bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unemployment, Government Healthcare Spending, and Cerebrovascular Mortality, Worldwide 1981–2009: An Ecological Study
Authors: Maruthappu Mahiben , Shalhoub Joseph , Tariq Zoon , Williams Callum , Atun Rifat , Davies Alun H. , Zeltner Thomas 
Published: January 2015

Background The global economic downturn has been associated with unemployment rises, reduced health spending, and worsened population health. This has raised the question of how economic variations affect health outcomes. Aim We sought to determine the effect of changes in unemployment and government healthcare expenditure on cerebrovascular mortality globally. Methods Data were obtained from the World Bank and World Health Organization. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the effect of changes in unemployment and government healthcare expenditure on cerebrovascular mortality. Country-specific differences in infrastructure and demographics were controlled for. One- to five-year lag analyses and robustness checks were conducted. Results Across 99 countries worldwide, between 1981 and 2009, every 1% increase in unemployment was associated with a significant increase in cerebrovascular mortality (coefficient 187, CI: 86·6–288, P = 0·0003). Every 1% rise in government healthcare expenditure, across both genders, was associated with significant decreases in cerebrovascular deaths (coefficient 869, CI: 383–1354, P = 0·0005). The association between unemployment and cerebrovascular mortality remained statistically significant for at least five years subsequent to the 1% unemployment rise, while the association between government healthcare expenditure and cerebrovascular mortality remained significant for two years. These relationships were both shown to be independent of changes in gross domestic product per capita, inflation, interest rates, urbanization, nutrition, education, and out-of-pocket spending. Conclusions Rises in unemployment and reductions in government healthcare expenditure are associated with significant increases in cerebrovascular mortality globally. Clinicians may also need to consider unemployment as a possible risk factor for cerebrovascular disease mortality.
Stroke Incidence and Case-Fatality among Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Populations in the Northern Territory of Australia, 1999–2011
Authors: You Jiqiong , Condon John R. , Zhao Yuejen , Guthridge Steven L. 
Published: January 2015

Background Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia. The impact of stroke on the Australia Indigenous people is, however, unclear. Aim This study describes hospital-based stroke incidence and case fatality in the Northern Territory population in Australia. Methods Retrospective study of Northern Territory residents with a first-ever stroke episode and case fatality among Northern Territory residents in 1999–2011. Results The rate ratio of age-adjusted stroke incidence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations was 2·8 for men and 2·7 for women, similar to those reported elsewhere in Australia. The rate ratio increased to 3·8 (95% confidence interval: 3·4–4·3) after adjusting for multiple risk factors. There was no change in annual incidence between 1999 and 2011 for either non-Indigenous (incidence rate ratio per year 1·01, 95% confidence interval: 1·00–1·03) or Indigenous people (incidence rate ratio: 1·00, 95% confidence interval: 0·98–1·02), although incidence did increase for non-Indigenous people in the 15–39 year age group (incidence rate ratio:1·09, 95% confidence interval:1·02–1·17) and for Indigenous people in the 40–64 year age group (incidence rate ratio:1·03, 95% confidence interva 1·00–1·06). The case fatality rate decreased from 22% in 1999 to 12% in 2011. In-hospital deaths were more common among; older and Indigenous people, for those with other chronic diseases, and from haemorrhagic stroke compared with ischemic stroke. Conclusions In the Northern Territory, as elsewhere in Australia, Indigenous Australians are more likely than other Australians to suffer a stroke. Lack of falling in incidence in the Northern Territory population highlights the importance for ongoing comprehensive primary and acute care in reducing risk factors and managing stroke patients.
Carotid Plaque Inflammation Assessed with 18F-FDG PET/CT is Higher in Symptomatic Compared with Asymptomatic Patients
Authors: Skagen Karolina , Johnsrud Kjersti , Evensen Kristin , Scott Helge , Krohg-Sørensen Kirsten , Reier-Nilsen Frode , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth , Fjeld Jan Gunnar , Skjelland Mona , Russell David 
Published: January 2015

Background Carotid artery plaque inflammation is thought to be an important marker of plaque vulnerability and increased stroke risk. Aim The main aim of this study was to assess the level of agreement between 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) uptake on PET (positron emission tomography) scan in carotid plaques, with cerebrovascular symptoms, carotid plaque ultrasound echogenicity and histological assessments of plaque inflammation. Methods Thirty-six patients with ≥70% carotid stenosis scheduled for carotid endarterectomy underwent a Colour Duplex ultrasound, 18F-FDG PET/CT and blood tests less than 24 h prior to surgery. Plaques were defined as symptomatic when associated with ipsilateral cerebral ischemic symptoms within 30 days prior to inclusion. Plaques were assessed histologically following endarterectomy. The level of agreement between 18F-FDG uptake (mean SUVmax and SUVmax), and target-to-background ratio, symptoms, plaque echolucency, and histological evidence of inflammation was assessed. Results The amount of 18F-FDG uptake in plaques and the amount of inflammation on histological assessment were significantly correlated (r = 0·521, P = 0·003). 18F-FDG uptake was significantly higher in symptomatic plaques with median SUVmax 1·75 (1·26–2·04) in symptomatic, and 1·43 (1·15–2·28) in asymptomatic patients ( P = 0·03). 18F-FDG uptake was also positively correlated with echolucency on Doppler ultrasound ( P = 0·03). Conclusion 18F-FDG uptake on PET/CT correlated with histological assessments of inflammation and was higher in patients with symptomatic compared with asymptomatic carotid artery plaques. These results support the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection inflammation in carotid atherosclerosis, which may be of help in the detection of vulnerable plaques.
Threshold for NIH Stroke Scale in Predicting Vessel Occlusion and Functional Outcome after Stroke Thrombolysis
Authors: Cooray Charith , Fekete Klara , Mikulik Robert , Lees Kennedy R. , Wahlgren Nils , Ahmed Niaz 
Published: January 2015

Background Data are limited on optimal threshold for baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in predicting outcome after stroke thrombolysis (intravenous thrombolysis). Aims Finding thresholds for baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores that predict functional outcome and baseline vessel occlusion. Methods We analyzed 44 331 patients with available modified Rankin Scale score at three-months and 11 632 patients with computed tomography/magnetic resonance angiography documented vessel occlusion at baseline in the SITS-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register. Main outcomes were functional independency (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) at three-months and baseline vessel occlusion. We obtained area under the curves by receiver operating characteristic analysis and calculated multivariately adjusted odds ratio for the outcomes of interest based on baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. Results For functional independency, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of 12 (area under the curve 0·775) and for baseline vessel occlusion, scores of 11 (area under the curve 0·678) were optimal threshold values. For functional independency, adjusted odds ratio decreased to 0·07 (95% CI 0·05–0·11), and for presence of baseline occlusion, aOR increased to 3·28 (95% CI 3·04–3·58) for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores 12 and 11, respectively, compared with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 0. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale thresholds decreased with time from stroke onset to imaging, with 2–3 points, respectively, if time to imaging exceeded three-hours. Conclusions Ideally, all acute stroke patients should have immediate access to multimodal imaging. In reality these services are limited. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of 11 and 12 were identified as markers of baseline vessel occlusion and functional independency after intravenous thrombolysis, respectively. These values are time dependent; therefore, a threshold of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 9 or 10 points may be considered in the prehospital selection of patients for immediate transfer to centers with multimodal imaging and availability of highly specialized treatments.
Short‐term diabetes‐ and diuresis‐induced alterations of the bladder are mostly reversible in rats
Authors: Xiao Nan , Huang Yexiang , Kavran Michael , Elrashidy Rania A , Liu Guiming 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesTo determine whether diabetes mellitus‐ and diuresis‐induced alterations in the bladder can be reversed in rats.MethodsMale Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly distributed into eight groups (n = 16 per group): 3 weeks and 11 weeks age‐matched controls, 3 weeks and 11 weeks after streptozotocin‐induced diabetes mellitus, 3 weeks after diabetes mellitus induction then treated with insulin for 8 weeks, 3 weeks and 11 weeks after 5% sucrose‐induced diuresis, and 3 weeks after 5% sucrose‐induced diuresis followed by removal of 5% sucrose for 8 weeks. Bodyweight, blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c were monitored. At the designated time‐points, 24‐h urinary habits were examined, and cystometry was carried out in half of the animals. The bladders from the remaining animals were harvested for histological examination, and quantification of smooth muscle, urothelium and collagen components.ResultsInsulin treatment reversed hyperglycemia and polyuria in diabetic animals successfully, which was shown by normalization of blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c and 24‐h urinary habits. Subsequently, bodyweight, bladder weight and percentage change of bladder components (smooth muscle, collagen, urothelium) in total bladder cross‐sectional area were reversed to almost normal levels, and the bladder dysfunction was mostly reversed by 8 weeks of glycemic control, seen in the cystometry study. Similar alterations and reversed effects were seen in diuretic rats without and with 5% sucrose removal, respectively.ConclusionsShort‐term (3‐week induction) diabetes‐ and polyuria‐induced functional and morphological alterations of the bladder can mostly be reversed in rats.
Mental effort during active and passive coping: A dual‐task analysis
Authors: BONGARD STEPHAN 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis study was designed to examine the invested mental effort during active and passive coping by means of performance data. Dual‐task performance was measured while subjects coped with a situation, either actively or passively. Thirty‐six male students worked on a primary mental arithmetic task (MAT) and a secondary choice reaction time task simultaneously. Half of the sample could avoid an aversive tone by performing well on the MAT. For the remaining half, their performance had no influence on the tone. The aversive tone stimulation of these subjects was yoked to a “partner,” in the first group. Subjects with control showed elevated cardiovascular responses and inferior secondary task performance than subjects without control. No differences were found in the performance on the MAT. These results were in line with the assumption that subjects with control spent more effort on the primary task. Subjects under the active coping condition probably payed more attention to the tone, which consumed more cognitive resources.
Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation in the Postpneumonectomy Population: A Feasibility, Safety, and Outcomes Study
Authors: KANMANTHAREDDY ARUN , VALLAKATI AJAY , REDDY YERUVA MADHU , DIXIT SANJAY , DI BIASE LUIGI , MANSOUR MOUSSA , BOOLANI HEMANT , GUNDA SAMPATH , BUNCH T. JARED , DAY JOHN D. , RUSKIN JEREMY N. , BUDDAM AVANIJA , KORIPALLI SANDEEP , BOMMANA SUDHARANI , NATALE ANDREA , LAKKIREDDY DHANUNJAYA 
Published: January 2015

AF Ablation in Pulmonary Vein StumpsBackgroundPulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of the remnant pulmonary vein (PV) stumps in pneumonectomy patients has not been well characterized.MethodsThis is a multicenter observational study of patients with a remnant PV stump after pneumonectomy. Consecutive patients with a history of pneumonectomy and who had undergone RF ablation for drug refractory AF were identified from the AF database at the participating institutions.ResultsThere were 15 patients in whom pneumonectomy was performed, for resection of tumors in 10, infection in 4, and bullae in 1 patient and who underwent RF ablation for AF. The mean age was 63 ± 7 years. The stumps were from the right lower PV in 5, left upper PV in 5, left lower PV in 3, and right upper PV in 2 patients. All the PV stumps were electrically active with PV potentials and 9 (60%) of them had triggered activity. PVI was performed in 14 and focal isolation in 1 patient. At 1‐year follow‐up, 80% were free of AF, off of antiarrhythmic medications.ConclusionPV stumps in AF patients with previous pneumonectomy are electrically active and are frequently the sites of active firing. Isolation of these PV stumps can be accomplished safely and effectively using catheter ablation with no practical concern for PV stenosis or compromising PV stump integrity.
Feasibility, Efficacy, and Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Guided by Monitoring of the Initial Impedance Decrease as a Surrogate of Catheter Contact
Authors: REICHLIN TOBIAS , LANE CHRISTOPHER , NAGASHIMA KOICHI , NOF EYAL , CHOPRA NAGESH , NG JUSTIN , BARBHAIYA CHIRAG , TADROS TOMAS , JOHN ROY M. , STEVENSON WILLIAM G. , MICHAUD GREGORY F. 
Published: January 2015

AF Ablation Guided by Initial Impedance DropBackgroundThe initial impedance decrease during radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an indirect marker of catheter contact and lesion formation. We aimed to assess feasibility, efficacy, and safety of an ablation approach guided by initial impedance decrease.MethodsA total of 25 patients with paroxysmal AF had point‐by‐point, wide antral pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. RF applications were aborted if a decrease of at least 5 Ω did not occur in the first 10 seconds; otherwise, ablation was continued for at least 20 seconds. Power was 30 Watts and reduced to 15–25 Watts on the posterior wall.ResultsA total of 28% of RF applications were terminated because of inadequate impedance decrease. The remaining lesions showed a median decrease of 7.6 Ω (IQR 5.0–10.7) at 10 seconds and median duration of RF lesions was 38 seconds. Note that, 100 PVs were isolated with 49 rings. PVI occurred before anatomic completion of the ablation ring of adequate lesions in 39/49 (80%) and concurrent with ring completion in 7/49 (14%). Additional lesions were required in 3/49 (6%) rings. After PVI, additional lesions were required to eliminate dormant conduction in 2/47 (4%) and pace‐capture on the ablation line in 24/49 vein pairs (49%). During short‐term follow‐up, 3 nonfatal esophageal injuries and 2 late pericardial effusions occurred. During a mean follow‐up of 431 ± 87 days, 21/25 patients (84%) remained free of recurrent symptomatic atrial arrhythmias.ConclusionsPVI guided by initial impedance decrease is feasible and results in PVI concurrent with or before completion of the ablation ring in 94% of patients. Single procedure efficacy after one year of follow‐up was 84%. Near‐term complications suggest that deeper lesions are created, indicating that further reduction of RF‐power and duration is warranted.
Development and validation of a real‐time PCR assay for the detection of anguillid herpesvirus 1
Authors: van Beurden S J , Voorbergen‐Laarman M A , Roozenburg I , van Tellingen J , Haenen O L M , Engelsma M Y 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAnguillid herpesvirus 1 (AngHV1) causes a haemorrhagic disease with increased mortality in wild and farmed European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.) and Japanese eel Anguilla japonica, Temminck & Schlegel). Detection of AngHV1 is currently based on virus isolation in cell culture, antibody‐based typing assays or conventional PCR. We developed, optimized and concisely validated a diagnostic TaqMan probe based real‐time PCR assay for the detection of AngHV1. The primers and probe target AngHV1 open reading frame 57, encoding the capsid protease and scaffold protein. Compared to conventional PCR, the developed real‐time PCR is faster, less labour‐intensive and has a reduced risk of cross‐contamination. The real‐time PCR assay was shown to be analytically sensitive and specific and has a high repeatability, efficiency and r2‐value. The diagnostic performance of the assay was determined by testing 10% w/v organ suspensions and virus cultures from wild and farmed European eels from the Netherlands by conventional and real‐time PCR. The developed real‐time PCR assay is a useful tool for the rapid and sensitive detection of AngHV1 in 10% w/v organ suspensions from wild and farmed European eels.
Determinants of Future Microbial Food Safety in Canada for risk communication
Authors: Charlebois Sylvain , Summan Amit 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates the factors that are affecting food safety in Canada today, and those that will become increasingly important in the future. The tools used to complete this analysis are primarily the review of scientific and “gray” literature, and the analysis of multiple sources of data. We develop a methodology for ranking the factors and rank the factors according to their predicted effect on foodborne disease in Canada. The analysis reveals the top three factors that will be detrimental to food safety as pathogen evolution, increase in temperatures and increase in extreme weather events. Future studies may benefit from an analysis of factors by commodity.Practical ApplicationsFood regulatory bodies, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, have a finite number of resources to address emerging food safety risks. A framework for ranking factors effecting food safety discussed in this paper will help determine the optimal distribution of resources designated for preventative and mitigative food safety programs and can better assist food regulators in anticipating emerging systemic risks. Although the focus of this paper is on the Canadian context, many of the results may be applied to other Western countries.
ArabidopsisPED2 positively modulates plant drought stress resistance
Authors: Shi Haitao , Ye Tiantian , Yang Fan , Chan Zhulong 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAbscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone that functions in seed germination, plant development, and multiple stress responses. Arabidopsis Peroxisome defective 2 (AtPED2) (also known as AtPEXOXIN14, AtPEX14), is involved in the intracellular transport of thiolase from the cytosol to glyoxysomes, and perosisomal matrix protein import in plants. In this study, we assigned a new role for AtPED2 in drought stress resistance. The transcript level of AtPED2 was downregulated by ABA and abiotic stress treatments. AtPED2 knockout mutants were insensitive to ABA‐mediated seed germination, primary root elongation, and stomatal response, while AtPED2 over‐expressing plants were sensitive to ABA in comparison to wide type (WT). AtPED2 also positively regulated drought stress resistance, as evidenced by the changes of water loss rate, electrolyte leakage, and survival rate. Notably, AtPED2 positively modulated expression of several stress‐responsive genes (RAB18, RD22, RD29A, and RD29B), positively affected underlying antioxidant enzyme activities and negatively regulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) level under drought stress conditions. Moreover, multiple carbon metabolites including amino acids, organic acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, and aromatic amines were also positively regulated by AtPED2. Taken together, these results indicated a positive role for AtPED2 in drought resistance, through modulation of stress‐responsive genes expression, ROS metabolism, and metabolic homeostasis, at least partially.
Optic Neuritis and the Visual Pathway: Evaluation of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum by Resting‐State fMRI and Diffusion Tensor MRI
Authors: Lopes Fernanda Cristina Rueda , Alves‐Leon Soniza Vieira , Godoy Jose Mauricio , de Souza Batista Scherpenhuijzen Simone , Fezer Leticia , Gasparetto Emerson Leandro 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEOptic neuritis (ON) is an acute episode of inflammation in the visual pathway (VP). It may occur as part of a demyelinating disease, which can affect white matter (WM) throughout the VP. Compensatory cortical adaptations may occur following WM damage to maintain visual integrity. Our aim was to investigate whether resting‐state functional MRI (rsfMRI) can detect cortical adaptations following ON attacks and to correlate rsfMRI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of WM within the VP.MATERIALS AND METHODSNeuromyelitis optica spectrum patients were compared to healthy controls at least 6 months after ON onset. DTI and rsfMRI were performed and post‐processed using FSL tools (TBSS for DTI and MELODIC for fMRI).RESULTSPtients had higher synchronization values than controls in the visual network (3.48 vs. 2.12, P < .05). A weak trend of correlation was revealed between fMRI and structural analysis by DTI using fractional anisotropy (right side: R = −.36, P < .08; left side: R = .075, P < .73).CONCLUSIONSThe rsfMRI detected cortical reorganization following ON attack, but WM was considerably preserved in the posterior VP.
Pests controlling pests: does predator control lead to greaterEuropean rabbit abundance inAustralasia?
Authors: Norbury Grant , Jones Chris 
Published: January 2015

AbstractInNewZealand andAustralia, rural landowners believe that local predator control to protect indigenous biota exacerbatesEuropean rabbitOryctolagus cuniculusproblems on their land. We assess the validity of their concerns by reviewing the published literature on effects of predators on rabbit abundance.InNewZealand, where rabbits and their predators are introduced, predators appear to have relatively little effect on rabbit numbers compared with other factors leading to mortality, such as disease, flooding of burrows and burrow collapse. Similarly, inAustralia, rabbit numbers are driven primarily by climate and its effects on food abundance and quality, and by disease. However, where rabbit numbers are low following drought or major epizootics, predation can limit population recovery. In theIberianPeninsula, where rabbits and their predators are indigenous, the effects of predators are unknown, as they are often confounded by other factors. Rabbit numbers are influenced mostly by habitat, food, disease and rainfall. Elsewhere inEurope, predators have their strongest effect when rabbit numbers have been reduced by other factors, but have little effect on high‐density rabbit populations.InAustralasia, abundance of predators (especially rabbit specialists) can usually be predicted from rabbit abundance, not vice versa. Although predation effects can be limiting under certain conditions, they are minor compared to the roles of climate, food, disease and habitat.A key unresolved question is whether those circumstances where predator control might lead to increases in rabbit populations can be identified with enough certainty to allow reliable predictions to be generated. One approach is to implement robust rabbit, predator and disease monitoring programmes at sites with predator control operations. Data on changes in rabbits, predators, and disease prevalence could be combined with local data on other key factors to facilitate reasonable inference about effects of predators on rabbits. The inclusion of carefully matched non‐treatment areas is crucial if such programmes are to succeed.