bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Unbearable Humanum: Reflecting Back, Working Forwards
Authors: Kirwan Michael 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis article, “reflects back and works forwards”, by thinking together the three “sorrowful mysteries” of the last one hundred years; three marked and irrevocable steps of escalation and complexity in the history of international conflict. Along with so many others in this centenary year, we commemorate: its causes, and the lessons to be learned. What are the continuities between the Great War, 1914–18, and the second “sorrowful mystery”, the advent of nuclear weapons? This brings us to the specific challenges that face us in the present: globalized violence in the name of religion, the reactive “war on terror” and the development of “smart” technology, remind us that our context too is unprecedented and uniquely dangerous. Explanatory avenues opened up include discussion of the moral and political implications of unmanned weapons, or drones. Here is an example of the crisis of sacrifice associated with René Girard, while Girard's own recasting of Clausewitz's notion of the “escalation to extremes”, and the humanism in Edward Schillebeeckx are also examined.
The Church, War and the European Union
Authors: Wicker Brian 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe concept of ‘just war’ has long been embedded in the structure of a world divided into sovereign nation-states. And groups like UKIP want to perpetuate this structure. But sovereign states are in melt down under the impact of globalisation. So just war needs to be rethought in order to reflect a truly catholic outlook, and the church needs to understand this.
The effectiveness of an oral health care program for preventing ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: Liao Yu‐Mei , Tsai Jung‐Rung , Chou Fan‐Hao 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTAims and objectivesTo determine the effectiveness of an oral health care program for preventing ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP).BackgroundResearch has shown a significant correlation between oral bacteria and VAP, indicating that an oral health care program plays a very important role in VAP prevention.Design and methodsA quasi‐experimental study was used and conducted in the intensive care unit in a medical centre. A total of 199 mechanically ventilated patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 99) and control group (n = 100). The experimental group was cared for using an evidence‐based oral health care program, and the control group was cared for using routine nursing care procedures. Each group received the assigned treatment for four consecutive days.ResultsThe incidence of VAP in the experimental group (4%, 4/95) was significantly lower than that in the control group (21%, 18/82). The oral assessment guide (OAG) mean score (9.16 ± 2·07) of the experimental group was significantly different (P < 0·05) from that of the control group (10·07 ± 1·79). The general estimated equation further showed that there was a significant difference between groups (P < 0·01) for the third post‐test data and no significant difference for the pre‐test or the first and second post‐test data between groups, indicating that an increased duration of intervention resulted in significant decreases in the OAG scores in the experimental group compared with the control group.ConclusionsThe evidence‐based oral health care program effectively improved oral mucosal health and statistically reduced the incidence of VAP in this study.Relevance to clinical practiceThe study findings may be useful as an empirical reference for health care professionals performing an oral health care program in the future. Additionally, it may serve as a reference for long‐term care policies aimed at reducing the ventilation duration, days of hospitalization and mortality rate to enhance patient safety and the quality of medical care.
Modelling the effects of secondary spherical aberration on refractive error, image quality and depth of focus
Authors: Xu Renfeng , Bradley Arthur , López Gil Norberto , Thibos Larry N. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPurposeTo examine the role of Zernike secondary spherical aberration and its component terms on refraction, image quality and depth of focus.MethodsComputational methods were used to define wavefronts with controlled levels of r6, r4 and r2 terms, and image quality associated with these terms for a range of target vergences. Target vergences that generated maximum image quality were used as an objective measures of refractive error.ResultsUnlike primary Zernike spherical aberration, which generates peak image quality with a near paraxial focus, in the absence of other higher order aberrations, peak image quality with secondary spherical aberration is achieved with a near marginal focus. When alone, positive primary and secondary spherical aberration induce small hyperopic shifts in refraction, but in the presence of other higher order aberrations, secondary spherical aberration can induce significant myopic shifts in refractive error, as predicted by the combined lower order r4 & r2 component of . The predicted expansion in depth of focus associated with increased primary or secondary spherical aberration is mostly absent if a strict image quality criterion is applied. The expansion of depth of focus observed with a low image quality criterion when opposite sign and are combined is primarily due to the elevated r4 term.ConclusionsSecondary Zernike spherical aberration can have a significant impact on refractive error, image quality and depth of focus, but mostly due to the lower order components within this polynomial. Our analysis shows that the r6 term that defines secondary spherical aberration actually narrows rather than expands depth of focus, when in the presence of the r4 term within . Therefore, a multifocal lens generated with exclusively primary spherical aberration is likely to be more effective than one that includes opposite sign of primary and secondary spherical aberration.
Reverse Atrial Remodeling Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation: The Importance of the Body Mass Index
Authors: ARANA‐RUEDA EDUARDO , PEDROTE ALONSO , GARCÍA‐RIESCO LORENA , ARCE‐LEÓN ALVARO , GÓMEZ‐PULIDO FEDERICO , DURÁN‐GUERRERO JUAN‐MANUEL , FERNÁNDEZ‐CISNAL AGUSTÍN , FRUTOS‐LÓPEZ MANUEL , SÁNCHEZ‐BROTONS JUAN‐ANTONIO 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundPulmonary vein isolation (PVI) causes a reduction in left atrium size that is attributable to reverse atrial remodeling (RAR). The objective of this study was to identify predictors of RAR and determine its association with other parameters of improvement in cardiac function.MethodsIt is a prospective study with 74 patients (52 ± 9 years old, 81% male), and 51% of patients had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Patients were serially assessed with transthoracic echocardiography; plasma N‐terminal B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP); and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months following the PVI. RAR was defined as a reduction in the left atrial volume index (LAV‐index) >10% from baseline at the end of follow‐up. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictors of RAR.ResultsThe LAV‐index decreased significantly during follow‐up in the entire population (P = 0.0005). RAR (experienced by 63.5% of the patients) was more frequent (76% vs. 42%; P = 0.004) and pronounced (reduction 16.65 ± 14% vs. 8 ± 14%; P = 0.015) in patients with a successful ablation (46 of 74 patients, 62.2%). Only patients with RAR showed significant improvement in NT‐proBNP levels (P = 0.0001), systolic function (P = 0.035), and diastolic function (P = 0.005). Multivariable analysis revealed that a successful ablation (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46–14.68; P = 0.009), LAV‐index (OR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.03–1.2; P = 0.021), and patient's body mass index (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.74–0.96; P = 0.012) were independent predictors of RAR.ConclusionsSuccessful PVI ablation is the main predictor of RAR that is associated with other parameters of improvement in cardiac function. The patient's body mass index may have a negative effect on RAR.
The use of an acetoacetyl‐CoA synthase in place of a β‐ketothiolase enhances poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate production in sugarcane mesophyll cells
Authors: McQualter Richard B. , Petrasovits Lars A. , Gebbie Leigh K. , Schweitzer Dirk , Blackman Deborah M. , Chrysanthopoulos Panagiotis , Hodson Mark P. , Plan Manuel R. , Riches James D. , Snell Kristi D. , Brumbley Stevens M. , Nielsen Lars K. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryEngineering the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) into high biomass bioenergy crops has the potential to provide a sustainable supply of bioplastics and energy from a single plant feedstock. One of the major challenges in engineering C4 plants for the production of poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate] (PHB) is the significantly lower level of polymer produced in the chloroplasts of mesophyll (M) cells compared to bundle sheath (BS) cells, thereby limiting the full PHB yield‐potential of the plant. In this study, we provide evidence that the access to substrate for PHB synthesis may limit polymer production in M chloroplasts. Production of PHB in M cells of sugarcane is significantly increased by replacing β‐ketothiolase, the first enzyme in the bacterial PHA pathway, with acetoacetyl‐CoA synthase. This novel pathway enabled the production of PHB reaching an average of 6.3% of the dry weight of total leaf biomass, with levels ranging from 3.6 to 11.8% of the dry weight (DW) of individual leaves. These yields are more than twice the level reported in PHB‐producing sugarcane containing the β‐ketothiolase and illustrate the importance of producing polymer in mesophyll plastids to maximize yield. The molecular weight of the polymer produced was greater than 2 × 106 Da. These results are a major step forward in engineering a high biomass C4 grass for the commercial production of PHB.
Correlation between umbilical cord hemoglobin and rate of jaundice requiring phototherapy in healthy newborns
Authors: Nakagawa Machiko , Ishida Yasushi , Nagaoki Yuko , Ohta Hidenobu , Shimabukuro Rinshu , Hirata Michio , Yamanaka Michiko , Kusakawa Isao 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundDelay of umbilical cord clamping by at least 1 min is recommended for newborns not requiring resuscitation in the International Liaison Committee On Resuscitation–Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations (ILCOR‐CoSTR) 2010 guidelines. The delay in clamping improves iron status through early infancy but may increase the likelihood of jaundice requiring phototherapy. The present study investigated the relationship between umbilical cord hemoglobin and the rate of jaundice requiring phototherapy in healthy Japanese newborns.MethodsCord hemoglobin was measured in healthy newborns and the rate of infants receiving phototherapy for jaundice and other data were obtained from medical records.ResultsJaundice requiring phototherapy mostly occurred in association with high cord blood hemoglobin, which is increased by delayed cord clamping.ConclusionsHigher cord hemoglobin may increase neonatal jaundice in newborns in Japan, therefore the present results support the Japan Resuscitation Council guideline 2010, which does not recommend delay of umbilical cord clamping by at least 1 min, in contrast to the ILCOR guidelines.
Effect of an Integrated Health Management Program Based on Successful Aging in Korean Women
Authors: Ahn Okhee , Cha Hye Gyeong , Chang Soo Jung , Cho Hyun‐Choul , Kim Hee Sun 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis study evaluates the efficacy of an integrated health management program (IHMP) based on successful aging in older women.Design and SampleA single group pretest and posttest research design was employed, with a sample of 33 older Korean women over 60 years registered in a public health center. The intervention, including exercise, health education, and social activities, was performed 3 hr per week for 12 weeks.MeasuresDemographic characteristics, body composition, physical fitness, biomarkers, depression, and social support were measured. Data were analyzed with a Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, statistical significance levels were set at p < .05.ResultsAfter the intervention, body mass index was significantly decreased (p = .003) and skeletal muscle mass was significantly increased (p = .002). Chair stand (p = .023) and straight walking test (p < .001) were significantly improved. Systolic blood pressure (p < .003), diastolic blood pressure (p = .030), and blood cholesterol (p = .011) were significantly decreased. Depression (p = .043) was significantly decreased, and social support (p < .001) was significantly increased.ConclusionsAdopting and maintaining an IHMP can be useful to promote physical, psychological, and social functioning that lead to successful aging in older Korean women.
Memories of falling in elderly patients with dementia: response concordance rate and reproducibility
Authors: Otaki Masayo , Moriguchi Kyoko , Lebowitz Adam , Asada Takashi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundAlthough demented elderly patients have impaired memory, memories of falling are not uncommon. We aim to clarify reliability of memories of falling in such patients.MethodsSubjects included 62 patients (18 men, 44 women) diagnosed with dementia who resided in long‐term care facilities. Mean age was 82.9 ± 7.8 years, mean Mini‐Mental State Examination score was 16.4 ± 4.7 points, and mean Functional Independence Measure score was 67.9 ± 18.4 points. Subjects were asked a closed question about whether they were aware of having fallen (i.e. memories of falling) over the past year. Fear of falling was quantified using the visual analogue scale and FACES Pain Rating Scale. Scores were re‐measured during retest approximately 10 days later to examine reproducibility of memories and fear of falling. Subjects whom staff had witnessed suffering a fall between baseline and retest session were excluded.ResultsFall memory concordance rate was 0.84, visual analogue scale reproducibility (correlation coefficient) was 0.98, and FACES Pain Rating Scale was 0.86. No differences in Mini‐Mental State Examination scores were noted between groups for whom memories of falling were or were not reproducible. No correlation was observed among Mini‐Mental State Examination, Functional Independence Measure scores, and intensity of fear of falling.ConclusionsThere was a high concordance rate for patients' memories of falling, which suggests that falls were retained as memories. No relationship was observed between memories of falling and degree of cognitive impairment, and severe dementia did not necessarily imply memories of falling were unreliable. The reproducibility of fear of falling suggested the intensity of fear of falling was not easily altered. It was possible memories of falling and fear of falling mutually interacted to reinforce and fixate with each other, leading to the observed phenomenon. Therefore, it appeared memories of falling were retained by patients; this fact can be used in fall prevention and vital function maintenance.
Comparisons of clinical symptoms in biomarker‐confirmed Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia patients in a local memory clinic
Authors: Shea Yat Fung , Ha Joyce , Chu Leung‐Wing 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThere has been no previous Chinese study that differentiated the clinical symptoms among biomarker‐confirmed Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The objective of this study was to compare the cognitive, behavioural, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in biomarker‐confirmed AD, DLB, and FTD patients.MethodsWe recruited 30 patients (14 AD, 7 DLB, 9 FTD) who presented to the memory clinic at Queen Mary Hospital from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. AD was diagnosed according to the National Institution of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (tau, phosphorylated tau, and amyloid β‐42) fulfilling locally determined cut‐off values for AD. DLB was diagnosed based on the McKeith diagnostic criteria. The behavioural variant of FTD was diagnosed based on the revised diagnostic criteria proposed by the International bvFTD Criteria Consortium, and language variant FTD was diagnosed based on the latest published criteria. In addition, patients with DLB and FTD had typical imaging features on single‐photon emission computed tomography or 18fludeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography, either with or without Pittsburgh Compound B imaging, which supported their diagnoses. Data on patient characteristics including demographics, presenting clinical features, Mini‐Mental State Examination, clinical dementia ratings, and neuropsychiatry inventory scores were collected.ResultsThere were no differences in age, education level, dementia severity, and duration of symptoms before presentation among the three subgroups of patients. All patients had amnesia symptoms, which were not statistically significant. Apraxia was most common in AD. While 83% of the patients were affected by behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, behavioural disinhibition and decline in executive function were most common in FTD patients. Recurrent hallucinations, fluctuation of consciousness, parkinsonism, and rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder were most common in DLB.ConclusionMemory impairment and apathy are not useful discriminative symptoms in diagnosing AD, DLB, and FTD. Apraxia favours AD. Hallucinations, particularly well‐formed visual hallucinations, favour DLB. Overall, behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia symptoms are common among the three groups of dementia patients.
Effects of a startle stimulus on response speed and inhibition in a go/no‐go task
Authors: Washington Jessica R. , Blumenthal Terry D. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTwo studies examined the interaction of an acoustic startle stimulus and visual go/no‐go task stimuli on startle reactivity and task performance. In the first study, an acoustic stimulus (50 ms, 100 dB noise) was presented alone or with a green (go) or red (no‐go) circle; in the second study, a prepulse (50 ms, 75 dB noise) was presented alone or 120 ms before the startle stimulus or circle. The startle stimulus speeded responses to the go stimuli and increased the covert false alarm rate in the no‐go condition (measured by EMG activity in the hand), although very few overt errors were made in the no‐go condition. Startle response magnitude was increased by a circle but decreased by a prepulse. The speeding of go responses caused by a startle stimulus was attenuated by the occurrence of a startle response, suggesting that an intense accessory stimulus can facilitate responding to an imperative stimulus, and that the startle response to that intense stimulus can interfere with that facilitation.
Acquired Capability for Suicide, Pain Tolerance, and Fearlessness of Pain—Validation of the Pain Tolerance Scale of the German Capability for Suicide Questionnaire
Authors: Wachtel Sarah , Siegmann Paula , Ocklenburg Cäcilia , Hebermehl Lisa , Willutzki Ulrike , Teismann Tobias 
Published: December 2014

The interpersonal theory of suicide (Joiner, 2005) postulates that for a serious suicide attempt, one has to possess the acquired capability to commit suicide. Acquired capability includes higher pain tolerance, which is further assumed to comprise both an elevated physical pain tolerance and fearlessness of pain. Recently, the German Capability for Suicide Questionnaire (GCSQ) was validated. The aim of this study is further validation of the GCSQ's Pain Tolerance scale by investigating the scale's association with objective pain tolerance and fearlessness of pain in two undergraduate samples (N = 81; N = 76). Both associations were found indicating a strong criterion validity of the Pain Tolerance scale.
Insights into the pathogenesis of GvHD: what mice can teach us about man
Authors: Hülsdünker J. , Zeiser R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAcute graft‐vs‐host disease (GvHD) is a life‐threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo‐HCT). Most of the knowledge about the biology of GvHD is derived from mouse models of this disease and therefore a critical analysis of potential advantages and disadvantages of the murine GvHD models is important to classify and understand the findings made in these models. The central events leading up to GvHD were characterized in three phases which includes the tissue damage‐phase, the T cell priming‐phase and the effector‐phase, when the disease becomes clinically overt. The role of individual cytokines, chemokines, transcription factor or receptors was studied in these models by using gene deficient or transgenic mice in the donor or recipient compartments. Besides, numerous studies have been performed in these models to prevent or treat GvHD. Several recent clinical trials were all based on previously reported findings from the mouse model of GvHD such as the trials on CCR5‐blockade, donor statin treatment, vorinostat treatment or adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells for GvHD prevention. The different mouse models for GvHD and graft‐vs‐leukemia effects are critically reviewed and their impact on current clinical practice is discussed.
Hemolysis in patients with antibody deficiencies on immunoglobulin replacement treatment
Authors: Quinti Isabella , Pulvirenti Federica , Milito Cinzia , Granata Guido , Giovannetti Gianluca , La Marra Fabiola , Pesce Anna M. , Farrugia Albert , Coluzzi Serelina , Girelli Gabriella 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundImmunoglobulin (Ig)G replacement with intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulins is a lifelong substitutive therapy in patients with primary antibody deficiencies (PADs). Hemolysis after immunoglobulin therapy was described in patients receiving high immunoglobulin dosages. The issue of hemolysis after immunoglobulin administration at replacement doses has been considered of little clinical significance.Study Design and MethodsThis was a single‐center observational study over a 2‐year period on immunoglobulin‐induced hemolysis in a cohort of 162 patients with PADs treated with immunoglobulin administered at replacement dosages.ResultsSix patients had signs and symptoms of immunoglobulin‐induced hemolysis. Two additional asymptomatic patients were identified by a short‐term study run on 16 randomly selected asymptomatic patients. Alloantibodies eluted from patients' red blood cells (RBCs) had anti‐A and Rh specificities (anti‐D and anti‐C). The immunoglobulins contained alloantibodies with the same specificities of the antibodies eluted from patients' RBCs.ConclusionHemolysis occurred in patients receiving immunoglobulin at replacement dosages. Polyvalent immunoglobulin preparations contained multiple clinically significant antibodies that could have unexpected hemolytic consequences, as anti‐C whose research and titration are not required by the European Pharmacopoeia. The issue of hemolysis in long‐term recipients of immunoglobulin treatment administered at replacement dosages should be more widely recognized.