bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The functional activity assessment: a validated PROM, unreliable in the hands of clinicians
Authors: Roberts Andrew J , Etherington J 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesTo examine the validity of the clinician-assessed version of a military occupational outcome measure (the functional activity assessment; FAA) and to compare the validity with the self-assessed version.MethodsThe relationship between the clinician-assessed FAA and the SF-36 and Physical Workload Questionnaire was examined in 192 service personnel with musculoskeletal injuries. Concurrent validity was checked by comparing actual medical category with the FAA.ResultsClinicians preferentially chose an FAA grade of 2 (56% of all grades). The clinician-assessed FAA was significantly correlated with all measured variables in the expected direction. The performance of the regression models did not fully support construct validity. The discriminative ability of the models was poor.ConclusionsThe clinician-assessed FAA is a less valid measure than its self-assessed counterpart. Use of the patient-reported FAA outcome measure is recommended.
A Novel Germline Mutation inBAP1Predisposes to Familial Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Farley Megan N. , Schmidt Laura S. , Mester Jessica L. , Peña-Llopis Samuel , Pavia-Jimenez Andrea , Christie Alana , Vocke Cathy D. , Ricketts Christopher J. , Peterson James , Middelton Lindsay , Kinch Lisa , Grishin Nick , Merino Maria J. , Metwalli Adam R. , Xing Chao , Xie Xian-Jin , Dahia Patricia L.M. , Eng Charis , Linehan W. Marston , Brugarolas James 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) clusters in some families. Familial RCC arises from mutations in several genes, including the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor, which is also mutated in sporadic RCC. However, a significant percentage of familial RCC remains unexplained. Recently, we discovered that the BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) gene is mutated in sporadic RCC. The BAP1 gene encodes a nuclear deubiquitinase and appears to be a classic two-hit tumor suppressor gene. Somatic BAP1 mutations are associated with high-grade, clear-cell RCC (ccRCC) and poor patient outcomes. To determine whether BAP1 predisposes to familial RCC, the BAP1 gene was sequenced in 83 unrelated probands with unexplained familial RCC. Interestingly, a novel variant (c.41T&gt;A; p.L14H) was uncovered that cosegregated with the RCC phenotype. The p.L14H variant targets a highly conserved residue in the catalytic domain, which is frequently targeted by missense mutations. The family with the novel BAP1 variant was characterized by early-onset ccRCC, occasionally of high Fuhrman grade, and lacked other features that typify VHL syndrome. These findings suggest that BAP1 is an early-onset familial RCC predisposing gene.Implications: BAP1 mutations may drive tumor development in a subset of patients with inherited renal cell cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 11(9); 1061–71. ©2013 AACR.
Impaired Left Ventricular Mechanics in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Hardegree Evan L. , Sachdev Arun , Fenstad Eric R. , Villarraga Hector R. , Frantz Robert P. , McGoon Michael D. , Oh Jae K. , Ammash Naser M. , Connolly Heidi M. , Eidem Benjamin W. , Pellikka Patricia A. , Kane Garvan C. 
Published: May 2013

Background—
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling and right heart failure. The right (RV) and left ventricles (LV) do not function in isolation, sharing a common pericardial sac and interventricular septum. We sought to define the clinical and prognostic significance of ventricular interdependence in PAH and its association with LV filling patterns through speckle-tracking strain echocardiography.

Methods and Results—

Echocardiography was performed in 71 adults with a new diagnosis of PAH. To analyze LV and RV function separately, we measured peak systolic longitudinal and circumferential strain of the LV and RV. Survival was assessed >2 years. Patients had dilated right-sided chambers (right atrial volume index, 44±19 mL/m
2
; RV end-diastolic area, 34±9 cm
2
), and reduced RV function (RV fractional area change, 28±12%). Speckle-tracking echocardiography revealed significant reductions in RV free wall peak systolic strain (−15±3%). Despite normal LV size and normal conventional measures of LV systolic function (end-diastolic dimension, 42±6 mm; ejection fraction, 65±8%; cardiac index, 2.6±0.8 L/min per m
2
), patients had reduced LV free wall systolic strain (−15±3%). Decreased LV free wall systolic strain was associated with a delayed relaxation mitral inflow Doppler pattern,
P
=0.0002. During 2-year follow-up, 19 patients (27%) died. LV strain was associated with increased mortality (unadjusted hazard ratio, 2.40 per 5% decrease in LV free wall strain, 1.22–4.68), which remained significant when adjusted for age, sex, World Health Organization functional class, and PAH pathogenesis (hazard ratio, 3.11, 1.38–7.20).

Conclusions—
The pressure loading in PAH results in geometric alterations and functional decline of the RV, with marked reduction in RV systolic strain. Despite preservation of LV ejection fraction, LV systolic strain was also reduced and associated with early mortality, highlighting the significance of ventricular interdependence in PAH.
Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes by Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in a Contemporary Heart Failure Population
Authors: Allen Larry A. , Magid David J. , Gurwitz Jerry H. , Smith David H. , Goldberg Robert J. , Saczynski Jane , Thorp Micah L. , Hsu Grace , Sung Sue Hee , Go Alan S. 
Published: May 2013

Background—
Although heart failure (HF) is a syndrome with important differences in response to therapy by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), existing risk stratification models typically group all HF patients together. The relative importance of common predictor variables for important clinical outcomes across strata of LVEF is relatively unknown.

Methods and Results—
We identified all members with HF between 2005 and 2008 from 4 integrated healthcare systems in the Cardiovascular Research Network. LVEF was categorized as preserved (LVEF ≥50% or normal), borderline (41%–49% or mildly reduced), and reduced (≤40% or moderately to severely reduced). We used Cox regression models to identify independent predictors of death and hospitalization by LVEF category. Among 30 094 ambulatory adults with HF, mean age was 74 years and 46% were women. LVEF was preserved in 49.5%, borderline in 16.2%, and reduced in 34.3% of patients. During a median follow-up of 1.8 years (interquartile range, 0.8–3.1), 8060 (26.8%) patients died, 8108 (26.9%) were hospitalized for HF, and 20 272 (67.4%) were hospitalized for any reason. In multivariable models, nearly all tested covariates performed similarly across LVEF strata for the outcome of death from any cause, as well as for HF-related and all-cause hospitalizations.

Conclusions—
We found that in a large, diverse contemporary HF population, risk assessment was strikingly similar across all LVEF categories. These data suggest that, although many HF therapies are uniquely applied to patients with reduced LVEF, individual prognostic factor performance does not seem to be significantly related to level of left ventricular systolic function.
Prophets of Exile: 4QApocryphon of Jeremiah C, Apocryphal Baruch, and the Efficacy of the Second Temple
Authors: Davis Kipp 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
This essay examines continuities and discontinuities between Apocryphal Baruch and the Qumran Apocryphon of Jeremiah C, and attempts to situate these texts relative to one another and within their shared social matrix. Special attention is paid to their specific usage of scripture, their respective interpretations of the Babylonian exile, their implied understanding of efficacious Jewish religious practice in the second and first centuries B.C.E., and how these were further reflected in the reputation of their protagonists: the prophet Jeremiah, and his scribal companion Baruch.
Teacher satisfaction with school and psychological well-being affects their readiness to help children with mental health problems
Authors: Sisask Merike , Värnik Peeter , Värnik Airi , Apter Alan , Balazs Judit , Balint Maria , Bobes Julio , Brunner Romuald , Corcoran Paul , Cosman Doina , Feldman Dana , Haring Christian , Kahn Jean-Pierre , Poštuvan Vita , Tubiana Alexandra , Sarchiapone Marco , Wasserman Camilla , Carli Vladimir , Hoven Christina W , Wasserman Danuta 
Published: May 2013

Objective: In support of a whole-school approach to mental health promotion, this study was conducted to find out whether and how significantly teachers’ satisfaction with school and their subjective psychological well-being are related to the belief that they can help pupils with mental health problems. Design: Cross-sectional data were collected as a part of the European Union’s, Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7) Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) study. One of the elements of the SEYLE study was to evaluate teachers’ attitudes and knowledge related to pupils’ mental health issues and their own psychological well-being, as well as their satisfaction with the school environment. Setting: The sample of schools from the SEYLE study sites representing 11 European countries was randomly chosen according to prior defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The final cross-sectional database used for analysis in the current study comprised 2485 teachers from 158 randomly selected schools. Method: Respondents’ belief that teachers can help pupils with mental health problems served as the outcome variable in our predictions with probability of the positive answer being modelled in the logistic regression analysis. Teachers’ subjective psychological well-being and school satisfaction were included as independent variables in the logistic regression model and several other relevant variables were added to statistically control for them. Multiple models were tested in order to obtain the final model. Results: Logistic regression models showed that better satisfaction with general school climate, higher psychological well-being, and the ability to understand pupils’ mental health problems increased the odds of teachers’ readiness to help pupils with mental health problems. Conclusion: By providing a good school environment, by valuing the subjective psychological well-being of the teachers, and by providing adequate training to fulfil their ‘gatekeeper’ role, the preconditions to improve the mental health of the pupils they teach will be achieved. These suggestions are in line with a whole-school approach to mental health promotion.
Imagination first
Authors: Handa Manoj Chandra 
Published: May 2013

The creativity program, “imagination first: unleash the power of possibility,” implemented in public primary and secondary schools in Northern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, deals with the power of imagination in unleashing creativity among gifted students and teachers. Following an in-depth literature review on creativity for gifted students, a Learner-centered Framework of Creative Pedagogy was developed. The framework is guided by the key question: “How can creative development be enhanced among gifted learners in schools?” The framework proposes that creativity can be fostered through the interplay of three key dimensions: creative practice, creative learning, and creative process. The program demonstrates that the role of imagination is at the heart of creative learning. Activities that foster creative thinking should challenge gifted learners to think laterally, be open-minded, inquire into possibilities, and kindle their imagination. Significantly, schools need to promote creativity across all areas of the curriculum. Practical strategies for implementing the framework in schools are shared.
Indomethacin-induced de novo headache in hemicrania continua—fighting fire with fire?
Authors: Jürgens Tim P , Schulte Laura H , May Arne 
Published: May 2013

Introduction The response to indomethacin is an important feature for the diagnosis of hemicrania continua. Case description We report the case of a 34-year-old female patient with a one-year history of strictly unilateral continuous headache with accompanying ipsilateral autonomic symptoms. As diagnostic testing was unremarkable, hemicrania continua was suspected. A dose of 150 mg of indomethacin/day reduced the headache by 80%. Although an increase to 225 mg/day led to a further reduction of headaches, a new onset of moderate to severe pulsating migrainous bilateral headache developed. Discussion As shown in older studies, indomethacin can induce de novo headaches in a presumably dose-related fashion although the exact mechanism in uncertain. A treatable secondary origin of the indomethacin-induced headaches in patients with hemicrania continua or paroxysmal hemicrania (such as reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome or aseptic meningitis) should be considered and excluded by further diagnostic testing if headaches persist after discontinuation of indomethacin.
Body, Brain, and Beauty: The Place of Aesthetics in the World of the Mind
Authors: Radman Zdravko 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis article represents a programmatic attempt to relate the subject of aesthetics to the wider scope of issues concerning the nature of the human mind. In addition to a criticism of the aesthetics’ isolationism, it provides an outline of orthodox cognitivism and also of the more recent philosophy of embodiment, and sees the latter as a natural context for aesthetic concerns. The author argues that not only may the results of brain research be instructive for a more profound understanding of beauty but also that the subtlety and richness of aesthetic studies can be insightful for empirical studies of the neural system. That beauty is not reducible to brain processes does not mean that a possible lesson from neuroscience has no explanatory value for aesthetics; at the same time the article affirms the stand that the aesthetic, being one of the most profound traits of the human mind, cannot be fully captured in empiricist terms. What is needed is a multidisciplinary exchange that requires a shift from the comfort of the traditional views and an opening that might prove potent for the aesthetics of the present times which should not deprive itself of an ambition to participate in deciphering the ‘mysteries’ of the mind, cognition, and action.
Aesthetics Without the Aesthetic?
Authors: Kirwan James 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe following paper highlights the way in which contemporary analytic or Anglo-American aesthetics neglects the topic of aesthetic experience. The paper briefly examines the historical background to this situation. It also looks at how analytic aesthetics’ preoccupation with the topic of art is largely responsible for this neglect. It concludes by arguing that most of the fundamental problems in aesthetics, including those that contemporary analytic aesthetics does concern itself with, must remain intractable without a better understanding of aesthetic experience per se.
Predictors of corticosteroid tapering in SLE patients: the Hopkins Lupus Cohort
Authors: Zahr Z Abou , Fang H , Magder LS , Petri M 
Published: May 2013

Purpose Organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is highly associated with the use of corticosteroids. Doses of prednisone below 6 mg daily are associated with reduced organ damage. We now report on the largest prospective cohort study of predictors of prednisone tapering in SLE patients. Methods A total of 866 SLE patients (91% female, 50% Caucasian, 43% African-American, mean age 43 years) who consented for the Hopkins Lupus Cohort from 1987 through 2009 were included. The analysis was based on patient visits in which the previously prescribed dose of prednisone was 5 mg/day. We then examined the proportion of times the patient’s dose was reduced to below 5 mg/day (“tapering”). Among those patients who tapered and were followed for at least one year thereafter, we examined the proportion whose prednisone dose remained below 5 mg/day for at least one year (“Successful tapering”). Rates of tapering and successful tapering were calculated for patient subsets based on demographic and clinical characteristics. Result The analyses showed that Caucasians, younger patients, patients with a higher level of education, lower disease activity, or absence of urine protein were more likely to have a prednisone taper. However, successful tapering was not dependent on age, ethnicity, or education. As expected, successful tapering was more frequent in those with lower disease activity. Successful tapering was achieved more often after the year 2000. Conclusion Our study suggests that successful tapering of prednisone below 5 mg has increased since the year 2000, which may reflect the greater knowledge of the long-term harm of even low-dose chronic corticosteroid use. Caucasians, younger age, higher level of education, and absence of proteinuria predicted tapering, but not successful tapering. Ongoing cutaneous or arthritis activity were associated with unsuccessful tapering. Lack of disease activity, as expected, was the only major clinical variable that significantly predicted successful tapering.
The minimal important difference of the pulmonary functional status and dyspnea questionnaire in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Regueiro Eloisa MG , Burtin Chris , Baten Paul , Langer Daniel , Van Remoortel Hans , Di Lorenzo Valéria A Pires , Costa Dirceu , Janssens Wim , Decramer Marc , Gosselink Rik , Troosters Thierry 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The modified version of the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire (PFSDQ-M) is used in patients with COPD to obtain information about their functional status. It consists of 3 components (change in activities, dyspnea and fatigue) ranging from 0 to 100 and has been shown to be responsive following pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The interpretation of changes in PFSDQ-M score after an intervention is difficult in the absence of the minimal important difference (MID) of the PFSDQ-M. This study aims at investigating the MID of the PFSDQ-M.

Methods
We enrolled 301 patients with COPD (FEV1 42 ± 15%pred) that completed the PFSDQ-M before and after a 3-month PR program (∆Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ) +16 ± 12 points, ∆Six-minute walking distance (6MWD) +47 ± 89 m, both p < 0.001). An anchor-based approach consisted of calculating the correlation between the ∆PFSDQ-M and anchors with an established MID (∆CRDQ and ∆6MWD). Linear regression analyses were performed to predict the MID from these anchors. Secondly several distribution-based approaches (Cohen’s effect size, empirical rule effect size and standard error of measurement method) were used.

Results
Anchor-based estimates for the different PFSDQ-M-components were between −3 and −5 points based on CRDQ score and −6 (only calculated for change in activities) based on 6MWD. Using the distribution-based methods, the estimates of MID ranged from −3 to −5 points for the different components.

Conclusions
We concluded that the estimate of MID of the PFSDQ-M after pulmonary rehabilitation corresponds to a change of 5 points (range - 3 to −6) in each component in patients with severe COPD.
Syndecan-2 is upregulated in colorectal cancer cells through interactions with extracellular matrix produced by stromal fibroblasts
Authors: Vicente Carolina Meloni , Ricci Ritchelli , Nader Helena Bonciani , Toma Leny 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The extracellular matrix (ECM) influences the structure, viability and functions of cells and tissues. Recent evidence indicates that tumor cells and stromal cells interact through direct cell-cell contact, the production of ECM components and the secretion of growth factors. Syndecans are a family of transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans that are involved in cell adhesion, motility, proliferation and differentiation. Syndecan-2 has been found to be highly expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines and appears to be critical for cancer cell behavior. We have examined the effect of stromal fibroblast-produced ECM on the production of proteoglycans by colorectal cancer cell lines.

Results
Our results showed that in a highly metastatic colorectal cancer cell line, HCT-116, syndecan-2 expression is enhanced by fibroblast ECM, while the expression of other syndecans decreased. Of the various components of the stromal ECM, fibronectin was the most important in stimulating the increase in syndecan-2 expression. The co-localization of syndecan-2 and fibronectin suggests that these two molecules are involved in the adhesion of HCT-116 cells to the ECM. Additionally, we demonstrated an increase in the expression of integrins alpha-2 and beta-1, in addition to an increase in the expression of phospho-FAK in the presence of fibroblast ECM. Furthermore, blocking syndecan-2 with a specific antibody resulted in a decrease in cell adhesion, migration, and organization of actin filaments.

Conclusions
Overall, these results show that interactions between cancer cells and stromal ECM proteins induce significant changes in the behavior of cancer cells. In particular, a shift from the expression of anti-tumorigenic syndecans to the tumorigenic syndecan-2 may have implications in the migratory behavior of highly metastatic tumor cells.
RNA-seq analysis of single bovine blastocysts
Authors: Chitwood James L , Rincon Gonzalo , Kaiser German G , Medrano Juan F , Ross Pablo J 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Use of RNA-Seq presents unique benefits in terms of gene expression analysis because of its wide dynamic range and ability to identify functional sequence variants. This technology provides the opportunity to assay the developing embryo, but the paucity of biological material available from individual embryos has made this a challenging prospect.

Results
We report here the first application of RNA-Seq for the analysis of individual blastocyst gene expression, SNP detection, and characterization of allele specific expression (ASE). RNA was extracted from single bovine blastocysts (n = 5), amplified, and analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Approximately 38 million sequencing reads were generated per embryo and 9,489 known bovine genes were found to be expressed, with a high correlation of expression levels between samples (r > 0.97). Transcriptomic data was analyzed to identify SNP in expressed genes, and individual SNP were examined to characterize allele specific expression. Expressed biallelic SNP variants with allelic imbalances were observed in 473 SNP, where one allele represented between 65-95% of a variant’s transcripts.

Conclusions
This study represents the first application of RNA-seq technology in single bovine embryos allowing a representation of the embryonic transcriptome and the analysis of transcript sequence variation to describe specific allele expression.