bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The renal effects of droxidopa are maintained in propranolol treated cirrhotic rats
Authors: Rodríguez Sarai , Raurell Imma , Ezkurdia Nahia , Augustin Salvador , Esteban Rafael , Genescà Joan , Martell María 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsDroxidopa improves hemodynamic and renal alterations of cirrhotic rats without changing portal pressure. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a combined treatment with droxidopa and non‐selective beta‐blockers or statins in order to decrease portal pressure, while maintaining droxidopa beneficial effects.MethodsAcute studies combining droxidopa with carvedilol, propranolol or atorvastatin in four‐week bile‐duct ligated (BDL) rats and a chronic study combining propranolol and droxidopa for 5 days in CCl4‐cirrhotic rats were performed. Hemodynamic values were registered and biochemical parameters from blood and urine samples analyzed.ResultsBile‐duct ligated rats treated with carvedilol + droxidopa showed no changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and portal pressure (PP) compared to vehicles. Atorvastatin + droxidopa combination also failed to reduce PP, but maintained the beneficial increase in MAP and superior mesenteric artery resistance (SMAR) and decrease in blood flow (SMABF) caused by droxidopa. In contrast, the acute administration of propranolol + droxidopa significantly reduced PP maintaining a mild increase in MAP and improving, in an additive way, the decrease in SMABF and increase in SMAR caused by droxidopa. This combination also preserved droxidopa diuretic effect. When chronically administered to CCl4‐cirrhotic rats, propranolol + droxidopa caused a decrease in PP, a significant reduction in SMABF and an increase in SMAR. The combination did not alter liver function and droxidopa diuretic and natriuretic effect, and even improved free water clearance.ConclusionDroxidopa could be effective for the renal alterations of cirrhotic patients on propranolol therapy and the combination of both drugs may balance the adverse effects of each treatment.
Planning‐Based Models of Natural Language Generation
Authors: Garoufi Konstantina 
Published: January 2014

AbstractProducing language is a kind of action – if the circumstances are right, certain effects may ensue, and specific physical, cognitive or social goals can sometimes be achieved by following appropriate courses of verbal action. The problem of synthesizing an organized collection of actions that leads to goal achievement can often be solved with automated planning methods. It is thus natural that such methods have found application to the automatic production of understandable text in natural language, i.e., to natural language generation. In this article, we survey a number of earlier and ongoing computational approaches to natural language that generate utterances by modeling speech acts or words as particular types of actions in planning a problem. After discussing strengths and weaknesses of the different models, we outline some possible directions for future work that could further advance this field.
Genetic differentiation among isolates of Teredinibacter turnerae, a widely occurring intracellular endosymbiont of shipworms
Authors: Altamia Marvin A. , Wood Nicole , Fung Jennifer M. , Dedrick Sandra , Linton Eric W. , Concepcion Gisela P. , Haygood Margo G. , Distel Daniel L. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTeredinibacter turnerae is a cultivable intracellular endosymbiont of xylotrophic (wood‐feeding) bivalves of the Family Teredinidae (shipworms). Although T. turnerae has been isolated from many shipworm taxa collected in many locations, no systematic effort has been made to explore genetic diversity within this symbiont species across the taxonomic and geographical range of its hosts. The mode of symbiont transmission is unknown. Here, we examine sequence diversity in fragments of six genes (16S rRNA, gyrB, sseA, recA, rpoB and celAB) among 25 isolates of T. turnerae cultured from 13 shipworm species collected in 15 locations in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. While 16S rRNA sequences are nearly invariant between all examined isolates (maximum pairwise difference <0.26%), variation between examined protein‐coding loci is greater (mean pairwise difference 2.2–5.9%). Phylogenetic analyses based on each protein‐coding locus differentiate the 25 isolates into two distinct and well‐supported clades. With five exceptions, clade assignments for each isolate were supported by analysis of alleles of each of the five protein‐coding loci. These exceptions include (i) putative recombinant alleles of the celAB and gyrB loci in two isolates (PMS‐535T.S.1b.3 and T8510), suggesting homologous recombination between members of the two clades; and (ii) evidence for a putative lateral gene transfer event affecting a second locus (recA) in three isolates (T8412, T8503 and T8513). These results demonstrate that T. turnerae isolates do not represent a homogeneous global population. Instead, they indicate the emergence of two lineages that, although distinct, likely experience some level of genetic exchange with each other and with other bacterial species.
Evolutionary history of the Maltese wall lizard Podarcis filfolensis: insights on the ‘Expansion–Contraction’ model of Pleistocene biogeography
Authors: Salvi Daniele , Schembri Patrick J. , Sciberras Arnold , Harris D. James 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe expansion–contraction (EC) model predicts demographic and range contraction of temperate species during Pleistocene glaciations as a consequence of climate‐related habitat changes, and provides a paradigm for explaining the high intraspecific diversity found in refugia in terms of long‐term demographic stability. However, recent evidence has revealed a weak predictive power of this model for terrestrial species in insular and coastal settings. We investigated the Pleistocene EC dynamics and their evolutionary consequences on temperate species using the Maltese archipelago and its endemic lizard Podarcis filfolensis as a model system. The evolutionary and demographic history of P. filfolensis as inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear sequences data does not conform to the EC model predictions, supporting (i) demographic and spatial stability or expansion, rather than contraction, of the northern and southern lineages during the last glacial period; and (ii) a major role for allopatric differentiation primed by sea‐level dynamics, rather than prolonged demographic stability, in the formation of the observed genetic diversity. When combined with evidence from other Mediterranean refugia, this study shows how the incorporation of Pleistocene sea‐level variations in the EC model accounts for a reverse demographic and range response of insular and coastal temperate biotas relative to continental ones. Furthermore, this cross‐archipelago pattern in which allopatric diversity is formed and shaped by EC cycles resembles that seen between isolated populations within mainland refugia and suggests that the EC model, originally developed to explain population fluctuations into and out‐of refugia, may be appropriate for describing the demographic and evolutionary dynamics driving the high genetic diversity observed in these areas.
Our recommendations for avoiding exposure to fungi outside the hospital for patients with haematological cancers
Authors: Ariza‐Heredia Ella J. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryDespite several chemotherapeutic and preventative advances, opportunistic fungal infections remain common unintended consequences of cancer treatment. Currently, cancer patients spend most of their time between treatments at home, where they can inadvertently come across potential hazards from environmental and food sources. Therefore, infection prevention measures are of the utmost importance for these patients. Although clinicians closely observe patients throughout their treatment courses in the hospital, the focus of clinical visits is predominantly on cancer care, and clinicians seldom provide recommendations for prevention of such infections. Herein, we provide practical recommendations for busy clinicians to help them educate patients regarding potential sources of fungal infections outside the hospital.
Stachybotrys eucylindrospora isolated from foreign material following a traumatic eye injury
Authors: Wiederhold Nathan P. , Sutton Deanna A. , Li De‐Wei , Liang Yu , Thompson Elizabeth H. , Wickes Brian L. , Herrera Monica L. , Rhoads Sandra L. , Mortensen Joel E. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryStachybotrys eucylindrospora was characterised as a new species in 2007, and we present the first report of this organism isolated from foreign material recovered from a patient. It is probable that isolates of this species have been previously identified as either Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys cylindrospora.
Infection control practices among intensive care unit registered nurses: a Jordanian national study
Authors: AL‐Rawajfah Omar M 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTAimsThis study aimed to evaluate infection control (IC) practices among Jordanian registered nurses (RNs) working in intensive care unit (ICU) settings.BackgroundThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends periodic assessment ofICpractices for health care workers as an effective strategy to control infections.DesignCross‐sectional descriptive design.MethodsA stratified, cluster random sampling technique was used. The sample consisted ofICU RNsfrom all major health care service providers and from all geographical areas in Jordan. TheIC‐Practices Tool (Cronbachα= 0·88) a self‐report instrument was used.ResultsA total of 21 hospitals participated in the study, of which, 8 were governmental, 7 military, 4 private and 2 university‐affiliated. The final sample consisted of 247RNsfrom 56 critical care units. Of the total sample, 36% ofRNswere from governmental hospitals. Of the total sample, 51% were female with a mean age of 28·5 years (SD= 5·2), and 54·7% worked in generalICUs. The mean overallICpractice score was 122·6 (SD= 13·2). Nurses who reported that they had been trained aboutICprocedures in their hospital scored higher on theICpractice scale (M= 124·3,SD= 12·3) than nurses who never received anyICtraining in the hospital (M= 117·3,SD= 14·6,p< 0·001).ConclusionThis study demonstrated the importance of conductingICeducational programmes as an effective strategy to increase staff compliance with standardICpractices.Relevance to clinical practiceEducational role ofICnurse is important to enhanceRNscompliance with standardICpractices.
Cognition and the compassion deficit: the social psychology of helping behaviour in nursing
Authors: Paley John 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis paper discusses compassion failure and compassion deficits in health care, using two major reports by Robert Francis in the UK as a point of reference. Francis enquired into events at the Mid Staffordshire Hospital between 2005 and 2009, events that unequivocally warrant the description ‘appalling care’. These events prompted an intense national debate, along with proposals for significant changes in the regulation of nursing and nurse education. The circumstances are specific to the UK, but the issues are international.I suggest that social psychology provides numerous hints about the mechanisms that might have been involved at Mid Staffs and about the reasons why outsiders are blind to these mechanisms. However, there have been few references to social psychology in the post‐Francis debate (the Francis Report itself makes no reference to it at all). It is an enormously valuable resource, and it has been overlooked.Drawing on the social psychology literature, I express scepticism about the idea that there was a compassion deficit among the Mid Staff nurses – the assumption that the appalling care had something to do with the character, attitudes, and values of nurses – and argue that the Francis Report's emphasis on a ‘culture of compassion and caring in nurse recruitment, training and education’ is misconceived. It was not a ‘failure of compassion’ that led to the events in Mid Staffs but an interlocking set of contextual factors that are known to affect social cognition. These factors cannot be corrected or compensated for by teaching ethics, empathy, and compassion to student nurses.
Weight loss composition is one‐fourth fat‐free mass: a critical review and critique of this widely cited rule
Authors: Heymsfield S. B. , Gonzalez M. C. C. , Shen W. , Redman L. , Thomas D. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryMaximizing fat loss while preserving lean tissue mass and function is a central goal of modern obesity treatments. A widely cited rule guiding expected loss of lean tissue as fat‐free mass (FFM) states that approximately one‐fourth of weight loss will be FFM (i.e. ΔFFM/ΔWeight = ∼0.25), with the remaining three‐fourths being fat mass. This review examines the dynamic relationships between FFM, fat mass and weight changes that follow induction of negative energy balance with hypocaloric dieting and/or exercise. Historical developments in the field are traced with the ‘Quarter FFM Rule’ used as a framework to examine evolving concepts on obesity tissue, excess weight and what is often cited as ‘Forbes' Rule’. Temporal effects in the fractional contribution of FFM to changes in body weight are examined as are lean tissue moderating effects such as ageing, inactivity and exercise that frequently accompany structured low‐calorie diet weight loss protocols. Losses of lean tissue with dieting typically tend to be small, raising questions about study design, power and applied measurement method reliability. Our review elicits important questions related to the fractional loss of lean tissues with dieting and provides a foundation for future research on this topic.
The pga gene cluster in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is necessary for the development of natural competence in Ca2+‐promoted biofilms
Authors: Hisano K. , Fujise O. , Miura M. , Hamachi T. , Matsuzaki E. , Nishimura F. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryNatural competence is the ability of bacteria to incorporate extracellular DNA into their genomes. This competence is affected by a number of factors, including Ca2+ utilization and biofilm formation. As bacteria can form thick biofilms in the presence of extracellular Ca2+, the additive effects of Ca2+‐promoted biofilm formation on natural competence should be examined. We evaluated natural competence in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, an important periodontal pathogen, in the context of Ca2+‐promoted biofilms, and examined whether the pga gene cluster, required for bacterial cell aggregation, is necessary for competence development. The A. actinomycetemcomitans cells grown in the presence of 1 mm CaCl2 exhibited enhanced cell aggregation and increased levels of cell‐associated Ca2+. Biofilm‐derived cells grown in the presence of Ca2+ exhibited the highest levels of natural transformation frequency and enhanced expression of the competence regulator gene, tfoX. Natural competence was enhanced by the additive effects of Ca2+‐promoted biofilms, in which high levels of pga gene expression were also detected. Mutation of the pga gene cluster disrupted biofilm formation and competence development, suggesting that these genes play a critical role in the ability of A. actinomycetemcomitans to adapt to its natural environment. The Ca2+‐promoted biofilms may enhance the ability of bacteria to acquire extracellular DNA.
Age‐ and sex‐related emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorders: Comparison with control children
Authors: Horiuchi Fumie , Oka Yasunori , Uno Hiroyuki , Kawabe Kentaro , Okada Fumi , Saito Isao , Tanigawa Takeshi , Ueno Shu‐ichi 
Published: January 2014

AimChildren with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often present with emotional and behavioral problems, which could change the clinical course, especially during childhood, and affect future quality of life. The aim of this study was to clarify the age‐ and sex‐related differences of these problems in ASD.MethodsThe study subjects were 173 patients with ASD (age: 4–16 years) and 173 age‐ and sex‐matched community children (control group). The parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used for comparison of the emotional and behavioral problems between the two groups.ResultsThe Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores were significantly higher in children with ASD than controls at all ages. The score of total difficulties was significantly higher in girls with ASD than in boys, while the score in male controls was significantly higher than in female controls. Age‐related differences in emotional and behavioral problems were observed both in children with ASD and controls, but the characteristics were different: in children with ASD, emotional symptoms and peer problems in both sexes and conduct problems in girls increased significantly with age, while none of the problems in the controls changed with age except for a decrease in the score of hyperactivity/inattention developmentally in both sexes. Prosocial behaviors of children with ASD and controls showed small changes with age.ConclusionEmotional and behavioral problems are common in children with ASD and showed age‐ and sex‐related differences. Our study emphasizes the importance of recognizing those differences among children with ASD for early intervention.
Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer in Rats With DMH Induced Carcinogenesis by Means of Urine Autofluorescence Analysis
Authors: Šteffeková Zuzana , Birková Anna , Bomba Alojz , Mareková Mária 
Published: January 2014

AbstractCancer is one of the most highlighted topics of current research. Early detection of this disease allows more effective therapy, hence higher chance of cure. Application of fluorescence spectral techniques into oncological diagnostic is one of the potential alternatives. Chemically induced carcinogenesis in rats is widely used model for exploration of various aspects of colorectal cancer. This study shows value of discriminate analysis of urine fluorescent fingerprint between healthy control group of rats and those with dimethylhydrazine induced early lesions of colorectal cancer. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, significant difference (P < 0.05) between both of group was achieved.
Home Lighting Before Usual Bedtime Impacts Circadian Timing: A Field Study
Authors: Burgess Helen J. , Molina Thomas A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLaboratory studies suggest that evening light before bedtime can suppress melatonin. Here, we measured the range of evening light intensity people can generate with their household lights, and for the first time determined if varying home light before usual bedtime can shift circadian phase. This was a 3‐week study with two counterbalanced conditions separated by a 5‐day break. In a dim week, eight healthy subjects minimized their home light exposure from 4 h before habitual bedtime until a self‐selected bedtime. In a bright week, the subjects maximized their home lighting for the same time. The dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) was assessed after each week. On average subjects maximized their lights to approximately 65 lux and minimized their lights to approximately 3 lux. Wrist actigraphy indicated that subjects went to bed slightly later when lights were maximized (average 14 min later, P = 0.05), but wake time did not change. Every subject had a later DLMO after the week of maximum versus minimum light exposure (average 1:03 h later, P < 0.001). These results demonstrate that the light intensity people can generate at home in the few hours before habitual bedtime can alter circadian timing. People should reduce their evening light exposure to lessen circadian misalignment.
Gamma Interferon Production and Plasma Concentrations of Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoproteins 1 and 2 in Gestating Dairy Cows Naturally Infected With Neospora caninum
Authors: Serrano‐Pérez B , Garcia‐Ispierto I , de Sousa NM , Beckers JF , Almería S , López‐Gatius F 
Published: January 2014

ContentsGamma interferon (IFN‐γ) production and cross‐breed pregnancy have been attributed a role in protecting dairy cows infected with Neospora caninum against abortion. Plasma levels of pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins‐1 (PAG‐1) are a marker of placental/foetal well‐being and of PAG‐2 is an abortion risk indicator in chronically N. caninum‐infected animals. The present study examines, in cross‐breed pregnancies, interactions between IFN‐γ production and levels of PAG‐1 and PAG‐2 in non‐aborting naturally Neospora‐infected dairy cows. Data were obtained from 60 pregnant Holstein‐Friesian cows: 44 Neospora‐seropositive and 16 Neospora‐seronegative; 12 became pregnant using Holstein‐Friesian semen and 48 using Limousin semen. Blood samples were collected on Days 40, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 of gestation. Gamma interferon was only detected in the plasma of nine of the 44 Neospora‐seropositive cows, all of them became pregnant using Limousin semen. Through GLM procedures, in cows inseminated with Limousin semen and Neospora‐seropositive cows showing no IFN‐γ production, PAG‐1 concentrations were high and increased throughout gestation compared to the levels detected in cows inseminated with Holstein‐Friesian semen and Neospora‐seropositive cows producing IFN‐γ, respectively. In Neospora‐seronegative cows and in Neospora‐seropositive cows showing no IFN‐γ production, significantly increased PAG‐2 concentrations were observed on gestation Day 120. Our findings indicate that IFN‐γ production correlates negatively and the production of antibodies against N. caninum is uncorrelated with plasma PAG concentrations during gestation in Neospora‐infected dairy cows. Accordingly, IFN‐γ production could be linked to the transplacental migration of tachyzoites, which may cause a reduction in PAG levels.
Race and Income Distribution: Evidence from the USA, Brazil and South Africa
Authors: Gradín Carlos 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to provide some empirical evidence about black–white differentials in the distribution of income and wellbeing in three different countries: Brazil, the USA and South Africa. In all cases, people of African descent are in a variety of ways socially disadvantaged compared with the relatively more affluent whites. We investigate the extent of these gaps in comparative perspective, and analyze to what degree they are associated with differences in the observed characteristics of races, such as where they live, the types of household they have, or their performance in the labor market. We undertake this analysis with the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition at the means and with a propensity score approach at the entire distribution. Our results show how the factors underlying the racial divide vary across countries and income quantiles.