bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling cognitive affective biases in major depressive disorder using rodents
Authors: Hales Claire A , Stuart Sarah A , Anderson Michael H , Robinson Emma S J 
Published: January 2014

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects more than 10% of the population, although our understanding of the underlying aetiology of the disease and how antidepressant drugs act to remediate symptoms is limited. Major obstacles include the lack of availability of good animal models that replicate aspects of the phenotype and tests to assay depression‐like behaviour in non‐human species. To date, research in rodents has been dominated by two types of assays designed to test for depression‐like behaviour: behavioural despair tests, such as the forced swim test, and measures of anhedonia, such as the sucrose preference test. These tests have shown relatively good predictive validity in terms of antidepressant efficacy, but have limited translational validity. Recent developments in clinical research have revealed that cognitive affective biases (CABs) are a key feature of MDD. Through the development of neuropsychological tests to provide objective measures of CAB in humans, we have the opportunity to use ‘reverse translation’ to develop and evaluate whether similar methods are suitable for research into MDD using animals. The first example of this approach was reported in 2004 where rodents in a putative negative affective state were shown to exhibit pessimistic choices in a judgement bias task. Subsequent work in both judgement bias tests and a novel affective bias task suggest that these types of assay may provide translational methods for studying MDD using animals. This review considers recent work in this area and the pharmacological and translational validity of these new animal models of CABs.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Animal Models in Psychiatry Research. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-20
Socioeconomic factors and mortality in diastolic heart failure
Authors: Schockmel Matthieu , Agrinier Nelly , Jourdain Patrick , Alla François , Eicher Jean‐Christophe , Coulon Patrice , Druelle Justine , Mulak Geneviève , Danchin Nicolas , Thilly Nathalie , Juillière Yves ,   the ODIN cohort participants
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundMortality in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) has remained stable over recent decades. Few studies have explored prognostic characteristics specifically inHFPEF, and none of them has assessed the potential impact of socioeconomic factors. We aimed to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic factors on all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality inHFPEFpatients.Materials and methodsWe used data from the FrenchODINcohort. All patients with heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 45%, included inODINbetween July 2007 and July 2010, were eligible here. Socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, biological and therapeutic data were collected at inclusion. The endpoints were all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality between inclusion and 30 September 2011. The impact of patient socioeconomic characteristics on mortality was assessed using Cox regression models.ResultsOf 575HFPEFpatients considered, 58·6% were male; their mean age was 71·1 ± 13·5 years, and their meanLVEFwas 58·1 ± 8·5%. After adjustment for confounders, living alone and limitations on activities of daily living were associated with all‐cause mortality [HR = 1·77, 95%CI(1·11–2·81) and 2·61(1·35–5·03), respectively] and cardiovascular mortality [2·26 (1·24–4·10) and 3·16 (1·33–7·54), respectively]. Having a professional occupation was associated with a lower cardiovascular mortality only [0·37(0·15–0·94)].ConclusionsPoor social conditions impair survival in patients withHFPEF. These findings may shed new light on how best to detectHFPEFpatients with high health‐care needs.
Communication and professionalism skills of a new graduate: the expectations and experiences of dental foundation trainers
Authors: Gilmour A. S. M. , Jones R. J. , Cowpe J. G. , Bullock A. D. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to investigate dental foundation year 1 (DF1) trainers' expectations of the dental graduate specifically in relation to non‐clinical (professionalism and communication) skills and to explore whether these expectations were being met.MethodIn the UK, dental graduates undertake 1 year of foundation training prior to being permitted to undertake NHS practice. An online survey was distributed to DF1 trainers via all 11 English deaneries and the Northern Ireland deanery. Demographic information and a general view of trainers' expectations of a new trainee were collected. Specific questions relating to six generic trainee problems were followed by 11 ability statements where trainers indicated their expectation of a trainee's ability to perform the skill on a 5‐point scale (on own with confidence–unable to undertake). Statements were repeated and trainers were required to respond using the same scale in relation to experience of their current trainee.ResultsFive hundred and ten (53%) trainers completed the questionnaire with no missing data. Expectations were high with almost 50% of trainers expecting a new graduate to manage a full list of patients on their own. Experience of new graduates did not always match these expectations. Of concern was the ability to ‘keep accurate patient records’ and ‘self‐reflection and knowing when to seek help’, where a small proportion of trainers experienced difficulties.ConclusionsTrainers' expectation and experience in relation to non‐clinical skills of a new graduate were investigated. Although they had high expectations, the majority reported only minor problems overall. There were a few areas where concern was raised.
Cbln1 downregulates the formation and function of inhibitory synapses in mouse cerebellar Purkinje cells
Authors: Ito‐Ishida Aya , Kakegawa Wataru , Kohda Kazuhisa , Miura Eriko , Okabe Shigeo , Yuzaki Michisuke 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe formation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses must be tightly coordinated to establish functional neuronal circuitry during development. In the cerebellum, the formation of excitatory synapses between parallel fibers and Purkinje cells is strongly induced by Cbln1, which is released from parallel fibers and binds to the postsynaptic δ2 glutamate receptor (GluD2). However, Cbln1's role, if any, in inhibitory synapse formation has been unknown. Here, we show that Cbln1 downregulates the formation and function of inhibitory synapses between Purkinje cells and interneurons. Immunohistochemical analyses with an anti‐vesicular GABA transporter antibody revealed an increased density of interneuron–Purkinje cell synapses in the cbln1‐null cerebellum. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from Purkinje cells showed that both the amplitude and frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents were increased in cbln1‐null cerebellar slices. A 3‐h incubation with recombinant Cbln1 reversed the increased amplitude of inhibitory currents in Purkinje cells in acutely prepared cbln1‐null slices. Furthermore, an 8‐day incubation with recombinant Cbln1 reversed the increased interneuron–Purkinje cell synapse density in cultured cbln1‐null slices. In contrast, recombinant Cbln1 did not affect cerebellar slices from mice lacking both Cbln1 and GluD2. Finally, we found that tyrosine phosphorylation was upregulated in the cbln1‐null cerebellum, and acute inhibition of Src‐family kinases suppressed the increased inhibitory postsynaptic currents in cbln1‐null Purkinje cells. These findings indicate that Cbln1–GluD2 signaling inhibits the number and function of inhibitory synapses, and shifts the excitatory–inhibitory balance towards excitation in Purkinje cells. Cbln1's effect on inhibitory synaptic transmission is probably mediated by a tyrosine kinase pathway.
Ecological, historical and evolutionary determinants of modularity in weighted seed‐dispersal networks
Authors: Schleuning Matthias , Ingmann Lili , Strauß Rouven , Fritz Susanne A. , Dalsgaard Bo , Matthias Dehling D. , Plein Michaela , Saavedra Francisco , Sandel Brody , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Dormann Carsten F. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractModularity is a recurrent and important property of bipartite ecological networks. Although well‐resolved ecological networks describe interaction frequencies between species pairs, modularity of bipartite networks has been analysed only on the basis of binary presence–absence data. We employ a new algorithm to detect modularity in weighted bipartite networks in a global analysis of avian seed‐dispersal networks. We define roles of species, such as connector values, for weighted and binary networks and associate them with avian species traits and phylogeny. The weighted, but not binary, analysis identified a positive relationship between climatic seasonality and modularity, whereas past climate stability and phylogenetic signal were only weakly related to modularity. Connector values were associated with foraging behaviour and were phylogenetically conserved. The weighted modularity analysis demonstrates the dominating impact of ecological factors on the structure of seed‐dispersal networks, but also underscores the relevance of evolutionary history in shaping species roles in ecological communities.
Staged invasions across disparate grasslands: effects of seed provenance, consumers and disturbance on productivity and species richness
Authors: Maron John L. , Auge Harald , Pearson Dean E. , Korell Lotte , Hensen Isabell , Suding Katharine N. , Stein Claudia 
Published: January 2014

AbstractExotic plant invasions are thought to alter productivity and species richness, yet these patterns are typically correlative. Few studies have experimentally invaded sites and asked how addition of novel species influences ecosystem function and community structure and examined the role of competitors and/or consumers in mediating these patterns. We invaded disturbed and undisturbed subplots in and out of rodent exclosures with seeds of native or exotic species in grasslands in Montana, California and Germany. Seed addition enhanced aboveground biomass and species richness compared with no‐seeds‐added controls, with exotics having disproportionate effects on productivity compared with natives. Disturbance enhanced the effects of seed addition on productivity and species richness, whereas rodents reduced productivity, but only in Germany and California. Our results demonstrate that experimental introduction of novel species can alter ecosystem function and community structure, but that local filters such as competition and herbivory influence the magnitude of these impacts.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in pregnancy is associated with a vascular endothelial growth factor promoter genotype
Authors: Lunetta C. , Sansone V. A. , Penco S. , Mosca L. , Tarlarini C. , Avemaria F. , Maestri E. , Melazzini M. G. , Meola G. , Corbo M. 
Published: January 2014

Background and purposeThe occurrence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) during pregnancy is uncommon and the effect of one on the other is not well described.MethodsThe clinical and genetic features of five cases of ALS are reported with an onset during pregnancy or within 1 month from delivery. Charts from 239 women with a diagnosis of ALS attending the neuromuscular clinics at the Neuromuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) and at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato from 2008 to 2011 were reviewed.ResultsOf these, 12.8% of the women in child‐bearing age had a diagnosis of ALS during pregnancy or immediately after delivery. Genetic screening of the major causative genes revealed two mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene; the analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoter variation showed a segregation of the haplotype CA/AG (−2578C/A; −1190A/G) in patients developing ALS related to pregnancy. No effects on foetal development or neonatal course were observed.ConclusionsPregnancy may unmask ALS but whether this is coincidental is unclear. Hormonal and inflammatory modifications might trigger ALS in subjects with increased susceptibility to oxidative stress related to the toxic function of SOD1 or in subjects with a reduction of neuroprotective molecules such as VEGF.
Relapses in multiple sclerosis: effects of high‐dose steroids on cortical excitability
Authors: Ayache S. S. , Créange A. , Farhat W. H. , Zouari H. G. , Mylius V. , Ahdab R. , Abdellaoui M. , Lefaucheur J.‐P. 
Published: January 2014

Background and purposeHigh‐dose steroid administration is the usual treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse, but it remains to determine whether this treatment may act by changing the excitability of cortical circuitry.MethodsThe functional cortical effects of high‐dose steroids in 21 MS patients before and after 3 days of intravenous administration of methylprednisolone (1 g/day) for the treatment of MS relapse were studied. Investigations included various clinical scales [Kurtzke Functional System Scale (KFSS), Expanded Disability Status Scale and Fatigue Severity Scale, 10‐m walk] and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) tests of cortical excitability [resting motor threshold, recruitment curve of motor evoked potentials, short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) at various interstimuli intervals (ISIs), cortical silent period and interhemispheric inhibition].ResultsFollowing steroid administration, clinical improvement was significant for the KFSS pyramidal (motor) and total scores, whilst TMS showed a reduction of SICI (mean and maximum values) and an increase of ICF at 10 ms ISI.ConclusionsVery rapid functional changes in the excitability of cortical circuits involved in motor control can be induced by steroids, before any process of remyelination or axonal regeneration has time to occur. The net effect of steroids on the balance between intracortical GABAergic inhibition and glutamatergic facilitation was in favour of weaker inhibition or stronger facilitation, which could lead to improving the motor performance in MS patients.
Recurrent and fatal akinetic crisis in genetic‐mitochondrial parkinsonisms
Authors: Bonanni L. , Onofrj M. , Valente E. M. , Manzoli L. , De Angelis M. V. , Capasso M. , Thomas A. 
Published: January 2014

Background and purposeAkinetic crisis (AC) is the most severe and possibly lethal complication of parkinsonism. It occurs with an incidence of 3‰ Parkinson's disease patients per year, but it is not known whether genetically determined parkinsonism is more or less susceptible to this complication.MethodsIn a cohort of 756 parkinsonian patients the incidence and outcome of AC was prospectively assessed. A total of 142 of the parkinsonian patients were tested for genetic mutations because of familial parkinsonism, and 20 patients resulted positive: in four the mutation definitely involved mitochondrial functions (POLG1, PINK1), two presented with LRRK2 mutation, nine presented with GBA mutation and five presented with Park 4 different mutations.ResultsAkinetic crisis occurred in 30 patients for an incidence of 2.8‰ persons/year and was lethal in seven (23%), not dissimilarly from known incidences of this complication. Yet six of 30 patients were carriers of genetic mutations, one GBA, one LRRK2, one POLG1 and three PINK1. In POLG1 and PINK1 carriers, the syndrome was recurrent and was fatal in three. Incidence of AC was 3.0‰ in familiar parkinsonism, 21.2‰ in genetic parkinsonisms.ConclusionsOur preliminary findings suggest that the incidence of AC is remarkably increased in carriers of these genetic mutations.
Perceived Foreign Accent: Extended Stays Abroad, Level of Instruction, and Motivation
Authors: Martinsen Rob A. , Alvord Scott M. , Tanner Joshua 
Published: January 2014

AbstractStudies have examined various factors that affect pronunciation including phonetic context, style variation, first language transfer, and experience abroad. A plethora of research has also linked motivation to higher levels of proficiency in the second language. The present study uses native speaker ratings and multiple regression analysis to investigate the relationship between motivation, cultural sensitivity, and level of instruction with perceived foreign accent. Participants include adult learners of Spanish as a foreign language from several levels of formal instruction as well as students with extensive experience abroad. Data include a brief oral interview, a questionnaire, and the Intercultural Development Inventory to measure cultural sensitivity.
Lower limb gigantism, lymphedema, and painful varicosities following a thigh vascular access graft
Authors: Thompson Michael , Mathuram Thiyagarajan Umasankar , Akoh Jacob A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractProsthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) are associated with greater morbidity than autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), but their use is indicated when AVF formation is not possible. This report adds to the literature a case of lower limb gigantism, painful varicosities, and lymphedema following long‐term use of AVG in the upper thigh. The patient's past medical history included renal transplantation on the same side well before the AVG was inserted and right leg deep vein thrombosis. Suspicion of AVG thrombosis was excluded by Doppler ultrasound, which demonstrated an access flow of 1700 mL/min. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis did not identify the cause of her symptoms. Whereas functional incompetence of the iliac vein valve might be responsible for the varicosities, the extent of hypertrophy in this case raises the suspicion of lymphatic blockage possibly secondary to groin dissection undertaken at the time of graft insertion, in addition to the previous dissection at the time of transplantation. This case highlights the need for minimal groin dissection during AVG insertion, particularly in patients with a history of previous abdominopelvic surgery.
The level of C‐reactive protein in chronic hemodialysis patients: A comparative study between patients with noninfected catheters and arteriovenous fistula in two large Gulf hemodialysis centers
Authors: Sabry Alaa A. , Elshafey Eid M. , Alsaran Khalid , Shalaby Medhat , Alsherbeiny Sherrine , Abdelkader Mohamed 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHemodialysis (HD) patients have greater morbidity and mortality when they have a central venous catheter (CVC) rather than an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access. Inflammation associated with dialysis catheter use and resultant higher C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels could have an independent adverse effect on patient outcomes. In this prospective study, we investigated whether HD catheters induce inflammation independent of infection. We compared the mean levels of the inflammatory marker (CRP) in 67 patients on maintenance HD using noninfected catheters with 86 HD patients using AVFs at Prince Salman Center for Kidney Diseases, Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Jahra Hospital, Kuwait, who met our inclusion criteria. C‐reactive protein levels were measured every 2 months over a period of 6 months using immunoturbidimetric assay. One hundred fifty‐three patients on maintenance HD for more than 6 months were included in the study, with mean age of 52.19 ± 16.06 years; 66% were males and 34% were females. Serial levels of mean CRP were statistically and significantly higher in group with noninfected catheters (1.33, 1.24, and 1.10 mg/dL) compared to those with AVFs (0.65, 0.59, and 0.68 mg/dL) with P value of 0.000. In our study, we found no relation between CRP level and age, sex, hemoglobin, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and iPTH level in both groups. Hemodialysis patients with a catheter have a heightened state of inflammation independent of infection, and thus our study supports the avoidance of catheters and a timely conversion to AVFs with catheter removal.
The role of clinical pharmacists as perceived by Egyptian physicians
Authors: Sabry Nirmeen A , Farid Samar F 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Objectives
Clinical pharmacists play an important role in ensuring the safe and rational use of medicines; however, physicians in developing countries may not always recognize the wide scope of services that a pharmacist can provide to improve patient safety and achieve clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and experience of physicians regarding the role of the pharmacists, the pharmacists' ability to perform clinical services, their acceptance of new pharmacist roles and the extent of collaboration that can occur between the two disciplines.

Methods
In this cross-sectional survey, 583 randomly selected physicians from the Grand Cairo area were invited to complete a survey composed of 25 questions designed to determine their perceptions of the role of clinical pharmacists.

Key findings
The response rate was 53%. Of the 312 physicians who completed the questionnaire, 50.5% reported direct contact with the pharmacists using the pharmacist as a source of information about the name of the medication, side effects, drug interactions or efficacy as the main role. About one-third believed that pharmacists could be a reliable source of clinical information, identify clinically related problems or advise the physicians about medication's cost effectiveness. More than 80% agreed that physicians and clinical pharmacists should have daily cooperation, and face-to-face contact was selected to be the best method of communication.

Conclusion
Although a wide proportion of the physicians were aware of the clinical pharmacy principle, the service itself is not well promoted or applied. Greater effort needs to be directed towards increasing physicians' awareness and knowledge of the importance of clinical pharmacist and promote the benefit of the clinical pharmacy service.
THF1 mutations lead to increased basal and wound‐induced levels of oxylipins that stimulate anthocyanin biosynthesis via COI1 signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Gan Yi , Li Hong , Xie Ye , Wu Wenjuan , Li Maoyin , Wang Xuemin , Huang Jirong 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMutants defective in chloroplast development or photosynthesis are liable to accumulate higher levels of anthocyanin in photo‐oxidative stress. However, regulatory mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the mutants remain unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which the deletion of thylakoid formation1 (THF1) leads to an increased level of anthocyanin in Arabidopsis thaliana L. Physiological and genetic evidence showed that the increased level of anthocyanin in thf1 is dependent on coronatine‐insensitive1 (COI1) signaling. Our data showed that thf1 had higher levels of basal α‐linolenic acid (α‐LeA), and methyl jasmonate (JA)‐induced α‐LeA and 12‐oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) than the wild type (WT). Consistently, expression levels of phospholipase genes including pPLAIIα and PLA‐Iγ1 were elevated in thf1. Furthermore, inhibition of lipase activity by bromoenol lactone, a specific inhibitor of plant pPLA, led to producing identical levels of anthocyanins in WT and thf1 plants. Interestingly, OPDA biosynthesis was triggered by light illumination in isolated chloroplasts, indicating that new protein import into chloroplasts is not required for OPDA biosynthesis. Thus, we conclude that the elevated anthocyanin accumulation in thf1 is attributed to an increase in JA levels. This JA‐mediated signaling to coordinate plant metabolism and growth in stress may be conserved in other photosensitive mutants.