bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Caregiver Burden Questionnaire for Heart Failure (CBQ-HF): face and content validity
Authors: Humphrey Louise , Kulich Karoly , Deschaseaux Celine , Blackburn Steven , Maguire Laura , Strömberg Anna 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
A new caregiver burden questionnaire for heart failure (CBQ-HF v1.0) was developed based on previously conducted qualitative interviews with HF caregivers and with input from HF clinical experts. Version 1.0 of the CBQ-HF included 41 items measuring the burden associated with caregiving in the following domains: physical, emotional/psychological, social, and impact on caregiver’s life. Following initial development, the next stage was to evaluate caregivers’ understanding of the questionnaire items and their conceptual relevance.

Methods
To evaluate the face and content validity of the new questionnaire, cognitive interviews were conducted with caregivers of heart failure patients. The cognitive interviews included a “think aloud” exercise as the patient completed the CBQ-HF, followed by more specific probing questions to better understand caregivers’ understanding, interpretation and the relevance of the instructions, items, response scales and recall period.

Results
Eighteen caregivers of heart failure patients were recruited. The mean age of the caregivers was 50 years (SD = 10.2). Eighty-three percent of caregivers were female and most commonly the patient was either a spouse (44%) or a parent (28%). Among the patients 55% were NYHA Class 2 and 45% were NYHA Class 3 or 4. The caregiver cognitive interviews demonstrated that the CBQ-HF was well understood, relevant and consistently interpreted. From the initial 41 item questionnaire, fifteen items were deleted due to conceptual overlap and/or item redundancy. The final 26-item CBQ-HF (v3.0) uses a 5-point Likert severity scale, assessing 4 domains of physical, emotional/psychological, social and lifestyle burdens using a 4-week recall period.

Conclusions
The CBQ-HF (v3.0) is a comprehensive and relevant measure of subjective caregiver burden with strong content validity. This study has established that the CBQ-HF (v3.0) has strong face and content validity and should be valuable as an outcomes measure to help understand and monitor the relationship between patient heart failure severity and caregiver burden. A Translatability AssessmentSM of the measure has since been performed confirming the cultural appropriateness of the measure and psychometric validation is planned for the future to further explore the reliability, and validity of the new questionnaire in a larger caregiver sample.
Laparoscopic technique and safety experience with barbed suture closure for pelvic cavity after abdominoperineal resection
Authors: Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Takahashi Takao , Nonaka Kenichi , Tanahashi Toshiyuki , Imai Hisashi , Sasaki Yoshiyuki , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Okumura Naoki , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Osada Shinji , Yoshida Kazuhiro 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Between April 2005 and December 2012, we performed laparoscopic colorectal resection with regional lymph node dissection on 273 cases of colorectal cancer patients. However, Laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery requires a high degree of skill. Any surgeon who is going to embark on these difficult resections should have at a minimum laparoscopic suturing skills in order to be able to close the peritoneal defect.

Methods
In laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer, the intracorporeal suture technique required to close the pelvic cavity is very difficult. Barbed sutures have recently been proposed to facilitate laparoscopic suturing. Two patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) with intracorporeal closure of the pelvic cavity from September to October 2012 were enrolled in this study.

Results
We present our initial experience of two consecutive cases of intracorporeal closure of the pelvic cavity by totally laparoscopic APR. After clinical follow-up, the two patients have no complaints and have shown no signs of recurrence.

Conclusions
We hypothesized that barbed sutures could potentially improve the efficiency of intracorporeal closure of the pelvic cavity after laparoscopic APR. Further, we expect that use of the V-Loc™ will reduce intra-operative stress on the endoscopic surgeon.
Identification of canine parvovirus with the Q370R point mutation in the VP2 gene from a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Authors: Guo Ling , Yang Shao-lin , Chen Shi-jie , Zhang Zhihe , Wang Chengdong , Hou Rong , Ren Yupeng , wen Xintian , Cao Sanjie , Guo Wanzhu , Hao Zhongxiang , Quan Zifang , Zhang Manli , Yan Qi-gui 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
In this study, we sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of the VP2 genes from twelve canine parvovirus (CPV) strains obtained from eleven domestic dogs and a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China. A novel canine parvovirus (CPV) was detected from the giant panda in China.

Results
Nucleotide and phylogenetic analysis of the capsid protein VP2 gene classified the CPV as a new CPV-2a type. Substitution of Gln for Arg at the conserved 370 residue in CPV presents an unusual variation in the new CPV-2a amino acid sequence of the giant panda and is further evidence for the continuing evolution of the virus.

Conclusions
These findings extend the knowledge on CPV molecular epidemiology of particular relevance to wild carnivores.
Evaluation of the degree of mycophilia-mycophobia among highland and lowland inhabitants from Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Ruan-Soto Felipe , Caballero Javier , Martorell Carlos , Cifuentes Joaquín , González-Esquinca Alma Rosa , Garibay-Orijel Roberto 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Background
Mushrooms generate strong and contrasting feelings ranging from extreme aversion to intense liking. To categorize these attitudes, Wasson and Wasson coined the dichotomic terms “mycophilia” and “mycophobia” in 1957. In Mesoamerica these categories have been associated to ecological regions. Highland peoples are viewed as mycophiles, whereas lowland inhabitants are considered mycophobes. However, this division is based on little empirical evidence and few indicators. This study questioned whether mycophilia and mycophobia are indeed related to ecological regions through the evaluation of 19 indicators tested in the highlands and lowlands of Chiapas, Mexico.

Methods
The heterogeneity of attitudes toward mushrooms was explored in terms of ecological region and sociocultural variables. Information was obtained through structured interviews in 10 communities in Los Altos de Chiapas (highlands) and the Selva Lacandona (lowlands). We analyzed indicators separately through χ2 tests and multivariate techniques. The Mycophilia-Mycophobia Index was also used in the analysis. To assess which factors better explain the distribution of attitudes, we built 11 models using the Beta probability-density function and compared them with the Akaike Information Criterion.

Results
Most people had positive attitudes in both ecological regions. The classification and ordination analyses found two large groups comprising both highland and lowland towns. Contrary to expectation if mycophilia and mycophobia were mutually exclusive, all the fitted probability distributions were bell-shaped; indicating these attitudes behave as a continuous variable. The model best supported by data included occupation and ethnicity. Indigenous peasants had the highest degree of mycophilia.

Discussion
Results suggest the studied populations tend to be mycophilic and that their attitudes are not dichotomic, but rather a gradient. Most people occupied intermediate degrees of mycophilia. Despite the remarkable similarity in the degree of mycophilia between ecological regions, the Principle-Coordinates Analysis shows differences in the specific way in which people from either region establishes a cultural relationship with mushrooms. The comparison of models suggests that sociocultural variables explains the differences better than ecological regions do. The obtained results are evidence of mycophilia among lowlands inhabitants in the Mayan region and of the fact that the mycophilia-mycophobia phenomenon is not expressed as a bimodal frequency distribution.
Transapical extirpation of a left ventricular thrombus in takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Authors: Suzuki Ryo , Kudo Tomoaki , Kurazumi Hiroshi , Takahashi Masaya , Shirasawa Bungo , Mikamo Akihito , Hamano Kimikazu 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
A 58-year-old Japanese female was referred to our hospital. Although the electrocardiogram showed ST elevation, coronary angiography showed intact coronary artery. We diagnosed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular thrombus. Anticoagulation was administered; however, the left ventricular thrombus had become mobile and protrusive. We extirpated the left ventricular thrombus via trans-apical approach. Left ventricular thrombus is rare in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, but these patients are at a higher risk of thromboembolism, especially if the thrombi are mobile and protruding.
Behçet’s disease: new insight into the relationship between procoagulant state, endothelial activation/damage and disease activity
Authors: Fernández-Bello Ihosvany , López-Longo Francisco J , Arias-Salgado Elena G , Jiménez-Yuste Víctor , Butta Nora V 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundBehçet disease (BD) is associated with a prothrombotic state of unknown origin that may lead to life-threatening events. Calibrated Automated Thrombogram (CAT) and Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) are two global haemostasis assays that may reveal new insights into the physiopathological mechanisms of the disease and its procoagulant condition.Methods23 BD patients who had no signs or symptoms of current thrombosis and 33 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. We performed ROTEM and CAT tests and assessed erythrocyte count, platelet count, platelet contribution to clot formation and plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), D-dimer and E-selectin (ES).ResultsBoth ROTEM and CAT tests showed a hypercoagulable state in the BD patients. Plasma levels of PAI-1, fibrinogen, TAT, CRP and ES were significantly increased in this group compared to controls. The disease activity (DA) was significantly correlated with levels of ES and the maximum clot firmness, and this last one, in turn, correlated with rising levels of ES, PAI-1, CRP and fibrinogen. CAT parameters did not correlate with DA or ES.ConclusionsBoth ROTEM and CAT tests reveal that patients with BD have a procoagulant state even in the absence of thrombosis. ROTEM test indicates that increased levels of fibrinogen and PAI-1 may be involved in the prothrombotic state of this pathology, while platelets do not significantly contribute. Moreover, CAT assay demonstrate that plasma from BD patients is able to generate more thrombin than controls in response to the same stimulus and that this effect is independent of the DA and the endothelial impairment suggesting the involvement of another factor in the hypercoagulable state observed in BD patients. This study also shows that endothelium activation/damage may be a contributing factor in both the procoagulant and clinical conditions of BD, as shown by the direct correlation between ES levels, ROTEM parameters and DA.
Mechanistic study of a diazo dye degradation by Soybean Peroxidase
Authors: Kalsoom Umme , Ashraf Syed Salman , Meetani Mohammed A , Rauf Muhammad A , Bhatti Haq Nawaz 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Enzyme based remediation of wastewater is emerging as a novel, efficient and environmentally-friendlier approach. However, studies showing detailed mechanisms of enzyme mediated degradation of organic pollutants are not widely published.

Results
The present report describes a detailed study on the use of Soybean Peroxidase to efficiently degrade Trypan Blue, a diazo dye. In addition to examining various parameters that can affect the dye degradation ability of the enzyme, such as enzyme and H2O2 concentration, reaction pH and temperature, we carried out a detailed mechanistic study of Trypan Blue degradation. HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS studies were carried out to confirm dye degradation and analyze the intermediate metabolites and develop a detailed mechanistic dye degradation pathway.

Conclusion
We report that Soybean peroxidase causes Trypan Blue degradation via symmetrical azo bond cleavage and subsequent radical-initiated ring opening of the metabolites. Interestingly, our results also show that no high molecular weight polymers were produced during the peroxidase-H2O2 mediated degradation of the phenolic Trypan Blue.
Post-exercise left ventricular dysfunction measured after a long-duration cycling event
Authors: Serrano Ostariz Enrique , López Ramón Marta , Cremades Arroyos Daniel , Izquierdo Álvarez Silvia , Catalán Edo Pilar , Baquer Sahún Cristina , Legaz Arrese Alejandro 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
In this research, an extension to our previous work published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine in 2009, we studied subjects that differed in terms of age and training status and assessed the impact of prolonged exercise on systolic and left ventricular diastolic function and cardiac biomarkers levels, recognized as identifiers of cardiac damage and dysfunction. We also assessed the possible influence of event duration, exercise intensity and weight loss (dehydration) on left ventricular diastolic function.

Findings
Ninety-one male cyclists were assessed by echocardiography and serum biomarkers before and after the 2005 Quebrantahuesos cycling event (206 km long and with an accumulated slope of 3800 m). Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers were assessed in blood serum. Echocardiograms measured left ventricular internal dimension during diastole and systole, left ventricular posterior wall thickness during diastole, interventricular septum thickness during diastole, left ventricular ejection fraction and diastolic filling. The heart rate of 50 cyclists was also monitored during the race to evaluate exercise intensity. Echocardiograph results indicated that left ventricular diastolic and systolic function decreased after the race, with systolic function reduced to a significant degree. Left ventricular ejection fraction was below 55% in 29 cyclists. The decrease in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function did not correlate with age, training status, race duration, weight loss or exercise intensity.

Conclusions
Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function was reduced and cardiac biomarkers were increased after the cycling event, but the mechanisms behind such outcomes remain unclear.
The effect of sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, and their combination on the size and regularity of the porous alumina by anodization
Authors: Keshavarz Alireza , Parang Zohreh , Nasseri Ahmad 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Porous alumina template was prepared by constant voltage in three different electrolytes (0.45 M sulfuric acid, 0.3 M oxalic acid, and mixed solution of 0.45 M sulfuric and 0.3 M oxalic acids). In this paper, the effects of the electrolyte type on the morphology is studied, so the anodization is carried out in an oxalic acid, sulfuric acid, and a mixture of oxalic and sulfuric acids. The effect of these three different electrolytes was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Results show that in sulfuric acid, the pore structure is smaller than the oxalic and a mixture of oxalic and sulfuric acid. Density of holes in sulfuric acid was higher than other electrolytes; however, arrangement of pores in oxalic acid was more regular than that of the others.
Fractional action cosmology: some dark energy models in emergent, logamediate, and intermediate scenarios of the universe
Authors: Debnath Ujjal , Chattopadhyay Surajit , Jamil Mubasher 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
In the framework of fractional action cosmology, we have reconstructed the scalar potentials and scalar fields, namely, quintessence, phantom, tachyon, k-essence, Dirac-Born-Infeld-essence, hessence, dilaton field, and Yang-Mills field. To get more physical picture of the variation of the scalar field and potential with time, we express a scale factor in emergent, logamediate, and intermediate scenarios, under which the universe expands differently.

PACS

98.80.Cq, 95.36.+x
Viscosity approximation to a common solution of variational inequality problems and fixed point problems for Lipschitzian semigroup in Banach spaces
Authors: Kumam Poom , Plubtieng Somyot , Katchang Phayap 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
We introduce a new iterative algorithm based on a viscosity approximation method for finding the common solution of variational inequality problems for an inverse strongly accretive operator and the solution of fixed point problems for Lipschitzian semigroup mappings in Banach spaces. In controlling suitable conditions, strong convergence theorems are proven. Our results extend and improve the recent results of some authors in the literature in this field.

MSC 2000

47H10; Secondary 47H09, 43A07, 47H20, 47J20
Inactive or moderately active human promoters are enriched for inter-individual epialleles
Authors: Gemma Carolina , Ramagopalan Sreeram V , Down Thomas A , Beyan Huriya , Hawa Mohammed I , Holland Michelle L , Hurd Paul J , Giovannoni Gavin , David Leslie R , Ebers George C , Rakyan Vardhman K 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Background
Inter-individual epigenetic variation, due to genetic, environmental or random influences, is observed in many eukaryotic species. In mammals, however, the molecular nature of epiallelic variation has been poorly defined, partly due to the restricted focus on DNA methylation. Here we report the first genome-scale investigation of mammalian epialleles that integrates genomic, methylomic, transcriptomic and histone state information.

Results
First, in a small sample set, we demonstrate that non-genetically determined inter-individual differentially methylated regions (iiDMRs) can be temporally stable over at least 2 years. Then, we show that iiDMRs are associated with changes in chromatin state as measured by inter-individual differences in histone variant H2A.Z levels. However, the correlation of promoter iiDMRs with gene expression is negligible and not improved by integrating H2A.Z information. We find that most promoter epialleles, whether genetically or non-genetically determined, are associated with low levels of transcriptional activity, depleted for housekeeping genes, and either depleted for H3K4me3/enriched for H3K27me3 or lacking both these marks in human embryonic stem cells. The preferential enrichment of iiDMRs at regions of relative transcriptional inactivity validates in a larger independent cohort, and is reminiscent of observations previously made for promoters that undergo hypermethylation in various cancers, in vitro cell culture and ageing.

Conclusions
Our work identifies potential key features of epiallelic variation in humans, including temporal stability of non-genetically determined epialleles, and concomitant perturbations of chromatin state. Furthermore, our work suggests a novel mechanistic link among inter-individual epialleles observed in the context of normal variation, cancer and ageing.
Adult monozygotic twins discordant for intra-uterine growth have indistinguishable genome-wide DNA methylation profiles
Authors: Souren Nicole YP , Lutsik Pavlo , Gasparoni Gilles , Tierling Sascha , Gries Jasmin , Riemenschneider Matthias , Fryns Jean-Pierre , Derom Catherine , Zeegers Maurice P , Walter Jörn 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Background
Low birth weight is associated with an increased adult metabolic disease risk. It is widely discussed that poor intra-uterine conditions could induce long-lasting epigenetic modifications, leading to systemic changes in regulation of metabolic genes. To address this, we acquire genome-wide DNA methylation profiles from saliva DNA in a unique cohort of 17 monozygotic monochorionic female twins very discordant for birth weight. We examine if adverse prenatal growth conditions experienced by the smaller co-twins lead to long-lasting DNA methylation changes.

Results
Overall, co-twins show very similar genome-wide DNA methylation profiles. Since observed differences are almost exclusively caused by variable cellular composition, an original marker-based adjustment strategy was developed to eliminate such variation at affected CpGs. Among adjusted and unchanged CpGs 3,153 are differentially methylated between the heavy and light co-twins at nominal significance, of which 45 show sensible absolute mean β-value differences. Deep bisulfite sequencing of eight such loci reveals that differences remain in the range of technical variation, arguing against a reproducible biological effect. Analysis of methylation in repetitive elements using methylation-dependent primer extension assays also indicates no significant intra-pair differences.

Conclusions
Severe intra-uterine growth differences observed within these monozygotic twins are not associated with long-lasting DNA methylation differences in cells composing saliva, detectable with up-to-date technologies. Additionally, our results indicate that uneven cell type composition can lead to spurious results and should be addressed in epigenomic studies.
Insights into snoRNA biogenesis and processing from PAR-CLIP of snoRNA core proteins and small RNA sequencing
Authors: Kishore Shivendra , Gruber Andreas R , Jedlinski Dominik J , Syed Afzal P , Jorjani Hadi , Zavolan Mihaela 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Background
In recent years, a variety of small RNAs derived from other RNAs with well-known functions such as tRNAs and snoRNAs, have been identified. The functional relevance of these RNAs is largely unknown. To gain insight into the complexity of snoRNA processing and the functional relevance of snoRNA-derived small RNAs, we sequence long and short RNAs, small RNAs that co-precipitate with the Argonaute 2 protein and RNA fragments obtained in photoreactive nucleotide-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP) of core snoRNA-associated proteins.

Results
Analysis of these data sets reveals that many loci in the human genome reproducibly give rise to C/D box-like snoRNAs, whose expression and evolutionary conservation are typically less pronounced relative to the snoRNAs that are currently cataloged. We further find that virtually all C/D box snoRNAs are specifically processed inside the regions of terminal complementarity, retaining in the mature form only 4-5 nucleotides upstream of the C box and 2-5 nucleotides downstream of the D box. Sequencing of the total and Argonaute 2-associated populations of small RNAs reveals that despite their cellular abundance, C/D box-derived small RNAs are not efficiently incorporated into the Ago2 protein.

Conclusions
We conclude that the human genome encodes a large number of snoRNAs that are processed along the canonical pathway and expressed at relatively low levels. Generation of snoRNA-derived processing products with alternative, particularly miRNA-like, functions appears to be uncommon.