bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of exaggerated exercise-induced systolic blood pressures in young patients after coarctation repair
Authors: Madueme Peace C. , Khoury Philip R. , Urbina Elaine M. , Kimball Thomas R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundIn normotensive subjects, an exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise is associated with the development of resting hypertension. We sought to determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressures during exercise in post-operative coarctation patients with normal resting blood pressure, and investigate associations with exercise-induced hypertension in this population.MethodsA total of 38 patients were enrolled after end-to-end anastomosis repair and resting normotension. All patients underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, echocardiographic evaluation of function, arterial stiffness assessment by pulse wave velocity, and a graded exercise test. An abnormal response was defined as a maximum systolic blood pressure greater than the 95th percentile of published normal values. Correlation analyses and stepwise regression analyses were performed.ResultsThe mean age was 12.7 years, including 79% male patients. The mean resting systolic blood pressure was 111.3 millimetres of mercury and the mean exercise systolic blood pressure was 178.1 millimetres of mercury. The prevalence of a systolic blood pressure greater than the 95th percentile was 16.7%. In multivariate analysis, the exercise systolic blood pressure index was associated with body mass index, age, aortic valve annulus, shortening fraction, and pulse wave velocity (R2 equal to 0.79, p equal to 0.0009). Estimates of ventricular filling and indexed left ventricular mass were elevated.ConclusionsThere is a risk of elevated systolic blood pressure during exercise in normotensive patients after coarctation repair. Resting blood pressures are useful but not sufficient. Echocardiography demonstrated abnormalities suggestive of a chronic cardiac burden despite resting normotension. Regular imaging may be necessary to improve long-term outcomes. New paradigms for the continued follow-up of these patients are necessary.
‘Why government should not collect taxes’: grand corruption in government and citizens' views on taxation in Cameroon
Authors: Orock Rogers 
                      Tabe Egbe , Mbuagbo Oben 
                      Timothy 
Published: September 2012

This paper explores how Cameroonians view the payment of taxes to the Cameroonian state in the backdrop of the pervasive corruption and the dismal levels of social service provision characterising public governance in the country since the early 1990s. It does so by combining a review of secondary literature about the nature of state–society relations in Cameroon and public opinion surveys and citizens' comments in the private press relating to these issues. It concludes that such perceptions about taxation illustrate the challenges confronting African states if they seek to expand their capacity for domestic resource mobilisation through taxation.
[Pourquoi le gouvernement ne devrait pas percevoir des impôts: la grande corruption au sein du gouvernement et l'opinion des citoyens sur la fiscalité au Cameroun.] Cet article examine comment les Camerounais considèrent le paiement des impôts à l'État camerounais dans le contexte où la corruption est généralisée et les niveaux sombres de la gouvernance des services sociaux caractérisent la gestion publique dans le pays depuis le début des années 1990. Cela se fait par une combinaison de l'examen de la documentation secondaire sur la nature des relations État-société au Cameroun, et les sondages d'opinion publique et les commentaires des citoyens dans la presse privée se rapportant à ces questions. Il conclut que la perception des citoyens sur la fiscalité illustre les défis auxquels sont confrontés les Etats africains s'ils cherchent à étendre leur capacité de mobilisation des ressources intérieures par la fiscalité.

Mots-clés: Cameroun ; corruption ; gouvernance publique ; fiscalité ; confiance
Influence of documented history of coronary artery disease on outcomes in patients admitted for worsening heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the EVEREST trial
Authors: Mentz Robert J. , Allen Bradley D. , Kwasny Mary J. , Konstam Marvin A. , Udelson James E. , Ambrosy Andrew P. , Fought Angela J. , Vaduganathan Muthiah , O'Connor Christopher M. , Zannad Faiez , Maggioni Aldo P. , Swedberg Karl , Bonow Robert O. , Gheorghiade Mihai 
Published: September 2012

AimsData on the prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have been conflicting. We describe the clinical characteristics and mode‐specific outcomes of HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and documented CAD in a large randomized trial.Methods and resultsEVEREST was a prospective, randomized trial of vasopressin‐2 receptor blockade, in addition to standard therapy, in 4133 patients hospitalized with worsening HF and reduced EF. Patients were classified as having CAD based on patient‐reported myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary revascularization. We analysed the characteristics and outcomes [all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) mortality/HF hospitalization] of patients with and without documented CAD. All events were centrally adjudicated. Documented CAD was present in 2353 patients (57%). Patients with CAD were older and had more co‐morbidities compared with those without CAD. Patients with CAD were more likely to receive a beta‐blocker, but less likely to receive an angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or aldosterone antagonist (P < 0.01). After risk adjustment, patients with documented CAD had similar mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.30], but were at an increased risk for CV mortality/HF hospitalization (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.12–1.41) due to an increased risk for HF hospitalization (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10–1.44). Patients with CAD had increased HF‐ and MI‐related events, but similar rates of sudden cardiac death.ConclusionDocumented CAD in patients hospitalized for worsening HF with reduced EF was associated with a higher burden of co‐morbidities, lower use of HF therapies (except beta‐blockers), and increased HF hospitalization, while all‐cause mortality was similar.
Rhamnolipids Elicit Defense Responses and Induce Disease Resistance against Biotrophic, Hemibiotrophic, and Necrotrophic Pathogens That Require Different Signaling Pathways in Arabidopsis and Highlight a Central Role for Salicylic Acid
Authors: Sanchez Lisa , Courteaux Barbara , Hubert Jane , Kauffmann Serge , Renault Jean-Hugues , Clément Christophe , Baillieul Fabienne , Dorey Stéphan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Plant resistance to phytopathogenic microorganisms mainly relies on the activation of an innate immune response usually launched after recognition by the plant cells of microbe-associated molecular patterns. The plant hormones, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid, and ethylene have emerged as key players in the signaling networks involved in plant immunity. Rhamnolipids (RLs) are glycolipids produced by bacteria and are involved in surface motility and biofilm development. Here we report that RLs trigger an immune response in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) characterized by signaling molecules accumulation and defense gene activation. This immune response participates to resistance against the hemibiotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato, the biotrophic oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, and the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. We show that RL-mediated resistance involves different signaling pathways that depend on the type of pathogen. Ethylene is involved in RL-induced resistance to H. arabidopsidis and to P. syringae pv tomato whereas jasmonic acid is essential for the resistance to B. cinerea. SA participates to the restriction of all pathogens. We also show evidence that SA-dependent plant defenses are potentiated by RLs following challenge by B. cinerea or P. syringae pv tomato. These results highlight a central role for SA in RL-mediated resistance. In addition to the activation of plant defense responses, antimicrobial properties of RLs are thought to participate in the protection against the fungus and the oomycete. Our data highlight the intricate mechanisms involved in plant protection triggered by a new type of molecule that can be perceived by plant cells and that can also act directly onto pathogens.
Loss of Lon1 in Arabidopsis Changes the Mitochondrial Proteome Leading to Altered Metabolite Profiles and Growth Retardation without an Accumulation of Oxidative Damage
Authors: Solheim Cory , Li Lei , Hatzopoulos Polydefkis , Millar A. Harvey 
Published: September 2012

AbstractLon1 is an ATP-dependent protease and chaperone located in the mitochondrial matrix in plants. Knockout in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leads to a significant growth rate deficit in both roots and shoots and lowered activity of specific mitochondrial enzymes associated with respiratory metabolism. Analysis of the mitochondrial proteomes of two lon1 mutant alleles (lon1-1 and lon1-2) with different severities of phenotypes shows a common accumulation of several stress marker chaperones and lowered abundance of Complexes I, IV, and V of OXPHOS. Certain enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle are modified or accumulated, and TCA cycle bypasses were repressed rather than induced. While whole tissue respiratory rates were unaltered in roots and shoots, TCA cycle intermediate organic acids were depleted in leaf extracts in the day in lon1-1 and in both lon mutants at night. No significant evidence of broad steady-state oxidative damage to isolated mitochondrial samples could be found, but peptides from several specific proteins were more oxidized and selected functions were more debilitated in lon1-1. Collectively, the evidence suggests that loss of Lon1 significantly modifies respiratory function and plant performance by small but broad alterations in the mitochondrial proteome gained by subtly changing steady-state protein assembly, stability, and damage of a range of components that debilitate an anaplerotic role for mitochondria in cellular carbon metabolism.
Repeatless and Repeat-Based Centromeres in Potato: Implications for Centromere Evolution
Authors: Gong Zhiyun , Wu Yufeng , Koblížková Andrea , Torres Giovana A. , Wang Kai , Iovene Marina , Neumann Pavel , Zhang Wenli , Novák Petr , Buell C. Robin , Macas Jiří , Jiang Jiming 
Published: September 2012

AbstractCentromeres in most higher eukaryotes are composed of long arrays of satellite repeats. By contrast, most newly formed centromeres (neocentromeres) do not contain satellite repeats and instead include DNA sequences representative of the genome. An unknown question in centromere evolution is how satellite repeat-based centromeres evolve from neocentromeres. We conducted a genome-wide characterization of sequences associated with CENH3 nucleosomes in potato (Solanum tuberosum). Five potato centromeres (Cen4, Cen6, Cen10, Cen11, and Cen12) consisted primarily of single- or low-copy DNA sequences. No satellite repeats were identified in these five centromeres. At least one transcribed gene was associated with CENH3 nucleosomes. Thus, these five centromeres structurally resemble neocentromeres. By contrast, six potato centromeres (Cen1, Cen2, Cen3, Cen5, Cen7, and Cen8) contained megabase-sized satellite repeat arrays that are unique to individual centromeres. The satellite repeat arrays likely span the entire functional cores of these six centromeres. At least four of the centromeric repeats were amplified from retrotransposon-related sequences and were not detected in Solanum species closely related to potato. The presence of two distinct types of centromeres, coupled with the boom-and-bust cycles of centromeric satellite repeats in Solanum species, suggests that repeat-based centromeres can rapidly evolve from neocentromeres by de novo amplification and insertion of satellite repeats in the CENH3 domains.
Endoscopic treatment with self‐expanding metal stents for Crohn's disease strictures
Authors: Loras C. , Pérez‐Roldan F. , Gornals J. B. , Barrio J. , Igea F. , González‐Huix F. , González‐Carro P. , Pérez‐Miranda M. , Espinós J. C. , Fernández‐Bañares F. , Esteve M. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryBackgroundBalloon dilation (with or without steroid injection) is the endoscopic treatment of choice for short strictures in Crohn's disease (CD). The placement of a stent has only rarely been reported in this setting, and it may be a good alternative.AimTo describe the efficacy of temporary placement of a self‐expanding metallic stent (SEMS) in the endoscopic treatment of symptomatic strictures in CD.MethodsWe included 17 CD patients treated with SEMS (4 partially covered SEMS and 21 fully covered SEMS) for symptomatic strictures refractory to medical and/or endoscopic treatment.ResultsWe placed 25 stents in 17 patients with stenosis (<8 cm), in the colon and in the ileocolonic anastomosis. In two cases, two stents were placed in the same endoscopic procedure. All except three cases had previously been unsuccessfully treated with endoscopic dilatation. The stents were maintained for an average of 28 days (1–112). The treatment was effective in 64.7% of the patients after a mean follow‐up time of 60 weeks (5–266). In four cases, removal of the stents was technically difficult due to stent impaction (moderate adverse events‐AEs) and one patient had a proximal stent migration requiring delayed surgery (severe AE).ConclusionThe placement of self‐expanding metallic stent in Crohn's disease maintained over a period of 4 weeks is a safe, effective treatment for strictures refractory to medical treatment and/or balloon dilatation, and might be an alternative endoscopic treatment in these patients.
New insights into pre‐mRNA processing factor 19: A multi‐faceted protein in humans
Authors: Yin Jie , Zhu Ji‐Min , Shen Xi‐Zhong 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDuring the dynamic assembly and activation of the spliceosome, human pre‐mRNA processing factor 19 (hPrp19) plays a major role alone or as a part of a protein complex. In addition to participating in post‐transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic gene, hPrp19 takes part in many physiological events such as ubiquitin–proteasome system, DNA damage response, proliferation and apoptosis. Increasing evidence also indicates a potential role of hPrp19 during oncogenesis, possibly owing to its activity of repressing apoptosis. Together, these studies add a new dimension to our understanding of hPrp19, and we have reason to believe that continuing excavation of this multi‐faceted protein may shed light on its roles in human diseases, especially in cancer.
Characterization of insulin resistance in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Beauloye Véronique , Steffens Mélanie , Zech Francis , Vermylen Christiane , Maiter Dominique 
Published: September 2012

SummaryIntroductionAn increased prevalence of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular (CV) disease has been reported in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)/non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cancer survivors.ObjectiveTo characterize the determinants of insulin resistance (IR) observed in this population, according to the treatment received.MethodsNinety one patients (45 men, mean age: 24 ± 5 years; mean follow‐up: 15 ± 5 years) previously treated for a childhood ALL (n = 76) or NHL (n = 15) were grouped according to their previous treatment: chemotherapy only (Group I; n = 43), chemotherapy + cranial irradiation (CI) (Group II; n = 32) and chemotherapy + bone marrow transplant (BMT)/total body irradiation (TBI) (Group III, n = 16).ResultsA high prevalence of IR (HOMA‐S < 60%) was observed in the BMT/TBI group (88%) compared to groups I (9%) and II (16%). The IR patients from groups [I+II] (12% of these groups) showed higher BMI, fat mass (FM) and visceral fat when compared with the non‐IR patients. In contrast, the IR patients from group III had mean BMI and total FM similar to those of non‐IR patients but showed a reduction of lean body mass and an increase in the relative proportion of trunk FM similar to the IR patients from groups [I + II]. This was associated with an altered lipid profile, high TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels, and reduced adiponectin levels compared to IR patients from group [I + II] and non‐IR patients.ConclusionChildhood ALL/NHL survivors treated by BMT/TBI frequently develop severe insulin resistance associated with peripheral‐to‐central fat redistribution, rather than increased total FM, and low adiponectin levels which may contribute to their increased CV risk.
Impact of basic fibroblast growth factor on healing of tympanic membrane perforations due to direct penetrating trauma: a prospective non‐blinded/controlled study
Authors: Zhang Q. , Lou Z. 
Published: September 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of direct application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on healing of tympanic membrane perforations due to direct traumatic penetration through the external auditory canal.DesignA prospective non‐blinded controlled study.SettingUniversity‐affiliated teaching hospital.ParticipantsIn total, 104 patients with small [<25%] penetrating perforations were recruited. They were alternatively allocated to two groups: Control (spontaneous healing, n = 51) and FGF treatment (direct application of bFGF drops in the clinic and repeated daily by the patient, n = 53).OutcomesPerforation closure rate and time and hearing gain were recorded and compared between the two groups. Information on earache, dizziness and facial paralysis was also collected.ResultsIn total, 93 (89%) patients were finally analysed. The closure rate at 3 m of the perforations in the control spontaneous healing and bFGF treatment groups were 77% and 100%, respectively; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.01). The average closure time was 43.1 ± 2.5 days (range, 17–57 days) for control patients, which was significantly longer (P < 0.01) than that for the bFGF‐treated patients (12.6 ± 1.2 days; range, 3–21 days). The mean hearing improvement at 3 m was not significantly different between the FGF treatment and control groups (1.7 ± 2.4 dB vs 11.5 ± 1.9 dB, P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in earache, dizziness and facial paralysis between two groups.ConclusionsDirect application of bFGF may offer an effective topical management of penetrating traumatic tympanic membrane perforations, particularly for small‐sized perforations.
Urine phthalate concentrations are higher in people with stroke: United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 2001–2004
Authors: Shiue I. 
Published: September 2012

Background and purposeAssociations between plastic‐associated chemicals, such as bisphenol A, and cardiovascular disease have begun to emerge in the current century. However, the relationship between urine phthalates and risk of stroke is unclear. It was aimed to study the relationship between urine phthalate concentrations and risk of stroke in a national population‐based cross‐sectional study.MethodsData were retrieved from United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2001–2004, including demographics, self‐reported medical conditions (stroke status) and urine phthalate concentrations. Analyses involved t‐test and logistic regression models.ResultsOf 13 phthalate concentrations, the mean values of mono‐n‐butyl phthalate (2001–2002: 131.27 ± 685.62 and 43.02 ± 117.70, P = 0.0001; 2003–2004: 114.36 ± 555.41 and 49.48 ± 153.53, P = 0.008) and mono‐(3‐carboxypropyl) phthalate (2001–2002: 13.60 ± 37.05 and 5.48 ± 10.55, P < 0.001; 2003–2004: 10.56 ± 38.37 and 5.94 ± 14.76, P = 0.038) concentrations were found significantly higher in people with stroke. It was also observed that low doses of mono‐n‐butyl phthalate (OR 1.0009, 95%CI 0.999–1.003, P = 0.266 in 2001–2002, and OR 1.0010, 95%CI 1.0001–1.0019, P = 0.028 in 2003–2004) and mono‐(3‐carboxypropyl) phthalate (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.00–1.05, P = 0.055 in 2001–2002, and OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.00–1.01 P = 0.240 in 2003–2004) were associated with higher risk of stroke after full adjustments.ConclusionsUrine phthalate concentrations are potentially associated with increased risk of stroke, although the causality cannot be established in the current cross‐sectional study design. Future longitudinal cohort studies and/or clinical trials are warranted to understand the biological mechanism along the pathway before drawing a firm conclusion on the relationship between phthalates and risk of stroke in humans.
Chinese Migrants' Class Mobility in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Chau‐kiu , Leung Kwan‐kwok 
Published: September 2012

AbstractResources such as education and social networks are likely to contribute to migrants' upward mobility in the class hierarchy. Moreover, according to structural fit theory, the contribution tends to be contingent on age and social network size. The contingency is the major concern of the present study of mainland Chinese migrants in Hong Kong, which is somewhat different from the Chinese mainland economically, politically and even culturally. In this study, we show that the conditions for upward mobility are some human and social resources and their various combinations. Notably, schooling after arrival in Hong Kong contributed more to the upward mobility of the migrant who was younger or had a larger social network at the time of arrival in Hong Kong. Purportedly, promoting the migrant's integration with the school and local social network would prepare the migrant for upward mobility.
A Nutrition Education Intervention for Anthropometric and Biochemical Profiles of Rural Older Malays with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Shahar Suzana , Adznam Siti Nur'Asyura , Lee Lai Kuan , Yusof Noor Aini Mohd , Salleh Mohmad , Mohamed Sakian Noor Ibrahim 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a nutrition education intervention package in improving anthropometric, clinical and biochemical indicators of rural older Malays with metabolic syndrome (MS).Design and SampleIn this study, 47 older Malays diagnosed with MS were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 24) or the control group (n = 23) based on their geographical site.InterventionThe intervention group received nutrition education via group counselling sessions, talks, and cooking and exercise demonstrations using a specifically developed healthy aging package for 6 months.MeasuresThe efficacy of the nutrition education intervention on anthropometric and biochemical parameters was assessed.ResultsWomen in the nutrition education group showed a significant reduction in waist circumference (p < .01) compared to the control group. Men who received the nutrition education intervention maintained their total cholesterol (TC) level (p < .05) compared to the control group.ConclusionsThe nutrition education intervention showed potential for improving TC levels in men and waist circumference in women with MS. Similar intervention studies could be initiated among the older adults in the community as a preventive measure.