bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regression Analysis of Ordinal Stroke Clinical Trial Outcomes: An Application to the NINDS t-PA Trial
Authors: DeSantis Stacia M. , Lazaridis Christos , Palesch Yuko , Ramakrishnan Viswanathan 
Published: June 2013

Background The modified Rankin scale (mRS) is the most common functional outcome assessed in stroke trials. The proportional odds model is commonly used to analyze this ordinal outcome but it requires a restrictive assumption that a single odds ratio applies across the entire outcome scale. Aims The study aims to model the effect of tissue-type plasminogen activator on ordinal mRS, test model assumptions, and compare fits and predictive ability of the statistical models. Methods Several ordinal regression methods are presented and applied to a re-analysis of the 1995 NINDS tissue-type plasminogen activator study. Violations of the proportional odds assumption are demonstrated using graphs and statistical tests, and the partial proportional odds model is introduced and recommended as an alternative for the analysis of mRS. Results The partial proportional odds model relaxes the assumptions about treatment effect on the ordinal outcome scale and provides a better fit to the data than the commonly used proportional odds model (likelihood ratio test chi-square = 8·05, P = 0·005). It provides easily interpretable odds ratios and it is able to detect efficacy at the lower end and a lack of efficacy at the upper end of the mRS scale. Further, it provides lower prediction error than the proportional odds model (0·002 versus 0·005). Conclusion Assuming proportional odds when it does not hold can mask differential treatment effects at the upper end of the ordinal mRS scale and has implications for reduced power when studies are designed under this assumption.
Preservation of the smooth muscular internal (vesical) sphincter and of the proximal urethra for the early recovery of urinary continence after retropubic radical prostatectomy: A prospective case–control study
Authors: Brunocilla Eugenio , Schiavina Riccardo , Pultrone Cristian Vincenzo , Borghesi Marco , Rossi Martina , Cevenini Matteo , Martorana Giuseppe 
Published: June 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the influence of preservation of the muscular internal sphincter and proximal urethra on continence recovery after radical prostatectomy.MethodsThis was a prospective single‐center, case–control study. A total of 40 consecutive patients with organ‐confined prostate cancer were submitted to radical prostatectomy with the preservation of the muscular internal sphincter and the proximal urethra (group 1), and their outcomes were compared with those of 40 patients submitted to a standard procedure (group 2). Continence rates were assessed using a self‐administrated questionnaire at 3, 7 and 30 days, and 3 and 12 months after removal of the catheter.ResultsGroup 1 had a faster recovery of early continence than group 2 at day 3 (45% vs 22%; P = 0.029) and at day 7 (75% vs 50%; P = 0.018). Considering the number of pads, group 1 had a faster recovery of continence at 3, 7 and 30 days, and also had less incidence of severe incontinence. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of continence at 3 and 12 months among the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that surgical technique and young age were significantly associated with earlier time to continence at 3 and 7 days. The two groups had no significant differences in terms of surgical margins.ConclusionsOur modified technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy with preservation of the smooth muscular internal sphincter, as well as of the proximal urethra during bladder neck dissection, results in a significantly increased urinary continence at 3, 7 and 30 days after catheter removal, with a minor incidence of severe incontinence. The technique is also oncologically safe, and it does not increase the operative duration of the procedure.
Fine mapping of a supernumerary proleg mutant (ECs‐l) and comparative expression analysis of the abdominal‐A gene in silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Chen P. , Tong X.‐L. , Li D.‐D. , Liang P.‐F. , Fu M.‐Y. , Li C.‐F. , Hu H. , Xiang Z.‐H. , Lu C. , Dai F.‐Y. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractPatterning and phenotypic variations of appendages in insects provide important clues on developmental genetics. In the silkworm Bombyx mori, morphological variations associated with the E complex, an analogue of the Drosophila melanogaster bithorax complex, mainly determine the shape and number of prolegs on abdominal segments. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the allele responsible for the supernumerary crescents and legs‐like (ECs‐l) mutant, a model derived from spontaneous mutation of the E complex, with supernumerary legs and extra crescents. Fine mapping with 1605 individuals revealed a ∼68 kb sequence in the upstream intergenic region of B. mori abdominal‐A (Bmabd‐A) clustered with the ECs‐l locus. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) and Western blotting analyses disclosed a marked increase in Bmabd‐A expression in the ECs‐l mutant at both the transcriptional and translational levels, compared to wild‐type Dazao. Furthermore, we observed ectopic expression of the Bmabd‐A protein in the second abdominal segment (A2) of the ECs‐l mutant. Our results collectively suggest that the 68 kb region contains important regulatory elements of the Bmabd‐A gene, and provide evidence that the gene is required for limb development in abdominal segments in the silkworm.
Single mothers’ self‐assessment of health: a systematic exploration of the literature
Authors: Rousou E. , Kouta C. , Middleton N. , Karanikola M. 
Published: June 2013

AimThis study aimed to explore single mothers’ self‐assessed level of health status compared to partnered mothers and the relevant factors associated with it.BackgroundThe number of single‐mother families is increasing worldwide. A large body of international research reveals that single mothers experience poorer physical and mental health than their married counterparts. An important contributory factor for this health disparity appears to be socio‐economic disadvantage.MethodsA systematic search of the literature was conducted using the keywords ‘lone’ or ‘single’ and ‘mother*’ or ‘parent*’ or ‘family structure’ in combination with ‘health’. EMBASE, CINAHL, COCHRANE and PUBMED databas were searched for quantitative research studies published in the past decade.ResultsEleven quantitative research articles with self‐assessment of health status in single mothers were identified. Single mothers report lower levels of health status compared to partnered mothers. These inequalities appear to be associated with financial hardship and lack of social support. Both these factors increase single mothers’ susceptibility to stress and illness.ConclusionDespite the study limitations (e.g. results based mainly on secondary data from household surveys), it provides evidence that single motherhood places women in an adverse social position that is associated with prolonged stress mainly due to unemployment, economic hardship and social exclusion, which affects negatively their health status. These findings can be seen as a challenge for health professionals, especially those working in the community sector and policy makers too, to establish supportive measures for this vulnerable group focused on socio‐economic factors.
Public health nursing education in Turkey: a national survey
Authors: Kadioglu H. , Albayrak S. , Esin M.N. 
Published: June 2013

AimTo investigate public health nursing content in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Turkey.MethodsThis study included all of the nursing schools in Turkey that provide university level education. The data were collected through a self‐administered questionnaire designed to identify the existing status of undergraduate and postgraduate public health nursing education between February 2011 and June 2011. The questionnaire was completed only by the head of the department of public health nursing in each school. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics using SPSS for Windows 17.0 software.ResultsThe study achieved a response rate of 72.5%. All participants reported offering a course in public health nursing in their undergraduate programmes. Fourteen (24.1%) participants reported offering Master of Science degrees in public health nursing. Seven (12.1%) participants reported offering doctorate degrees in public health nursing. In the responding schools, the public health nursing course was given in one semester (14 weeks) for an average of 5.54 ± 1.43 h/week for theory and an average of 13.48 ± 5.11 h/week for clinical practice. Of the participants, 43 (74%) reported problems related to public health nursing education.ConclusionThere are problems in Turkey with regard to public health nursing education. The nursing school curriculum must be revised on a national level if public health nursing is to be revived and strengthened.
Movement, impacts and management of plant distributions in response to climate change: insights from invasions
Authors: Caplat P. , Cheptou P.‐O. , Diez J. , Guisan A. , Larson B. M. H. , Macdougall A. S. , Peltzer D. A. , Richardson D. M. , Shea K. , van Kleunen M. , Zhang R. , Buckley Y. M. 
Published: June 2013

SynthesisPrediction and management of species responses to climate change is an urgent but relatively young research field. Therefore, climate change ecology must by necessity borrow from other fields. Invasion ecology is particularly well‐suited to informing climate change ecology because both invasion ecology and climate change ecology address the trajectories of rapidly changing novel systems. Here we outline the broad range of active research questions in climate change ecology where research from invasion ecology can stimulate advances. We present ideas for how concepts, case‐studies and methodology from invasion ecology can be adapted to improve prediction and management of species responses to climate change.A major challenge in this era of rapid climate change is to predict changes in species distributions and their impacts on ecosystems, and, if necessary, to recommend management strategies for maintenance of biodiversity or ecosystem services. Biological invasions, studied in most biomes of the world, can provide useful analogs for some of the ecological consequences of species distribution shifts in response to climate change. Invasions illustrate the adaptive and interactive responses that can occur when species are confronted with new environmental conditions. Invasion ecology complements climate change research and provides insights into the following questions: 1) how will species distributions respond to climate change? 2) how will species movement affect recipient ecosystems? And 3) should we, and if so how can we, manage species and ecosystems in the face of climate change? Invasion ecology demonstrates that a trait‐based approach can help to predict spread speeds and impacts on ecosystems, and has the potential to predict climate change impacts on species ranges and recipient ecosystems. However, there is a need to analyse traits in the context of life‐history and demography, the stage in the colonisation process (e.g. spread, establishment or impact), the distribution of suitable habitats in the landscape, and the novel abiotic and biotic conditions under which those traits are expressed. As is the case with climate change, invasion ecology is embedded within complex societal goals. Both disciplines converge on similar questions of ‘when to intervene?‘ and ‘what to do?‘ which call for a better understanding of the ecological processes and social values associated with changing ecosystems.
Lay theories of self‐control influence judgments of individuals who have failed at self‐control
Authors: Freeman Nicholas , Shmueli Dikla , Muraven Mark 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIndividuals who have failed at self‐control are often the targets of negative social judgments. We suggest that in some circumstances, individual differences in lay theories regarding self‐control may help account for these reactions. Specifically, people may believe that the ability to exert self‐control is either a fixed quantity (entity theory) or a malleable quantity (incremental theory), and these beliefs may influence their social judgments. In the current investigation, we found that whether lay theories of self‐control were measured or manipulated, entity views of self‐control predicted more negative judgments about a target whose self‐control failure was made salient.
Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage‐gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects
Authors: Pall Martin L. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe direct targets of extremely low and microwave frequency range electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in producing non‐thermal effects have not been clearly established. However, studies in the literature, reviewed here, provide substantial support for such direct targets. Twenty‐three studies have shown that voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs) produce these and other EMF effects, such that the L‐type or other VGCC blockers block or greatly lower diverse EMF effects. Furthermore, the voltage‐gated properties of these channels may provide biophysically plausible mechanisms for EMF biological effects. Downstream responses of such EMF exposures may be mediated through Ca2+/calmodulin stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis. Potentially, physiological/therapeutic responses may be largely as a result of nitric oxide‐cGMP‐protein kinase G pathway stimulation. A well‐studied example of such an apparent therapeutic response, EMF stimulation of bone growth, appears to work along this pathway. However, pathophysiological responses to EMFs may be as a result of nitric oxide‐peroxynitrite‐oxidative stress pathway of action. A single such well‐documented example, EMF induction of DNA single‐strand breaks in cells, as measured by alkaline comet assays, is reviewed here. Such single‐strand breaks are known to be produced through the action of this pathway. Data on the mechanism of EMF induction of such breaks are limited; what data are available support this proposed mechanism. Other Ca2+‐mediated regulatory changes, independent of nitric oxide, may also have roles. This article reviews, then, a substantially supported set of targets, VGCCs, whose stimulation produces non‐thermal EMF responses by humans/higher animals with downstream effects involving Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent nitric oxide increases, which may explain therapeutic and pathophysiological effects.
Interleukin‐6 downregulation with mesenchymal stem cell differentiation results in loss of immunoprivilege
Authors: Li Peng , Li Shu‐Hong , Wu Jun , Zang Wang‐Fu , Dhingra Sanjiv , Sun Lu , Weisel Richard D. , Li Ren‐Ke 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAllogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation improves cardiac function, but cellular differentiation results in loss of immunoprivilege and rejection. To explore the mechanism involved in this immune rejection, we investigated the influence of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), a factor secreted by MSCs, on immune privilege after myogenic, endothelial and smooth muscle cell differentiation induced by 5‐azacytidine, VEGF, and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), respectively. Both RT‐PCR and ELISA showed that myogenic differentiation of MSCs was associated with significant downregulation of IL‐6 expression (P < 0.01), which was also observed following endothelial (P < 0.01) and smooth muscle cell differentiation (P < 0.05), indicating that IL‐6 downregulation was dependent on differentiation but not cell phenotype. Flow cytometry demonstrated that IL‐6 downregulation as a result of myogenic differentiation was associated with increased leucocyte‐mediated cell death in an allogeneic leucocyte co‐culture study (P < 0.01). The allogeneic reactivity associated with IL‐6 downregulation was also observed following MSC differentiation to endothelial and smooth muscle cells (P < 0.01), demonstrating that leucocyte‐mediated cytotoxicity was also dependent on differentiation but not cell phenotype. Restoration of IL‐6 partially rescued the differentiated cells from leucocyte‐mediated cell death. These findings suggest that rejection of allogeneic MSCs after implantation may be because of a reduction in cellular IL‐6 levels, and restoration of IL‐6 may be a new target to retain MSC immunoprivilege.
Maternal depression and co‐occurring antisocial behaviour: testing maternal hostility and warmth as mediators of risk for offspring psychopathology
Authors: Sellers Ruth , Harold Gordon T. , Elam Kit , Rhoades Kimberly A. , Potter Robert , Mars Becky , Craddock Nick , Thapar Anita , Collishaw Stephan 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundDisruption in the parent–child relationship is a commonly hypothesized risk factor through which maternal depression may increase risk for offspring psychopathology. However, maternal depression is commonly accompanied by other psychopathology, including antisocial behaviour. Few studies have examined the role of co‐occurring psychopathology in depressed mothers. Using a longitudinal study of offspring of mothers with recurrent depression, we aimed to test whether maternal warmth/hostility mediated links between maternal depression severity and child outcomes, and how far direct and indirect pathways were robust to controls for co‐occurring maternal antisocial behaviour.MethodsMothers with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder and their adolescent offspring (9–17 years at baseline) were assessed three times between 2007 and 2010. Mothers completed questionnaires assessing their own depression severity and antisocial behaviour at Time 1 (T1). The parent–child relationship was assessed using parent‐rated questionnaire and interviewer‐rated 5‐min speech sample at Time 2 (T2). Offspring symptoms of depression and disruptive behaviours were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment at Time 3 (T3).ResultsMaternal hostility and warmth, respectively, mediated the association between maternal depression severity and risk for offspring psychopathology. However, the effects were attenuated when maternal antisocial behaviour was included in the analysis. In tests of the full theoretical model, maternal antisocial behaviour predicted both maternal hostility and low warmth, maternal hostility predicted offspring disruptive behaviour disorder symptoms, but not depression, and maternal warmth was not associated with either child outcome.ConclusionsParenting interventions aimed at reducing hostility may be beneficial for preventing or reducing adolescent disruptive behaviours in offspring of depressed mothers, especially when depressed mothers report co‐occurring antisocial behaviour.
Childhood psychopathology in children of women with eating disorders: understanding risk mechanisms
Authors: Micali Nadia , Stahl Daniel , Treasure Janet , Simonoff Emily 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundVery few studies have investigated psychopathology in children of mothers with eating disorders (ED). We aimed to determine the effect of maternal ED on childhood psychopathology in a large population‐based cohort and investigate relevant risk pathways using structural equation modeling (SEM).MethodsData on emotional and behavioral problems at 3½ years were obtained prospectively on 8,622 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Children of exposed women who self‐reported lifetime anorexia nervosa (AN, N = 193) or bulimia nervosa (BN, N = 158) in pregnancy were compared with children of unexposed women (N = 8,271) using linear and logistic regression models. SEM was used to determine best‐fitting risk models by child gender.ResultsThere was evidence that girls of AN women were more likely to have emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity disorders [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.7 (95% Confidence Intervals 1.0–3.0); OR: 2.2 (1.2–4.0); OR: 1.8 (1.1–3.1), respectively] and boys of AN women to have emotional disorders compared with unexposed [OR: 2.0(1.2–3.4)]. Girls of women with BN were more likely to show hyperactivity [OR: 1.7 (1.0–3.1)]; and boys to show emotional and conduct disorders compared with unexposed [OR: 2.2 (1.2–3.9); OR: 2.4 (1.4–4.2), respectively]. SEM models showed that pregnancy anxiety and depression mediated the effect of maternal ED on child psychopathology.ConclusionsMaternal ED are associated with different childhood psychopathology outcomes in boys and girls. Pregnancy anxiety and depression and active ED symptoms are important mediators of risk and are preventable; the direct effect of maternal lifetime ED was small.
Ceramide inhibitor myriocin restores insulin/insulin growth factor signaling for liver remodeling in experimental alcohol‐related steatohepatitis
Authors: Lizarazo Diana , Zabala Valerie , Tong Ming , Longato Lisa , de la Monte Suzanne M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackground and AimAlcohol‐related liver disease (ALD) is mediated in part by insulin resistance. Attendant dysregulation of lipid metabolism increases accumulation of hepatic ceramides that worsen insulin resistance and compromise the structural and functional integrity of the liver. Insulin and insulin growth factor (IGF) stimulate aspartyl‐asparaginyl‐β‐hydroxylase (AAH), which promotes cell motility needed for structural maintenance and remodeling of the liver. AAH mediates its effects by activating Notch, and in ALD, insulin/IGF signaling, AAH, and Notch are inhibited.MethodTo test the hypothesis that in ALD, hepatic ceramide load contributes to impairments in insulin, AAH, and Notch signaling, control and chronic ethanol‐fed adult Long–Evans rats were treated with myriocin, an inhibitor of serine palmitoyl transferase. Livers were used to assess steatohepatitis, insulin/IGF pathway activation, and expression of AAH–Notch signaling molecules.ResultsChronic ethanol‐fed rats had steatohepatitis with increased ceramide levels; impairments in signaling through the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate, and Akt; and decreased expression of AAH, Notch, Jagged, Hairy–Enhancer of Split‐1, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Myriocin abrogated many of these adverse effects of ethanol, particularly hepatic ceramide accumulation, steatohepatitis, and impairments of insulin signaling through Akt, AAH, and Notch.ConclusionsIn ALD, the histopathology and impairments in insulin/IGF responsiveness can be substantially resolved by ceramide inhibitor treatments, even in the context of continued chronic ethanol exposure.
Probenecid potentiates MPTP/MPP+ toxicity by interference with cellular energy metabolism
Authors: Alvarez‐Fischer Daniel , Noelker Carmen , Grünewald Anne , Vulinović Franca , Guerreiro Serge , Fuchs Julia , Lu Lixia , Lombès Anne , Hirsch Etienne C. , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Michel Patrick P. , Hartmann Andreas 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe uricosuric agent probenecid is co‐administered with the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPTP to produce a chronic mouse model of Parkinson's disease. It has been proposed that probenecid serves to elevate concentrations of MPTP in the brain by reducing renal elimination of the toxin. However, this mechanism has never been formally demonstrated to date and is questioned by our previous data showing that intracerebral concentrations of MPP+, the active metabolite of MPTP, are not modified by co‐injection of probenecid. In this study, we investigated the potentiating effects of probenecid in vivo and in vitro arguing against the possibility of altered metabolism or impaired renal elimination of MPTP. We find that probenecid (i) is toxic in itself to several neuronal populations apart from dopaminergic neurons, and (ii) that it also potentiates the effects of other mitochondrial complex I inhibitors such as rotenone. On a mechanistic level, we show that probenecid is able to lower intracellular ATP concentrations and that its toxic action on neuronal cells can be reversed by extracellular ATP. Probenecid can potentiate the effect of mitochondrial toxins due to its impact on ATP metabolism and could therefore be useful to model atypical parkinsonian syndromes.