bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Response to High‐Dose 13.3 mg/24 h Rivastigmine Patch in Patients with Severe Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Farlow Martin R. , Sadowsky Carl H. , Velting Drew M. , Meng Xiangyi , Islam M. Zahur 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAimsTo identify factors predicting improvement/stabilization on the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study–Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS‐CGIC) and investigate whether early treatment responses can predict long‐term outcomes, during a trial of 13.3 mg/24 h versus 4.6 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch in patients with severe Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsLogistic regression was used to relate Week 24 ADCS‐CGIC score to potential baseline predictors. Additional analyses based on receiver‐operating characteristic curves were performed using Week 8/16 ADCS‐CGIC scores to predict response (13.3 mg/24 h patch) at Week 24. ADCS‐CGIC score of (1) 1–3 = “improvement,” (2) 1–4 = “improvement or no change”.Results“Treatment” (13.3 mg/24 h patch) and increased age were significant predictors of “improvement” (P = 0.01 and P = 0.003, respectively), and “treatment” (P = 0.001), increased age (P = 0.002), and prior AD treatment (P = 0.03) for “improvement or no change”. At Week 8 and 16, ADCS‐CGIC scores of 4 and 5 were optimal thresholds in predicting “improvement,” and “improvement or no change,” respectively, at Week 24.ConclusionsA significant therapeutic effect of high‐dose rivastigmine patch on ADCS‐CGIC response was observed. The 13.3 mg/24 h patch was identified as a predictor of “improvement” or “improvement or no change”. Patients with minimal worsening/improvement/no change after treatment initiation may be more likely to respond following long‐term therapy.
Opportunities and Challenges: Stem Cell‐Based Therapy for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tang Yao‐Hui , Ma Yuan‐Yuan , Zhang Zhi‐Jun , Wang Yong‐Ting , Yang Guo‐Yuan 
Published: February 2015

SummaryStem cell‐based therapy for ischemic stroke has been widely explored in animal models and provides strong evidence of benefits. In this review, we summarize the types of stem cells, various delivery routes, and tracking tools for stem cell therapy of ischemic stroke. MSCs, EPCs, and NSCs are the most explored cell types for ischemic stroke treatment. Although the mechanisms of stem cell‐based therapies are not fully understood, the most possible functions of the transplanted cells are releasing growth factors and regulating microenvironment through paracrine mechanism. Clinical application of stem cell‐based therapy is still in its infancy. The next decade of stem cell research in stroke field needs to focus on combining different stem cells and different imaging modalities to fully explore the potential of this therapeutic avenue: from bench to bedside and vice versa.
Transcription factor STOX1 regulates proliferation of inner ear epithelial cells via the AKT pathway
Authors: Nie Xiaowei , Zhang Kaiqing , Wang Li , Ou Guangshuo , Zhu He , Gao Wei‐Qiang 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectivesStorkhead box 1 (STOX1) belongs to the forkhead family of transcription factors, and is reported to be involved in apoptosis of Caenorhabditis elegans. However, up to now the precise role of STOX1 in mammalian epithelial development has not been established. Here, we report that it plays an important role in regulation of proliferation of inner ear epithelial cells.Materials and methodsImmunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‐PCR assays were used to determine expression pattern of STOX1 in the mouse inner ear. Furthermore, its overexpression and knockdown effects on mouse inner ear epithelial cells were studied using RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence, MTT assay, BrdU labelling and western blotting.ResultsStorkhead box 1 was selectively expressed in epithelial cells, but not in stromal cells of the inner ear. Its over‐expression enhanced cell proliferation and sphere formation, however, STOX1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and sphere formation in purified utricular epithelial cells in culture. Consistently, several cell cycle regulatory genes such as for PCNA, cyclin A and cyclin E, were up‐regulated by STOX1 over‐expression. Furthermore, biochemical analyses indicated that proliferation‐promoting effects induced by STOX1 were mediated via phosphorylation of AKT in these cells.ConclusionsTaken together, we demonstrate that STOX1 is a novel stimulatory factor for inner ear epithelial cell proliferation and might be an important target to be considered in regeneration or repair of inner ear epithelium.
Cryptococcus gattii urease as a virulence factor and the relevance of enzymatic activity in cryptococcosis pathogenesis
Authors: Feder Vanessa , Kmetzsch Lívia , Staats Charley Christian , Vidal‐Figueiredo Natalia , Ligabue‐Braun Rodrigo , Carlini Célia Regina , Vainstein Marilene Henning 
Published: February 2015

Ureases (EC 3.5.1.5) are Ni2+‐dependent metalloenzymes produced by plants, fungi and bacteria that hydrolyze urea to produce ammonia and CO2. The insertion of nickel atoms into the apo‐urease is better characterized in bacteria, and requires at least three accessory proteins: UreD, UreF, and UreG. Our group has demonstrated that ureases possess ureolytic activity‐independent biological properties that could contribute to the pathogenicity of urease‐producing microorganisms. The presence of urease in pathogenic bacteria strongly correlates with pathogenesis in some human diseases. Some medically important fungi also produce urease, including Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. C. gattii is an etiological agent of cryptococcosis, most often affecting immunocompetent individuals. The cryptococcal urease might play an important role in pathogenesis. It has been proposed that ammonia produced via urease action might damage the host endothelium, which would enable yeast transmigration towards the central nervous system. To analyze the role of urease as a virulence factor in C. gattii, we constructed knockout mutants for the structural urease‐coding gene URE1 and for genes that code the accessory proteins Ure4 and Ure6. All knockout mutants showed reduced multiplication within macrophages. In intranasally infected mice, the ure1Δ (lacking urease protein) and ure4Δ (enzymatically inactive apo‐urease) mutants caused reduced blood burdens and a delayed time of death, whereas the ure6Δ (enzymatically inactive apo‐urease) mutant showed time and dose dependency with regard to fungal burden. Our results suggest that C. gattii urease plays an important role in virulence, in part possibly through enzyme activity‐independent mechanism(s).
Comparisons of isotopic niche widths of some invasive and indigenous fauna in a South African river
Authors: Hill Jaclyn M. , Jones Roy W. , Hill Martin P. , Weyl Olaf L. F. 
Published: February 2015

Summary

Biological invasions threaten ecosystem integrity and biodiversity, with numerous adverse implications for native flora and fauna. Established populations of two notorious freshwater invaders, the snail Tarebia granifera and the fish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, have been reported on three continents and are frequently predicted to be in direct competition with native species for dietary resources.

Using comparisons of species' isotopic niche widths and stable isotope community metrics, we investigated whether the diets of the invasive T. granifera and P. disjunctivus overlapped with those of native species in a highly invaded river. We also attempted to resolve diet composition for both species, providing some insight into the original pathway of invasion in the Nseleni River, South Africa.

Stable isotope metrics of the invasive species were similar to or consistently mid‐range in comparison with their native counterparts, with the exception of markedly more uneven spread in isotopic space relative to indigenous species. Dietary overlap between the invasive P. disjunctivus and native fish was low, with the majority of shared food resources having overlaps of <0.26. The invasive T. granifera showed effectively no overlap with the native planorbid snail. However, there was a high degree of overlap between the two invasive species (˜0.86).

Bayesian mixing models indicated that detrital mangrove Barringtonia racemosa leaves contributed the largest proportion to P. disjunctivus diet (0.12–0.58), while the diet of T. granifera was more variable with high proportions of detrital Eichhornia crassipes (0.24–0.60) and Azolla filiculoides (0.09–0.33) as well as detrital Barringtonia racemosa leaves (0.00–0.30).

Overall, although the invasive T. granifera and P. disjunctivus were not in direct competition for dietary resources with native species in the Nseleni River system, their spread in isotopic space suggests they are likely to restrict energy available to higher consumers in the food web. Establishment of these invasive populations in the Nseleni River is thus probably driven by access to resources unexploited or unavailable to native residents.
Using Grain‐Size Distribution Methods for Estimation of Air Permeability
Authors: Wang Tiejun , Huang Yuanyang , Chen Xunhong , Chen Xi 
Published: February 2015

AbstractKnowledge of air permeability (ka) at dry conditions is critical for the use of air flow models in porous media; however, it is usually difficult and time consuming to measure ka at dry conditions. It is thus desirable to estimate ka at dry conditions from other readily obtainable properties. In this study, the feasibility of using information derived from grain‐size distributions (GSDs) for estimating ka at dry conditions was examined. Fourteen GSD‐based equations originally developed for estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity were tested using ka measured at dry conditions in both undisturbed and disturbed river sediment samples. On average, the estimated ka from all the equations, except for the method of Slichter, differed by less than ± 4 times from the measured ka for both undisturbed and disturbed groups. In particular, for the two sediment groups, the results given by the methods of Terzaghi and Hazen‐modified were comparable to the measured ka. In addition, two methods (e.g., Barr and Beyer) for the undisturbed samples and one method (e.g., Hazen‐original) for the undisturbed samples were also able to produce comparable ka estimates. Moreover, after adjusting the values of the coefficient C in the GSD‐based equations, the estimation of ka was significantly improved with the differences between the measured and estimated ka less than ±4% on average (except for the method of Barr). As demonstrated by this study, GSD‐based equations may provide a promising and efficient way to estimate ka at dry conditions.
Increased aortic intimal proliferation due to MasR deletion in vitro
Authors: Alsaadon Hiba , Kruzliak Peter , Smardencas Arthur , Hayes Alan , Bader Michael , Angus Peter , Herath Chandana , Zulli Anthony 
Published: February 2015

SummaryA growing body of evidence suggests that the vascular actions of Ang‐(1‐7) appear to involve increased production of nitric oxide (NO), an important vasodilator, through the activation of MasR, thus indicating the involvement of the MasR in preventing endothelial dysfunction. However, it is unknown whether the MasR could be involved in the progression of the next step in atherosclerosis, neo‐intimal formation. To determine whether the deletion of the MasR is involved in the development of intimal thickening in an in vitro model. Mice [three background controls (C57Bl/6) and 3 MasR (−/−)] were killed and the aortas excised and cleaned of connective tissue and cut into 3 mm rings. Rings were placed in an organ culture medium for 5 weeks, embedded in paraffin, cut at 5 μm and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome. In addition, aortic reactivity was measured in organ baths. After 5 weeks of culture, the intima:media ratio increased in the aortas from MasR (−/−) mice compared to the control group by 4.5‐fold (P < 0.01). However, no significant difference in nuclei area count (cell proliferation) between the MasR (−/−) mice and control group was observed (0.87 ± 0.29% vs. 0.94 ± 0.18%, respectively, P = ns). Functional studies showed only a minor vasoconstrictive and full vasodilative response. This study shows that the deletion of the MasR causes marked increase in the aortic intima:media ratio, which is not due to generalized cellular proliferation. These results provide a functional role for the MasR in atherogenesis.
Puff pastry and trends in fat reduction: an update
Authors: Wickramarachchi Kanchana S. , Sissons Mike J. , Cauvain Stanley P. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryPuff pastry is a popular nonleavened pastry product with unique textural properties. Puff pastry is processed from laminated dough, comprising alternating and discrete layers of dough and fat. Puff pastry quality can vary substantially depending on the raw material quality and production processes. The high fat content of commercial puff pastry usually containing significant amounts of saturated and trans fats, which are known to be associated with potential health risks, has led to increased demand for lower fat baked products. This review discusses the puff pastry production process and factors affecting puff pastry quality together with strategies to reduce total fat content and improving the fat composition in puff pastries.
Effectiveness and knowledge, attitudes and practices of seasonal influenza vaccine in primary healthcare settings in South Africa, 2010–2013
Authors: McAnerney Johanna M. , Walaza Sibongile , Cohen Adam L. , Tempia Stefano , Buys Amelia , Venter Marietjie , Blumberg Lucille , Duque Jazmin , Cohen Cheryl 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesInfluenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) and coverage data for sub‐Saharan Africa are scarce. Using a test‐negative case–control design, we estimated influenza VE annually among individuals with influenza‐like illness presenting to an outpatient sentinel surveillance programme in South Africa from 2010 to 2013. A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) influenza vaccine survey of programme clinicians was conducted in 2013.SampleIn total, 9420 patients were enrolled in surveillance of whom 5344 (56.7%) were included in the VE analysis: 2678 (50.1%) were classified as controls (influenza test‐negative) and 2666 (49.9%) as cases (influenza test‐positive).ResultsMean annual influenza vaccine coverage among controls was 4.5% for the four years. Annual VE estimates adjusted for age, underlying medical conditions and seasonality for 2010‐2013 were 54.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4–78.6%), 57.1% (95% CI: 15.5–78.2%), 38.4% (95% CI: −71.7–78.1%) and 87.2% (95% CI: 67.2–95.0%), respectively. The KAP survey showed that >90% of clinicians were familiar with the indications for and the benefits of influenza vaccination.ConclusionsOur study showed that the vaccine was significantly protective in 2010, 2011 and 2013, but not in 2012 when the circulating A(H3N2) strain showed genetic drift. Vaccine coverage was low despite good clinician knowledge of vaccination indications. Further studies are needed to investigate the reason for the low uptake of influenza vaccine.
Hitting a moving target: a process model of information systems control change
Authors: Cram W. Alec , Brohman M. Kathryn , Gallupe R. Brent 
Published: February 2015

AbstractControls are widely regarded as a key factor in driving high performing organisational processes. However, because of ongoing changes within information systems (IS) processes, control modifications are commonly required in order to maintain performance levels. Although past research recognises the ongoing benefits derived from successful control changes, there is a limited understanding of the actual steps taken by organisations, particularly with regard to avoiding negative performance implications such as process delays or employee resistance. This research draws on empirical data from six case studies to propose a new process model that depicts the interconnected steps involved in control changes. Our findings suggest that the sources of IS control change may be more diverse than most past research suggests and that control changes within non‐project‐oriented processes (e.g. enterprise architecture) present additional challenges in comparison to project‐oriented processes (e.g. systems development). Insights from this research can aid practitioners in streamlining control changes as a means to improve effectiveness, whilst also contributing to research by uncovering an enhanced understanding of why and how control changes are made in IS processes.
The Disarticulated Movement: Barriers to Maya Mobilization in Post-Conflict Guatemala
Authors: Vogt Manuel 
Published: February 2015

AbstractOver the last decades, indigenous movements have propelled the political empowerment of historically marginalized groups in Latin America. The Maya struggle for ethnic equality in Guatemala, however, since its reawakening during the peace process, has reached an impasse. Based on field research consisting of dozens of elite interviews, this article analyzes the patterns of and obstacles to present-day Maya mobilization. It combines movement-internal and -external factors in an overarching theoretical argument about indigenous movements' capacity to construct strong collective voices. In the Guatemalan case, organizational sectorization, the lack of elite consensus on key substantive issues, and unclear alliance strategies compromise the effectiveness of horizontal voice among Maya organizations. These problems are exacerbated by the lasting effects of the country's unique history of violence and state strategies of divide and rule, preventing the emergence of a strong vertical voice capable of challenging the Guatemalan state.
Intergovernmental Politics of Fiscal Balance in a Federal Democracy: The Experience of Brazil, 1996–2005
Authors: Kemahlioglu Ozge 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIrresponsible fiscal behavior by subnational units is a concern for federal or decentralized systems, especially in the developing world. States' expenditures in Brazil have been no different. Still, spending varies considerably among the Brazilian states, even after controlling for their financial resources. This article provides a political explanation for the variation in current spending, focusing on intergovernmental political relationships. It argues that credit claiming for pork distributed in a state plays a crucial role and that governors elevate state spending in order to make up for their loss in political credit from the pork distributed by the president. Analyzing data from the period 1996–2005, it finds that expenditures decrease as the relative number of federal deputies from the state governor's party increases compared to the number of deputies from the president's governing coalition when the national agenda encourages federal pork distribution in the states.
Gender Gaps in Civic and Political Participation in Latin America
Authors: Espinal Rosario , Zhao Shanyang 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article examines whether there is gender segmentation in civic participation in Latin America, and whether such segmentation is related to gender differences in political participation. Confirming the findings of other studies, this analysis indicates that there is gender segmentation in civic associational activities, and that men are more involved than women in political activities, except for voting. Among those involved in civic activities, however, women attend meetings more often than men or about equally in all types of activities under consideration, except for sports and recreational pursuits. This highlights the need to differentiate between type and intensity of civic participation and provides empirical evidence that Latin American women have strong community ties through a variety of organizations. The regression analysis shows that civic engagement has a positive effect on political participation but that the magnitude of that effect varies by gender depending on the activity.
A review of the issues and challenges involved in using participant‐produced photographs in nursing research
Authors: Balmer Claire , Griffiths Frances , Dunn Janet 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimsTo discuss the issues and challenges that may occur when using participant‐produced photographs in nursing research.BackgroundThe place of visual representation in society is increasingly being recognized and there is a growing discussion on the advantages of implementing visual methods, such as photography, in health and illness research. Integrating photographs has much potential for both nurse researchers and participants but it remains a novel method of gathering qualitative data and many aspects have had little consideration in the nursing and medical literature. This paper presents a discussion of some of the issues that may arise when using photographs as data. It draws on examples of the insights and experiences we had when we asked study participants to produce photographs to complement their interviews designed to explore their experience of living after cancer.DesignDiscussion paperData sourcesThis paper is based on our own experiences and supported by literature and theory.Implications for nursingDisseminating this research has prompted much interest from nurses and clinical staff. This paper should highlight some of the factors that may need to be addressed before employing such a novel method, thus ensuring the research process is positive and the outcome relevant for all parties.ConclusionExamples are used here to illustrate practical, ethical and philosophical issues around the research plan, creating and interpreting photographic data, confidentiality and copyright and analysing and disseminating photographs produced for research.
Water pipe smoking and dermatologic consequences
Authors: Wollina U. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWater pipe smoking is a recently growing addiction worldwide. It has become popular in Africa and the Western World and enfaces a renaissance in Middle East and Asia. The smoking technique leads to a different exposure to potential hazardous compounds compared to cigarette or classical pipe smoking. The common assumption that water pipe smoking is less dangerous to health is not substantiated by scientific data. Non‐tobacco‐based preparations reduce the exposure to nicotine but may contain equal or even higher concentrations of other toxic compounds. The medical literature on adverse effect of water pipe smoking on skin and oral mucosa is reviewed but future research is a demand.