bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient and family perspectives on peritoneal dialysis at home: findings from an ethnographic study
Authors: Baillie Jessica , Lankshear Annette 
Published: September 2014

Aims and objectivesTo discuss findings from an ethnographic study, considering the experiences of patients and families, using peritoneal dialysis at home in the United Kingdom.BackgroundPeritoneal dialysis is a daily, life‐preserving treatment for end‐stage renal disease, undertaken in the patient's home. With ever‐growing numbers of patients requiring treatment for this condition, the increased use of peritoneal dialysis is being promoted. While it is known that quality of life is reduced when using dialysis, few studies have sought to explore experiences of peritoneal dialysis specifically. No previous studies were identified that adopted an ethnographic approach.DesignA qualitative design was employed, utilising ethnographic methodology.MethodsEthical and governance approvals were gained in November 2010 and data were generated in 2011. Patients (n = 16) and their relatives (n = 9) were interviewed and observed using peritoneal dialysis in their homes. Thematic analysis was undertaken using Wolcott's (1994) three stage process: Description, Analysis and Interpretation.ResultsThis article describes four themes: initiating peritoneal dialysis; the constraints of peritoneal dialysis due to medicalisation of the home environment and the imposition of rigid timetables; the uncertainty of managing crises and inevitable deterioration; and seeking freedom through creativity and hope of a kidney transplant.ConclusionsThis study highlights the culture of patients and their families living with peritoneal dialysis. Despite the challenges posed by the treatment, participants were grateful they were able to self‐manage at home. Furthermore, ethnographic methods offer an appropriate and meaningful way of considering how patients live with home technologies.Relevance to clinical practiceParticipants reported confusion about kidney transplantation and also how to identify peritonitis, and ongoing education from nurses and other healthcare professionals is thus vital. Opportunities for sharing experiences of peritoneal dialysis were valued by participants and further peer‐support services should thus be considered.
Effects of an aerobic exercise programme on fatigue for patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Yang Tsui‐Yun , Chen Mei‐Ling , Li Chia‐Chun 
Published: September 2014

AimsThis study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an aerobic exercise programme on fatigue for Taiwanese breast cancer women under radiotherapy (RT).BackgroundCancer‐related fatigue has been widely reported by patients undergoing radiotherapy as strongly and profoundly interfering with their quality of life. Evidence has shown that exercise can be beneficial to patients with breast cancer.DesignA quasi‐experimental design was used.MethodsPatients with early‐stage breast cancer scheduled for radiotherapy were invited to participate. The first 28 women who agreed to participate were assigned to the intervention group with a six‐week mild‐ to moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise training programme during their radiotherapy. The next 30 women were assigned to the routine care control group without special exercise intervention. Fatigue was measured at pre‐radiotherapy and weekly after starting radiotherapy for six weeks using the Taiwanese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory.ResultsThe mean age of these 47 women was 50·3 years (standard deviation = 9·5). The baseline fatigue severity for the intervention group and control group were 3·04 and 2·95 respectively; and the baseline fatigue interference for the intervention group and the control group were 3·48 and 3·55 respectively. The student t‐test showed no group differences in baseline fatigue severity, fatigue interference, or haemoglobin levels. Multivariate analyses showed a significant group‐by‐time‐interaction effect for fatigue severity and interference (p ≦ 0·001); the fatigue severity and interference decreased significantly over time for women in the intervention group but increased over time for women in the control group.ConclusionsThe mild‐ to moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise programme reduces the fatigue of Taiwanese women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. The issues of cancer‐related fatigue should also be discussed as they relate to other treatment modalities.Relevance to clinical practiceAerobic exercise intervention should be offered as an option for women with breast cancer to alleviate cancer‐related fatigue when undergoing radiotherapy.
The experiences of diabetics on self‐monitoring of blood glucose: a qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Chen Chen‐Mei , Chang Yeh Mei 
Published: September 2014

Aims and objectivesTo interpret, describe and analyse the results of various qualitative studies and comprehensively elucidate the self‐monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients, and to make recommendations based on these findings for clinical practices.BackgroundPatients exhibited both positive and negative perceptions towards the self‐monitoring of blood glucose. Numerous recent qualitative studies have explored the self‐monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients; however, no integrated results have been provided.DesignQualitative metasynthesis.MethodsA systematic literature search of English and Chinese databases was undertaken, covering the period between January 2004 and April 2014. The following databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Airiti library and PsycInfo. Seven studies were assessed in the final analysis; the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument was used to evaluate these studies.ResultsThe self‐monitoring experiences of patients with diabetes were divided into five themes: perceived disease severity, effects on daily life, lifestyle adjustments after becoming aware of blood glucose levels, determining the meaning of self‐monitoring, and the differences between diabetic patients who use and do not use insulin. Individual differences in blood glucose self‐monitoring vary widely among diabetic patients.ConclusionsThese differences result from personal cognition and feelings concerning blood glucose monitoring. Insights into and discussions regarding the self‐monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients enable health care professionals to understand the factors that influence the intentions of patients to perform self‐monitoring of blood glucose and facilitate establishing customised self‐monitoring of blood glucose treatment plans.Relevance to clinical practiceHealth care professionals must adopt flexible and individualised criteria to determine patient cognitive misconceptions, understand negative emotional reactions and provide individualised assistance.
Association of interleukin 12A gene polymorphisms with oral lichen planus in Chinese population
Authors: Jiang Chenyan , Yao Hui , Cui Bin , Zhou Yongmei , Wang Yufeng , Tang Guoyao 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundOral lichen planus (OLP) is a common autoimmune disorder with genetic and environmental factors contributing to its etiology. Interleukin (IL) 12 is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, which favors the differentiation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells, and forms a link between innate resistance and adaptive immunity. This study aimed to investigate the association between OLP susceptibility and clinical type in Chinese Han population with single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL‐12A gene.MethodsFive SNPs of the IL‐12A gene at positions rs2243115, rs2243123, rs583911, rs568408, and rs2243143 were performed in 292 patients with OLP and 686 healthy controls from East China. The five SNPs were genotyped by TaqMan PCR method. The genotype and allelic frequencies were calculated and analyzed.ResultsThere was a significant difference in rs568408 genotype distributions between patients and controls (P = 0.043). Additionally, there were highly significant increases in rs568408 genotype distributions and allele A frequencies in the erosive OLP group as compared to the control group (P = 0.011, OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.133 –2.732).ConclusionsOur study indicated that the rs568408 variation in IL‐12A gene could influence disease susceptibility, and was associated with the severity of OLP in our East Chinese cohort.
MATURITY AND PETROLEUM SYSTEMS MODELLING IN THE OFFSHORE ZAMBEZI DELTA DEPRESSION AND ANGOCHE BASIN, NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE
Authors: Mahanjane E.S. , Franke D. , Lutz R. , Winsemann J. , Ehrhardt A. , Berglar K. , Reichert C. 
Published: September 2014

Petroleum systems analysis and maturity modelling is used to predict the timing and locations of hydrocarbon generation in the underexplored offshore Zambezi Delta depression and Angoche basin, northern Mozambique. Model inputs include available geological, geochemical and geophysical data. Based on recent plate‐tectonic reconstructions and regional correlations, the presence of Valanginian and Middle and/or Late Jurassic marine source rock is proposed in the study area.The stratigraphy of the Mozambique margin was interpreted along reflection seismic lines and tied to four wells in the Zambezi Delta depression. Thermal maturity was calibrated against measured vitrinite reflectance values from these four wells. Four 1‐D models with calibration data were constructed, together with another five without calibration data at pseudo‐well locations, and indicate the maturity of possible source rocks in the Zambezi Delta depressions and Angoche basin. Two 2‐D petroleum systems models, constrained by seismic reflection data, depict the burial history and maturity evolution of the Zambezi Delta basin. With the exception of the deeply‐buried centre of the Zambezi Delta depression where potential Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous source rocks were found to be overmature for both oil and gas, modelling showed that potential source rocks in the remaining parts of the study area are mature for hydrocarbon generation.In both the Zambezi Delta depression and Angoche basin, indications for natural gas may be explained by early maturation of oil‐prone source rocks and secondary oil cracking, which likely began in the Early Cretaceous. In distal parts of the Angoche basin, however, the proposed source rocks remain in the oil window.
GENERATION AND ACCUMULATION OF HYDROCARBONS IN A DEEP “BURIED HILL” STRUCTURE IN THE BAXIAN DEPRESSION, BOHAI BAY BASIN, EASTERN CHINA
Authors: Qiang Jin , Xianzheng Zhao , Fengming Jin , Peng Ma , Quan Wang , Jing Wang 
Published: September 2014

Significant volumes of hydrocarbons have been produced from karstified Infracambrian dolomites in a “buried hill” structure at depths of 5860m to 6027m and reservoir temperatures of 190–201°C in well Niudong‐1 in the Baxian depression, Bohai Bay Basin. This is the deepest oil and gas discovery made in eastern China so far and structures at similar depths are targets for exploration elsewhere in the Bohai Bay Basin. However the origin and accumulation of the hydrocarbons at Niudong‐1 is not clear: they may have been generated from highly mature lacustrine source rocks in the Sha‐4 Member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation; or they may have been derived from thermal cracking of previously‐accumulated oil.This paper investigates the organic geochemistry of the Sha‐4 Member source rocks and the crude oils produced from well Niudong‐1. Analyses of molecular parameters show that the hydrocarbons originated from the pyrolysis of organic matter in Sha‐4 Member source rocks, rather than from cracking of previously accumulated oil. Infracambrian dolomites at the Niudong‐1 location may have been charged with low‐maturity oil around 34 Ma ago, when the Sha‐4 Member source rocks were buried to depths of about 3500m and first entered the oil window. During further rapid burial to more than 5500m starting at about 15Ma, these source rocks became highly mature and generated significant volumes of light oil and gas. Overpressures in the source rock interval forced these hydrocarbons to migrate into unconformably‐underlying Infracambrian dolomite reservoir rocks at the Niudong‐1 structure.Significant risks are associated with future exploration of deep “buried hill” structures in the Bohai Bay Basin. Not all the structures were charged with oil, and accumulations were not necessarily preserved during Neogene burial as the reservoirs may have been breached by faulting.
Isolation by environment
Authors: Wang Ian J. , Bradburd Gideon S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe interactions between organisms and their environments can shape distributions of spatial genetic variation, resulting in patterns of isolation by environment (IBE) in which genetic and environmental distances are positively correlated, independent of geographic distance. IBE represents one of the most important patterns that results from the ways in which landscape heterogeneity influences gene flow and population connectivity, but it has only recently been examined in studies of ecological and landscape genetics. Nevertheless, the study of IBE presents valuable opportunities to investigate how spatial heterogeneity in ecological processes, agents of selection and environmental variables contributes to genetic divergence in nature. New and increasingly sophisticated studies of IBE in natural systems are poised to make significant contributions to our understanding of the role of ecology in genetic divergence and of modes of differentiation both within and between species. Here, we describe the underlying ecological processes that can generate patterns of IBE, examine its implications for a wide variety of disciplines and outline several areas of future research that can answer pressing questions about the ecological basis of genetic diversity.
Differential role of angiogenesis and tumour cell proliferation in brain metastases according to primary tumour type: analysis of 639 cases
Authors: Berghoff Anna S. , Ilhan‐Mutlu Aysegül , Dinhof Carina , Magerle Manuel , Hackl Monika , Widhalm Georg , Hainfellner Johannes A. , Dieckmann Karin , Pichler Josef , Hutterer Markus , Melchardt Thomas , Bartsch Rupert , Zielinski Christoph C. , Birner Peter , Preusser Matthias 
Published: September 2014

AimWe aimed to characterize angiogenesis and proliferation and their correlation with clinical characteristics in a large brain metastasis (BM) series.MethodsKi67 proliferation index, microvascular density (MVD) and hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1 alpha) index were determined by immunohistochemistry in BM and primary tumour specimens.ResultsSix hundred thirty‐nine BM specimens of 639 patients with lung cancer (344/639; 53.8%), breast cancer (105/639; 16.4%), melanoma (67/639; 10.5%), renal cell carcinoma (RCC; 52/639; 8.1%) or colorectal cancer (CRC; 71/639; 11.1%) were available. Specimens of the corresponding primary tumour were available in 113/639 (17.7%) cases. Median Ki67 index was highest in CRC BM and lowest in RCC BM (P < 0.001). MVD and HIF‐1 alpha index were both highest in RCC BM and lowest in melanoma BM (P < 0.001). Significantly higher Ki67 indices, MVD and HIF‐1 alpha indices in the BM than in matched primary tumours were observed for breast cancer, non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and CRC. Correlation of tissue‐based parameters with overall survival in individual tumour types showed a favourable and independent prognostic impact of low Ki67 index [hazard ratio (HR) 1.015; P < 0.001] in NSCLC BM and of low Ki67 index (HR 1.027; P = 0.008) and high angiogenic activity (HR 1.877; P = 0.002) in RCC.ConclusionOur data argue for differential pathobiological and clinical relevance of Ki67 index, HIF1‐alpha index and MVD between primary tumour types in BM patients. An independent prognostic impact of tissue‐based characteristics was observed in patients with BM from NSCLC and RCC, supporting the incorporation of these tissue‐based parameters into diagnosis‐specific prognostic scores.
Root phenes that reduce the metabolic costs of soil exploration: opportunities for 21st century agriculture
Authors: LYNCH JONATHAN P. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCrop genotypes with reduced metabolic costs of soil exploration would have improved water and nutrient acquisition. Three strategies to achieve this goal are (1) production of the optimum number of axial roots; (2) greater biomass allocation to root classes that are less metabolically demanding; and (3) reduction of the respiratory requirement of root tissue. An example of strategy 1 is the case of reduced crown root number in maize, which is associated with greater rooting depth, N capture and yield in low N soil. An example of strategy 2 is the case of increased hypocotyl‐borne rooting in bean, which decreases root cost and increases P capture from low P soil. Examples of strategy 3 are the cases of increased formation of root cortical aerenchyma, decreased cortical cell file number and increased cortical cell size in maize, which decrease specific root respiration, increase rooting depth and increase water capture and yield under water stress. Root cortical aerenchyma also increases N capture and yield under N stress. Root phenes that reduce the metabolic cost of soil exploration are promising, underexploited avenues to the climate‐resilient, resource‐efficient crops that are urgently needed in global agriculture.
Variations in CYP78A13 coding region influence grain size and yield in rice
Authors: XU FAN , FANG JUN , OU SHUJUN , GAO SHAOPEI , ZHANG FENGXIA , DU LIN , XIAO YUNHUA , WANG HONGRU , SUN XIAOHONG , CHU JINFANG , WANG GUODONG , CHU CHENGCAI 
Published: September 2014

AbstractGrain size is one of the most important determinants of crop yield in cereals. Here, we identified a dominant mutant, big grain2 (bg2‐D) from our enhancer‐trapping population. Genetic analysis and SiteFinding PCR (polymerase chain reaction) revealed that BG2 encodes a cytochrome P450, OsCYP78A13. Sequence search revealed that CYP78A13 has a paralogue Grain Length 3.2 (GL3.2, LOC_Os03g30420) in rice with distinct expression patterns, analysis of transgenic plants harbouring either CYP78A13 or GL3.2 showed that both can promote grain growth. Sequence polymorphism analysis with 1529 rice varieties showed that the nucleotide diversity at CYP78A13 gene body and the 20 kb flanking region in the indica varieties were markedly higher than those in japonica varieties. Further, comparison of the genomic sequence of CYP78A13 in the japonica cultivar Nipponbare and the indica cultivar 9311 showed that there were three InDels in the promoter region and eight SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) in its coding sequence. Detailed examination of the transgenic plants with chimaeric constructs suggested that variation in CYP78A13 coding region is responsible for the variation of grain yield. Taken together, our results suggest that the variations in CYP78A13 in the indica varieties hold potential in rice breeding for application of grain yield improvement.
Cloning and Spatio‐Temporal Expression of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins‐2,‐4 Gene During Ovarian Development in New Zealand White Rabbit
Authors: Xie S‐Y , Wang D , Zhu H , Zhang W , Geng N‐Q , Feng X , Sun C‐X , Li M 
Published: September 2014

ContentsIn the transforming growth factor‐β(TGF‐β) superfamily, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are one of the largest subfamily, among which BMP‐2 and BMP‐4 are the most powerful molecules in biological activities. They have been shown to be involved in follicle development of ovary in mammals. However, whether these factors are involved in folliculogenesis in rabbit is still unknown. This study was performed to determine the relationships between ovarian development and the expression of BMP (BMP‐2,‐4) mRNAs in rabbit. Ovaries were removed from different development stages of rabbits (30‐, 60‐, 120‐, 180‐day age and 6‐day encyesis), and method of RT‐PCR was used for the cloning. The relative transcript levels of BMP‐2,‐4 genes were measured by real‐time quantitative PCR, with GAPDH as an internal control. Known from the results, the BMP‐2,‐4 genes showed similar but also different expression patterns during ovarian development; they both increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the ovary on 60‐day compared with 120‐day and 6‐day encyesis, and the expression of BMP‐2 was always higher than that of BMP‐4. The expression law of BMP‐2,‐4 genes presented in this study may lay the theoretical foundation for the study of BMPs' biological function.
Trajectories of Suicide Ideation, Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury, and Suicide Attempts in a Nonclinical Sample of Military Personnel and Veterans
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Bryan AnnaBelle O. , May Alexis M. , Klonsky E. David 
Published: September 2014

Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a risk factor for suicide attempts, but little is known about NSSI among military personnel and veterans, or about the temporal sequencing of NSSI relative to suicide ideation and attempts. This study evaluates trajectories of suicide ideation, NSSI, and suicide attempts in a sample of 422 military personnel and veterans. Of those with a history of NSSI, 77% also experienced suicide ideation. Suicide ideation emerged before NSSI (67%) more often than the reverse (17%). Of those with a history of suicide attempt, 41% also engaged in NSSI. NSSI emerged prior to the first suicide attempt (91%) more often than the reverse (9%). The length of time from suicide ideation to suicide attempt was longer for those who first engaged in NSSI (median = 3.5 years) compared with those who did not engage in NSSI (median = 0.0 years), Wald χ2(1) = 11.985, p = .002. Age of onset was earlier for participants reporting NSSI only compared with those reporting both NSSI and suicide attempts (16.71 vs. 22.08 years), F(1, 45) = 4.149, p = .048. NSSI may serve as a “stepping stone” from suicide ideation to attempts for 41% of those who attempt suicide.
The Gravity of China's African Export Promise
Authors: Johnston Lauren A. , Morgan Stephen L. , Wang Yuesheng 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAfrica's largest trade partner, China, criticised for exchanging resources for manufactures, has promised to increase imports and optimise the structure of trade with Africa. Using a gravity model of China's imports for the years 1995–2009, we explore potential dynamics for this promise, uniquely accounting for market economy recognition and Taiwan recognition. The former is associated with increased imports, while the latter effect is ambiguous and statistically insignificant. Comparison of projected against actual imports across three growth‐path‐aligned economic geography typologies – resource‐rich; landlocked and resource‐poor; coastal and resource‐poor – sets out China's imports trends in an abstract framework of African export potential. We find not only ‘under’ importing across a majority of resource‐poor countries. We also find that current trade policy is the least applicable to these comparatively poor exporters’ trade with China. If the latter are to serve a broader catalytic role in Africa's regional industrial transformation as compared to the role of coastal and resource‐poor countries in regional economic transformation in Asia and Latin America, China–Africa trade and investment policies may need additional thinking.