bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Homocysteine‐Lowering B‐Vitamins in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Debreceni Balazs , Debreceni Laszlo 
Published: February 2014

SummaryCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the Western world. The effort of research should aim at the primary prevention of CVD. Alongside statin therapy, which is maintained to be an effective method of CVD prevention, there are alternative methods such as vitamin B substitution therapy with folic acid (FA), and vitamins B12 and B6. B‐vitamins may inhibit atherogenesis by decreasing the plasma level of homocysteine (Hcy)—a suspected etiological factor for atherosclerosis—and by other mechanisms, primarily through their antioxidant properties. Although Hcy‐lowering vitamin trials have failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of B‐vitamins in the prevention of CVD, a meta‐analysis and stratification of a number of large vitamin trials have suggested their effectiveness in cardiovascular prevention (CVP) in some aspects. Furthermore, interpretation of the results from these large vitamin trials has been troubled by statin/aspirin therapy, which was applied along with the vitamin substitution, and FA fortification, both of which obscured the separate effects of vitamins in CVP. Recent research results have accentuated a new approach to vitamin therapy for CVP. Studies undertaken with the aim of primary prevention have shown that vitamin B substitution may be effective in the primary prevention of CVD and may also be an option in the secondary prevention of disease if statin therapy is accompanied by serious adverse effects. Further investigations are needed to determine the validity of vitamin substitution therapy before its introduction in the protocol of CVD prevention.
Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction: An Intervention to Enhance the Effectiveness of Nurses' Coping With Work‐Related Stress
Authors: Smith Sarah A. 
Published: February 2014

PurposeThis critical literature review explored the current state of the science regarding mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) as a potential intervention to improve the ability of nurses to effectively cope with stress.MethodsLiterature sources include searches from EBSCOhost, Gale PowerSearch, ProQuest, PubMed Medline, Google Scholar, Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, and reference lists from relevant articles.FindingsEmpirical evidence regarding utilizing MBSR with nurses and other healthcare professionals suggests several positive benefits including decreased stress, burnout, and anxiety; and increased empathy, focus, and mood.ConclusionsNurse use of MBSR may be a key intervention to help improve nurses' ability to cope with stress and ultimately improve the quality of patient care provided.
Bipolar or borderline: a clinical overview
Authors: Ghaemi S. N. , Dalley S. , Catania C. , Barroilhet S. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the empirical literature on diagnostic validators in borderline personality and bipolar illness.MethodUsing principles of evidence‐based medicine, the highest levels of evidence were emphasized in interpretation of similarities or differences between bipolar illness and borderline personality on the five standard diagnostic validators in psychiatric nosology: symptoms, course, genetics, treatment response, and neurobiology.ResultsBipolar illness and borderline personality were found to be similar in the nosological validator of symptoms of mood lability and impulsivity, but differed notably on all other diagnostic validators, especially the course validator of past sexual abuse and the genetic validator of a bipolar family history. They also differ notably in the symptom validator of parasuicidal self‐harm. Treatment response and neurobiological differences were also present and consistent.ConclusionThis review of the literature indicates that these two conditions, bipolar illness and borderline personality, are different and can be distinguished. The much stronger biological and genetic evidence for bipolar illness in particular suggests that the two conditions can be reasonably seen as different kinds of clinical entities, namely a biological disease versus a psychosocially caused clinical picture. If this interpretation is correct, similarities between the two conditions, such as mood lability and impulsivity, are superficial, while differences are profound. Further, true comorbidity may be much less common than often presumed.
Obsessive–compulsive symptoms in at‐risk mental states for psychosis: associations with clinical impairment and cognitive function
Authors: Zink M. , Schirmbeck F. , Rausch F. , Eifler S. , Elkin H. , Solojenkina X. , Englisch S. , Wagner M. , Maier W. , Lautenschlager M. , Heinz A. , Gudlowski Y. , Janssen B. , Gaebel W. , Michel T. M. , Schneider F. , Lambert M. , Naber D. , Juckel G. , Krueger‐Oezguerdal S. , Wobrock T. , Hasan A. , Riedel M. , Müller H. , Klosterkötter J. , Bechdolf A. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveObsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) constitute a major comorbidity in schizophrenia. Prevalence estimations of OCS for patients with at‐risk mental states (ARMS) for psychosis vary largely. It is unclear how ARMS patients with or without comorbid OCS differ regarding general psychosocial functioning, psychotic and affective symptoms and neurocognitive abilities.MethodAt‐risk mental states patients (n = 233) from the interventional trial PREVENT (Secondary Prevention of Schizophrenia) were stratified according to the presence or absence of comorbid OCS and compared on several clinical variables.ResultsPatients, who fulfilled the criteria for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) or presented with subclinical OCS (ARMSposOCS sample), did not significantly differ from patients without OCS (ARMSnegOCS) with regard to gender, age, premorbid verbal intelligence and levels of education. Furthermore, similar severity of depressive syndromes, basic cognitive, attenuated psychotic and brief limited intermittent psychotic symptoms were found. However, ARMSposOCS patients showed more impairment of psychosocial functioning and higher general psychopathology. In contrast, they scored higher in cognitive tasks measuring working memory and immediate verbal memory.ConclusionFindings extend upon previous results due to the multidimensional assessment. Subsequent longitudinal studies might elucidate how comorbid OCS influence differential treatment response, especially to cognitive behavioural interventions and the transition rates to psychosis.
Connecting endangered brown bear subpopulations in the Cantabrian Range (north‐western Spain)
Authors: Mateo‐Sánchez M. C. , Cushman S. A. , Saura S. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe viability of many species depends on functional connectivity of their populations through dispersal across broad landscapes. This is particularly the case for the endangered brown bear in north‐western Spain, with a total population of about 200 individuals in two subpopulations that are separated by a wide gap with low permeability. Our goal in this paper is to use state‐of‐the‐art connectivity modeling approaches to provide detailed and quantitative guidance for conservation planning efforts aimed at improving landscape permeability for brown bears in Spain, with a particular focus on alleviating the barrier effect of transportation infrastructure. We predicted a regional connectivity network for brown bear by combining a multiscale habitat suitability model with factorial least‐cost path density analysis. We found that the current composition and configuration of the landscape considerably constrain brown bear movements, creating a narrow bottleneck that limits flow of individuals between the two subpopulations. We identified key locations along the predicted corridors where efforts to increase road and railway permeability should be prioritized. The results provide a foundation for the development of spatially optimal management strategies to enhance connectivity within and between the subpopulations and to mitigate the impact of potential barriers to movement.
Mycosis fungoides: An important differential diagnosis for acquired palmoplantar keratoderma
Authors: Kim Janet , Foster Rachael , Lam Minh , Kumarasinghe Sujith Prasad 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMycosis fungoides is the most common subtype of primary cutaneous lymphoma and has several clinical variants. We report a 74‐year‐old man presenting with an acquired palmoplantar keratoderma initially diagnosed and treated as psoriasis with suboptimal improvement. Several months later the patient developed patches and plaques that were histologically consistent with mycosis fungoides. These lesions were ameliorated with the treatment of the underlying mycosis fungoides and the palmoplantar keratoderma resolved promptly with radiotherapy. This case highlights the importance of considering mycosis fungoides as an infrequent but serious cause of acquired palmoplantar keratoderma.
Positive magnetic resonance imaging findings in the asymptomatic wrist
Authors: Couzens Greg , Daunt Nick , Crawford Ross , Ross Mark 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being increasingly utilized to define pathology and guide treatment in patients presenting with wrist pain. The clinical relevance of MRI identified or confirmed pathology has not been established, and the prevalence of asymptomatic MRI pathology is not known.MethodsTwenty volunteers with no previous wrist injury or symptoms underwent bilateral MRI wrist studies in this exploratory diagnostic study. The scans were reported by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist and an experienced wrist surgeon, with a consensus reached on each report.ResultsThere were 3.15 positive MRI findings per wrist. There were 126 positive findings (range 1–6 per wrist). Sixty‐eight ganglia were identified. Eleven ligament tears or perforations were also identified. Increased joint fluid was seen at many sites, most frequently adjacent to the piso‐triquetral joint.ConclusionThe accuracy of MRI in identifying triangular fibrocartilage complex tears, intercarpal ligament tears and carpal bone osteonecrosis is rapidly being refined. Positive MRI findings are common and may be coincidental in patients with wrist pain. MRI findings need to be correlated closely with clinical examination and history.
Human chorionic gonadotropin, angiogenic factors, and preeclampsia risk: a nested case–control study
Authors: Åsvold Bjørn O. , Eskild Anne , Vatten Lars J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo study whether human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations during pregnancy or combinations of human chorionic gonadotropin and other angiogenic factors, soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 and placental growth factor (PlGF), are associated with preeclampsia risk.DesignNested case–control study.SettingPopulation cohort of pregnant women.SampleA total of 121 cases of preterm (<37 weeks) and 158 cases of term preeclampsia (≥37 weeks of gestation) and 356 women without preeclampsia (controls).MethodsWomen with preeclampsia were identified by linkage to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin, soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 and PlGF were measured in maternal serum samples collected in each trimester of pregnancy.Main outcome measuresOdds ratios of preterm and term preeclampsia.ResultsHigh human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations (highest quartile) in the first trimester were associated with reduced risk for preterm preeclampsia (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.9), compared with low human chorionic gonadotropin (lowest quartile), whereas high human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations in the second trimester were associated with increased risk for preterm preeclampsia (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.8–8.9). High human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations in the third trimester were associated with increased risk for term preeclampsia (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.8–13.3). Concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin above the median value combined with PlGF below the median in the second trimester were associated with very high risk for preterm preeclampsia (OR 36.9, 95% CI 8.2–165.8).ConclusionsThe results suggest an important role of human chorionic gonadotropin in the pathophysiological processes that lead to preeclampsia. The combined association of human chorionic gonadotropin and PlGF indicates a possible synergism between underlying biological pathways.
Interaction of rumen bacteria as assumed by colonization patterns on untreated and alkali‐treated rice straw
Authors: Koike Satoshi , Yabuki Hiroyoshi , Kobayashi Yasuo 
Published: February 2014

AbstractColonization patterns of representative rumen bacteria were compared between untreated rice straw (UTS) and sodium hydroxide‐treated rice straw (SHTS). UTS and SHTS were incubated in the rumen of sheep for 10 min, 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h using the nylon bag method. The population sizes of 13 representative bacterial species or groups were quantified by real‐time PCR. The total bacterial population size (abundance) was similar in both UTS and SHTS. Fibrobacter succinogenes showed a higher population size compared to other fibrolytic species and was detected at a higher level in SHTS (3.7%) than in UTS (2.6%). Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens were also detected at higher levels in SHTS (0.15% and 0.29%) than in UTS (0.03% and 0.18%). Population sizes of non‐fibrolytic species, such as Selenomonas ruminantium, Anaerovibrio lipolytica and Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens were higher in UTS than in SHTS. Coefficient of determination (r2) on population changes between bacterial species or groups were higher in UTS than in SHTS, suggesting the necessity of stronger bacterial interactions for UTS digestion. Therefore, not only colonization of fibrolytic species, but also synergistic interactions between different bacterial species may be key to the ruminal digestion of rice straw.
High‐sensitivity detection of short‐chain fatty acids in porcine ileal, cecal, portal and abdominal blood by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Tsukahara Takamitsu , Matsukawa Noriko , Tomonaga Shozo , Inoue Ryo , Ushida Kazunari , Ochiai Kuniyasu 
Published: February 2014

AbstractShort‐chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetate, propionate and n‐butyrate, are the main end‐products of fermentation in the large intestine. SCFA are rapidly absorbed from the large intestinal mucosa to provide energy to the host. In this study, high‐sensitivity detection of SCFA was demonstrated in blood using the gas chromatometry with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Few studies have measured SCFA in porcine blood. Therefore, SCFA concentrations in the ileal (IV), cecal (CV), portal (PV) and abdominal (AV) vein blood, urine (Ur) and saliva (Sa) were measured by GC‐MS. All body fluids were collected from four 5‐month‐old pigs. Cecal (CD) and ileal (ID) digesta, and cecal (CM) and ileal (IM) mucosa were also collected and their corresponding SCFA concentrations were measured using ion‐exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography. GC‐MS analyses were successful to determine the SCFA concentrations in the porcine body fluids. n‐Butyrate concentration was surprisingly high in CV and its proportion remained higher in CV than that in CD and CM. Acetate showed a constantly high proportion in all porcine body fluids. Propionate was detected at a relatively high proportion in CV, IV and PV, but was low in AV.
Stratified doubly robust estimators for the average causal effect
Authors: Hattori Satoshi , Henmi Masayuki 
Published: February 2014

SummarySuppose we are interested in estimating the average causal effect from an observational study. A doubly robust estimator, which is a hybrid of the outcome regression and propensity score weighting, is more robust than estimators obtained by either of them in the sense that, if at least one of the two models holds, the doubly robust estimator is consistent. However, a doubly robust estimator may still suffer from model misspecification since it is not consistent if neither of them is correctly specified. In this article, we propose an alternative estimator, called the stratified doubly robust estimator, by further combining propensity score stratification with outcome regression and propensity score weighting. This estimator allows two candidate models for the propensity score and is more robust than existing doubly robust estimators in the sense that it is consistent either if the outcome regression holds or if one of the two models for the propensity score holds. Asymptotic properties are examined and finite sample performance of the proposed estimator is investigated by simulation studies. Our proposed method is illustrated with the Tone study, which is a community survey conducted in Japan.
Outcome of overt stroke in sickle cell anaemia, a single institution's experience
Authors: Majumdar Suvankar , Miller Morgan , Khan Majid , Gordon Catherine , Forsythe Amy , Smith Mary G. , Megason Gail , Iyer Rathi 
Published: February 2014

SummaryStroke is a traumatic complication in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) that is associated with significant morbidity and a risk of recurrent overt stroke of 2·2–6·4 events per 100 patient‐years. A retrospective study was performed on all paediatric SCA patients diagnosed with a history of overt stroke between 1997 and 2010. A total of 31 children with SCA had new onset overt stroke. The mean age of the active patients (n = 27) was 17·9 years (range 6·8–27·6 years) with a total period of observation of 305 patient‐years. Twenty‐two of 27 (81%) were receiving long term red blood cell transfusions and 16 (59%) were taking the anti‐platelet agent, aspirin, since diagnosis of the stroke. Two of 27 (7%) patients had a second overt stroke with an overall risk of recurrent stroke of 0·66/100 patient‐years (one stroke was ischaemic and the other haemorrhagic). In patients taking aspirin with 180 patient‐years of follow up, the recurrence rate of haemorrhagic stroke was 0·58/100 patient‐years. We have an excellent outcome for overt stroke in paediatric SCA patients with a low rate of recurrent stroke. Further studies are needed to determine the risk‐benefit ratio of aspirin therapy in the prevention of recurrent stroke in paediatric SCA.
Integrin β3 mediates cerebrovascular remodelling through Src/ClC‐3 volume‐regulated Cl− channel signalling pathway
Authors: Zeng Jia‐Wei , Wang Xiao‐Guang , Ma Ming‐Ming , Lv Xiao‐Fei , Liu Jie , Zhou Jia‐Guo , Guan Yong‐Yuan 
Published: February 2014

Background and PurposeCerebrovascular remodelling is one of the important risk factors of stroke. The underlying mechanisms are unclear. Integrin β3 and volume‐regulated ClC‐3 Cl− channels have recently been implicated as important contributors to vascular cell proliferation. Therefore, we investigated the role of integrin β3 in cerebrovascular remodelling and related Cl− signalling pathway.Experimental ApproachCl− currents were recorded using a patch clamp technique. The expression of integrin β3 in hypertensive animals was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemisty. Immunoprecipitation, cDNA and siRNA transfection were employed to investigate the integrin β3/Src/ClC‐3 signalling.Key ResultsIntegrin β3 expression was up‐regulated in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, 2‐kidney 2‐clip hypertensive rats and angiotensin II‐infused hypertensive mice. Integrin β3 expression was positively correlated with medial cross‐sectional area and ClC‐3 expression in the basilar artery of 2‐kidney 2‐clip hypertensive rats. Knockdown of integrin β3 inhibited the proliferation of rat basilar vascular smooth muscle cells induced by angiotensin II. Co‐immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence experiments revealed a physical interaction between integrin β3, Src and ClC‐3 protein. The integrin β3/Src/ClC‐3 signalling pathway was shown to be involved in the activation of volume‐regulated chloride channels induced by both hypo‐osmotic stress and angiotensin II. Tyrosine 284 within a concensus Src phosphorylation site was the key point for ClC‐3 channel activation. ClC‐3 knockout significantly attenuated angiotensin II‐induced cerebrovascular remodelling.Conclusions and ImplicationsIntegrin β3 mediates cerebrovascular remodelling during hypertension via Src/ClC‐3 signalling pathway.
Effects of a new advanced glycation inhibitor, LR‐90, on mitigating arterial stiffening and improving arterial elasticity and compliance in a diabetic rat model: aortic impedance analysis
Authors: Satheesan S , Figarola J L , Dabbs T , Rahbar S , Ermel R 
Published: February 2014

Background and PurposeWe determined the effects of treatment with LR‐90, an inhibitor of advanced glycation end products, on the mechanical properties of the arterial system in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats, using aortic impedance analysis, and further investigated the effects of LR‐90 on the progression of aortic pathology.Experimental ApproachSTZ‐induced diabetic rats were treated with or without LR‐90 (50 mg L‐1 in drinking water) for 8 weeks and compared with control groups. Arterial BP measurements, various metabolic parameters, aortic histopathology, collagen cross‐linking, AGE accumulation, and RAGE protein expression in aortic tissue were determined. Pulsatile parameters were evaluated using a standard Fourier series expansion technique and impulse response function of the filtered aortic input impedance spectra.Key ResultsLR‐90 reduced glycated haemoglobin and triglycerides levels, although it had no effect on the glycaemic status. LR‐90 did not affect arterial BP, but prevented the diabetes‐induced increase in peripheral resistance and variations in aortic distensibility, as it reduced aortic characteristic impedance by 21%. LR‐90 also prevented the elevation in wave reflection factor, as indicated by a 22.5% reduction and an associated increase of 23.5% in wave transit time, suggesting it prevents the augmentation of the systolic load of the left ventricle. Moreover, LR‐90 inhibited collagen cross‐linking and the accumulation of AGE and RAGE in the vasculature of diabetic rats.Conclusions and ImplicationsTreatment with LR‐90 may impart significant protection against diabetes‐induced aortic stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy and provides an additional therapeutic option for treatment of AGE associated diabetic complications.