bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resistant Hypertension and Renal Denervation Where to Now?
Authors: Shaw James A. , Warren Josephine L. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryTreatment resistant hypertension (TRH) is a major clinical problem with limited treatment options. Renal denervation (RDN) arose as a safe and very effective treatment for TRH with early studies showing dramatic blood pressure reductions however subsequent studies have not shown such a benefit. This review discusses the pathophysiology of TRH and the results of the published studies in RDN for TRH. The initial symplicity (1 and 2) studies using the Ardian RDN catheter showed that office blood pressures were significantly reduced 6 months following the procedure. However these initial studies were limited by a lack of a true control group and inadequate blinding. Subsequent studies (symplicity 3 and simplicity flex) included patients with elevated blood pressures on 24 hr ambulatory blood pressure monitor as well as office measurements. Furthermore, both included a sham arm where patients were randomized to undergo renal angiography alone or RDN, patients were blinded to whether they were in the treatment or sham arm. These more recent studies showed that in both the control and treatment group while there was a significant BP reduction from baseline there was no difference between the groups. Thus RDN appears to have no benefit in blood pressure reduction in those with TRH. RDN currently should only be used in patients with TRH as part of a properly designed clinical study. Pre clinical data suggests that renal sympathetic overactivity is an issue in younger hypertensive patients and this may be the group in which future studies using RDN should focus.
Microhabitat use by mountain pygmy‐possum (Burramys parvus): Implications for the conservation of small mammals in alpine environments
Authors: Shi Haijing , Paull David , Broome Linda , Bates Hayley 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe Australian alpine region harbours a wide range of species, many of which are endemic and of high conservation value. Among these species, the endangered mountain pygmy‐possum, Burramys parvus, is of particular interest because this specialized marsupial is highly sensitive to extreme temperatures. The selection of microhabitats by B. parvus is a critical but poorly understood element of its biological characteristics. To understand the microhabitat preferences of B. parvus, we performed detailed investigations of the thermal properties of alpine boulder fields. The selection of a preferred microclimate was demonstrated by comparing temperatures and environmental conditions in preferred and non‐preferred boulder fields. The variability of the daily temperature depended on the depth at which measurements were made within the boulder fields. Temperatures were more stable as depth increased. The results suggest that B. parvus prefers to occupy deep boulder fields at high elevations with good rock structure (small rock and cavity size with multiple layers) and long snow duration because these boulder fields can provide a favourable microclimate. At 1 m depth, the maximum temperatures in the hottest part of the year were 1.27°C cooler in preferred compared to non‐preferred boulder fields. In the coldest part of the year, immediately following the melting of persistent snow cover, the minimum temperatures at a depth of 1 m were 1.67°C warmer in preferred compared to non‐preferred boulder fields. On average, the snow duration was 27 days greater in the boulder fields preferred by B. parvus than in non‐preferred boulder fields. Our results emphasize the value of boulder field microhabitats as thermal refuges for small mammals in rocky habitats within alpine environments in the light of continuing habitat loss and climate change.
Natural killer cell subsets in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rodríguez-Martín E , Picón C , Costa-Frossard L , Alenda R , Sainz de la Maza S , Roldán E , Espiño M , Villar L M , Álvarez-Cermeño J C 
Published: January 2015

SummaryChanges in blood natural killer (NK) cells, important players of the immune innate system, have been described in multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied percentages and total cell counts of different effector and regulatory NK cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients and other neurological diseases to gain clearer knowledge of the role of these cells in neuroinflammation. NK cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry in CSF of 85 consecutive MS patients (33 with active disease and 52 with stable MS), 16 with other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (IND) and 17 with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND). MS patients showed a decrease in percentages of different CSF NK subpopulations compared to the NIND group. However, absolute cell counts showed a significant increase of all NK subsets in MS and IND patients, revealing that the decrease in percentages does not reflect a real reduction of these immune cells. Remarkably, MS patients showed a significant increase of regulatory/effector (CD56bright/CD56dim) NK ratio compared to IND and NIND groups. In addition, MS activity associated with an expansion of NK T cells. These data show that NK cell subsets do not increase uniformly in all inflammatory neurological disease and suggest strongly that regulatory CD56bright and NK T cells may arise in CSF of MS patients as an attempt to counteract the CNS immune activation characteristic of the disease.
Helping foster youth find a job: a random‐assignment evaluation of an employment assistance programme for emancipating youth
Authors: Zinn Andrew , Courtney Mark 
Published: January 2015

AbstractA primary task for youth aging out of foster care is finding and maintaining a job. In recognition of the challenges that foster youth face, employment assistance has become an important part of child welfare agencies' efforts to prepare youth for emancipation. The current study uses random assignment to evaluate the impact of an employment assistance programme for foster youth on the rate of employment, income and other self‐sufficiency outcomes among a group of adolescents in substitute care in Kern County, California. Data were collected via multi‐wave, in‐person interviews of 254 foster youth. At the second follow‐up interview, only two‐fifths of the sample report being employed. However, three‐quarters of the sample are either working or attending school, and a quarter reports both working and attending school. Nevertheless, significant minorities report experiencing financial hardships and receiving financial assistance. No statistically significant impacts of the evaluated programme are found on any measured employment or self‐sufficiency outcome. Implications for child welfare policy are discussed.
Comparing the Performance Status Scale and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory as swallowing outcome measures in head and neck cancer: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Khan M.K. , Patterson J. , Owen S. , Rees S. , Gamberini L. , Paleri V. ,   North of England Cancer Network Audit group
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between the two disease‐specific measures currently in use to assess swallowing outcomes following treatment in patients with head and neck cancer: the Performance Status Scale (PSS) and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI).DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingFour head and neck cancer multidisciplinary clinics in the North of England Cancer Network.Participants114 patients with cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract.Main outcome measureMeasures of swallowing function administered prospectively across 4 timepointsResultsSpearman's correlation coefficients were used to measure the relationship between the two scales. There was statistically significant correlation between the two tools at pre‐treatment (rs = 0.428, P < 0.000), 3 months post‐treatment (rs = 0.454, P < 0.002), 6 months post‐treatment (rs = 0.551, P < 0.000) and 12 months post‐treatment (rs = 0.680, P < 0.000).ConclusionThis is the first prospective study comparing the MDADI and PSS questionnaires at multiple time points. Our study shows that these different instruments have a good relationship in measuring swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer in short and medium term after treatment.
Thresholds of species loss in Amazonian deforestation frontier landscapes
Authors: Ochoa‐Quintero Jose Manuel , Gardner Toby A. , Rosa Isabel , de Barros Ferraz Silvio Frosini , Sutherland William J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn the Brazilian Amazon, private land accounts for the majority of remaining native vegetation. Understanding how land‐use change affects the composition and distribution of biodiversity in farmlands is critical for improving conservation strategies in the face of rapid agricultural expansion. Working across an area exceeding 3 million ha in the southwestern state of Rondônia, we assessed how the extent and configuration of remnant forest in replicate 10,000‐ha landscapes has affected the occurrence of a suite of Amazonian mammals and birds. In each of 31 landscapes, we used field sampling and semistructured interviews with landowners to determine the presence of 28 large and medium sized mammals and birds, as well as a further 7 understory birds. We then combined results of field surveys and interviews with a probabilistic model of deforestation. We found strong evidence for a threshold response of sampled biodiversity to landscape level forest cover; landscapes with <30–40% forest cover hosted markedly fewer species. Results from field surveys and interviews yielded similar thresholds. These results imply that in partially deforested landscapes many species are susceptible to extirpation following relatively small additional reductions in forest area. In the model of deforestation by 2030 the number of 10,000‐ha landscapes under a conservative threshold of 43% forest cover almost doubled, such that only 22% of landscapes would likely to be able to sustain at least 75% of the 35 focal species we sampled. Brazilian law requires rural property owners in the Amazon to retain 80% forest cover, although this is rarely achieved. Prioritizing efforts to ensure that entire landscapes, rather than individual farms, retain at least 50% forest cover may help safeguard native biodiversity in private forest reserves in the Amazon.Umbrales de Pérdida de Especies en los Paisajes Fronterizos de Deforestación en el Amazonas Ochoa‐Quintero
Response shift in severity assessment of hand eczema with visual analogue scales
Authors: Mollerup Annette , Johansen Jeanne D. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryBackgroundHand eczema is a common and fluctuating disease. Visual analogue scales (VASs) are used to assess disease severity, both currently and when at its worst. However, such patient‐reported outcomes may be at risk of being flawed owing to recall bias or response shifts.ObjectiveTo explore whether the current state of hand eczema severity affects the recollection of the eczema when at its worst, thus resulting in a response shift.MethodsWe utilized a dataset from a recent clinical trial examining nurse counselling of hand eczema patients. The patients assessed the disease severity currently (VASnow) and when at its worst (VASworst), both at baseline and at a 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsThe patients who reported improvement during the course were generally more likely to downwardly adjust their assessment of VASworst than patients reporting unchanged or worsened severity (odds ratio 1.94, p = 0.017). No other determinants were found.ConclusionPatients may downwardly adjust their assessment of worst‐ever disease severity according to the assessment of present disease severity. Regular photographic documentation of the hand eczema along with the patient's self‐monitoring of symptoms as part of the treatment course could perhaps counteract this tendency for there to be severity habituation.
Design and performance of combined infrared canopy and belowground warming in the B4WarmED (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) experiment
Authors: Rich Roy L. , Stefanski Artur , Montgomery Rebecca A. , Hobbie Sarah E. , Kimball Bruce A. , Reich Peter B. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractConducting manipulative climate change experiments in complex vegetation is challenging, given considerable temporal and spatial heterogeneity. One specific challenge involves warming of both plants and soils to depth. We describe the design and performance of an open‐air warming experiment called Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger (B4WarmED) that addresses the potential for projected climate warming to alter tree function, species composition, and ecosystem processes at the boreal‐temperate ecotone. The experiment includes two forested sites in northern Minnesota, USA, with plots in both open (recently clear‐cut) and closed canopy habitats, where seedlings of 11 tree species were planted into native ground vegetation. Treatments include three target levels of plant canopy and soil warming (ambient, +1.7 °C, +3.4 °C). Warming was achieved by independent feedback control of voltage input to aboveground infrared heaters and belowground buried resistance heating cables in each of 72‐7.0 m2 plots. The treatments emulated patterns of observed diurnal, seasonal, and annual temperatures but with superimposed warming. For the 2009 to 2011 field seasons, we achieved temperature elevations near our targets with growing season overall mean differences (∆Tbelow) of +1.84 °C and +3.66 °C at 10 cm soil depth and (∆Tabove) of +1.82 °C and +3.45 °C for the plant canopies. We also achieved measured soil warming to at least 1 m depth. Aboveground treatment stability and control were better during nighttime than daytime and in closed vs. open canopy sites in part due to calmer conditions. Heating efficacy in open canopy areas was reduced with increasing canopy complexity and size. Results of this study suggest the warming approach is scalable: it should work well in small‐statured vegetation such as grasslands, desert, agricultural crops, and tree saplings (<5 m tall).
Impact of serum glycosylated Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac‐2 binding protein levels on liver functional reserves and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Hanai Tatsunori , Shiraki Makoto , Ohnishi Sachiyo , Miyazaki Tsuneyuki , Ideta Takayasu , Kochi Takahiro , Imai Kenji , Suetsugu Atsushi , Takai Koji , Shimizu Masahito , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: January 2015

AimSerum glycosylated Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac‐2 binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) levels are a non‐invasive and reliable marker to assess the degree of liver fibrosis. We investigated the use of WFA+‐M2BP levels to predict mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).MethodsThis retrospective study consisted of 59 consecutive patients. Liver fibrosis was estimated by hyaluronic acid (HA), 7S fragment of type IV collagen (7S collagen), aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) and FIB‐4 index. The severity of liver disease was evaluated by Child–Pugh classification and the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for mortality, and the diagnostic accuracy of WFA+‐M2BP levels to predict mortality was examined using receiver–operator curves.ResultsSerum WFA+‐M2BP levels of Child–Pugh class A, B and C had cut‐off indexes (COI) of 2.90, 6.15 and 9.45, respectively. WFA+‐M2BP levels were positively correlated with HA, 7S collagen, APRI, FIB‐4 index, Child–Pugh class and MELD score. Multivariate analysis identified WFA+‐M2BP levels as an independent risk factor of mortality (hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.02–1.41, P = 0.03), and the optimal cutoff point to predict mortality was 5.0 COI. The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with WFA+‐M2BP levels 5.0 or more COI than in patients with WFA+‐M2BP of less than 5.0 COI (P = 0.002).ConclusionSerum WFA+‐M2BP levels were significantly correlated with both liver function reserves and liver fibrosis, and were independently associated with mortality in patients with LC.
Sleep and nighttime energy consumption in early childhood: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: McDonald L. , Wardle J. , Llewellyn C. H. , Johnson L. , van Jaarsveld C. H. M. , Syrad H. , Fisher A. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryBackgroundShorter sleep is a risk factor for weight gain in young children. Experimental studies show that sleep deprivation is associated with higher nighttime energy intake, but no studies have examined the patterning of energy intake in relation to nighttime sleep duration in young children.ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to test the hypothesis that shorter‐sleeping children would show higher nighttime energy intake and to examine whether the additional calories were from drinks, snacks or meals.MethodsParticipants were 1278 families from the Gemini twin cohort, using data from one child per family selected at random to avoid clustering effects. Nighttime sleep duration was measured at 16 months of age using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. Energy intake by time of day and eating episode (meal, snack, drink) were derived from 3‐day diet diaries completed when children were 21 months.ResultsConsistent with our hypothesis, shorter‐sleeping children consumed more calories at night only (linear trend P < 0.001), with those sleeping <10 h consuming on average 120 calories (15.2% of daily intake) more at night than those sleeping ≥13 h. The majority of nighttime intake was from milk drinks. Associations remained after adjusting for age, sex, birth weight, gestational age, maternal education, weight and daytime sleep.ConclusionsShorter‐sleeping, young children consume more calories, predominantly at night, and from milk drinks. Parents should be aware that providing milk drinks at night may contribute to excess intake. This provides a clear target for intervention that may help address associations between sleep and weight observed in later childhood.
Genetic Variation for Salinity Tolerance in Pakistani Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm
Authors: Sakina A. , Ahmed I. , Shahzad A. , Iqbal M. , Asif M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSoil salinity is one of the major production constraints. Development and planting of salt‐tolerant varieties can reduce yield losses due to salinity. We screened 185 rice genotypes at germination stage in petri dishes under control, 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress, and at seedling stage in Yoshida's hydroponic nutrient solution under control, 50 and 100 mm salt stress. At germination stage, 15 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Sonahri Kangni, 7421, 7423 and 7467, whereas at seedling stage, 28 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Jajai‐77, KSK‐133, KSK‐282, Fakhr‐e‐Malakand, Pakhal, IR‐6, Khushboo‐95, Shahkar and Shua‐92 were found salt tolerant. Basmati‐370, Mushkan, Homo‐46 and accessions 7436, 7437 and 7720 were sensitive to salinity at both germination and seedling stage. We further screened a subset of 33 salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive genotypes with SSR markers. Four SSR markers (RM19, RM171, RM172 and RM189) showed significant association with two or more of the studied traits under 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress. These markers may be further tested for their potential in marker‐assisted selection. The salt‐tolerant genotypes identified in this study may prove useful in the development of salt‐tolerant rice varieties in adapted genetic background.
Is Discrimination of 13C in Potato Leaflets and Tubers an Appropriate Trait to Describe Genotype Responses to Restrictive and Well‐Watered Conditions?
Authors: Ramírez D. A. , Rolando J. L. , Yactayo W. , Monneveux P. , Quiroz R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSelection for drought tolerance entails prioritizing plant traits that integrate critical physiological processes occurring during crop growth. Discrimination against 13C (∆) in leaflets (∆leaflet) and tubers (∆tuber) was compared under two water regimes in two potato‐improved varieties selected to maintain yield under drought conditions (Unica and Sarnav) and one drought susceptible European cultivar (Désirée). In the control treatment, soil water content was kept at field capacity over the whole growth cycle, while in the drought treatment water supply was restricted after tuber initiation (50 % of field capacity). Gas exchange and N content per unit leaf area (Narea) as well as ∆ were assessed at different stages. Sarnav showed the highest tuber yield in both water conditions, suggesting that yield in the water restriction treatment was largely driven by yield potential in this genotype. Higher stomatal conductance (gs) and Narea and lower ∆leaflet in well‐watered Sarnav suggested higher photosynthetic capacity. Under water restriction, Sarnav maintained higher gs indicating that carbon diffusion was a key factor for biomass accumulation under water restriction. Our results suggest the use of ∆ determined after tuber initiation as an indirect selection indicator for tuber yield under both well‐watered and restricted soil water availability conditions.
Glycinebetaine Improved Photosynthesis in Canola under Salt Stress: Evaluation of Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters as Potential Indicators
Authors: Athar H.‐u.‐R. , Zafar Z. U. , Ashraf M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSalinity is a widespread soil problem limiting productivity of oilseed crops worldwide. Reduction in growth generally associated with decline in photosynthesis. Accumulation of osmo‐protectants such as glycinebetaine (GB) permits the plant to cope with salt stress. This study was aimed to understand the mechanism by which exogenous GB application improves photosynthetic capacity and salt tolerance in two diverse lines of canola differing in salt tolerance using chlorophyll fluorescence technique. Glycinebetaine was applied as foliarly or through rooting medium to two canola lines Dunkeld and Cyclone that were grown under non‐saline or saline conditions. Root‐applied GB caused adverse effects whereas foliar application of GB was effective in improving growth of canola cultivars. However, the response of salt‐tolerant cultivar Dunkeld was stronger than that of salt sensitive Cyclone. Foliar application of GB improved accumulation of proline and plant water status. Application of GB enhanced the photosynthetic CO2 fixation, stomatal conductance (gs) and water‐use efficiency. The tolerant lines Dunkeld had more responsive to GB application. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements (Fo, Fm, Fv, Fo/Fm, Fv/Fo and Fv/Fm ratios) revealed that salt stress reduced energy trapping efficiency by damaging oxygen evolving complex, over reduction of QA resulting in occurrence of chronic photoinhibition. However, exogenous GB protected the oxygen evolving centre of PSII and maintains activity of PSII. Although root‐applied GB adversely affected the growth of canola plants, it did not have any adverse effect on PSII photochemistry. Moreover, fluorescence parameters could provide a rapid means for determining salt tolerance in canola and could be a rapid and sensitive test to identify genotypes highly tolerant to salt stress.