bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Memory and Metacognition in Dangerous Situations
Authors: Hobbs Malcolm , Higham Philip A. , Kneller Wendy 
Published: November 2013

Objective: The current study tested whether undersea divers are able to accurately judge their level of memory impairment from inert gas narcosis. Background: Inert gas narcosis causes a number of cognitive impairments, including a decrement in memory ability. Undersea divers may be unable to accurately judge their level of impairment, affecting safety and work performance. Method: In two underwater field experiments, performance decrements on tests of memory at 33 to 42 m were compared with self-ratings of impairment and resolution. The effect of depth (shallow [1-11 m] vs. deep [33-42 m]) was measured on free-recall (Experiment 1; n = 41) and cued-recall (Experiment 2; n = 39) performance, a visual-analogue self-assessment rating of narcotic impairment, and the accuracy of judgements-of-learning (JOLs). Results: Both free- and cued-recall were significantly reduced in deep, compared to shallow, conditions. This decrement was accompanied by an increase in self-assessed impairment. In contrast, resolution (based on JOLs) remained unaffected by depth. The dissociation of memory accuracy and resolution, coupled with a shift in a self-assessment of impairment, indicated that divers were able to accurately judge their decrease in memory performance at depth. Conclusion: These findings suggest that impaired self-assessment and resolution may not actually be a symptom of narcosis in the depth range of 33 to 42 m underwater and that the divers in this study were better equipped to manage narcosis than prior literature suggested. The results are discussed in relation to implications for diver safety and work performance.
Developing figures for ‘gain’ in relation to refrigerated cabinets in a supermarket building
Authors: Hill Frances , Watkins Richard , Edwards Rodger 
Published: November 2013

Heat transfers into refrigerated cabinets from their surroundings. Currently, this heat transfer is ignored in building design compliance protocols (National Calculation Methodology), and a heat gain to the zone is included in modelling the retail floor, to represent the energy use of the refrigeration system, although this is normally outside of this zone. Previous work has established that a store designed for energy reduction with the heat transfers to refrigerated cabinets from the surroundings included in the modelling could have at least 20–35% lower energy demand (and CO2 emissions) than a store modelled and ‘optimised’ on the National Calculation Methodology basis. This paper therefore offers an appropriate algorithm for ‘negative gains’ relating to refrigerated cabinet heat transfers for use in design and compliance modelling of supermarket buildings. Practical application: The algorithm offered, when incorporated into design modelling, will enable significantly improved identification of the sensitivity of the thermal balance of the supermarket building to variation of building envelope parameters, and thereby enable significantly improved energy savings to be realised.
Understanding systemic problems in providing mental health services to people with an intellectual disability and co-morbid mental disorders in Victoria
Authors: Bennett Chad 
Published: November 2013

Objective: This paper explores the difficulties the services system in Victoria has in responding to people with intellectual disability (ID) and mental health problems and identifies the underlying assumptions that have led to these. These issues are discussed and where possible put into a Victorian context with the intention of informing service development in the area of Dual Disability (co-morbid mental disorders in people with intellectual disability). Conclusions: People with ID have high levels of mental health need. Generic services have difficulty responding to these needs due to a range of patient, professional and service system factors as well as some of the conceptual issues underpinning policy and legislation.
The History and clinical examination for self-reported erectile dysfunction: are we following European guidelines? The results of the North West of England Regional Audit
Authors: Ali Zubeir , Broome James , Pearce Ian 
Published: November 2013

Introduction and objectives There is evidence of an association between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Indeed erectile dysfunction is now thought to be a symptom of underlying cardiovascular disease. Strong emphasis is placed upon identifying such risk factors, and management strategies to address these have been shown to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction. The European Association of Urology (EAU) have published Guidelines on Male Sexual Dysfunction 2012 which advocate a detailed medical history and clinical examination in all patients presenting with erectile dysfunction. The aim of this multicentre audit was to assess how well patients presenting to erectile dysfunction services across the North West of England are assessed with a history and examination according to EAU guidelines. Methods and materials An independent data collection team examined the case notes of 239 new referrals presenting with erectile dysfunction to 16 centres across the North West of England. The audit departments at each centre were requested to identify the last 20 new referrals for erectile dysfunction retrospectively from the end of 2011. The documentation was then evaluated, and we report these results. Results Risk factor assessment, percentage documentation - Diabetes 99.6% - Hypertension 41.8% - Cardiovascular disease 22.2% - Hyperlipidaemia 28.5% - Smoking 89.1% - Alcohol 83.3% Assessment of erectile dysfunction, percentage documentation - Duration 95% - Rigidity 90.4% - Longevity 89.1% - Spontaneous erections 91.6% - Orgasm 39.3% - Ejaculation 53.1% - Intercourse 96.7% - Libido 93.7% - International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF) 32% Examination, percentage documentation - Genitalia 85.4% - Blood pressure 74.9% - Secondary sexual characteristics 41% - Body mass index (BMI)/obesity 77.4% - Peripheral pulses 56.5% Conclusion The results from the North West of England Regional Audit on Erectile Dysfunction 2012 show that the documentation employed in the case notes has scope for improvement. The authors suggest that employing a specifically designed pro forma would improve the documentation and consequently the accuracy in assessment of these patients. Other recommendations include the development of designated andrology/erectile dysfunction clinics where urologists or specialist nurses with an interest in the subject matter can provide a more meaningful patient experience.
Superinfection with drug-resistant HIV is rare and does not contribute substantially to therapy failure in a large European cohort
Authors: Bartha István , Assel Matthias , Sloot Peter MA , Zazzi Maurizio , Torti Carlo , Schülter Eugen , Luca Andrea De , Sönnerborg Anders , Abecasis Ana B , Van Laethem Kristel , Rosi Andrea , Svärd Jenny , Paredes Roger , van de Vijver David AMC , Vandamme Anne-Mieke , Müller Viktor 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Superinfection with drug resistant HIV strains could potentially contribute to compromised therapy in patients initially infected with drug-sensitive virus and receiving antiretroviral therapy. To investigate the importance of this potential route to drug resistance, we developed a bioinformatics pipeline to detect superinfection from routinely collected genotyping data, and assessed whether superinfection contributed to increased drug resistance in a large European cohort of viremic, drug treated patients.

Methods
We used sequence data from routine genotypic tests spanning the protease and partial reverse transcriptase regions in the Virolab and EuResist databases that collated data from five European countries. Superinfection was indicated when sequences of a patient failed to cluster together in phylogenetic trees constructed with selected sets of control sequences. A subset of the indicated cases was validated by re-sequencing pol and env regions from the original samples.

Results
4425 patients had at least two sequences in the database, with a total of 13816 distinct sequence entries (of which 86% belonged to subtype B). We identified 107 patients with phylogenetic evidence for superinfection. In 14 of these cases, we analyzed newly amplified sequences from the original samples for validation purposes: only 2 cases were verified as superinfections in the repeated analyses, the other 12 cases turned out to involve sample or sequence misidentification. Resistance to drugs used at the time of strain replacement did not change in these two patients. A third case could not be validated by re-sequencing, but was supported as superinfection by an intermediate sequence with high degenerate base pair count within the time frame of strain switching. Drug resistance increased in this single patient.

Conclusions
Routine genotyping data are informative for the detection of HIV superinfection; however, most cases of non-monophyletic clustering in patient phylogenies arise from sample or sequence mix-up rather than from superinfection, which emphasizes the importance of validation. Non-transient superinfection was rare in our mainly treatment experienced cohort, and we found a single case of possible transmitted drug resistance by this route. We therefore conclude that in our large cohort, superinfection with drug resistant HIV did not compromise the efficiency of antiretroviral treatment.
Patterns in blood pressure medication use in US incident dialysis patients over the first 6 months
Authors: St Peter Wendy L , Sozio Stephen M , Shafi Tariq , Ephraim Patti L , Luly Jason , McDermott Aidan , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Meyer Klemens B , Crews Deidra C , Scialla Julia J , Miskulin Dana C , Tangri Navdeep , Jaar Bernard G , Michels Wieneke M , Wu Albert W , Boulware L Ebony ,   the DEcIDE Network Patient Outcomes in End-Stage Renal Disease Study Investigators
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Several observational studies have evaluated the effect of a single exposure window with blood pressure (BP) medications on outcomes in incident dialysis patients, but whether BP medication prescription patterns remain stable or a single exposure window design is adequate to evaluate effect on outcomes is unclear.

Methods
We described patterns of BP medication prescription over 6 months after dialysis initiation in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients, stratified by cardiovascular comorbidity, diabetes, and other patient characteristics. The cohort included 13,072 adult patients (12,159 hemodialysis, 913 peritoneal dialysis) who initiated dialysis in Dialysis Clinic, Inc., facilities January 1, 2003-June 30, 2008, and remained on the original modality for at least 6 months. We evaluated monthly patterns in BP medication prescription over 6 months and at 12 and 24 months after initiation.

Results
Prescription patterns varied by dialysis modality over the first 6 months; substantial proportions of patients with prescriptions for beta-blockers, renin angiotensin system agents, and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in month 6 no longer had prescriptions for these medications by month 24. Prescription of specific medication classes varied by comorbidity, race/ethnicity, and age, but little by sex. The mean number of medications was 2.5 at month 6 in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis cohorts.

Conclusions
This study evaluates BP medication patterns in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients over the first 6 months of dialysis. Our findings highlight the challenges of assessing comparative effectiveness of a single BP medication class in dialysis patients. Longitudinal designs should be used to account for changes in BP medication management over time, and designs that incorporate common combinations should be considered.
Osteopontin is a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kongsgaard Ane , Boye Kjetil , Øijordsbakken Miriam , Lund-Iversen Marius , Halvorsen Ann Rita , Solberg Steinar K , Berge Gisle , Helland Åslaug , Brustugun Odd Terje , Mælandsmo Gunhild M 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Background
In a previously published report we characterized the expression of the metastasis-associated proteins S100A4, osteopontin (OPN) and ephrin-A1 in a prospectively collected panel of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors. The aim of the present follow-up study was to investigate the prognostic impact of these potential biomarkers in the same patient cohort. In addition, circulating serum levels of OPN were measured and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the -443 position of the OPN promoter were analyzed.

Methods
Associations between immunohistochemical expression of S100A4, OPN and ephrin-A1 and relapse free and overall survival were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Serum OPN was measured by ELISA, polymorphisms in the -443 position of the tumor OPN promoter were analyzed by PCR, and associations between OPN levels and promoter polymorphisms and clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome were investigated.

Results
High expression of OPN in NSCLC tumors was associated with poor patient outcome, and OPN was a strong, independent prognostic factor for both relapse free and overall survival. Serum OPN levels increased according to tumor pT classification and tumor size, and patients with OPN-expressing tumors had higher serum levels than patients with OPN-negative tumors. S100A4 was a negative prognostic factor in several subgroups of adenocarcinoma patients, but not in the overall patient cohort. There was no association between ephrin-A1 expression and patient outcome.

Conclusions
OPN is a promising prognostic biomarker in NSCLC, and should be further explored in the selection of patients for adjuvant treatment following surgical resection.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas: a systematic review
Authors: Xu Jianwei , Zhang Taiping , Wang Tianxiao , You Lei , Zhao Yupei 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Primary pancreatic leiomyosarcoma (PLMS) is rare. The clinical characteristics and prognosis is still not completely understood. The aim of the present study is to identify the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of PLMS from the existing reported cases in different scientific literature.

Methods
PLMS cases reported in Chinese and English journals were collected and reviewed. Clinical features and long-term outcomes of these cases were summarized and analyzed statistically.

Results
A total of 69 cases reported from both Chinese and English journals were included in the present study. An equal incidence in gender was observed. The mean age was 53.9 ± 14.7 years. The most common symptoms were abdominal mass, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The mean size of the tumor was 11.4 ± 7.1 cm. The incidence of PLMS between the head and body-tail of the pancreas had a similar pattern. Twenty-five percent of patients had distant metastasis and 19% of patients had adjacent organs/vessels invasion at the time of diagnosis. But lymph node metastasis was documented in only one (1.5%) patient. The median survival time was 48 months. The overall 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 66.6%, 51.2%, 43.9%, and 29.3%, respectively. Results from the multivariate analysis showed that non-radical resection (P = 0.000; hazard ratio (HR) 5.128; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.041-12.987) was the independent adverse prognostic factor. Adjacent organs/vessels invasion (yes) may be considered as an another potential independent adverse prognostic factor (P = 0.071; HR 2.708; 95% CI 0.981-7.474).

Conclusions
PLMS is rare without specific clinical features. PLMS is an aggressive tumor and has a poor prognosis. Radical resection can prolong survival time of the patients.
VacA, the vacuolating cytotoxin of Helicobacter pylori, binds to multimerin 1 on human platelets
Authors: Satoh Kaneo , Hirayama Toshiya , Takano Katsuhiro , Suzuki-Inoue Katsue , Sato Tadashi , Ohta Masato , Nakagomi Junko , Ozaki Yukio 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Platelets were activated under the infection with H. pylori in human and mice. We investigated the role of VacA, an exotoxin released by H. pylori in this context. Acid-activated VacA, but not heated VacA, induced platelet CD62P expression. However, VacA reacted with none of the alleged VacA receptors present on platelet membranes. We therefore analyzed VacA associated proteins obtained through VacA affinity chromatography, using MALDI-TOF-MS. Multimerin1 was detected in two consecutive experiments, as the binding protein for VacA. Plasmon resonance confirmed their binding, and dot blot analysis revealed that the peptide sequence AA 321-340 of multimerin 1 is the binding site for VacA. In conclusion, we propose a new interaction between multimerin1 and VacA , which may give another insight into H. pylori-induced platelet activations under H. pylori infection.
Decreased plasticity of coreceptor use by CD4-independent SIV Envs that emerge in vivo
Authors: Francella Nicholas , Elliott Sarah TC , Yi Yanjie , Gwyn Sarah E , Ortiz Alexandra M , Li Bing , Silvestri Guido , Paiardini Mirko , Derdeyn Cynthia A , Collman Ronald G 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
HIV and SIV generally require CD4 binding prior to coreceptor engagement, but Env can acquire the ability to use CCR5 independently of CD4 under various circumstances. The ability to use CCR5 coupled with low-to-absent CD4 levels is associated with enhanced macrophage infection and increased neutralization sensitivity, but the additional features of these Envs that may affect cell targeting is not known.

Results
Here we report that CD4-independent SIV variants that emerged in vivo in a CD4+ T cell-depleted rhesus macaque model display markedly decreased plasticity of co-receptor use. While CD4-dependent Envs can use low levels of macaque CCR5 for efficient entry, CD4-independent variants required high levels of CCR5 even in the presence of CD4. CD4-independent Envs were also more sensitive to the CCR5 antagonist Maraviroc. CD4-dependent variants mediated efficient entry using human CCR5, whereas CD4-independent variants had impaired use of human CCR5. Similarly, CD4-independent Envs used the alternative coreceptors GPR15 and CXCR6 less efficiently than CD4-dependent variants. Env amino acids D470N and E84K that confer the CD4-independent phenotype also regulated entry through low CCR5 levels and GPR15, indicating a common structural basis. Treatment of CD4-dependent Envs with soluble CD4 enhanced entry through CCR5 but reduced entry through GPR15, suggesting that induction of CD4-induced conformational changes by non-cell surface-associated CD4 impairs use of this alternative co-receptor.

Conclusions
CD4 independence is associated with more restricted coreceptor interactions. While the ability to enter target cells through CCR5 independently of CD4 may enable infection of CD4 low-to-negative cells such as macrophages, this phenotype may conversely reduce the potential range of targets such as cells expressing low levels of CCR5, conformational variants of CCR5, or possibly even alternative coreceptors.
A new type of aortic valved stent with good stability and no influence on coronary artery
Authors: Cai Jianzhi , Huang Haitao , Zhou Yongxin , Mei Yunqing , Shao Jie , Wang Yongwu 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
To evaluated the feasibility and safety of new aortic valved stents in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using retrograde approach by in vitro testing and animal implantation.

Materials and Methods
The fluid passing test, expanding and releasing tests, static and releasing tests in tube were performed for new valved stents. Transvalvular pressure gradient, effective orifice area, pre-implantation and post-implantation regurgitant volume for the new stents were detected. Then, the new stents were implanted in six pigs using retrograde approach. These pigs were euthanized 12 h after the implantation for anatomic evaluation.

Results

In vitro tests showed that the closure of the new stents leaflets were effective, and stents could be released through catheter, then expanded completely and fixed fast in the tube. The coronary artery flow rates did not changed significantly after implantation (P > 0.05), while aortic regurgitant volumes were obviously reduced (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the transvalvular pressure gradient and effective orifice area of the new stents implanted within or above the valve leaflets was found (P > 0.05). In vivo experiments indicated that TAVI was successfully performed in six pigs using retrograde approach. However, one pig was died 10 h after the implantation since the stent was not expanded completely. The leaflets in stents were opening well and no valvular regurgitation was observed in the other five pigs. And thrombosis was not found.

Discussion and Conclusion
The new type of aortic valved stent designed in this study was characterized with good stability and could avoid the impact caused by valve leaflets on the coronary artery.
The analytics of the wage effect of immigration
Authors: Borjas George J 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe theory of factor demand has important implications for the study of the impact of immigration on wages. This paper derives the theoretical implications in the context of a general equilibrium model where the wage impact depends on the elasticity of product demand, the rate at which the consumer base expands as immigrants enter the receiving country, the elasticity of supply of capital, and the elasticity of substitution among inputs of production. The constraints imposed by the theory can be used to check the plausibility of the many contradictory claims that appear throughout the immigration literature.JEL codesJ23; J61; F22
Theoretical Study on Intermolecular Interactions in Complexes of Cyclodextrins with Bile Acids: DFT and Ab Initio Fragment Molecular Orbital Calculations
Authors: Yao Lan , Mori Yukie , Takano Keiko 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Inclusion complexes composed of cyclodextrin (CD) and bile acids have potential applications in drug delivery systems and chiral separation technology. In the present study, intermolecular interactions in 1:1 complexes of α-, β-, and γ-CDs with cholic acid (CA) or deoxycholic acid were analyzed both in the gas phase and in aqueous phase with density functional theory (B97-D and M06-2X) with the standard 6-31G(d) basis set together with the B3LYP functional for comparison. The association energies depend on the distance between CD and the guest as well as on the relative position and orientation of the guest in the cavity. The most stable binding mode for each complex is consistent with that proposed by NMR experiments. A pair interaction energy decomposition analysis based on ab initio fragment molecular orbital calculations was performed at the FMO-MP2/cc-pVDZ level of theory. It reveals that the β-CD/CA has more negative host–guest interaction energy than the γ-CD/CA and that dispersion and electrostatic interactions contribute comparably to the stabilization of the complexes. Several hydrogen bonds between CD and the guest also stabilize the complex.