bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular disease risk reduction in rural China: a clustered randomized controlled trial in Zhejiang
Authors: Wei Xiaolin , Zou Guanyang , Gong Weiwei , Yin Jia , Yu Yunxian , Walley John , Zhang Zhitong , King Rebecca , Chen Kun , Chong Marc Ka Chun , Zee Benny Chung Ying , Liu Su , Tang Jinling , Griffiths Sian , Yu Min 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in China. Despite government efforts, the majority of hypertensive and diabetic patients in China do not receive proper treatment. Reducing CVD events requires long-term care that is proactive, patient-centred, community-based, and sustainable. We have designed a package of interventions for patients at high risk of CVD to be implemented by family doctors based in township hospitals (providers of primary care) in rural Zhejiang, China. This trial aims to determine whether the systematic CVD risk reduction package results in reduced CVD events among patients at risk of CVD compared with usual care, and whether the package is cost-effective and suitable for routine implementation and scale-up.Methods/DesignThis is a prospective, open-label, cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) with blinded data analysis. The trial will randomize 67 township hospitals with 31,708 participants in three counties in Zhejiang Province. Participants will be identified from existing health records and will comprise adults aged 50 to 74 years, with a calculated 10-year CVD risk of 20% or higher, or diabetes. In the intervention arm, participants will receive a package of interventions including: 1) healthy lifestyle counseling (smoking cessation, and salt, oil, and alcohol reduction); 2) prescription of a combination of drugs (antihypertensives, aspirin, and statin); and 3) adherence support for drug compliance and healthy lifestyle change. In the control arm, participants will receive usual care for hypertension and diabetes management at individual clinicians’ discretion. The primary outcome is the incidence of severe CVD events over 24 months of follow-up. All CVD events will be defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) monitoring of trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease (MONICA) definitions, diagnosed at the county hospital or higher level, and reported by the Zhejiang surveillance system. Secondary outcomes include: mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, serum total cholesterol (TC), and adherence to appointments, and drugs and lifestyle changes.DiscussionThis trial focuses on risk reduction of CVD rather than specific diseases. It is not designed to compare therapeutic and healthy lifestyle interventions, but rather their combined effects in primary care settings. Through the trial, we intend to understand the effectiveness of the comprehensive CVD reduction package in routine practice. We also intend to understand the barriers and facilitators to implementing the package, and thus to advise on policy and practice change.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials:ISRCTN58988083
Standardization of whole blood immune phenotype monitoring for clinical trials: panels and methods from the ONE study
Authors: Streitz Mathias , Miloud Tewfik , Kapinsky Michael , Reed Michael R , Magari Robert , Geissler Edward K , Hutchinson James A , Vogt Katrin , Schlickeiser Stephan , Kverneland Anders Handrup , Meisel Christian , Volk Hans-Dieter , Sawitzki Birgit 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Immune monitoring by flow cytometry is a fast and highly informative way of studying the effects of novel therapeutics aimed at reducing transplant rejection or treating autoimmune diseases. The ONE Study consortium has recently initiated a series of clinical trials aimed at using different cell therapies to promote tolerance to renal allografts. To compare the effectiveness of different cell therapies, the consortium developed a robust immune monitoring strategy, including procedures for whole blood (WB) leukocyte subset profiling by flow cytometry.

Methods
Six leukocyte profiling panels computing 7- to 9-surface marker antigens for monitoring the major leukocyte subsets as well as characteristics of T cell, B cell, and dendritic cell (DC) subsets were designed. The precision and variability of these panels were estimated. The assay was standardized within eight international laboratories using Flow-Set Pro beads for mean fluorescence intensity target definition and the flow cytometer setup procedure. Standardization was demonstrated by performing inter-site comparisons.

Results
Optimized methods for sample collection, storage, preparation, and analysis were established, including protocols for gating target subsets. WB specimen age testing demonstrated that staining must be performed within 4 hours of sample collection to keep variability low, meaning less than or equal to 10% for the majority of defined leukocyte subsets. Inter-site comparisons between all participating centers testing shipped normal WB revealed good precision, with a variability of 0.05% to 30% between sites. Intra-assay analyses revealed a variability of 0.05% to 20% for the majority of subpopulations. This was dependent on the frequency of the particular subset, with smaller subsets showing higher variability. The intra-assay variability performance defined limits of quantitation (LoQ) for subsets, which will be the basis for assessing statistically significant differences achieved by the different cell therapies.

Conclusions
Local performance and central analysis of the ONE Study flow cytometry panel yields acceptable variability in a standardized assay at multiple international sites. These panels and procedures with WB allow unmanipulated analysis of changes in absolute cell numbers of leukocyte subsets in single- or multicenter clinical trials. Accordingly, we propose the ONE Study panel may be adopted as a standardized method for monitoring patients in clinical trials enrolling transplant patients, particularly trials of novel tolerance promoting therapies, to facilitate fair and meaningful comparisons between trials.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase and ATP binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) functional assays isolate different populations of prostate stem cells where ABCG2 function selects for cells with increased stem cell activity
Authors: Gangavarapu Kalyan J , Azabdaftari Gissou , Morrison Carl D , Miller Austin , Foster Barbara A , Huss Wendy J 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
High expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase1A1 (ALDH1A1) is observed in many organs and tumors and may identify benign and cancer stem cell populations.

Methods
In the current study, the stem cell characteristics were determined in cells isolated from human prostate cell lines and clinical prostate specimens based upon the ALDEFLUOR™ assay. Cells isolated based on the ALDEFLUOR™ assay were compared to cells isolated based on ATP binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) activity using the side population assay. To test for stem cell characteristics of self-renewal and multipotency, cells with high and low ALDH1A1 activity, based on the ALDEFLUOR™ assay (ALDHHi and ALDHLow), were isolated from prostate clinical specimens and were recombined with rat urogenital sinus mesenchyme to induce prostate gland formation.

Results
The percentage of ALDHHi cells in prostate cell lines (RWPE-1, RWPE-2, CWR-R1, and DU-145) was 0.5 to 6%, similarly in non-tumor and tumor clinical specimens the percentage of ALDHHi cells was 0.6 to 4%. Recombinants using ALDHHi cells serially generated prostate tissue up to three generations with as few as 250 starting cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of the recombinants using ALDHHi cells contained prostatic glands frequently expressing androgen receptor (AR), p63, chromogranin A, ALDH1A1, ABCG2, and prostate specific antigen (PSA), compared to their ALDHLow counterparts. Inhibition of ALDH resulted in the reduction of sphere formation capabilities in the CWR-R1, but not in the RWPE-2 and DU-145, prostate cell lines. ABCG2 inhibition resulted in a more robust decrease of sphere formation in androgen sensitive cell lines, CWR-R1 and RWPE-2, but not androgen insensitive DU-145. ALDH1A1 expression was enriched in ALDHHi cells and non-side population cells. ABCG2 expression was only enriched in side population cells.

Conclusions
The percentage of ALDHHi cells in prostate cell lines and prostate tissue was consistently higher compared to cells with high ABCG2 activity, identified with the side population assay. The expression of the stem and differentiation markers indicates the ALDHHi recombinants contained cells with self-renewal and multipotency activity. When the two assays were directly compared, cells with the side population phenotype demonstrated more stem cell potential in the tissue recombination assay compared to ALDHHi cells. The increased stem cell potential of side population cells in the tissue recombination assay and the decrease in sphere formation when ABCG2 is inhibited indicates that the side population enriches for prostate stem cells.
Rasa and the saturated event
Authors: Mason David 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Western performance theorists have concluded, often, that rasa is an emotion, or a physical sensation, or the product of the physical expressivity of performers. For the Natyashastra, rasa is none of these things. Nobel laureate Gerald Edelman’s description of brain activity and consciousness may help understand rasa. Edelman’s description of consciousness as a ‘process’ entailed (but not caused) by the interaction of various brain systems may renew theoretical approaches to rasa. We may be able to talk about rasa as a ‘conscious state’, having its own unitary and subjective quality, as well as its own content determined by memory and knowledge. Certainly, given the Natyashastra’s insistence on aesthetic distance, rasa, like Edelman’s ‘consciousness’, is modulated by attention. Based on the precepts of Neural Darwinism, as articulated by Edelman, we can articulate rasa as a state of consciousness that arises from the contingent interactivity of brain systems, intentionality and attention.
Endocytic Rabs in membrane trafficking and signaling
Authors: Numrich Johannes , Ungermann Christian 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The endolysosomal system controls the trafficking of proteins between the plasma membrane and the degradative environment of the lysosome. The early endosomal Rab5 and the late endosomal Rab7 GTPases have a key role in the transport along the endocytic pathway by recruiting tethering factors such as the hexameric CORVET and HOPS complexes that promote membrane fusion. Both Rabs are also involved in signaling at endosomal membranes and linked to amino acid sensing and autophagy, indicating that their role in trafficking may be connected to signal transduction and adaptation during cell stress. Here, we will summarize the current knowledge on the role of both Rab GTPases on both processes and discuss the possible crosstalk between them.
Ferritic Stainless Steels for High-Temperature Applications: Stabilization of the Microstructure by Solid State Precipitation of MX Carbonitrides
Authors: Nabiran N. , Weber S. , Theisen W. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFerritic heat-resistant steels are commonly used for automotive exhaust systems and have replaced cast iron, the traditional material for this application. Efforts to improve the efficiency of engines, reduce weight, and minimize toxic ingredients by increasing the gas temperature have shifted the requirement for ferritic heat-resistant steels to a higher hot strength. Methods of improving the high-temperature strength are solid-solution strengthening, precipitation hardening, and grain refinement. In this work, the influence of MX precipitates on the high-temperature mechanical properties of three different ferritic Fe-Cr stainless steels was investigated and compared to a reference material. Investigations were performed with uniaxial compression tests of samples aged isothermally at 900 °C for up to 1440 h. The most effective method of increasing the high-temperature strength is to alloy the steel with 2 mass% tungsten. Grain growth during annealing at 900 °C was decelerated by solid-state formation of MX carbonitrides. Microstructural investigations also revealed a slow coarsening rate of the MX precipitates.
A Prospective Study of Factors Associated with Risk of Turnover among Care Workers in Group Homes for Elderly Individuals with Dementia
Authors: Suzumura Miwa , Fushiki Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Kota , Oura Asae , Suzumura Shigeo , Yamashita Masafumi , Mori Mitsuru 
Published: October 2013

A Prospective Study of Factors Associated with Risk of Turnover among Care Workers in Group Homes for Elderly Individuals with Dementia: Miwa SUZUMURA,et al. Department of Public Health, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine—ObjectivesA prospective study was conducted to assess factors associated with risk of turnover among care workers in group homes (GHs) for elderly individuals with dementia.MethodsIn January, 2010, 51 out of 238 GHs in Sapporo City responded to our request for participation in a survey. During February and March of 2010, 438 out of 700 care workers (62.6%) in the GHs returned a completed questionnaire to us. They were followed up with until March of 2012, and 395 subjects (90.1%) responded to our survey, which was conducted twice. Over the course of 2 years, 91 subjects left their jobs. Cox's proportional hazards model was used for analysis, adjusting for gender and age.ResultsLess provision of social support by supervisors, colleagues, family or friends was significantly associated with increased risk of turnover. Financial aids for off‐the‐job training was marginally significantly associated with reduced risk of turnover. Longer duration of working for frail elderly care was significantly associated with decreased risk of turnover. Habitual smoking was significantly associated with increased risk of turnover.ConclusionsSocial support in the workplace may be important to reduce the risk of turnover in care workers at GHs. Further prospective studies are required in other areas in Japan.
First-principles investigations on the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 doped with Se
Authors: Wan Liwen F. , Beckman Scott P. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIn this work, the thermoelectric properties of Se-doped Bi2Te3 are examined using first-principles density functional theory and semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory. Placing a single Se atom on the 3a Wyckoff position lowers the unit cell energy by approximately 3.6 eV, compared to the 6c Te position. The electronic structure of Bi2Te3 has minor changes upon Se doping. At carrier concentration of 1019 cm-3, the optimal thermopower, S, is obtained as 207 and 220 μV/K for n-type and p-type doping, respectively. Unlike the thermopower, the power factor, S2σ/τ, is highly anisotropic for the in-plane and cross-plane conduction. At carrier concentrations of 1019 cm-3, the best power factor is predicted to be around 1.05 and 1.4×1011 W/m·s·K2 for n-type and p-type doping, respectively.
Thermoelectric properties of Ru and In substituted misfit-layered Ca3Co4O9
Authors: Saucke Gesine , Populoh Sascha , Vogel-Schäuble Nina , Sagarna Leyre , Mogare Kailash , Karvonen Lassi , Weidenkaff Anke 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTAs an approach to improve the thermoelectric properties of the polycrystalline Ca3Co4O9 misfit-layered oxide, substitutions of Co2+…4+ with the heavier cations Ru3+/4+ and In3+ were tested. Polycrystalline samples Ca3Co4-xRuxO9 and Ca3Co4-xInxO9 (0 < x < 0.21) were prepared via a solid-state-reaction route. For each sample the crystal structure was analyzed and a complete thermoelectric characterization was done within a temperature range of 300 K < T < 1125 K.Both substitution strategies resulted in a significant decrease of the thermal conductivity (κ). For the In3+-substituted samples the decrease of the Seebeck coefficient (α) balanced the κ reduction so that no overall enhancement of the figure of merit (ZT) was found. The Ru3+/4+ substitution reduced the p-type carrier concentration and thus increases the electrical resistivity (ρel), while α became larger at low temperatures. Despite the reduction of the power factor, a small enhancement in ZT was observed in the case of x = 0.1 Ru substitution, due to the strong κ reduction. Considering the observed preferred orientation of the Ru-substituted crystallites, a maximum value of ZT = 0.14 perpendicular to the pressing direction is found at T = 1125 K, indicating that Ru substitution is a promising strategy for a further ZT improvement.
Analysis of smile esthetics in American Board of Orthodontic patients
Authors: Akyalcin Sercan , Frels Leslie K. , English Jeryl D. , Laman Stephen 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To investigate the common denominators of an esthetically pleasing smile in patients who were considered to be successfully treated upon the submission to American Board Orthodontics (ABO) clinical examination.

Material and Methods:
A total of 462 patients were examined. Ninety subjects that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. Standardized digital smile photographs of the subjects were rated by 30 panel members, including orthodontists, general dentists, and parents of orthodontic patients, using a numeric version of the visual analog scale. Three groups were formed using the mean esthetic score ± standard deviation range: unattractive (n  =  21), average (n  =  47), and attractive (n  =  22) smiles. Eleven smile characteristics were digitally measured on the photographs and compared between the groups using one-way analysis of variance and χ2 tests. Additionally, regression analyses were used to investigate the association of the smile characteristics with the esthetic score.

Results:
A significant difference was found between the three groups for the comparison of smile arc relationship (P &lt; .001). When all the variables used in this study were entered in the regression analysis, a positive association was found (r  =  0.658; r2  =  0.434; P &lt; .001). Additionally, two models were defined using stepwise regression. The first model included the smile arc (r  =  0.478; r2  =  0.228; P &lt; .001), and the second model had both the smile arc and right gingival display/visible dentition display ratio (r  =  0.567; r2  =  0.321; P &lt; .001).

Conclusions:
A harmonious smile arc relationship and less gingival display during a smile are significantly associated with smile attractiveness in patients considered successfully treated according to ABO standards.
Caucalido platycarpi-Vicietum michauxii — a new weed association from crop fields of Kyrgyzstan (Middle Asia)
Authors: Nowak Sylwia , Nowak Arkadiusz , Nobis Marcin , Nobis Agnieszka 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The study presents the results of geobotanical investigations conducted in crop fields in the western Tian Shan Mts in Kyrgyzstan (Middle Asia). The main research focused on classification of weed communities developing within this poorly investigated area, were conducted in the vicinity of Bishkek and Kara-Balta in 2010. Altogether, 299 phytosociological relevés were sampled using the Braun-Blanquet method. Based on all segetal vegetation patches, the analyses distinguished a new association: Caucalido platycarpi-Vicietum michauxii. The results of these phytosociological studies fill a gap in the knowledge about the syntaxonomical diversity of the Middle Asia region, which is one of the most crucial for segetal weed species. The study shows that anthropogenic agrocoenoses could harbour relatively rich flora. Extensively cultivated fields could especially serve as a suitable habitat for many xerothermophilous and heliophilous plants. More than 75 species in vegetation plots, mainly permament weeds, have been found. There is also a considerable share of species coming over from swards, screes and meadows.
Toxigenic Fusarium species infecting wheat heads in Poland
Authors: Wiśniewska Halina , Stępień Łukasz , Waśkiewicz Agnieszka , Beszterda Monika , Góral Tomasz , Belter Jolanta 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Toxigenic Fusarium species are common pathogens of wheat and other cereals worldwide. In total, 449 wheat heads from six localities in Poland, heavily infected with Fusarium during 2009 season, were examined for Fusarium species identification. F. culmorum was the most common species (72.1% on average) with F. graminearum and F. avenaceum the next most commonly observed, but much less frequent (13.4 and 12.5% respectively). F. cerealis was found in 1.8% of all samples, and F. tricinctum was found only in one sample (0.2%). Subsequent quantification of the three major mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and moniliformin) in grain and chaff fractions with respect to associated prevailing pathogen species uncovered the following patterns. Moniliformin (MON) was found in low amounts in all samples with F. avenaceum present. In contrast, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) were the contaminants of F. culmorum- and F. graminearum-infected heads. The highest concentration of DON was recorded in grain sample collected in Radzików (77 µg g−1). High temperatures in Central Poland during July and August accompanied with high rainfall in July were responsible for this high DON accumulation. Trichothecene, zearalenone, enniatin and beauvericin chemotypes were identified among 21 purified isolates using gene-specific PCR markers.
Validity of the Functional Gait Assessment in Patients With Parkinson Disease: Construct, Concurrent, and Predictive Validity
Authors: Yang Yaqin , Wang Yongjun , Zhou Yanan , Chen Chen , Xing Deli , Wang Chunxue 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundThe Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a validated measurement of gait-related activities in certain populations and may be potentially useful to assess balance and gait disorders in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the construct, concurrent, and predictive validity of the FGA in inpatients with PD.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study.MethodsOne hundred twenty-one inpatients with PD were prospectively enrolled. The FGA and other relevant appraisals of gait, balance, disease severity, and activities of daily living were performed. Six months later, the patients were interviewed by telephone to have their fall information collected. Principal component analysis was used to determine construct validity. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine concurrent validity between the FGA and other measures. Cutoff point, sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio were calculated for predictive validity based on the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsOne common factor was extracted for construct validity, which cumulatively explained 64.0% of the total variance. Correlation coefficients for the FGA compared with other measures ranged from .57 to .85. The cutoff point for predicting falls was 18, with sensitivity of 80.6%, specificity of 80.0%, and positive likelihood ratio of 4.03.LimitationsThis study was limited by the length of time of follow-up and self-reports of falls without the requirement of a fall diary. Medication adjustment after the FGA evaluation may have led to a different cutoff score for identifying those patients who were at risk of falling.ConclusionsThe FGA demonstrated good construct validity in patients with PD. It had moderate to strong correlations with other balance and gait appraisals. The FGA can be used to predict falls within the subsequent 6 months.