bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Treatment in Germany Between 1999 and 2009
Authors: Roth Christian , Kästner Stefanie , Salehi Mehrdad , Kleffmann Jens , Böker Dieter-Karsten , Deinsberger Wolfgang 
Published: November 2012

Background and Purpose—
The aim of our study was to examine surgical practice in the therapy of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in Germany over a period of 10 years.

Methods—
In 1999 and 2009 a questionnaire with 10 different cases of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage was sent to all neurosurgical centers in Germany. It included a cranial CT as well as a case description. The question asked if a conservative or surgical procedure was most suitable. When choosing surgery, the participants could decide between large open approach or microsurgery as well as stereotactic aspiration or external ventricular drainage.

Results—
In 1999, 85 of 121 (70%) and in 2009 111 of 125 (89%) questionnaires could be evaluated. The results of the questionnaires from 1999 and 2009 showed no difference in the decision for or against a surgical procedure, except for a move toward conservative treatment in 1 patient with a massive spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. In 2 cases of isolated basal ganglia bleeding, a conservative approach was chosen by approximately 98% of the participants both in 1999 and in 2009. In all other cases of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, in particular when the patient was in poor clinical condition, the decision was very heterogeneous.

Conclusions—
Despite new studies, there were no significant differences regarding the decision for or against a surgical procedure in 1999 and 2009. Although clearly unfavorable prognostic factors are known, many patients still undergo a surgical procedure. It appears that at least spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the area of the basal ganglia is a unique domain of conservative treatment.
Teachers’ ideas about health: Implications for health promotion at school
Authors: Miglioretti Massimo , Velasco Veronica , Celata Corrado , Vecchio Luca 
Published: November 2012

Objectives: The study explores the relationships among teachers’ health representations, their ideas about health promotion, their working conditions and their involvement in health-promotion activities at school. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 107 teachers in 86 schools in Milan (Italy). The questionnaire was structured in four parts: teachers’ involvement in health-promotion programmes, teachers’ representations of health and their ideas regarding methods for promoting health; some dimensions of teacher’s job characteristics (job overload, work group, collaboration with relatives); burn-out and job satisfaction; socio-demographics data of teachers and characteristics of the schools. Results: The results show that teachers have ambiguous health representations; however, the traditional idea of health as absence of illness was prevalent among the teachers surveyed. Regarding health-promotion activities, the teachers seemed to prefer health education programmes based on informative techniques. Some representations of health were connected to the importance that teachers attributed to health promotion and to teachers’ participation in health-promotion activities. Teachers’ working conditions appear not to be related to their involvement in health promotion. Conclusions: The majority of teachers involved in this study remained substantially linked to health education models and have not switched to the health-promotion approach. This could be related to teachers’ health representations. To encourage the adoption of the health promotion approach at school, changing teachers’ health representations could be a first step.
A comparative study of bovine and porcine pericardium to highlight their potential advantages to manufacture percutaneous cardiovascular implants
Authors: Gauvin Robert , Marinov Georgi , Mehri Yayhe , Klein Julianne , Li Bin , Larouche Danielle , Guzman Randolph , Zhang Ze , Germain Lucie , Guidoin Robert 
Published: November 2012

Rationale: Prosthetic heart valves designed to be implanted percutaneously must be loaded within delivery catheters whose diameter can be as low as 18 F (6 mm). This mandatory crimping of the devices may result in deleterious damages to the tissues used for valve manufacturing. As bovine and porcine pericardial tissue are currently given preference because of their excellent availability and traceability, a preliminary comparative study was undertaken to highlight their potential advantages. Materials and methods: Bovine and pericardium patches were compared morphologically (light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy). The acute thrombogenicity of both materials was measured in term of platelet uptake and observed by scanning electron microscopy, porcine intact and injured arteries being used as controls. The pericardium specimens were also subjected to uniaxial tensile tests to compare their respective mechanical characteristics. Results: Both pericardiums showed a layered architecture of collagen bundles presenting some interstitial cells. They displayed wavy crimps typical of an unloaded collagenous tissue. The collagen bundles were not bound together and the fibrils were parallel with characteristic periodicity patterns of cross striations. The mesothelial cells found in vivo on the serous surface were no longer present due to tissue processing, but the adjacent structure was far more compacted when compared to the fibrous side. The fibrinocollagenous surfaces were found to be more thrombogenic for both bovine and porcine tissues and the serous side of the porcine pericardium retained more platelets when compared to the bovine samples, making the acute thrombogenicity more important in the porcine pericardium. Conclusion: Both bovine and porcine pericardium used in cardiovascular implantology can be selected to manufacture percutaneous heart valves. The selection of one pericardium preferably to the other should deserve additional testing regarding the innocuousness of crimping when loaded in delivery catheters and the long-term durability after percutaneous deployment.
The international migration of health care professionals
Authors: Zubaran Carlos 
Published: November 2012

Objectives: The international migration of health care professionals has been recognized as a public health concern. A series of ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors have been identified as driving forces for migration of doctors. The USA, UK, Canada and Australia are the main beneficiaries of medical migration, which has adverse consequences for health care systems in developing countries. Recently, a Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel was adopted by the World Health Assembly. In this paper, a summary of the most important recommendations of the Code is presented. In addition, the case of overseas trained psychiatrists in Australia is illustrated. These specialists complain of discriminatory practices due to the lack of recognition of their professional credentials. Research evidence from different countries confirms that international medical graduates face discriminatory obstacles to exercise their rights and practise their professions in developed countries. Conclusions: An international strategy is required to promote sustainable health care systems worldwide. Additional academic and scientific partnerships must be established between developed and developing nations in order to minimize discrepancies. There is an urgent need to review policies related to the recognition of medical credentials in host countries, including Australia. There are clear implications for psychiatry and psychiatrists.
Rosuvastatin Changes Cytokine Expressions in Ischemic Territory and Preserves Heart Function After Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Authors: Hu Xinying , Sun Aijun , Xie Xinxing , Huang Zheyong , Jia Jianguo , Yao Ruiming , Ge Junbo 
Published: November 2012

Aim: To investigate the mechanism of rosuvastatin in preserving cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive either rosuvastatin (5 mg/kg every day) or placebo (0.5% CMC-Na), respectively, by daily gavage from 7 days before AMI. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation through a lateral thoracotomy in rats. The expressions of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), chemokine motif CXC receptor 4 (CXCR-4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in peri-infarction region and nonischemic region at different time points were determined by the Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed on the 28th day after AMI to investigate the accumulation of CD90+, CD133+, and c-kit+ progenitor cells in the peri-infarction region. Masson staining and echocardiograph were performed to evaluate the left ventricular remodeling and postinfarction cardiac function 4 weeks after AMI. Results: Western blot analysis showed that rosuvastatin could change the cytokine expressions in the peri-infarction region by upregulating the SDF-1 expression and downregulating the expressions of CXCR-4, ICAM-1, and VEGF in 4 to 14 days after AMI. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that rosuvastatin treatment was associated with increased accumulation of CD90+, CD133+, and c-kit+ progenitor cells in the peri-infarction region. Masson staining and echocardiograph confirmed that rosuvastatin could attenuate left ventricular remodeling and improve postinfarction systolic function. Conclusion: The data suggest that rosuvastatin can protect the heart from ischemic injury and preserve the cardiac function in rats in vivo. The changing expressions of SDF-1, CXCR-4, ICAM-1, and VEGF, and the accumulation of progenitor cells were involved in this process.
Macrophage microvesicles induce macrophage differentiation and miR-223 transfer
Authors: Ismail Noura , Wang Yijie , Dakhlallah Duaa , Moldovan Leni , Agarwal Kitty , Batte Kara , Shah Prexy , Wisler Jon , Eubank Tim D. , Tridandapani Susheela , Paulaitis Michael E. , Piper Melissa G. , Marsh Clay B. 
Published: November 2012

Key Points
Macrophage-derived microvesicles induced cellular differentiation in naive monocytes. Macrophage-derived microvesicles shuttle of miRNAs to target cells.
AngiomiR-126 expression and secretion from circulating CD34+ and CD14+ PBMCs: role for proangiogenic effects and alterations in type 2 diabetics
Authors: Mocharla Pavani , Briand Sylvie , Giannotti Giovanna , Dörries Carola , Jakob Philipp , Paneni Francesco , Lüscher Thomas , Landmesser Ulf 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Several peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)–derived cell populations can promote angiogenesis, and differences in CD34+ or CD14+ surface expression have been used to separate PBMC subpopulations in this respect. AngiomiRs, microRNAs regulating angiogenesis, are key regulators of angiogenic processes. The present study examines differential angiomiR expression/secretion from CD34+/CD14+, CD34+/CD14−, CD34−/CD14+, and CD34−/CD14− PBMC subsets and their relevance for different proangiogenic properties. Notably, both circulating human CD34+/14+ and CD34+/14− PBMC subsets and their supernatants exerted more potent proangiogenic effects compared with CD34− PBMC subsets. MiR-126 was identified as most differentially expressed angiomiR in CD34+ compared with CD34− PBMC subsets, determined by miR-array and RT-PCR validation. Modulation of miR-126 by anti–miR-126 or miR-mimic-126 treatment resulted in significant loss or increase of proangiogenic effects of CD34+ PBMCs. MiR-126 levels in supernatants of CD34+ PBMC subsets were substantially higher compared with CD34− PBMC subsets. MiR-126 was secreted in microvesicles/exosomes, and inhibition of their release impaired CD34+ PBMCs proangiogenic effects. Notably, high-glucose treatment or diabetes reduced miR-126 levels of CD34+ PBMCs, associated with impaired proangiogenic properties that could be rescued by miR-mimic-126 treatment. The present findings provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying increased proangiogenic effects of CD34+ PBMCs, that is, angiomiR-126 expression/secretion. Moreover, an alteration of angiomiR-126 expression in CD34+ PBMCs in diabetes provides a novel pathway causing impaired proangiogenic effects.
Traffic-related air pollution is related to interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children
Authors: Eenhuizen Esther , Gehring Ulrike , Wijga Alet H. , Smit Henriette A. , Fischer Paul H. , Brauer Michael , Koppelman Gerard H. , Kerkhof Marjan , de Jongste Johan C. , Brunekreef Bert , Hoek Gerard 
Published: November 2012

Outdoor air pollution has been associated with decrements in lung function and growth of lung function in school-age children. Lung function effects have not been examined in preschoolers, with the exception of one study on minute ventilation in newborns. Our goal was to assess the relationship between long- and short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children.Lung function was measured using the interrupter resistance method in children participating in a Dutch birth cohort study. Long-term average air pollution concentrations of fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and soot at the residential address at birth were assessed using land-use regression models. Daily average air pollution concentrations on the day of clinical examination were obtained from the Dutch National Air Quality Monitoring Network.Significant associations were found between long-term average air pollution concentrations and interrupter resistance. Interrupter resistance increased by 0.04 kPa·s·L−1(95% CI 0.01–0.07) per interquartile range increase (3.3 μg·m−3) in fine particle concentration. Short-term exposure was not associated with interrupter resistance.Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with increased interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children, supporting previous birth cohort studies reporting effects of air pollution on subjectively reported respiratory symptoms in preschool children.
Proxy-reported questionnaires for young children with asthma: a structured review
Authors: Barrett Amy , Clark Marci , DeMuro Carla , Esser Dirk 
Published: November 2012

Which proxy-reported outcome measures have been developed for use with children aged 6 years and younger to assess asthma symptoms, asthma control, and asthma-specific health-related quality of life, and do these questionnaires' measurement properties support their use as end-points in clinical trials?A two-phase literature search was conducted: 1) studies describing relevant questionnaires were identified, and the questionnaires were assessed against predefined criteria; 2) studies providing information on the measurement properties of questionnaires meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were identified. Literature sources included PubMed and EMBASE databases, scientific conference proceedings, a clinical trial registry, and a quality of life instrument database.The initial search of literature databases and conference abstracts identified 631 records. 20 paediatric asthma proxy-reported outcome instruments were identified; seven met the inclusion criteria: Childhood Asthma Control Test, Control de Asma en Niños Questionnaire, Pediatric Asthma Caregiver Diary, Pediatric Asthma Control Tool, PedsQL 3.0 Short-Form 22 Asthma Module, PedsQL Asthma Symptoms Scale, and Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids.Three proxy-reported outcome instruments were considered suitable for use as end-points in paediatric asthma clinical trials; the Pediatric Asthma Caregiver Diary possesses the strongest measurement properties of the three.
Hyperhomocysteinaemia predicts the decline in pulmonary function in healthy male smokers
Authors: Nunomiya Keiko , Shibata Yoko , Abe Shuichi , Inoue Sumito , Igarashi Akira , Yamauchi Keiko , Aida Yasuko , Kishi Hiroyuki , Sato Masamichi , Watanabe Tetsu , Konta Tsuneo , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Kato Takeo , Yamashita Hidetoshi , Kayama Takamasa , Kubota Isao 
Published: November 2012

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and spirometric measures has not been investigated in a general population. We aimed to determine whether homocysteine levels are predictive for a rapid decline in lung function among healthy current smokers.Blood sampling and spirometry were performed on subjects participating in a community-based annual health check in Takahata, Japan, from 2004 to 2006 (n=3257). Spirometry was re-evaluated in 147 male current smokers in 2009.On initial assessment, forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted correlated inversely with homocysteine levels and were predictive for homocysteine levels, independent of various clinical factors. Homocysteine levels were higher in subjects with restrictive, obstructive or mixed ventilatory disorders. In addition, homocysteine levels were higher in subjects with mixed ventilatory disorders, compared with restrictive or obstructive disorders. On follow-up, subjects showing a decline in FEV1had higher homocysteine levels than those who did not. Logistic regression analysis indicated that homocysteine levels were predictive for a decline in FEV1.FVC % pred and FEV1% pred were significantly associated with homocysteine levels, and hyperhomocysteinaemia predicted the annual rate of decline in FEV1among male smokers.
Amelioration of hyperoxia-induced lung injury using a sphingolipid-based intervention
Authors: Tibboel Jeroen , Joza Stephen , Reiss Irwin , de Jongste Johan C. , Post Martin 
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to characterise lung function and bronchoalveolar lavage sphingolipid profile in newborn mice during hyperoxia exposure and recovery in room air, and to examine the effect ofd-sphingosine supplementation during recovery.Newborn mice were exposed to 80% oxygen for 4 weeks and allowed to recover in room air for another 4 weeks. Lung function measurements and morphometrical analysis of lung tissue were performed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected during hyperoxia and recovery with and withoutd-sphingosine supplementation.Hyperoxia exposure altered lung function, which partially recovered in room air. Lungs had fewer and enlarged alveoli which persisted during recovery. Multiple sphingolipids were significantly increased after hyperoxia. Ceramides were increased after 2 weeks of recovery, but normalised to control values after 4 weeks. The addition ofd-sphingosine during the first 5 days of recovery accelerated the normalisation of ceramide levels at 2 weeks and partially reversed the hyperoxia-induced increase in alveolar size and arrest in alveolarisation at 4 weeks.Exposure of newborn mice to hyperoxia caused restrictive and obstructive lung function changes that partially recovered in room air, while alveolar morphology remained abnormal. Hyperoxia increased ceramide levels, with normalisation after recovery.d-sphingosine addition during recovery reduced ceramide levels and ameliorated hyperoxia-induced alveolar arrest.
Clinical assessment for identifying causes of acute respiratory failure in cancer patients
Authors: Schnell David , Mayaux Julien , Lambert Jérôme , Roux Antoine , Moreau Anne-Sophie , Zafrani Lara , Canet Emmanuel , Lemiale Virginie , Darmon Michael , Azoulay Élie 
Published: November 2012

In cancer patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), early adequate therapy is associated with better outcomes. We investigated the performance of the DIRECT approach, which uses criteria available at the bedside at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), to identify causes of ARF in cancer patients.This cohort study included cancer patients with ARF of determined aetiology. Associations of aetiological groups with the selected criteria were evaluated using correspondence analysis.424 cancer patients were included: 201 (47%) with bacterial pneumonia, 131 (31%) with opportunistic infections and 92 (22%) with noninfectious disorders. Mechanical ventilation (both invasive and noninvasive) was needed in 328 (77%) patients, treatment for shock in 217 (51%) patients and dialysis in 82 (19%) patients. 142 (34%) patients died in the ICU. Correspondence plots showed that bacterial pneumonia was associated with neutropenia, solid tumour, multiple myeloma, <3 days since symptom onset, shock, unilateral crackles and unilateral radiographic pattern. Opportunistic infections were associated with steroids, lymphoproliferative disorders and haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, whereas noninfectious disorders were associated with acute leukaemiaThe selected criteria are strongly associated with causes of ARF in cancer patients and could be used to develop an algorithm for selecting first-line diagnostic investigations and empirical treatments.
Evolving stochastic context-free grammars for RNA secondary structure prediction
Authors: WJ Anderson James , Tataru Paula , Staines Joe , Hein Jotun , Lyngsø Rune 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Stochastic Context–Free Grammars (SCFGs) were applied successfully to RNA secondary structure prediction in the early 90s, and used in combination with comparative methods in the late 90s. The set of SCFGs potentially useful for RNA secondary structure prediction is very large, but a few intuitively designed grammars have remained dominant. In this paper we investigate two automatic search techniques for effective grammars – exhaustive search for very compact grammars and an evolutionary algorithm to find larger grammars. We also examine whether grammar ambiguity is as problematic to structure prediction as has been previously suggested.

Results
These search techniques were applied to predict RNA secondary structure on a maximal data set and revealed new and interesting grammars, though none are dramatically better than classic grammars. In general, results showed that many grammars with quite different structure could have very similar predictive ability. Many ambiguous grammars were found which were at least as effective as the best current unambiguous grammars.

Conclusions
Overall the method of evolving SCFGs for RNA secondary structure prediction proved effective in finding many grammars that had strong predictive accuracy, as good or slightly better than those designed manually. Furthermore, several of the best grammars found were ambiguous, demonstrating that such grammars should not be disregarded.