bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Older LGBT people's experiences and concerns with healthcare professionals and services in Ireland
Authors: Sharek Danika Burke , McCann Edward , Sheerin Fintan , Glacken Michele , Higgins Agnes 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundThe specific healthcare needs and concerns for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons have not been explored to any degree within Ireland.Aims and objectivesThe aim of this paper, which is part of a larger study, is to detail older LGBT persons’ usage, experiences and concerns with accessing healthcare services, disclosing their LGBT identity to professionals, preferences for care and their suggestions for improvement in services, including nursing services.DesignA mixed methods research design combining quantitative survey and qualitative interview approaches of equal significance was used.Methods144 respondents completed an 84‐item questionnaire concerning their use of healthcare services, experiences and needs. The qualitative phase involved in‐depth interviews where 36 participants’ experiences and concerns around health services were explored more in‐depth. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative analysis employed the constant comparative process to generate the leading themes.ResultsOnly one in three participants believed that healthcare professionals have sufficient knowledge of LGBT issues, and less than half (43%) felt respected as an LGBT person by healthcare professionals. Although 26% had chosen not to reveal their LGBT status for fear of a negative response, many positive encounters of coming out to healthcare professionals were relayed in the interviews. LGBT persons have specific concerns around residential care, particularly in relation to the perception that the Irish healthcare services emanate a heteronormative culture.ConclusionsIrish healthcare services need to reflect on how they currently engage with older LGBT persons at both an organisational and practitioner level. Consideration needs to be given to the specific concerns of ageing LGBT persons, particularly in relation to long‐term residential care.Implications for practiceHealthcare practitioners need to be knowledgeable of, and sensitive to, LGBT issues.
Photobiological implications of melanin photoprotection after UVB‐induced tanning of human skin but not UVA‐induced tanning
Authors: Coelho Sergio G. , Yin Lanlan , Smuda Christoph , Mahns Andre , Kolbe Ludger , Hearing Vincent J. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryRepetitive suberythemal UVA and/or UVB exposures were used to generate comparable UV‐induced tans in human skin over the course of 2 weeks. To evaluate the potential photoprotective values of those UVA‐ and/or UVB‐ induced tans and to avoid the confounding issue of residual UV‐induced DNA damage, we waited 1 week before challenging those areas with a 1.5 MED of UVA+UVB after which we measure DNA damage. The results show that the type of UV used to induce skin pigmentation affects the redistribution of melanin in the skin and/or de novo melanin synthesis. The UVA‐induced tans failed to even provide a minimal SPF of 1.5, which suggests that producing a tan with UVA‐rich sunlamps prior to a holiday or vacation is completely counterproductive.
Post‐renal transplant erythrocytosis: A case report
Authors: Almonte Mavel , Velásquez‐Jones Luis , Valverde Saúl , Carleton Bruce , Medeiros Mara 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPTE is defined as hematocrit >51% or hemoglobin >17 g/dL after renal transplantation. Risk factors include native kidneys with adequate erythropoiesis pretransplant, smoking, renal artery stenosis, and cyclosporine treatment. We report the case of a 14‐yr‐old female kidney transplant patient, with triple therapy immunosuppression and stable graft function who developed PTE at 12 months post‐transplant with hemoglobin 17.3 g/dL, hematocrit 54.2%, stable graft function, and normotensive with normal cardiac echocardiogram and erythropoietin levels. The only risk factor found was tobacco use. As she had no spontaneous improvement, enalapril treatment was started at 19 months post‐transplant with a hemoglobin level of 17.5 g/dL and hematocrit 53%; by 23 months post‐transplant, hemoglobin lowered to 15 g/dL and hematocrit to 44.5% and continued to be in normal range thereafter. PTE is a rare condition in childhood and can be successfully treated with enalapril.
The gut mucosal immune response to Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Cohen S. B. , Denkers E. Y. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryAs an orally acquired pathogen, the immune response to Toxoplasma gondii unfolds in the small intestinal mucosa. There, an array of regulatory and effector immune cells are elicited to combat the parasite through secretion of inflammatory mediators, normally resulting in host protection and pathogen control. Recent studies largely in mice have found that a productive immune response requires the combined recognition of parasite‐ and commensal‐derived antigens by mucosal leucocytes. However, despite the fine‐tuned regulatory mechanisms in place to prevent immunopathology, dysregulated responses can occur in genetically susceptible subjects, leading to lethal pro‐inflammatory‐mediated intestinal damage. Here, we describe the current understanding of the inflammatory players involved in orchestrating immunity or immunopathology in the intestine during the mucosal response to Toxoplasma infection.
Nicotine Exposure Alters the mRNA Expression of Notch Ligands in Dendritic Cells and Their Response to Th1‐/Th2‐Promoting Stimuli
Authors: Nouri‐Shirazi M. , Kahlden C. , Nishino P. , Guinet E. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) utilize polarizing signals to instruct the differentiation of T helper (Th) cells into Th1 and Th2 effector cells: antigen‐specific ‘signal 1’, costimulatory ‘signal 2’ and polarizing cytokines ‘signal 3’. Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of an additional signal, the Notch signalling pathway. We reported that in response to Th1‐promoting stimuli, both mouse and human DCs generated in the presence of the immune modulator nicotine (nicDCs) fail to support the development of effector memory Th1 cells. However, in response to Th2‐promoting stimuli, these nicDCs preferentially support the differentiation of antigen‐specific IL‐4‐producing Th2 effector cells. Here, we show that when compared to their control counterparts, immature mouse and human nicDCs display higher levels of the Notch ligands D1, D4 and J2 mRNA expression. In response to Th1‐ and Th2‐promoting stimuli, mouse nicDCs display higher levels of the Notch ligands D1, D4 and J2, while human nicDCs show higher levels of D1, D4 and J1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, both stimulated mouse and human nicDCs express higher CD86 to CD80 ratio and produce lower amount of IL‐12. Collectively, our data suggest that these changes in addition to an increase in Jagged expression correlate with the ability of nicDCs to modulate the Th1/Th2 balance in favour of Th2 generation.
The single water‐surface sweep estimation method accurately estimates very low (n = 4) to low–moderate (n = 25–100) and high (n > 100) Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) pupae numbers in large water containers up to 13 times faster than the exhaustive sweep and total count method and without any sediment contamination
Authors: Romero‐Vivas C. M. , Llinás H. , Falconar A. K. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo confirm that a single water‐surface sweep‐net collection coupled with three calibration factors (2.6, 3.0 and 3.5 for 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 water levels, respectively) (WSCF) could accurately estimate very low to high Aedes aegypti pupae numbers in water containers more rapidly than the exhaustive 5‐sweep and total count (ESTC) method recommended by WHO.MethodsBoth methods were compared in semi‐field trials using low (n = 25) to moderate (n = 50–100) pupae numbers in a 250‐l drum at 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 water levels, and by their mean‐time determinations using 200 pupae in three 220‐ to 1024‐l water containers at these water levels. Accuracy was further assessed using 69.1% (393/569) of the field‐based drums and tanks which contained <100 pupae.ResultsThe WSCF method accurately estimated total populations in the semi‐field trials up to 13.0 times faster than the ESTC method (all P < 0.001); no significant differences (all P‐values ≥ 0.05) were obtained between the methods for very low (n = 4) to low–moderate (n = 25–100) and high (n > 100) pupae numbers/container and without sediment disturbance.ConclusionThe simple WSCF method sensitively, accurately and robustly estimated total pupae numbers in their principal breeding sites worldwide, containers with >20 l water volumes, significantly (2.7‐ to 13.0‐fold: all P‐values <0.001) faster than the ESTC method for very low to high pupae numbers/container without contaminating the clean water by sediment disturbance which is generated using the WHO‐recommended ESTC method. The WSCF method seems ideal for global community‐based surveillance and control programmes.
Factors influencing the decision to drop out of health insurance enrolment among urban slum dwellers in Ghana
Authors: Atinga Roger A. , Abiiro Gilbert Abotisem , Kuganab‐Lem Robert Bella 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the factors influencing dropout from Ghana's health insurance scheme among populations living in slum communities.MethodsCross‐sectional data were collected from residents of 22 slums in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Cluster and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select and interview 600 individuals who had dropped out from the scheme 6 months prior to the study. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models were computed to account for sample characteristics and reasons associated with the decision to dropout.ResultsThe proportion of dropouts in the sample increased from the range of 6.8% in 2008 to 34.8% in 2012. Non‐affordability of premium was the predominant reason followed by rare illness episodes, limited benefits of the scheme and poor service quality. Low‐income earners and those with low education were significantly more likely to report premium non‐affordability. Rare illness was a common reason among younger respondents, informal sector workers and respondents with higher education. All subgroups of age, education, occupation and income reported nominal benefits of the scheme as a reason for dropout.ConclusionInterventions targeted at removing bottlenecks to health insurance enrolment are salient to maximising the size of the insurance pool. Strengthening service quality and extending the premium exemption to cover low‐income families in slum communities is a valuable strategy to achieve universal health coverage.
Self‐transfer and mortality amongst adults lost to follow‐up in ART programmes in low‐ and middle‐income countries: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wilkinson Lynne S. , Skordis‐Worrall Jolene , Ajose Olawale , Ford Nathan 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo ascertain estimates of adult patients, recorded as lost to follow‐up (LTFU) within antiretroviral treatment (ART) programmes, who have self‐transferred care, died or truly stopped ART in low‐ and middle‐income countries.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Science Direct, LILACS, IndMed and AIM databases (2003–2013) and IAS/AIDS conference abstracts (2011–2013) were searched for tracing studies reporting the proportion of traced patients found to have self‐transferred, died or stopped ART. These estimates were then combined using random‐effects meta‐analysis. Risk of bias was assessed through subgroup and sensitivity analyses.ResultsTwenty eight studies were eligible for inclusion, reporting true outcomes for 10 806 traced patients attending approximately 258 ART facilities. None were from outside sub‐Saharan Africa. Twenty three studies reported 4.5–54.4% traced LTFU patients self‐transferring care, providing a pooled estimate of 18.6% (95% CI 15.8–22.0%). A significant positive association was found between rates of self‐transfer and LTFU in the ART cohort. The pooled estimates for unreported deaths were 38.8% (95% CI 30.8–46.8%; 27 studies) and 28.6% (95% CI 21.9–36.0%; 20 studies) for patients stopping ART. A significant decrease in unreported deaths from 50.0% (95% CI 41.5–58.4%) to 30.0% (95% CI 21.1–38.9%) was found comparing study periods before and after 31 December 2007.ConclusionsSubstantial unaccounted for transfers and deaths amongst patients LTFU confirms that retention and mortality is underestimated where the true outcomes of LTFU patients are not ascertained.
Simple sequence repeat analysis of genetic diversity among Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase inhibitor‐resistant and ‐susceptible Echinochloa crus‐galli and E. oryzicola populations in Korea
Authors: Lee J , Park K W , Lee I‐Y , Kim C‐S , Kown O‐D , Park T‐S 
Published: November 2014

SummaryEchinochloa species are amongst the most problematic weeds in rice fields of Korea. The steady reliance on the Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase) and acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides for control of these weeds has led to resistance to these herbicides. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity among populations of ACCase inhibitor‐resistant and ‐susceptible Echinochloa crus‐galli and E. oryzicola in Korea, to better understand their population structure and possible origins of resistance. Seven simple sequence repeat markers were applied to assess the genetic diversity between resistant and susceptible E. crus‐galli and E. oryzicola from 12 populations in Korea. Genetic diversity was slightly higher in the resistant group. The Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic algorithm (UPGMA) dendrogram generated two distinct clades. One clade consisted of Echinochloa spp. from three populations, i.e. Anmyeondo, Gimje 4 and Gongju, which are resistant and differentiated from the susceptible populations, and the other clade contained the rest of the populations. Structure modelling supported two clades of UPGMA clustering. Based on these data, we can infer that some resistant populations are greatly differentiated, whereas other resistant biotypes are still building up resistance in rice fields in Korea. Resistance traits will be fixed and continue to spread over time without proper control measures.
Can the parasitic weeds Striga asiatica and Rhamphicarpa fistulosa co‐occur in rain‐fed rice?
Authors: Kabiri S , Rodenburg J , Kayeke J , Van Ast A , Makokha D W , Msangi S H , Irakiza R , Bastiaans L 
Published: November 2014

SummaryStriga asiatica and Rhamphicarpa fistulosa are important parasitic weeds of rain‐fed rice, partly distributed in similar regions in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). It is not evident whether their ecologies are mutually exclusive or partially overlapping. In Kyela, a rice‐growing area in south Tanzania where both parasites are present, three transects of about 3 km each across the upland–lowland continuum were surveyed in June 2012 and 2013. A total of 36 fields were categorised according to their position on the upland–lowland continuum as High, Middle or Low and soil samples were taken. In each field, parasitic and non‐parasitic weed species were identified in three quadrats. Additionally, in two pot experiments with four different moisture levels ranging from wilting point to saturation, influence of soil moisture on emergence and growth of parasites was investigated. Striga asiatica was observed in higher lying drier fields, while R. fistulosa was observed in the lower lying wetter fields. Furthermore, non‐parasitic weed species that were exclusive to S. asiatica‐infested fields are adapted to open well‐drained soils, while species that were exclusive to R. fistulosa fields are typical for wet soils. The experiments confirmed that S. asiatica is favoured by free‐draining soils and R. fistulosa by waterlogged soils. These results imply that changes in climate, specifically moisture regimes, will be crucial for future prevalence of these parasitic weeds. The non‐overlapping ecological range between their habitats suggests that their distribution and associated problems might remain separate. Thus, management strategies can be focused independently on either species.
A multilocus phylogeny of archiheterodont bivalves (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Archiheterodonta)
Authors: González Vanessa L. , Giribet Gonzalo 
Published: November 2014

The bivalve clade Heterodonta encompasses more than half of the extant bivalve species and is presently considered a derived group of the modern bivalves (Newell ; Waller ). Heterodonta is subdivided into two major lineages, the hyperdiverse Euheterodonta and Archiheterodonta. The latter comprises four relatively small extant families: Astartidae, Carditidae, Condylocardiidae and Crassatellidae, whose relationships and internal phylogeny are poorly understood. We assessed the phylogeny of archiheterodont bivalves using a multilocus data set comprised of molecular sequence data from six loci (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, cytochrome b, internal transcribed spacer 2 and histone H3). Resultant data sets of ~4 Kb of concatenated molecular sequence data were analysed using probabilistic approaches (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) and parsimony direct optimization. We recovered strong support for the monophyly of Archiheterodonta, within which Astartidae is the sister group of Crassatellidae, and these two constitute the sister clade of Carditidae, which is paraphyletic with respect to Condylocardiidae. The relationships among the constituent species groups were evaluated in the context of the archiheterodont fossil record through the estimation of divergence times. Diversification times of archiheterodont families were congruent with bounded estimates of origins based on palaeontological data: Archiheterodonta diversified during the Devonian, 373.1 Ma (95% highest posterior density interval [HPD] 325.8–428.2); Crassatelloidea around the Carboniferous, 330.1 Ma (95% HPD 291.0–372.7); Crassatellidae around the Triassic, 224.0 (95% HPD 140.6–320.2); Astartidae around the Permian, 288.2 Ma (95% HPD 269.2–307.3); and Carditoidea around the Jurassic, 178.8 Ma (95% HPD 120.9–228.3).
Sex steroid levels near the term of pregnancy do not alter lipopolysaccharide‐induced fever in oophorectomized rats
Authors: Finley Caitlin , Zhang Chunfen , Fewell James E. 
Published: November 2014

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Do plasma concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone similar to those observed near the term of pregnancy alter basal core temperature or the core temperature response to bacterial pyrogen in oophorectomized rats?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Plasma concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone similar to those observed near the term of pregnancy do not alter basal core temperature or the overall febrile response to bacterial pyrogen in oophorectomized rats. Thus, our data do not support the hypothesis that sex steroids mediate the regulated decrease in basal core temperature or the attenuated/absent core temperature response to bacterial pyrogen observed in rats near the term of pregnancy.

Fever, an important component of the host's defence response to infection, is absent or attenuated in rats near the term of pregnancy concurrent with major changes in blood concentrations of the sex steroids, oestrogen and progesterone. The present experiments were carried out to determine the potential role of oestrogen and progesterone in mediating the altered core temperature response to bacterial pyrogen. For the experiments, oestrogen and progesterone were administered alone or in combination to oophorectomized, non‐pregnant rats in concentrations that mimicked plasma levels of these hormones measured in pregnant rats on days 17, 18, 19 and 20 of gestation. Treatment with oestrogen or progesterone alone or in combination did not alter basal core temperature or the overall febrile response (i.e. 12 h fever index) to an EC50 dose of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (i.e. 20 μg kg−1). Administration of oestrogen did, however, influence the early core temperature response and increase the latency to fever following administration of lipopolysaccharide. Thus, our data provide evidence that although oestrogen may influence the early core temperature response to lipopolysaccharide, sex steroids in concentrations similar to those observed late in gestation do not alter the overall febrile response and are therefore unlikely to mediate the attenuated or absent febrile response to bacterial pyrogen in rats near the term of pregnancy.
Differential function of Gγ13 in rod bipolar and ON cone bipolar cells
Authors: Ramakrishnan Hariharasubramanian , Dhingra Anuradha , Tummala Shanti R. , Fina Marie E. , Li Jian J. , Lyubarsky Arkady , Vardi Noga 
Published: November 2014

Key points
The G‐protein‐mediated metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) signalling cascade is critical for light responses in all retinal ON bipolar cells. The present study evaluates the role of G‐protein subunit Gγ13 in ON bipolar cells by deleting the mouse Gng13 gene.
Gγ13 is a partner of Gβ3 in all types of retinal ON bipolar cells, and contributes to generating the light response.
Gγ13 also contributes to maintenance because, in its absence, the light response decreases with age.
Three independent functionality assessments (i.e. light response as measured by electroretinogram b‐waves, localization of GTPase activating proteins and deterioration of the light response with age) show that the contribution of Gγ13 is much greater in rod bipolar cells than in ON cone bipolar cells.
Our data also suggest that the contribution of Gγ13 to coupling mGluR6 to its effector is smaller than its contribution to maintaining GTPase activating protein localization.
AbstractHeterotrimeric G‐proteins (comprising Gα and Gβγ subunits) are critical for coupling of metabotropic receptors to their downstream effectors. In the retina, glutamate released from photoreceptors in the dark activates metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) receptors in ON bipolar cells; this leads to activation of Go, closure of transient receptor potential melastatin 1 channels and hyperpolarization of these cells. Go comprises Gαo, Gβ3 and a Gγ. The best Gγ candidate is Gγ13, although functional data to support this are lacking. Thus, we tested Gγ13 function by generating Gng13−/− knockout (KO) mice, recording electroretinograms (ERG) and performing immunocytochemical staining. The amplitude of scotopic ERG b‐waves in KO mice was lower than in wild‐type (WT) mice. Furthermore, in both KO and WT mice, the ERG b‐wave decreased with age; this decrease was much more pronounced in KO mice. By contrast, the photopic ERG b‐waves in KO mice were hardly affected at any age. In KO mice retinas, immunostaining for Gβ3 and for the GTPase activating proteins RGS7, RGS11, R9AP and Gβ5 decreased significantly in rod bipolar cells but not in ON cone bipolar cells. Staining for Gαo and certain other cascade elements decreased only slightly. Analysis of our ON bipolar cDNA library showed that these cells express mRNAs for Gγ5, Gγ10 and Gγ11. Quantitative RT‐PCR of retinal cDNA showed greater values for these transcripts in retinas of KO mice, although the difference was not significant. Our results suggest that Gγ13 contributes to mGluR6 signalling in rod bipolar cells more than in ON cone bipolar cells, and that this contribution includes both coupling the receptor and maintaining a stable localization of the mGluR6‐related cascade elements.