bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uncovering Phantom Shocks in Cardiac Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
Authors: BILANOVIC ANA , IRVINE JANE , KOVACS ADRIENNE H. , HILL ANN , CAMERON DOUG , KATZ JOEL 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundImplantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients sometimes report “phantom shocks” (PSs), defined as a reported shock lacking objective evidence. The aim of this study was to describe the subjective experience of PSs and their psychosocial correlates using a mixed methods approach.MethodsPS participants were matched on sex and age with individuals who received objective shocks only (OSO). Participants were interviewed and completed measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD Checklist—Civilian Version), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), disease‐specific distress (Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire—CAQ), and social desirability (Socially Desirable Response Set—SDRS). Interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).ResultsSeventeen male patients participated (PS: n = 9; OSO: n = 8). Three themes emerged from IPA: (1) PS as a somatic experience, (2) the emotional impact of PSs, and (3) searching for meaning. Quantitative analyses showed that both groups exhibited elevated trauma and anxiety levels. Effect size differences (ESD) suggested a medium ESD on depression (P = 0.176, ηp2 = 0.118) and PTSD (avoidance: P = 0.383, ηp2 = 0.055, numbing: P = 0.311, ηp2 = 0.068), and a large ESD on SDRS (P = 0.081, ηp2 = 0.189), where PS participants, comparatively, exhibited elevated levels. A medium ESD was detected on CAQ‐fear (P = 0.237, ηp2 = 0.092) where OSO participants exhibited greater heart‐focused worry.ConclusionThe qualitative and quantitative findings of this mixed method study show convergence in terms of the emotional factors associated with the experience of PSs. PSs are often reported to be indistinguishable from objective shocks, evoking alarm, frustration, and confusion, forcing the individual to face the uncertainties of what to them is a novel and confusing experience.
The Innocent in the Just War Thinking of Vitoria and Suárez: A Challenge Even for Secular Just War Theorists and International Law
Authors: Medina Vicente 
Published: February 2013

AbstractVitoria and Suárez defend the categorical immunity of the innocent not to be intentionally killed. But they allow for inflicting collective punishment on the innocent and the noninnocent alike during and after a just war. So they allow for deliberately harming them. Inflicting harm on the innocent can often result in their death. Hence, holding both claims seems incoherent. First, the objections against using the term “innocent” are explained. Second, their views on just war are explored. And third, by appealing to Aquinas' double‐effect reasoning, it is shown how they try to avoid the above‐mentioned incoherence. Still, their appeal might be insufficient to palliate the tension between the above‐mentioned claims. If just wars are possible, the deliberate harming of the innocent is reasonably unavoidable for defeating and punishing those who wage them. Hence, defenders of just wars, whether from a religious or a secular perspective, must live with such a tension.
Education in Vascular Access
Authors: Moist Louise M. , Lee Timmy C. , Lok Charmaine E. , Al‐Jaishi Ahmed , Xi Wang , Campbell Vern , Graham Janet , Wilson Barb , Vachharajani Tushar J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe successful creation and use of an arteriovenous vascular access (VA) requires a coordinated, educated multidisciplinary team to ensure an optimal VA for each patient. Patient education programs on VA are associated with increased arteriovenous VA use at dialysis initiation. Education should be tailored to patient goals and preferences with the understanding that experiential education from patient to patient is far more influential than that provided by the healthcare professional. VA education for the nephrologist should focus on addressing the systematic and patient‐level barriers in achieving a functional VA, with specific components relating to VA creation, maturation, and cannulation that consider patient goals and preferences. A deficit in nursing skills in the area of assessment and cannulation can have devastating consequences for hemodialysis patients. Delivery of an integrated education program increases nurses’ knowledge of VA and development of simulation programs or constructs to assist in cannulation of the VA will greatly facilitate the much needed skill transfer. Adequate VA surgical training and experience are critical to the creation and outcomes of VA. Simulations can benefit nephrologists, dialysis nurses surgeons, and interventionalists though aiding in surgical creation, understanding of the physiology and anatomy of a dysfunctional VA, and practicing cannulation techniques. All future educational initiatives must emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary care to attain successful VA outcomes.
The Effect of Government Ideology on an Exchange Rate Regime: Some International Evidence
Authors: Chang Chun‐Ping , Lee Chien‐Chiang 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis paper comprehensively investigates the effect of government ideology on the type of exchange rate regime that a country implements via multinomial logit and multinomial probit models for 147 countries in the period 1974–2009. Our results clearly indicate that a left‐wing government increases the likelihood that a country implements a flexible regime in the classifications of exchange rate regimes. Nevertheless, evidence is weaker when using the de jure IMF course classification, which is set up by Ilzetzki et al. (). In a deeper investigation, we find that left‐wing governments are more likely to choose a flexible regime relative to a fixed one in our sample of OECD, non‐OECD and non‐Eurozone countries, as the impacts from government ideology on the determinant of the choice of exchange rate regime in Eurozone countries disappear. More importantly, we present many explanations for exchange rate regime choices when macroeconomic conditions, political constraints and institutions impact the choice of exchange rate regime.
Effects of antiproteolytic agents on corneal epithelial viability and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and metalloproteinase‐9 activity in alkali‐burned corneas of rats
Authors: Trujillo Piso Dunia Y. , Ribeiro Alexandre P. , Silva Miguel L. , Guimarães Patrícia J. , Morales Adriana , Martins Bianca C. , Padua Ivan M. , Renzo Roberta , Andrade Alexandre L. , Uscátegui Ricardo R. , Laus José L. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of agents on corneal re‐epithelization and metalloproteinase‐2 and metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐2 and MMP‐9) activities in corneas of rats submitted to ulceration.Animals StudiedNinety eight healthy rats.ProceduresCorneal ulcers were created using 1N NaOH in their left eye. Eyes were treated every 6 h with 1% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 3% chondroitin sulfate (CS), 10% N‐acetylcysteine NAc and saline (S) at 6‐h intervals. Corneas were stained with fluorescein and photographed at the same time points. Following 20 h and 40–42 h of corneal injury, corneas were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to quantify microvilli density, and MMPs activities were analyzed using zymography.ResultsThe percentage of wound area and the time in hours for corneal re‐epithelization did not differ significantly among treatment groups (P > 0.05). In first and the second moments, latent MMP‐2 was significantly elevated in the eyes treated with NAC and CS (P < 0.001). Active MMP‐2 did not change significantly among treatment groups in the first moment (P > 0.05); significantly higher activity was observed in the second moment in the eyes treated with CS (P <0.001). In the second moment, latent MMP‐9 decreased significantly in eyes treated with EDTA and S (P < 0.01). Microvilli corneal density did not change significantly between healthy subjects and treatment groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionAny of the studied substances did not accelerate corneal re‐epithelization and did not add protection to the corneal microvilli. Significant higher levels of active form of MMP‐2 in 3% chondroitin sulfate‐treated group may indicate that the agent acts as substrate for such enzyme. At the end of the experiment, 1% EDTA was the most efficient agent to inhibit significantly the latent form of MMP‐9. However, any of the substances add benefit over saline on reducing the proteolytic activity in the cornea of rats after alkali injury.
Microfluidic wound bandage: Localized oxygen modulation of collagen maturation
Authors: Lo Joe F. , Brennan Martin , Merchant Zameer , Chen Lin , Guo Shujuan , Eddington David T. , DiPietro Luisa A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractRestoring tissue oxygenation has the potential to improve poorly healing wounds with impaired microvasculature. Compared with more established wound therapy using hyperbaric oxygen chambers, topical oxygen therapy has lower cost and better patient comfort, although topical devices have provided inconsistent results. To provide controlled topical oxygen while minimizing moisture loss, a major issue for topical oxygen, we have devised a novel wound bandage based on microfluidic diffusion delivery of oxygen. In addition to modulating oxygen from 0 to 100% in 60 seconds rise time, the microfluidic oxygen bandage provides a conformal seal around the wound. When 100% oxygen is delivered, it penetrates wound tissues as measured in agar phantom and in vivo wounds. Using this microfluidic bandage, we applied the oxygen modulation to 8 mm excisional wounds prepared on diabetic mice. Treatment with the microfluidic bandage demonstrated improved collagen maturity in the wound bed, although only marginal differences were observed in total collagen, microvasculature, and external closure rates. Our results show that proper topical oxygen can improve wound parameters underneath the surface. Because of the ease of fabrication, the oxygen bandage represents an economical yet practical method for oxygen wound research.
Empiric evidence for a genetic contribution to predisposition to surgical site infection
Authors: Lee James P. , Hopf Harriet W. , Cannon‐Albright Lisa A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe genetics of microbial pathogens have been extensively studied, but there has been little work on human genetic susceptibility to surgical site infection (SSI). We analyzed a large genealogical population database to study the familial contribution to SSI. We analyzed 651 individuals with International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision codes indicating the presence of SSI. Matched hospital controls were randomly selected from the database based on birth year, sex, and birthplace. The average relatedness of all possible pairs of cases and separately of controls (×1000 sets) was compared empirically. The relative risk (RR) for SSI was estimated by comparing the number of observed affected individuals among the relatives of cases to the number of affected individuals observed among relatives of matched hospital controls. The genealogical index of familiality test for patients with SSI showed significant excess relatedness (p < 0.010); this excess was still observed when close relationships were ignored (p = 0.019). The RR for third‐degree relatives of cases was significantly elevated (1.62, p = 0.029). The significant excess relatedness and the significantly elevated RR to distant relatives support a genetic predisposition to acquiring SSI.
AN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METHOD OF FUNDAMENTAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF VON KARMAN NONLINEAR PLATE MODEL
Authors: USCILOWSKA A. , BERENDT D. 
Published: February 2013

The nonlinear plate dynamics is a subject of investigations across many disciplines. Various models have been proposed. In this paper, one of the models derived by von Karman is under consideration. In this case, the initial-boundary value problem of the dynamics of a plate large deflection is described by two nonlinear, coupled partially differential equations of fourth order with two initial conditions and four boundary conditions given at each boundary point. There are various means of simulating the dynamic response of thin nonlinear plate, to various degrees of accuracy. The proposal of this paper is to implement one of the meshfree methods i.e., the method of fundamental solutions (MFS). The problem is solved in discretized time domain. This discretization is done in a conception of the finite difference method. The nonlinearity of the equations, obtained at each time step, is solved by application of Picard iterations. For each iteration step, a boundary value problem is to be solved. Moreover, the equations at each iteration step are inhomogeneous ones. So, the radial basis function approximation is applied and a particular solution of boundary value problems is obtained. The final solution is calculated by implementation of the MFS. The numerical experiment has confirmed that the proposed numerical procedure gives the solutions with demanded accuracy and is a good tool to solve the considered problem.
A Beta Regression Model for Improved Solar Radiation Predictions
Authors: Mullen Randall , Marshall Lucy , McGlynn Brian 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPredicting global solar radiation is an integral part of much environmental modeling. There are several approaches for predicting global solar radiation at a site where no instrumentation exists. One popular approach uses the difference between daily high and low temperature, typically using a nonlinear equation to express the relationship between change in temperature and estimated global solar radiation. Additional variables are usually included in successive steps creating a hierarchy of analysis. The authors propose an alternative beta regression approach to modeling global solar radiation, allowing for the inclusion of multiple environmental predictor variables and strata into one flexible model. The model is applied to several case studies, and results are compared with recently proposed empirical solar radiation models. Beta regression provides a robust, flexible modeling approach for predicting global solar radiation that allows for the addition and removal of independent variables as appropriate and can be interpreted using standard inferential statistics. In addition, the beta regression model provides estimates of uncertainty that can be incorporated into subsequent models and calculations.
Sensitivity of Limiting Hurricane Intensity to SST in the Atlantic from Observations and GCMs
Authors: Elsner James B. , Strazzo Sarah E. , Jagger Thomas H. , LaRow Timothy , Zhao Ming 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
A statistical model for the intensity of the strongest hurricanes has been developed and a new methodology introduced for estimating the sensitivity of the strongest hurricanes to changes in sea surface temperature. Here, the authors use this methodology on observed hurricanes and hurricanes generated from two global climate models (GCMs). Hurricanes over the North Atlantic Ocean during the period 1981–2010 show a sensitivity of 7.9 ± 1.19 m s−1 K−1 (standard error; SE) when over seas warmer than 25°C. In contrast, hurricanes over the same region and period generated from the GFDL High Resolution Atmospheric Model (HiRAM) show a significantly lower sensitivity with the highest at 1.8 ± 0.42 m s−1 K−1 (SE). Similar weaker sensitivity is found using hurricanes generated from the Florida State University Center for Ocean–Atmospheric Prediction Studies (FSU-COAPS) model with the highest at 2.9 ± 2.64 m s−1 K−1 (SE). A statistical refinement of HiRAM-generated hurricane intensities heightens the sensitivity to a maximum of 6.9 ± 3.33 m s−1 K−1 (SE), but the increase is offset by additional uncertainty associated with the refinement. Results suggest that the caution that should be exercised when interpreting GCM scenarios of future hurricane intensity stems from the low sensitivity of limiting GCM-generated hurricane intensity to ocean temperature.
Evaluation of the humoral immune response and cross reactivity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis of mice immunized with liposomes containing glycolipids of Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Borrero Reinier , García María de los A , Canet Liem , Zayas Caridad , Reyes Fátima , Prieto Jorge L , Infante Juan F , Lanio María E , Kadir Ramlah , López Yamilé , Sarmiento María E , Nor Norazmi Mohd , Acosta Armando 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Mycobacterium smegmati s (Ms) is a nonpathogenic mycobacteria of rapid growth, which shares many characteristics with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the major causative agent of tuberculosis. MTB has several cell wall glycolipids in common with Ms, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and the induction of a protective immune response against MTB infection in some animal models. In this study, the humoral immune response and cross reactivity against MTB, of liposomes containing a mixture of cell wall glycolipids of Ms and commercial lipids was evaluated, in order to study its possible use as a component of a vaccine candidate against tuberculosis. Liposomes containing total lipids extracted from Ms, distearoyl phosphatidyl choline and cholesterol were prepared by the dehydration-rehydration technique. Balb/c mice were immunized with the liposomes obtained and the antibody response and cross reactivity against MTB were tested by ELISA. Total lipids extract from Ms showed the presence of several polar glycolipids in common with MTB, such as phosphatidylinositol mannosides. Liposomes that contained glycolipids of Ms were capable of inducing a specific IgG antibody response that allowed the recognition of surface antigens of MTB. The results of this study demonstrated the presence of immunogenic glycolipids in Ms, which could be included to enhance the protective effects of subunit vaccine formulations against tuberculosis.
In silico identification of common epitopes from pathogenic mycobacteria
Authors: de la Caridad Addine Ramírez Bárbara , Marrón Reynel , Calero Rommel , Mirabal Mayelin , Ramírez Juan Carlos , Sarmiento María E , Norazmi Mohd Nor , Acosta Armando 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
An in silico study was carried out to identify antigens for their possible collective use as vaccine candidates against diseases caused by different classes of pathogenic mycobacteria with significant clinical relevance. The genome sequences of the relevant causative agents were used in order to search for orthologous genes among them. Bioinformatics tools permitted us to identify several conserved sequences with 100% identity with no possibility of cross-reactivity to the normal flora and human proteins. Nine different proteins were characterized using the strain H37Rv as reference and taking into account their functional category, their in vivo expression and subcellular location. T and B cell epitopes were identified in the selected sequences. Theoretical prediction of population coverage was calculated for individual epitopes as well as their combinations. Several identical sequences, belonging to six proteins containing T and B cell epitopes which are not present in selected microorganisms of the normal microbial flora or in human proteins were obtained.
Intermedin in rat uterus: changes in gene expression and peptide levels across the estrous cycle and its effects on uterine contraction
Authors: Wong Chi-Wai , O Wai-Sum , Tang Fai 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
The present study demonstrates the expression of intermedin (IMD) and its receptor components in the uterus of the female rat during the estrous cycle and its effect on uterine contraction.

Methods
The gene expression level of intermedin and its receptor components and the peptide level of intermedin were studied by real-time RT-PCR and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) respectively. The separation of precursor and mature IMD was studied by gel filtration chromatography and EIA. The localization of IMD in the uterus was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The effect of IMD on in vitro uterine contraction was studied by organ bath technique.

Results
Uterine mRNAs of Imd and its receptor components and IMD levels displayed cyclic changes across the estrous cycle. Imd mRNA level was the highest at proestrus while the IMD level was the highest at diestrus. IMD was found in the luminal and glandular epithelia and IMD treatment significantly reduced the amplitude and frequency of uterine contraction but not the basal tone. Both calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist hCGRP8-37 and adrenomedullin (ADM) receptor antagonist hADM22-52 partially abolished the inhibitory effect of IMD on uterine contraction while the specific IMD receptor antagonist hIMD17-47 completely blocked the actions. The enzyme inhibitors of NO (L-NAME) and PI3K (Wortmannin) pathways diminished the IMD effects on uterine contraction while the cAMP/PKA blocker, KT5720, had no effect, indicating an involvement of NO and PI3K/Akt but not PKA.

Conclusions
IMD and the gene expression of its receptor components are differentially regulated in the uterus during the estrous cycle and IMD inhibits uterine contraction by decreasing the amplitude and frequency.
Quantifying the contribution of chromatin dynamics to stochastic gene expression reveals long, locus-dependent periods between transcriptional bursts
Authors: Viñuelas José , Kaneko Gaël , Coulon Antoine , Vallin Elodie , Morin Valérie , Mejia-Pous Camila , Kupiec Jean-Jacques , Beslon Guillaume , Gandrillon Olivier 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
A number of studies have established that stochasticity in gene expression may play an important role in many biological phenomena. This therefore calls for further investigations to identify the molecular mechanisms at stake, in order to understand and manipulate cell-to-cell variability. In this work, we explored the role played by chromatin dynamics in the regulation of stochastic gene expression in higher eukaryotic cells.

Results
For this purpose, we generated isogenic chicken-cell populations expressing a fluorescent reporter integrated in one copy per clone. Although the clones differed only in the genetic locus at which the reporter was inserted, they showed markedly different fluorescence distributions, revealing different levels of stochastic gene expression. Use of chromatin-modifying agents showed that direct manipulation of chromatin dynamics had a marked effect on the extent of stochastic gene expression. To better understand the molecular mechanism involved in these phenomena, we fitted these data to a two-state model describing the opening/closing process of the chromatin. We found that the differences between clones seemed to be due mainly to the duration of the closed state, and that the agents we used mainly seem to act on the opening probability.

Conclusions
In this study, we report biological experiments combined with computational modeling, highlighting the importance of chromatin dynamics in stochastic gene expression. This work sheds a new light on the mechanisms of gene expression in higher eukaryotic cells, and argues in favor of relatively slow dynamics with long (hours to days) periods of quiet state.
Clinical pathways for inborn errors of metabolism: warranted and feasible
Authors: Demirdas Serwet , van Kessel Imke N , Korndewal Marjolein J , Hollak Carla EM , Meutgeert Hanka , Klaren Anja , van Rijn Margreet , van Spronsen Francjan J , Bosch Annet M ,   Dutch working Group
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are known for their low prevalence and multidisciplinary care mostly founded on expert opinion. Clinical pathways are multidisciplinary tools to organise care which provide a clear route to the best care and improve communication. In 2010 the Dutch Society for Children and Adults with an Inborn Error of Metabolism (VKS) initiated development of clinical pathways for inborn errors of metabolism. In this letter to the editor we describe why it is warranted to develop clinical pathways for IEMs and shortly discuss the process of development for these pathways in the Netherlands.