bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant responses to elevated temperatures: a field study on phenological sensitivity and fitness responses to simulated climate warming
Authors: Springate David A. , Kover Paula X. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSignificant changes in plant phenology have been observed in response to increases in mean global temperatures. There are concerns that accelerated phenologies can negatively impact plant populations. However, the fitness consequence of changes in phenology in response to elevated temperature is not well understood, particularly under field conditions. We address this issue by exposing a set of recombinant inbred lines of Arabidopsis thaliana to a simulated global warming treatment in the field. We find that plants exposed to elevated temperatures flower earlier, as predicted by photothermal models. However, contrary to life‐history trade‐off expectations, they also flower at a larger vegetative size, suggesting that warming probably causes acceleration in vegetative development. Although warming increases mean fitness (fruit production) by ca. 25%, there is a significant genotype‐by‐environment interaction. Changes in fitness rank indicate that imminent climate change can cause populations to be maladapted in their new environment, if adaptive evolution is limited. Thus, changes in the genetic composition of populations are likely, depending on the species’ generation time and the speed of temperature change. Interestingly, genotypes that show stronger phenological responses have higher fitness under elevated temperatures, suggesting that phenological sensitivity might be a good indicator of success under elevated temperature at the genotypic level as well as at the species level.
Prevalence of postmicturition urinary incontinence in Japanese men: Comparison with other types of incontinence
Authors: Yoshimura Koji , Nakayama Takeo , Sekine Akihiro , Matsuda Fumihiko , Kosugi Shinji , Sugino Yoshio , Yoshimura Kenichi , Ogawa Osamu ,   Nagahama Cohort Research Group
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and correlates of postmicturition urinary incontinence in Japanese men, and to compare with those of other types of urinary incontinence.MethodsA total of 3224 male participants in a community‐based survey were investigated. Three types of urinary incontinence were assessed; that is, postmicturition urinary incontinence, stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence. Age, body mass index, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and medical history of 18 diseases and conditions were the dependent variables for candidate correlates of the three types of incontinence.ResultsUnlike stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence, the prevalence of postmicturition urinary incontinence was constant throughout all generations (6.5% for the 30 s, 6.6% for the 40 s, 6.0% for the 50 s, 6.3% for the 60 s and 5.1% for the 70 s). The independent correlates for postmicturition urinary incontinence were asthma (P < 0.001; odds ratio 3.01), prostatic disease (P < 0.001; odds ratio 2.38), rhinosinusitis (P = 0.001; odds ratio 1.92), low back pain (P = 0.003; odds ratio 1.58), sleeplessness (P = 0.013; odds ratio 1.86), depression (P = 0.024; odds ratio 3.41) and body mass index (P = 0.025; odds ratio 0.73).ConclusionsPostmicturition urinary incontinence has different characteristics from those of stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence. Unlike stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence, postmicturition urinary incontinence is not age‐dependent. Several diseases related to an allergic status, such as asthma and rhinosinusitis, are correlates for postmicturition urinary incontinence.
The effect of extension and loading of the carpus on radial rotation
Authors: Bitton Erez , Joseph Rotem , Portman Lena , Segev Gilad , Meiner Yaron , Shipov Anna , Milgram Joshua 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the direction and magnitude of the rotation of the radius relative to the ulna during extension of the carpus and to describe the effect of carpal extension on internal and external rotation of the radius relative to the ulna.Study DesignIn vitroexperiment.AnimalsCadaveric canine thoracic limbs (n = 11).MethodsEleven thoracic limbs were collected from 6 healthy mixed breed dogs of medium build. Each specimen was radiographed to ensure that the carpal and elbow joints were free of pathology. The elbow joint was disarticulated and the distal thoracic limb was prepared for biomechanical testing. Each specimen was stripped of soft tissue, leaving the soft tissues around the proximal aspect of the radius and ulna intact. The interosseous ligament, pronator teres muscle, and all the soft tissues distal to the distal metaphysis of the radius were also left intact. In the 1st part of the study, the rotation of the radius relative to the ulna was measured while extending the carpal joint using a system of weights and pulleys attached to the manus. In the 2nd part of the study, the internal and external rotation of the radius relative to the ulna was performed by applying an internal and external rotational load to the radius using a system of weights and pulleys attached to the radius. The internal and external rotation of the radius was measured with the carpus unloaded and with the carpus extended by applying a load of 5 kg to the manus.ResultsExtension of the carpus resulted in internal rotation of the radius relative to the ulna. With the carpus extended under a maximum load of 2 kg, the mean (± SD) internal rotation of the radius was 4.3 ± 2.1° for all specimens. With the carpus unloaded, the mean internal and external rotation of the radius was 11.5 ± 2.9° and 22.5 ± 7.7° for all specimens, respectively. With the carpus loaded (extended under 5 kg load), the mean internal and external rotation of the radius was 3.3 ± 1.2° and 7.3 ± 2.0° for all specimens, respectively. The difference between internal and external rotation with the carpus loaded and unloaded was significant.ConclusionExtending the carpus results in internal rotation, and proximal translation of the radius relative to the ulna. Loading the carpus in extension decreases the internal and external rotation of the radius relative to the ulna. A better understanding of the interaction between the carpus and the elbow may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of elbow dysplasia.
Effects of directional environmental change on extinction dynamics in experimental microbial communities are predicted by a simple model
Authors: Clements Christopher F. , Collen Ben , Blackburn Tim M. , Petchey Owen L. 
Published: October 2013

Global temperatures are expected to rise between 1.1 and 6.4°C over the next 100 years, although the exact rate will depend on future greenhouse emissions, and will vary spatially. Temperature can alter an individual's metabolic rate, and consequently birth and death rates. In declining populations, these alterations may manifest as changes in the rate of that population's decline, and subsequently the timing of extinction events. Predicting such events could therefore be of considerable use. We use a small‐scale experimental system to investigate how the rate of temperature change can alter a population's time to extinction, and whether it is possible to predict this event using a simple phenomenological model that incorporates information about population dynamics at a constant temperature, published scaling of metabolic rates, and temperature. In addition, we examine 1) the relative importance of the direct effects of temperature on metabolic rate, and the indirect effects (via temperature driven changes in body size), on predictive accuracy (defined as the proximity of the predicted date of extinction to the mean observed date of extinction), 2) the combinations of model parameters that maximise accuracy of predictions, and 3) whether substituting temperature change through time with mean temperature produces accurate predictions. We find that extinction occurs earlier in environments that warm faster, and this can be accurately predicted (R2> 0.84). Increasing the number of parameters that were temperature‐dependent increased the model's accuracy, as did scaling these temperature‐dependent parameters with either the direct effects of temperature alone, or with the direct and indirect effects. Using mean temperature through time instead of actual temperature produces less accurate predictions of extinction. These results suggest that simple phenomenological models, incorporating metabolic theory, may be useful in understanding how environmental change can alter a population's rate of extinction.SynthesisUnderstanding how populations will respond to future climatic change is a key goal in ecology, however the exact rate of future warming will vary both spatially and temporally. Consequently, mathematical models must be used to understand the potential range of future population dynamics under various warming scenarios. We use a combination of experimentation and modelling to show that the effects of varying rates of environmental change on population dynamics can be predicted by a simple model. However, the accuracy of these predictions depends upon, amongst other things, a detailed knowledge of how temperature will change over time, rather than approximating this change to mean temperature.
Intravenous Alteplase in Ischemic Stroke Patients not Fully Adhering to the Current Drug License in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Karlinski Michal , Kobayashi Adam , Mikulik Robert , Sanak Daniel , Wahlgren Nils , Czlonkowska Anna 
Published: October 2013

Background The current European license for alteplase in acute ischemic stroke excludes from treatment large groups of patients. Nevertheless, in everyday practice, many patients receive off-label thrombolysis at the physician's discretion. Aim Our aim was to evaluate safety and effectiveness of intravenous alteplase in patients not fully adhering to the drug license compared with those treated strictly according to the license in Central and Eastern Europe. Methods We analyzed the data contributed to Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke registry from nine countries between February 2003 and February 2010. Statistical analysis included multivariate logistic regression. Results Of 5594 consecutive patients, 1919 patients (34·3%) not fully adhered to the license. The most frequent deviations were: time-to-treatment >3 h (13·1%), use of intravenous antihypertensives (8·3%), age >80 years (7·3%), oral anticoagulation (4·2%), a previous stroke with concomitant diabetes (3·9%), and previous stroke <three-months (2·7%). The off-label group showed a significantly higher rate of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, which was not confirmed in the multivariate analysis. License nonadherence significantly increased the risk of death or dependency (odds ratio 1·26; 95% confidence interval: 1·08–1·48), with a trend for increased mortality (odds ratio 1·17; 95% confidence interval: 0·97–1·42). Isolated time-to-treatment >3 h was an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome (odds ratio 1·32; 95% confidence interval: 1·01–1·71). Conclusion Our findings show that patients not fully adhering to the European license are not at increased risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage but achieve less favorable outcome. Some contraindications appear more redundant than others. However, the final conclusions about safety and effectiveness should be based on the results of ongoing randomized trials.
A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial about Safety and Efficacy of Combined Treatment with Alteplase (rt-PA) and Cerebrolysin in Acute Ischaemic Hemispheric Stroke
Authors: Lang Wilfried , Stadler Christian H. , Poljakovic Zdravka , Fleet David ,   the Lyse Study Group
Published: October 2013

Background The neurotrophic drug Cerebrolysin accelerated recovery and prevented acute neuronal damage in preclinical models of ischaemia. Previous clinical trials support therapeutic effects in stroke patients. The study investigated whether the combination with alteplase and Cerebrolysin is safe and can further reduce disability after acute ischaemic stroke. Methods This placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involved 119 patients with acute ischaemic hemispheric stroke, randomly assigned to a combined treatment with alteplase plus Cerebrolysin or placebo (administered 1 h after thrombolytic treatment) starting within three-hours after onset of symptoms. A daily i.v. infusion of 30 ml Cerebrolysin or placebo was given for 10 consecutive days. Primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale at day 90. A sequential design with interim analyses was applied. Results The third interim analysis did not show a benefit in the modified Rankin Scale for Cerebrolysin on day 90 compared to placebo and the study was stopped. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale responder analysis (secondary outcome measure) showed significantly more patients with an improvement of 6 or more points (or a total score of 0 or 1) after two-, five-, 10, and 30 days in the Cerebrolysin group. Similar trends were observed for the modified Rankin Scale responder analysis without achieving statistical significance. There was no difference between treatment groups regarding adverse events. Conclusions The combination of Cerebrolysin with recombinant tissue-Plasminogen Activator is safe for treatment of acute ischaemic stroke but did not improve outcome at day 90. During the treatment period with Cerebrolysin (10 days), significantly more patients had a favourable response in neurological outcome measures (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) as compared to the placebo group.
A multicenter survey of re‐treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C in Japan
Authors: Oze Tsugiko , Hiramatsu Naoki , Mita Eiji , Akuta Norio , Sakamoto Naoya , Nagano Hiroaki , Itoh Yoshito , Kaneko Shuichi , Izumi Namiki , Nomura Hideyuki , Hayashi Norio , Takehara Tetsuo 
Published: October 2013

Aim:  This study aimed to clarify the factors associated the efficacy of re‐treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) plus ribavirin combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C who had failed to respond to previous treatment.Methods:  One hundred and forty‐three patients who had previously shown relapse (n = 79), non‐response (n = 34) or intolerance (n = 30) to PEG IFN plus ribavirin were re‐treated with PEG IFN plus ribavirin.Results:  Twenty‐five patients with intolerance to previous treatment completed re‐treatment and the sustained virological response (SVR) rates were 55% and 80% for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and 2, respectively. On re‐treatment of the 113 patients who completed the previous treatment, the SVR rates were 48% and 63% for genotype 1 and 2, respectively. Relapse after previous treatment and a low baseline HCV RNA level on re‐treatment were associated with SVR in genotype 1 (P < 0.001). Patients with the interleukin‐28B major genotype responded significantly better and earlier to re‐treatment, but the difference in the SVR rate did not reach a significant level between the major and minor genotypes (P = 0.09). Extended treatment of 72 weeks raised the SVR rate among the patients who attained complete early virological response but not rapid virological response with re‐treatment (72 weeks, 73%, 16/22, vs 48 weeks, 38%, 5/13, P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Relapse after previous treatment and a low baseline HCV RNA level have predictive values for a favorable response of PEG IFN plus ribavirin re‐treatment for HCV genotype 1 patients. Re‐treatment for 72 weeks may lead to clinical improvement for genotype 1 patients with complete early virological response and without rapid virological response on re‐treatment.
Effects of Anode Microstructure on Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties for Anode‐Supported Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Sumi Hirofumi , Yamaguchi Toshiaki , Hamamoto Koichi , Suzuki Toshio , Fujishiro Yoshinobu 
Published: October 2013

The effects of anode microstructure on mechanical and electrochemical properties were investigated for anode‐supported microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The anode microstructures can be varied by the change in pore formers. For example, the acrylic resin pore former was burnt more rapidly at lower temperature than the graphite pore former during sintering. The acrylic resin pore former can introduce macropores with a diameter of several micrometers in nickel–yttria‐stabilized zirconia (Ni–YSZ) anode. The walls of the macropores were packed with the nickel and YSZ particles. Although the Ni–YSZ anode microtube using the 10 wt% acrylic resin pore former was compatible with high porosity and mechanical strength, the maximum fuel utilization was limited to 72%. On the other hand, the graphite pore former can produce a relatively uniform distribution of micropores with a diameter of several hundred nanometers. The mechanical strength was reduced with a rise in porosity for the Ni–YSZ microtube using the graphite pore former in comparison with the acrylic resin. However, a high fuel utilization of 93% was realized for the microtubular SOFCs using the 10 wt% graphite pore former in spite of lower porosity than the acrylic resin. The selection of a pore former is important to obtain higher power generation efficiency for anode‐supported microtubular SOFCs.
Consequential Life Cycle Assessment of Policy Vulnerability to Price Effects
Authors: Rajagopal Deepak 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe application of life cycle assessment (LCA) in a policy context highlights the need for a “consequential” LCA (CLCA), which differs from an “attributional” LCA (ALCA). Although CLCA offers some advantages over ALCA, such as a capacity to account for emissions resulting from both substitution and price effects, it entails additional assumptions and cost and may yield estimates that are more uncertain (e.g., estimates of impact of biofuel policies on greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions). We illustrate how a CLCA that relies on simple partial equilibrium models could provide important insights on the direction and magnitude of price effects while limiting the complexity of CLCA. We describe how such a CLCA, when applied early in the policy life cycle, could help identify policy formulations that reduce the magnitude of adverse price effects relative to the beneficial substitution effect on emissions because—as the experience with biofuel regulations indicates—regulating price effects is costly and controversial. We conclude that the salient contribution of CLCA in the policy process might lie in warning policy makers about the vulnerabilities in a policy with regard to environmental impact and to help modify potentially counterproductive formulations rather than in deriving the precise estimates for uncertain variables, such as the life cycle GHG intensity of product or average indirect emissions.
Turkish nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Akin Semiha , Mendi Basak , Mendi Onur , Durna Zehra 
Published: October 2013

Aims and objectivesTo assess nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes towards such patients and to determine the variables associated with students' knowledge and attitudes towards them.BackgroundImproving nurses' and nursing students' knowledge and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS is vital for providing quality care for such patients.DesignThis descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted at three nursing schools located in two different cities in Turkey. The inclusion criteria for the nursing students were as follows: being at least 18 years old; being a first‐, second‐, third‐ or fourth‐year nursing student; and giving consent to participate in the research.MethodsThe sample comprised 580 nursing students. The study used three data collection tools: (1) the Student Socio‐Demographic Questionnaire, (2) the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Questionnaire and (3) the HIV/AIDS Attitude Questionnaire.ResultsParticipants' knowledge was found to be insufficient, particularly with regard to HIV transmission routes. They generally had positive attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS. However, they expressed some concerns and were hesitant about working with AIDS and HIV‐positive patients.ConclusionsThe current results reveal that nursing students still have misconceptions and a lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and that their attitudes need to be improved.Relevance to clinical practiceImproving education programmes about HIV/AIDS and using information sources effectively may contribute to better knowledge and more desirable attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.
Lessons from postgenome‐wide association studies: functional analysis of cancer predisposition loci
Authors: Monteiro A. N. A. , Freedman M. L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn the last few years, genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have identified hundreds of predisposition loci for several types of human cancers. Recent progress has been made in determining the underlying mechanisms through which different single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affect predisposition to cancer. Although there has been much debate about the clinical utility of GWASs, less attention has been paid to how GWASs and post‐GWASs functional analysis have contributed to understanding the aetiology of cancer. Most common variants associated with cancer risk are localized in nonprotein‐coding regions highlighting transcriptional regulation as a common theme in the mechanism of cancer predisposition. Here, we outline strategies to functionally dissect predisposition loci and discuss their limitations as well as challenges for future studies.
Repeatability and reliability of human eye in visual shade selection
Authors: Özat P. B. , Tuncel İ. , Eroğlu E. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryDeficiencies in the human visual percep‐tion system have challenged the efficiency of the visual shade‐matching protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability and reliability of human eye in visual shade selection. Fifty‐four volunteering dentists were asked to match the shade of an upper right central incisor tooth of a single subject. The Vita 3D‐Master shade guide was used for the protocol. Before each shade‐matching procedure, the definitive codes of the shade tabs were hidden by an opaque strip and the shade tabs were placed into the guide randomly. The procedure was repeated 1 month later to ensure that visual memory did not affect the results. The L*, a* and b* values of the shade tabs were measured with a dental spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade) to produce quantitative values to evaluate the protocol. The paired samples t‐test and Pearson correlation test were used to compare the 1st and 2nd selections. The Yates‐corrected chi‐square test was use to compare qualitative values. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0·05. Comparing baseline and 1st month records, statistical significance (P < 0·001) was found among qualitative data regarding repeatability on a yes/no (1/0) basis, revealing a very low percentage of repeatability (11·1%). Comparing baseline and 1st month records, statistical significance was not found (P = 0·000) among the L*, a*, b* and ΔE variables. These results indicate that dentists perform insufficiently regarding repeatability in visual shade matching, but they are able to select clinically acceptable shades.