bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Major depression and suicide attempts in patients with liver disease in the United States
Authors: Le Strat Yann , Le Foll Bernard , Dubertret Caroline 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsDepression is common in patients with liver disease. Moreover, alcohol use is intricately linked with both major depression and liver disease, and has also been linked with suicidal behaviours, suggesting that the alcohol use may have an intermediate role in the relationship between liver disease and major depression or suicidal behaviours. This study presents nationally representative data on the prevalence of major depression in patients with liver disease in the United States and its association with suicide attempts.MethodsData were drawn from the 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). The NESARC is a survey of 43 093 adults aged 18 years and older in the United States. Medically recognized liver diseases were self‐reported, and diagnoses of major depression were based on the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule–DSM‐IV version.ResultThe prevalence of liver disease was estimated at 0.7%. Respondents with a liver disease reported 12‐month rates of major depression (17.2%) that were significantly higher than among respondents without liver disease (7.0%; Adjusted OR:2.2; CI: 1.2–4.1). Lifetime rates of suicide attempts among participants with a major depression were also higher in participants with a liver disease (33.2%) than among respondents without liver disease (13.7%; OR: 3.1; CI: 1.3–7.6).ConclusionsLiver diseases are associated with major depression and suicide attempts among adults in the community. Adjustment for the amount of alcohol used or sociodemographical factors did not explain the observed association of liver disease with both major depression and suicide attempts.
Dual effects of α2‐adrenoceptors in modulating myogenic tone in sheep isolated internal anal sphincter
Authors: Rayment S. J. , Simpson J. A. D. , Eames T. , Acheson A. G. , Dashwood M. R. , Henry Y. , Gruss H. , Scholefield J. H. , Wilson V. G. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe role of α‐adrenoceptors in promoting continence through modulation of sphincter tone has focused primarily on the effects of α1‐adrenoceptors. We have used three clinically available agents, which are selective for α2‐adrenoceptors, to investigate their role in contractile and neurogenic responses on the internal anal sphincter (IAS).MethodsIAS strips, which had spontaneously generated tone, were used to investigate the contractile effect of lofexidine, brimonidine, and dexmedetomidine on muscle tone in the presence or absence of subtype selective antagonists. The effect of brimonidine on the magnitude and time course of neurogenic responses generated by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was also examined. The affinity of test compounds at α1‐ and α2‐adrenoceptors was established by competition binding with [3H]‐prazosin and [3H]‐RX821002.Key ResultsAll agonists caused concentration‐dependent contraction of the IAS and lofexidine demonstrated an enantiomeric difference in potency with a 10‐fold difference between the (−) and (+) isomers. Responses to lofexidine and dexmedetomidine were inhibited in the presence of the α1‐adrenoceptor selective antagonist prazosin, but not in the presence of RX811059 (α2‐adrenoceptor selective antagonist); brimonidine responses were inhibited by RX811059 and, to a lesser extent, by prazosin. Brimonidine affected both magnitude and duration of neurogenic responses, which was reversed in the presence of RX811059.Conclusions & InferencesWe conclude that α2‐adrenoceptors can mediate contraction of IAS, although this effect is most evident with efficacious imidazoline agonists rather than the most selective ligand. In addition, this receptor subtype can directly inhibit noradrenergic contractile responses to EFS and, indirectly, enhance nitrergic relaxatory responses.
Late‐acting self‐incompatibility–the pariah breeding system in flowering plants
Authors: Gibbs Peter E. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryIt is estimated that around half of all species of flowering plants show self‐incompatibility (SI). However, the great majority of species alleged to haveSIsimply comply with ‘the inability of a fully fertile hermaphrodite plant to produce zygotes when self‐pollinated’ – a definition that is neutral as to cause. Surprisingly few species have been investigated experimentally to determine whether theirSIhas the type of genetic control found in one of the three established mechanisms, that is, homomorphic gametophytic, homomorphic sporophytic or heteromorphicSI. Furthermore, our knowledge of the molecular basis of homomorphicSIderives from a few species in just five families – a small sample that has nevertheless revealed the existence of three different molecular mechanisms. Importantly, a sizeable cohort of species are self‐sterile despite the fact that self‐pollen tubes reach the ovary and in most cases penetrate ovules, a phenomenon called late‐acting self‐incompatibility (LSI). This review draws attention to the confusion between species that show ‘self‐incompatibility’ and those that possess one of the ‘conventionalSImechanisms’ and to argue the case for recognition ofLSIas having a widespread occurrence and as a mechanism that inhibits selfing and promotes outbreeding in many plant species.ContentsSummary717I.Introduction717II.Conventional self‐incompatibility mechanisms718III.The occurrence of ‘conventional self‐incompatibility’ in angiosperm taxa718IV.A molecular perspective720V.Species lacking established conventional self‐incompatibility in the angiosperms722VI.Late‐acting self‐incompatibility722VII.General conclusions728Acknowledgements730References730
Sweets for the foe – effects of nonstructural carbohydrates on the susceptibility of Quercus robur against Phytophthora quercina
Authors: Angay Oguzhan , Fleischmann Frank , Recht Sabine , Herrmann Sylvie , Matyssek Rainer , Oßwald Wolfgang , Buscot François , Grams Thorsten E. E. 
Published: June 2014

Summary

The root‐rot pathogen Phytophthora quercina is a key determinant of oak decline in Europe. The susceptibility of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) to this pathogen has been hypothesized to depend on the carbon availability in roots as an essential resource for defense.

Microcuttings of Q. robur undergo an alternating rhythm of root and shoot growth. Inoculation of mycorrhizal (Piloderma croceum) and nonmycorrhizal oak roots with P. quercina was performed during both growth phases, that is, root flush (RF) and shoot flush (SF). Photosynthetic and morphological responses as well as concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) were analyzed. Infection success was quantified by the presence of pathogen DNA in roots.

Concentrations of NSC in roots depended on the alternating root/shoot growth rhythm, being high and low during RF and SF, respectively. Infection success was high during RF and low during SF, resulting in a significantly positive correlation between pathogen DNA and NSC concentration in roots, contrary to the hypothesis.

The alternating growth of roots and shoots plays a crucial role for the susceptibility of lateral roots to the pathogen. NSC availability in oak roots has to be considered as a benchmark for susceptibility rather than resistance against P. quercina.
Why Do African Banks Lend So Little?
Authors: Andrianova Svetlana , Baltagi Badi , Demetriades Panicos , Fielding David 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe put forward a plausible explanation of African banking sector under‐development in the form of a bad credit market equilibrium. Using an appropriately modified Industrial Organization model of banking, we show that the root of the problem could be unchecked moral hazard (strategic loan defaults) or adverse selection (a lack of good projects). Applying a dynamic panel estimator to a large sample of African banks, we show that loan defaults are a major factor inhibiting bank lending when institutional quality is low. We also find that once a threshold level of institutional quality has been reached, improvements in the default rate or institutional quality do not matter. This provides support for our theoretical predictions.
A review of the evidence for dietary interventions in preventing or slowing the progression of age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Evans Jennifer R. , Lawrenson John G. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPurposeTo summarise the results of recent Cochrane systematic reviews that have investigated whether nutritional supplements prevent or slow the progression of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).Recent findingsThere is no good evidence from randomised controlled trials that the general population should be taking antioxidant vitamin supplements to reduce their risk of developing AMD later on in life. By contrast, there is moderate quality evidence that people with AMD may experience a delay in progression by taking specific antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements. This finding is drawn from one large randomised controlled trial conducted in the USA in a relatively well‐nourished population. Although observational studies have shown that the consumption of dietary omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD, two recently published randomised controlled trials failed to show any benefit of omega 3 supplements on AMD progression.SummaryThere is no high quality experimental evidence that nutritional supplementation is beneficial for the primary prevention of AMD. However, people with AMD may benefit from supplementation with antioxidant vitamins. There is currently no evidence to support increasing levels of omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet for the explicit purpose of preventing or slowing the progression of AMD.
A fluctuant palatal swelling
Authors: Warren E. , Brady P. , Sleeman D. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA 78‐year‐old man presented with a fluctuant swelling on the hard palate, which had changed little in the 3–4 years it had been present. Given the nature of the clinical history and presentation, a benign salivary gland neoplasm was thought to be the most plausible diagnosis. Following detailed histological examination of the resected specimen, a definitive diagnosis of myoepithelioma was reached. Although a rarely encountered clinical entity, myoepithelioma should be considered when a salivary gland neoplasm is suspected. Diagnosis can only be made on evaluation of histological features necessitating biopsy in such cases.
Local gene silencing in plants via synthetic dsRNA and carrier peptide
Authors: Numata Keiji , Ohtani Misato , Yoshizumi Takeshi , Demura Taku , Kodama Yutaka 
Published: June 2014

SummaryQuick and facile transient RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the most valuable plant biotechnologies for analysing plant gene functions. To establish a novel double‐strand RNA (dsRNA) delivery system for plants, we developed an ionic complex of synthetic dsRNA with a carrier peptide in which a cell‐penetrating peptide is fused with a polycation sequence as a gene carrier. The dsRNA–peptide complex is 100–300 nm in diameter and positively charged. Infiltration of the complex into intact leaf cells of Arabidopsis thaliana successfully induced rapid and efficient down‐regulation of exogenous and endogenous genes such as yellow fluorescent protein and chalcone synthase. The present method realizes quick and local gene silencing in specific tissues and/or organs in plants.
Heme‐heme oxygenase 1 system is involved in ammonium tolerance by regulating antioxidant defence in Oryza sativa
Authors: XIE YANJIE , MAO YU , XU SHENG , ZHOU HENG , DUAN XINGLIANG , CUI WEITI , ZHANG JING , XU GUOHUA 
Published: June 2014

AbstractDespite substantial evidence showing the ammonium‐altered redox homeostasis in plants, the involvement and molecular mechanism of heme‐heme oxygenase 1 (heme‐HO1), a novel antioxidant system, in the regulation of ammonium tolerance remain elusive. To fill in these gaps, the biological function of rice HO1 (OsSE5) was investigated. Results showed that NH4Cl up‐regulated rice OsSE5 expression. Oxidative stress and subsequent growth inhibition induced by excess NH4Cl was partly mitigated by pretreatment with carbon monoxide (CO, a by‐product of HO1 activity) or intensified by zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP, a potent inhibitor of HO1 activity). Pretreatment with HO1 inducer hemin, not only up‐regulated OsSE5 expression and HO activity, but also rescued the down‐regulation of antioxidant transcripts, total and related isozymatic activities, thus significantly counteracting the excess NH4Cl‐triggered reactive oxygen species overproduction, lipid peroxidation and growth inhibition. OsSE5 RNAi transgenic rice plants revealed NH4Cl‐hypersensitive phenotype with impaired antioxidant defence, both of which could be rescued by CO but not hemin. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants over‐expressing OsSE5 also exhibited enhanced tolerance to NH4Cl, which might be attributed to the up‐regulation of several antioxidant transcripts. Altogether, these results illustrated the involvement of heme‐HO1 system in ammonium tolerance by enhancing antioxidant defence, which may improve plant tolerance to excess ammonium fertilizer.
PtrBAM1, a β‐amylase‐coding gene of Poncirus trifoliata, is a CBF regulon member with function in cold tolerance by modulating soluble sugar levels
Authors: PENG TING , ZHU XIAOFANG , DUAN NIAN , LIU JI‐HONG 
Published: June 2014

Abstractβ‐Amylase (BAM) catalyses starch breakdown to generate maltose, which can be incorporated into sugar metabolism. However, the role of BAM genes in cold tolerance is less characterized. In this study, we report the isolation and functional characterization of a chloroplast‐localizing BAM‐encoding gene PtrBAM1 from Poncirus trifoliata. PtrBAM1 was induced by cold, dehydration and salt, but repressed by maltose. Overexpression of PtrBAM1 in tobacco (Nicotiana nudicaulis) increased BAM activity, promoted starch degradation and enhanced the contents of maltose and soluble sugars, whereas opposite changes were observed when PtrBAM1 homolog in lemon (Citrus lemon) was knocked down. The tobacco overexpressing lines exhibited enhanced tolerance to cold at chilling or freezing temperatures. Under cold stress, higher BAM activity and greater accumulation of maltose and soluble sugars were observed in the overexpressing lines when compared with the wild‐type or empty vector transformants. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that PtrBAM1 promoter contained a CBF‐recognizing element. Yeast one‐hybrid assay demonstrated that PtrCBF could interact with the promoter fragment containing the element. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PtrBAM1 is a member of CBF regulon and plays an important role in cold tolerance by modulating the levels of soluble sugars acting as osmolytes or antioxidants.
Family burden and family environment: Comparison between patients with panic disorder and with clinical diseases
Authors: Detzel Tatiana , Wesner Ana Cristina , Fritz Aline , da Silva Cristiano Tschiedel Belem , Guimarães Luciano , Heldt Elizeth 
Published: June 2014

AimsThe objective of this study was to compare the family burden and environment of patients with panic disorder (PD) with those of a control group composed of relatives of patients with clinical diseases.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed with 67 relatives of patients with PD, and 66 family members of patients with clinical diseases. All patients were administered a set of instruments to assess family burden and environment.ResultsMultivariate analyses revealed significant between‐group differences on measurements of objective and subjective burden, both of which can be influenced by kinship, since higher levels of family burden tend to be reported by the children of the affected individual. Levels of family burden also tend to be associated with the severity of PD symptoms.ConclusionsThe assessment of family burden may be useful in developing family‐focused therapeutic strategies and may contribute to the improvement of patient outcomes.
Sources of Health Information among Rural Women in Western Kentucky
Authors: Simmons Leigh Ann , Wu Qishan , Yang Nancy , Bush Heather M. , Crofford Leslie J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo identify sources of general and mental health information for rural women to inform the development of public health nursing interventions that consider preferences for obtaining information.Design and SampleOne thousand women (mean age = 57 years; 96.9% White) living in primarily nonmetropolitan areas of Western Kentucky participated via a random‐digit‐dial survey.MeasuresData were collected on demographics, sources of health information, depression, and stigma.ResultsMost participants preferred anonymous versus interpersonal sources for both general (68.1%) and mental health (69.4%) information. All participants reported at least one source of general health information, but 20.8% indicated not seeking or not knowing where to seek mental health information. The Internet was the most preferred anonymous source. Few women cited health professionals as the primary information source for general (11.4%) or mental (9.9%) health. Public stigma was associated with preferring anonymous sources and not seeking information.ConclusionsPublic health nurses should understand the high utilization of anonymous sources, particularly for mental health information, and focus efforts on helping individuals to navigate resources to ensure they obtain accurate information about symptoms, effective treatments, and obtaining care. Reducing stigma should remain a central focus of prevention and education in rural areas.
Increased lung cancer risk in patients with interstitial lung disease and elevated CEA and CA125 serum tumour markers
Authors: Dai Huaping , Liu Jianqun , Liang Lirong , Ban Chengjun , Jiang Jing , Liu Yan , Ye Qiao , Wang Chen 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveThe aetiology and pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and ILD combined with lung cancer (ILD‐CA) are unclear. We aim to investigate serum tumour marker (STM) levels and to explore their predictive and diagnostic value of cancer in ILD.MethodsFifty‐eight patients with ILD‐CA, 632 with ILD only and 628 with acute respiratory illness were studied. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9), CA125 and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) were measured.ResultsAll STM levels were elevated in ILD‐CA compared with ILD group (P < 0.01). CEA and CA125 levels were significantly higher in ILD than in controls (P < 0.01). After adjustment for gender, age and smoking, ILD‐CA risk in the CEA and CA125 fourth quartiles was increased compared with the first quartiles (CEA: odds ratio (OR) = 8.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0–37.6; CA125: OR = 9.8, 95% CI = 2.3–42.7). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in patients with ILD‐CA showed a cut‐off points of 3.99 ng/mL for CEA and 35.00 U/mL for CA125 with sensitivities of 74.6% and 71.9%, specificities 70.4% and 66.1%, and the areas under the curve 0.76 (95% CI = 0.69–0.82) and 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.81), respectively.ConclusionsSerum CEA and CA125 levels are often elevated in ILD patients. The risk of cancer in ILD is increased with an elevation of serum CEA and CA125 levels. Serum CEA and CA125 levels may be a marker of cancer in ILD patients.
The willingness to intervene in problematic neighbourhood situations: A comparison of local entrepreneurs and (un‐)employed residents
Authors: Steenbeek Wouter , Schutjens Veronique 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBy emphasising that businesses attract offenders or generate ‘eyes on the street’ discouraging potential offenders, previous studies have largely neglected the active role of local business owners. As neighbourhood business owners have both individual and professional local stakes, they may take responsibility for a place and its immediate surroundings. Using a dataset of 895 residents and 385 entrepreneurs nested within 161 residential neighbourhoods, we show that local business owners are more willing to intervene in disorderly situations than unemployed residents. The findings suggest that this is caused by them having both higher expectations about intervention by others and greater belief in their own problem‐solving capabilities. We speculate that although entrepreneurs only report higher willingness than unemployed residents but not employed residents, their presence may nevertheless influence neighbourhood order because they spend much time locally and thus have many opportunities to turn their willingness into action on behalf of the neighbourhood.
Randomized Controlled Trials and Challenge Trials: Design and Criterion for Validity
Authors: Sargeant J. M. , Kelton D. F. , O'Connor A. M. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThis article is the third of six articles addressing systematic reviews in animal agriculture and veterinary medicine. This article provides an overview of clinical trials, both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and challenge trials, where the disease outcome is deliberately induced by the investigator. RCTs are not the only study design used in systematic reviews, but are preferred when available as the gold standard for evaluating interventions under real‐world conditions. RCTs are planned experiments, which involve diseased or at‐risk study subjects and are designed to evaluate interventions (therapeutic treatments or preventive strategies, including antibiotics, vaccines, management practices, dietary changes, management changes or lifestyle changes). Key components of the RCT are the use of one or more comparison (control) groups and investigator control over intervention allocation. Important design features in RCTs include as follows: how the population is selected, approach to allocation of intervention and control group subjects, how allocation is concealed prior to enrolment of study subjects, how outcomes are defined, how allocation to group is concealed (blinding) and how withdrawals from the study are managed. Guidelines for reporting important features of RCTs have been published and are useful tools for writing, reviewing and reading reports of RCTs.