bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypertension prevalence, awareness, and control in Arab countries: A systematic review
Authors: Tailakh Ayman , Evangelista Lorraine S. , Mentes Janet C. , Pike Nancy A. , Phillips Linda R. , Morisky Donald E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractOne billion of the world's population has hypertension, resulting in four million deaths per year. Data on the prevalence of hypertension in the Arab world are very limited. This review summarizes existing knowledge regarding prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension in Arab countries. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched for publications on HTN among Arab people from 1980 to January 2011. Only 13 studies were identified in the literature from 10 Arab countries. The overall estimated prevalence of hypertension was 29.5% (n = 45 379), which indicates a higher prevalence of hypertension among Arabs compared to people from the USA (28%) and sub‐Saharan African (27.6%). Awareness of hypertension was reported for 46% of the studies and varied from 18% (Jordan) to 79.8% (Syria). The control rate varied from 56% (Tunisia) to 92% (Egypt and Syria). The prevalence of hypertension was found to increase with age, occurring more frequently in Arab women.
Validation of the Essentials of Magnetism II in Chinese critical care settings
Authors: Bai Jinbing , Hsu Lily , Zhang Qing 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTAimsTo translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Essentials of Magnetism II tool (EOM II) for Chinese nurses in critical care settings.BackgroundThe EOM II is a reliable and valid scale for measuring the healthy work environment (HWE) for nurses in Western countries, however, it has not been validated among Chinese nurses.MethodsThe translation of the EOM II followed internationally recognized guidelines. The Chinese version of the Essentials of Magnetism II tool (C‐EOM II) was reviewed by an expert panel for culturally semantic equivalence and content validity. Then, 706 nurses from 28 intensive care units (ICUs) affiliated with 14 tertiary hospitals participated in this study. The reliability of the C‐EOM II was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient; the content validity of this scale was assessed using the content validity index (CVI); and the construct validity was assessed using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).ResultsThe C‐EOM II showed excellent content validity with a CVI of 0·92. All the subscales of the C‐EOM II were significantly correlated with overall nurse job satisfaction and nurse‐assessed quality of care. The CFA showed that the C‐EOM II was composed of 45 items with nine factors, accounting for 46·51% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for these factors ranged from 0·56 to 0·89.ConclusionsThe C‐EOM II is a promising scale to assess the HWE for Chinese ICU nurses.Relevance to clinical practiceNursing administrators and health care policy‐makers can use the C‐EOM II to evaluate clinical work environment so that a healthier work environment can be created and sustained for staff nurses.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus protects human colonic muscle from pathogen lipopolysaccharide‐induced damage
Authors: Ammoscato F. , Scirocco A. , Altomare A. , Matarrese P. , Petitta C. , Ascione B. , Caronna R. , Guarino M. , Marignani M. , Cicala M. , Chirletti P. , Malorni W. , Severi C. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundLactobacillus species might positively affect gastrointestinal motility. These Gram‐positive bacteria bind Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) that elicits anti‐inflammatory activity and exerts protective effects on damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Whether such effect occurs in gastrointestinal smooth muscle has not been established yet. Aim of this study was to characterize the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and of supernatants harvested from LGG cultures on human colonic smooth muscle and to explore their protective activity against LPS‐induced myogenic morpho‐functional alterations.MethodsThe effects of LGG (ATCC 53103 strain) and of supernatants have been tested on both human colonic smooth muscle strips and isolated cells in the absence or presence of LPS obtained from a pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. Their effects on myogenic morpho‐functional properties, on LPS‐induced NFκB activation, and on cytokine production have been evaluated. Toll‐like receptor 2 expression has been analyzed by qPCR and flow cytometry.Key ResultsLactobacillus rhamnosus GG exerted negligible transient effects per se whereas it was capable of activating an intrinsic myogenic response counteracting LPS‐induced alterations. In particular, both LGG and supernatants significantly reduced the LPS‐induced morpho‐functional alterations of muscle cells, i.e. cell shortening and inhibition of contractile response. They also hindered LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory effects by decreasing pro‐inflammatory transcription factor NFκB activation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐6 secretion, and restored the secretion levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL10.Conclusions & InferencesTaken together these data demonstrate that LGG protects human colonic smooth muscle from LPS‐induced myogenic damage and might be beneficial on intestinal motor disorders due to bacterial infection.
Author inflation masks global capacity for species discovery in flowering plants
Authors: Bebber Daniel P. , Wood John R. I. , Barker Christine , Scotland Robert W. 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Species discovery is a fundamental first step for all of biodiversity science. Recent research has claimed that the increasing number of authors associated with the description of new species represents an expanding workforce discovering the remaining new species from an ever‐diminishing pool.

Here, we present a comprehensive dataset from The International Plant Names Index (IPNI) of new species of flowering plant published between 1970 and 2011.

We show that, on average, 1855 new species have been described annually since 1970. We show that compared to other scientific disciplines the increased number of authors on taxonomic papers is relatively small and may reflect changes in scientific practice rather than an increase in taxonomic capacity.

These data, alongside published results demonstrating a lag period of 35 yr between a specimen being collected and published as a new species, strongly suggest that the global taxonomic capacity to describe new species of flowering plant is stagnant at a time of unprecedented concern for conservation and extinction.
Explaining intraspecific diversity in plant secondary metabolites in an ecological context
Authors: Moore Ben D. , Andrew Rose L. , Külheim Carsten , Foley William J. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryPlant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are ubiquitous in plants and play many ecological roles. Each compound can vary in presence and/or quantity, and the composition of the mixture of chemicals can vary, such that chemodiversity can be partitioned within and among individuals. Plant ontogeny and environmental and genetic variation are recognized as sources of chemical variation, but recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of variation may allow the future deployment of isogenic mutants to test the specific adaptive function of variation in PSMs. An important consequence of high intraspecific variation is the capacity to evolve rapidly. It is becoming increasingly clear that trait variance linked to both macro‐ and micro‐environmental variation can also evolve and may respond more strongly to selection than mean trait values. This research, which is in its infancy in plants, highlights what could be a missing piece of the picture of PSM evolution. PSM polymorphisms are probably maintained by multiple selective forces acting across many spatial and temporal scales, but convincing examples that recognize the diversity of plant population structures are rare. We describe how diversity can be inherently beneficial for plants and suggest fruitful avenues for future research to untangle the causes and consequences of intraspecific variation.

Contents

Summary
733

I.
Introduction
733

II.
PSM variation in time: ontogeny, phenology and induced defences
734

III.
PSM variation through space: the role of environment
735

IV.
Genes and biosynthetic pathways underlying PSM variation
735

V.
Mechanisms for diversification of PSMs
735

VI.
Examples of diversity from specific biosynthetic pathways
737

VII.
How and why is chemical diversity maintained?
739

VIII.
Evolvability of PSM variation
740

IX.
Evolutionary strategies and diversity in plant chemical defence
742

X.
Conclusions and future directions
744

Acknowledgements
745

References
745
Bark functional ecology: evidence for tradeoffs, functional coordination, and environment producing bark diversity
Authors: Rosell Julieta A. , Gleason Sean , Méndez‐Alonzo Rodrigo , Chang Yvonne , Westoby Mark 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe causes underlying bark diversity are unclear. Variation has been frequently attributed to environmental differences across sites. However, variation may also result from tradeoffs and coordination between bark's multiple functions. Bark traits may also covary with wood and leaf traits as part of major dimensions of plant variation.To assess hypotheses regarding tradeoffs and functional coordination, we measured bark traits reflecting protection, storage, mechanics, and photosynthesis in branches of 90 species spanning a wide phylogenetic and environmental range. We also tested associations between bark, wood, and leaf traits. We partitioned trait variation within species, and within and across communities to quantify variation associated with across‐site differences.We observed associations between bark mechanics and storage, density and thickness, and thickness and photosynthetic activity. Increasing bark thickness contributed significantly to stiffer stems and greater water storage. Bark density, water content, and mechanics covaried strongly with the equivalent wood traits, and to a lesser degree with leaf size, xylem conductivity, and vessel diameter. Most variation was observed within sites and had low phylogenetic signal.Compared with relatively minor across‐site differences, tradeoffs and coordination among functions of bark, leaves, and wood are likely to be major and overlooked factors shaping bark ecology and evolution.
A RATIONALIZATION OF UPS AND DOWNS OF OIL PRICES BY SLUGGISH DEMAND, UNCERTAINTY, AND NONCONCAVITY
Authors: WIRL FRANZ , CABAN SEBASTIAN 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMotivated by the recent switching between “low” oil prices and “high” oil prices, this paper provides an economic explanation for oil price volatility. Given the characteristics of the oil market—sluggish, concave, and uncertain demand, as well as noncompetitive players—the corresponding profit maximizing strategy is to switch between a low price and a high price depending on whether the current demand is below or above a certain threshold. This provides an economic rationalization of oil price volatility (including the low prices) as alternative, or at least as complement, to the typically offered political explanations.
Association of run‐in periods with weight loss in obesity randomized controlled trials
Authors: Affuso O. , Kaiser K. A. , Carson T. L. , Ingram K. H. , Schwiers M. , Robertson H. , Abbas F. , Allison D. B. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryStudy‐level design characteristics that inform the optimal design of obesity randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been examined in few studies. A pre‐randomization run‐in period is one such design element that may influence weight loss. We examined 311 obesity RCTs published between 1 January 2007 and 1 July 2009 that examine d weight loss or weight gain prevention as a primary or secondary end‐point. Variables included run‐in period, pre‐post intervention weight loss, study duration (time), intervention type, percent female and degree of obesity. Linear regression was used to estimate weight loss as a function of (i) run‐in (yes/no) and (ii) run‐in, time, percent female, body mass index and intervention type. Interaction terms were also examined. Approximately 19% (18.6%) of the studies included a run‐in period, with pharmaceutical studies having the highest frequency. Although all intervention types were associated with weight loss (Mean = 2.80 kg, SD = 3.52), the inclusion of a pre‐randomization run‐in was associated with less weight loss (P = 0.0017) compared with studies that did not include a run‐in period. However, this association was not consistent across intervention types. Our results imply that in trials primarily targeting weight loss in adults, run‐in periods may not be beneficial for improving weight loss outcomes in interventions.
The effect of weight loss on health‐related quality of life: systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Warkentin L. M. , Das D. , Majumdar S. R. , Johnson J. A. , Padwal R. S. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of weight loss on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in randomized controlled intervention trials (RCTs). MEDLINE, HealthStar and PsycINFO were searched. RCTs of any weight loss intervention and 20 HRQL instruments were examined. Contingency tables were constructed to examine the association between statistically significant weight loss and statistically significant HRQL improvement within five HRQL categories. In addition, Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) outcomes were pooled using random‐effects models. Fifty‐three trials were included. Seventeen studies reported statistically significant weight loss and HRQL improvement. No statistically significant associations between weight loss and HRQL improvement were found in any contingency table. Because of suboptimal endpoint reporting, quantitative data pooling could only be performed using 25% of SF‐36 trials in any one model. Significant improvements in physical health were found: mean difference 2.83 points, 95% CI 0.55–5.1, for the physical component score, and mean difference 6.81 points, 95% CI 2.99–10.63, for the physical functioning domain score. Conversely, no significant improvements in mental health were found. No significant association was found between weight loss and overall HRQL improvement. Weight loss may be associated with modest improvements in physical, but not mental, health.
Effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on endothelial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Montero D. , Walther G. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Houben A. J. H. M. , Beckman J. A. , Vinet A. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryControversy exists among trials assessing whether prolonged antioxidant vitamin supplementation improves endothelial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. The aim of this study was to systematically review and quantify the effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on endothelial function in T2DM subjects. MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science were searched up to February 2013 for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of antioxidant vitamin E and/or C supplementation on endothelial function in T2DM subjects. Ten randomized controlled trials comparing antioxidant vitamin‐supplemented and control groups (overall n = 296) met the inclusion criteria. Post‐intervention standardized mean difference (SMD) in endothelial function did not reach statistical significance between groups (0.35; 95% confidence interval = −0.17, 0.88; P = 0.18). In subgroup analysis, post‐intervention endothelial function was significantly improved by antioxidant vitamin supplementation in T2DM subgroups with body mass index (BMI) ≤ 29.45 kg m−2 (SMD = 1.02; P < 0.05), but not in T2DM subgroups with BMI > 29.45 kg m−2 (SMD = −0.07; P = 0.70). In meta‐regression, an inverse association was found between BMI and post‐intervention SMD in endothelial function (B = −0.024, P = 0.02). Prolonged antioxidant vitamin E and/or C supplementation could be effective to improve endothelial function in non‐obese T2DM subjects.
Morphometrical study of minor salivary gland in xerostomic patients with altered lipid metabolism
Authors: Lukach L , Maly A , Zini A , Aframian DJ 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between dyslipidemia in patients with oral dryness and the development of non‐specific histopathological findings in their labial salivary gland biopsies.MethodsThirty seven patients suffering from oral dryness (18 patients with dyslipidemia and 19 age‐matched patients with normal lipid blood levels) underwent labial salivary gland biopsy. Total acinar area (TAA), acinar cell number, acinar lumen area (ALA), duct lumen area (DLA), area occupied by cells in acinus (AoCA), and area of one acinar cell (OAC) were calculated.ResultsA significantly (P < 0.05) increased AoCA, OAC, and DLA in labial glands from patients with impaired lipid metabolism, compared to controls, were found.ConclusionA positive relationship between dyslipidemia and morphological changes in labial salivary glands was obtained.
Validity and reliability of the modified Chinese version of the Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL) in older people living alone in China
Authors: Chen Yu , Hicks Allan , While Alison E 
Published: October 2013

Aims and objectivesThis study aimed to test the validity and reliability of a modified Chinese version of the OPQOL among older people living alone in China.BackgroundChina has an ageing population with an increasing number of older people living alone who may have a poorer quality of life (QoL) in the light of the traditional culture of collectivism and filial piety. An appropriate instrument is important to assess their QoL. The Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL) was developed directly from the views of older people and has been validated in England. There has been no psychometric evaluation of the scale in China.MethodsThe OPQOL was translated and modified prior to being administered to a stratified random cluster sample of 521 older people living alone. Validity was assessed through convergent validity, discriminant validity and construct validity. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and test–retest reliability.ResultsExploratory factor analysis indicated eight factors accounting for 63.77% of the variance. The convergent validity was supported by moderate correlations with functional ability, social support and loneliness with Spearman's rho of −0.50, 0.49 and −0.53, respectively. The discriminant validity was confirmed by differentiating QoL scores between the depressed and non‐depressed groups. The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.90 for the total scale and over 0.70 for most of its dimensions. The 2‐week test–retest reliability ranged from 0.53 to 0.87.ConclusionsThe modified Chinese version of the Older People's Quality of Life has acceptable validity and reliability as a useful instrument to measure the QoL of older people living alone in China.Implications for practiceNurses could use this scale to identify vulnerable older people subgroups and to inform effective interventions to improve the QoL of older people.
Electrophysiologic Characteristics and Pharmacologic Response of Human Cardiomyocytes Isolated from a Patient with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: BARAJAS‐MARTÍNEZ HECTOR , HU DAN , GOODROW ROBERT J. , JOYCE FREDERIC , ANTZELEVITCH CHARLES 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common monogenic cardiac disorder encountered in the clinic. Data relative to the electrophysiologic characteristics and pharmacologic responsiveness of human tissues and cells isolated from patients with HCM are rare. As a consequence, cellular mechanisms underlying arrhythmogenicity are poorly understood.MethodsCardiomyocytes were enzymatically dissociated from a septal myectomy surgically removed from a patient with obstructive HCM. Sharp microelectrodes and patch‐clamp techniques were used to evaluate action potential and sodium channel current (INa) characteristics.ResultsAction potential morphology recorded was typical of an M cell, but with a longer than normal duration (APD) and a relatively steep APD‐rate relationship. APD at all rates was significantly reduced following exposure to ranolazine (10 μM). Whole cell patch‐clamp recording yielded robust peak INa and large late INa (1.1% of peak INa vs 0.1–0.2% in healthy controls). A large window current was observed as well. Ranolazine (10 μM) shifted steady‐state V0.5 of inactivation by –8 mV, reduced late INa by 82%, and significantly diminished the window current.ConclusionOur results indicate the presence of cells with M‐cell characteristics in the septum of the human heart, as has previously been described in the canine heart. They also point to an ameliorative effect of ranolazine to reduce augmented late INa and thus to reduce the prolonged APD in the setting of HCM. These results suggest a potential therapeutic role for ranolazine in HCM.
Effect of Interconnection between Cervical Vagus Trunk, Epicardial Fat Pad on Sinus Node Function, and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: ZHOU QINA , ZHANG LING , WANG KUN , XU XIAOXIA , JI MENG , ZHANG FENG , WANG HONGLI , HOU YUEMEI 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundThe epicardial fat pad (FP) integrates the autonomic innervation between the extrinsic and intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system and affects atrial electrophysiology and pathophysiology.MethodsEighteen dogs were divided into two groups: sequential ablation of sinoatrial node FP (SAN‐FP) and atrioventricular node FP (AVN‐FP). Sinus rate (SR), atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility, and effective refractory period (ERP) changes during electrical stimulation of the vagus trunk were detected before and after ablation.ResultsIn the SAN‐FP group, the SR slowing, increasing AF inducibility, and ERP shortening that induced by vagus trunk stimulation were significantly attenuated by isolated SAN‐FP ablation, compared with the same group prior to ablation (all P < 0.05). Subsequent AVN‐FP ablation following SAN‐FP ablation almost cannot produce further attenuation during vagus trunk stimulation, compared with isolated SAN‐FP ablation (P > 0.05). In the AVN‐FP group, SR slowing, increasing AF inducibility, and ERP shortening that induced by vagus trunk stimulation were completely eliminated by isolated AVN‐FP ablation, compared with the same group prior to ablation (all P < 0.05). Subsequent SAN‐FP ablation following AVN‐FP ablation produced no further attenuation, compared with isolated AVN‐FP ablation (P > 0.05).ConclusionsA neural pathway from the cervical vagus trunk to the sinus node and atrium runs through the SAN‐FP, but eventually converges at the AVN‐FP and also suggested that the AVN‐FP serves as an “integration center” for the SAN‐FP to modulate sinus node function. The AVN‐FP may play a more critical role in the initiation and maintenance of AF.