bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Right and Left Atrial Dissimilarities in Normal Subjects Explored by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography
Authors: Moustafa Sherif , Zuhairy Hamed , Youssef Mostafa A. , Alvarez Nanette , Connelly Michael S. , Prieur Timothy , Mookadam Farouk 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundAtrial function is an important contributor of ventricular function and has a prognostic role in various cardiovascular diseases. We tested the hypothesis that right and left atrial (RA & LA) function may not be equal despite their accommodating identical cardiac output.MethodsTwo‐dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography was acquired from the apical four‐chamber view in 100 normal subjects. Both RA/LA subendocardial borders were traced to obtain atrial volumes, strain (ε) and strain rate (SR). Reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions were evaluated. Consequently, εNeg (corresponding to pump function) and εPos (corresponding to conduit function) were gauged. The SR parameters (SRLateNeg, SRPos, and SREarlyNeg), corresponding respectively to atrial systole, inception of ventricular systole, and inception of ventricular diastole, were measured.ResultsMean age was 39 ± 15 years with 50 men (50%). Volumetric indices revealed that reservoir (Filling Volume = 35.1 ± 10.4 mL for LA vs. 27.47 ± 11.93 mL for RA, expansion index = 52.18 ± 16.89% for LA vs. 45.03 ± 16.49% for RA and diastolic emptying index = 52.85 ± 16.85 for LA vs. 45.62 ± 16.5 for RA, P < 0.001) and conduit (passive emptying (%) of total emptying = 34.49 ± 10.4 for LA vs. 26.82 ± 11.98 for RA and passive emptying index = 52.63 ± 16.86 for LA vs. 45.39 ± 16.5 for RA, P < 0.001) functions were significantly higher in the LA compared to the RA. Nevertheless, deformation indices demonstrated an opposite pattern (SRpos = 1.88 ± 0.74 for RA vs. 1.56 ± 0.54 for LA, P = 0.03 and εPos = 59.56 ± 30.63 for RA vs. 45.94 ± 16.67 for LA, P < 0.001). Reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions showed no statistical significance among both genders.ConclusionsEvaluation of global and regional RA/LA function by speckle tracking echocardiography is feasible. The current report provides insights regarding dissimilarities between both atria in healthy individuals. The significance of these findings and their potential application will warrant further work.
Study based on the analysis of valence electron structure for adiabatic shear sensitivity of 30CrMnMo and C45E4 steel in process of high‐speed penetration
Authors: Li J. Q. , Wang Y. , Chen L. , Huang S. T. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this paper, the influence of valence electron structure parameters on the adiabatic shearing sensitivity has been studied for two grade steels (30CrMnMo and C45E4) as a function of covalent pair number and lattice electron number by empirical electron theory of solids and molecules in high‐speed penetration process. The research shows that the adiabatic shearing sensitivity increases with the increase of the covalent electron pair number nA, decreases with the increase of the lattice electron number nl. The nA of each structure unit in 30CrMnMo steel is larger than that in C45E4steel, the nl of each structure unit in 30CrMnMo steel is smaller than that in C45E4steel. Therefore, the adiabatic shearing sensitivity is higher for 30CrMnMo targets damaged by adiabatic shear failure, and yet C45E4 targets were damaged by ductile fracture without any adiabatic shear band. The basis can be provided for appropriately selecting and designing materials with different adiabatic shearing sensitivity by studying the specific alloy elements on the influence of adiabatic shearing sensitivity in valence electron structure level.
Potential for long‐term transfer of dissolved organic carbon from riparian zones to streams in boreal catchments
Authors: Ledesma José L. J. , Grabs Thomas , Bishop Kevin H. , Schiff Sherry L. , Köhler Stephan J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBoreal regions store most of the global terrestrial carbon, which can be transferred as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to inland waters with implications for both aquatic ecology and carbon budgets. Headwater riparian zones (RZ) are important sources of DOC, and often just a narrow ‘dominant source layer’ (DSL) within the riparian profile is responsible for most of the DOC export. Two important questions arise: how long boreal RZ could sustain lateral DOC fluxes as the sole source of exported carbon and how its hydromorphological variability influences this role. We estimate theoretical turnover times by comparing carbon pools and lateral exports in the DSL of 13 riparian profiles distributed over a 69 km2 catchment in northern Sweden. The thickness of the DSL was 36 ± 18 (average ± SD) cm. Thus, only about one‐third of the 1‐m‐deep riparian profile contributed 90% of the lateral DOC flux. The 13 RZ exported 8.7 ± 6.5 g C m−2 year−1, covering the whole range of boreal stream DOC exports. The variation could be explained by local hydromorphological characteristics including RZ width (R2 = 0.90). The estimated theoretical turnover times were hundreds to a few thousands of years, that is there is a potential long‐lasting supply of DOC. Estimates of net ecosystem production in the RZ suggest that lateral fluxes, including both organic and inorganic C, could be maintained without drawing down the riparian pools. This was supported by measurements of stream DO14C that indicated modern carbon as the predominant fraction exported, including streams disturbed by ditching. The transfer of DOC into boreal inland waters from new and old carbon sources has a major influence on surface water quality and global carbon balances. This study highlights the importance of local variations in RZ hydromorphology and DSL extent for future DOC fluxes under a changing climate.
Association between knee pain and gait speed decline in rural Japanese community‐dwelling older adults: 1‐year prospective cohort study
Authors: Kitayuguchi Jun , Kamada Masamitsu , Hamano Tsuyoshi , Nabika Toru , Shiwaku Kuninori , Kamioka Hiroharu , Okada Shimpei , Mutoh Yoshiteru 
Published: January 2015

AimThe present study examined whether knee pain was associated with decline in maximum gait speed (MGS) in a rural mountainous region.MethodsThis was a population‐based 1‐year prospective cohort study. A total of 658 men and women aged 60 years and older participated in the baseline survey in 2006, and 400 individuals participated in the follow‐up survey in 2007. We compared the incidence of meaningful decline in gait speed (≥0.1 m/s) in older adults with different knee pain levels (none, mild, severe), estimating incidence rate ratio (IRR) by multivariable‐adjusted Poisson regression model.ResultsMeaningful decline in MGS presented in 24.3% of participants, especially in men (30.3%). Baseline knee pain level was significantly related to meaningful decline in MGS after adjustment of potential confounders (IRR 1.79 for mild pain, 1.84 for severe pain; P for trend <0.01). In sensitivity analyses with change in MGS as the continuous variable, the association was not significant, but a similar negative association with knee pain was confirmed (mild pain β = −0.040, severe pain β = −0.088; P for trend = 0.104). In addition, older adults with knee pain at both baseline and follow up had a higher risk of meaningful decline in MGS (IRR 2.33, 95% CI 1.59–3.40) compared with those who had no pain at baseline or follow up.ConclusionsKnee pain was associated with a decline in gait speed at 1‐year follow up. Prevention and treatment of knee pain might be important for suppression of decline in physical function in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 55–64.
Effect of inulin on growth and bacteriocin production by Lactobacillus plantarum in stationary and shaken cultures
Authors: da Silva Sabo Sabrina , Converti Attilio , Todorov Svetoslav Dimitrov , Domínguez José Manuel , de Souza Oliveira Ricardo Pinheiro 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe prebiotic effect of inulin added to MRS medium on growth and bacteriocin production by L. plantarum ST16 Pa was investigated in stationary cultures in anaerobic jars with medium containing 0.025% sodium thioglycolate or in flasks shaken at 100 rpm. In the presence of 1% inulin in anaerobic stationary cultures, this strain produced lactic acid at a level that was 36.5% higher than in the absence of the polysaccharide. In shaken cultures without inulin, cell count was 54% higher than in the stationary ones. Under stationary conditions in anaerobic jars, the addition of inulin increased the maximum specific growth rate from 0.37 to 0.49 h−1 and reduced the generation time from 1.85 h to 1.40 h. Consequently, the exponential phase was shortened from 12 to 9 h when the cells were grown in stationary cultures with the oxygen scavenger. Despite this effect of inulin on growth rate, stationary cultures without inulin displayed higher antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes L104 (3200 AU/mL) than cultures with inulin (1600 AU/mL); therefore, inulin behaved as a compound able to accelerate growth rather than to stimulate bacteriocin production. The results presented in this study are very promising, as L. monocytogenes is a well‐known foodborne pathogenic microorganism. Moreover, L. plantarum ST16 Pa has proven to be a potential producer of a natural food preservative at an industrial level.
An integrative review of experiences of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Poh L.W. , He H.‐G. , Lee C.S.C. , Cheung P.P. , Chan W.‐C.S. 
Published: January 2015

AimTo provide an overview of evidence on the experiences and needs of adults living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).BackgroundMany research have studied the impact of RA on one's quality of life, but no reviews have examined the overall experiences of patients living with RA.MethodsAn integrative review was performed to synthesize the experiences and/or needs of adult patients with RA based on articles retrieved from databases of CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science, and published between January 2003 and March 2014 in English.ResultsA total of 38 studies were reviewed. RA has adverse effects on patients' quality of life due to its negative impacts in their physical and psychosocial aspects of health. Patients with RA cope with these impacts using various methods and are frequent users of healthcare services. However, few studies have evaluated patients' further needs in coping or the effectiveness of their coping mechanisms, and patients' experiences with health care.ConclusionThis review provides evidence for healthcare professionals to gain a better understanding of RA patients' experiences and needs. Future studies can explore interventions that will enhance the quality of current healthcare practices and ultimately improve patients' quality of life.Implications for nursing and health policyEstablishing a positive healthcare professional–patient relationship is crucial and healthcare professionals are in a position to provide greater informational and emotional support to patients. Policy makers and healthcare organizations need to look into ways to enhance the healthcare services to better suit RA patients' needs.
Enhancement of Thermoelectric Performance in Hierarchical Mesoscopic Oxide Composites of Ca3Co4O9 and La0.8Sr0.2CoO3
Authors: Butt Sajid , Xu Wei , Farooq Muhammad U. , Ren Guang K. , Mohmed Fida , Lin Yuanhua , Nan Ce‐Wen 
Published: January 2015

The natural contradiction in enhancing electrical conductivity and thermopower in thermoelectric oxides makes it hard to improve the performance of a single thermoelectric oxide material. We report a facile method to construct a unique architecture of thermoelectric oxides that is promising to realize a simultaneous improvement of overall electrical conductivity and thermopower. Here, a series of two‐phase nanocomposites comprising of Ca3Co4O9 (CCO) and La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 (LSCO) has been synthesized through ball milling followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The electron microscope images reveal that the two constituents form the unique composites while retaining their individual crystalline and morphological identities. Owing to the hierarchical mesoscopic structure with nanoscale particles and submicrometer scale grain boundaries, an external strain is induced into the CCO grains by the LSCO nanoparticles to enhance the thermopower. The mesoscopic structure is also favorable for improving the electrical conductivity. Moreover, the long‐wavelength phonons can be scattered effectively from LSCO nanoparticles and the thermal conductivity is further suppressed. With compromises between power factor and thermal conductivity, the largest ZT achieved is up to 0.41 at 1000 K for the composites with 25 wt% of LSCO.
Emergence and Extinction of a New Phase During On–Off Experiments Related to Flash Sintering of 3YSZ
Authors: Lebrun Jean‐Marie , Morrissey Timothy G. , Francis John S. C. , Seymour Kevin C. , Kriven Waltraud M. , Raj Rishi 
Published: January 2015

The flash phenomenon occurs when oxide ceramics are heated above a threshold temperature under an applied electric field. It is defined as an abrupt increase in the conductivity of the specimen. The specimen then can be held in this state of high conductivity by switching the power supply from voltage to current control. Here, we report on the emergence of new X‐ray diffraction peaks in 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) when the specimen is held in this current controlled state. These peaks are indexed as a pseudocubic phase of zirconia. The peaks extinguish and reappear when the field is turned off and on. The specimen temperature in the flash state is measured from the thermal expansion of platinum, which is placed as a thin film on a small portion of the specimen surface. Experiments without the electric field, at even higher temperatures than those measured with the platinum standard, do not show any change of phase, thus ruling out Joule heating as the cause of this phenomenon. The time dependency of the growth and dissolution of the pseudo cubic phase is reported. These in situ experiments were carried out at the Advanced Photon Source Synchrotron at the Argonne National Laboratory.
Aggregation Bias in Estimates of Conditional Conservatism: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Cano‐Rodríguez Manuel , Núñez‐Nickel Manuel 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper documents a study about the influence of the aggregation effect on the estimates of models based on the original Basu model – specifically the Ball, Kothari and Nikolaev model (Ball et al., 2013b). We provide an analytical study of the effect, showing that it can produce two biases: an omitted‐variable bias and a truncated‐sample bias. Using separate proxies for good and bad news for each company and year, we estimate the empirical sign and magnitude of those biases. Our results show that the estimates of conditional conservatism based on regressions of (unexpected) earnings on (unexpected) returns, as in the paper by Ball et al., are contaminated by substantial aggregation bias. More specifically, the aggregation effect causes these models to underestimate good‐news timeliness and overestimate bad‐news timeliness, thereby overestimating differential timeliness. Moreover, when we use proxies that provide better control for the aggregation effect, the differential timeliness coefficient tends to 0, showing that the influence of conditional conservatism on the returns–earnings relationship is, at best, marginal.
Improvements in patient‐reported outcomes in patients with psoriasis receiving etanercept plus topical therapies: results from REFINE
Authors: Papp K.A. , Barber K. , Bissonnette R. , Bourcier M. , Lynde C.W. , Poulin Y. , Shelton J. , Garces K. , Toole J. , Poulin‐Costello M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe REFINE study examined the efficacy and safety of adding topical corticosteroid therapy to etanercept when stepping down from the initial dose of etanercept to the maintenance dose. Clinical responses were shown to be similar in patients who remained on etanercept 50 mg twice weekly (BIW) and those who received etanercept 50 mg once weekly (QW) plus topical therapies through week 24.ObjectiveThe purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the effect of treatment on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients in REFINE.MethodsAll patients received etanercept 50 mg BIW for 12 weeks and were then randomized to etanercept 50 mg BIW or etanercept 50 mg QW plus topical corticosteroid as required to clear through week 24. HRQoL measures included the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) and the Economic Implications of Psoriasis Patient Questionnaire. No comparative testing was performed for this descriptive analysis. Missing data were imputed using the last observation carried forward.ResultsFor 287 randomized patients (144 etanercept; 143 etanercept plus topical), the mean change [standard deviation (SD)] in DLQI from baseline to week 24 was 10.7 (7.8) for etanercept and 9.9 (6.9) for etanercept plus topical. Mean change (SD) in TSQM effectiveness, convenience, side‐effects and global satisfaction was 27.1 (36.1), 14.8 (25.9), −0.7 (22.0) and 26.7 (32.5) for the etanercept arm and 32.5 (40.3), 18.5 (29.0), 1.3 (19.4) and 28.4 (35.9) for etanercept plus topical. Economic implications, including healthcare visits, employment status, work productivity, ability to perform daily activities and out‐of‐pocket expenses were similar between treatment arms.ConclusionAt week 24 of REFINE, measures of HRQoL were numerically similar in patients who stayed on etanercept 50 mg BIW and patients who received etanercept 50 mg QW plus topical therapies.
Prevalence of abnormal glycometabolism in treatment‐naive patients with hepatitis C virus infection in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Rao Huiying , Wei Lai , Li Hong , Yang Ruifeng , Zhang Haiying , Shang Jia , Chen Hong , Li Jun , Xie Qing , Gao Zhiliang , Wang Lei , Wei Jia , Jiang Jianning , Sun Yongtao ,   CCgenos Study Group
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackground and AimThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) may promote pancreatic β‐cell apoptosis‐like cell death through a caspase 3‐dependent pathway, initiating the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the risk factors for development of T2DM and other abnormal glycometabolic factors in HCV patients of the Chinese Han ethnicity have been poorly explored.MethodsA total of 947 patients Chinese Han patients with confirmed HCV infection were enrolled in a multicenter study in order to examine the genetic and physiological parameters associated with the onset of abnormal glycometabolic conditions, including T2DM and prediabetes.ResultsHCV genotype 1b and host interleukin‐28B CC genotype were most commonly observed. A total of 145 (15.3%) patients were diagnosed with T2DM and prediabetes. Elevated age, waist circumference, smoking duration, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were shown to increase risks for abnormal glycometabolism. Liver dysfunction was shown to have positive correlations with abnormal glycometabolism in HCV patients. Genome‐wide association studies indicated that certain genetic encoding inosine triphosphatase polymorphs (rs6051702) were associated with elevated risks for abnormal glycometabolism. Coupled with previous research data, it is likely that abnormal glycometabolism may be a useful predictor of risk for poor response to antiviral therapies and treatment‐induced complications, such as anemia, in treatment naïve patients.ConclusionsAbnormal glycometabolism and other such complications of HCV and HCV treatment may share critical metabolic and genetic pathways, providing potentially novel targets for future antiviral therapies for treatment resistant HCV genotypes.
Impaired induction of interleukin 28B and expression of interferon λ 4 associated with nonresponse to interferon‐based therapy in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Murakawa Miyako , Asahina Yasuhiro , Nakagawa Mina , Sakamoto Naoya , Nitta Sayuri , Kusano‐Kitazume Akiko , Watanabe Takako , Kawai‐Kitahata Fukiko , Otani Satoshi , Taniguchi Miki , Goto Fumio , Nishimura‐Sakurai Yuki , Itsui Yasuhiro , Azuma Seishin , Kakinuma Sei , Watanabe Mamoru 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackground and AimInterferon (IFN) λ plays an important role in innate immunity to protect against hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near IL28B (IFNλ3) are strongly associated with treatment response to IFNα therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Recently, IFNλ4 related to IL28B‐unfavorable allele was discovered. However, the impact of IFNλs on CHC is unknown. We aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying responsiveness to IFN‐based therapy in CHC associated with SNPs near IL28B.MethodsWe evaluated the basal mRNA levels and ex‐vivo induction of IFNλ expression including IFNλ4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 50 CHC patients treated with pegylated‐IFNα/RBV. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of IFNλ4 on induction of IL28B in vitro.ResultsWhen PBMCs were stimulated with IFNα and polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid, IL28B induction was significantly lower in patients with IL28B‐unfavorable genotype (rs12979860 CT/TT) than those with IL28B‐favorable genotype (rs12979860 CC; P = 0.049). IL28B induction was lower in nonresponders than in relapsers (P = 0.04), and it was also lower in nonsustained virological responder patients for triple therapy including NS3 protease inhibitors. IFNλ4 mRNA was detected in 12 of 26 patients with IL28B‐unfavorable SNP, and IFNλ4 expression was associated with lower IL28B induction in patients with IL28B‐unfavorable genotype (P = 0.04) and nonresponse to IFNα therapy (P = 0.003). Overexpression of IFNλ4 suppressed IL28B induction and promoter activation.ConclusionsImpaired induction of IL28B, related to IFNλ4 expression in PBMCs of IL28B‐unfavorable patients, is associated with nonresponse to IFNα‐based therapy for hepatitis C viral infection.
Occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) and wild Zanzibar red colobus monkeys (Procolobus kirkii)
Authors: Debenham John J. , Atencia Rebeca , Midtgaard Fred , Robertson Lucy J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in primates and determine their zoonotic or anthropozoonotic potential.MethodsDirect immunofluorescence was used to identify Giardia and Cryptosporidium from faecal samples. PCR and DNA sequencing was performed on positive results.ResultsGiardia cysts were identified from 5.5% (5/90) of captive chimpanzees and 0% (0/11) of captive mandrills in the Republic of Congo; 0% (0/10) of captive chimpanzees in Norway; and 0% of faecal samples (n = 49) from wild Zanzibar red colobus monkeys. Two Giardia positive samples were also positive on PCR, and sequencing revealed identical isolates of Assemblage B. Cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected in any of the samples.ConclusionsIn these primate groups, in which interactions with humans and human environments are quite substantial, Giardia and Cryptosporidium are rare pathogens. In chimpanzees, Giardia may have a zoonotic or anthropozoonotic potential.