bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐centre cross‐sectional analysis of advance care planning among elderly inpatients
Authors: Cheang F. , Finnegan T. , Stewart C. , Hession A. , Clayton J. M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) has been shown to provide beneficial outcomes for elderly patients; however, it may not be commonly implemented.AimsTo assess prevalence of advance care directives (ACD) and documented medical orders about end‐of‐life care for elderly inpatients; to explore the feasibility of an ACP screening interview.MethodsA single‐centre cross‐sectional analysis of 100 consecutive patients aged ≥80 years admitted for ≥48 h to a tertiary referral hospital, conducted between 16 and 18 January 2013. Medical records were reviewed for presence of (i) an ACD, (ii) resuscitation/end‐of‐life care intervention orders (REOL) and (iii) documented substitute decision‐maker (SDM). If patients were able and willing to participate they completed an ACP screening interview exploring (i) their views on ACP and (ii) if an ACD was previously documented.ResultsIn 100 medical records, there were: zero ACD, 17 REOL and 8 with clear documentation of patients' preferred SDM. Out of 100 patients, 33 completed the interview: 32 (97%) were able to identify their preferred SDM, in 9 (27%) the nominated SDM was different from their ‘next of kin’. Out of 33, 7 (21%) reported having an enduring guardian, 4/33 (12%) an ACD. Out of 29, 23 (79%) interviewees without an ACD were interested in discussing ACP further. Out of 30, 8 (27%) interviewees without REOL said that they would not wish to have aggressive life‐prolonging measures. No patients reported discomfort with the screening interview.ConclusionsACD and correct documentation of SDM were uncommon in the medical records in this sample of elderly inpatients. The ACP screening interview appears feasible and acceptable and may be a useful tool for identifying patients' preferred SDM and willingness to discuss ACP further.
Association of quantitative interferon‐γ responses with the progression of naturally acquired Mycobacterium bovis infection in wild European badgers (Meles meles)
Authors: Tomlinson Alexandra J. , Chambers Mark A. , McDonald Robbie A. , Delahay Richard J. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryBovine tuberculosis is one of the biggest challenges facing cattle farming in Great Britain. European badgers (Meles meles) are a reservoir host for the causal agent, Mycobacterium bovis. There have been significant recent advances in diagnostic testing for tuberculosis in humans, cattle and badgers, with the development of species‐specific assays for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), an important cytokine in tuberculous infections. Using data collected from longitudinal studies of naturally infected wild badgers, we report that the magnitude of the IFN‐γ response to M. bovis antigens at the disclosing test event was positively correlated with subsequent progression of disease to a seropositive or excreting state. In addition, we show that the magnitude of the IFN‐γ response, despite fluctuation, declined with time after the disclosing event for all badgers, but remained significantly higher in those animals with evidence of disease progression. We discuss how our findings may be related to the immunopathogenesis of natural M. bovis infection in badgers.
Scarless outpatient ablation of pilonidal sinus: a pilot study of a new minimally invasive treatment
Authors: Neola Benedetto , Capasso Stefano , Caruso Luca , Falato Armando , Ferulano Giuseppe P 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPain and secretion of purulent materials are symptoms that are often associated with the pilonidal sinus. Generally, these symptoms are neglected by patients for a long time. Patients seek medical attention too late, fearing a prolonged period of pain and inability after surgery. The optimal therapy for pilonidal sinus should have the following characteristics: high healing rate, low recurrence rate, minimal postoperative pain and low cost. The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of a new minimally invasive treatment: the scarless outpatient ablation of pilonidal sinus (SOAP). A total of 31 consecutive patients were enrolled; 27 of 31 patients were declared healed after the surgery (87·09%). After 1 year, only 4 of 27 patients (14·81%) reported symptoms related to recurrence of the disease. The average duration of the operation was 7·47 minutes. Patients reported the disappearance of painful symptoms after approximately 2·62 days and had been away from work for 0·53 days. No complications were recorded during the period of study. The advantages of the procedure examined in this study are its simplicity and rapidity of execution, its outpatient setting, its low cost and lack of complications. In our opinion, a randomised controlled trial should be conducted to validate the results related to this technique.
Identifying the contents of a type 1 diabetes outpatient care program based on the self‐adjustment of insulin using the Delphi method
Authors: Kubota Mutsuko , Shindo Yukari , Kawaharada Mariko 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAimThe objective of this study is to identify the items necessary for an outpatient care program based on the self‐adjustment of insulin for type 1 diabetes patients.MethodsTwo surveys based on the Delphi method were conducted. The survey participants were 41 certified diabetes nurses in Japan. An outpatient care program based on the self‐adjustment of insulin was developed based on pertinent published work and expert opinions.ResultsThere were a total of 87 survey items in the questionnaire, which was developed based on the care program mentioned earlier, covering matters such as the establishment of prerequisites and a cooperative relationship, the basics of blood glucose pattern management, learning and practice sessions for the self‐adjustment of insulin, the implementation of the self‐adjustment of insulin, and feedback. The participants' approval on items in the questionnaires was defined at 70%. Participants agreed on all of the items in the first survey. Four new parameters were added to make a total of 91 items for the second survey and participants agreed on the inclusion of 84 of them.ConclusionItems necessary for a type 1 diabetes outpatient care program based on self‐adjustment of insulin were subsequently selected. It is believed that this care program received a fairly strong approval from certified diabetes nurses; however, it will be necessary to have the program further evaluated in conjunction with intervention studies in the future.
Expression of placenta growth factor, soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1, metal‐responsive transcription factor‐1, heme oxygenase 1 and hypoxia inducible factor‐1α mRNAs in pre‐eclampsia placenta and the effect of pre‐eclampsia sera on their expression of choriocarcinoma cells
Authors: Maebayashi (Asanuma) Aki , Yamamoto Tatsuo , Azuma Hiromitu , Kato Erina , Yamamoto Noriko , Murase Takayuki , Chishima Fumihisa , Suzuki Manami 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAimWe studied the effect of pre‐eclampsia sera on the expression of placenta growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1), metal‐responsive transcription factor‐1 (MTF‐1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) and hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) mRNAs in JEG‐3 cells (trophoblast‐derived cells) and placenta from pre‐eclampsia patients to investigate pre‐eclampsia pathophysiology.Material and MethodsPlacenta and serum samples were taken from pre‐eclampsia and normal pregnancy patients. JEG‐3 cells were cultured with pre‐eclampsia and normal pregnant sera in 24‐well tissue culture plates. RNA was purified from placental trophoblast cells and JEG‐3 cells 24 h after incubation. The expression of mRNA was measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe expression of sFlt‐1 mRNA increased, and that of PlGF and HO‐1 mRNA decreased in JEG‐3 cells after incubation with pre‐eclampsia sera. The expression of PlGF mRNA decreased, and that of sFlt‐1mRNA increased in pre‐eclampsia placenta. The expression of MTF‐1 and HO‐1 mRNA decreased. A correlation was found between PlGF mRNA expression and the expression of MTF‐1 and HIF‐1α mRNA. A correlation between sFlt‐1 and HIF‐1α mRNA expression was also found.ConclusionChanges in PlGF mRNA expression in pre‐eclampsia placenta may relate to serum factors and the expression of MTF‐1 and HIF‐α mRNA. Changes in sFlt‐1mRNA expression may relate to serum factors and the expression of HIF‐α mRNA. We suggest that serum factors play a role in PlGF and sFlt‐1 expression in pre‐eclampsia placenta.
Lead and trace element levels in placenta, maternal and cord blood: A cross‐sectional pilot study
Authors: Reddy Yathapu Srinivasa , Y Aparna , Ramalaksmi B. A. , Kumar B. Dinesh 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAimTo determine lead (Pb) and trace element (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg) levels in placenta, maternal and cord blood; further, to assess the interactions between Pb and trace elements, if any.MethodsA cluster of ‘at term pregnant women’ from rural and urban areas (n = 30 each, total n = 60) as well as their neonates after delivery were recruited. Maternal blood, heel prick neonatal blood, placenta and cord blood were collected at the time of parturition. Pb and trace element levels in blood/serum, placenta were determined on graphite furnace atomic absorption (AAS) and flame AAS respectively. Due to sample constraints, only Pb levels were determined in heel prick blood samples of neonates.ResultsThere were no major abnormal signs and symptoms, however, 38% had pale conjunctiva and 13% had pigmented tongue. The blood lead levels (BLL) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in urban post‐partum women compared to their rural counterparts. Higher BLL did not correlate with either pregnancy outcome or neonatal anthropometry. Maternal serum trace element levels were deficient in both rural and urban women. Significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation between maternal and neonatal BLL as well as significant (P < 0.05) inverse correlation between cord BLL and placental Pb levels were observed. Maternal and cord BLL correlated inversely (P < 0.05) with maternal and cord serum Fe levels, respectively.ConclusionUrban post‐partum women and their neonates were at higher risk with elevated BLL. Estimate of cord blood Pb may not be the true index of neonatal BLL. These observations must be confirmed in a larger cohort because prenatal/neonatal screening avoids the risks associated with rest of life.
Predictors and incidence of post‐partum depression: A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Abdollahi Fatemeh , Zarghami Mehran , Azhar Md Zain , Sazlina Shariff‐Ghazali , Lye Munn‐Sann 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAimThis study was designed to identify the incidence and the related factors contributing to post‐partum depression (PPD) in women in Iran for the first time.Material and MethodsA total of 2279 eligible pregnant women from 32–42 weeks of pregnancy to 12 weeks post‐partum (2009) who attended primary health centers in Mazandaran province were screened for depression using the Iranian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Pregnant women free from depression were assessed using validated questionnaires, including the Premenstrual Syndrome Questionnaire, Social Support Appraisal Scale, Network Orientation Scale, General Health Questionnaire, Marital Inventory, Life Events Rating Scale and Parental Expectation Survey. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of PPD.ResultsOf 1801 women who screened negative for depression at 32–42 weeks' gestation, cumulative incidence proportions were 6.7%, 4.3% and 4.5% during 0–2, >2–8 and >8–12 weeks post‐partum, respectively. The factors predictive of PPD were: history of depression during the first two trimesters of pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] = 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.59–4.1); psychiatric disorder during pregnancy (OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 1.06–1.11); gestational diabetes (OR = 2.93, 95%CI = 1.46–5.88); recurrent urinary infection (OR = 2.25, 95%CI = 1.44–3.52); unwanted pregnancy (OR = 2.5, 95%CI = 1.69–3.7) and low household income (OR = 3.57, 95%CI = 1.49–8.5). The risk was decreased with increasing age (OR = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.84–0.92) and those with high self‐efficacy for mothering (OR = 0.7, 95%CI = 0.62–0.78).ConclusionA high rate of new cases of PPD was identified in Iranian women. A combination of psychological, sociological, obstetric and sociodemographic factors can render mothers vulnerable to post‐partum depression.
“We are a people, one people”: How 1967 Transformed Holocaust Memory and Jewish Identity in Israel and the US
Authors: Navon Daniel 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper examines how the “narrative‐identities” of Jewish communities in Israel and the US were unified through the events surrounding Israel's 1967 war with Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Using a range of historical materials, I show how key elements of the two communities' identities were rearranged and untied through a new, shared narrative that linked the Holocaust, Jewish victimhood and Israel. I argue that the old Zionist narrative enabled the new one, which in turn helped bind the two communities discursively, materially and politically. Finally, I discuss the implications for our understanding of identity change and the conflict over Israel/Palestine.
Seasonal change in light partitioning among coexisting species of different functional groups along elevation gradient in subalpine moorlands
Authors: Kamiyama Chiho , Oikawa Shimpei , Hikosaka Kouki 
Published: August 2014

Summary

Species niches are expected to differ between different functional groups and between species with different functional traits. However, it is still unclear how functional traits contribute to niche separation between species coexisting in a community and between sites along environmental gradients.

We studied seasonal changes in light partitioning among coexisting species belonging to different functional groups in moorland plant communities at different altitudes. We estimated the lifetime light absorption per unit invested leaf biomass (ΦLleafmass) as a measure of the benefit/cost ratio of light acquisition.

Evergreen species absorbed more light in spring, whereas deciduous species absorbed more light in summer. A similar tradeoff was also found between short and tall species within each functional group. As a result, evergreen and shorter species had comparable ΦLleafmass values to those of deciduous and taller species. Evergreen species had higher ΦLleafmass at higher altitudes relative to deciduous species, suggesting that evergreen habit is more advantageous for the lifetime light interception at higher altitudes.

Our results demonstrate that phenological tradeoffs for light partitioning can contribute to the coexistence of species with different functional traits. Our results also reveal that the most advantageous traits differ depending on environment.
Effect of LEPR, ABCG2 and SCD1 Gene Polymorphisms on Reproductive Traits in the Iranian Holstein Cattle
Authors: Asadollahpour Nanaei H , Ansari Mahyari S , Edriss M‐A 
Published: August 2014

ContentsDuring the last decades, genetic selection for milk production traits has led to increased fertility and health problems in dairy cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of three polymorphisms located in the ATP‐binding cassette superfamily G member 2 transporter (ABCG2), stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes on reproductive traits and somatic cell count (SCC). The analysis was conducted on 408 randomly selected cows. The SNPs within the genes (LEPR, ABCG2 and SCD1) were genotyped using the PCR‐RFLP method. All three possible genotypes were observed for SCD1‐T878C and LEPR‐T945M SNPs, but not for ABCG2‐Y581S SNP. LEPR‐T945M and ABCG2‐Y581S SNPs had no statistically significant effect on the studied reproductive traits and SCC. However, SCD1‐T878C SNP were negatively and significantly related to pregnancy length, dry days and open days (p < 0.05), which lead to decreased profitability in dairy herds. The results suggest that the T878C SNP of SCD1 might be useful as a DNA marker to decrease reproductive problems and improve production traits in Iranian Holstein dairy cows.
A commercially available preparation of Staphylococcus aureus bio‐products potently inhibits tumour growth in a murine model of mesothelioma
Authors: Lansley Sally M. , Varano della Vergiliana Julius F. , Cleaver Amanda L. , Ren Shaohua H. , Segal Amanda , Xu Ming Yan , Lee Y.C. Gary 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveMesothelioma is an incurable cancer with a rising global incidence. Intrapleural delivery of a commercially available compound made up of proteins produced by Staphylococcus aureus has been used clinically to induce pleurodesis. We investigate if this bacterial compound has anti‐tumoural activities against pleural malignancies, in addition to its pleurodesing effect.MethodsThe effects of the treatment on mesothelioma cells were evaluated in vitro and further tested in two validated murine models.ResultsThis S. aureus bio‐product mixture effectively kills mesothelioma cells and induces the release of interleukin (IL)‐8, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)‐1 and vascular endothelial growth factor from primary human mesothelial cells but not malignant pleural mesothelioma cells in vitro. Intratumoural delivery of the treatment in BALB/c mice induced tumour necrosis and local activation of T cells. Tumour growth was significantly inhibited in the treatment group during and after the treatment period (size of tumour 58.8 ± 10.3 mm2 vs 118.3 ± 6.7 mm2 from saline controls at day 23, n = 9–12 per group), P < 0.001. Tumour growth resumed on cessation of treatment, confirming the inhibition was treatment related. Treatment benefits were further validated in an orthotopic peritoneal model of mesothelioma and the compound significantly reduced the mesothelioma load (P < 0.05 vs saline controls). Mice in the treatment group had a significant increase in the percentage of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumour‐draining lymph nodes. No histological side‐effects were observed with the treatment.ConclusionsThis proof‐of‐principle study demonstrates promising antitumoural activity of a commercially available compound of S. aureus bio‐products against mesothelioma.
The Impact of Firm Size and Liquidity on the Cost of External Finance in Africa
Authors: Hearn Bruce , Piesse Jenifer 
Published: August 2014

AbstractEstablished illiquidity measures are constructed for emerging markets in Africa and used to determine which best explains trading costs. Costs of equity are derived from an augmented Capital Asset Pricing Model for a sample of emerging financial markets generally ignored in the literature. These include: South Africa and Namibia, three countries in North Africa and four in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), plus London and Paris as examples of integrated markets. Minimum variance portfolios are constructed and asset weights derived, with the sample divided into countries dependent on their legal regime. Portfolio weights are shown to be directly related to well‐regulated markets with high standards of corporate governance and disclosure, and firms seeking cost‐effective finance from SSA stock markets are at a distinct disadvantage compared with those in Northern Africa, South Africa and, in particular, London and Paris.
Composite methodology for interpreting sediment transport pathways from spatial trends in grain size: A case study of the Lithuanian coast
Authors: Kairytė Milda , Stevens Rodney L. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractTo achieve a more robust interpretation of sediment conditions and transport based on grain size, this study combines the perspectives of two different interpretation techniques that have been developed separately and applied in the literature: (i) ‘grain size trend analysis’ interprets changes between interrelated sampling sites assuming that sediment in the direction of transport should become either coarser, better sorted and more positively skewed, or finer, better sorted and more negatively skewed; and (ii) the ‘population anomalies’ method, which estimates the balance between erosion and accumulation processes at each sampling site based on individual site deviations compared with average values for grain‐size parameters in the area of interest. The simultaneous use of both approaches enables sedimentological conditions and transport alternatives to be distinguished. This improvement is necessary because site‐specific changes and general textural trends provide information that complements the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective. The methods are implemented here using two‐dimensional Geographic Information System tools and illustrated for the Lithuanian coast. Grain‐size characteristics of 712 surface samples of sandy sediments are used to interpret sediment transport pathways and predominant sedimentological conditions in the Lithuanian coastal zone. In general, coast‐parallel sediment transport dominates the entire investigation area, although wave‐induced movement perpendicular to the coastline is inferred in the shallow nearshore zone. The deepest areas offshore are characterized by sea floor erosion in the north, whereas an accumulation zone occurs in the relatively deep central part of the study area.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C667T Polymorphism is Associated with Increased Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in a Chinese Population
Authors: Chen W. , Hua K. , Gu H. , Zhang J. , Wang L. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractCoronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex disease resulting from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 C/T, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)‐2, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) rs755622 G/C and cyclin D1 (CCND1) rs678653 G/C contribute to CAD susceptibility. We examined the association between the five polymorphisms and the risk of CAD in a Chinese population of 435 CAD patients and 480 controls. Genotyping was performed using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF MS). When the MTHFR rs1801133 CC homozygote genotype was used as the reference group, the TT or CT/TT genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk for CAD. The CT heterozygote genotype was not associated with the risk for CAD. Logistic regression analyses revealed that MMP‐2 rs243865 C/T, TNF‐α rs1800629 A/G, MIF rs755622 G/C and CCND1 rs678653 G/C polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of CAD. These findings suggest that the MTHFR rs1801133 C/T polymorphism is associated with CAD development. Future larger studies with other ethnic populations are required to confirm current findings.