bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre-Post Pilot Study of Noise Levels at a University Hospital Center Pharmacy Department
Authors: Guérin Aurélie , Leroux Tony , Bussières Jean-François 
Published: March 2013

Context: Noise interferes with attention, speech understanding, detection of other auditory stimuli, and leads to interruptions. Objectives: This is a pre-post cross-sectional observational study aimed at measuring noise levels in a 500-bed mother–child university hospital center pharmacy department after the implementation of corrective measures, such as work zone reorganization, digitization of the prescription process, and education about the impact of some work habits. Results: A total of 24 measurement points (70 noise level measurements) were taken in 2007 (pre) compared to 30 measurement points (59 noise level measurements) in 2012 (post). There was a statistically significant difference in the average values of the day and night noise measurements (day 59.4 ± 5.3 dB(A) vs night 52.3 ± 8.0 dB(A); P < .001). There were no statistically significant differences in the average values of the noise measurements taken during daytime between the prestudy and poststudy phases (pre 59.4 ± 5.3 vs post 58.07 ± 6.01 dB(A); P = .22). Conclusion: Few data exist on the noise levels in hospital pharmacy departments. In spite of the corrective measures implemented, reducing noise levels in pharmacy departments was difficult to achieve. Average values of approximately 60 dB(A) seem to be unacceptable for work that requires a high level of attention.
Relationship Between Lower Extremity Alignment and Hallux Valgus in Women
Authors: Steinberg Nili , Finestone Aharon , Noff Matityahu , Zeev Aviva , Dar Gali 
Published: March 2013

Background: Most previous studies on hallux valgus focused on the possible relationship between this deformity and muscles and/or ligaments in the foot and lower leg. Very little is known about the relationship between hallux valgus and alignment of the proximal joints. The aims of the present study were to determine the extent to which lower extremity alignment characteristics of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot were related to the manifestation of hallux valgus and to identify variables predicting its development in women. Methods: A group of 25 women with hallux valgus and 24 control women, age 51 to 80 years, were interviewed and screened for the current study. Measurements recorded were hallux valgus angle; intermetatarsal angle; a set of body physique measures (eg, height); range of motion at the hip, knee, ankle, and foot joints; general hypermobility; lower extremity alignment (eg, tibiofemoral angle); and 9 anatomical anomalies (eg, knee valgus/varum). Results: Women with hallux valgus manifested notably higher range of motion at their joints, different lower extremity alignment, higher prevalence of general joint hypermobility, and higher prevalence of anatomical anomalies compared with controls. Estimated marginal means for most joint range of motion and lower extremity alignment measurements were notably higher for the hallux valgus group. Conclusion: Lower extremity alignment and joint range of motion were correlated with hallux valgus. Future studies could possibly identify anatomic risk factors for the development of hallux valgus, nonsurgical methods of prevention and adjunctive surgical methods of treatment. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative case series.
Understanding personalisation: Implications for social work
Authors: Lymbery Mark 
Published: March 2013

Summary This article analyses the centrality of the policy of personalisation within adult social care in the UK, with a particular focus on the implications for social work. It starts by considering the genesis of policy and continues by identifying different ways in which personalisation can be understood and hence analysed. Findings The article suggests that the dominant theme in the rhetoric of both government and the disability movement associates personalisation with the concept of social citizenship – whereby previously disadvantaged people will be enabled to enjoy the full benefits of society, which had previously been denied to them. By way of contrast, the article suggests that personalisation can also be analysed in relation to the critical perspective of neo-liberalism, postulating the idea that the policy is primarily concerned with the importation of consumerist ideals into social care. The article then considers the administrative dimensions of personalisation, focusing on the potential of the policy to achieve particular financial benefits and arguing that this is taking precedence over other interpretations. Applications The article concludes by considering the implications of the analysis for the practice of social work. It identifies the implications of the citizenship and neo-liberal perspectives, but concludes that imperatives of budgetary reduction are limiting the opportunities for social workers to practise within the context of personalisation. Consequently, while there is little prospect of substantial social work involvement in the context of statutory services, there may be opportunities for practitioners to engage with the issues in the context of smaller, often user-led organisations.
Critical role for mouse marginal zone B cells in PF4/heparin antibody production
Authors: Zheng Yongwei , Yu Mei , Podd Andrew , Yuan Liudi , Newman Debra K. , Wen Renren , Arepally Gowthami , Wang Demin 
Published: March 2013

Key PointsMZ B cells play a critical role in the production of PF4/heparin-specific antibodies.
De novo assembly and characterization of Camelina sativatranscriptome by paired-end sequencing
Authors: Liang Chao , Liu Xuan , Yiu Siu-Ming , Lim Boon Leong 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Biofuels extracted from the seeds of Camelina sativa have recently been used successfully as environmentally friendly jet-fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Camelina sativa is genetically very close to Arabidopsis thaliana, and both are members of the Brassicaceae. Although public databases are currently available for some members of the Brassicaceae, such as A. thaliana, A. lyrata, Brassica napus, B. juncea and B. rapa, there are no public Expressed Sequence Tags (EST) or genomic data for Camelina sativa. In this study, a high-throughput, large-scale RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the Camelina sativa transcriptome was carried out to generate a database that will be useful for further functional analyses.

Results
Approximately 27 million clean “reads” filtered from raw reads by removal of adaptors, ambiguous reads and low-quality reads (2.42 gigabase pairs) were generated by Illumina paired-end RNA-seq technology. All of these clean reads were assembled de novo into 83,493 unigenes and 103,196 transcripts using SOAPdenovo and Trinity, respectively. The average length of the transcripts generated by Trinity was 697 bp (N50 = 976), which was longer than the average length of unigenes (319 bp, N50 = 346 bp). Nonetheless, the assembly generated by SOAPdenovo produced similar number of non-redundant hits (22,435) with that of Trinity (22,433) in BLASTN searches of the Arabidopsis thaliana CDS sequence database (TAIR). Four public databases, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Swiss-prot, NCBI non-redundant protein (NR), and the Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG), were used for unigene annotation; 67,791 of 83,493 unigenes (81.2%) were finally annotated with gene descriptions or conserved protein domains that were mapped to 25,329 non-redundant protein sequences. We mapped 27,042 of 83,493 unigenes (32.4%) to 119 KEGG metabolic pathways.

Conclusions
This is the first report of a transcriptome database for Camelina sativa, an environmentally important member of the Brassicaceae. We showed that C. savita is closely related to Arabidopsis spp. and more distantly related to Brassica spp. Although the majority of annotated genes had high sequence identity to those of A. thaliana, a substantial proportion of disease-resistance genes (NBS-encoding LRR genes) were instead more closely similar to the genes of other Brassicaceae; these genes included BrCN, BrCNL, BrNL, BrTN, BrTNL in B. rapa. As plant genomes are under long-term selection pressure from environmental stressors, conservation of these disease-resistance genes in C. sativa and B. rapa genomes implies that they are exposed to the threats from closely-related pathogens in their natural habitats.
High glucose induces apoptosis and suppresses proliferation of adult rat neural stem cells following in vitro ischemia
Authors: Chen Jian , Guo Yang , Cheng Wei , Chen Ruiqing , Liu Tianzhu , Chen Zhenzhou , Tan Sheng 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundPost-stroke hyperglycemia appears to be associated with poor outcome from stroke, greater mortality, and reduced functional recovery. Focal cerebral ischemia data support that neural stem cells (NSCs) play an important role in post-ischemic repair. Here we sought to evaluate the negative effects of hyperglycemia on the cellular biology of NSCs following anoxia, and to test whether high glucose affects NSC recovery from ischemic injury.ResultsIn this study, we used immortalized adult neural stem cells lines and we inducedin vitroischemia by 6 h oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in an anaerobic incubator. Reperfusion was performed by returning cells to normoxic conditions and the cells were then incubated in experimental medium with various concentrations of glucose (17.5, 27.75, 41.75, and 83.75 mM) for 24 h. We found that high glucose (≥27.75 mM) exposure induced apoptosis of NSCs in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to OGD, using an Annexin V/PI apoptosis detection kit. The cell viability and proliferative activity of NSCs following OGDin vitro, evaluated with both a Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and a 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay, were inhibited by high glucose exposure. Cell cycle analysis showed that high glucose exposure increased the percentage of cells in G0/G1-phase, and reduced the percentage of cells in S-phase. Furthermore, high glucose exposure was found to significantly induce the activation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and suppress extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activity.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that high glucose induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation of NSCs following OGDin vitro, which may be associated with the activation of JNK/p38 MAPK pathways and the delay of G1-S transition in the cells.
A candidate gene based approach validates Md-PG1 as the main responsible for a QTL impacting fruit texture in apple (Malus x domesticaBorkh)
Authors: Longhi Sara , Hamblin Martha T , Trainotti Livio , Peace Cameron P , Velasco Riccardo , Costa Fabrizio 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Apple is a widely cultivated fruit crop for its quality properties and extended storability. Among the several quality factors, texture is the most important and appreciated, and within the apple variety panorama the cortex texture shows a broad range of variability. Anatomically these variations depend on degradation events occurring in both fruit primary cell wall and middle lamella. This physiological process is regulated by an enzymatic network generally encoded by large gene families, among which polygalacturonase is devoted to the depolymerization of pectin. In apple, Md-PG1, a key gene belonging to the polygalacturonase gene family, was mapped on chromosome 10 and co-localized within the statistical interval of a major hot spot QTL associated to several fruit texture sub-phenotypes.

Results
In this work, a QTL corresponding to the position of Md-PG1 was validated and new functional alleles associated to the fruit texture properties in 77 apple cultivars were discovered. 38 SNPs genotyped by gene full length resequencing and 2 SSR markers ad hoc targeted in the gene metacontig were employed. Out of this SNP set, eleven were used to define three significant haplotypes statistically associated to several texture components. The impact of Md-PG1 in the fruit cell wall disassembly was further confirmed by the cortex structure electron microscope scanning in two apple varieties characterized by opposite texture performance, such as ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Granny Smith’.

Conclusions
The results here presented step forward into the genetic dissection of fruit texture in apple. This new set of haplotypes, and microsatellite alleles, can represent a valuable toolbox for a more efficient parental selection as well as the identification of new apple accessions distinguished by superior fruit quality features.
Advanced glycation end products accelerate rat vascular calcification through RAGE/oxidative stress
Authors: Wei Qin , Ren Xiaomei , Jiang Yibo , Jin Hong , Liu Naifeng , Li Jie 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Arterial media calcification (AMC) is highly prevalent and is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, stroke and amputation in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Previous research suggests that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are responsible for vascular calcification in diabetic patients. The potential link between oxidative stress and AGEs-induced vascular calcification, however, has not been examined.

Methods
Male Wistar rats received a high fat diet for 8 weeks followed by a single dose of streptozotocin to induce DM (DM). Calcification was induced with Vitamin D3 and nicotine (VDN). We started VDN treatment at 1 week after the initial streptozotocin injection (DM+VDN). Age-matched rats were used as controls (CON). Metabolic parameters, aortic calcium content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) protein, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, aorta receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and aorta AGEs levels were measured. In vitro, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were cultured with AGEs in DMEM containing 10 mmol·L-1 ß -glycerophosphate (ß-GP). Calcium content and ALP activity were used to identify osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization. Western blots were used to examine protein expression of Cu/Zn SOD, NADPH oxidase Nox1 and RAGE. In addition, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated using fluorescent techniques with dihydroethidine (DHE) method.

Results
The DM+VDN group showed a significant increase in aortic calcium content, levels of aorta AGEs, MDA content, ALP protein levels and RAGE expression, although Cu/Zn SOD activity decreased significantly. In vitro, enhanced Nox1, RAGE expression as well as the production of intracellular superoxide anions, and reduced expression of Cu/Zn SOD induced by AGEs were attenuated by the anti-RAGE antibody or a ROS inhibitor. Furthermore, the AGEs-stimulated ROS increase was also significantly inhibited by a SOD mimetic. Increased ALP activity and calcium deposition were also inhibited markedly by the ROS inhibitor and the anti-RAGE antibody.

Conclusions
These results suggest that AGEs enhance vascular calcification partly through a RAGE/oxidative stress pathway.
Epidemiology and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in northern Brazil: an analytical descriptive prospective cohort study
Authors: Resende Marília M , Monteiro Sílvio G , Callegari Bianca , Figueiredo Patrícia M S , Monteiro Cinara R A V , Monteiro-Neto Valério 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is considered the most common nosocomial infection in the intensive care unit (ICU), but its features are not fully known in many hospitals in Brazil. We identified clinical and epidemiological aspects associated with VAP in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a general public hospital in northern Brazil and performed an analytical descriptive prospective cohort study.MethodsWe analyzed data from thirty-three patients who developed VAP while in the ICU. Clinical and epidemiological data of patients were obtained and tracheal secretions were submitted to culture. Microbial isolates were identified and evaluated for resistance against antimicrobial agents by using the automated Vitek 2 system.ResultsThe frequency of VAP was 26.2% in patients submitted to invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours, and death occurred in 78.8% of cases. Only the presence of comorbidity showed a significant association (P = 0.029) with death. The most commonly found bacteria werePseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacterspp.,and Enterobacteriaceae.We also found a frequency of 54.5% of multiresistant bacteria associated with VAP, and previous antibiotic therapy was used in 97% of patients.ConclusionsVAP in our ICU presented with a high frequency and was mainly caused by multiresistant bacteria. Implementation of rational protocols for the use of antibacterial agents and rapid delivery of culture and susceptibility test results are essential. This may help decrease VAP-related mortality rates by multiresistant bacteria in the ICU.
Design, implementation and evaluation of a national campaign to deliver 18 million free long-lasting insecticidal nets to uncovered sleeping spaces in Tanzania
Authors: Renggli Sabine , Mandike Renata , Kramer Karen , Patrick Faith , Brown Nick J , McElroy Peter D , Rimisho Wilhelmina , Msengwa Amina , Mnzava Ally , Nathan Rose , Mtung’e Romanus , Mgullo Rita , Lweikiza Jane , Lengeler Christian 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Since 2004, the Tanzanian National Voucher Scheme has increased availability and accessibility of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to pregnant women and infants by subsidizing the cost of nets purchased. From 2008 to 2010, a mass distribution campaign delivered nine million long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) free-of-charge to children under-five years of age in Tanzania mainland. In 2010 and 2011, a Universal Coverage Campaign (UCC) led by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) was implemented to cover all sleeping spaces not yet reached through previous initiatives.

Methods
The UCC was coordinated through a unit within the National Malaria Control Programme. Partners were contracted by the MoHSW to implement different activities in collaboration with local government authorities. Volunteers registered the number of uncovered sleeping spaces in every household in the country. On this basis, LLINs were ordered and delivered to village level, where they were issued over a three-day period in each zone (three regions). Household surveys were conducted in seven districts immediately after the campaign to assess net ownership and use.

Results
The UCC was chiefly financed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria with important contributions from the US President’s Malaria Initiative. A total of 18.2 million LLINs were delivered at an average cost of USD 5.30 per LLIN. Overall, 83% of the expenses were used for LLIN procurement and delivery and 17% for campaign associated activities. Preliminary results of the latest Tanzania HIV Malaria Indicator Survey (2011–12) show that household ownership of at least one ITN increased to 91.5%. ITN use, among children under-five years of age, improved to 72.7% after the campaign. ITN ownership and use data post-campaign indicated high equity across wealth quintiles.

Conclusion
Close collaboration among the MoHSW, donors, contracted partners, local government authorities and volunteers made it possible to carry out one of the largest LLIN distribution campaigns conducted in Africa to date. Through the strong increase of ITN use, the recent activities of the national ITN programme will likely result in further decline in child mortality rates in Tanzania, helping to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 6.
Novel biomarkers for early prediction of sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in a mouse cecal ligation and puncture model
Authors: Song Jingchun , Hu Dunzhong , He Chao , Wang Tao , Liu Xuefeng , Ma Linhao , Lin Zhaofen , Chen Zili 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Introduction
The objective of this study was to identify biomarkers of sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) among platelet-derived factors using biotin label-based custom protein microarray technology in a mouse cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model.

Methods
KM mice were randomized into sham-operated and CLP groups. Blood samples were obtained immediately and at 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after establishment of the CLP for platelet count, coagulation assay and blood chemistry. Lung and mesentery tissues were examined histologically at all corresponding time points, looking for microthrombus formation. Serial protein microarray analysis was performed to detect platelet-derived factors.

Results
The survival rate 72 h post-CLP was 15%, but there was no mortality among the sham-operated mice. Compared with the sham group, the platelet count (n = 5, p < 0.05), fibrinogen concentration (n = 5, p < 0.05) and alanine aminotransferase level of the CLP group began to decrease significantly at 6 h post-CLP. Significant prolongation of prothrombin time (n = 5, p < 0.05) and activated partial thromboplastin time (n = 5, p < 0.05) and elevation of D-dimer (n = 5, p < 0.05) occurred after 6 h post-CLP. On histology, microthrombus formation in lung and mesentery tissue was observed in the CLP groups 6 h post-CLP and had become significant and extensive 12 h post-CLP (n = 5, p < 0.05). On protein microarray analysis and ELISA, thrombospondin (TSP), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and thymus chemokine-1 (TCK-1) all increased during the first 2 h post-CLP, then remained at a higher level than in the sham group for 72 h post-CLP (n = 5, p < 0.05).

Conclusions
TSP, TIMP-1 and TCK-1 are elevated in the early stage of sepsis-induced DIC in a mouse CLP model and may be considered early markers for sepsis-induced DIC.
Spontaneous rupture of primary splenic angiosarcoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Duan Yun-Fei , Jiang Yong , Wu Chuan-Xing , Zhu Feng 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Primary angiosarcoma of the spleen is a rare mesenchymal malignant tumor of vascular origin often with a poor prognosis, due to its high metastatic potential. This disease often presents with atraumatic rupture and lethal hemorrhage.

Case presentation
We report a case of a 65-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and palpable abdominal mass with unstable blood pressure. Laparotomy revealed a huge actively bleeding spleen, thus splenectomy was performed. Some liver metastasis foci were also found during the procedure. Histopathology diagnosis of the removed spleen was primary splenic angiosarcoma. The patient was discharged on the 10th day post operation with no complication.

Conclusions
Splenic angiosarcoma should be considered one of the differential diagnoses in patients with spleen parenchymal lesions. Definitive diagnosis requires laparotomy followed by splenectomy. In the majority of the patients with spleen angiosarcoma, metastatic diseases have already occurred at the time of laparotomy, so splenectomy is an approach more for diagnostic purpose rather than curative purpose.