bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Statin Treatment on Inflammation and Cardiac Function in Heart Failure: An Adjusted Indirect Comparison Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Bonsu Kwadwo Osei , Reidpath Daniel Diamond , Kadirvelu Amudha 
Published: August 2015

SummaryIntroductionStatins are known to prevent heart failure (HF). However, it is unclear whether statins as class or type (lipophilic or hydrophilic) improve outcomes of established HF.AimsThe current meta‐analysis was performed to compare the treatment effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins on inflammation and cardiac function in HF. Outcomes were indicators of cardiac function [changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and inflammation [changes in highly sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and interluekin‐6 (IL‐6)].MethodWe conducted a search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases until December 31, 2014 for randomized control trials (RCTs) of statin versus placebo in patients with HF. RCTs with their respective extracted information were dichotomized into statin type evaluated and analyzed separately. Outcomes were pooled with random effect approach, producing standardized mean differences (SMD) for each statin type. Using these pooled estimates, we performed adjusted indirect comparisons for each outcome.ResultsData from 6214 patients from 19 trials were analyzed. Lipophilic statin was superior to hydrophilic statin treatment regarding follow‐up LVEF (SMD, 4.54; 95% CI, 4.16–4.91; P < 0.001), BNP (SMD, −1.60; 95% CI, −2.56 to −0.65; P < 0.001), hsCRP (SMD, −1.13; 95% CI, −1.54 to −0.72; P < 0.001), and IL‐6 (SMD, −3.75; 95% CI, −4.77 to −0.72; P < 0.001) in HF.ConclusionsLipophilic statin produces greater treatment effects on cardiac function and inflammation compared with hydrophilic statin in patients with HF. Until data from adequately powered head‐to‐head trial of the statin types are available, our meta‐analysis brings clinicians and researchers a step closer to the quest on which statin—lipophilic or hydrophilic—is associated with better outcomes in HF.
Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor‐Coated Stents Inhibit Restenosis in a Rabbit Carotid Artery Model
Authors: Shi Mingyu , Yin Feng , Gu Hongyue , Zhu Jing , Yin Xinhua 
Published: August 2015

SummaryIntroductionOur aim was to study the efficacy and safety of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI)‐coated stents in inhibiting restenosis in a rabbit carotid artery model.MethodsSubculture was conducted in aorta smooth muscle cell, which was taken from male Wistar rat, and the 3–5‐generation cells were taken for plasmid transfection and cytotoxicity experiment. TFPI microspheres were made of a TFPI plasmid which was enwrapped by poly‐l‐glutamic acid (PLGA). TFPI‐coated stents (n = 7) and bare metal stents (n = 6) were implanted into prepared carotid artery stenosis model of New Zealand white rabbits. The transfection efficiency of TFPI gene and its influence on animal tissue, restenosis inhibition, and biochemical indicator were observed.ResultTissue factor pathway inhibitor microspheres can transfect successfully into cells, and present no cytotoxicity. Autopsy results showed no pathological changes in liver and spleen of rabbits after implanting TFPI‐coated stents. TFPI gene could transfect and express successfully in vessel wall cells, and thrombus was found in some lumens of bare metal stents group after 7 day, while no such thrombus was observed in coated stents group. Degree of hyperplasia of coronary endarterectomy in bare metal stents group was evidently higher than those in coated stents group. Obvious stent restenosis was discovered only in one case in bare metal stents group (diameter stenosis ≥50%). However, no case in coated stents group showed with stent restenosis.ConclusionTissue factor pathway inhibitor‐coated stents could successfully transfect TFPI gene into vessel wall cells, thereby inhibiting restenosis without obvious side effect in the rabbit carotid artery model.
Interview‐based Qualitative Research in Emergency Care Part II: Data Collection, Analysis and Results Reporting
Authors: Ranney Megan L. , Meisel Zachary F. , Choo Esther K. , Garro Aris C. , Sasson Comilla , Morrow Guthrie Kate 
Published: August 2015

AbstractQualitative methods are increasingly being used in emergency care research. Rigorous qualitative methods can play a critical role in advancing the emergency care research agenda by allowing investigators to generate hypotheses, gain an in‐depth understanding of health problems or specific populations, create expert consensus, and develop new intervention and dissemination strategies. In Part I of this two‐article series, we provided an introduction to general principles of applied qualitative health research and examples of its common use in emergency care research, describing study designs and data collection methods most relevant to our field (observation, individual interviews, and focus groups). Here in Part II of this series, we outline the specific steps necessary to conduct a valid and reliable qualitative research project, with a focus on interview‐based studies. These elements include building the research team, preparing data collection guides, defining and obtaining an adequate sample, collecting and organizing qualitative data, and coding and analyzing the data. We also discuss potential ethical considerations unique to qualitative research as it relates to emergency care research.
Food after Fukushima: Risk and Scientific Citizenship in Japan
Authors: Sternsdorff‐Cisterna Nicolas 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTIn this article, I explore questions of food safety after the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. In the aftermath of the disaster, people concerned about food safety were sometimes suspicious about the ability of the Japanese state to adequately monitor the food supply and introduce safety standards that they considered strict enough. I use the concept of scientific citizenship to explore the dynamics whereby people's relationship to state expertise was transformed as they learned about the science of radiation. Scientific citizenship was expressed in a desire to circumvent the state to protect the health and life of current and future generations. I focus on the language used to describe food safety to show the work of affective networks of trust in constituting a sense of safety in the postdisaster environment. Ethnographically, I focus on the work of mothers and food activists who banded together to share and disseminate knowledge about radiation so they could protect their own and each other's children. [risk, disaster, food safety, Japan, Fukushima]
Effects of apple pomace proportion levels on the fermentation quality of total mixed ration silage and its digestibility, preference and ruminal fermentation in beef cows
Authors: Fang Jiachen , Cao Yang , Matsuzaki Masatoshi , Suzuki Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2015

AbstractFour Japanese black beef cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square to evaluate the fermentation quality, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and preference of total mixed ration (TMR) silages prepared with differing proportions of apple pomace (AP). Experimental treatments were the control (no AP added, CAP), 5% (low, LAP), 10% (medium, MAP) and 20% (high, HAP) of TMR dry matter (DM) as AP. All TMR silages were well preserved. Ethanol was produced in silages containing AP and the amount increased with the proportion of AP (P < 0.05). Nutrient digestibility with LAP, MAP and HAP treatment was lower than that with CAP treatment (P < 0.05). The ruminal molar proportion of acetic acid increased (P < 0.05), but the ruminal ammonia‐N concentration decreased (P < 0.05) as the proportion of AP increased. The preference of the animals was highest for HAP, followed by MAP, CAP and LAP. This study demonstrates that decrease in nutrient digestibility might be related to the ethanol produced naturally from AP. Therefore, the proportion of AP in TMR silages should be less than 5% of dietary DM.
Effects of dietary supplementation of emulsifier and carbohydrase on the growth performance, serum cholesterol and breast meat fatty acids profile of broiler chickens
Authors: Wang Jian Ping , Zhang Zheng Fan , Yan Lei , Kim In Ho 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA total of 540 2‐day‐old male Ross 308 broilers were used in a 35‐day experiment and were randomly divided into five treatments: (i) NC (low energy); (ii) PC (high energy diet); (iii) P1 (NC + 0.1% carbohydrases); (iv) P2 (NC + 0.05% emulsifier); and (v) P3 (NC + 0.1% carbohydrases + 0.05% emulsifier). From days 0 to 21, body weight gain in PC and P3 treatments increased (P < 0.05) compared with NC treatment. The chicks fed PC, P1, P2 and P3 improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio compared with the NC treatment throughout the whole experiment. Abdominal fat weight was heavier (P < 0.05) in PC, P2 and P3 treatments than in NC and P1 treatments. On day 35, serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were higher (P < 0.05) and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower (P < 0.05) in NC and P2 treatments than in PC, P1 and P3 treatments. The concentration of oleic acid, linoleic acid and total unsaturated fatty acids were highest (P < 0.05) in PC than in the other treatments. In conclusion, the results indicate that low energy density diet had lower growth performance, while the inclusion of emulsifier and carbohydrases in low energy diets can partially improve growth performance.
Erythrocyte Shrinkage and Cell Membrane Scrambling after Exposure to the Ionophore Nonactin
Authors: Peter Thomas , Bissinger Rosi , Lang Florian 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe ionophore antibiotic nonactin permeabilizes cell membranes to and K+. Treatment of erythrocytes with nonactin is expected to trigger cellular K+ loss with subsequent cell shrinkage, which in turn is known to trigger suicidal death of a wide variety of cells including erythrocytes. This study explored whether nonactin exposure induces eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death characterized by cell shrinkage and translocation of cell membrane phosphatidylserine to the erythrocyte surface. Signalling of eryptosis includes increase in cytosolic Ca2+ activity [(Ca2+)i] and stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) as well as p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. Phosphatidylserine abundance at the cell surface was estimated from annexin‐V‐binding, cell volume from forward scatter (FSC) and (Ca2+)i from Fluo3‐fluorescence. A 48‐hr treatment of human erythrocytes with nonactin significantly decreased FSC (≥10 ng/ml) and significantly increased the percentage of annexin‐V‐binding cells (≥10 ng/ml), effects paralleled by increase in (Ca2+)i (≥50 ng/ml) and virtually abrogated by increase in extracellular K+ concentration to 120 mM at the expense of Na+. The up‐regulation of annexin‐V‐binding after nonactin treatment was significantly blunted but not abolished by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and by addition of either PKC inhibitor staurosporine (0.4 μM) or p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (2 μM). In conclusion, exposure of erythrocytes to the K+ ionophore nonactin induces erythrocyte shrinkage and subsequent erythrocyte membrane scrambling, effects involving cellular K+ loss, Ca2+ entry and activation of staurosporine as well as SB203580‐sensitive kinases.
Environment learning using descriptions or navigation: The involvement of working memory in young and older adults
Authors: Meneghetti Chiara , Borella Erika , Carbone Elena , Martinelli Massimiliano , De Beni Rossana 
Published: August 2015

This study examined age‐related differences between young and older adults in the involvement of verbal and visuo‐spatial components of working memory (WM) when paths are learned from verbal and visuo‐spatial inputs. A sample of 60 young adults (20–30 years old) and 58 older adults (60–75 years old) learned two paths from the person's point of view, one displayed in the form of a video showing the path, the other presenting the path in a verbal description. During the learning phase, participants concurrently performed a verbal task (articulatory suppression, AS group), or a visuo‐spatial task (spatial tapping, ST group), or no secondary task (control, C group). After learning each path, participants completed tasks that involved the following: (1) recalling the sequential order and the location of landmarks; and (2) judging spatial sentences as true or false (verification test). The results showed that young adults outperformed older adults in all recall tasks. In both age groups performance in all types of task was worse in the AS and ST groups than in the C group, irrespective of the type of input. Overall, these findings suggest that verbal and visuo‐spatial components of WM underpin the processing of environmental information in both young and older adults. The results are discussed in terms of age‐related differences and according to the spatial cognition framework.
ACTIVITY CHOICES OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND RETURNEES: QUANTITATIVE SURVEY EVIDENCE FROM POST‐WAR NORTHERN UGANDA
Authors: Bozzoli Carlos , Brueck Tilman , Muhumuza Tony 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTWe investigate post‐war economic activity choices of displaced and just‐returned individuals. In particular, the effect of living in an internally displaced persons camp on the choice of economic activities is analysed. Because individuals relocating away from camps may be different from those staying in them, a recursive bivariate probit procedure is used to control for selection on unobservables. The empirical procedure also relies on merging survey data with the micro‐level dataset on conflict events. This allows us to incorporate conflict in the framework, but also to use a bivariate probit procedure to control for endogeneity (selection of households out of camps). This work contributes to literature on household labour allocation and economics of conflict. Results show that residing in a camp has varied effects on the choice of economic activities. Individuals in camps may be more inclined than those who choose to return home, to engage in certain economic activities. One of the key lessons that could be drawn from this paper is that internally displaced persons may possess important livelihood skills that post‐conflict development interventions need to take advantage of, in order to fast‐track recovery.
Adolescent and parental perceptions about asthma and asthma management: a dyadic qualitative analysis
Authors: Heyduck K. , Bengel J. , Farin‐Glattacker E. , Glattacker M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundConsidering that asthma management is a family affair – with specific challenges in adolescence – a better understanding of both adolescent and parental perspectives on asthma and its treatment are needed as these constructs may substantially account for variation in illness‐related behaviour and functioning. The present study aimed to (1) explore adolescents' and caregivers' perceptions about asthma and asthma management and (2) examine congruence and dissimilarities within the adolescent–caregiver dyads.MethodsData collection was conducted separately for adolescents and caregivers using a focus group approach for the adolescents and telephone interviews for parental data collection. In total, dyadic data from n = 15 adolescent patients with asthma (aged 11–17 years, M = 14.9) and their mothers (aged 37–55 years, M = 46.3) were considered in the study. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed in a dyad‐focused multistep qualitative content analysis procedure using the software.ResultsThe results demonstrated high complexity in the perceptions among adolescents and mothers and reflected 113 specific themes that could be assigned to four main topics: asthma beliefs, representations of asthma treatment, perceptions about individual asthma management and perceptions about family asthma management. Dyadic analyses revealed congruence in the adolescent–caregiver dyads in most of the themes. However, we also found issues where divergent perceptions became evident including, for example, perceptions of asthma's general impact on adolescents' life or the question of who takes the main responsibility in asthma management.ConclusionsAdolescents' and caregivers' perceptions were found to reflect a great variety of beliefs regarding the adolescents' illness and illness‐related behaviour on both the individual and the family level. The study adds to the illness perceptions literature by providing a systemic perspective that was rather rarely presented in prior research.
The Sexualized Girl: A Within‐Gender Stereotype Among Elementary School Children
Authors: Stone Ellen A. , Brown Christia Spears , Jewell Jennifer A. 
Published: August 2015

Two studies (conducted in 2013) examined whether elementary‐aged children endorse a within‐gender stereotype about sexualized girls. In Study 1, children (N = 208) ages 6–11 rated sexualized girls as more popular but less intelligent, athletic, and nice compared to nonsexualized girls. These distinctions were stronger for girls and older children, and in accordance with our developmental intergroup theoretical framework, were related to children's cognitive development and media exposure. Study 2 (N = 155) replicated the previous findings using more ecologically valid and realistic images of girls and further explored individual differences in the endorsement of the sexualized girl stereotype. Additional results indicated that the belief that girls should be appearance focused predicted their endorsement of the sexualized girl stereotype.
Maternal fatty acid levels during pregnancy, childhood lung function and atopic diseases. The Generation R Study
Authors: Rucci E. , den Dekker H. T. , de Jongste J. C. , Steenweg‐de‐Graaff J. , Gaillard R. , Pasmans S. G. , Hofman A. , Tiemeier H. , Jaddoe V. W. V. , Duijts L. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundMaternal fatty acid status during pregnancy might influence foetal immunological development and subsequently the risk of childhood atopic diseases.ObjectiveTo examine the associations of maternal fatty acid levels during pregnancy with airway resistance and inflammation, asthma and eczema, in school‐age children.MethodsThis study among 4976 subjects was embedded in a population‐based prospective cohort study. We measured maternal plasma glycerophospholipid fatty acid levels by gas chromatography during the second trimester of pregnancy (mean gestational age: 20.7 (± 1.1) weeks). At the age of 6 years, airway resistance and inflammation were measured by interrupter technique (Rint) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and current physician‐diagnosed asthma and eczema were assessed by ISAAC‐based questionnaires. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for socio‐demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric factors.ResultsWe did not observe consistent associations of maternal total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), total n‐6 PUFA, total n‐3 PUFA levels and n‐6/n‐3 PUFA ratio during pregnancy with child's Rint and FeNO. Higher maternal total PUFA and total n‐6 PUFA levels were associated with a decreased risk of childhood asthma (odds ratios (95% confidence interval): 0.76 (0.60, 0.97) and 0.71 (0.52, 0.96) per standard deviation score (SDS) increase of total PUFA and total n‐6 PUFA levels, respectively) and with an increased risk of childhood eczema (1.16 (1.05, 1.28) and 1.21 (1.07, 1.37)). The observed associations were partly explained by Linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n‐6) levels. Maternal total n‐3 PUFA levels and n‐6/n‐3 PUFA ratio were not associated with current asthma and eczema. The observed associations were not explained by child's PUFA intake.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceHigher maternal total PUFA and total n‐6 PUFA levels during pregnancy seem to influence the risk of atopic diseases in childhood. The underlying mechanisms need to be further explored.
Concomitant high expression of BRAFV600E, P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 is associated with High TNM stage and lymph node metastasis in conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Le , Jiang Rong , Xu Man , Zhu Ping , Mo Xiao‐Mei , Wang Ni , Chen George G. , Liu Zhi‐Min 
Published: August 2015

SummaryContext and ObjectiveBRAFV600E mutation is the most common activating mutation associated with aggressive behaviours in human tumours including conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma (cPTC). P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 have been shown to be mesenchymal‐associated cadherins and promote cancer cell invasion and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to examine BRAFV600E, P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 expressions in cPTC and to assess the association of their expression with clinicopathological indicators.MethodsBRAFV600E, P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 protein expressions in 80 cPTCs, 61 nodular hyperplasia and 76 normal thyroid tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of their protein expression with clinicopathological indicators of cPTC was statistically analysed.ResultsProtein expression of BRAFV600E, P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 was upregulated in cPTC. High protein expression of BRAFV600E, P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 was significantly correlated with high TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (LNM) (P < 0·001). Furthermore, BRAFV600E, P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 protein expressions were correlated with one another. BRAFV600E high expression combined with both P‐cadherin and cadherin‐6 high expressions had stronger correlation with high TNM stage and LNM when compared with BRAFV600E high expression combined with either P‐cadherin or cadherin‐6 high expression (P = 0·042, 0·017 for TNM stage and P = 0·003, 0·006 for LNM, respectively) and only BRAFV600E high expression (P < 0·001 for both TNM stage and LNM).ConclusionsConcomitant high expression of BRAFV600E, P‐cadherin and cadherin 6 is strongly associated with high TNM stage and LNM in cPTC.
Longitudinal Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study: rationale, study design and research methodology
Authors: Khanna Rohit C , Murthy Gudlavalleti VS , Marmamula Srinivas , Mettla Asha Latha , Giridhar Pyda , Banerjee Seema , Shekhar Konegari , Chakrabarti Subhabrata , Gilbert Clare , Rao Gullapalli N ,   Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study Group
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe rationale, objectives, study design and procedures for the longitudinal Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study are described.DesignA longitudinal cohort study was carried out.ParticipantsParticipants include surviving cohort from the rural component of Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study.MethodsDuring 1996–2000, Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Survey was conducted in three rural (n = 7771) and one urban (n = 2522) areas (now called Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 1). In 2009–2010, a feasibility exercise (Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 2) for a longitudinal study (Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 3) was undertaken in the rural clusters only, as urban clusters no longer existed. In Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 3, a detailed interview will be carried out to collect data on sociodemographic factors, ocular and systemic history, risk factors, visual function, knowledge of eye diseases and barriers to accessing services. All participants will also undergo a comprehensive eye examination including photography of lens, optic disc and retina, Optic Coherence Tomography of the posterior segment, anthropometry, blood pressure and frailty measures.Main Outcome MeasuresMeasures include estimates of the incidence of visual impairment and age‐related eye disease (lens opacities, glaucoma and age‐related macular degeneration) and the progression of eye disease (lens opacities and myopia) and associated risk factors.ResultsOf the 7771 respondents examined in rural areas in Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 1, 5447 (70.1%) participants were traced in Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 2. These participants will be re‐examined.ConclusionsAndhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 3 will provide data on the incidence and progression of visual impairment and major eye diseases and their associated risk factors in India. The study will provide further evidence to aid planning eye care services.