bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Individual Lytic Efficacy of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator in an In Vitro Human Clot Model: Rate of “Nonresponse”
Authors: Meunier Jason M. , Wenker Evan , Lindsell Christopher J. , Shaw George J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectivesRecombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) is a lytic medication widely used in the emergency department to treat acute thrombotic disorders such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. It is known in the clinical use of this drug that it can be less effective in approximately 25% of individuals receiving such treatment. However, there are no data on the variation of lytic efficacy of rt‐PA in decreasing individuals' clot size over time. In this study, in vitro lytic efficacy was determined by measuring the decrease in clot diameter after 30 minutes of drug exposure. The authors sought to explore whether there are individuals who do not respond to this lytic therapy and to estimate the rate of nonresponse.MethodsHuman whole blood clots were made from blood drawn from 22 adult volunteers. The only exclusion criterion was the use of aspirin within 72 hours of the blood draw. Blood clots were allowed to spontaneously form at room temperature and were then incubated at 37°C for 3 hours to ensure complete clot retraction. Sample clots from the same individuals were then exposed to human fresh‐frozen plasma (hFFP) control or rt‐PA in hFFP (rt‐PA) at a concentration of 3.15 μg/mL. All clots were exposed at 37°C for 30 minutes, and clot diameter was measured as a function of time, using a microscopic imaging technique. The fractional clot loss (FCL), which is the percentage decrease in clot diameter at 30 minutes, was used as a measure of lytic efficacy.ResultsMeans with standard deviation (SD) FCL values were 8.6% (±3.0%) for control and 20.6% (±9.3%) for rt‐PA–treated clots. The mean (±SD) difference in FCL values was 12.0% (±8.8%) and was significant (p < 0.05, paired t‐test). Five of the 22 subjects (23%) were “rt‐PA nonresponders,” in that their FCL (rt‐PA) values fell within that of the FCL control values.ConclusionsOverall, rt‐PA does not produce clot lysis in vitro in clots from a substantial minority of the population, likely due to individual variations in clot composition and structure.
Cash transfer programs and agricultural production: the case of Malawi
Authors: Boone Ryan , Covarrubias Katia , Davis Benjamin , Winters Paul 
Published: May 2013

AbstractCash transfer programs are increasingly utilized to combat poverty and hunger while building the human capital of future generations; however, they have been faulted by some for failing to build the productive capacity of current generations. This article analyzes the impact of the Malawi Social Cash Transfer Scheme on agricultural production. The results show strong increases in ownership of productive agricultural assets, in time devoted to household farms, and in food types consumed from own production, coupled with a sharp decrease in ganyu labor, which is often used as a coping mechanism once food stores have been depleted. These results are most likely achieved by helping farmers overcome credit and liquidity constraints. This research shows that cash transfer programs can help the capacity of extremely poor farm households to expand agriculture production even if the goal of the program is focusing on other dimensions of poverty.
Safe to crush? A pilot study into solid dosage form modification in aged care
Authors: Mercovich Nicole , Kyle Greg J , Naunton Mark 
Published: May 2013

AimsTo observe medication solid dosage form modification in aged care facilities (ACFs), and assess staff levels of self‐perceived knowledge of medication modification and the types of resources available to them.MethodObservation of medication rounds in a convenience sample of Australian Capital Territory ACFs and assessment of staff knowledge of dosage form modification and available resources.ResultsFrom 160 observations across six medication rounds, 29 residents had a total of 75 medications modified by the nursing staff prior to administration, with 32% of these instances identified as inappropriate. The methods used for crushing and administration resulted in drug mixing, spillage and incomplete dosing. The staff reported adequate resources; however, a lack of knowledge on how to locate and use these resources was evident.ConclusionsImproved staff training on how to use available resources is needed to reduce the observed high incidence of inappropriate medication crushing.
Autism spectrum disorder in Chinese populations: A brief review
Authors: Feng Lei , Li Chunbo , Chiu Helen , Lee Tih‐Shih , Spencer Michael D , Wong John Chee‐Meng 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis review summarizes the published work on the prevalence and incidence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Chinese populations. The authors searched MEDLINE, Web of Science and the PsycINFO database and identified seven studies that were published in the English language. In mainland China, Li and colleagues reported an autism prevalence rate of 2.38/10,000 but admitted the possibility of underestimation. A higher prevalence of 11/10,000 was reported by Zhang and Ji based on a survey that was conducted in Tianjin, China. In Taiwan, Chien and colleagues reported that the cumulative prevalence of ASD increased from 1.79 to 28.72/10,000 from 1996 to 2005 and the annual incidence rate increased from 0.91 to 4.41/10,000 per year from 1997 to 2005. Another study based on the Taiwan national health insurance database reported a high prevalence rate of 122.8/10,000 for the year 2007. Two studies based on the Taiwan national disability registry data reported an increasing trend of ASD for the period 2000–2007 and 2004–2010, respectively. In Hong Kong, Wong and colleagues estimated that the incidence of ASD was 5.49/10,000 and the average prevalence over the 1986–2005 period was 16.1/10,000. We identified 12 studies through the searching of Chinese databases. The prevalences among these studies varied from 2.8 to 29.5/10,000. While existing data appear to suggest, it remains unclear whether there is a true rise in the prevalence of ASD in ethnic Chinese population across geographic sites. More collaborative research on this topic should be conducted in the future.
Fire impact on the woody plant components of dry deciduous forest in Central Menabe, Madagascar
Authors: Ehrensperger Tabea , Urech Zora Lea , Rehnus Maik , Sorg Jean‐Pierre 
Published: May 2013

AbstractQuestionsWe investigated the effects of human‐induced fires on woody plant components of dry deciduous forest in Madagascar. Specifically, we addressed the following questions: (1) which forest layers are most affected by fire; (2) how is forest structure, species richness, diversity and composition affected by fire disturbance; and (3) does the forest recover after fire disturbance?LocationKirindy Forest in Central Menabe, western Madagascar.MethodsWe conducted our investigations in seven areas of the Kirindy Forest, which was burned between 1984 and 2009. Vegetation data were collected in nested plots for the different forest layers in the burned and unburned forest. Using GLM, we assessed fire impact on forest structure, species richness and diversity of the different forest layers. The recovery of burned forest was investigated using correlation analysis. In addition, we used descriptive methods to analyse fire impact on species composition.ResultsFire mainly influenced the middle forest layers, trees >1.50‐m high and diameters <15 cm, and significantly reduced tree density, basal area, species richness and diversity. Fire had no significant impact on the measured parameters of the shrub and top layers. Despite the severe impact of fire on the middle forest layers, most of the measured parameters of these layers were able to recover from fire disturbance within a short time. Twelve years after fire disturbance, tree density, basal area, species richness and diversity in burned forest areas no longer differed from unburned forest areas. However, species composition differed substantially between burned and unburned forests.ConclusionsWe conclude that fire severely impacts the middle forest layers and alters forest structure, i.e. species richness and tree diversity, of the dry deciduous forest of Central Menabe.
Co‐evolution of gametes of the Greater Bandicoot Rat, Bandicota indica – a murine rodent from South‐East Asia
Authors: Dorman Fiona , Balsamo Priscilla , Leigh Chris , Breed William G. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMost Old World mice and rats, subfamily Murinae, have a spermatozoon with an apical hook, a long tail and, as seen typically in eutherian mammals, a bilaterally flattened head. Dramatically different from this are the sperm of the Greater Bandicoot Rat, Bandicota indica. Here, we ask the question has the structure of the sperm head co‐evolved with that of the egg coat, the zona pellucida? For this, we first summarise the morphological features of the spermatozoon of B. indica that may relate to zona pellucida penetration at the time of fertilisation, and we confirm that the sperm head is generally round, not bilaterally flattened, in profile and has a huge acrosome. We then show that the zona pellucida around oocytes in tertiary follicles also differs from that of the other murine rodents in being only about 4 μm thick and, as demonstrated by lectin staining, has an unusual abundance of alpha‐L‐fucose. These findings indicate that both the male and female gametes of this South‐East Asian murine rodent are highly divergent in their structural organisation. One of the functional implications of this probably relates to sperm–zona interactions and the release of acrosomal enzymes that probably facilitate penetration by digestion of the zona matrix at the time of fertilisation.
Predicting risk severity and response of fetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Salomon Ophira , Rosenberg Nurit 
Published: May 2013

SummaryFetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a devastating bleeding disorder in the fetus or neonate caused by transplacental transport of maternal alloantibodies to paternal‐derived antigen on fetal platelets. In Caucasians, up to 80% of FNAIT cases result from maternal immunization to human platelet antigen (HPA)‐1a. New methods have developed facilitating detection of common and private antibodies against HPAs triggering FNAIT. Understanding the pathogenesis of FNAIT made it possible to develop a novel strategy to treat this disorder. To date, recombinant monoclonal antibodies directed against the β3 integrin and Fc receptors have been tested in a mouse model of FNAIT, and seem to be promising. Whether those novel treatments will eventually replace the conventional high dose immunoglobulin G in women with FNAIT is yet unknown.
Social Relationships, Well‐Being, and Career Commitment: Exploring Cross‐Domain Effects of Social Relationships
Authors: Wallace Jean E. 
Published: May 2013

Cette étude explore dans quelle mesure les relations sociales dans divers domaines de la vie sont liées au bien‐être en général ainsi qu'aux exigences de carrière. Cette étude cherche à savoir si les effets de l'interaction des relations sociales sont nuisibles ou bénéfiques et s'ils mesurent les effets du stress sur un ou plusieurs domaines de la vie. Analysant des données d'enquête recueillies auprès de 1,436 avocats mariés de l'Ouest canadien. Les résultats suggèrent que la spécificité de domaine ne détermine pas forcément la nécessité de documenter les effets des interactions. Les résultats Ils suggèrent aussi que les ressources de soutien ou les activités intégratives ne sont pas forcément toutes bénéfiques et qu'au contraire, elles pourraient nuire au bien‐être ainsi qu'à l'engagement de carrière.This study explores the extent to which social relationships in different life domains are related to overall well‐being and career commitment. This study investigates whether the interaction effects of social relationships are harmful or beneficial, as well as whether they moderate the effects of strain within the same domain or across domains. Survey data were analyzed from 1,436 married lawyers in Western Canada. The results suggest that domain specificity is not necessarily a key to documenting interaction effects. They also suggest that not all support resources or integrative activities are necessarily beneficial and instead may be detrimental to individuals' well‐being and career commitment.
Expression of Toll-like receptor-3 is enhanced in active inflammatory bowel disease and mediates the excessive release of lipocalin 2
Authors: Østvik A E , Granlund A v B , Torp S H , Flatberg A , Beisvåg V , Waldum H L , Flo T H , Espevik T , Damås J K , Sandvik A K 
Published: May 2013

Summary
Anti-microbial peptides might influence the pathogenesis and course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We sought to clarify the role of the anti-microbial glycoprotein lipocalin 2 (LCN2) in the colon by determining its localization and regulation in IBD. Following a microarray gene expression study of colonic biopsies from a large IBD population (n = 133), LCN2 was localized using immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. Moreover, we examined the regulation of LCN2 in HT-29 cells with a panel of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and sought evidence by immunohistochemistry that the most relevant PRR, the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3, was indeed expressed in colonic epithelium in IBD. LCN2 was among the 10 most up-regulated genes in both active ulcerative colitis (UCa) and active Crohn's disease (CDa) versus healthy controls. LCN2 protein was found in both epithelial cells and infiltrating neutrophils, while mRNA synthesis was located solely to epithelial cells, indicating that de-novo synthesis and thus regulation of LCN2 as measured in the gene expression analysis takes place in the mucosal epithelial cells. LCN2 is a putative biomarker in faeces for intestinal inflammation, different from calprotectin due to its epithelial site of synthesis. LCN2 release from the colonic epithelial cell line HT-29 was enhanced by both interleukin (IL)-1β and the TLR-3 ligand poly(I:C), and TLR-3 was shown to be expressed constitutively in colonic epithelial cells and markedly increased during inflammation.
Disordered Toll-like receptor 2 responses in the pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis
Authors: Gabrilovich M I , Walrath J , van Lunteren J , Nethery D , Seifu M , Kern J A , Harding C V , Tuscano L , Lee H , Williams S D , Mackay W , Tomashefski J F , Silver R F 
Published: May 2013

Summary
In this study, we hypothesized that the granulomatous disorder sarcoidosis is not caused by a single pathogen, but rather results from abnormal responses of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to conserved bacterial elements. Unsorted bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from patients with suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis and healthy non-smoking control subjects were stimulated with representative ligands of TLR-2 (in both TLR-2/1 and TLR-2/6 heterodimers) and TLR-4. Responses were determined by assessing resulting production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. BAL cells from patients in whom sarcoidosis was confirmed displayed increased cytokine responses to the TLR-2/1 ligand 19-kDa lipoprotein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (LpqH) and decreased responses to the TLR-2/6 agonist fibroblast stimulating ligand-1 (FSL)-1. Subsequently, we evaluated the impact of TLR-2 gene deletion in a recently described murine model of T helper type 1 (Th1)-associated lung disease induced by heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes. As quantified by blinded scoring of lung pathology, P. acnes-induced granulomatous pulmonary inflammation was markedly attenuated in TLR-2–/– mice compared to wild-type C57BL/6 animals. The findings support a potential role for disordered TLR-2 responses in the pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Efficacy and safety of long‐term low‐calorie diet in severely obese patients non‐eligible for surgery
Authors: Alabdali F. , Rueda‐Clausen C. F. , Robbins S. , Sharma A. M. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was to describe the long‐term efficacy and safety of low‐calorie diets (LCDs; providing 900 kcal day−1) in obese patients who have failed to achieve adequate weight loss with standard medical management and are non‐eligible for surgical therapeutic options. Charts from a regional hospital‐based outpatient bariatric programme were reviewed. Eight patients (75% male, age 60.1 ± 7.8 years) with severe obesity (body mass index 57.1 ± 8.8 kg m−2) and undergoing long‐term LCD (33 ± 10 months) were identified. Variables of interest included anthropometric, cardiovascular risk and nutritional parameters, thyroid, renal and liver function, changes in medications, side effects and adverse events. Average weight loss was 44 ± 15 kg (27 ± 13% of initial weight) at 24 months. Long‐term management with LCD resulted in substantial and sustained improvements in glucose homeostasis, blood pressure and lipid profile. LCD was well tolerated with minor self‐limited side effects. Over the follow‐up period, two subjects underwent coronary revascularization and one patient underwent knee replacement surgery – all recovered without complications. These findings suggest that in selected obese patients (non‐eligible for surgery), long‐term management with LCD may provide an alternative option for substantial and sustainable weight loss with significant improvements in metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Exploring the Moderating Role of Growth Options on the Relation between Board Characteristics and Management Earnings Forecasts
Authors: Chan Howard , Faff Robert , Khan Arifur , Mather Paul 
Published: May 2013

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis study examines whether director independence, reputation, and financial expertise are related to management earnings forecast (MEF) activity. In particular, we examine whether such a relationship is moderated by firms’ growth options.Research Findings/InsightsUsing Australian archival data for 1,928 firm‐years between 1999 and 2006, we find several board characteristics have a significant positive relationship with: (1) the likelihood of firms issuing MEFs; (2) their specificity; (3) their accuracy; and (4) a negative relationship with their bias. For (1), (2), and (3) we show that these relationships are accentuated for firms with high growth options.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsWhile the theory of voluntary disclosure suggests firms will disclose information that is favorable to them or their managers, well‐governed firms issue informative MEFs that potentially reduce information asymmetries in capital markets. We extend the prior literature by showing that such a relation is enhanced in the presence of information asymmetry and moral hazard associated with growth options.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsOur results have strategic implications for nomination committees by showing that independent directors and those with strong reputations and financial expertise enhance the governance of high growth firms. We also inform the regulatory debate by showing that good corporate governance enhancing disclosure quality is context‐specific – it is not a case of “one size fits all”.
A randomized crossover study to assess the effect of an oat‐rich diet on glycaemic control, plasma lipids and postprandial glycaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: McGeoch S. C. , Johnstone A. M. , Lobley G. E. , Adamson J. , Hickson K. , Holtrop G. , Fyfe C. , Clark L. F. , Pearson D. W. M. , Abraham P. , Megson I. L. , MacRury S. M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimsIn the UK, lifestyle intervention is first‐line management in Type 2 diabetes. It is unclear what type of diet is most efficacious for improving glycaemic control. This study investigated the effects of an oat‐enriched diet on glycaemic control, postprandial glycaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress compared with standard dietary advice.MethodsIn a randomized crossover design, 27 volunteers with Type 2 diabetes, managed on diet and lifestyle only, were observed for two consecutive 8‐week periods following either the oat‐enriched diet or re‐enforced standard dietary advice. Volunteers attended at baseline (habitual intake) and 8 and 16 weeks. Measurements included basic clinical measurements and fasted and postprandial (3‐h) glucose and insulin in response to a healthy test meal. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, including high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, interleukin 6, interleukin 18, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, adiponectin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity, oxidized LDL and urinary isoprostanes, were also measured at fasting and in the postprandial period.ResultsThere were no diet‐related effects on glycaemic control or glycaemic or insulinaemic responses to the test meal. Total cholesterol (5.1 ± 1.0 vs. 4.9 ± 0.8 mmol/l, P = 0.019) concentrations declined following the oat‐enriched diet compared with standard dietary advice. There was a postprandial decline in adiponectin concentration (P = 0.009), but no effect of dietary intervention. None of the measures of oxidative stress or inflammation were altered by the oat‐enriched diet compared with standard dietary advice.ConclusionThe oat‐enriched diet had a modest impact on lipid lowering, but did not impact on oxidative stress or inflammation in these volunteers with Type 2 diabetes.
Clinical, metabolic and psychological outcomes and treatment costs of a prospective randomized trial based on different educational strategies to improve diabetes care (PRODIACOR)
Authors: Gagliardino J. J. , Lapertosa S. , Pfirter G. , Villagra M. , Caporale J. E. , Gonzalez C. D. , Elgart J. , González L. , Cernadas C. , Rucci E. , Clark C. ,   the PRODIACOR
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effect of system interventions (formalized data collection and 100% coverage of medications and supplies) combined with physician and/or patient education on therapeutic indicators and costs in Type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis was a randomized 2 × 2 design in public health, social security or private prepaid primary care clinics in Corrientes, Argentina. Thirty‐six general practitioners and 468 adults with Type 2 diabetes participated. Patients of nine participating physicians were selected randomly and assigned to one of four structured group education programmes (117 patients each): control (group 1), physician education (group 2), patient education (group 3), and both physician education and patient education (group 4), with identical system interventions in all four groups. Outcome measures included HbA1c, BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid profile, drug consumption, resource use and patient well‐being at baseline and every 6 months up to 42 months.ResultsHbA1c decreased significantly from 4 mmol/mol to 10 mmol/mol by 42 months (P < 0.05); the largest and more consistent decrease was in the groups where patients and physicians were educated. Blood pressure and triglycerides decreased significantly in all groups; the largest changes were recorded in the combined education group. The World Health Organization‐5 Lowe score showed significant improvements, without differences among groups. The lowest treatment cost was seen in the combined education group.ConclusionsIn a primary care setting, educational interventions combined with comprehensive care coverage resulted in long‐term improvement in clinical, metabolic and psychological outcomes at the best cost‐effectiveness ratio.