wolves, and we highlight two important extensions of this idea: (1) the potential for wolves to provision and defend injured packmates from other wolves and (2) the importance of less-risky, buffer prey to pack-size persistence and year-to-year variation.
Physical Activity Counseling by Diabetes Educators Delivering Diabetes Self-management Education and Support
Authors: Powell Robert O. , Siminerio Linda , Kriska Andrea , Rickman Amy , Jakicic John M. 
Published: August 2016

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence physical activity counseling of diabetes educators delivering diabetes self-management/support (DSME/S). Methods Diabetes educators were surveyed about their DSME/S counseling at the American Association of Diabetes Educators Pennsylvania State Diabetes Conference to explore (1) time dedicated to physical activity counseling, (2) importance placed on physical activity as a treatment for diabetes, (3) knowledge of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, (4) level of confidence with physical activity counseling, and (5) barriers associated with physical activity counseling. Results A sample of 119 diabetes educators with 13.0 ± 8.6 years of DSME/S experience participated in the survey (95.8% female; 94.1% white; 60.5% nurses; 73.9% Certified Diabetes Educators). Of 4 common DSME/S content areas (healthy eating, taking medications, monitoring blood glucose, and physical activity), physical activity was ranked as the third most important behind healthy eating and taking medications, with 14.5 ± 12.1 minutes per session spent counseling on physical activity. The proportion of educators acknowledging the current physical activity guidelines for moderate-intensity aerobic activity, vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, and resistance training was 74%, 20.5%, and 62.8%, respectively. Being “very confident” for counseling on physical activity was reported by 54.7%, while “inability to engage patients in physical activity” and “time allotted for DSME/S visits” were the most challenging personal and practice barriers reported, respectively. Physical activity is an important lifestyle behavior for the treatment of diabetes. Conclusions Findings suggest that there are challenges to physical activity counseling within DSME/S. Strategies to improve physical activity counseling by diabetes educators warrant attention.
Results from a cognitive group rehabilitation programme from an occupational performance perspective
Authors: Rustner Birgitta , Wressle Ewa , Samuelsson Kersti 
Published: August 2016

Introduction The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used for treatment planning and to evaluate the effect of a cognitive group rehabilitation programme. The aim was to identify occupational performance problems defined as important and to analyse the outcome, and to link those problems to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for traumatic brain injury and stroke. Method A retrospective design was used, including an analysis of COPM data recorded before and two months after the programme. COPM data from 124 clients were linked to the ICF core sets. Results A clinically important difference of ≥2 COPM scores was reached in 32% of the clients for occupational performance and in 47% for satisfaction with occupational performance. A majority of the problems identified (62%) were classified within the activities and participation component in the ICF, and 38% in body functions. All occupational performance problems could be linked to the ICF; just one of the 36 categories (caring for household objects) was not found in any of the ICF core sets. Conclusion By linking the COPM data to the core sets, occupational therapists can be confident in addressing the typical problems of the group of clients identified.
Urine protein, urine protein to creatinine ratio and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase index in cats with idiopathic cystitis vs healthy control cats
Authors: Panboon Isadee , Asawakarn Sariya , Pusoonthornthum Rosama 
Published: August 2016

Objectives The objective was to compare urine protein, urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) index between cats with idiopathic cystitis and clinically normal cats. Methods Urine and blood samples were collected from 19 clinically normal cats and 19 cats with idiopathic cystitis without azotaemia at the time of first presentation. Urine protein, urine creatinine and UPC were measured. Additionally, the urinary NAG concentration was measured using the colorimetric method, and the NAG index was calculated by dividing the urinary NAG concentration by the urine creatinine ratio. Results Urine protein concentration (mean ± SEM) was four times higher in cats with idiopathic cystitis (218.29 ± 58.95) than in clinically normal cats (56.13 ± 9.95) (P <0.05). The UPC (mean ± SEM) of cats with idiopathic cystitis (0.70 ± 0.19) was also five times higher than that of clinically normal cats (0.14 ± 0.02) (P <0.05). The mean ± SEM NAG index in cats with idiopathic cystitis (4.79 ± 1.53 U/g) was two times higher than that in clinically normal cats (2.14 ± 0.48 U/g). The log UPC was positively correlated with the log NAG index in cats with idiopathic cystitis at moderate levels (r2 = 0.512; P <0.05). Conclusions and relevance Cats with idiopathic cystitis had increased amounts of urine protein and an increased UPC. Further study is needed to address the role of urinary NAG and its relationship with glycosaminoglycan levels in cats with idiopathic cystitis.
Mujeres que Consumen Sustancias y su Vulnerabilidad frente al VIH en Santiago de Chile (Women Who Consume Substances and Their Vulnerability to HIV in Santiago of Chile)
Authors: Irarrázabal Lisette P. , Ferrer Lilian , Villegas Natalia , Sanhueza Sebastián , Molina Yerko , Cianelli Rosina 
Published: August 2016

Introduction: Women represent 15% of the people living with HIV in Chile. Risk behaviors for HIV are: multiple partners, unsafe sex, and exchange of sex for drugs/money. Methodology: A correlational design was used. A sample of 203 women who were sexually active and consumed substances within the last 3-months were selected for this study. Results: The average age of the participants was 32.4 years (SD = 9.2) and 68.1% were housewives. The substance most commonly used was alcohol (95.1%) and marijuana (49.8%); 23.7% of the women were drunk or drugged before having sex; 74.4% had multiple sexual partners and 95.6% had unprotected sex. There is a significant correlation ( p < 0.05) between substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop more research to understand in depth the relationship between substance use and HIV risk among Chilean women. It is important to consider the use of substances to develop and implement HIV prevention programs in the Chilean community.
Young Hispanic Men’s HIV and STI Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors
Authors: Fenkl Eric A. , Gracia Jones Sandra , Orta Roxana 
Published: August 2016

Introduction: The rate for new infections of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has increased for Hispanic males. Method: This descriptive correlational study describes knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of HIV and other STIs and explores the relationship between age and HIV and STI knowledge among young adult Hispanic males. A sample of 179 Hispanic men aged 18 to 64 years attending college completed the 80-item Community Health Packet, the 18-item Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire, and the 27-item STD Knowledge Questionnaire. Results: Almost half of the participants were involved in some form of high-risk sexual practices such as having multiple sex partners, holding apathetic views on condom use, showing low rates of HIV testing, having incorrect knowledge of STI transmission, and holding misconceptions about HIV. Findings included a moderate positive relationship between age ( M = 24.05; SD = 7.08) and HIV knowledge scores ( M = 13.21; SD = 4.04), r(175) = .43, p < .00, as well as a positive relationship between age ( M = 24.05; SD = 7.08) and STI total scores ( M = 14.47; SD = 7.20), r(173) = .31, p < .00. Conclusion: Study findings reveal the need to continue HIV and STI prevention education programs on college campuses to increase knowledge and help decrease new cases of STIs and HIV in Hispanic men.
Comorbidities and elevated IL-6 associate with negative outcome in adult-onset asthma
Authors: Ilmarinen Pinja , Tuomisto Leena E. , Niemelä Onni , Danielsson Joanna , Haanpää Jussi , Kankaanranta Terhi , Kankaanranta Hannu 
Published: August 2016

The effect of systemic inflammation and comorbidities on treatment and outcome of adult-onset asthma remains unknown and is the objective of this study.As part of the Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study (SAAS) with a 12-year follow-up, serum interleukin (IL)-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lung function were measured and clinical information on comorbidities and medication collected from 170 patients with adult-onset asthma without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.At follow-up visit, 54% of the patients had systemic inflammation as indicated by elevated IL-6 or hsCRP, 58% had at least one comorbidity and 30% at least two comorbidities (other than asthma related). Patients with systemic inflammation were treated with higher dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and they had lower lung function and higher blood neutrophils compared with patients without. Patients having ≥2 comorbidities had lower Asthma Control Test score and this association remained significant in adjusted analysis. Patients with both systemic inflammation and comorbidities showed poorest outcome of asthma. In multivariate regression analysis, high ICS dose was predicted by elevated IL-6, elevated blood neutrophils and eosinophils and poorer lung function at baseline and follow-up.Altogether, in patients with adult-onset asthma, elevated IL-6 was associated with use of high-dose ICS while multi-morbidity was linked to worse symptoms of asthma.
Metatarsophalangeal joint stability: a systematic review on the plantar plate of the lesser toes
Authors: Maas Nico M. G. , van der Grinten Margot , Bramer Wichor M. , Kleinrensink Gert‐Jan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundInstability of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints of the lesser toes (digiti 2–5) is increasingly being treated by repair of the plantar plate (PP). This systematic review examines the anatomy of the plantar plate of the lesser toes, and the relation between the integrity of the plantar plates of the lesser toes and lesser MTP joint stability.MethodsThe databases of Embase.com, Medline (Ovid), Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, Pubmed not medline, Cinahl (ebsco), ProQuest, Lilacs, Scielo and Google Scholar were searched in June 2015 from inception. Studies were included if they were in English, contained primary data, and had a focus on plantar plate anatomy of the lesser toes or on the relationship between integrity of the plantar plate and MTP joint (in)stability. Study characteristics were extracted into two main tables and descriptive anatomical and histological data were summarized into one schematic 3D drawing of the plantar plate.ResultsNine studies were included in this systematic review, of which five addressed plantar plate anatomy as such and four focused directly and indirectly on plantar plate integrity related to MTP joint stability.ConclusionThis is the first systematic review regarding plantar plate anatomy related to MTP joint stability of the lesser toes. This review iterates the importance of plantar plate anatomy and integrity for MTP joint stability, and it delineates the lack of primary data regarding plantar plate anatomy of the lesser toes and MTP joint stability.
Arginase Inhibition Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Vascular Stiffness in Transgenic Sickle Cell Mice
Authors: Steppan Jochen , Tran Huong T. , Bead Valeriani R. , Oh Young Jun , Sikka Gautam , Bivalacqua Trinity J. , Burnett Arthur L. , Berkowitz Dan E. , Santhanam Lakshmi 
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:
In sickle cell disease (SCD), hemolysis results in the release and activation of arginase, an enzyme that reciprocally regulates nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity and thus, NO production. Simply supplementing the common substrate L-arginine, however, fails to improve NO bioavailability. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that arginase inhibition would improve NO bioavailability and thereby attenuate systemic and pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction in transgenic mice with SCD.

METHODS:
We studied 5-month-old transgenic sickle cell (SC) mice and age matched wild-type (WT) controls. SC mice were treated with the arginase inhibitor, 2(S)-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH; approximately 400 μg/d) for 4 weeks or left untreated.

RESULTS:
Vascular arginase activity was significantly higher at baseline in untreated SC mice compared to WT controls (SC versus WT, 346 ± 69.3 vs 69 ± 17.3 pmol urea/mg protein/minute; P = 0.0043; n = 4–5 animals per group). Treatment with ABH may significantly decrease arginase activity to levels near WT controls (SC + ABH 125.2 ± 17.3 pmol urea/mg protein/minute; P = 0.0213). Aortic strips from untreated SC mice showed decreased NO and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (NO: fluorescence rate 0.76 ± 0.14 vs 1.34 ± 0.17 RFU/s; P = 0.0005 and ROS: fluorescence rate 3.96 ± 1.70 vs 1.63 ± 1.20 RFU/s, P = 0.0039; n = 3– animals per group). SC animals treated with ABH for 4 weeks demonstrated NO (fluorescence rate: 1.16 ± 0.16) and ROS (fluorescence rate: 2.02 ± 0.45) levels comparable with age-matched WT controls (n = 3– animals per group). The maximal endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine was impaired in aortic rings from SC mice compared with WT (57.7% ± 8.4% vs 80.3% ± 11.0%; P = 0.02; n = 6 animals per group). The endothelial-independent response was not different between groups. In SC mice, the right ventricular cardiac output index and end-systolic elastance were similar (4.60 ± 0.51 vs 2.9 ± 0.85 mL/min/100 g and 0.89 ± 0.48 vs 0.58 ± 0.11 mm Hg/μL), whereas the pulmonary vascular resistance index and right ventricular end-systolic pressure were greater (2.9 ± 0.28 vs 5.5 ± 2.0 mm Hg × min/μL/100 g and 18.9 ± 1.1 vs 23.1 ± 4.0 mm Hg; n = 8 animals per group). Pulse wave velocity (a measure of arterial stiffness) was greater in SC mice compared with WT (3.74 ± 0.54 vs 3.25 ± 0.21 m/s; n = 20 animals per group), arginase inhibition for 4 weeks significantly reduced the vascular SC phenotype to one similar to WT animals (P = 0.0009).

CONCLUSIONS:
Arginase inhibition improves NO bioavailability and thereby attenuates systemic and pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction in transgenic mice with SCD. Therefore, arginase is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of cardiovascular dysfunction in SCD.
Influence of Mechanical Ventilation on the Incidence of Pneumothorax During Infraclavicular Subclavian Vein Catheterization: A Prospective Randomized Noninferiority Trial
Authors: Kim Eugene , Kim Hyun Joo , Hong Deok Man , Park Hee-Pyoung , Bahk Jae-Hyon 
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:
It remains unclear whether we have to interrupt mechanical ventilation during infraclavicular subclavian venous catheterization. In practice, the clinicians’ choice about lung deflation depends on their own discretion. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of mechanical ventilation on the incidence of pneumothorax during infraclavicular subclavian venous catheterization.

METHODS:
A total of 332 patients, who needed subclavian venous catheterization, were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 groups: catheterizations were performed with the patients’ lungs under mechanical ventilation (ventilation group, n = 165) or without mechanical ventilation (deflation group, n = 167). The incidences of pneumothorax and other complications such as arterial puncture, hemothorax, or catheter misplacements and the success rate of catheterization were compared.

RESULTS:
The incidences of pneumothorax were 0% (0/165) in the ventilation group and 0.6% (1/167) in the deflation group. The incidence of pneumothorax in the deflation group was 0.6% higher than that in the ventilation group and the 2-sided 90% confidence interval for the difference was (−1.29% to 3.44%). Because the lower bound for the 2-sided 90% confidence interval, −1.29%, was higher than the predefined noninferiority margin of −3%, the inferiority of the ventilation group over the deflation group was rejected at the .05 level of significance. Other complication rates and success rates of catheterization were comparable between 2 groups. The oxygen saturation dropped below 95% in 9 patients in the deflation group, while none in the ventilation group (P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS:
The success and complication rates were similar regardless of mechanical ventilation. During infraclavicular subclavian venous catheterization, interruption of mechanical ventilation does not seem to be necessary for the prevention of pneumothorax.