bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transmitting Haoqiu zhuan in Eighteenth-Century Chosŏn Korea
Authors: Son Suyoung 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
This paper focuses on the process of transmission of Haoqiu zhuan in eighteenth-century Chosŏn Korea. The spread of the Haoqiu zhuan did not involve a straightforward transmission of the Chinese text to a Korean readership, but rather a multiple process of mediation—the translation from vernacular Chinese to vernacular Korean, and the transmutation from the printed text to transcribed copies. The text was thus shaped as material for domestic consumption by and for elite women, by bringing about certain adaptations attuned to what was seen as their pressing needs. The transformation of the format and meaning of the text diluted the traces of the work’s national origin and made the distinction between the foreign and the indigenous insignificant. The process of transmission of Haoqiu zhuan not only highlights the fluid nature intrinsic to text transmission but also challenges the adequacy of the impact-response approach based on a nationalist reflex.
Causal attribution of mental illness in south-eastern Nigeria
Authors: Ikwuka Ugo , Galbraith Niall , Nyatanga Lovemore 
Published: May 2013

Background: Understanding of mental illness in sub-Saharan Africa has remained under-researched in spite of the high and increasing neuropsychiatric burden of disease in the region. Aims: This study investigated the causal beliefs that the Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria hold about schizophrenia, with a view to establishing the extent to which the population makes psychosocial, biological and supernatural attributions. Method: Multi-stage sampling was used to select participants ( N = 200) to which questionnaires were administered. Results: Mean comparison of the three causal models revealed a significant endorsement of supernatural causation. Logistic regressions revealed significant contributions of old age and female gender to supernatural attribution; old age, high education and Catholic religious denomination to psychosocial attributions; and high education to biological attributions. Conclusions: It is hoped that the findings would enlighten, augment literature and enhance mental health care service delivery.
The availability and quality across Europe of outpatient care for difficult-to-engage patients with severe mental illness: A survey among experts
Authors: Mulder Cornelis L , Ruud Torleif , Bahler Michiel , Kroon Hans , Priebe Stefan 
Published: May 2013

Background: As many patients with severe mental illness (SMI) who have complex needs are difficult to engage, outreach mental health services are needed to engage them into treatment. The extent to which these services exist in large European cities is unknown. Methods: Experts in 29 European countries were sent a structured questionnaire containing two case vignettes of difficult-to-engage patients (a first-episode psychosis patient and a homeless chronic schizophrenia patient). The type and quality of outpatient care was assessed and related to several national indices. Results: The questionnaire was returned by experts from 22 countries (76%) representing 92% of the EU population. Six countries (21%) had a systematic method for detecting difficult-to-engage patients. The most important route whereby such patients entered the mental health system was through informal care; the most important reasons for entering it were the level of psychiatric symptoms, nuisance and violence. Assertive outreach was available in nine countries (41%), with coverage ranging from a few teams (sometimes for a specific target group) to most of the country. The case vignettes showed that outpatient care for these difficult-to-engage patients varied widely. In seven (30%) of the 22 countries, a hospital would take no action if such patients who had been admitted voluntarily discharged themselves prematurely. On a scale of 0–10, the experts’ mean scores regarding the quality of outpatient care for patients with SMI in general were 5.2 (SD = 1.9) and 3.2 (SD = 2.2) in difficult-to-engage ones. Explorative analyses showed that the quality of outpatient care for difficult-to-engage patients was associated with gross national income and the number of psychiatrists per capita. Conclusions: Outpatient mental health services for difficult-to-engage SMI patients varied widely among European countries; experts judged their overall quality to be poor. It is now important to achieve consensus on a minimum European standard for the quality of care for such patients.
Investigating the effects of prompt characteristics on the comparability of TOEFL iBT™ integrated writing tasks
Authors: Cho Yeonsuk , Rijmen Frank , Novák Jakub 
Published: May 2013

This study examined the influence of prompt characteristics on the averages of all scores given to test taker responses on the TOEFL iBTTM integrated Read-Listen-Write (RLW) writing tasks for multiple administrations from 2005 to 2009. In the context of TOEFL iBT RLW tasks, the prompt consists of a reading passage and a lecture. To understand characteristics of individual prompts, 107 previously administered RLW prompts were evaluated by participants on nine measures of perceived task difficulty via a questionnaire. Because some of the RLW prompts were administered more than once, multilevel modeling analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between ratings of the prompt characteristics and the average RLW scores, while taking into account dependency among the observed average RLW scores and controlling for differences in the English ability of the test takers across administrations. Results showed that some of the variation in the average RLW scores was attributable to differences in the English ability of the test takers that also varied across administrations. Two variables related to perceived task difficulty, distinctness of ideas within the prompt and difficulty of ideas in the passage, were also identified as potential sources of variation in the average RLW scores.
Understanding the experience of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who access specialist palliative care: A qualitative study
Authors: Hayle Catherine , Coventry Peter A , Gomm Stephanie , Caress Ann-Louise 
Published: May 2013

Background: Palliative care for people with life-limiting non-malignant disease is increasingly prioritised. People with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are among a key group of non-cancer patients likely to benefit from specialist palliative care, but it remains uncertain whether the needs of this group are met by existing services. Aim: To evaluate the experiences of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who accessed specialist palliative care. Design: Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Setting/participants: Eight patients accessing specialist palliative care within one city in North West England. Results: Perceived benefits of specialist palliative care included reduced frequency of hospital admission, improved physical and psychological symptoms, reduced social isolation and a broadened physical environment. Participants were mainly aware of their poor prognosis, but discussion of referral to palliative care sometimes caused distress owing to the historical associations between dying and hospice care. Following engagement with services, participants’ perceptions changed: palliative care was associated with social inclusion and opportunities to engage in reciprocal and altruistic social action. Negative associations were replaced by uncertainty and anxiety about the prospect of discharge. Conclusions: Much within existing services works well for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but opportunities to enhance palliative care for this underserved group remain. Future research might focus on prospectively evaluating the impact of key components of palliative care on core patient-centred outcomes. Additionally, work must be done to raise awareness of the benefits of specialist palliative care for non-cancer patients, as negative associations can form a barrier to access.
Simultaneous coil embolization and angioplasty using a self-expanding nitinol stent to treat pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms associated with celiac artery stenosis
Authors: Ikeda Osamu , Nakasone Yutaka , Yokoyama Koichi , Inoue Seijiro , Tamura Yoshitaka , Yamashita Yasuyuki 
Published: May 2013

Background The degeneration of pancreaticoduodenal arcade vessels due to pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms is associated with celiac artery stenosis or occlusion. While technical advances have made it possible to treat pancreaticoduodenal arcade aneurysms (PDAA) and celiac artery stenosis by endovascular techniques, there is no consensus regarding their optimal treatment. Purpose To treat pancreaticoduodenal arcade aneurysms (PDAA) by simultaneous coil embolization and celiac artery stenting, and propose indications for treating PDAA with celiac artery stenosis by this method. Material and Methods We reviewed 11 patients who underwent transcatheter coil embolization (TCE) to treat PDAA. When the aneurysmal neck size was less than half of the short axis of the aneurysm we used packing only, when it was more than half of the short axis we undertook isolation. In the latter situation, when there was evidence of celiac artery stenosis, we performed celiac artery stenting using self-expandable stents. Results Ten of the 11 patients (91%) presented with celiac axis stenosis due to median arcuate ligament compression. Coil-packing of the aneurysmal sac only, thus preserving the native arterial circulation, was done in five patients, another five underwent isolation by embolization of vessels distal and proximal to the PDAA with simultaneous stenting of the stenotic celiac axis, and one patient was treated by isolation only. One patient developed acute pancreatitis. There were no other complications and all aneurysms were successfully excluded. In one patient the celiac stent thrombosed after stopping the antiplatelet regimen. Conclusion TCE can be effective in patients with PDAA. In the presence of celiac artery stenosis, we recommend isolation of the aneurysms with simultaneous stenting of the stenotic celiac trunk using self-expandable stents.
Beneficial effects of nebivolol and hydrochlorothiazide combination in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Wang Yan , Evangelista Stefano , Liu Yu , Zhang Ming-Sheng 
Published: May 2013

Objective This study examined the combined effect of nebivolol (NEB) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on cardiovascular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods SHR normotensive male rats were randomly assigned to five groups ( n = 8 per group): (i) SHR control group; (ii) NEB 2 mg/kg per day group; (iii) HCTZ 10 mg/kg per day group; (iv) NEB 2 mg/kg per day + HCTZ 10 mg/kg per day group; (v) Eight age-matched Wistar-Kyoto normotensive male rats served as the control group. All groups were treated orally for 8 weeks. Results The combination of NEB + HCTZ synergistically reduced systolic blood pressure and heart rate compared with either monotherapy. HCTZ increased water intake, which is a sign of diuresis. NEB reduced plasma angiotensin II concentration, which was increased in SHR and after HCTZ treatment. NEB + HCTZ increased plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentration and NO synthase activity, which were both reduced in SHR. NEB + HCTZ normalized femoral arterial vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine, which was impaired in SHR. Conclusions The combination of NEB + HCTZ provided a number of beneficial and additive effects due to the synergistic characteristics of both drugs, in an experimental rat model of hypertension.
Association of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene −344T/C polymorphism with the risk of primary chronic glomerulonephritis in the Polish population
Authors: Pawlik Magdalena , Mostowska Adrianna , Lianeri Margarita , Oko Andrzej , Jagodziński Paweł P 
Published: May 2013

Introduction: We evaluate whether angiotensinogen AGT M235T (rs699), angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE (I/D) (rs4646994) and aldosterone synthase CYP11B2 –344C/T (rs1799998) polymorphisms can be genetic risk factors of chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) in the Polish population. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 140 patients with primary chronic GN: mesangial proliferative GN (MesPGN) ( n = 49), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) ( n = 31), membranous nephropathy (MN) ( n = 27), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) ( n = 25), membranoproliferative GN (MPGN) ( n = 4), and minimal change disease (MCD) ( n = 4), and controls ( n = 187). Genotypes were determined by HRM curve analysis for AGT M235T, by PCR and agarose gel separation for ACE (I/D), and by PCR-RFLP for CYP11B2 –344C/T. Results: We found a significant association of the CYP11B2 –344C/T polymorphism in the recessive model with all subtypes of GN (OR = 1.925 (95% CI = 1.152–3.219, p = 0.0118, pcorr = 0.0354)). We also observed that the CYP11B2 –344C/T polymorphism in the recessive model may also be an independent significant risk factor of IgAN (OR = 2.743 (95% CI = 1.219–6.172, p = 0.0122, pcorr = 0.0366)), FSGS (OR = 2.895 (95% CI = 1.200–6.985, p = 0.0145, pcorr = 0.0435)), and all proliferative GNs (MesPGN, IgAN, MPGN) (OR = 2.171 (95% CI = 1.211–3.894, p = 0.0084, pcorr = 0.0252)). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the CYP11B2 –344C/T polymorphism might be an independent risk factor of IgAN, FSGS and all proliferative chronic GNs.
‘The assessment is in the chat’: Analysing conversations in community care
Authors: Bolger Andrew 
Published: May 2013

Home visits are a key method in social care but little is known about how they are conducted. This study analyses transcripts of audio-recordings of visits made by social care workers to their clients and contributes to an understanding of how such interactions are performed. Attention was paid to how the agenda for home visits was set through topic shifting, asking questions, interrupting and telling stories. This allowed the visits to be compared with a number of theoretical models of assessment. Variations in how workers asked questions and responded to clients’ stories suggested that they had some discretion to act as street-level bureaucrats.
Interleukin-13 induces collagen type-1 expression through matrix metalloproteinase-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 in airway fibroblasts in asthma
Authors: Firszt Rafael , Francisco Dave , Church Tony D. , Thomas Joseph M. , Ingram Jennifer L. , Kraft Monica 
Published: May 2013

Airway remodelling is a feature of asthma that contributes to loss of lung function. One of the central components of airway remodelling is subepithelial fibrosis. Interleukin (IL)-13 is a key T-helper 2 cytokine and is believed to be the central mediator of allergic asthma including remodelling, but the mechanism driving the latter has not been elucidated in human asthma.We hypothesised that IL-13 stimulates collagen type-1 production by the airway fibroblast in a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)- and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-dependent manner in human asthma as compared to healthy controls.Fibroblasts were cultured from endobronchial biopsies in 14 subjects with mild asthma and 13 normal controls that underwent bronchoscopy. Airway fibroblasts were treated with various mediators including IL-13 and specific MMP-inhibitors. IL-13 significantly stimulated collagen type-1 production in asthma compared to normal controls. Inhibitors of MMP-2 significantly attenuated collagen production in asthma but had no effect in normal controls. IL-13 significantly increased total and active forms of TGF-β1, and this activation was blocked using an MMP-2 inhibitor. IL-13 activated endogenous MMP-2 in asthma patients as compared to normal controls.In anex vivomodel, IL-13 potentiates airway remodelling through a mechanism involving TGF-β1 and MMP-2. These effects provide insights into the mechanism involved in IL-13-directed airway remodelling in asthma.
Slow-growing lung cancer as an emerging entity: from screening to clinical management
Authors: Infante Maurizio , Berghmans Thierry , Heuvelmans Marjolein A. , Hillerdal Gunnar , Oudkerk Matthijs 
Published: May 2013

The current paradigm is that untreated lung cancer is invariably and rapidly fatal, therefore the medical community normally dismisses the idea that a patient could live with such a disease for years without any therapy.Yet evidence from lung cancer screening research and from recent clinical series suggests that, although rarely recognised in routine practice, slow-growing lung cancers do exist and are more common than previously thought.Here, current evidence is reviewed and clinical cases are illustrated to show that slow-growing lung cancer is a real clinical entity, and the reasons why management protocols developed in the screening setting may also be useful in clinical practice are discussed. Features suggesting that a lung cancer may be slow-growing are described and appraised, areas of uncertainty are examined, modern management options for early-stage disease are evaluated and the influence that all this knowledge might have on our clinical decision-making is weighed. Further research directed at developing appropriate guidelines for these peculiar but increasingly common patients is warranted.
Frequent loss of lineages and deficient duplications accounted for low copy number of disease resistance genes in Cucurbitaceae
Authors: Lin Xiao , Zhang Yu , Kuang Hanhui , Chen Jiongjiong 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The sequenced genomes of cucumber, melon and watermelon have relatively few R-genes, with 70, 75 and 55 copies only, respectively. The mechanism for low copy number of R-genes in Cucurbitaceae genomes remains unknown.

Results
Manual annotation of R-genes in the sequenced genomes of Cucurbitaceae species showed that approximately half of them are pseudogenes. Comparative analysis of R-genes showed frequent loss of R-gene loci in different Cucurbitaceae species. Phylogenetic analysis, data mining and PCR cloning using degenerate primers indicated that Cucurbitaceae has limited number of R-gene lineages (subfamilies). Comparison between R-genes from Cucurbitaceae and those from poplar and soybean suggested frequent loss of R-gene lineages in Cucurbitaceae. Furthermore, the average number of R-genes per lineage in Cucurbitaceae species is approximately 1/3 that in soybean or poplar. Therefore, both loss of lineages and deficient duplications in extant lineages accounted for the low copy number of R-genes in Cucurbitaceae. No extensive chimeras of R-genes were found in any of the sequenced Cucurbitaceae genomes. Nevertheless, one lineage of R-genes from Trichosanthes kirilowii, a wild Cucurbitaceae species, exhibits chimeric structures caused by gene conversions, and may contain a large number of distinct R-genes in natural populations.

Conclusions
Cucurbitaceae species have limited number of R-gene lineages and each genome harbors relatively few R-genes. The scarcity of R-genes in Cucurbitaceae species was due to frequent loss of R-gene lineages and infrequent duplications in extant lineages. The evolutionary mechanisms for large variation of copy number of R-genes in different plant species were discussed.
An endogenous artificial microRNA system for unraveling the function of root endosymbioses related genes in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Devers Emanuel A , Teply Julia , Reinert Armin , Gaude Nicole , Krajinski Franziska 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Legumes have the unique capacity to undergo two important root endosymbioses: the root nodule symbiosis and the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Medicago truncatula is widely used to unravel the functions of genes during these root symbioses. Here we describe the development of an artificial microRNA (amiR)-mediated gene silencing system for M. truncatula roots.

Results
The endogenous microRNA (miR) mtr-miR159b was selected as a backbone molecule for driving amiR expression. Heterologous expression of mtr-miR159b-amiR constructs in tobacco showed that the backbone is functional and mediates an efficient gene silencing. amiR-mediated silencing of a visible marker was also effective after root transformation of M. truncatula constitutively expressing the visible marker. Most importantly, we applied the novel amiR system to shed light on the function of a putative transcription factor, MtErf1, which was strongly induced in arbuscule-containing cells during mycorrhizal symbiosis. MtPt4 promoter driven amiR-silencing led to strongly decreased transcript levels and deformed, non-fully truncated arbuscules indicating that MtErf1 is required for arbuscule development.

Conclusions
The endogenous amiR system demonstrated here presents a novel and highly efficient tool to unravel gene functions during root endosymbioses.
Complexity of dopamine metabolism
Authors: Meiser Johannes , Weindl Daniel , Hiller Karsten 
Published: May 2013

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) coincides with a dramatic loss of dopaminergic neurons within thesubstantia nigra. A key player in the loss of dopaminergic neurons is oxidative stress. Dopamine (DA) metabolism itself is strongly linked to oxidative stress as its degradation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DA oxidation can lead to endogenous neurotoxins whereas some DA derivatives show antioxidative effects. Therefore, DA metabolism is of special importance for neuronal redox-homeostasis and viability.In this review we highlight different aspects of dopamine metabolism in the context of PD and neurodegeneration. Since most reviews focus only on single aspects of the DA system, we will give a broader overview by looking at DA biosynthesis, sequestration, degradation and oxidation chemistry at the metabolic level, as well as at the transcriptional, translational and posttranslational regulation of all enzymes involved. This is followed by a short overview of cellular models currently used in PD research. Finally, we will address the topic from a medical point of view which directly aims to encounter PD.
Improving epidemiologic data analyses through multivariate regression modelling
Authors: Lewis Fraser I , Ward Michael P 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRegression modelling is one of the most widely utilized approaches in epidemiological analyses. It provides a method of identifying statistical associations, from which potential causal associations relevant to disease control may then be investigated. Multivariable regression – a single dependent variable (outcome, usually disease) with multiple independent variables (predictors) – has long been the standard model. Generalizing multivariable regression to multivariate regression – all variables potentially statistically dependent – offers a far richer modelling framework. Through a series of simple illustrative examples we compare and contrast these approaches. The technical methodology used to implement multivariate regression is well established – Bayesian network structure discovery – and while a relative newcomer to the epidemiological literature has a long history in computing science. Applications of multivariate analysis in epidemiological studies can provide a greater understanding of disease processes at the population level, leading to the design of better disease control and prevention programs.