bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost‐Effectiveness of a Barcelona Home Care Program for Individuals with Multimorbidity
Authors: Vilà Anna , Villegas Eulàlia , Cruanyes Jordi , Delgado Rosa , Sabaté Rosa‐Ana , Ortega Josep , Araguás Cristina , Humet Carlos ,   the Program for the Care of Patients with Multimorbidity
Published: May 2015

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of care and optimize healthcare resources, a home healthcare program was created for individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the 261 individuals (mean age 84) included in the program from its inception in 2011 through 2013 (mean stay in the program 203 ± 192 days) were prospectively analyzed. The number of hospital admissions, length of stay, and costs for individuals admitted to the program were compared for two time periods: the 6 months before admission to the program and their stay in the program. After admission to the program, the number of hospital admissions and the hospital length of stay per person per month decreased from 0.36 ± 0.21 to 0.19 ± 0.52 (P < .001) and from 3.5 to 1 day (P < .001), respectively. Surveys of randomly selected patients and caregivers showed high satisfaction with the program. Costs per person per day decreased from €54.65 (US$73.12) to €17.91 (US$23.96), a reduction of 67.1%. Fewer admissions and shorter hospital stays enabled the hospital to eliminate five acute beds for every 50 individuals admitted to the program. In conclusion, home care for individuals with chronic illness with multimorbidity reduced the number of hospital admissions and length of stay, resulting in good patient satisfaction and lower costs.
Changing Trends in, and Characteristics Associated with, Not Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization in Elderly Adults Hospitalized with ST‐Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Tisminetzky Mayra , Erskine Nathaniel , Chen Han‐Yang , Gore Joel , Gurwitz Jerry , Yarzebski Jorge , Joffe Samuel , Shaw Peter , Goldberg Robert 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesTo describe decade‐ long trends (1999–2009) in the rates of not undergoing cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in individuals aged 65 and older presenting with an ST‐segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) and factors associated with not undergoing these procedures.DesignObservational population‐based study.SettingWorcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan area.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older hospitalized for an STEMI in six biennial periods between 1999 and 2009 at 11 central Massachusetts medical centers (N = 960).MeasurementsAnalyses were conducted to examine the characteristics of people who did not undergo cardiac catheterization overall and stratified into two age strata (65–74, ≥75).ResultsBetween 1999 and 2009, dramatic declines (from 59.4% to 7.5%) were observed in the proportion of older adults who did not undergo cardiac catheterization at all greater Worcester hospitals. These declines were observed in individuals aged 65 to 74 (58.4–6.7%) and in those aged 75 and older (69.4–13.5%). The proportion of individuals not undergoing PCI after undergoing cardiac catheterization decreased from 36.6% in 1999 to 6.5% in 2009. Women, individuals with a prior MI, those with do‐not‐resuscitate orders, and those with various comorbidities were less likely to have undergone these procedures than comparison groups.ConclusionOlder adults who develop an STEMI are increasingly likely to undergo cardiac catheterization and PCI, but several high‐risk groups remain less likely to undergo these procedures.
Age‐Related Macular Degeneration and Mortality in Older Women: The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures
Authors: Pedula Kathryn L. , Coleman Anne L. , Yu Fei , Cauley Jane A. , Ensrud Kristine E. , Hochberg Marc C. , Fink Howard A. , Hillier Teresa A. ,   the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesTo examine the association between age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality in a population of older women.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingFour U.S. clinical centers.ParticipantsA random sample of 1,202 women with graded fundus photographs at the Year 10 visit of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (mean age 79.5).MeasurementsForty‐five‐degree stereoscopic fundus photographs were graded for presence and severity (early vs late) of AMD. Vital status was adjudicated from death certificates. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for appropriate confounders, were used to estimate mortality hazards ratios.ResultsPrevalence of any AMD was 40.5% at baseline, with 441 (36.7%) having early AMD and 46 (3.8%) having late AMD. Cumulative mortality was 51.6% over 15 years of follow‐up. Overall, there was no significant association between AMD presence or severity and all‐cause or cause‐specific mortality. Because there was a significant interaction between AMD and age in predicting mortality (P < .05 for each mortality type), analyses were stratified according to age group. In women younger than 80, after adjusting for covariates, late AMD was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–6.46). In women aged 80 and older, early AMD was associated with all‐cause (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.11–1.75) and non‐CVD, noncancer (HR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.05–2.00) mortality. Any AMD was associated with all‐cause (HR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.13–1.78) and CVD (HR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.01–2.09) mortality in women aged 80 and older.ConclusionAMD is a predictor of poorer survival in women, especially those aged 80 and older. Determination of shared risk factors may identify novel pathways for intervention that may reduce the risk of both conditions.
Rosiglitazone‐activated PPARγ induces neurotrophic factor‐α1 transcription contributing to neuroprotection
Authors: Thouennon Erwan , Cheng Yong , Falahatian Vida , Cawley Niamh X. , Loh Yoke Peng 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBrain peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand‐dependent transcription factors, is involved in neuroprotection. It is activated by the drug rosiglitazone, which then can increase the pro‐survival protein B‐cell lymphoma 2 (BCL‐2), to mediate neuroprotection. However, the mechanism underlying this molecular cascade remains unknown. Here, we show that the neuroprotective protein neurotrophic factor‐α1 (NF‐α1), which also induces the expression of BCL‐2, has a promoter that contains PPARγ‐binding sites that are activated by rosiglitazone. Treatment of Neuro2a cells and primary hippocampal neurons with rosiglitazone increased endogenous NF‐α1 expression and prevented H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity. Concomitant with the increase in NF‐α1, BCL‐2 was also increased in these cells. When siRNA against NF‐α1 was used, the induction of BCL‐2 by rosiglitazone was prevented, and the neuroprotective effect of rosiglitazone was reduced. These results demonstrate that rosiglitazone‐activated PPARγ directly induces the transcription of NF‐α1, contributing to neuroprotection in neurons.
imageWe proposed the following cascade for neuroprotection against oxidative stress by rosiglitazone: Rosiglitazone enters the neuron and binds to peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in the nucleus. The PPARγ‐rosiglitazone complex binds to the neurotrophic factor‐α1 (NF‐α1) promoter and activates the transcription of NF‐α1 mRNA which is then translated to the protein. NF‐α1 is the secreted, binds to a cognate receptor and activates the extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK) pathway. This in turn enhances the expression of the pro‐survival protein, B‐cell lymphoma 2 (BCL‐2) and inhibition of caspase 3 (Csp‐3) to mediate neuroprotection under oxidative stress. Akt, protein kinase B (PKB).
Alteration of cartilage surface collagen fibers differs locally after immobilization of knee joints in rats
Authors: Nagai Momoko , Aoyama Tomoki , Ito Akira , Tajino Junichi , Iijima Hirotaka , Yamaguchi Shoki , Zhang Xiangkai , Kuroki Hiroshi 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the ultrastructural changes of surface cartilage collagen fibers, which differ by region and the length of the experimental period in an immobilization model of rat. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into histological or macroscopic and ultrastructural assessment groups. The left knees of all the animals were surgically immobilized by external fixation for 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 weeks (n = 5/time point). Sagittal histological sections of the medial mid‐condylar region of the knee were obtained and assessed in four specific regions (contact and peripheral regions of the femur and tibia) and two zones (superficial and deep). To semi‐quantify the staining intensity of the collagen fibers in the cartilage, picrosirius red staining was used. The cartilage surface changes of all the assessed regions were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From histological and SEM observations, the fibrillation and irregular changes of the cartilage surface were more severe in the peripheral region than in the contact region. Interestingly, at 16 weeks post‐immobilization, we observed non‐fibrous structures at both the contact and peripheral regions. The collagen fiber staining intensity decreased in the contact region compared with the peripheral region. In conclusion, the alteration of surface collagen fiber ultrastructure and collagen staining intensity differed by the specific cartilage regions after immobilization. These results demonstrate that the progressive degeneration of cartilage is region specific, and depends on the length of the immobilization period.
Picking Winners? Investment Consultants’ Recommendations of Fund Managers
Authors: JENKINSON TIM , JONES HOWARD , MARTINEZ JOSE VICENTE 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTInvestment consultants advise institutional investors on their choice of fund manager. Focusing on U.S. actively managed equity funds, we analyze the factors that drive consultants’ recommendations, what impact these recommendations have on flows, and how well the recommended funds perform. We find that investment consultants’ recommendations of funds are driven largely by soft factors, rather than the funds’ past performance, and that their recommendations have a significant effect on fund flows. However, we find no evidence that these recommendations add value, suggesting that the search for winners, encouraged and guided by investment consultants, is fruitless.
Detection and Identification of Phytoplasmas in Pomegranate Trees with Yellows Symptoms
Authors: Gazel Mona , Çağlayan Kadriye , Başpınar Hüseyin , Mejia Juan F. , Paltrinieri Samanta , Bertaccini Assunta , Contaldo Nicoletta 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSymptoms resembling those associated with phytoplasma presence were observed in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) trees in June 2012 in the Aegean Region of Turkey (Aydın province). The trees exhibiting yellowing, reduced vigour, deformations and reddening of the leaves and die‐back symptoms were analysed to verify phytoplasma presence. Total nucleic acids were extracted from fresh leaf midribs and phloem tissue from young branches of ten symptomatic and five asymptomatic plants. Nested polymerase chain reaction assays using universal phytoplasma‐specific 16S rRNA and tuf gene primers were performed. Amplicons were digested with Tru1I, Tsp509I and HhaI restriction enzymes, according to the primer pair employed. The phytoplasma profiles were identical to each other and to aster yellows (16SrI‐B) strain when digestion was carried out on 16Sr(I)F1/R1 amplicons. However, one of the samples showed mixed profiles indicating that 16SrI‐B and 16SrXII‐A phytoplasmas were present when M1/M2 amplicons were digested, the reamplification of this sample with tuf cocktail primers allowed to verify the presence of a 16SrXII‐A profile. One pomegranate aster yellows strain AY‐PG from 16S rRNA gene and the 16SrXII‐A amplicon from tuf gene designed strain STOL‐PG were directly sequenced and deposited in GenBank under the Accession Numbers KJ818293 and KP161063, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of 16SrI‐B and 16SrXII‐A phytoplasmas in pomegranate trees.
Transcriptome analysis of predator‐ and prey‐induced phenotypic plasticity in the Hokkaido salamander (Hynobius retardatus)
Authors: Matsunami Masatoshi , Kitano Jun , Kishida Osamu , Michimae Hirofumi , Miura Toru , Nishimura Kinya 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPredator‐ and prey‐induced phenotypic plasticity is widely observed among amphibian species. Although ecological factors inducing diverse phenotypic responses have been extensively characterized, we know little about the molecular bases of variation in phenotypic plasticity. Larvae of the Hokkaido salamander, Hynobius retardatus, exhibit two distinct morphs: the presence of their prey, Rana pirica tadpoles, induces a broad‐headed attack morph, and the presence of predatory dragonfly nymphs (Aeshna nigroflava) induces a defence morph with enlarged external gills and a high tail. To compare the genes involved in predator‐ and prey‐induced phenotypic plasticity, we carried out a de novo transcriptome analysis of Hokkaido salamander larvae exposed to either prey or predator individuals. First, we found that the number of genes involved in the expression of the defence morph was approximately five times the number involved in the expression of the attack morph. This result is consistent with the fact that the predator‐induced plasticity involves more drastic morphological changes than the prey‐induced plasticity. Second, we found that particular sets of genes were upregulated during the induction of both the attack and defence morphs, but others were specific to the expression of one or the other morph. Because both shared and unique molecular mechanisms were used in the expression of each morph, the evolution of a new plastic phenotype might involve both the co‐option of pre‐existing molecular mechanisms and the acquisition of novel regulatory mechanisms.
Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin attenuates injury in the rat cecal ligation and puncture model of sepsis via apoptosis inhibition
Authors: Zhao Shuangping , Wei Yangjing , Xu Daomiao 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) on the rat cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)‐induced sepsis and the possible mechanism.MethodsThirty male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent CLP as sepsis models and were randomized into three groups including the sham‐operated group (sham, n = 10), which only underwent a laparotomy; the sepsis group (sepsis, n = 10), which underwent CLP and subcutaneous injection of normal saline; and the sepsis + NGAL group (sepsis + NGAL, n = 10), which underwent CLP and subcutaneous injection of NGAL. Urine, blood and kidney tissue samples were collected for the determination of urine NGAL (uNGAL), plasma NGAL (pNGAL), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), histomorphological and immunohistochemical examination, lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and expression of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO)‐1.ResultsThe levels of uNGAL, pNGAL, Scr, BUN, kidney injury score, positive TUNEL staining, activated Caspase‐3 and Bax, and kidney tissue MDA levels in the sepsis group were significantly increased compared with those in the sham‐operated group and the sepsis + NGAL group (P < 0.05). SOD level and HO‐1 expression in sepsis + NGAL group were significantly higher than those in the sham‐operated group and the sepsis group (P < 0.05).ConclusionNGAL can attenuate kidney injury and apoptosis in the rat CLP model of sepsis. And the protective effect of NGAL was probably due to the inhibition of apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, and increased expression of HO‐1.
Anorectal dysfunction in patients with ulcerative colitis: impaired adaptation or enhanced perception?
Authors: Brochard C. , Siproudhis L. , Ropert A. , Mallak A. , Bretagne J‐F , Bouguen G. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundRectal disorders during ulcerative colitis (UC) drastically alter the quality of life and may result from an impairment of rectal perception and compliance. This study aims to assess anorectal disorders in patients with mild‐to‐moderate UC.MethodsAnal pressures and the rectal responses to phasic rectal isobaric distension in 10 patients with mild‐to‐moderate UC were prospectively compared with those in 10 healthy volunteers (HVs).Key ResultsThe patients in each group were similar regarding age, gender, and delivery. In the resting state, the anal canal pressures were similar between the groups. Only the squeeze pressures of the lower anal canal were significantly lower in UC patients than in HVs. During phasic isobaric distension, rectal sensitivity was similar between the groups, whatever the step of distension. Isobaric rectal distension resulted in a significant decrease of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex and a decrease in rectal tone and a significant drop in rectal compliance in UC patients compared with HVs.Conclusions & InferencesPatients showing mild‐to‐moderate UC experience rectal compliance and innervation disorders without a significant change in rectal sensitivity. The findings of this work suggest impairment not only of the properties of the rectal wall but also of intrinsic innervation. Repeated evaluation over time may be helpful for analyzing the reversibility of the process after healing.
E‐selectin expression induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis in human endothelial cells via nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐like receptors and Toll‐like receptors
Authors: Wan M. , Liu J.R. , Wu D. , Chi X.P. , Ouyang X.Y. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryPorphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontal pathogen, has been proved to actively invade cells, induce endothelial cell activation, and promote development of atherosclerosis. Innate immune surveillance, which includes the activity of nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptors (NLRs) and Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), are essential for the control of microbial infections; however, the roles of receptor families in P. gingivalis infections remain unclear. Here, we examined the roles of NLRs and TLRs in endothelial cell activation caused by P. gingivalis. Live P. gingivalis and whole cell sonicates were used to stimulate endothelial cells, and both showed upregulation of E‐selectin as well as NOD1, NOD2, and TLR2. In addition, silencing of these genes in endothelial cells infected with P. gingivalis led to a reduction in E‐selectin expression. Porphyromonas gingivalis also induced nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and P38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in endothelial cells, whereas small interfering RNA targeting NOD1 significantly reduced these signals. Moreover, inhibition of either NOD2 or TLR2 inhibited NF‐κB significantly, but had only a weak inhibitory effect on P38 MAPK signaling. Direct inhibition of NF‐κB and P38 MAPK significantly attenuated E‐selectin expression induced by P. gingivalis in endothelial cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that NOD1, NOD2, and TLR2 play important, non‐redundant roles in endothelial cell activation following P. gingivalis infection.
The TaDREB3 transgene transferred by conventional crossings to different genetic backgrounds of bread wheat improves drought tolerance
Authors: Shavrukov Yuri , Baho Manahil , Lopato Sergiy , Langridge Peter 
Published: May 2015

SummaryDrought tolerance of the wheat cultivar Bobwhite was previously enhanced by transformation with a construct containing the wheat DREB3 gene driven by the stress‐inducible maize Rab17 promoter. Progeny of a single T2 transgenic line were used as pollinators in crosses with four elite bread wheat cultivars from Western Australia: Bonnie Rock, IGW‐2971, Magenta and Wyalkatchem, with the aim of evaluating transgene performance in different genetic backgrounds. The selected pollinator line, BW8‐9‐10‐3, contained multiple transgene copies, had significantly improved drought tolerance compared with wild‐type plants and showed no growth and development penalties or abnormalities. A single hybrid plant was selected from each cross‐combination for three rounds of backcrossing with the corresponding maternal wheat cultivar. The transgene was detected in all four F1BC3 combinations, but stress‐inducible transgene expression was found in only three of the four combinations. Under well‐watered conditions, the phenotypes and grain yield components of the F2BC3 transgene‐expressing lines were similar to those of corresponding recurrent parents and null‐segregants. Under severe drought conditions, the backcross lines demonstrated 12–18% higher survival rates than the corresponding control plants. Two from four F3BC3 transgenic lines showed significantly higher yield (18.9% and 21.5%) than control plants under limited water conditions. There was no induction of transgene expression under cold stress, and therefore, no improvement of frost tolerance observed in the progenies of drought‐tolerant F3BC3 lines.
Seasonal and within‐canopy variation in shoot‐scale resource‐use efficiency trade‐offs in a Norway spruce stand
Authors: Tarvainen Lasse , Räntfors Mats , Wallin Göran 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPrevious leaf‐scale studies of carbon assimilation describe short‐term resource‐use efficiency (RUE) trade‐offs where high use efficiency of one resource requires low RUE of another. However, varying resource availabilities may cause long‐term RUE trade‐offs to differ from the short‐term patterns. This may have important implications for understanding canopy‐scale resource use and allocation. We used continuous gas exchange measurements collected at five levels within a Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) karst., canopy over 3 years to assess seasonal differences in the interactions between shoot‐scale resource availability (light, water and nitrogen), net photosynthesis (An) and the use efficiencies of light (LUE), water (WUE) and nitrogen (NUE) for carbon assimilation. The continuous data set was used to develop and evaluate multiple regression models for predicting monthly shoot‐scale An. These models showed that shoot‐scale An was strongly dependent on light availability and was generally well described with simple one‐ or two‐parameter models. WUE peaked in spring, NUE in summer and LUE in autumn. However, the relative importance of LUE for carbon assimilation increased with canopy depth at all times. Our results suggest that accounting for seasonal and within‐canopy trade‐offs may be important for RUE‐based modelling of canopy carbon uptake.
Using Sociograms to Enhance Power and Voice in Focus Groups
Authors: Baiardi Janet M. , Gultekin Laura , Brush Barbara L. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo discuss the use of sociograms in our focus groups with homeless sheltered mothers and to assess facilitator influence and the distribution of power influence.Design and SampleAn exploratory, descriptive qualitative design that utilizes both focus groups and sociograms. Two focus groups were conducted in December 2009 (N = 7) and January 2010 (N = 4). Data analysis included a content analysis and a process analysis using sociograms to graphically represent group participant dynamics.ResultsUse of the sociogram provided a means to assess the influence of the facilitator as well as quantify the degree to which group participants' voices are included.ConclusionUsing sociograms provides a viable mechanism to complement content analysis and increase the methodological rigor of focus groups in health care research.