bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Validity of the Persian HIT‐6 Questionnaire in Migraine and Tension‐type Headache
Authors: Zandifar Alireza , Banihashemi Mahboobeh , Haghdoost Faraidoon , Masjedi Samaneh S. , Manouchehri Navid , Asgari Fatemeh , Najafi Mohammad R. , Ghorbani Abbas , Zandifar Samaneh , Saadatnia Mohammad , White Michelle K 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectiveHeadache Impact Test (HIT‐6) measures the impact headaches in a 1‐month period. We validated the Persian translation of HIT‐6, compared the HIT‐6 psychometric analysis between migraine and tension‐type headache (TTH) patients, and evaluated the capability of HIT‐6 to differentiate between TTH, chronic migraine, and episodic migraine.MethodsQualified participants, including 274 patients diagnosed with migraine or TTH, were required to complete HIT‐6, SF‐36v2, and a symptoms questionnaire on their first visit. At 3 and 8 weeks from first visit, participants completed HIT‐6. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and test–retest reproducibility (Pearson's correlation coefficient) were used to assess reliability. Convergent validity was also assessed.ResultsTension‐type headache, episodic, and chronic migraines included 24.5%, 61.9%, and 13.6% of the participants, respectively. Internal consistency among all patients, TTH, and migraine in the first visit were 0.74, 0.77, and 0.73, respectively. Test–retest reliability for HIT‐6 between visit 1 and 2 showed a moderate level of correlation (r = 0.50). Convergent validity and also item total correlation were acceptable. There was no significant difference in HIT‐6 total score between TTH and migraine.ConclusionPersian HIT‐6 is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the evaluation of headache. However, it cannot differentiate between chronic migraine, episodic migraine, and TTH in Iranian population.
Sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of a fluvial travertine: A case from the eastern Mediterranean region
Authors: Özkul Mehmet , Gökgöz Alİ , Kele Sandor , Baykara Mehmet Oruç , Shen Chuan‐Chou , Chang Yu‐Wei , Kaya Alİ , Hançer Mete , Aratman Cİhan , Akin Taylan , Örü Zeynep 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA sedimentological and geochemical study was performed on the travertines in the southern part of the Uşak geothermal field, western Turkey, to assess the applicability of a fluvial tufa facies model in interpreting late Quaternary travertine deposits developed along the stream valleys that follow fault and fracture systems. Modern thermal (31 to 38°C) springs are found on the floor of the valley between 480 m and 520 m above sea‐level. The distribution and nature of travertine facies were determined from natural outcrops. Samples of the travertines and spring water were characterized using a range of geochemical and petrographic methods. Waterfall, slope and pool facies associations consist of various combinations of travertine facies and subordinate detrital facies. Waterfall and slope facies associations of the older deposits occur where the springs emerged onto a hillslope or topographic break. In contrast, the pool facies association developed in depressions or flat areas that were fed by thermal springs. The youngest generation (1·85 ka) precipitated at lower elevations than the older ones (147 to 153 ka). Stable carbon and oxygen isotope values of the Aksaz travertines range between +4·3‰ and +6·3‰ (Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) and −12·6‰ and −7·2‰ (Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite), respectively. The high δ13C values suggest that the thermal waters were charged with isotopically heavy CO2 of deep origin. Based on palaeotemperature calculations, the temperatures of the palaeosprings are slightly higher (up to 44°C) than the present equivalents, but sometimes the temperature is lower, probably due to mixing with the stream water. Although the thermal waters occasionally are impeded by fluvial activity, travertine precipitation occurs in the protected parts of the Aksaz Stream valley. This contribution highlights the applicability of the fluvial facies model for tufa for the interpretation of travertine deposits worldwide.
International Women's Convention, Democracy, and Gender Equality
Authors: Cho Seo‐Young 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveThis article empirically investigates the impact of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on women's rights.MethodBy measuring commitments to CEDAW based on reservations made by states, this article tests whether the convention enhances women's economic, social, and political rights.ResultsUsing panel data for up to 147 countries for the period of 1981–2007, my findings suggest that CEDAW improves women's social rights advocating changes in cultural practice toward gender equality and this effect is conditional on the level of democracy of a member state. However, the joint effect of CEDAW and democracy does not seem to create any significant impact on women's political and economic rights, nor does CEDAW or democracy alone affect any dimension of women's rights.ConclusionThese results indicate that collaborative efforts between international law and domestic institution are crucial to promoting gender equality.
A chemical genetic approach demonstrates that MPK3/MPK6 activation and NADPH oxidase‐mediated oxidative burst are two independent signaling events in plant immunity
Authors: Xu Juan , Xie Jie , Yan Chengfei , Zou Xiaoqin , Ren Dongtao , Zhang Shuqun 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPlant recognition of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as bacterial flagellin‐derived flg22 triggers rapid activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Arabidopsis has at least four PAMP/pathogen‐responsive MAPKs: MPK3, MPK6, MPK4 and MPK11. It was speculated that these MAPKs may function downstream of ROS in plant immunity because of their activation by exogenously added H2O2. MPK3/MPK6 or their orthologs in other plant species have also been reported to be involved in the ROS burst from the plant respiratory burst oxidase homolog (Rboh) of the human neutrophil gp91phox. However, detailed genetic analysis is lacking. Using a chemical genetic approach, we generated a conditional loss‐of‐function mpk3 mpk6 double mutant. Consistent with results obtained using a conditionally rescued mpk3 mpk6 double mutant generated previously, the results obtained using the new conditional loss‐of‐function mpk3 mpk6 double mutant demonstrate that the flg22‐triggered ROS burst is independent of MPK3/MPK6. In Arabidopsis mutants lacking a functional AtRbohD, the flg22‐induced ROS burst was completely blocked. However, activation of MPK3/MPK6 was not affected. Based on these results, we conclude that the rapid ROS burst and MPK3/MPK6 activation are two independent early signaling events in plant immunity, downstream of FLS2. We also found that MPK4 negatively affects the flg22‐induced ROS burst. In addition, salicylic acid pre‐treatment enhances the AtRbohD‐mediated ROS burst, which is again independent of MPK3/MPK6 based on analysis of the mpk3 mpk6 double mutant. The establishment of an mpk3 mpk6 double mutant system using a chemical genetic approach provides a powerful tool to investigate the function of MPK3/MPK6 in the plant defense signaling pathway.
The First NDM Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Isolate in Poland: Evolution of IncFII-Type Plasmids Carrying the
bla
NDM-1
Gene
Authors: Fiett J. , Baraniak A. , Izdebski R. , Sitkiewicz I. , Żabicka D. , Meler A. , Filczak K. , Hryniewicz W. , Gniadkowski M. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Poland's first
Enterobacteriaceae
isolate producing the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) was identified in August 2011.
Escherichia coli
sequence type ST410 NDM-1 was cultured from a critically ill patient who had been transferred directly from the Congo. The
bla
NDM-1
gene was carried by conjugative IncFII-type plasmid pMC-NDM (87,619 bp), which showed structural similarity to plasmid pGUE-NDM, which was identified earlier in France in an
E. coli
ST131 isolate of Indian origin.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Linezolid versus Daptomycin for Treatment of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal Bacteremia
Authors: Balli Eleni P. , Venetis Chris A. , Miyakis Spiros 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Limited therapeutic options exist for the treatment of vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus
(VRE) bacteremia; the most commonly used are daptomycin and linezolid. We attempted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the comparative efficacy of those two agents. Studies comparing daptomycin to linezolid treatment for VRE bacteremia, published until August 2012, were identified from the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. All comparative studies on patients older than 18 years of age that provided mortality data were considered eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Τhe primary outcome of the meta-analysis was 30-day all-cause mortality. Ten retrospective studies including 967 patients were identified. Patients treated with daptomycin had significantly higher 30-day all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 2.40) and infection-related mortality (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.42 to 9.20) rates than patients treated with linezolid. When data from all 10 studies were combined, overall mortality was also significantly increased among patients treated with daptomycin (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.89). These findings were confirmed when odds ratios adjusted for potential confounders were pooled. Relapse rates among patients treated with daptomycin were also higher (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 0.94 to 6.72), although this difference did not reach statistical significance. Adverse event rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Notwithstanding the absence of randomized prospective data, available evidence suggests that mortality rates may be higher with daptomycin than with linezolid among patients treated for VRE bacteremia.
Growth Retardation, Reduced Invasiveness, and Impaired Colistin-Mediated Cell Death Associated with Colistin Resistance Development in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Pournaras Spyros , Poulou Aggeliki , Dafopoulou Konstantina , Chabane Yassine Nait , Kristo Ioulia , Makris Demosthenes , Hardouin Julie , Cosette Pascal , Tsakris Athanassios , Dé Emmanuelle 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Two colistin-susceptible/colistin-resistant (Col
s
/Col
r
) pairs of
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains assigned to international clone 2, which is prevalent worldwide, were sequentially recovered from two patients after prolonged colistin administration. Compared with the respective Col
s
isolates (Ab248 and Ab299, both having a colistin MIC of 0.5 μg/ml), both Col
r
isolates (Ab249 and Ab347, with colistin MICs of 128 and 32 μg/ml, respectively) significantly overexpressed
pmrCAB
genes, had single-amino-acid shifts in the PmrB protein, and exhibited significantly slower growth. The Col
r
isolate Ab347, tested by proteomic analysis in comparison with its Col
s
counterpart Ab299, underexpressed the proteins CsuA/B and C from the
csu
operon (which is necessary for biofilm formation). This isolate also underexpressed aconitase B and different enzymes involved in the oxidative stress response (KatE catalase, superoxide dismutase, and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase), suggesting a reduced response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, consequently, impaired colistin-mediated cell death through hydroxyl radical production. Col
s
isolates that were indistinguishable by macrorestriction analysis from Ab299 caused six sequential bloodstream infections, and isolates indistinguishable from Ab248 caused severe soft tissue infection, while Col
r
isolates indistinguishable from Ab347 and Ab249 were mainly colonizers. In particular, a Col
s
isolate identical to Ab299 was still invading the bloodstream 90 days after the colonization of this patient by Col
r
isolates. These observations indicate considerably lower invasiveness of
A. baumannii
clinical isolates following the development of colistin resistance.
Towards a Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Chronic Chagas Disease
Authors: Viotti R. , Alarcón de Noya B. , Araujo-Jorge T. , Grijalva M. J. , Guhl F. , López M. C. , Ramsey J. M. , Ribeiro I. , Schijman A. G. , Sosa-Estani S. , Torrico F. , Gascon J. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Treatment for Chagas disease with currently available medications is recommended universally only for acute cases (all ages) and for children up to 14 years old. The World Health Organization, however, also recommends specific antiparasite treatment for all chronic-phase
Trypanosoma cruzi
-infected individuals, even though in current medical practice this remains controversial, and most physicians only prescribe palliative treatment for adult Chagas patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The present opinion, prepared by members of the NHEPACHA network (Nuevas Herramientas para el Diagnóstico y la Evaluación del Paciente con Enfermedad de Chagas/New Tools for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Chagas Disease Patients), reviews the paradigm shift based on clinical and immunological evidence and argues in favor of antiparasitic treatment for all chronic patients. We review the tools needed to monitor therapeutic efficacy and the potential criteria for evaluation of treatment efficacy beyond parasitological cure. Etiological treatment should now be mandatory for all adult chronic Chagas disease patients.
ComparativeIn VitroActivities of SMT19969, a New Antimicrobial Agent, against 162 Strains from 35 Less Frequently Recovered Intestinal Clostridium Species: Implications for Clostridium difficile Recurrence
Authors: Goldstein Ellie J. C. , Citron Diane M. , Tyrrell Kerin L. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTWe determined the comparative activity of SMT19969 (SMT) against 162 strains representing 35 well-characterizedClostridiumspecies in clusters I to XIX and 13Clostridiumspecies that had no 16S rRNA match. SMT MICs ranged from 0.06 to >512 μg/ml and were not species related. SMT might have less impact on normal gut microbiota than otherClostridium difficileinfection (CDI) antimicrobials.
‘I call it the blame and shame disease’: a qualitative study about perceptions of social stigma surrounding type 2 diabetes
Authors: Browne Jessica L , Ventura Adriana , Mosely Kylie , Speight Jane 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesWhile health-related stigma has been the subject of considerable research in other conditions (obesity and HIV/AIDS), it has not received substantial attention in diabetes. The aim of the current study was to explore the social experiences of Australian adults living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with a particular focus on the perception and experience of diabetes-related stigma.DesignA qualitative study using semistructured interviews, which were audio recorded, transcribed and subject to thematic analysis.SettingThis study was conducted in non-clinical settings in metropolitan and regional areas in the Australian state of Victoria. Participants were recruited primarily through the state consumer organisation representing people with diabetes.ParticipantsAll adults aged ≥18 years with T2DM living in Victoria were eligible to take part. Twenty-five adults with T2DM participated (12 women; median age 61 years; median diabetes duration 5 years).ResultsA total of 21 (84%) participants indicated that they believed T2DM was stigmatised, or reported evidence of stigmatisation. Specific themes about the experience of stigma were feeling blamed by others for causing their own condition, being subject to negative stereotyping, being discriminated against or having restricted opportunities in life. Other themes focused on sources of stigma, which included the media, healthcare professionals, friends, family and colleagues. Themes relating to the consequences of this stigma were also evident, including participants’ unwillingness to disclose their condition to others and psychological distress. Participants believed that people with type 1 diabetes do not experience similar stigmatisation.ConclusionsOur study found evidence of people with T2DM experiencing and perceiving diabetes-related social stigma. Further research is needed to explore ways to measure and minimise diabetes-related stigma at the individual and societal levels, and also to explore perceptions and experiences of stigma in people with type 1 diabetes.
Vitamin D status and TB treatment outcomes in adult patients in Tanzania: a cohort study
Authors: Mehta Saurabh , Mugusi Ferdinand M , Bosch Ronald J , Aboud Said , Urassa Willy , Villamor Eduardo , Fawzi Wafaie W 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesVitamin D is an immunomodulator and can alter response to tuberculosis (TB) treatment, though randomised trials have been inconclusive to date. We present one of the first comprehensive analysis of the associations between vitamin D status and TB treatment, T-cell counts and nutritional outcomes by HIV status.DesignCohort study.SettingOutpatient clinics in Tanzania.Participants25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were assessed in a cohort of 677 patients with TB (344 HIV infected) initiating anti-TB treatment at enrolment in a multivitamin supplementation (excluding vitamin D) trial (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:NCT00197704).Primary and secondary outcome measuresInformation on treatment outcomes such as failure and relapse, HIV disease progression, T-cell counts and anthropometry was collected routinely, with a median follow-up of 52 and 30 months for HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected patients, respectively. Cox and binomial regression, and generalised estimating equations were used to assess the association of vitamin D status with these outcomes.ResultsMean 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations at enrolment were 69.8 (±21.5) nmol/L (27.9 (±8.6) ng/mL). Vitamin D insufficiency (<75 nmol/L) was associated with a 66% higher risk of relapse (95% CI 4% to 164%; 133% higher risk in HIV-uninfected patients). Each unit higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at baseline were associated with a decrease of 3 (p=0.004) CD8 and 3 (p=0.01) CD3 T-cells/µL during follow-up in patients with HIV infection. Vitamin D insufficiency was also associated with a greater decrease of body mass index (BMI; –0.21 kg/m2; 95% CI −0.39 to −0.02), during the first 8 months of follow-up. No association was observed for vitamin D status with mortality or HIV disease progression.ConclusionsAdequate vitamin D status is associated with a lower risk of relapse and with improved nutritional indicators such as BMI in patients with TB, with or without HIV infection. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dose of vitamin D and effectiveness of daily vitamin D supplementation among patients with TB.
The interactive effects of housing and neighbourhood quality on psychological well-being
Authors: Jones-Rounds McKenzie L , Evans Gary W , Braubach Matthias 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundMany individuals are subject to the physically and mentally detrimental effects of living in substandard housing and inadequate neighbourhoods. We propose that better physical neighbourhood quality can partially offset some of the negative effects of poor housing quality on psychological well-being.MethodsInterviews and questionnaires were used to collect data in a cross-sectional study of housing quality, the state of the surrounding environment, and individual health and well-being for 5605 European adults from the Large Analysis and Review of European housing and health Status conducted by WHO in eight European cities. Multilevel random coefficient modelling was used to statistically analyse the main and interactive effects of housing quality and neighbourhood quality on psychological well-being. Socioeconomic status, employment status, gender and marital status were included as statistical controls.Results and conclusionsSubstandard housing quality and poor neighbourhood quality each contribute to lower psychological well-being. Furthermore better neighbourhood quality buffers against the negative effects of poor housing quality on psychological well-being. These results fill a gap in research concerning the ability of neighbourhood quality to amplify or attenuate housing quality impacts on well-being.
Suicide rates among working-age adults in South Korea before and after the 2008 economic crisis
Authors: Chan Chee Hon , Caine Eric D , You Sungeun , Fu King Wa , Chang Shu Sen , Yip Paul Siu Fai 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundMultiple studies have shown that macroeconomic factors are associated with changes in suicide rates. We investigated how changes in economic conditions associated with the recent economic crisis in South Korea influenced suicide rates among working-age adults.MethodsTime-series analyses were performed to examine the temporal associations of national unemployment rates and sex-employment-specific suicide rates in South Korea from 2003 to 2011, with particular attention to the increases of suicides that occurred during the recessionary period that began in 2008. We also compared the relative risk of suicide among different occupations.ResultsNational unemployment rates were positively associated with suicide rates among employed and unemployed men and women, with a 2-month to 3 month lagged period. Significant increases of suicide rates among working-age adults during the recession were detected in most of the subgroups stratified by age, sex and employment status. Forty-three per cent of the increase of suicides was derived from the employed population. Compared with workers in elementary occupations, the relative risk of suicide for mangers increased by threefold during the recessionary period. Among those who were employed, half of the increases in suicides occurred among clerks and workers involved in sales and services.ConclusionsChanges in macroeconomic conditions are tied to population-level suicide risks for employed and unemployed persons. However, these associations vary depending on sex, employment status and occupational roles. In advance of future economic crises, it is important to develop prevention initiatives intended to reach the diverse populations potentially exposed to the adverse effects of sudden economic disruptions.
Age of first drinking and adult alcohol problems: systematic review of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Maimaris Will , McCambridge Jim 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundAlcohol policies around the world seek to delay the initiation of drinking. This is partly based on the influential idea that earlier initiation is likely to cause adult alcohol problems. This study synthesises robust evidence for this proposition.MethodsSystematic review of prospective cohort studies in which adolescent measurement of age of first drink in general population studies was separated by at least 3 years from adult alcohol outcomes. EMBASE, Medline, PsychINFO and Social Policy and Practice were searched for eligible studies, alongside standard non-database data collection activities. Data were extracted on included study methods and findings. Risk of bias and confounding was assessed for individual studies and a narrative synthesis of findings was performed.ResultsThe main finding was the meagre evidence base available. Only five studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. The existence of effects of age of first drink on adult drinking and related problems were supported, but not at all strongly, in some included studies, and not in others. Rigorous control for confounding markedly attenuates or eliminates any observed effects.ConclusionsThere is no strong evidence that starting drinking earlier leads to adult alcohol problems and more research is needed to address this important question. Policy makers should, therefore, reconsider the justification for delaying initiation as a strategy to address levels of adult alcohol problems in the general population, while also addressing the serious acute harms produced by early drinking.