bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison study on mental health status between suicide survivors and survivors of accidental deaths in rural China
Authors: Xu G. , Li N. 
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary
There has been ongoing debate regarding the bereavement process of suicide survivors and whether it differs with that of survivors of other types of deaths.
No significant differences were found on mental health status between suicide survivors and survivors of those who have died from accidental death.
Culture might play an important role in this lack of differences.
AbstractSuicide has become a major public health problem worldwide. For every suicide there are six suicide survivors, a term referring to family members or friends of a person who has died by suicide. Within the literature there has been ongoing debate regarding the bereavement process and if it differs in survivors of suicide as opposed to survivors of those who have died from accidental death. There are scarcely any published reports on comparison between these two groups of survivors in China. In this study, we aimed to explore the difference of mental health status between suicide survivors and survivors of accidental deaths in China. We used a cross‐sectional study design to collect data of survivors. Consecutive sampling was used and 92 suicide survivors and 64 survivors of accidental deaths were interviewed. The Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised was used to assess the survivors' mental health status. After controlling for demographic variables and time interval between death and interview, no significant differences were found on mental health status between these two groups of survivors. Several explanations might account for the lack of differences. Further studies employing qualitative measures and suicide‐specific instruments are needed to explore the bereavement of Chinese suicide survivors.
Practitioners' experiences of working with families with complex needs
Authors: Reupert A. , Maybery D. 
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary
While there is emerging evidence for family sensitive practice, few practitioners employ this approach.
Over 2 years, practitioners were invited to identify the problems and the successful strategies experienced when working with families where a parent, with dependent children, has a substance and/or mental illness disorder.
Problems were found related to working with multiple agencies, multiple family problems and high staff turnover.
Practitioners found several strategies to be effective; working in a strength‐based manner, establishing clearly defined and negotiated goals, and balancing the sometimes competing needs of children and parents.
AbstractEven though employing a family‐sensitive approach has been shown to be beneficial for parents and children, there is sporadic uptake of this approach. This paper focuses on practitioners' perspectives when working with families where a parent, with dependent children, has a mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. The aim of this research is twofold: (1) identify the issues practitioners face when working with families with complex needs; and (2) present the strategies they find to be effective in addressing family needs. Within the context of an organization that supported a family‐sensitive approach, this study reports on 21 semi‐structured interviews conducted over 15 months with 10 practitioners, as well as three focus group interviews with the same staff. Employing a qualitative framework, data highlighted the multifaceted nature of family problems, issues working with multiple agencies and problems associated with staff turnover. Successful strategies included working with the family on clearly defined and negotiated goals, focusing on family strengths and employing specific skills such as managing the sometimes competing needs of children and parents.
Serum Cardiac Troponin I concentrations in cats with anaemia – a preliminary, single‐centre observational study
Authors: Lalor S. M. , Gunn‐Moore D. A. , Cash R. , Foot A. , Reed N. , Mellanby R. J. 
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVESA range of cardiovascular abnormalities have been associated with anaemia. However, it remains unclear whether anaemia is associated with cardiac myocyte damage in cats. The aim of this study was to assess if cats with anaemia have an increased prevalence of cardiac myocyte damage, as assessed by serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I, compared to non‐anaemic, ill cats.METHODSSerum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in 18 anaemic cats and in 31 non‐anaemic, ill cats with non‐primary cardiac, non‐renal and non‐primary haematological disorders.RESULTSThe serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in the anaemic group (0·43 ng/mL) were significantly higher (P=0·0002) than in the non‐anaemic ill group (0·04 ng/mL). Using a cut‐off of less than 0·16 ng/mL, 12 of the 18 anaemic cats had an increased serum cardiac troponin I concentration, which was significantly higher (P=0·005) than the non‐anaemic ill cats (7 of 31 cats).CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCESerum cardiac troponin I concentrations were higher in cats with anaemia in this study. Further studies are required to establish whether the anaemia or other confounding factors is the cause of the increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations.
Hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis, glucose metabolism and TNF‐α in narcolepsy
Authors: Maurovich‐Horvat Eszter , Keckeis Marietta , Lattová Zuzana , Kemlink David , Wetter Thomas‐Christian , Schuld Andreas , Sonka Karel , Pollmächer Thomas 
Published: March 2014

SummaryNarcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by a deficiency in the production of hypocretin/orexin, which regulates sleep and wakefulness, and also influences appetite, neuroendocrine functions and metabolism. In this case–control study, 11 patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy and 11 healthy adults underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, and dexamethasone suppression/corticotropin‐releasing hormone stimulation test. The average age of patients and controls was 35.1 ± 13.2 and 41.0 ± 2.9 years, respectively, body mass index was 28.1 ± 6.6 and 25.5 ± 4.7 kg m−2. We did not find evidence of a significantly increased prevalence of disturbed glucose tolerance in patients with narcolepsy. After hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression, the number of non‐suppressors did not differ between the groups, indicating normal negative feedback sensitivity. The level of cortisol after dexamethasone suppression was significantly lower in patients with narcolepsy, suggesting a slight basal downregulation and/or a slightly increased negative feedback sensitivity of the major endocrine stress system in narcolepsy. Following corticotropin‐releasing hormone stimulation, there were no significant differences in levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone or cortisol, and in adrenocortical responsivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone. Finally, patients with narcolepsy displayed significantly higher plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha, soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor p55, soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor p75 and interleukin 6 after adjustment for body mass index. The present study confirms that narcolepsy by itself is not associated with disturbances of glucose metabolism, but goes along with a subtle dysregulation of inflammatory cytokine production. We also found that dynamic hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal system response is not altered, whereas negative feedback to dexamethasone might be slightly enhanced.
Telaprevir drug monitoring during antiviral therapy of hepatitis C graft infection after liver transplantation
Authors: Farnik Harald , Zimmermann Tim , Herrmann Eva , Bechstein Wolf O. , Kronenberger Bernd , Galle Peter R. , Labocha Sandra , Ferreiros Nerea , Geisslinger Gerd , Zeuzem Stefan , Sarrazin Christoph , Welker Martin W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsRecurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after orthotopical liver transplantation (OLT) is common and associated with reduced graft and patient survival. The protease inhibitor telaprevir may enhance virological response rates in patients after OLT in combination with pegylated interferon‐alfa and ribavirin. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown significant drug–drug interactions between telaprevir and immunosuppression (IS), but telaprevir pharmacokinetics in OLT patients with IS are unknown. Aim of the present study was to analyse telaprevir plasma concentrations in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection after OLT in comparison to patients without OLT and IS.MethodsFive patients with HCV genotype 1 infection after OLT and 37 HCV genotype 1‐infected patients patients without prior OLT were treated with telaprevir 2250 mg daily, ribavirin 1000/1200 mg daily and pegylated interferon‐alfa‐2a 180 μg once weekly (triple therapy). Telaprevir plasma concentrations were analysed by liquid chromatography–electrospray‐ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry. HCV RNA was assessed by automatized reverse‐transcription polymerase chain‐reaction.ResultsMedian (range) telaprevir plasma concentrations of TW 4, 8 and 12 were 3970 (1980–4430) ng/ml and 2520 (1870–8730) ng/ml in patients after OLT and ciclosporin‐ or tacrolimus‐based IS, respectively, as compared to 2790 (1870–3140) in non‐OLT patients (P = 0.3). In one patient with tacrolimus‐based IS, telaprevir dose had to be adjusted to achieve virological response. Telaprevir plasma concentrations were steady at treatment weeks 4, 8 and 12 in patients with and without IS.ConclusionsTelaprevir drug monitoring may be necessary in patients with tacrolimus‐based IS in patients with HCV graft infection after OLT.
Kinetic regulation of a corrinoid‐reducing metallo‐ATPase by its substrates
Authors: Sperfeld Martin , Diekert Gabriele , Studenik Sandra 
Published: March 2014

SummaryCorrinoid cofactors play a crucial role as methyl group carriers in the C1 metabolism of anaerobes, e.g. in the cleavage of phenyl methyl ethers by O‐demethylases. For the methylation, the protein‐bound corrinoid has to be in the super‐reduced [CoI]‐state, which is highly sensitive to autoxidation. The reduction of inadvertently oxidized corrinoids ([CoII]‐state) is catalysed in an ATP‐dependent reaction by RACE proteins, the reductive activators of corrinoid‐dependent enzymes. In this study, a reductive activator of O‐demethylase corrinoid proteins was characterized with respect to its ATPase and corrinoid reduction activity. The reduction of the corrinoid cofactor was dependent on the presence of potassium or ammonium ions. In the absence of the corrinoid protein, a basal slow ATP hydrolysis was observed which was obviously not coupled to corrinoid reduction. ATP hydrolysis was significantly stimulated by the corrinoid protein in the [CoII]‐state of the corrinoid cofactor. The stoichiometry of ATP hydrolysed per mol corrinoid reduced was near 1:1. Site‐directed mutagenesis was applied to study the impact of a highly conserved region possibly involved in nucleotide binding of RACE proteins, indicating that an aspartate and a glycine residue may play an essential role for the function of the enzyme.
Conformational dynamics of protein transporter FhaC: large‐scale motions of plug helix
Authors: Guérin Jérémy , Baud Catherine , Touati Nadia , Saint Nathalie , Willery Eve , Locht Camille , Vezin Hervé , Jacob‐Dubuisson Françoise 
Published: March 2014

SummaryFhaC is an integral outer membrane protein of the whooping cough agent Bordetella pertussis that mediates the transport to the cell surface of a major virulence factor, the filamentous haemagglutinin adhesin FHA. The FHA/FhaC pair is a prototypic TpsA/TpsB system of the widespread ‘Two‐Partner Secretion’ pathway, dedicated to the transport of long extracellular proteins in various pathogenic and environmental Gram‐negative bacteria. FhaC belongs to the ubiquitous Omp85 superfamily of protein transporters. The X‐ray structure of FhaC shows that the transmembrane β‐barrel channel hypothesized to serve as the FHA‐conducting pore is obstructed by two structural elements conserved among TpsB transporters, an N‐terminal α helix and an extracellular loop. Here, we provide evidence for conformational dynamics of FhaC related to the secretion mechanism. Using paramagnetic electron resonance, electrophysiology and in vivo approaches, we showed that FhaC exchanges between open and closed conformations. The interaction with its secretory partner FHA alters this distribution of conformations. The open conformation of FhaC implies a large displacement from the channel of the N‐terminal ‘plug’ helix, which remains in the periplasm during FHA secretion. The membrane environment favours the dynamics of the TpsB transporter.
Resistance factors for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy with diffuse mesangial proliferation
Authors: Kawasaki Yukihiko , Suyama Kazuhide , Miyazaki Kyohei , Kanno Shuto , Ono Atsushi , Suzuki Yuichi , Sato Masatoki , Hashimoto Koichi , Hosoya Mitsuaki 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimSome patients with severe immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) are resistant to multi‐drug combination therapy; however, there have been few reports on the risk factors for non‐responsiveness to treatment for severe IgAN. We, therefore, evaluated the risk factors for non‐responsiveness to treatment in cases of severe IgAN.MethodsWe collected data on 44 children who had been diagnosed with IgAN with diffuse mesangial proliferation and treated with multi‐drug combination therapy. The children were divided into two groups based on the prognosis at the latest follow‐up. Group 1 consisted of 30 children with normal urine and nine children with minor urinary abnormalities and Group 2 consisted of four children with persistent nephropathy and one child with renal insufficiency. The clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings for both groups were analyzed.ResultsThe age at the onset in Group 2 was higher than that in Group 1. C3 deposits and high chronicity index values at the first renal biopsy were more frequently found in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients. IgA deposits, serum IgA and myeloid‐related protein (MRP) 8/14 levels, and glomerular and interstitial MRP8+CD68+ scores at the second biopsy were all higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients.ConclusionsOur results, although based on only a small number of patients in a retrospective study, suggest that age, presence of C3 deposits and interstitial changes at the onset, and persistent renal inflammatory activation may be risk factors for non‐responsiveness to treatment for IgAN with diffuse mesangial proliferation.
Oil price shocks and Nigeria's stock market: what have we learned from crude oil market shocks?
Authors: Effiong Ekpeno L. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractOil price shocks do not only originate from the supply‐side of the crude oil market but may also be demand driven. The impact of oil price shocks on stock market activities may be different depending on its origin (i.e. demand and supply shocks). This paper provides the first examination of the impact of the origin of oil price shocks on Nigeria's stock market for the period 1995:1–2011:12. Oil price shocks is decomposed into oil supply shocks, aggregate demand shocks and oil‐specific demand shocks using a structural vector auto‐regression model, and their impacts on stock market prices were analysed using impulse response and variance decomposition analysis. The impulse response results show that stock market's response to oil supply shocks is insignificantly negative but significantly positive to aggregate demand and oil‐specific demand shocks. The cumulative effects of the oil price shocks account for about 47 per cent of the variation in stock prices in the long term. These results suggest that the origin of oil price shocks is crucial for understanding the volatility in Nigeria's stock market. Future policy direction should focus on diversifying the economy to reduce its vulnerability to oil price fluctuations while addressing the inefficiencies in the stock market.
Assessment of Intrathoracic Impedance Algorithm in the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Population
Authors: SILVA JENNIFER N. A. , VON BERGEN NICHOLAS H. , DUBIN ANNE M. , COLLINS KATHRYN K. , CHEN JIAJING , BOWMAN TAMMY M. , VAN HARE GEORGE F. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundDecreased intrathoracic impedance has been used in adults to predict heart failure (HF) exacerbations. A commercial algorithm, OptiVol® (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA), identifies patients with decreased impedance. We sought to determine the specificity, sensitivity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of OptiVol for predicting HF exacerbation or increased arrhythmia burden in pediatric and adult congenital heart disease (CHD) patients.MethodsA multicenter retrospective chart review was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: (1) <19 years or CHD adults, (2) an implanted device with OptiVol capability, (3) implanted between April 9 and September 6, and (4) follow‐up of >30 days postimplant. Clinical events were defined as clinical HF exacerbation/hospital admission, initiation/uptitration of medication, or increased arrhythmia burden.ResultsSeventy‐two patients (19 ± 9 years) were identified with the following indications: 20% dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 11% hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 43% CHD, 15% channelopathy, and 11% other. Thirty‐nine had 122 OptiVol crossings (median 2, range 1–11); 30% were linked to a cause. The remaining 33 had no crossing, though 17 had 89 clinical events. The clinical event rate was 19% greater in patients with crossings, though not statistically significant (P = 0.4). The algorithm had a 59% sensitivity, 52% specificity, and 62% PPV. Clinical HF exacerbation and arrhythmia burden did not significantly correlate with decreased impedance though uptitration or initiation of HF medication did correlate significantly (P = 0.03).ConclusionThe algorithm sensitivity for pediatric DCM, HCM, CHD, and adult CHD was equivalent to the general adult population. Further studies are warranted to assess whether inaccuracy in prediction is secondary to the algorithm or to differences in the clinical response of pediatric/CHD patients.
Landiolol Hydrochloride for Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: LIU SHANXIN , BIAN CHANG , ZHANG YU , JIAN YING , LIU WENMIN 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmic complication after cardiac surgery. Several studies have compared the efficacy of landiolol and placebo or other agents in preventing new‐onset AF in patients after cardiac surgery. In this study, we conducted a meta‐analysis to determine whether landiolol is effective in preventing new‐onset AF after cardiac surgery.Methods and ResultsFive randomized controlled trials and two retrospective analyses were included in this study. The clinical outcomes of interest were the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery and major complications. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0.18 software, and pooled estimates of the effect were reported as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The results of this meta‐analysis indicate that landiolol is significantly associated with a decreased risk of occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery (RR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.23–0.48; P < 0.00001) and is not associated with an increased risk of major complications (RR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.43–1.45; P = 0.45) compared with the control group.ConclusionLandiolol administration in the perioperative period can reduce the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery without increasing the risk of major complications. It can be used to prevent new‐onset AF safely after cardiac surgery.
Association of Time of Occurrence of Electrical Heart Storms with Environmental Physical Activity
Authors: STOUPEL ELIIYAHU , KUSNIEC JAIRO , GOLOVCHINER GREGORY , ABRAMSON EVGENY , KADMON UDI , STRASBERG BORIS 
Published: March 2014

AimMany publications in recent decades have reported a temporal link between medical events and environmental physical activity. The aim of this study was to analyze the time of occurrence of electrical heart storms against levels of cosmological parameters.MethodsThe sample included 82 patients (71 male) with ischemic cardiomyopathy treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator at a tertiary medical center in 1999–2012 (5,114 days). The time of occurrence of all electrical heart storms, defined as three or more events of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation daily, was recorded from the defibrillator devices. Findings were analyzed against data on solar, geomagnetic, and cosmic ray (neutron) activity for the same time period obtained from space institutions in the United States and Russia.ResultsElectrical storms occurred in all months of the year, with a slight decrease in July, August, and September. Most events took place on days with lower‐than‐average levels of solar and geomagnetic activity and higher‐than‐average levels of cosmic ray (neutron) activity. There was a significant difference in mean daily cosmic ray activity between the whole observation period and the days of electrical storm activity (P = 0.0001).ConclusionThese data extend earlier findings on the association of the timing of cardiac events and space weather parameters to the most dangerous form of cardiac arrhythmia‐electric storms. Further studies are needed to delineate the pathogenetic mechanism underlying this association.
Translational research: from pot to plot
Authors: Nelissen Hilde , Moloney Maurice , Inzé Dirk 
Published: March 2014

SummaryPlant molecular biology has been the key driver to elucidate molecular pathways underlying plant growth, development and stress responses during the past decades. Although this has led to a plethora of available data, the translation to crop improvement is lagging behind. Here, we argue that plant scientists should become more involved in converting basic knowledge into applications in crops to sustainably support food security and agriculture. As the translatability from model species to crops is rather poor, this kind of translational research requires diligence and a thorough knowledge of the investigated trait in the crop. In addition, the robustness of a trait depends on the genotype and environmental conditions, demanding a holistic approach, which cannot always be evaluated under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions. To date, the improved resolution of many genome‐wide technologies and the emerging expertise in canopy imaging, plant phenotyping and field monitoring make it very timely to move from the pathway specifics to important agronomical realizations, thus from pot to plot. Despite the availability of scientific know‐how and expertise, the translation of new traits to applications using a transgene approach is in some regions of the world, such as Europe, seriously hampered by heavy and nontranslucent legislation for biotech crops. Nevertheless, progress in crop improvement will remain highly dependent on our ability to evaluate improved varieties in field conditions. Here, we plead for a network of protected sites for field trials across the different European climates to test improved biotech traits directly in crops.