bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Training Paediatric Therapists to Deliver Constraint‐Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Coker‐Bolt Patty , DeLuca Stephanie C. , Ramey Sharon L. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractHospitals and therapists in developing countries often seek to learn how to deliver new forms of evidenced‐based practice (EBP), including paediatric constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT). This study examines a partnership implemented in Ethiopia, which trained therapists in CIMT and proposes a framework for sustainable EBP training.The aim of this study is to apply a translational and implementation framework to build capacity for CIMT in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that included intensive in‐country training and hands‐on delivery with patients, followed by clinical implementation and feedback. A goal was to develop a locally feasible, culturally relevant form of CIMT.We framed our partnership model in terms of an implementation science model for therapists from multiple hospitals in Addis Ababa. Measures included workshop attendance, delivery of the curriculum and assessment of therapist's knowledge, skills and feedback postworkshop.We established a successful partnership with a lead hospital and completed training for 12 therapists from five hospitals who demonstrated increases in knowledge and skills following training. We developed a new, practically useful, culturally appropriate form of CIMT for later implementation.This partnership was limited to training of paediatric therapists in sub‐Saharan Africa.Future studies will report on therapists' ability to integrate this EBP training into clinical practice as well as future training. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chain extension and modification of polypropylene carbonate using diphenylmethane diisocyanate
Authors: Wang Xi‐yuan , Diao Xiao‐qian , Yang Nan , Weng Yun‐xuan , Wang Wen 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn the present work, with the application of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) as the chain extender, poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) was modified by chain extension. The changes in the chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of PPC after modification were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis. The experimental results indicate that during melt blending of MDI and PPC the terminal hydroxyl group in PPC can react with the isocyanate group in MDI, leading to chain extension of PPC. Via modification, the physical properties and thermal stability of PPC can be enhanced considerably. With the addition of 1.5% MDI, the glass transition temperature increased from 14.1 °C to 28.2 °C and the thermal decomposition temperature T−5% increased from 162.7 °C to 246.8 °C. Moreover, the tensile strength of the modified PPC was improved from 3.1 MPa to 20.3 MPa. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Patient‐reported assessment of self‐management strategies of health in cancer patients: development and validation of the Smart Management Strategy for Health Assessment Tool (SAT)
Authors: Yun Young Ho , Jung Ju Youn , Sim Jin Ah , Choi Hyewon , Lee Jong Mok , Noh Dong‐Young , Han Wonshik , Park Kyu Joo , Jeong Seung‐Yong , Park Ji‐Won , Wu Hong‐Gyun , Chie Eui Kyu , Kim Hak Jae , Lee June Hee , Zo Zae Ill , Kim Sung , Lee Jeong Eon , Nam Seok Jin , Lee Eun Sook , Oh Jae Hwan , Kim Young‐Woo , Kim Young Tae , Shim Young Mog 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Smart Management Strategy for Health Assessment Tool (SAT), which we developed to enable cancer patients to assess their self‐management (SM) strategies of health by themselves.Patients and methodsThe development of the questionnaire included four phases: item generation, construction, pilot testing, and field testing. To assess the instrument's sensitivity and validity, we recruited 300 cancer patients from three Korean hospitals who were 18 or more years old and accustomed to using the Internet or email. Using the appropriate and priority criteria for pilot and field testing, we tightened the content and constructed the first version of the SAT.ResultsWe developed the core strategies with 28 items, preparation strategies with 30 items, and implementation strategies with 33 items. Factor analysis of data from 300 patients resulted in core strategies with four factors, preparation strategies with five factors, and implementation strategies with six factors. All the SAT subscales demonstrated a high reliability with good internal consistency. The total scores of the three SAT sets differentiated participant groups well according to their stage of goal implementation and proportions of action of the 10 Rules for Highly Effective Health Behavior. Each factor of the three SAT sets correlated positively with the scores for additional assessment tool.ConclusionThe SAT is a three‐set, 16‐factor, 91‐item tool that assesses the SM strategies of health that patients use to overcome a crisis. Patients can use the SAT to assess their SM strategies of health and obtain feedback from clinicians in the practice setting. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluoride impairs oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development in mice
Authors: Liang Shuang , Zhao Ming‐Hui , Ock Sun A. , Kim Nam‐Hyung , Cui Xiang‐Shun 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe damage caused by fluorosis is permanent, and has been recognized as a public health problem in a number of regions of the world. Although multiple studies provided evidence that sodium fluoride (NaF) elicits adverse effects on reproductive function, the effect of fluoride on female germ cell development is not well understood. Therefore, the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of fluoride treatments on in vivo maturation and developmental potential of mouse oocytes, in which female ICR mice were treated with a range of doses (0, 30, 60, and 150 mg/L) of NaF. After treatment, mice were superovulated to collect ovulated oocytes. The effects of NaF on oocyte quality, fertilization potential and early embryonic development were evaluated, as well as the underlying mechanisms were primarily investigated. The findings of this study showed that NaF treatment resulted in abnormal spindle configuration, actin cap formation, and cortical granule‐free domain formation. Additionally, overexposure of mice to NaF notably reduced ATP production and mitochondrial membrane potential, further influencing in vitro fertilization and subsequent embryonic development. These results indicated that NaF treatment impairs the subsequent embryonic developmental potential of the oocytes. In conclusion, overexposure to fluoride in vivo was associated with a significant disruption of cytoskeletal dynamics and decreased oocyte quality, affecting the oocyte's subsequent fertilization and embryonic development. Results of this study provide a rationale for treating reproductive diseases such as infertility or miscarriage caused by environmental contaminants. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1486–1495, 2016.
Effects of xenoestrogens in human M1 and M2 macrophage migration, cytokine release, and estrogen‐related signaling pathways
Authors: Teixeira Diana , Marques Cláudia , Pestana Diogo , Faria Ana , Norberto Sónia , Calhau Conceição , Monteiro Rosário 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTBisphenol A (BPA), bis(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di(n‐butyl)phthalate (DBP) are environmental estrogens that have been associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes for which inflammation has also been hypothesized as a potentially involved mechanism and where macrophages play a central role. This study was carried out to evaluate if xenoestrogen (XE) treatment of classically (M1) or alternatively (M2) activated macrophages could affect their behavior. For this purpose, human peripheral blood monocyte‐derived macrophages either unstimulated or activated with lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/mL, M1) or with interleukin (IL) 4 (15 ng/mL, M2) were treated with 17β‐estradiol (E2), BPA, DEHP and DBP alone or in combination with selective ERα or ERβ antagonists. Migratory capability, cytokine release, and estrogen‐associated signaling pathways were evaluated to assess macrophage function. All tested XEs had a tendency to stimulate M2 migration, an effect that followed the same direction than E2. Moreover, all XEs significantly induced IL10 in M1 and decreased IL6 and globally decreased IL10, IL6, TNFα, and IL1β release by M2 macrophages. However, DEHP and DBP significantly increased IL1β release in M1 and M2 macrophages, respectively. Some of the effects described above were shown to be mediated by either ERα or ERβ and were simultaneous to modulation of NF‐κB, AP1, JNK, or ERK signaling pathways. We provide new evidence of the effect of XE on macrophage behavior and their mechanisms with relevance to the understanding of the action of environmental chemicals on the immune system and inflammation‐associated diseases. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1496–1509, 2016.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Resectability Status for Pancreatic Carcinoma Predicts Overall Survival
Authors: Murakami Yoshiaki , Satoi Sohei , Sho Masayuki , Motoi Fuyuhiko , Matsumoto Ippei , Kawai Manabu , Honda Goro , Uemura Kenichiro , Yanagimoto Hiroaki , Shinzeki Makoto , Kurata Masanao , Kinoshita Shoichi , Yamaue Hiroki , Unno Michiaki 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of preoperative resectability status, as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), from the viewpoint of overall survival.MethodsA total of consecutive 704 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with upfront surgery at seven Japanese hospitals between 2001 and 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. According to the NCCN definition of preoperative resectability status, tumors were divided into resectable tumors without vascular contact (R group), resectable tumors with portal or superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) contact of ≦180° (R‐PV group), borderline resectable(BR) tumors with PV/SMV contact of >180° (BR‐PV group), and BR tumors with arterial contact (BR‐A group). The relationship between the NCCN definition of preoperative resectability status and overall survival was analyzed.ResultsOf the 704 patients, 389, 114, 145, and 56 were classified into the R group, the R‐PV group, the BR‐PV group, and the BR‐A group, respectively. Overall survival of the BR‐PV and BR‐A groups was significantly worse than that of the R group and R‐PV groups (P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in overall survival between the R group and the R‐PV group (P = 0.310). Multivariate analysis revealed that PV/SMV contact of >180° (P = 0.008) and arterial contact (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival.ConclusionFrom the viewpoint of overall survival, the NCCN definition of preoperative resectability status was valid.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Infant Formula Fat Analog Enriched with Capric Acid
Authors: Álvarez Carlos A. , Akoh Casimir C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA structured lipid (SL) with a substantial amount of palmitic acid at the sn‐2 position and enriched with capric acid (C), was produced in two enzymatic interesterification stages by using immobilized lipase, Lipozyme® TL IM (Novozymes North America Inc., Franklinton, NC, USA). The substrates for the reactions were high melting point palm stearin, high oleic sunflower oil and tricaprin. The SL was characterized for total and positional fatty acid profiles, triacylglycerol (TAG) molecular species, free fatty acid content, melting and crystallization profiles. The final SL contained 20.13 mol% of total palmitic acid, of which nearly 40 % was located at the sn‐2 position. The total capric acid content was 21.22 mol%, mostly at the sn‐1 and sn‐3 positions. The predominant TAGs in the SL were oleic–palmitic–oleic, POP and CLC. The melting completion and crystallization onset temperatures of the SL were 27.7 and 6.1 °C, respectively. The yield for the overall reaction was 90 wt%. This SL might be totally or partially used in commercial fat blends for infant formula.
Disability and Functional Burden of Disease Because of Mental in Comparison to Somatic Disorders in General Practice Patients
Authors: Linden M. , Linden U. , Schwantes U. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundSeverity of illness is not only depending on the symptom load, but also on the burden in life. Mental disorders are among those illnesses, which in particular cause suffering to the individual and society.MethodTo study burden of disease for mental in comparison to somatic disorders, 2099 patients from 40 general practitioners filled in (a) the Burvill scale which measures acute and chronic illnesses in ten different body systems and (b) the IMET scale which measures impairment in ten different areas of life.ResultsPatients were suffering on average from acute and/or chronic illness in 3.5 (SD: 2.0) body systems and 56.6% of patients complained about acute and/or chronic mental disorders. The most significant negative impact on the IMET total score have acute and chronic mental disorders, followed by chronic neurological and musculoskeletal and acute respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, while cardiovascular, metabolic, urogenital, haematological and ear/eye disorders have no greater impact. Acute as well as chronic mental disorders cause impairment across all areas of life and most burden of disease (functional burden of disease 1.69), followed by musculoskeletal disorders (1.62).ConclusionMental disorders are among the most frequent health problems with high negative impact across all areas of life. When combining frequency and impairment mental disorders cause most burden of disease in comparison to other illnesses. This should be reflected in the organization of medical care including family medicine.
Evaluation of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy at a Veterans Affairs Hospital
Authors: Spivak Emily Sydnor , Kendall Brian , Orlando Patricia , Perez Christian , De Amorim Marina , Samore Matthew , Pavia Andrew T. , Hersh Adam L. 
Published: May 2015

We reviewed outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center to identify opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship intervention. A definite or possible modification would have been recommended in 60% of courses. Forty-one percent of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy courses were potentially avoidable, including 22% involving infectious diseases consultation.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(9):1103–1105
Strong coronal channelling and interplanetary evolution of a solar storm up to Earth and Mars
Authors: Möstl Christian , Rollett Tanja , Frahm Rudy A. , Liu Ying D. , Long David M. , Colaninno Robin C. , Reiss Martin A. , Temmer Manuela , Farrugia Charles J. , Posner Arik , Dumbović Mateja , Janvier Miho , Démoulin Pascal , Boakes Peter , Devos Andy , Kraaikamp Emil , Mays Mona L. , Vršnak Bojan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe severe geomagnetic effects of solar storms or coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are to a large degree determined by their propagation direction with respect to Earth. There is a lack of understanding of the processes that determine their non-radial propagation. Here we present a synthesis of data from seven different space missions of a fast CME, which originated in an active region near the disk centre and, hence, a significant geomagnetic impact was forecasted. However, the CME is demonstrated to be channelled during eruption into a direction +37±10° (longitude) away from its source region, leading only to minimal geomagnetic effects. In situ observations near Earth and Mars confirm the channelled CME motion, and are consistent with an ellipse shape of the CME-driven shock provided by the new Ellipse Evolution model, presented here. The results enhance our understanding of CME propagation and shape, which can help to improve space weather forecasts.
Intracellular signalling and intercellular coupling coordinate heterogeneous contractile events to facilitate tissue folding
Authors: Xie Shicong , Martin Adam C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCellular forces generated in the apical domain of epithelial cells reshape tissues. Recent studies highlighted an important role for dynamic actomyosin contractions, called pulses, that change cell and tissue shape. Net cell shape change depends on whether cell shape is stabilized, or ratcheted, between pulses. Whether there are different classes of contractile pulses in wild-type embryos and how pulses are spatiotemporally coordinated is unknown. Here we develop a computational framework to identify and classify pulses and determine how pulses are coordinated during invagination of the Drosophila ventral furrow. We demonstrate biased transitions in pulse behaviour, where weak or unratcheted pulses transition to ratcheted pulses. The transcription factor Twist directs this transition, with cells in Twist-depleted embryos exhibiting abnormal reversed transitions in pulse behaviour. We demonstrate that ratcheted pulses have higher probability of having neighbouring contractions, and that ratcheting of pulses prevents competition between neighbouring contractions, allowing collective behaviour.
Quantifying the ozone and ultraviolet benefits already achieved by the Montreal Protocol
Authors: Chipperfield M. P. , Dhomse S. S. , Feng W. , McKenzie R. L. , Velders G.J.M. , Pyle J. A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractChlorine- and bromine-containing ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) are controlled by the 1987 Montreal Protocol. In consequence, atmospheric equivalent chlorine peaked in 1993 and has been declining slowly since then. Consistent with this, models project a gradual increase in stratospheric ozone with the Antarctic ozone hole expected to disappear by ∼2050. However, we show that by 2013 the Montreal Protocol had already achieved significant benefits for the ozone layer. Using a 3D atmospheric chemistry transport model, we demonstrate that much larger ozone depletion than observed has been avoided by the protocol, with beneficial impacts on surface ultraviolet. A deep Arctic ozone hole, with column values <120 DU, would have occurred given meteorological conditions in 2011. The Antarctic ozone hole would have grown in size by 40% by 2013, with enhanced loss at subpolar latitudes. The decline over northern hemisphere middle latitudes would have continued, more than doubling to ∼15% by 2013.
Stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase protects against obesity by recruiting brown adipose tissue
Authors: Hoffmann Linda S. , Etzrodt Jennifer , Willkomm Lena , Sanyal Abhishek , Scheja Ludger , Fischer Alexander W.C. , Stasch Johannes-Peter , Bloch Wilhelm , Friebe Andreas , Heeren Joerg , Pfeifer Alexander 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObesity is characterized by a positive energy balance and expansion of white adipose tissue (WAT). In contrast, brown adipose tissue (BAT) combusts energy to produce heat. Here we show that a small molecule stimulator (BAY 41-8543) of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), which produces the second messenger cyclic GMP (cGMP), protects against diet-induced weight gain, induces weight loss in established obesity, and also improves the diabetic phenotype. Mechanistically, the haeme-dependent sGC stimulator BAY 41–8543 enhances lipid uptake into BAT and increases whole-body energy expenditure, whereas ablation of the haeme-containing β1-subunit of sGC severely impairs BAT function. Notably, the sGC stimulator enhances differentiation of human brown adipocytes as well as induces ‘browning’ of primary white adipocytes. Taken together, our data suggest that sGC is a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities.
Unexpected edge conduction in mercury telluride quantum wells under broken time-reversal symmetry
Authors: Ma Eric Yue , Calvo M. Reyes , Wang Jing , Lian Biao , Mühlbauer Mathias , Brüne Christoph , Cui Yong-Tao , Lai Keji , Kundhikanjana Worasom , Yang Yongliang , Baenninger Matthias , König Markus , Ames Christopher , Buhmann Hartmut , Leubner Philipp , Molenkamp Laurens W. , Zhang Shou-Cheng , Goldhaber-Gordon David , Kelly Michael A. , Shen Zhi-Xun 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe realization of quantum spin Hall effect in HgTe quantum wells is considered a milestone in the discovery of topological insulators. Quantum spin Hall states are predicted to allow current flow at the edges of an insulating bulk, as demonstrated in various experiments. A key prediction yet to be experimentally verified is the breakdown of the edge conduction under broken time-reversal symmetry. Here we first establish a systematic framework for the magnetic field dependence of electrostatically gated quantum spin Hall devices. We then study edge conduction of an inverted quantum well device under broken time-reversal symmetry using microwave impedance microscopy, and compare our findings to a non-inverted device. At zero magnetic field, only the inverted device shows clear edge conduction in its local conductivity profile, consistent with theory. Surprisingly, the edge conduction persists up to 9 T with little change. This indicates physics beyond simple quantum spin Hall model, including material-specific properties and possibly many-body effects.
Systematic Genome-wide Screening and Prediction of microRNAs in EBOV During the 2014 Ebolavirus Outbreak
Authors: Teng Yue , Wang Yuzhuo , Zhang Xianglilan , Liu Wenli , Fan Hang , Yao Hongwu , Lin Baihan , Zhu Ping , Yuan Wenjun , Tong Yigang , Cao Wuchun 
Published: May 2015

AbstractRecently, several thousand people have been killed by the Ebolavirus disease (EVD) in West Africa, yet no current antiviral medications and treatments are available. Systematic investigation of ebolavirus whole genomes during the 2014 outbreak may shed light on the underlying mechanisms of EVD development. Here, using the genome-wide screening in ebolavirus genome sequences, we predicted four putative viral microRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) and seven putative mature microRNAs (miRNAs). Combing bioinformatics analysis and prediction of the potential ebolavirus miRNA target genes, we suggest that two ebolavirus coding possible miRNAs may be silence and down-regulate the target genes NFKBIE and RIPK1, which are the central mediator of the pathways related with host cell defense mechanism. Additionally, the ebolavirus exploits the miRNAs to inhibit the NF-kB and TNF factors to evade the host defense mechanisms that limit replication by killing infected cells, or to conversely trigger apoptosis as a mechanism to increase virus spreading. This is the first study to use the genome-wide scanning to predict microRNAs in the 2014 outbreak EVD and then to apply systematic bioinformatics to analyze their target genes. We revealed a potential mechanism of miRNAs in ebolavirus infection and possible therapeutic targets for Ebola viral infection treatment.