bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Severe Cerebral White Matter Lesions in Ischemic Stroke Patients are Associated with Less Time Spent at Home and Early Institutionalization
Authors: Sibolt Gerli , Curtze Sami , Melkas Susanna , Pohjasvaara Tarja , Kaste Markku , Karhunen Pekka J. , Oksala Niku K. J. , Erkinjuntti Timo 
Published: October 2015

Background Cerebral white matter lesions are one imaging surrogate for cerebral small vessel disease. These white matter lesions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in both the general population and ischemic stroke patients. Aims To investigate whether severe white matter lesions in a cohort of ischemic stroke patients are associated with fewer days spent at home and earlier permanent institutionalization. Methods We included 391 consecutive patients aged 55–85 years with ischemic stroke admitted to the Helsinki University Central Hospital (the Stroke Aging Memory cohort) with a 21-year follow-up. Hospitalization and nursing home admissions were reviewed from national registers.white matter lesions were rated using magnetic resonance imaging performed three-months poststroke, dichotomized as none-to-moderate and severe. Kaplan–Meier plots log-rank and binary logistic regression (odds ratio) and Cox multivariable proportional hazards model were used to study the association of white matter lesions with days spent at home and the time of permanent institutionalization. Hazards and odds ratio with their 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results Severe white matter lesions were associated with fewer days spent at home, and more frequent, and earlier permanent institutionalization (1487 vs. 2354 days; log-rank P < 0·001). After adjusting for significant covariates from univariable analyses, severe white matter lesions were associated with fewer days spent at home (odds ratio 1·62; confidence interval 1·16–2·25), permanent institutionalization within five-years (odds ratio 2·29; confidence interval 1·23–4·29), and increased hazards ratio of permanent institutionalization during 21 years of follow-up (1·64; confidence interval 1·119–2·26). Conclusions After ischemic stroke, patients with severe white matter lesions spend fewer days at home and become permanently institutionalized earlier, especially within the first five-years.
Employee training practices and unions: Perspectives from Quebec
Authors: HASSI Abderrahman , FOUCHER Roland 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBased on a survey of 301 small and medium‐sized enterprises in Quebec, this article explores the influence of unions on employee training in these firms. While unionization is generally found to have an influence on employee training practices, the authors' focus on the inclusion or non‐inclusion of specific training clauses in collective agreements shows that such clauses establish a regulatory framework for certain forms of learning and training support at the workplace, which enhances union influence. Overall, however, the inclusion (or absence) of training clauses in collective agreements does not necessarily translate into higher (or lower) participation in actual training activities.
Early Outcomes With Direct Flow Medical Versus First‐Generation Transcatheter Aortic Valve Devices: A Single‐Center Propensity‐Matched Analysis
Authors: Giustino Gennaro , Latib Azeem , Panoulas Vasileios F. , Montorfano Matteo , Chieffo Alaide , Taramasso Maurizio , Sato Katsumasa , Agricola Eustachio , Alfieri Ottavio , Colombo Antonio 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesTo compare early outcomes between Direct Flow Medical (DFM) and 1st‐generation transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices.BackgroundThe effectiveness of new‐generation TAVR devices compared with earlier generations is unclear.Methods and ResultsOverall, 496 patients treated between November 2007 and March 2014 were included: 44 (8.7%) treated with DFM, 179 (36.9%) with Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) and 273 (54.4%) with Edwards Sapien / Sapien XT (SXT) valve. Because of differences in baseline characteristics, propensity‐score matching among patients treated in the same time span (March 2012–March 2014) was performed. The primary objective was the VARC‐2 device success composite endpoint. Propensity‐score matching identified 41 patients in each group. A higher device success composite endpoint was observed in DFM (DFM 97.6% vs. MCV 65.9% vs. SXT 92.7%; P < 0.001). This was attributed to a significantly lower incidence of moderate‐to‐severe post‐procedural aortic regurgitation (AR; 2.4% vs. 22% vs. 7.3%; P < 0.001), lower rate of valve embolization (0% vs. 7.3% vs. 0%; 0.041) and need for a 2nd valve implantation (0% vs. 7.3% vs. 0%; P = 0.041).ConclusionsDFM was associated with higher rates of device success and a lower incidence of post‐procedural AR. New generation devices appear to address several of the limitations of earlier generation devices. (J Interven
Cardiol 2015;28:583–593)
Embracing the pteridophyte classification of Ren‐Chang Ching using a generic phylogeny of Chinese ferns and lycophytes
Authors: Liu Hong‐Mei 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe phylogenetic relationships of pteridophytes occurring in China were reconstructed using DNA sequences of the three plastid genes, atpA, atpB, and rbcL. The sampling comprised all genera of Chinese pteridophytes—including ferns and lycophytes—with the exception of four small genera. The effort to sample all recorded families and genera in a phylogenetic framework enabled the phylogenetic relationships of all Chinese pteridophytes to be addressed for the first time in a single phylogenetic hypothesis. The results provided strong evidence to support the continuing impact of Ren‐Chang Ching's integrative classification of pteridophytes. Ten out of 11 orders accepted by Ching were consistent with the phylogeny, whereas four new orders were introduced to avoid paraphyletic taxa in the leptosporangiate ferns. Of the 63 families considered by Ching, 36 families were supported by molecular data, 22 of those had the same or nearly the same circumscription, and the remaining 14 families were supported but substantially revised. Twenty‐eight small families were now accepted as synonyms. A consistent pattern was observed at the generic level. Among the 223 genera considered by Ching, 133 genera were recognized by the phylogeny, although some of them were substantially changed in the context of circumscription, and 90 were now accepted as synonyms. Three endemic genera were incorporated here for the first time in DNA‐based phylogenetic analyses, namely Blechnidium, Saxiglossum, and Sinephropteris, which were shown to be nested in Blechnum, Pyrrosia, and Asplenium respectively. This paper tentatively accepts 40 families and 151 genera of ferns and lycophytes occurring in China; the importance of phylodiversity of Chinese pteridophytes is also briefly discussed.
Auxin response factors
Authors: Chandler John William 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAuxin signalling involves the activation or repression of gene expression by a class of auxin response factor (ARF) proteins that bind to auxin response elements in auxin‐responsive gene promoters. The release of ARF repression in the presence of auxin by the degradation of their cognate auxin/indole‐3‐acetic acid repressors forms a paradigm of transcriptional response to auxin. However, this mechanism only applies to activating ARFs, and further layers of complexity of ARF function and regulation are being revealed, which partly reflect their highly modular domain structure. This review summarizes our knowledge concerning ARF binding site specificity, homodimer and heterodimer multimeric ARF association and cooperative function and how activator ARFs activate target genes via chromatin remodelling and evolutionary information derived from phylogenetic comparisons from ARFs from diverse species. ARFs are regulated in diverse ways, and their importance in non‐auxin‐regulated pathways is becoming evident. They are also embedded within higher‐order transcription factor complexes that integrate signalling pathways from other hormones and in response to the environment. The ways in which new information concerning ARFs on many levels is causing a revision of existing paradigms of auxin response are discussed.
Age‐related neuromuscular changes affecting human vastus lateralis
Authors: Piasecki M. , Ireland A. , Stashuk D. , Hamilton‐Wright A. , Jones D. A. , McPhee J. S. 
Published: October 2015

Key points
Skeletal muscle size and strength decline in older age.
The vastus lateralis, a large thigh muscle, undergoes extensive neuromuscular remodelling in healthy ageing, as characterized by a loss of motor neurons, enlargement of surviving motor units and instability of neuromuscular junction transmission.
The loss of motor axons and changes to motor unit potential transmission precede a clinically‐relevant loss of muscle mass and function.
AbstractThe anterior thigh muscles are particularly susceptible to muscle loss and weakness during ageing, although how this is associated with changes to neuromuscular structure and function in terms of motor unit (MU) number, size and MU potential (MUP) stability remains unclear. Intramuscular (I.M.) and surface electromyographic signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL) during voluntary contractions held at 25% maximal knee extensor strength in 22 young (mean ± SD, 25.3 ± 4.8 years) and 20 physically active older men (71.4 ± 6.2 years). MUP size, firing rates, phases, turns and near fibre (NF) jiggle were determined and MU number estimates (MUNEs) were made by comparing average surface MUP with maximal electrically‐evoked compound muscle action potentials. Quadriceps cross‐sectional area was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. In total, 379 individual MUs were sampled in younger men and 346 in older men. Compared to the MU in younger participants, those in older participants had 8% lower firing rates and larger MUP size (+25%), as well as increased complexity, as indicated by phases (+13%), turns (+20%) and NF jiggle (+11%) (all P < 0.0005). The MUNE values (derived from the area of muscle in range of the surface‐electrode) in older participants were ∼70% of those in the young (P < 0.05). Taking into consideration the 30% smaller cross‐sectional area of the VL, the total number of MUs in the older muscles was between 50% and 60% lower compared to in young muscles (P < 0.0005). A large portion of the VL MU pool is lost in older men and those recruited during moderate intensity contractions were enlarged and less stable. These MU changes were evident before clinically relevant changes to muscle function were apparent; nevertheless, the changes in MU number and size are probably a prelude to future movement problems.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for detecting major depression in pregnant and postnatal women: protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analyses
Authors: Thombs Brett D , Benedetti Andrea , Kloda Lorie A , Levis Brooke , Riehm Kira E , Azar Marleine , Cuijpers Pim , Gilbody Simon , Ioannidis John P A , McMillan Dean , Patten Scott B , Shrier Ian , Steele Russell J , Ziegelstein Roy C , Tonelli Marcello , Mitchell Nicholas , Comeau Liane , Schinazi Joy , Vigod Simone 
Published: October 2015

IntroductionStudies of the diagnostic accuracy of depression screening tools often used data-driven methods to select optimal cut-offs. Typically, these studies report results from a small range of cut-off points around whatever cut-off score is identified as most accurate. When published data are combined in meta-analyses, estimates of accuracy for different cut-off points may be based on data from different studies, rather than data from all studies for each cut-off point. Thus, traditional meta-analyses may exaggerate accuracy estimates. Individual patient data (IPD) meta-analyses synthesise data from all studies for each cut-off score to obtain accuracy estimates. The 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is commonly recommended for depression screening in the perinatal period. The primary objective of this IPD meta-analysis is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the EPDS to detect major depression among women during pregnancy and in the postpartum period across all potentially relevant cut-off scores, accounting for patient factors that may influence accuracy (age, pregnancy vs postpartum).Methods and analysisData sources will include Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Studies that include a diagnosis of major depression based on a validated structured or semistructured clinical interview administered within 2 weeks of (before or after) the administration of the EPDS will be included. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Bivariate random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted for the full range of plausible cut-off values. Analyses will evaluate data from pregnancy and the postpartum period separately, as well as combining data from all women in a single model.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethics approval. Dissemination will include journal articles and presentations to policymakers, healthcare providers and researchers.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO 2015:CRD42015024785.
9p21.3 Coronary Artery Disease Risk Variants Disrupt TEAD Transcription Factor–Dependent Transforming Growth Factor β Regulation of p16 Expression in Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Almontashiri Naif A. M. , Antoine Darlène , Zhou Xun , Vilmundarson Ragnar O. , Zhang Sean X. , Hao Kennedy N. , Chen Hsiao-Huei , Stewart Alexandre F. R. 
Published: October 2015

Background—
The mechanism whereby the 9p21.3 locus confers risk for coronary artery disease remains incompletely understood. Risk alleles are associated with reduced expression of the cell cycle suppressor genes CDKN2A (p16 and p14) and CDKN2B (p15) and increased vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. We asked whether risk alleles disrupt transcription factor binding to account for this effect.

Methods and Results—
A bioinformatic screen was used to predict which of 59 single nucleotide polymorphisms at the 9p21.3 locus disrupt (or create) transcription factor binding sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift and luciferase reporter assays examined the binding and functionality of the predicted regulatory sequences. Primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) were genotyped for 9p21.3, and HAoSMCs homozygous for the risk allele showed reduced p15 and p16 levels and increased proliferation. rs10811656 and rs4977757 disrupted functional TEF-1 TEC1 AbaA domain (TEAD) transcription factor binding sites. TEAD3 and TEAD4 overexpression induced p16 in HAoSMCs homozygous for the nonrisk allele, but not for the risk allele. Transforming growth factor β, known to activate p16 and also to interact with TEAD factors, failed to induce p16 or to inhibit proliferation of HAoSMCs homozygous for the risk allele. Knockdown of TEAD3 blocked transforming growth factor β–induced p16 mRNA and protein expression, and dual knockdown of TEAD3 and TEAD4 markedly reduced p16 expression in heterozygous HAoSMCs.

Conclusions—
Here, we identify a novel mechanism whereby sequences at the 9p21.3 risk locus disrupt TEAD factor binding and TEAD3-dependent transforming growth factor β induction of p16 in HAoSMCs. This mechanism accounts, in part, for the 9p21.3 coronary artery disease risk.
Effect of Switching From Statin Monotherapy to Ezetimibe/Simvastatin Combination Therapy Compared With Other Intensified Lipid‐Lowering Strategies on Lipoprotein Subclasses in Diabetic Patients With Symptomatic Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Le Ngoc‐Anh , Tomassini Joanne E. , Tershakovec Andrew M. , Neff David R. , Wilson Peter W. F. 
Published: October 2015

Background

Patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease may not achieve adequate low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL
‐C) lowering on statin monotherapy, attributed partly to atherogenic dyslipidemia. More intensive
LDL
‐C–lowering therapy can be considered for these patients. A previous randomized, controlled study demonstrated greater
LDL
‐C lowering in diabetic patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease who switched from simvastatin 20 mg (S20) or atorvastatin 10 mg (A10) to combination ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/20 mg (ES10/20) therapy, compared with statin dose‐doubling (to S40 or A20) or switching to rosuvastatin 10 mg (R10). The effect of these regimens on novel biomarkers of atherogenic dyslipidemia (low‐ and high‐density lipoprotein particle number and lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 [Lp‐PLA
2
]) was assessed.

Methods and Results

Treatment effects on low‐ and high‐density lipoprotein particle number (
by NMR
) and Lp‐PLA
2
(by
ELISA
) were evaluated using plasma samples available from 358 subjects in the study. Switching to ES10/20 reduced low‐density lipoprotein‐particle number numerically more than did statin dose‐doubling and was comparable with R10 (−133.3, −94.4, and −56.3 nmol/L, respectively;
P
>0.05). Increases in high‐density lipoprotein particle number were significantly greater with switches to ES10/20 versus statin dose‐doubling (1.5 and −0.5 μmol/L;
P
<0.05) and comparable with R10 (0.7 μmol/L;
P
>0.05). Percentages of patients attaining low‐density lipoprotein particle number levels <990 nmol/L were 62.4% for ES10/20, 54.1% for statin dose‐doubling, and 57.0% for R10. Switching to ES10/20 reduced Lp‐PLA
2
activity significantly more than did statin dose‐doubling (−28.0 versus −3.8 nmol/min per mL,
P
<0.05) and was comparable with R10 (−28.0 versus −18.6 nmol/min per mL;
P
>0.05); effects on Lp‐PLA
2
concentration were modest.

Conclusions

In diabetic patients with dyslipidemia, switching from statins to combination ES10/20 therapy generally improved lipoprotein subclass profile and Lp‐PLA
2
activity more than did statin dose‐doubling and was comparable with R10, consistent with its lipid effects.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00862251.
Hypoxia triggers high-altitude headache with migraine features: A prospective trial
Authors: Broessner Gregor , Rohregger Johanna , Wille Maria , Lackner Peter , Ndayisaba Jean-Pierre , Burtscher Martin 
Published: October 2015

Background Given the high prevalence and clinical impact of high-altitude headache (HAH), a better understanding of risk factors and headache characteristics may give new insights into the understanding of hypoxia being a trigger for HAH or even migraine attacks. Methods In this prospective trial, we simulated high altitude (4500 m) by controlled normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 = 12.6%) to investigate acute mountain sickness (AMS) and headache characteristics. Clinical symptoms of AMS according to the Lake Louise Scoring system (LLS) were recorded before and after six and 12 hours in hypoxia. O2 saturation was measured using pulse oximetry at the respective time points. History of primary headache, especially episodic or chronic migraine, was a strict exclusion criterion. Findings In total 77 volunteers (43 (55.8%) males, 34 (44.2%) females) were enrolled in this study. Sixty-three (81.18%) and 40 (71.4%) participants developed headache at six or 12 hours, respectively, with height and SpO2 being significantly different between headache groups at six hours ( p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression model revealed a significant association of SpO2 and headache development ( p < 0.05, OR 1.123, 95% CI 1.001–1.259). In a subgroup of participants, with history of migraine being a strict exclusion criterion, hypoxia triggered migraine-like headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta) in n = 5 (8%) or n = 6 (15%), at six and 12 hours, respectively. Interpretation Normobaric hypoxia is a trigger for HAH and migraine-like headache attacks even in healthy volunteers without any history of migraine. Our study confirms the pivotal role of hypoxia in the development of AMS and beyond that suggests hypoxia may be involved in migraine pathophysiology.
Nurses improve migraine management in primary care
Authors: Veenstra Petra , Kollen Boudewijn J , de Jong Gosse , Baarveld Frans , van den Berg JS Peter 
Published: October 2015

Introduction Migraine is a common disorder with a high burden. Adequate treatment results in improvement of quality of life. Migraine patients are mainly treated by general practitioners (GPs), but there is still room for improvement. This study investigated whether primary care nurses could improve the treatment of migraine patients compared to usual care as provided by the GPs. Participants and methods We conducted a non-randomized controlled prospective trial in 235 patients diagnosed with migraine with or without aura according to ICHD-II criteria, aged between 18 and 65 years. Patients with migraine treated only by their GP were compared to management by a nurse supervised by a GP. Results In the intervention group, fewer migraine patients were referred to a neurologist ( p < 0.001). The reduction in monthly migraine days compared to baseline was more apparent in the intervention group at six ( p = 0.09) and nine months ( p = 0.006). There was no significant change in dichotomized HIT score ( p = 0.076). Change in satisfaction of patients did not differ significantly ( p = 0.070). Conclusions The care administered by a headache nurse in the primary care setting supervised by a GP resulted in fewer referrals to the neurologist and more migraine-free days per month, but no change in HIT score. There was no difference in satisfaction scores between both groups.
Platelet activating factor in allergies
Authors: Pałgan Krzysztof , Bartuzi Zbigniew 
Published: October 2015

The platelet-activating factor (PAF) produced and released by mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, fibroblasts, platelets, endothelial cells, and even cardiac muscle cells plays an important role in inflammatory and thrombotic diseases. PAF has been shown to be an important mediator in anaphylaxis. Serum level of the factor correlates with the severity of systemic reactions. PAF is also involved in asthamatic patients’ bronchoconstriction, mucus hypersecretion, and inflammation of bronchi. Furthermore, increased plasma levels of PAF have been reported in patients with urticarial. Studies have shown that PAF increases the permeability of skin’s capillaries and indices the development of wheals, flare, and inflammatory reactions in the skin. This review focuses on the actions of the PAF on the eosinophiles and mast cells. Following that pathophysiological mechanism of the PAF in anaphylaxis bronchial asthma and urticaria was discussed.