bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A non-randomised controlled trial of the R&R2MHP cognitive skills program in high risk male offenders with severe mental illness
Authors: C-Y Yip Vivienne , Gudjonsson Gisli H , Perkins Derek , Doidge Amie , Hopkin Gareth , Young Susan 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe growing popularity of offending behavior programs has led to the interest of whether such programs are effective with mentally disordered offenders. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation program adapted for offenders with severe mental illness (R&R2 MHP).MethodsA sample of 59 adult high risk males detained in a high secure hospital completed questionnaires at baseline and post treatment to assess violent attitudes, anger, coping processes and social problem-solving. An informant measure of social and psychological functioning, including disruptive behavior, was completed by staff at the same time. The data of 30 patients who participated in the group condition were compared using intention to treat analysis with 29 controls who received treatment as usual.Results80% of group participants completed the program. In contrast to controls, significant medium-large treatment effects were found at outcome on self-reported measures of violent attitudes, social problem-solving and coping processes. Improvements were endorsed by informant ratings of disruptive behavior, social and psychological functioning.ConclusionsThe R&R2MHP had a comparatively low dropout rate and was effective in a sample of high risk mentally disordered offenders requiring detention in high security. Future research should use a randomized controlled design.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled TrialsACTRN12613000216718.
Consumption of sweetened, dried cranberries may reduce urinary tract infection incidence in susceptible women – a modified observational study
Authors: Burleigh Alexandra E , Benck Susan M , McAchran Sarah E , Reed Jess D , Krueger Christian G , Hopkins Walter J 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections, and over 50% of women will have a UTI during their lifetimes. Antibiotics are used for prophylaxis of recurrent UTIs but can lead to emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, it is reasonable to investigate nutritional strategies for prevention of UTIs. Cranberry juices and supplements have been used for UTI prophylaxis, but with variable efficacy. Because dried cranberries may contain a different spectrum of polyphenolics than juice, consuming berries may or may not be more beneficial than juice in decreasing the incidence of UTIs in susceptible women. The primary objectives of this study were to determine if consumption of sweetened, dried cranberries (SDC) decreases recurrent UTIs and whether this intervention would alter the heterogeneity, virulence factor (VF) profiles, or numbers of intestinal E. coli.

Methods
Twenty women with recurrent UTIs were enrolled in the trial and consumed one serving of SDC daily for two weeks. Clinical efficacy was determined by two criteria, a decrease in the six-month UTI rates pre- and post-consumption and increased time until the first UTI since beginning the study. Strain heterogeneity and virulence factor profiles of intestinal E. coli isolated from rectal swabs were determined by DNA fingerprinting and muliplex PCR, respectively. The numbers of intestinal E. coli eluted from rectal swabs pre- and post-consumption were also quantified.

Results
Over one-half of the patients did not experience a UTI within six months of SDC consumption, and the mean UTI rate per six months decreased significantly. Kaplan-Meier analysis of infection incidence in women consuming SDC compared to patients in a previous control group showed a significant reduction in time until first UTI within six months. The heterogeneity, VF profiles, and prevalence of intestinal E. coli strains were not significantly different after cranberry consumption.

Conclusions
Results of this study indicate a beneficial effect from consuming SDC to reduce the number of UTIs in susceptible women. Because there were no changes in the heterogeneity or VF profiles of E. coli, additional studies are needed to determine the mechanism of action of SDC for reduction of UTIs.
Longitudinal associations between oral health impacts and quality of life among a national cohort of Thai adults
Authors: Yiengprugsawan Vasoontara , Somkotra Tewarit , Seubsman Sam-ang , Sleigh Adrian C 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
There is limited evidence on the association between oral health and general health in middle-income countries. This study analysed data from 60,569 adult students enrolled at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and residing throughout Thailand who reported oral health impacts at the 2005 baseline and 2009 health status based on Short Form (SF-8) survey.

Findings
In 2005, 16.4% had difficulty chewing and/or swallowing, 13.4% reported difficulty speaking and/or discomfort with social interaction, and 10.8% of the cohort reported having pain associated with teeth or dentures. Cohort members reporting one or more oral health impacts in 2005 had lower SF-8 mean scores in 2009. In particular, monotonic dose–response gradients in 2005–2009 associations based on multivariate linear regression were found between an increase in number of oral impacts (0, 1, 2, 3) and a decline in SF-8 Physical Component Summary scores (adjusted means of 50.5, 49.2, 48.6, 47.9) as well as SF-8 Mental Component Summary scores (adjusted means of 43.2, 40.9, 40.3, 38.6) in younger cohort members. Similar dose response gradients were found in older cohort members.

Conclusions
We found strong association between oral health impacts and adverse health and quality of life among Thai adults. This finding confirms that oral health is one of the key determinants of population health.
The complete genome sequence of EC1-UPM, a novel N4-like bacteriophage that infects Escherichia coli O78:K80
Authors: Gan Han Ming , Sieo Chin Chin , Tang Shirley Gee Hoon , Omar Abdul Rahman , Ho Yin Wan 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Bacteriophage EC1-UPM is an N4-like bacteriophage which specifically infects Escherichia coli O78:K80, an avian pathogenic strain that causes colibacillosis in poultry. The complete genome sequence of bacteriophage EC1-UPM was analysed and compared with other closely related N4-like phage groups to assess their genetic similarities and differences.

Results
Bacteriophage EC1-UPM displays a very similar codon usage profile with its host and does not contain any tRNA gene. Comparative genomics analysis reveals close resemblance of bacteriophage EC1-UPM to three N4-like bacteriophages namely vB_EcoP_G7C, IME11 and KBNP21 with a total of 44 protein coding genes shared at 70% identity threshold. The genomic region coding for the tail fiber protein was found to be unique in bacteriophage EC1-UPM. Further annotation of the tail fiber protein using HHpred, a highly sensitive homology detection tool, reveals the presence of protein structure homologous to various polysaccharide processing proteins in its C-terminus. Leveraging on the availability of multiple N4-like bacteriophage genome sequences, the core genes of N4-like bacteriophages were identified and used to perform a multilocus phylogenetic analysis which enabled the construction of a phylogenetic tree with higher confidence than phylogenetic trees based on single genes.

Conclusion
We report for the first time the complete genome sequence of a N4-like bacteriophage which is lytic against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli O78:K80. A novel 928 amino acid residues tail fiber protein was identified in EC1-UPM which may be useful to further the understanding of phage-host specificity. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis using core genes of sequenced N4-like phages showed that the evolutionary relationship correlated well with the pattern of host specificity.
A comparative study of modified confirmatory techniques and additional immuno-based methods for non-conclusive autolytic Bovine spongiform encephalopathy cases
Authors: Sarasa Rocío , Becher Dietmar , Badiola Juan J , Monzón Marta 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
In the framework of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance programme, samples with non-conclusive results using the OIE confirmatory techniques have been repeatedly found. It is therefore necessary to question the adequacy of the previously established consequences of this non-conclusive result: the danger of failing to detect potentially infected cattle or erroneous information that may affect the decision of culling or not of an entire bovine cohort. Moreover, there is a very real risk that the underreporting of cases may possibly lead to distortion of the BSE epidemiological information for a given country.
In this study, samples from bovine nervous tissue presenting non-conclusive results by conventional OIE techniques (Western blot and immunohistochemistry) were analyzed. Their common characteristic was a very advanced degree of autolysis. All techniques recommended by the OIE for BSE diagnosis were applied on all these samples in order to provide a comparative study. Specifically, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, SAF detection by electron microscopy and mouse bioassay were compared. Besides, other non confirmatory techniques, confocal scanning microscopy and colloidal gold labelling of fibrils, were applied on these samples for confirming and improving the results.

Results
Immunocytochemistry showed immunostaining in agreement with the positive results finally provided by the other confirmatory techniques. These results corroborated the suitability of this technique which was previously developed to examine autolysed (liquified) brain samples. Transmission after inoculation of a transgenic murine model TgbovXV was successful in all inocula but not in all mice, perhaps due to the very scarce PrPsc concentration present in samples.
Electron microscopy, currently fallen into disuse, was demonstrated to be, not only capable to provide a final diagnosis despite the autolytic state of samples, but also to be a sensitive diagnostic alternative for resolving cases with low concentrations of PrPsc.

Conclusions
Demonstration of transmission of the disease even with low concentrations of PrPsc should reinforce that vigilance is required in interpreting results so that subtle changes do not go unnoticed. To maintain a continued supervision of the techniques which are applied in the routine diagnosis would prove essential for the ultimate eradication of the disease.
Dosimetric effect of CT contrast agent in CyberKnife treatment plans
Authors: Kim Hee Jung , Chang Ah Ram , Park Yang-Kyun , Ye Sung-Joon 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
To investigate the effect of computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement (CE) on the 3D dose distributions of non-coplanar small field beams in the CyberKnife (CK) treatment planning system (TPS) for the stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

Methods
Twenty-two pre-CE CT treatment plans were recruited to this retrospective plan study. Their post-CE CT plans were based on the pre-CE CT plan data and calculated using the same MU and beam paths in either Ray-Tracing or Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms. The differences in the doses of the beam path and the reference point between the pre- and post-CE CT plans were compared. The minimum, maximum, and mean doses in dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of target and organs-at-risk (OARs) were also compared.

Results
The dose differences between the pre- and post-CE plans in a single beam path were less than 1.05% in both calculation algorithms, with respect to the prescription dose. At the center of the target volume, it was 1.9% (maximum 6.2%) in Ray-Tracing and 1.6% (maximum 4.0%) in MC. The CA effect showed on average 1.2% difference in the OAR maximum dose (maximum 7.8% in Ray-Tracing and 7.2% in MC). In the lung cases, the CT CE resulted in a dose difference of 2.4% (from 1.0% to 6.5%) without the calculation algorithm effect (maximum 20.3%).

Conclusions
The CK treatment plan using the post-CE CT generally afforded less than 2% dose differences from the pre-CE CT plan. However, it could be up to 7.8% depending on the target positions in a body and be more than 20% with the calculation algorithms. Thus, the post-CE CT in CK treatment plans should be used with careful consideration for the CA effect, target position, and calculation algorithm factors.
Glycemic control and diabetes management in hospitalized patients in Brazil
Authors: Moreira Jr Edson Duarte , Silveira Patricia Carvalho Balthazar , Neves Raimundo Celestino Silva , Souza Jr Clodoaldo , Nunes Zaira Onofre , Almeida Maria da Conceição C ,   the Brazilian Diabetes Investigators’ Group
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The importance of tight blood glucose control among outpatients with diabetes mellitus is well established, however, the management of diabetes in the hospital setting is generally considered secondary in importance. This study sought to assess glycemic control and diabetes management in adult patients admitted to hospitals in Brazil.

Methods
A cross-sectional and nationwide survey was conducted from July 2010 to January 2012. Eligible cases were 18 years of age or older, had a diagnosis of diabetes and a hospitalization length of stay ≥72 hours. Socio-demographic information, hospitalization details, and data on diabetes diagnosis, management and treatment were collected for all patients by chart review. Information on all blood glucose (BG) readings for a maximum of 20 consecutive days of hospitalization was recorded for each patient.

Results
Overall, 2,399 patients were surveyed in 24 hospitals located in 13 cities from all five Brazilian regions. The prevalence of patients presenting hyperglycemic (BG >180 mg/dL) or hypoglycemic (BG <70 mg/dL) events was 89.4% and 30.9% in patients in general wards, and 88.2% and 27.7% in those in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), respectively. In addition, a BG measure >180 mg/dL was recorded in two-thirds of the patient-days. A high proportion of patients were treated with sliding-scale insulin regimen alone in the general wards (52.0%) and in the ICUs (69.2%), and only 35.7% and 3.9% received appropriate insulin therapy in general wards (basal + bolus insulin) and in ICUs (continuous IV insulin), respectively.

Conclusions
Inpatient glycemic control and diabetes management needs improvement. Opportunities to improve care in Brazilian hospitals include expanded use of intravenous insulin and subcutaneous basal-bolus insulin protocols, avoiding use of sliding-scale insulin alone, increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring, and institution wide quality improvement efforts targeting both physician and nursing behavior.
The Coriell personalized medicine collaborative pharmacogenomics appraisal, evidence scoring and interpretation system
Authors: Gharani Neda , Keller Margaret A , Stack Catharine B , Hodges Laura M , Schmidlen Tara J , Lynch Daniel E , Gordon Erynn S , Christman Michael F 
Published: October 2013

AbstractImplementation of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in clinical care can lead to improved drug efficacy and reduced adverse drug reactions. However, there has been a lag in adoption of PGx tests in clinical practice. This is due in part to a paucity of rigorous systems for translating published clinical and scientific data into standardized diagnostic tests with clear therapeutic recommendations. Here we describe the Pharmacogenomics Appraisal, Evidence Scoring and Interpretation System (PhAESIS), developed as part of the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative research study, and its application to seven commonly prescribed drugs.
Analysis of epigenetic changes in survivors of preterm birth reveals the effect of gestational age and evidence for a long term legacy
Authors: Cruickshank Mark N , Oshlack Alicia , Theda Christiane , Davis Peter G , Martino David , Sheehan Penelope , Dai Yun , Saffery Richard , Doyle Lex W , Craig Jeffrey M 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Background
Preterm birth confers a high risk of adverse long term health outcomes for survivors, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that effects of preterm birth can be mediated through measurable epigenomic changes throughout development. We therefore used a longitudinal birth cohort to measure the epigenetic mark of DNA methylation at birth and 18 years comparing survivors of extremely preterm birth with infants born at term.

Methods
Using 12 extreme preterm birth cases and 12 matched, term controls, we extracted DNA from archived neonatal blood spots and blood collected in a similar way at 18 years of age. DNA methylation was measured at 347,789 autosomal locations throughout the genome using Infinium HM450 arrays. Representative methylation differences were confirmed by Sequenom MassArray EpiTYPER.

Results
At birth we found 1,555 sites with significant differences in methylation between term and preterm babies. At 18 years of age, these differences had largely resolved, suggesting that DNA methylation differences at birth are mainly driven by factors relating to gestational age, such as cell composition and/or maturity. Using matched longitudinal samples, we found evidence for an epigenetic legacy associated with preterm birth, identifying persistent methylation differences at ten genomic loci. Longitudinal comparisons of DNA methylation at birth and 18 years uncovered a significant overlap between sites that were differentially-methylated at birth and those that changed with age. However, we note that overlapping sites may either differ in the same (300/1,555) or opposite (431/1,555) direction during gestation and aging respectively.

Conclusions
We present evidence for widespread methylation differences between extreme preterm and term infants at birth that are largely resolved by 18 years of age. These results are consistent with methylation changes associated with blood cell development, cellular composition, immune induction and age at these time points. Finally, we identified ten probes significantly associated with preterm individuals and with greater than 5% methylation discordance at birth and 18 years that may reflect a long term epigenetic legacy of preterm birth.
Efficient expansion of human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells carrying a transgene with lentiviral vector
Authors: Nanba Daisuke , Matsushita Natsuki , Toki Fujio , Higashiyama Shigeki 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
The development of an appropriate procedure for lentiviral gene transduction into keratinocyte stem cells is crucial for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine for genetic disorders of the skin. However, there is little information available on the efficiency of lentiviral transduction into human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells and the effects of gene transduction procedures on growth potential of the stem cells by systematic assessment.

Methods
In this study, we explored the conditions for efficient expansion of human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells carrying a transgene with a lentiviral vector, by using the culture of keratinocytes on a feeder layer of 3 T3 mouse fibroblasts. The gene transduction and expansion of keratinocytes carrying a transgene were analyzed by Western blotting, quantitative PCR, and flow cytometry.

Results
Polybrene (hexadiamine bromide) markedly enhanced the efficiency of lentiviral gene transduction, but negatively affected the maintenance of the keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells at a concentration higher than 5 μg/ml. Rho-assiciated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632, a small molecule which enhanced keratinocyte proliferation, significantly interfered with the lentiviral transduction into cultured human keratinocytes. However, a suitable combination of polybrene and Y-27632 effectively expanded keratinocytes carrying a transgene.

Conclusions
This study provides information for effective expansion of cultured human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells carrying a transgene. This point is particularly significant for the application of genetically modified keratinocyte stem/progenitor stem cells in regenerative medicine.
The myopathy-causing mutation DNM2-S619L leads to defective tubulation in vitro and in developing zebrafish
Authors: Gibbs Elizabeth M. , Davidson Ann E. , Telfer William R. , Feldman Eva L. , Dowling James J. 
Published: October 2013

Summary
DNM2 is a ubiquitously expressed GTPase that regulates multiple subcellular processes. Mutations in DNM2 are a common cause of centronuclear myopathy, a severe disorder characterized by altered skeletal muscle structure and function. The precise mechanisms underlying disease-associated DNM2 mutations are unresolved. We examined the common DNM2-S619L mutation using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. Expression of DNM2-S619L in zebrafish led to the accumulation of aberrant vesicular structures and to defective excitation-contraction coupling. Expression of DNM2-S619L in COS7 cells resulted in defective BIN1-dependent tubule formation. These data suggest that DNM2-S619L causes disease, in part, by interfering with membrane tubulation.
Si–CN Bond Cleavage of Silyl Cyanides by an Iron Catalyst. A New Route of Silyl Cyanide Formation
Authors: Renzetti Andrea , Koga Nobuaki , Nakazawa Hiroshi 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The reaction of silyl cyanide (R3SiCN) with hydrosilane (R′3SiH) in the presence of a catalytic amount of [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2Me] formed R′3SiCN and R3SiH. This reaction involves Si–CN bond cleavage and provides a new method for the preparation of silyl cyanides. DFT calculation showed that coordinatively unsaturated [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(SiMe3)] reacts exothermically with Me3SiCN to give the CN π-coordinated complex, [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(η2-Me3SiCN)(SiMe3)], followed by exothermic silyl migration from the iron to the nitrogen atom of the η2-coordinated Me3SiCN with the activation energy of 8.8 kcal mol−1 to give [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(Me3SiC=NSiMe3-κC,κN)]. The complex is one of the intermediates in the catalytic cycle. The related complex [(η5-C5Me5)Fe(CO)(κ-C,N-t-BuMe2SiC=NSiPh3)] was isolated in the reaction of [(η5-C5Me5)Fe(CO)(py)(SiPh3)] with t-BuMe2SiCN and characterized by 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. The activation energy of the Si–CN bond cleavage in [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(κ-C,N-Me3SiC=NSiMe3)] was evaluated by DFT calculation to be 33.7 kcal mol−1 which is comparable to that in the reaction of acetonitrile (32.9 kcal mol−1).
MnO2–Au Composite Electrodes for Supercapacitors
Authors: Dai Yuming , Tang Shaochun , Wang Xiaoyu , Huang Xiang , Zhu Chao , Hang Zusheng , Meng Xiangkang 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The MnO2 nanorod–Au nanoparticle composites that exhibit superior supercapacitance and long-term durability have been fabricated using a two-step procedure. The role of Au nanoparticles is not only to improve the electrical conductivity but also to enhance the structural stability. The composites have a specific capacitance of 406.8 F g−1 at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1, which is almost five times that of the pure MnO2 nanorods. The composites have 91.3% capacitance retention over 2000 charge–discharge cycles at 5 A g−1, which is much better than the capacitance retention of pure MnO2 nanorods (74.6%).
Energy Transfer Dynamics of CdTe Quantum Dots on Epitaxial Graphene Prepared by Si Sublimation of 4H-SiC(0001)
Authors: Hirose Takuya , Shigemasa Hidefumi , Kutsuma Yasunori , Kaneko Tadaaki , Tamai Naoto 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
We prepared high quality and single- or bilayer graphene by Si sublimation method from 4H-SiC. The exciton relaxation dynamics of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) on epitaxial graphene was analyzed by picosecond single-photon timing spectroscopy, and the fast component was estimated to be 49 ps. This lifetime is in good agreement with the values calculated from Persson–Lang model (59 ps) and Swathi–Sebastian model (36 ps) of energy transfer, suggesting that the dominant process is energy transfer from CdTe QDs to graphene.