bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of treatment selections by Japanese and US psychiatrists for major depressive disorder: A case vignette study
Authors: Nakagawa Atsuo , Williams Aya , Sado Mitsuhiro , Oguchi Yoshiyo , Mischoulon David , Smith Felicia , Mimura Masaru , Sato Yuji 
Published: January 2015

AimsA review of the published work on treatments for major depressive disorder suggests that there is an alarming gap between guideline recommendations and actual clinical practices worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare early‐career psychiatrists' selections of treatment for mild to moderate major depression in Japan and the USA.MethodsThe authors surveyed 120 early‐career psychiatrists from two residency programs in Japan and the USA using web‐based questionnaires. In response to two case vignettes of mild to moderate major depression, the subjects selected treatment modalities and first‐ and second‐line pharmacotherapy.ResultsEighty‐one psychiatrists (68%) returned surveys, of whom 42 (52%) were Japanese and 39 (48%) American. Fewer Japanese subjects selected psychotherapy than Americans. The Japanese psychiatrists favored benzodiazepine monotherapy for the treatment of mild depression, whereas the American psychiatrists favored antidepressant monotherapy. For the initial treatment of moderate depression, approximately half of the Japanese selected antidepressant monotherapy, and a quarter selected benzodiazepine monotherapy, whereas the Americans unanimously selected selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors monotherapy. As a second‐line strategy, the Japanese were more likely to augment medication and less likely to increase dosage for moderate depression than their American counterparts.ConclusionsDifferences were found between the treatment selections of early‐career psychiatrists in Japan and the USA, despite comparable guidelines and postgraduate training. The results suggest that the gap between guidelines and practice may also be shaped by physician workload, attitudes toward side‐effects, and the sociocultural contexts in which clinical decisions are made.
Clinical trials of helminth therapy in autoimmune diseases: rationale and findings
Authors: Fleming J. O. , Weinstock J. V. 
Published: January 2015

SummarySome helminths are major human pathogens. Recently, however, increased understanding of the immunoregulatory responses induced by this class of parasites, in combination with epidemiologic and animal studies, suggests that helminths may have therapeutic potential in autoimmune diseases (AD) and other conditions. This article reviews the rationale for and results of clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of helminth therapy in AD. Also discussed are future prospects for investigation and the possibility that helminth treatment may serve as a probe to help reveal the pathogenesis of AD.
Orexin A Expression in the Ovary of Dog and Cat
Authors: Levanti M , Germanà A , Abbate F 
Published: January 2015

ContentsOrexin A and B, also known as hypocretin A and B, are hypothalamic neuropeptides arising from a precursor to the 130 amino acid, called pre–pro orexin. They are synthesized mainly in lateral and posterior hypothalamus and are involved in different functions such as regulation of food intake and energy balance. Orexins and orexin receptors were previously described also in different tissues and organs outside the brain. The aim of this study was to demonstrate by means of the immunofluorescence technique, the presence of orexin A in the ovary of cat and dog, to support the hypothesis of the role of this substance also at the level of the female genital system. The presence of orexin A in the ovary either in dog or in cat is in agreement with previous data on the presence and role of orexins in the female genital system of other species.
Induction of Gynogenetic and Androgenetic Haploid and Doubled Haploid Development in the Brown Trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus 1758)
Authors: Michalik O , Dobosz S , Zalewski T , Sapota M , Ocalewicz K 
Published: January 2015

ContentsGynogenetic and androgenetic brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus 1758) haploids (Hs) and doubled haploids (DHs) were produced in the present research. Haploid development was induced by radiation‐induced genetic inactivation of spermatozoa (gynogenesis) or eggs (androgenesis) before insemination. To provide DHs, gynogenetic and androgenetic haploid zygotes were subjected to the high pressure shock to suppress the first mitotic cleavage. Among haploids, gynogenetic embryos were showing lower mortality when compared to the androgenetic embryos; however, most of them die before the first feeding stage. Gynogenetic doubled haploids provided in the course of the brown trout eggs activation performed by homologous and heterologous sperm (rainbow trout) were developing equally showing hatching rates of 14.76 ± 2.4% and 16.14 ± 2.90% and the survival rates at the first feeding stage of 10.48 ± 3.48% and 12.78 ± 2.18%, respectively. Significantly, lower survival rate was observed among androgenetic progenies from the diploid groups with only few specimens that survived to the first feeding stage. Cytogenetic survey showed that among embryos from the diploid variants of the research, only gynogenetic individuals possessed doubled sets of chromosomes. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that radiation employed for the genetic inactivation of the brown trout eggs misaligned mechanism responsible for the cell divisions and might have delayed or even arrested the first mitotic cleavage in the androgenetic brown trout zygotes. Moreover, protocol for the radiation‐induced inactivation of the paternal and maternal genome should be adjusted as some of the cytogenetically surveyed gynogenetic and androgenetic embryos exhibited fragments of the irradiated chromosomes.
Leghemoglobin is nitrated in functional legume nodules in a tyrosine residue within the heme cavity by a nitrite/peroxide‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Sainz Martha , Calvo‐Begueria Laura , Pérez‐Rontomé Carmen , Wienkoop Stefanie , Abián Joaquín , Staudinger Christiana , Bartesaghi Silvina , Radi Rafael , Becana Manuel 
Published: January 2015

SummaryProtein tyrosine (Tyr) nitration is a post‐translational modification yielding 3‐nitrotyrosine (NO2–Tyr). Formation of NO2–Tyr is generally considered as a marker of nitro‐oxidative stress and is involved in some human pathophysiological disorders, but has been poorly studied in plants. Leghemoglobin (Lb) is an abundant hemeprotein of legume nodules that plays an essential role as an O2 transporter. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used for a targeted search and quantification of NO2–Tyr in Lb. For all Lbs examined, Tyr30, located in the distal heme pocket, is the major target of nitration. Lower amounts were found for NO2–Tyr25 and NO2–Tyr133. Nitrated Lb and other as yet unidentified nitrated proteins were also detected in nodules of plants not receiving and were found to decrease during senescence. This demonstrates formation of nitric oxide (˙NO) and by alternative means to nitrate reductase, probably via a ˙NO synthase‐like enzyme, and strongly suggests that nitrated proteins perform biological functions and are not merely metabolic byproducts. In vitro assays with purified Lb revealed that Tyr nitration requires + H2O2 and that peroxynitrite is not an efficient inducer of nitration, probably because Lb isomerizes it to . Nitrated Lb is formed via oxoferryl Lb, which generates nitrogen dioxide and tyrosyl radicals. This mechanism is distinctly different from that involved in heme nitration. Formation of NO2–Tyr in Lb is a consequence of active metabolism in functional nodules, where Lb may act as a sink of toxic peroxynitrite and may play a protective role in the symbiosis.
A tonoplast Glu/Asp/GABAexchanger that affects tomato fruit amino acid composition
Authors: Snowden Christopher J. , Thomas Benjamin , Baxter Charles J. , Smith J. Andrew C. , Sweetlove Lee J. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryVacuolar accumulation of acidic metabolites is an important aspect of tomato fruit flavour and nutritional quality. The amino acids Asp and Glu accumulate to high concentrations during ripening, while γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA) shows an approximately stoichiometric decline. Given thatGABAcan be catabolised to form Glu and subsequently Asp, and the requirement for the fruit to maintain osmotic homeostasis during ripening, we hypothesised the existence of a tonoplast transporter that exportsGABAfrom the vacuole in exchange for import of either Asp or Glu. We show here that the tomato vacuolar membrane possesses such a transport property: transport of Glu across isolated tonoplast vesicle membranes wastrans‐stimulated in counterexchange mode byGABA, Glu and Asp. We identified SlCAT9 as a candidate protein for this exchanger using quantitative proteomics of a tonoplast‐enriched membrane fraction. Transient expression of a SlCAT9‐YFPfusion in tobacco confirmed a tonoplast localisation. The function of the protein was examined by overexpression of SlCAT9 in transgenic tomato plants. Tonoplast vesicles isolated from transgenic plants showed higher rates of Glu andGABAtransport than wild‐type (WT) only when assayed in counterexchange mode with Glu, Asp, orGABA. Moreover, there were substantial increases in the content of all three cognate amino acids in ripe fruit from the transgenic plants. We conclude that SlCAT9 is a tonoplast Glu/Asp/GABAexchanger that strongly influences the accumulation of these amino acids during fruit development.
Barriers and Enablers to Implementing Clinical Treatment Protocols for Fever, Hyperglycaemia, and Swallowing Dysfunction in the Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) Project—A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Dale Simeon , Levi Christopher , Ward Jeanette , Grimshaw Jeremy M. , Jammali‐Blasi Asmara , D'Este Catherine , Griffiths Rhonda , Quinn Clare , Evans Malcolm , Cadilhac Dominique , Cheung N. Wah , Middleton Sandy 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) trial evaluated systematic implementation of clinical treatment protocols to manage fever, sugar, and swallow (FeSS protocols) in acute stroke care. This cluster‐randomised controlled trial was conducted in 19 stroke units in Australia.AimTo describe perceived barriers and enablers preimplementation to the introduction of the FeSS protocols and, postimplementation, to determine which of these barriers eventuated as actual barriers.MethodsPreimplementation: Workshops were held at the intervention stroke units (n = 10). The first workshop involved senior clinicians who identified perceived barriers and enablers to implementation of the protocols, the second workshop involved bedside clinicians. Postimplementation, an online survey with stroke champions from intervention sites was conducted.ResultsA total of 111 clinicians attended the preimplementation workshops, identifying 22 barriers covering four main themes: (a) need for new policies, (b) limited workforce (capacity), (c) lack of equipment, and (d) education and logistics of training staff. Preimplementation enablers identified were: support by clinical champions, medical staff, nursing management and allied health staff; easy adaptation of current protocols, care‐plans, and local policies; and presence of specialist stroke unit staff. Postimplementation, only five of the 22 barriers identified preimplementation were reported as actual barriers to adoption of the FeSS protocols, namely, no previous use of insulin infusions; hyperglycaemic protocols could not be commenced without written orders; medical staff reluctance to use the ASSIST swallowing screening tool; poor level of engagement of medical staff; and doctors' unawareness of the trial.Linking Evidence to ActionThe process of identifying barriers and enablers preimplementation allowed staff to take ownership and to address barriers and plan for change. As only five of the 22 barriers identified preimplementation were reported to be actual barriers at completion of the trial, this suggests that barriers are often overcome whilst some are only ever perceived rather than actual barriers.
Haemodynamic and renal sympathetic responses to V1b vasopressin receptor activation within the paraventricular nucleus
Authors: El‐Werfali Wafa , Toomasian Cory , Maliszewska‐Scislo Maria , Li Cailian , Rossi Noreen F. 
Published: January 2015

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Does antagonism of V1b receptors prevent the haemodynamic and renal sympathetic nerve responses that occur with application of exogenous vasopressin into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of conscious, chronically instrumented rats?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Microinjection of vasopressin into the PVN increased mean arterial pressure, heart rate and renal sympathetic nerve activity, all of which were inhibited by pre‐injection of the PVN with the V1b antagonist, nelivaptan. The administered vasopressin did not enter the peripheral circulation or increase plasma vasopressin. Ganglionic blockade prevented each of the responses, consistent with mediation by enhanced sympathetic output rather than an increase in circulating vasopressin.

Vasopressin (VP) participates in regulation of haemodynamics and volume. Besides more classical actions as a circulating hormone, VP may act via release from axons and dendrites within the CNS. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) possesses vasopressinergic neurons and a dense complement of VP receptors, including the V1b receptor, which has been implicated in several types of stress responses. We tested the hypothesis that antagonism of V1b receptors will prevent VP‐induced increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). Studies were performed in conscious male Sprague–Dawley rats chronically instrumented with vascular catheters, renal nerve electrodes and a cannula stereotaxically directed into the PVN. Unilateral microinjection of VP into the PVN significantly increased MAP, HR and RSNA, peaking at 10 min. Pre‐injection of the PVN with the selective V1b receptor antagonist, nelivaptan, did not alter baseline values but blocked the responses to VP. Ganglionic blockade with chlorisondamine decreased MAP and HR and abolished their increase in response to subsequent PVN application of VP. Injection of VP into the PVN did not alter plasma VP levels. Paraventricular nucleus injection with radiolabelled VP resulted in negligible radiolabelled VP in peripheral blood. These findings support the concept that, in basal conditions, PVN V1b receptor activation (rather than VP release into the periphery) may be implicated in the increases in MAP, HR and RSNA due to increased sympathetic outflow. While the role of V1a and oxytocin receptors cannot be excluded, these data suggest that further studies of the role of V1b receptor activation by endogenous VP during stress to effect neuroexcitation are warranted.
Calibrated breast density methods for full field digital mammography: A system for serial quality control and inter‐system generalization
Authors: Lu B. , Smallwood A. M. , Sellers T. A. , Drukteinis J. S. , Heine J. J. , Fowler E. E. E. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose:The authors are developing a system for calibrated breast density measurements using full field digital mammography (FFDM). Breast tissue equivalent (BTE) phantom images are used to establish baseline (BL) calibration curves at time zero. For a given FFDM unit, the full BL dataset is comprised of approximately 160 phantom images, acquired prior to calibrating prospective patient mammograms. BL curves are monitored serially to ensure they produce accurate calibration and require updating when calibration accuracy degrades beyond an acceptable tolerance, rather than acquiring full BL datasets repeatedly. BL updating is a special case of generalizing calibration datasets across FFDM units, referred to as cross‐calibration. Serial monitoring, BL updating, and cross‐calibration techniques were developed and evaluated.Methods:BL curves were established for three Hologic Selenia FFDM units at time zero. In addition, one set of serial phantom images, comprised of equal proportions of adipose and fibroglandular BTE materials (50/50 compositions) of a fixed height, was acquired biweekly and monitored with the cumulative sum (Cusum) technique. These 50/50 composition images were used to update the BL curves when the calibration accuracy degraded beyond a preset tolerance of ±4 standardized units. A second set of serial images, comprised of a wide‐range of BTE compositions, was acquired biweekly to evaluate serial monitoring, BL updating, and cross‐calibration techniques.Results:Calibration accuracy can degrade serially and is a function of acquisition technique and phantom height. The authors demonstrated that all heights could be monitored simultaneously while acquiring images of a 50/50 phantom with a fixed height for each acquisition technique biweekly, translating into approximately 16 image acquisitions biweekly per FFDM unit. The same serial images are sufficient for serial monitoring, BL updating, and cross‐calibration. Serial calibration accuracy was maintained within ±4 standardized unit variation from the ideal when applying BL updating. BL updating is a special case of cross‐calibration; the BL dataset of unit 1 can be converted to the BL dataset for another similar unit (i.e., unit 2) at any given time point using the 16 serial monitoring 50/50 phantom images of unit 2 (or vice versa) acquired near this time point while maintaining the ±4 standardized unit tolerance.Conclusions:A methodology for monitoring and maintaining serial calibration accuracy for breast density measurements was evaluated. Calibration datasets for a given unit can be translated forward in time with minimal phantom imaging effort. Similarly, cross‐calibration is a method for generalizing calibration datasets across similar units without additional phantom imaging. This methodology will require further evaluation with mammograms for complete validation.
A deterministic solution of the first order linear Boltzmann transport equation in the presence of external magnetic fields
Authors: St. Aubin J. , Keyvanloo A. , Vassiliev O. , Fallone B. G. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose:Accurate radiotherapy dose calculation algorithms are essential to any successful radiotherapy program, considering the high level of dose conformity and modulation in many of today's treatment plans. As technology continues to progress, such as is the case with novel MRI‐guided radiotherapy systems, the necessity for dose calculation algorithms to accurately predict delivered dose in increasingly challenging scenarios is vital. To this end, a novel deterministic solution has been developed to the first order linear Boltzmann transport equation which accurately calculates x‐ray based radiotherapy doses in the presence of magnetic fields.Methods:The deterministic formalism discussed here with the inclusion of magnetic fields is outlined mathematically using a discrete ordinates angular discretization in an attempt to leverage existing deterministic codes. It is compared against the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code, utilizing the emf_macros addition which calculates the effects of electromagnetic fields. This comparison is performed in an inhomogeneous phantom that was designed to present a challenging calculation for deterministic calculations in 0, 0.6, and 3 T magnetic fields oriented parallel and perpendicular to the radiation beam. The accuracy of the formalism discussed here against Monte Carlo was evaluated with a gamma comparison using a standard 2%/2 mm and a more stringent 1%/1 mm criterion for a standard reference 10 × 10 cm2 field as well as a smaller 2 × 2 cm2 field.Results:Greater than 99.8% (94.8%) of all points analyzed passed a 2%/2 mm (1%/1 mm) gamma criterion for all magnetic field strengths and orientations investigated. All dosimetric changes resulting from the inclusion of magnetic fields were accurately calculated using the deterministic formalism. However, despite the algorithm's high degree of accuracy, it is noticed that this formalism was not unconditionally stable using a discrete ordinate angular discretization.Conclusions:The feasibility of including magnetic field effects in a deterministic solution to the first order linear Boltzmann transport equation is shown. The results show a high degree of accuracy when compared against Monte Carlo calculations in all magnetic field strengths and orientations tested.
Patients’ perceived value of pharmacy quality measures: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Shiyanbola Olayinka O , Mort Jane R 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo describe patients’ perceived value and use of quality measures in evaluating and choosing community pharmacies.DesignFocus group methodology was combined with a survey tool. During the focus groups, participants assessed the value of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance's quality measures in evaluating and choosing a pharmacy. Also, participants completed questionnaires rating their perceived value of quality measures in evaluating a pharmacy (1 being low value and 5 being high) or choosing a pharmacy (yes/no). Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the focus groups and surveys, respectively.SettingSemistructured focus groups were conducted in a private meeting space of an urban and a rural area of a Mid-western State in the USA.ParticipantsThirty-four adults who filled prescription medications in community pharmacies for a chronic illness were recruited in community pharmacies, senior centres and public libraries.ResultsWhile comments indicated that all measures were important, medication safety measures (eg, drug-drug interactions) were valued more highly than others. Rating of quality measure utility in evaluating a pharmacy ranged from a mean of 4.88 (‘drug-drug interactions’) to a mean of 4.0 (‘absence of controller therapy for patients with asthma’). Patients were hesitant to use quality information in choosing a pharmacy (depending on the participant's location) but might consider if moving to a new area or having had a negative pharmacy experience. Use of select quality measures to choose a pharmacy ranged from 97.1% of participants using ‘drug-drug interactions’ (medication safety measure) to 55.9% using ‘absence of controller therapy for patients with asthma’.ConclusionsThe study participants valued quality measures in evaluating and selecting a community pharmacy, with medication safety measures valued highest. The participants reported that the quality measures would not typically cause a switch in pharmacy but might influence their selection in certain situations.