bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incentivizing Primary Care Providers to Innovate: Building Medical Homes in the Post‐Katrina New Orleans Safety Net
Authors: Rittenhouse Diane R. , Schmidt Laura A. , Wu Kevin J. , Wiley James 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate safety‐net clinics’ responses to a novel community‐wide Patient‐Centered Medical Home (PCMH) financial incentive program in post‐Katrina New Orleans.Data Sources/Study SettingBetween June 2008 and June 2010, we studied 50 primary care clinics in New Orleans receiving federal funds to expand services and improve care delivery.Study DesignMultiwave, longitudinal, observational study of a local safety‐net primary care system.Data CollectionClinic‐level data from a semiannual survey of clinic leaders (89.3 percent response rate), augmented by administrative records.Principal FindingsOverall, 62 percent of the clinics responded to financial incentives by achieving PCMH recognition from the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA). Higher patient volume, higher baseline PCMH scores, and type of ownership were significant predictors of achieving NCQA recognition. The steepest increase in adoption of PCMH processes occurred among clinics achieving the highest, Level 3, NCQA recognition. Following NCQA recognition, 88.9 percent stabilized or increased their use of PCMH processes, although several specific PCMH processes had very low rates of adoption overall.ConclusionsFindings demonstrate that widespread PCMH implementation is possible in a safety‐net environment when external financial incentives are aligned with the goal of practice innovation.
The influence of female age on male mating preference and reproductive success in cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi
Authors: Liu Xing‐Ping , He Hai‐Min , Xue Fang‐Sen 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe influence of female age on male mating preference and reproductive success has been studied using a promiscuous cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In a simultaneous choice test, middle‐aged females had significantly greater mating success than young and old females. In single pair trials, when paired with middle‐aged virgin males, middle‐aged females mated faster, copulated longer, and had greater fecundity and fertility than young or old females, while the longevity of males was not significantly affected by female age. This study on C. bowringi suggests that middle‐aged females are more receptive to mating, which can result in the highest male reproductive success.
Non cell autonomous upregulation of CDKN2 transcription linked to progression of chronic hepatitis C disease
Authors: Robinson Mark W. , McGuinness Dagmara , Swann Rachael , Barclay Stephen , Mills Peter R. , Patel Arvind H. , McLauchlan John , Shiels Paul G. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryChronic hepatitis C virus infection (C‐HC) is associated with higher mortality arising from hepatic and extrahepatic disease. This may be due to accelerated biological aging; however, studies in C‐HC have thus far been based solely on telomere length as a biomarker of aging (BoA). In this study, we have evaluated CDKN2 locus transcripts as alternative BoAs in C‐HC. Our results suggest that C‐HC induces non‐cell‐autonomous senescence and accelerates biological aging. The CDKN2 locus may provide a link between C‐HC and increased susceptibility to age‐associated diseases and provides novel biomarkers for assessing its impact on aging processes in man.
The influence of skeletal muscle on systemic aging and lifespan
Authors: Demontis Fabio , Piccirillo Rosanna , Goldberg Alfred L. , Perrimon Norbert 
Published: June 2013

SummaryEpidemiological studies in humans suggest that skeletal muscle aging is a risk factor for the development of several age‐related diseases such as metabolic syndrome, cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Here, we review recent studies in mammals and Drosophila highlighting how nutrient‐ and stress‐sensing in skeletal muscle can influence lifespan and overall aging of the organism. In addition to exercise and indirect effects of muscle metabolism, growing evidence suggests that muscle‐derived growth factors and cytokines, known as myokines, modulate systemic physiology. Myokines may influence the progression of age‐related diseases and contribute to the intertissue communication that underlies systemic aging.
One World, Two Languages: Cross‐Language Semantic Priming in Bilingual Toddlers
Authors: Singh Leher 
Published: June 2013

The interconnectedness of bilingual memory remains a topic of great debate. Semantic priming provides a powerful methodological tool with which to investigate this issue in early bilingual toddlers. Semantic priming effects were investigated in 21 bilingual toddlers (2.5 years) within and across each of their languages. Results revealed the first evidence of cross‐language and within‐language semantic priming in bilingual toddlers. However, priming effects were only observed when the prime was presented in the dominant language and were comparable in magnitude within and across languages. Findings point to high interconnectivity across languages; however, there appear to be strong influences of language dominance on semantic facilitation. Findings serve to inform and refine developmental models of bilingual memory.
Infants' Perception of Emotion From Body Movements
Authors: Zieber Nicole , Kangas Ashley , Hock Alyson , Bhatt Ramesh S. 
Published: June 2013

Adults recognize emotions conveyed by bodies with comparable accuracy to facial emotions. However, no prior study has explored infants' perception of body emotions. In Experiment 1, 6.5‐month‐olds (n = 32) preferred happy over neutral actions of actors with covered faces in upright but not inverted silent videos. In Experiment 2, infants (n = 32) matched happy and angry videos to corresponding vocalizations when the videos were upright but not when they were inverted. Experiment 3 (n = 16) demonstrated that infants' performance in Experiment 2 was not driven by information from the covered face and head. Thus, young infants are sensitive to emotions conveyed by bodies and match them to affective vocalizations, indicating sophisticated emotion processing capabilities early in life.
Regulation of IgE‐mediated signalling in human basophils by CD32b and its role in Syk down‐regulation
Authors: MacGlashan D. , Moore G. , Muchhal U. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundCD32b has been previously demonstrated to modulate IgE‐mediated secretion from human basophils. However, exploration of the implications of this regulation has been limited. One unstudied area is whether regulation of signalling by CD32 also alters some of the phenotypic changes induced by IgE‐mediated activation. The reported character of CD32‐mediated signal transduction is not clear for human basophils and the two primary mechanisms considered important in this reaction predict different long‐term outcomes, notably predicting different outcomes for down‐regulation of syk expression.ObjectiveSyk expression was considered a unique point of phenotypic control in human basophils and the role of CD32b in its regulation is explored in this study. However, initial pilot studies discovered that IL‐3 could markedly up‐regulate CD32 expression and first describing the consequences of this up‐regulation became an additional focus of this study.MethodsHuman basophils were examined for the changes in IgE‐mediated signalling during simultaneous engagement of CD32b.ResultsPreliminary experiments noted that CD32b could be up‐regulated by IL‐3 (3‐ to 12‐fold). Both natural variation and induced up‐regulation of CD32b modulated the efficacy of this receptor to inhibit IgE‐mediated release. Signalling induced by engagement of CD32b (lyn, syk, SHP‐1, or SHIP1 phosphorylation) was more consistent with a mode of action involving SHIP1 rather than SHP‐1. IgE‐mediated down‐regulation of syk expression was not altered by co‐engagement of CD32b, a result also consistent with a SHIP1‐dependent mechanism of inhibition.ConclusionsTaken together these results suggest that the combined action of IgE and IgG could generate a natural mechanism, whereby the significant variation in syk expression in allergic subjects occurs without necessarily also inducing mediator release.
The relationship between eosinophilia and airway remodelling in mild asthma
Authors: Wilson S. J. , Rigden H. M. , Ward J. A. , Laviolette M. , Jarjour N. N. , Djukanović R. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundEosinophilia is a marker of corticosteroid responsiveness and risk of exacerbation in asthma; although it has been linked to submucosal matrix deposition, its relationship with other features of airway remodelling is less clear.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between airway eosinophilia and airway remodelling.MethodsBronchial biopsies from subjects (n = 20 in each group) with mild steroid‐naïve asthma, with either low (0–0.45 mm−2)) or high submucosal eosinophil (23.43–46.28 mm−2) counts and healthy controls were assessed for in vivo epithelial damage (using epidermal growth factor receptor staining), mucin expression, airway smooth muscle (ASM) hypertrophy and inflammatory cells within ASM.ResultsThe proportion of in vivo damaged epithelium was significantly greater (P = 0.02) in the high‐eosinophil (27.37%) than the low‐eosinophil (4.14%) group. Mucin expression and goblet cell numbers were similar in the two eosinophil groups; however, MUC‐2 expression was increased (P = 0.002) in the high‐eosinophil group compared with controls. The proportion of submucosa occupied by ASM was higher in both asthma groups (P = 0.021 and P = 0.046) compared with controls. In the ASM, eosinophil and T‐lymphocyte numbers were higher (P < 0.05) in the high‐eosinophil group than both the low‐eosinophil group and the controls, whereas the numbers of mast cells were increased in the high‐eosinophil group (P = 0.01) compared with controls.ConclusionSubmucosal eosinophilia is a marker (and possibly a cause) of epithelial damage and is related to infiltration of ASM with eosinophils and T lymphocytes, but is unrelated to mucus metaplasia or smooth muscle hypertrophy.
Non‐Local Image Reconstruction for Efficient Computation of Synthetic Bidirectional Texture Functions
Authors: Schröder K. , Klein R. , Zinke A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractVisual prototyping of materials is relevant for many computer graphics applications. A large amount of modelling flexibility can be obtained by directly rendering micro‐geometry. While this is possible in principle, it is usually computationally expensive. Recently, bidirectional texture functions (BTFs) have become popular for efficient photorealistic rendering of surfaces. We propose an efficient system for the computation of synthetic BTFs using Monte Carlo path tracing of micro‐geometry. We observe that BTFs usually consist of many similar apparent bidirectional reflectance distribution functions. By exploiting structural similarity we can reduce rendering times by one order of magnitude. This is done in a process we call non‐local image reconstruction, which has been inspired by non‐local means filtering. Our results indicate that synthesizing BTFs is highly practical and may currently only take a few minutes for BTFs with 70 × 70 viewing and lighting directions and 128 × 128 pixels.
Separate Goals, Converging Priorities: On the Ethics of Treatment as Prevention
Authors: Ostmann Florian , Saenz Carla 
Published: June 2013

AbstractRecent evidence confirming that the administration of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to HIV‐infected persons may effectively reduce their risk of transmission has revived the discussion about priority setting in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The fact that the very same drugs can be used both for treatment purposes and for preventive purposes (Treatment as Prevention) has been seen as paradigm‐shifting and taken to spark a new controversy: In a context of scarce resources, should the allocation of ARVs be prioritized based on the goal of providing treatment, or on the goal of preventing the spread of the HIV epidemic?Contributions to this discussion tend to assume that treatment and prevention constitute two divergent goals that entail conflicting priorities. We challenge that assumption on the basis of both conceptual and empirical examination. We argue that, as far as the provision of ARVs to HIV‐infected persons is concerned, the goals of treatment and prevention do not entail conflicting priorities; to the contrary, they dictate converging strategies for the optimal allocation of ARVs. In light of the current evidence, the concept of Treatment as Prevention can indeed be seen as paradigm‐shifting, yet in a novel way: Rather than extending the tension between the goals of treatment and prevention to the level of drug‐allocation, it dissolves this tension by providing a rationale for a unified strategy for allocating ARVs.
Role of proximal gut exclusion from food on glucose homeostasis in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Cohen R. , le Roux C. W. , Papamargaritis D. , Salles J. E. , Petry T. , Correa J. L. , Pournaras D. J. , Galvao Neto M. , Martins B. , Sakai P. , Schiavon C. A. , Sorli C. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimsTo report Type 2 diabetes‐related outcomes after the implantation of a duodenal‐jejunal bypass liner device and to investigate the role of proximal gut exclusion from food in glucose homeostasis using the model of this device.MethodsSixteen patients with Type 2 diabetes and BMI <36 kg/m2 were evaluated before and 1, 12 and 52 weeks after duodenal‐jejunal bypass liner implantation and 26 weeks after explantation. Mixed‐meal tolerance tests were conducted over a period of 120 min and glucose, insulin and C‐peptide levels were measured. The Matsuda index and the homeostatic model of assessment of insulin resistance were used for the estimation of insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. The insulin secretion rate was calculated using deconvolution of C‐peptide levels.ResultsBody weight decreased by 1.3 kg after 1 week and by 2.4 kg after 52 weeks (P < 0.001). One year after duodenal‐jejunal bypass liner implantation, the mean (sem) HbA1c level decreased from 71.3 (2.4) mmol/mol (8.6[0.2]%) to 58.1 (4.4) mmol/mol (7.5 [0.4]%) and mean (sem) fasting glucose levels decreased from 203.3 (13.5) mg/dl to 155.1 (13.1) mg/dl (both P < 0.001). Insulin sensitivity improved by >50% as early as 1 week after implantation as measured by the Matsuda index and the homeostatic model of assessment of insulin resistance (P < 0.001), but there was a trend towards deterioration in all the above‐mentioned variables 26 weeks after explantation. Fasting insulin levels, insulin area under the curve, fasting C‐peptide, C‐peptide area under the curve, fasting insulin and total insulin secretion rates did not change during the duodenal‐jejunal bypass liner implantation period or after explantation.ConclusionsThe duodenal‐jejunal bypass liner improves glycaemia in overweight and obese patients with Type 2 diabetes by rapidly improving insulin sensitivity. A reduction in hepatic glucose output is the most likely explanation for this improvement.
An empirical assessment of tree branching networks and implications for plant allometric scaling models
Authors: Bentley Lisa Patrick , Stegen James C. , Savage Van M. , Smith Duncan D. , von Allmen Erica I. , Sperry John S. , Reich Peter B. , Enquist Brian J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSeveral theories predict whole‐tree function on the basis of allometric scaling relationships assumed to emerge from traits of branching networks. To test this key assumption, and more generally, to explore patterns of external architecture within and across trees, we measure branch traits (radii/lengths) and calculate scaling exponents from five functionally divergent species. Consistent with leading theories, including metabolic scaling theory, branching is area preserving and statistically self‐similar within trees. However, differences among scaling exponents calculated at node‐ and whole‐tree levels challenge the assumption of an optimised, symmetrically branching tree. Furthermore, scaling exponents estimated for branch length change across branching orders, and exponents for scaling metabolic rate with plant size (or number of terminal tips) significantly differ from theoretical predictions. These findings, along with variability in the scaling of branch radii being less than for branch lengths, suggest extending current scaling theories to include asymmetrical branching and differential selective pressures in plant architectures.
Physicochemical, technological and sensory characteristics of a rice (Oryza sativaL.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) soup prepared by extrusion
Authors: Carvalho Ana Vânia , Bassinello Priscila Zaczuk , Mattietto Rafaella de Andrade , Rios Alessandro de Oliveira , de Lima Anna Cristina Pinheiro , Koakuzu Selma N. , Carvalho Rosângela Nunes 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe aim of this work was to prepare and evaluate an instant soup formulated with broken rice and beans processed by thermoplastic extrusion using a pilot‐scale, single‐screw extruder. The final product was characterised regarding its physicochemical composition, amino acid profile, functional–technological properties and sensory performance. The extrusion parameters were set using three extrusion zone temperatures (30, 40 and 70 °C), a screw speed of 177 rpm, feed rate of 260 g min−1. and circular matrix of 3.85 mm. The final product contained considerable levels of protein (12.91 g per 100 g) and dietary fibre (8.07 g per 100 g). Amino acid profile analysis showed that only sulphur‐containing amino acids and tryptophan were limiting with the remaining present in adequate concentrations to meet children's requirements. Regarding functional and technological properties, the instant soup powder showed appropriate water solubility and water absorption indexes as expected. The soup sensory analysis indicated good acceptability, with a purchase intent index of 71%.
Pilot study of the effects of bariatric surgery and continuous positive airway pressure treatment on vascular function in obese subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Bakker J. P. , Balachandran J. S. , Tecilazich F. , DeYoung P. N. , Smales E. , Veves A. , Malhotra A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe mechanisms by which obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may contribute to endothelial dysfunction are unclear.AimsWe sought to follow up a sample of obese subjects undergoing either bariatric surgery or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to treat OSA. We hypothesised improved vascular function with both therapeutic approaches, consistent with a reversible OSA effect on the circulation.MethodsTwenty‐seven obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) subjects with OSA underwent either bariatric surgery without CPAP (n = 12, median BMI 43.7 kg/m2 IQR 9.4) or CPAP (n = 15, median BMI 33.8 kg/m2 IQR 6.6). Polysomnography and vascular testing (flow‐mediated dilation of the brachial artery measured with high‐resolution ultrasound, endothelium‐dependent change in skin blood flow measured with laser Doppler flowmetry, and arterial stiffness measured with applanation tonometry) took place at baseline and after 6 months.ResultsBoth groups showed significant improvements in the apnoea–hypopnea index and overnight oxygen saturation. Endothelium‐dependent microvascular reactivity was 45.6% (IQR 37.5) at baseline in the CPAP group, which increased to 69.1% (IQR 62.3) post‐treatment (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the surgery group, despite significant weight loss (post‐surgery BMI 32.7 kg/m2 IQR 8.6 (P < 0.01); no change in BMI was observed in the CPAP group. There were no significant changes in brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation in either group.ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrates that 6 months of CPAP may be sufficient to improve endothelium‐dependent microvascular reactivity, while substantial surgically induced weight loss did not result in improvements. Further research should be directed towards comparative effectiveness trials using these novel surrogate outcomes, as well as hard cardiovascular outcomes.
Heightened clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism and disregard of the d‐dimer assay: a contemporary trend in an era of increased access to computed tomography pulmonary angiogram?
Authors: Sud R. , Langfield J. , Chu G. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundProspective studies have shown that utilising qualitative D‐dimers in those with a low Wells pre‐test probability (PTP) of pulmonary embolism (PE) have significantly reduced the number of computed tomography pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) being performed. These studies have been based on a PE prevalence of approximately 6% in the low PTP group.AimThis study compares the diagnostic approach to PE in the study institution to well‐established guidelines. The study also re‐examines the cost‐benefit analyses of qualitative d‐dimers and CTPA in the low PTP group.MethodsA retrospective study of 169 consecutive CTPA requested in the emergency department of a major teaching hospital during a 12‐month period.ResultsThe prevalence of PE was 0% (0/65), 11.7% (9/77) and 0% (0/2) in the low, moderate and high Wells PTP groups respectively, and 6.3% (9/144) overall. PTP was documented in 10 (6.9%) cases, and the qualitative Clearview Simplify d‐dimer was only ordered in 33.8% (22/65) of low PTP subjects. The false positive d‐dimer rate was 90.2% (37/41). Cost‐benefit analysis and assay performance defines a narrow range of low PTP PE prevalence between 1% and 5% for the utilisation of the qualitative d‐dimer assay.ConclusionsThe overall prevalence of PE in subjects undergoing CTPA was significantly lower compared with data in the literature. The authors recommend warranted clinical suspicion of PE should be confirmed by a senior physician prior to placing a patient in the PE work‐up pathway. In such patients, the qualitative d‐dimer assay should be utilised if PTP is low, and the exclusionary efficiency of the d‐dimer will be improved in the setting of higher PE prevalence in this subgroup. Hospitals should audit local PE prevalence, as cost‐benefit analyses raises questions about the effectiveness of d‐dimers when PE prevalence is very low in the low PTP subgroup.