bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual risk factors for partner age discordance in adolescent girls and their male partners
Authors: Morrison‐Beedy Dianne , Xia Yinglin , Passmore Denise 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo investigate differences in sexual risk factors between adolescent girls reporting similar‐aged or older sex partners.BackgroundAdolescent girls are at significant risk of heterosexual‐acquired HIV infection and other long‐term reproductive health issues. Sexual partner age discordance in teen girls has been correlated with STIs, lack of protection, multiple partners and earlier age of sexual transition.DesignA descriptive study comparing girls currently involved with age‐discordant partners to those with similar‐aged partners. Two‐sample t‐test for continuous variables and chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables were used to compare groups.MethodsBaseline data from 738 sexually active, urban, adolescent girls aged 15–19 were analysed to determine which behaviours were more likely to occur in girls with older partners. Data were collected as part of a gender‐specific HIV‐prevention intervention in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) tailored to adolescent girls.ResultsMultiple reported sexual risk behaviours were found to significantly differ between the two groups at baseline. Overall, girls with older partners had more episodes of sexual instances (vaginal, anal and oral). Specific sexual risk behaviours were found to be statistically significant between the two groups. Girls with older partners started having sex at earlier ages, had more lifetime sexual partners, higher incidents of STIs and were reluctant to discuss using condoms with their partners. Girls with similar‐aged partners were less willing to engage in risky sexual behaviours.ConclusionsFindings from this investigation support data from other studies. Relationships with older male partners place adolescent girls at increased risk of HIV/STIs and unintended pregnancy.Relevance to clinical practiceAdolescent girls in age‐discordant relationships are at risk of immediate and long‐term sexual health morbidities. Identifying girls who are at increased risk by asking tailored questions will enable nurses to recommend appropriate diagnostics for this population and provide age‐specific counselling.
‘SI‐SRH’ – a new model to manage sexual health following a spinal cord injury: our experience
Authors: Hartshorn Carly , D'Castro Emma , Adams Jillian 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo maximise involvement of the multidisciplinary team using a model of sexual health management for spinal cord‐injured persons.BackgroundRegaining sexual function is a priority following spinal cord injury, with the majority of people remaining sexually active with a satisfying sex life. Nevertheless, rehabilitation programmes often focus on activities related to mobility and elimination, with sexual health relegated to a secondary under‐resourced position.DesignModel creation and audit of current and desired status to identify required education.MethodsA four‐tier model for sexual health management identified phases of management, increasing in complexity, from tier 1 to tier 4. The model was used to audit the current and desired status of the multidisciplinary team on a spinal injuries unit, identifying knowledge levels, barriers to involvement and education requirements.ResultsFifty‐nine questionnaires were completed (85%) by nurses and allied health professionals. Knowledge deficits and discomfort with the topic were the primary reasons prohibiting involvement with sexual health rehabilitation. Two thirds were willing to be involved with sexual health activities, mainly at an introductory level rather than providing education or problem‐solving. However, following relevant education, the level of involvement changed: 90% (n = 53) desired involvement at more complex levels, and 10% (n = 6) were unwilling to be involved.ConclusionsDeveloping the necessary skills and knowledge creates potential to increase the resources available to participate in sexual health rehabilitation following a spinal cord injury and ensure that it is a core rehabilitation activity.Relevance to clinical practiceThe progressive model portrayed discrete phases of sexual health management, which collectively portray the whole. Team members identified a level of involvement to compliment their skills and knowledge. The audit demonstrated that the primary barriers to involvement were not culture, language or attitude as hypothesised, but inadequate knowledge, addressable through education.
Assessment of the validity of a multigene analysis in the diagnostics of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Bjerrum J. T. , Nyberg C. , Olsen J. , Nielsen O. H. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe findings of a previous multigene study indicated that the expression of a panel of seven specific genes had strong differential power regarding inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) versus non‐IBD, as well as ulcerative colitis (UC) versus Crohn's disease (CD). This prospective confirmatory study based on an independent patient cohort from a national Danish IBD centre was conducted in an attempt to verify these earlier observations.Design, setting and participantsA total of 119 patients were included in the study (CD, UC and controls). Three mucosal biopsies were retrieved from the left side of the colon of each patient. RNA was extracted, and RT‐PCR was performed to retain expression profiles from the seven selected genes. Expression data from the training set (18 CD, 20 UC and 20 controls) were used to build a classification model, using quadratic discriminant analysis, and data from the test set (20 CD, 21 UC and 20 controls) were used to test the validity of the model.ResultsThe present investigation did not confirm the previous observation that a panel of seven specific genes is able to distinguish between patients with CD and UC, whereas the discriminative power for IBD versus control subjects was substantiated.ConclusionOur results fail to demonstrate that the previously identified seven‐gene classification model is able to discriminate between CD and UC but suggest that the gene panel merely discriminates between inflamed and noninflamed colonic tissue. Thus, a reliable and simple diagnostic tool is still warranted for optimal diagnosis and treatment of patients with IBD, especially the subgroup with unclassified disease.
Gender, Contraceptive Attitudes, and Condom Use in Adolescent Romantic Relationships: A Dyadic Approach
Authors: Vasilenko Sara A. , Kreager Derek A. , Lefkowitz Eva S. 
Published: November 2013

Although sexual risk behavior occurs in a dyadic context, most studies of adolescent sexual behavior focus on individuals. This study uses couple data (N = 488 couples) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine how partners' contraceptive attitudes correlate over time and whether male or female partners' attitudes are better predictors of condom use. Net of their own prior attitudes, partners' prior attitudes predicted both male and female adolescents' Wave 2 attitudes. This association was stronger for female than for male adolescents, suggesting that female attitudes were influenced more by males' prior attitudes than vice versa. When entered together, only male adolescents' attitudes predicted dyadic condom use. Findings suggest that male partners may have greater influence on adolescent contraceptive decisions and that prevention programs should emphasize the relational context of sexual behavior.
Risk and associated factors of pressure ulcers in hospitalized children over 1 year of age
Authors: Schlüer Anna‐Barbara , Schols Jos M. G. A. , Halfens Ruud J. G. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurposeThis study aimed to identify factors for the development of pressure ulcers (PU) in hospitalized patients between 1 and 18 years of age.Design and MethodsA multicenter, descriptive, cross‐sectional study in 13 hospitals was conducted in Switzerland.ResultsThe prevalence of PUs in this population of 204 children was 26.5%, with 83% category 1 PUs. A third of all PUs developed along external devices. Older children developed more PUs because of ineffective positioning and limited mobility.Practice ImplicationsIt is important to assess each child's activity, mobility, and the risk associated with the use of external devices.
The inhibition of hepatitis B virus by APOBEC cytidine deaminases
Authors: Janahi E. M. , McGarvey M. J. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryAPOBEC3 (A3) cytidine deaminases are a family of enzymes that have been shown to inhibit the replication of HIV‐1 and other retroviruses as part of the innate immune responses to virus infection. They can also hyperedit HBV DNA and inhibit HBV replication. Although A3 proteins are present at low levels in normal liver, A3 gene expression is highly stimulated by both interferon‐α and interferon‐γ. A3 deaminases are incorporated into nascent HBV capsids where they cleave amino groups from cytidine bases converting them to uracil in newly synthesized DNA following reverse transcription of pregenomic RNA. This modified HBV DNA is susceptible to degradation, or alternatively, numerous G‐to‐A nucleotide mutations are incorporated into positive‐strand viral DNA disrupting coding sequences. A3 proteins in which the cytidine deaminase activity has been lost can also inhibit HBV replication, suggesting that there may be more than one way in which inhibition can occur. There is also evidence that A3 proteins might play a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma during chronic HBV infection.
Change in β‐Catenin Localization Suggests Involvement of the Canonical Wnt Pathway in Boxer Dogs with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Oxford E.M. , Danko C.G. , Fox P.R , Kornreich B.G. , Moïse N.S. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited myocardial disease with high prevalence in the Boxer dog population. It is characterized by replacement of the myocardium with fatty or fibro‐fatty tissue. Several mechanisms for the development of ARVC have been suggested, including dysfunction of the canonical Wnt pathway, which is linked to many cellular functions, including growth and differentiation of adipocytes.HypothesisWnt pathway dysfunction is involved in the development of ARVC in the Boxer as evidenced by mislocalization of β‐catenin, an integral Wnt pathway modulator, and striatin, a known Wnt pathway component.AnimalsFive dogs without ARVC and 15 Boxers with ARVC were identified by 24‐hour Holter monitoring and histopathologic examination of the heart.MethodsRight ventricular samples were collected and examined using confocal microscopy, Western blots, and quantitative (q) PCR.ResultsConfocal microscopy indicated that β‐catenin localized at sites of cell‐to‐cell apposition, and striatin localized in a diffuse intracellular pattern in hearts without ARVC. In hearts affected with ARVC, both β‐catenin and striatin were colocalized with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker calreticulin. Western blots indentified a 50% increase in the amount of β‐catenin in ARVC samples. No change in β catenin mRNA was detected using qPCR.ConclusionsOur data suggest that trafficking of Wnt pathway proteins from the ER to their proper location within the cell is inhibited in Boxers with ARVC. These results suggest that disturbances in the Wnt pathway may play a role in the development of ARVC in the Boxer.
Relation of Vitamin D Status to Congestive Heart Failure and Cardiovascular Events in Dogs
Authors: Kraus M.S. , Rassnick K.M. , Wakshlag J.J. , Gelzer A.R.M. , Waxman A.S. , Struble A.M. , Refsal K. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundVitamin D plays a pivotal role in cardiac function, and there is increasing evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development of congestive heart failure (CHF) in people.HypothesisSerum vitamin D concentration is lower in dogs withCHFcompared with unaffected controls and serum vitamin D concentration is associated with clinical outcome in dogs withCHF.AnimalsEighty‐two client‐owned dogs.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we examined the association between circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], a measure of vitamin D status, andCHFin dogs. In the prospective cohort study, we examined whether 25(OH)D serum concentration was associated with clinical outcome in dogs withCHF.ResultsMean 25(OH)D concentration (100 ± 44 nmol/L) in 31 dogs withCHFwas significantly lower than that of 51 unaffected dogs (123 ± 42 nmol/L;P = .023). The mean calculated vitamin D intake per kg of metabolic body weight in dogs withCHFwas no different from that of unaffected dogs (1.37 ± 0.90 μg/kg metabolic body weight versus 0.98 ± 0.59 μg/kg body weight, respectively,P = .097). There was a significant association of serum 25(OH)D concentration on time to clinical manifestation ofCHFor sudden death (P = .02).Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceThese findings suggest that low concentrations of 25(OH)D may be a risk factor forCHFin dogs. Low serum 25(OH)D concentration was associated with poor outcome in dogs withCHF. Strategies to improve vitamin D status in some dogs withCHFmay prove beneficial without causing toxicity.
Focal Intestinal Lipogranulomatous Lymphangitis in 6 Dogs (2008–2011)
Authors: Watson V.E. , Hobday M.M. , Durham A.C. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundLipogranulomatous lymphangitis is inflammation of the intestinal lymphatic vessels and surrounding tissues caused by chronic leakage of lipid‐laden chyle. Grossly, lipogranulomas are typically disseminated small masses on the serosa and surrounding lymphatic vessels and consist of epithelioid macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and cholesterol. Lipogranulomatous lymphangitis is occasionally seen in patients with lymphangiectasia and protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE).ObjectivesTo characterize the historical features, clinical signs, treatment, histopathology, and outcome of dogs with focal lipogranulomatous lymphangitis.AnimalsSix dogs with ultrasonographic evidence of focal, regional small intestinal masses, often with involvement of the adjacent mesentery, and a diagnosis of focal lipogranulomatous lymphangitis based on histopathology of biopsied masses.ResultsThe median age of dogs was 6.9 years (range 3–10 years). All dogs had total protein, globulin, and albumin concentrations within the reference range at initial presentation and had intestinal masses identified on abdominal ultrasound examination. Histopathologic evaluation of lesions identified severe mural and mesenteric lipogranulomatous lymphangitis. Lymphangiectasia was noted in 5 cases and only in sections within the mass‐like lesion; tissue without lipogranulomas had minimal lymphangiectasia, suggesting a localized phenomenon. Postoperative outcomes ranged from remission of clinical signs with no subsequent treatment for 10–12 months in 2 dogs, postoperative management with medical and nutritional management in 3 dogs, and no outcome for 1 case.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis case series describes a unique mass‐like manifestation of intestinal lipogranulomatous lymphangitis and should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in dogs with an intestinal mass.
The detectability half‐life in arthropod predator–prey research: what it is, why we need it, how to measure it, and how to use it
Authors: Greenstone Matthew H. , Payton Mark E. , Weber Donald C. , Simmons Alvin M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMolecular gut‐content analysis enables detection of arthropod predation with minimal disruption of ecosystem processes. Most assays produce only qualitative results, with each predator testing either positive or negative for target prey remains. Nevertheless, they have yielded important insights into community processes. For example, they have confirmed the long‐hypothesized role of generalist predators in retarding early‐season build‐up of pest populations prior to the arrival of more specialized predators and parasitoids and documented the ubiquity of secondary and intraguild predation. However, raw qualitative gut‐content data cannot be used to assess the relative impact of different predator taxa on prey population dynamics: they must first be weighted by the relative detectability periods for molecular prey remains for each predator–prey combination. If this is not carried out, interpretations of predator impact will be biased towards those with the longest detectabilities. We review the challenges in determining detectability half‐lives, including unstated assumptions that have often been ignored in the performance of feeding trials. We also show how detectability half‐lives can be used to properly weight assay data to rank predators by their importance in prey population suppression, and how sets of half‐lives can be used to test hypotheses concerning predator ecology and physiology. We use data from 32 publications, comprising 97 half‐lives, to generate and test hypotheses on taxonomic differences in detectability half‐lives and discuss the possible role of the detectability half‐life in interpreting qPCR and next‐generation sequencing data.
Biological and molecular events associated with simultaneous transmission of plant viruses by invertebrate and fungal vectors
Authors: Syller Jerzy 
Published: November 2013

SummaryViruses are likely to be the most dangerous parasites of living organisms because of their widespread occurrence, possible deleterious effects on their hosts and high rates of evolution. Virus host‐to‐host transmission is a critical step in the virus life cycle, because it enables survival in a given environment and efficient dissemination. As hosts of plant viruses are not mobile, these pathogens have adopted diverse transmission strategies involving various vector organisms, mainly arthropods, nematodes, fungi and protists. In nature, plants are often infected with more than one virus at a time, thereby creating potential sources for vectors to acquire and transmit simultaneously two or more viruses. Simultaneous transmission can result in multiple infections of new host plants, which become subsequent potential sources of the viruses, thus enhancing the spread of the diseases caused by these pathogens. Moreover, it can contribute to the maintenance of viral genetic diversity in the host communities. However, despite its possible significance, the problem of the simultaneous transmission of plant viruses by vectors has not been investigated in detail. In this review, the current knowledge on multiple viral transmissions by aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, planthoppers, nematodes and fungi is outlined.
Larval salinity tolerance of two members of the Anopheles funestus group
Authors: KOEKEMOER L. L. , WANIWA K. , BROOKE B. D. , NKOSI G. , MABUZA A. , COETZEE M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe Anopheles funestus group (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the main species groups involved in malaria transmission in the Afrotropical regions. Basic research into this group has been limited because its members are eurygamic (they tend not to mate in confined spaces), which makes laboratory colonization difficult. Currently, only a few An. funestus Giles colonies are available and no colonies of other members of the group have been established. As information on the larval biology of members of the An. funestus group is limited, the present study aims to determine the effects of different salt concentrations on survival rates of the aquatic stages of two members of the An. funestus group, Anopheles funestus and Anopheles rivulorum Leeson. There were statistically significant negative trends in hatch rate and larval survival rate in An. funestus with increasing salt concentrations, with no larvae surviving to pupae at concentrations that included > 15% seawater. Anopheles rivulorum, by contrast, showed no significant trends in hatch rate or larval survival with increasing salt concentrations. This is the first report on salinity tolerance in An. rivulorum. A basic understanding of these variations in salinity tolerance provides vital information on the biology, ecology and colony rearing of members of the An. funestus group.
The nutritional value of potatoes and potato products in theUKdiet
Authors: Gibson S. , Kurilich A. C. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryTotal potato consumption has been declining slowly in theUKat a rate of about 1–2% per year, in tandem with an increase in consumption of other starchy staples such as pasta and rice. Consumers and even health professionals often have a negative perception of potatoes and of chips in particular. We have evaluated the nutritional contribution of potatoes and potato products to the British diet by a secondary analysis of four‐day dietary records from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008–2011, and distinguished between consumption of fried chips and oven chips. We also calculated portion sizes of six different types of potato dishes [oven chips, fried chips, boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes and jacket (baked) potatoes].Over 92% of respondents consumed potatoes during the four‐day survey, 27% consumed oven chips and 41% consumed fried chips. Potatoes (including chips) contributed 7% of total energy, but greater proportions of potassium and vitaminB6(15%), vitaminC(14%), fibre (13%), folate (10%) and magnesium (9%). On the other hand, they contributed only 4% of saturated fatty acids.Per capitaconsumption of potatoes averaged 85 g/day, of which, fried chips contributed 20 g/day and oven chips 10 g/day. For fried chips, mean portion size per occasion was 149 g among adults, 138 g among teenagers and 94 g among 4‐ to 10‐year‐olds, while portion sizes for oven chips were slightly smaller.Potatoes can increase the nutrient density of the diet by providing a relatively high micronutrient contribution, compared with energy content, while delivering only modest amounts of saturated fatty acid and sodium. Reformulation to removetransfatty acids and reduce saturated fatty acid and salt has improved the nutritional profile of some potato products. Still, there may be scope in catering establishments to offer smaller portions, thicker chips and more oven‐baked potato products. Nutritionally, potatoes and potato products should be seen as a white vegetable, whose consumption should be encouraged alongside other, coloured, vegetables.
Placental HIV transmission and vitamin D: Nutritional and immunological implications
Authors: Fitchett J. R. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryVitamin D is a well‐known immunomodulator. The relationship between vitamin D status and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has attracted attention in recent literature. Evidence suggests there may be increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in HIV‐infected children compared with HIV sero‐negative counterparts. One study has linked increased mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV, child mortality and adverse perinatal outcomes to vitamin D deficiency. This article provides a brief introduction into the emerging information surrounding the role of vitamin D and the placenta on mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV.