bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rural‐Urban Disparities in Quality of Life Among Patients With COPD
Authors: Jackson Bradford E. , Coultas David B. , Suzuki Sumihiro , Singh Karan P. , Bae Sejong 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeLimited evidence in the United States suggests that among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rural residence is associated with higher hospitalization rates and increased mortality. However, little is known about the reasons for these disparities. This study's purpose was to describe the health status of rural versus urban residence among patients with COPD and to examine factors associated with differences between these 2 locations.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study of baseline data from a representative sample of patients with COPD enrolled in a clinical trial. Rural‐urban residence was determined from ZIP code. Health status was measured using the SF‐12 and health care utilization. Independent sample t‐tests, chi‐square tests, and multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed to examine differences between rural and urban patients.FindingsRural residence was associated with poorer health status and higher health care utilization. Among rural patients unadjusted physical functioning scores were lower on the SF‐12 (30.22 vs 33.49; P = .005) that persisted after adjustment for potential confounders (β = –2.35; P = .04). However, after further adjustment for social and psychological factors only the body‐mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise (BODE) index was significantly associated with health status.ConclusionsIn this representative sample of patients with COPD rural residence was associated with worse health status, primarily associated with greater impairment as measured by BODE index. While rural patients reported a higher dose of smoking, a number of other unmeasured factors associated with rural residence may contribute to these disparities.
Trends in Observation Care Among Medicare Fee‐for‐Service Beneficiaries at Critical Access Hospitals, 2007‐2009
Authors: Wright Brad , Jung Hye‐Young , Feng Zhanlian , Mor Vincent 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeObservation care is used to evaluate patients prior to admission or discharge. Often beneficial, such care also imposes greater financial liability on Medicare beneficiaries. While the use of observation care has increased recently, critical access hospitals (CAHs) face different policies than prospective payment (PPS) hospitals, which may influence their observation care use.MethodsWe used 100% Medicare inpatient and outpatient claims files and enrollment data for years 2007 to 2009, and the 2007 American Hospital Association data to compare trends in the likelihood, prevalence and duration of observation stays between CAHs and PPS hospitals in metro and non‐metro areas among fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries over age 65.FindingsWhile PPS hospitals are more likely to provide any observation care, the 3‐year increase in the proportion of CAHs providing any observation care is approximately 5 times as great as the increase among PPS hospitals. Among hospitals providing any observation care in 2007, the prevalence at CAHs was 35.7% higher than at non‐metro PPS hospitals and 72.8% higher than at metro PPS hospitals. By 2009, these respective figures had increased to 63.1% and 111%. Average stay duration increased more slowly for CAHs than for PPS hospitals.ConclusionsThese data suggest that a growing proportion of CAHs are providing observation care and that CAHs provide relatively more observation care than PPS hospitals, but they have shorter average stays. This may have important financial implications for Medicare beneficiaries.
Depression, Social Factors, and Farmworker Health Care Utilization
Authors: Georges A. , Alterman T. , Gabbard S. , Grzywacz J. G. , Shen R. , Nakamoto J. , Carroll D. J. , Muntaner C. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeFarmworkers frequently live in rural areas and experience high rates of depressive symptoms. This study examines the association between elevated depressive symptoms and health care utilization among Latino farmworkers.MethodsData were obtained from 2,905 Latino farmworkers interviewed for the National Agricultural Workers Survey. Elevated depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression short‐form. A dichotomous health care utilization variable was constructed from self‐reported use of health care services in the United States. A categorical measure of provider type was constructed for those reporting use of health care.ResultsOver 50% of farmworkers reported at least 1 health care visit in the United States during the past 2 years; most visits occurred in a private practice. The odds of reporting health care utilization in the United States were 45% higher among farmworkers with elevated depressive symptoms. Type of provider was not associated with depressive symptoms. Women were more likely to seek health care; education and family relationships were associated with health care utilization.ConclusionsLatino farmworkers who live and work in rural areas seek care from private practices or migrant/Community Health Clinics. Farmworkers with elevated depressive symptoms are more likely to access health care. Rural health care providers need to be prepared to recognize, screen, and treat mental health problems among Latino farmworkers. Outreach focused on protecting farmworker mental health may be useful in reducing health care utilization while improving farmworker quality of life.
Frequency and Expression of Inhibitory Markers of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Arandi N. , Mirshafiey A. , Abolhassani H. , Jeddi‐Tehrani M. , Edalat R. , Sadeghi B. , Shaghaghi M. , Aghamohammadi A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCommon variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most symptomatic primary antibody deficiency associated with recurrent infections and chronic inflammatory diseases as well as autoimmunity. CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical T cell subsets for maintaining self‐tolerance and regulation of immune response to antigens thus play a pivotal role in preventing autoimmunity. Thirty‐seven CVID patients and 18 age‐/sex‐matched controls were enrolled. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from both groups, and the percentage of Tregs was calculated using flow cytometry method. The mRNA expression of Tregs' surface markers cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) and glucocorticoid‐induced tumour necrosis factor receptor (GITR), which are associated with Tregs' inhibitory function, was compared between patients and controls by quantitative real‐time PCR TaqMan method. The results revealed that the frequency of Tregs was significantly lower in CVID patients than normal individuals (P < 0.001). In addition, CVID patients with autoimmunity were found to have markedly reduced proportion of Tregs compared to those cases without autoimmune diseases (P = 0.023). A significant difference was seen in factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression between CVID patients and controls (P < 0.001). The mRNAs of CTLA‐4 and GITR genes were expressed at lower levels in CVID patients compared to control group (P = 0.005 and <0.001, respectively). Our findings showed reduced proportion of Tregs in CVID patients together with downregulation of FOXP3 protein and diminished expression of inhibitory Tregs' markers. It could be concluded that all of these changes may be responsible for cellular immune dysregulation observed in these patients especially those with autoimmune manifestation.
The Burkholderia contaminans MS14
ocfC
Gene Encodes a Xylosyltransferase for Production of the Antifungal Occidiofungin
Authors: Chen Kuan-Chih , Ravichandran Akshaya , Guerrero Adam , Deng Peng , Baird Sonya M. , Smith Leif , Lu Shi-En 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Burkholderia contaminans
strain MS14 produces the antifungal compound occidiofungin, which is responsible for significant antifungal activities against a broad range of plant and animal fungal pathogens. Occidiofungin is a cyclic glycolipopeptide made up of eight amino acids and one xylose. A 56-kb
ocf
gene cluster was determined to be essential for occidiofungin production. In this study, the
ocfC
gene, which is located downstream of
ocfD
and upstream of the
ocfB
gene in the
ocf
gene cluster, was examined. Antifungal activity of the
ocfC
gene mutant MS14KC1 was reduced against the indicator fungus
Geotrichum candidum
compared with that of the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the analysis of the protein sequence suggests that the
ocfC
gene encodes a glycosyltransferase. Biochemical analyses using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy revealed that the
ocfC
mutant produced the occidiofungin without the xylose. The purified
ocfC
mutant MS14KC1 product had a level of bioactivity similar to that of the wild-type product. The revertant MS14KC1-R of the
ocfC
mutant produced the same antifungal activity level on plate assays and the same antifungal compound based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectroscopy analysis as wild-type strain MS14. Collectively, the study demonstrates that the
ocfC
gene encodes a glycosyltransferase responsible to add a xylose to the occidiofungin molecule and that the presence of the xylose is not important for antifungal activity against
Candida
species. The finding provides a novel variant for future studies aimed at evaluating its use for inhibiting clinical and agricultural fungi, and the finding could also simplify the chemical synthesis of occidiofungin variants.
Characterization of Torin2, an ATP-Competitive Inhibitor of mTOR, ATM, and ATR
Authors: Liu Qingsong , Xu Chunxiao , Kirubakaran Sivapriya , Zhang Xin , Hur Wooyoung , Liu Yan , Kwiatkowski Nicholas P. , Wang Jinhua , Westover Kenneth D. , Gao Peng , Ercan Dalia , Niepel Mario , Thoreen Carson C. , Kang Seong A. , Patricelli Matthew P. , Wang Yuchuan , Tupper Tanya , Altabef Abigail , Kawamura Hidemasa , Held Kathryn D. , Chou Danny M. , Elledge Stephen J. , Janne Pasi A. , Wong Kwok-Kin , Sabatini David M. , Gray Nathanael S. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
mTOR is a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase that serves as a central regulator of cell growth, survival, and autophagy. Deregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway occurs commonly in cancer and numerous inhibitors targeting the ATP-binding site of these kinases are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Here, we report the characterization of Torin2, a second-generation ATP-competitive inhibitor that is potent and selective for mTOR with a superior pharmacokinetic profile to previous inhibitors. Torin2 inhibited mTORC1-dependent T389 phosphorylation on S6K (RPS6KB1) with an EC50 of 250 pmol/L with approximately 800-fold selectivity for cellular mTOR versus phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Torin2 also exhibited potent biochemical and cellular activity against phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase–like kinase (PIKK) family kinases including ATM (EC50, 28 nmol/L), ATR (EC50, 35 nmol/L), and DNA-PK (EC50, 118 nmol/L; PRKDC), the inhibition of which sensitized cells to Irradiation. Similar to the earlier generation compound Torin1 and in contrast to other reported mTOR inhibitors, Torin2 inhibited mTOR kinase and mTORC1 signaling activities in a sustained manner suggestive of a slow dissociation from the kinase. Cancer cell treatment with Torin2 for 24 hours resulted in a prolonged block in negative feedback and consequent T308 phosphorylation on Akt. These effects were associated with strong growth inhibition in vitro. Single-agent treatment with Torin2 in vivo did not yield significant efficacy against KRAS-driven lung tumors, but the combination of Torin2 with mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal–regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor AZD6244 yielded a significant growth inhibition. Taken together, our findings establish Torin2 as a strong candidate for clinical evaluation in a broad number of oncologic settings where mTOR signaling has a pathogenic role. Cancer Res; 73(8); 2574–86. ©2013 AACR.
Everolimus in Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: The Clinical Experience
Authors: Yao James C. , Phan Alexandria T. , Jehl Valentine , Shah Gaurav , Meric-Bernstam Funda 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) has increased dramatically in the past 30 years. This information has revitalized basic and clinical research into the molecular biology of NET and has resulted in the recent approval of new therapies for pancreatic NET (pNET), including the oral inhibitor of the mTOR everolimus. Everolimus significantly improved progression-free survival among patients with pNET in the phase III RADIANT-3 study. Here, we review the clinical studies showing the efficacy of everolimus in pNET and summarize the translational science from these studies. To understand the mechanisms of resistance and cause of treatment failure, we compared the type of progression events observed in the everolimus and placebo arms of the RADIANT-3 study. Comparison of the everolimus arm to the placebo arm indicated the fractions of progression events due to new metastasis only (21% vs. 22%), growth of preexisting lesions only (54% vs. 49%), and new metastasis along with growth of preexisting lesions (24% vs. 27%) were similar. These results suggest that although everolimus delays disease progression in patients with pNET, patients who experience disease progression while on everolimus do not appear to have a more aggressive metastatic phenotype than those whose disease progresses while on placebo. Cancer Res; 73(5); 1449–53. ©2013 AACR.
A Carbon/Iron–Cerium/Alumina Catalyst as Potential Substitution for Noble Metal Three-way Catalyst for Auto Emission Control
Authors: Guo Yu , Oda Harunobu , Jia Lu , Amari Shuntaro , Okita Yui , Kameyama Hideo 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Alumina-supported Fe and Ce catalysts with carburization treatment were prepared to investigate their performance for auto emission control. The carburization treatment in flowing CO at 525 °C significantly promoted the catalytic activity of C/Fe–Ce, even comparable to a noble metal catalyst 1.0 wt % Pt/CeO2. The XRD result suggests that the formation of Fe3C is a possible interpretation for the promoted activity by the carburization treatment. The T50 contour lines of NOx and CO were used to quickly optimize catalyst composition, and C/18Fe–18Ce–64Alumina was considered to be the optimization result.
Synthesis of High-molecular-weight Head-to-tail-type Poly(3-substituted-thiophene)s by Cross-coupling Polycondensation with [CpNiCl(NHC)] as a Catalyst
Authors: Tamba Shunsuke , Fuji Kanta , Meguro Hikaru , Okamoto Shuji , Tendo Tadashi , Komobuchi Ryo , Sugie Atsushi , Nishino Takashi , Mori Atsunori 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
High-molecular-weight head-to-tail-type regioregular polythiophenes are synthesized by [CpNiCl(SIPr)]-catalyzed dehydrobrominative polycondensation. Polycondensation of 2-bromo-3-hexylthiophene at the C–H bond proceeds with an equimolar amount of TMPMgCl·LiCl and a catalytic amount of [CpNiCl(SIPr)] to afford the regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (HT-P3HT) with up to Mw = 815000. A self-standing HT-P3HT film is obtained with the regioregular HT-P3HT of Mw = 414000, while the attempted formation of the corresponding film with lower-molecular-weight HT-P3HT (Mw = 38000) is unsuccessful.
Friction Evaluation System with a Human Finger Model
Authors: Kuramitsu Keitaro , Nomura Toshio , Nomura Shyuhei , Maeno Takashi , Nonomura Yoshimune 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
We developed a friction evaluation system with a human finger model. The surface of the model was covered with imitation fingerprints. When a polypropylene surface was rubbed against the finger model, the friction profile varied with the sliding velocity and vertical force.
KI-catalysed synthesis of 4-methylcatechol dimethylacetate and fragrant compound Calone 1951®
Authors: Zhang Ya-Zheng , Yang Qian , Huang Shao-Jian , Luo Zi-Ping , Li Wen-Ping , Dong Li-Chun 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSynthesis of the fragrant compound Calone 1951® from 4-methyl catechol and methyl bromoacetate entails three successive reactions: the Williamson reaction, Dieckmann condensation, and hydrolysis-decarboxylation reaction. In this paper, the synthesis of 4-methylcatechol dimethylacetate (MCDA) via the Williamson reaction by adding KI as catalyst was investigated. It was found that the addition of an appropriate amount of KI can significantly increase the product yield due to generation of methyl iodoacetate via the reaction between KI and methyl bromoacetate. The synthesised MCDA as well as Calone 1951® were first characterised by melting points, HPLC, IR, and NMR analyses. Next, the effect of the key operating factors on MCDA synthesis by the Williamson reaction was investigated and the optimum operating conditions were obtained via a group of orthogonal experiments. The verification experiments demonstrated that, under the optimum operating conditions, the MCDA yield could be increased from 78.5 % to 95.4 % by the addition of an appropriate amount of KI; the corresponding yield of Calone 1951® increased to 68 %.
Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Alveolar Macrophages Contributes to Mechanical Stretch-Induced Lung Inflammation and Injury
Authors: Wu Jianbo , Yan Zhibo , Schwartz David E. , Yu Jingui , Malik Asrar B. , Hu Guochang 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Mechanical ventilation of lungs is capable of activating the innate immune system and inducing sterile inflammatory response. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β is among the definitive markers for accurately identifying ventilator-induced lung inflammation. However, mechanisms of IL-1β release during mechanical ventilation are unknown. In this study, we show that cyclic stretch activates the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and induces the release of IL-1β in mouse alveolar macrophages via caspase-1– and TLR4-dependent mechanisms. We also observed that NADPH oxidase subunit gp91phox was dispensable for stretch-induced cytokine production, whereas mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species was required for stretch-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β release. Further, mechanical ventilation activated the NLRP3 inflammasomes in mouse alveolar macrophages and increased the production of IL-1β in vivo. IL-1β neutralization significantly reduced mechanical ventilation-induced inflammatory lung injury. These findings suggest that the alveolar macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome may sense lung alveolar stretch to induce the release of IL-1β and hence may contribute to the mechanism of lung inflammatory injury during mechanical ventilation.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Promotes Negative Feedback Regulation of TLR Signaling via Targeting MicroRNA-155–SOCS1 in Macrophages
Authors: Chen Yunzi , Liu Weicheng , Sun Tao , Huang Yong , Wang Youli , Deb Dilip K. , Yoon Dosuk , Kong Juan , Thadhani Ravi , Li Yan Chun 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The negative feedback mechanism is essential to maintain effective immunity and tissue homeostasis. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D3) modulates innate immune response, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. In this article, we report that vitamin D receptor signaling attenuates TLR-mediated inflammation by enhancing the negative feedback inhibition. Vitamin D receptor inactivation leads to hyperinflammatory response in mice and macrophage cultures when challenged with LPS, because of microRNA-155 (miR-155) overproduction that excessively suppresses suppressor of cytokine signaling 1, a key regulator that enhances the negative feedback loop. Deletion of miR-155 attenuates vitamin D suppression of LPS-induced inflammation, confirming that 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 by downregulating miR-155. 1,25(OH)2D3 downregulates bic transcription by inhibiting NF-κB activation, which is mediated by a κB cis-DNA element located within the first intron of the bic gene. Together, these data identify a novel regulatory mechanism for vitamin D to control innate immunity.
The Evidence-Based Paradox
Authors: Hinojosa Jim 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Many occupational therapy practitioners consider evidence-based practice (EBP) to be the means by which occupational therapy can prove the validity of its services and thus support the legitimacy of our profession. The unquestioned acceptance of EBP as the way to establish credibility concerns me; unchallenged acceptance of any idea concerns me. Do practitioners accept EBP as the paradigm for guiding occupational therapy practice and research solely because it is presented as what we must do? I believe that practitioners must examine the implications for our profession of accepting EBP without question. In this article, I review EBP, present criticisms and concerns voiced by other professions and, finally, examine the implications of adopting an EBP perspective that replaces theory-directed practice.
Dissemination: Bringing Translational Research to Completion
Authors: Clark Florence , Park Daniel J. , Burke Janice P. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Despite the availability of innovative health care research, a gap exists between research-generated knowledge and the utilization of that knowledge in real-world practice settings. This article examines the transition from research to implementation in the context of the dissemination of A. Jean Ayres’ sensory integration procedures and of the challenges currently facing the University of Southern California Well Elderly Studies research team. Drawing from the emerging field of implementation science, this article discusses how researchers can develop an implementation plan to more easily translate evidence into practice. Such plans should address the intervention’s reach (i.e., its capacity to penetrate into the intended target population), the settings for which it is applicable, the leaders who will encourage practitioner uptake, stakeholder groups, and challenges to dissemination. By taking action to ensure the more effective dissemination of research-generated knowledge, researchers can increase the likelihood that their interventions will lead to improvements in practice and more effective care for consumers.
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention to Improve Occupational Performance in Children With Tourette Disorder
Authors: Rowe Jan , Yuen Hon K. , Dure Leon S. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
OBJECTIVE. We evaluated the efficacy of a comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) program to reduce tic severity and improve occupational performance in children with tic disorder using a one-group pretest–posttest design.
METHOD. Thirty children with tic disorder completed an eight-session CBIT program. The program focused on habit reversal, relaxation training, and function-based approaches to address how the environment and social situations (antecedents and consequences) sustain or influence tic severity.
RESULTS. We observed significant reduction in the number of tics and improvement in scores on the Parent Tic Questionnaire, Subjective Units of Distress Scale, and Child Occupational Self Assessment after CBIT compared with scores at baseline.
CONCLUSION. Findings provided support that CBIT reduced the number of tic expressions, tic severity, and level of distress associated with tic and improved these children’s self-perception of their competence in and importance of performing everyday activities (i.e., occupational performance).