bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polycomb‐group histone methyltransferase CLF is required for proper somatic recombination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Na , Zhou Wang‐Bin , Wang Ying‐Xiang , Dong Ai‐Wu , Yu Yu 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHomologous recombination (HR) is a key process during meiosis in reproductive cells and the DNA damage repair process in somatic cells. Although chromatin structure is thought to be crucial for HR, only a small number of chromatin modifiers have been studied in HR regulation so far. Here, we investigated the function of CURLY LEAF (CLF), a Polycomb‐group (PcG) gene responsible for histone3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), in somatic and meiotic HR in Arabidopsis thaliana. Although fluorescent protein reporter assays in pollen and seeds showed that the frequency of meiotic cross‐over in the loss‐of‐function mutant clf‐29 was not significantly different from that in wild type, there was a lower frequency of HR in clf‐29 than in wild type under normal conditions and under bleomycin treatment. The DNA damage levels were comparable between clf‐29 and wild type, even though several DNA damage repair genes (e.g. ATM, BRCA2a, RAD50, RAD51, RAD54, and PARP2) were expressed at lower levels in clf‐29. Under bleomycin treatment, the expression levels of DNA repair genes were similar in clf‐29 and wild type, thus CLF may also regulate HR via other mechanisms. These findings expand the current knowledge of PcG function and contribute to general interests of epigenetic regulation in genome stability regulation.
Disease stigma and its mediating effect on the relationship between symptom severity and quality of life among community‐dwelling women with stress urinary incontinence: a study from a Chinese city
Authors: Wan Xiaojuan , Wang Cuili , Xu Dongjuan , Guan Xiaomeng , Sun Tao , Wang Kefang 
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectivesTo examine the association between disease stigma and quality of life and whether disease stigma mediates the relationship between symptom severity and quality of life among community‐dwelling women with stress urinary incontinence in China.BackgroundUrinary incontinent patients perceived great stigma, which inhibited from seeking medical help. There is evidence that stigma associated with some other diseases had a complex relationship with illness severity and quality of life. However, little empirical research has examined the role that stigma plays among urinary incontinent population.DesignA cross‐sectional, descriptive design was used.MethodsA purposive sample of 333 women with stress urinary incontinence from a Chinese city was enrolled. Data were collected on symptom severity, disease stigma and quality of life using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Urinary Incontinence Short Form, Social Impact Scale and Incontinence Quality‐of‐Life Measure, respectively. The mediate effect of disease stigma was analysed using a series of hierarchical regression models.ResultsDisease stigma negatively correlated with quality of life among stress urinary incontinent women. Social isolation and internalised shame, but not social rejection, the domains of disease stigma, partially mediated the effect of symptom severity on quality of life, attenuating the effect by 34·3% together.ConclusionsDisease stigma impairs quality of life of women with stress urinary incontinence and mediates the association between symptom severity and quality of life. Health workers may improve their quality of life by addressing perceived stigma.Relevance to clinical practiceOur findings suggest that in clinical practice, stigma reduction may have the potential to not only improve quality of life, but also mitigate the impact of the severity on quality of life among urinary incontinent women. Social isolation and internalised shame should be more concerned in targeted interventions.
The effect of continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics on ambulatory blood pressure of older hypertensive patients in the community
Authors: Cheng Mei , Cheng Shu‐Ling , Zhang Qing , Jiang He , Cong Ji‐Yan , Zang Xiao‐Ying , Zhao Yue 
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectivesTo explore the effect of continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics so as to provide the easy, noninvasive, effective and acceptable intervention for older hypertensive patients in the community.BackgroundMany researchers studied the effect of administration at different times on blood pressure control and circadian rhythm. However, the individual administrative time was set ambiguously in previous studies.DesignA semi‐experimental study.MethodsIn the study, 90 eligible patients were recruited and separated into three groups randomly, which were the control group, intervention group A (behaviour and chronotherapy intervention) and intervention group B (behaviour intervention). At 6 and 12 months after the study, the intervention groups were measured 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.ResultsThere were significant differences in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters of the two intervention groups at different measurement times, and there were interaction between measurement time and different groups. The number of patients with dipper increased and reverse dipper decreased in group A as the intervention applied. There were statistical differences between two groups. The number of patients with morning surge in group A decreased more, and there were statistical differences between two groups at six months after the intervention.ConclusionsThe behaviour and chronotherapy intervention based on the patients' ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can control casual blood pressure much better and last longer, which can also improve patients' indexes of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring better than behaviour intervention only. The behaviour and chronotherapy intervention can increase patients' nocturnal blood pressure drop, increase the number of patients with dipper and decrease reverse dipper, and improve blood pressure surge in the morning.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses can use continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics to help improve hypertension of older patients better in the community.
Patients’ bowel symptom experiences and self‐care strategies following sphincter‐saving surgery for rectal cancer
Authors: Landers Margaret , McCarthy Geraldine , Livingstone Vicki , Savage Eileen 
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectivesTo investigate patients’ bowel symptom experiences and self‐care strategies following sphincter‐saving surgery for rectal cancer and the relationship between bowel symptom experiences and the self‐care strategies used.BackgroundEarlier diagnosis of rectal cancer allows for less invasive surgical treatments such as sphincter‐saving procedures to be performed. Although a permanent stoma is generally not required, patients experience changes in bowel function following this surgery. However, limited research exists on patients’ bowel symptom experiences and the self‐care strategies used to manage symptoms following sphincter‐saving surgery of rectal cancer.DesignQuantitative descriptive correlational.MethodsA convenience sample of 143 patients aged 30 to over 70 years was used. Data were collected (April 2010–December 2010) using the Illness Perception Questionnaires, the Difficulties of Life Scale and a researcher developed Self‐care Strategy Measure. The research was underpinned by the Symptom Management Theory.FindingsRelating to the four most effective self‐care strategies used respondents reporting more bowel symptom were more likely to use the self‐care strategy proximity/knowing the location of a toilet at all times. Females, respondents with high timeline cyclical scores and respondents with high physiological responses scores were more likely to use protective clothing. Respondents reporting more bowel symptom and with high social responses scores were more likely to use bowel medication. Females were more likely to wear incontinence pads.ConclusionThis research provides insights into the daily bowel symptom experiences of patients following sphincter‐saving surgery for rectal cancer. It demonstrates the range of self‐care strategies that individuals use to manage their bowel symptoms and the self‐care‐strategies that were most effective for them.Relevance to clinical practicePatients should be encouraged to report on‐going bowel problems following sphincter‐saving surgery for rectal cancer. Supportive care for patients should be comprehensive and tailored to meet individual needs.
Weight change trajectory in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy and the effect of different regimens
Authors: Liu Li‐Ni , Wen Fur‐Hsing , Miaskowski Christine , Lin Yung‐Chang , Wang Jong‐Shyan , Jeng Chii , Chen Mei‐Ling 
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the trajectory of weight change in Taiwanese women with breast cancer after starting chemotherapy and the impact of chemotherapy regimens on weight change while controlling for age, menopausal status, body mass index, lymph node involvement and changes in habits of dietary fat intake and exercise.BackgroundWeight gain after adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer has negative impact on health outcomes.DesignLongitudinal, clinical observational study.MethodsWeights were repeatedly measured in 147 women with breast cancer stages I–III. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to analyse these longitudinal data.ResultsThe overall pattern of weight change was a cubic form beginning with a mean of 56·9 kg before chemotherapy. It gradually increased to 59·4 kg at 8·5 months after the first chemotherapy followed by a decrease to 58·5 kg at 21·5 months. During the last 2·5 months, weight increased slightly and never returned to the initial level. After controlling for confounders, steeper weight change was observed among women receiving cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil. The highest weight gain in the cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil group was 2·9 kg (5%) vs. 0·9 kg (1%) in the anthracycline‐based group.ConclusionThe trajectory of body weight change within two years after chemotherapy shows a trend of gradual ascent, followed by a small decline and a slight increase in the last 2·5 months. The chemotherapy regimen can predict the trend after controlling for other confounders; women on cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil have a steeper weight change.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses can inform women with breast cancer about the expected changes in body weight after chemotherapy to reduce their uncertainty. Future studies on effective interventions to minimise chemotherapy‐induced weight gain are needed.
Parental groups during the child's first year: an interview study of parents' experiences
Authors: Hjälmhult Esther , Glavin Kari , Økland Toril , Tveiten Sidsel 
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectivesTo highlight what was important to parents with respect to consultation groups at well‐child clinics.BackgroundParents managing of their role as parents affect the child's health and are therefore an important priority for public health. Well‐child clinics in Norway practise consultations in groups to support parents and to facilitate social network; however, few studies explore parents' perspective of this kind of groups.DesignGrounded theory.MethodsWe used classical grounded theory with a generative and constant comparative approach. Data were collected through seven focus groups and two individual interviews with the parents of children aged 8–15 months.ResultsThe parents were most concerned about how to achieve connection without accountability and how to obtain relevant health information. They managed this by ‘multipositioning’, encompassing the strategies of: (1) practising conditional openness, (2) seeking to belong, (3) awaiting initiative and (4) expecting balanced health information. The use of these strategies explains how they resolved their challenges.ConclusionParental groups seem to be popular and have great potential to establish a social network; however, underestimating the need for structure and continuity in the groups might cause this opportunity to be missed.Relevance to clinical practiceUnderstanding parents' perspectives will be useful when planning strategies to strengthen parental groups at well‐child clinics and that the engaged organisers will account for this need to ensure public health work of high quality and effectiveness for parents.
Analysis of brain and muscle activity during low‐level tooth clenching – a feasibility study with a novel biting device
Authors: Iida T. , Overgaard A. , Komiyama O. , Weibull A. , Baad‐Hansen L. , Kawara M. , Sundgren P. C. , List T. , Svensson P. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryIn electromyographic (EMG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, muscle and brain activity was compared during low levels of tooth clenching using a novel biting device to control bite force. A total of 21 healthy subjects performed motor tasks, comprising tooth clenching at 5, 10 and 20 N. During all measurements, subjects kept the novel bite device between the anterior teeth during tooth clenching. The EMG study (n = 15) characterised jaw muscle activity for the three motor tasks and demonstrated significant differences in root mean square (RMS) EMG amplitude between 5‐, 10‐ and 20‐N tooth clenching (F = 46·21, P < 0·001). There were no differences in variability of muscle activity between the three tooth‐clenching levels. In an fMRI pilot study (n = 6), statistical comparisons were used to identify brain regions with significant activation in the subtraction of baseline from 5‐ or 20‐N tooth‐clenching activity. 5‐ and 20‐N tooth clenching significantly and bilaterally activated the sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, cerebellum and basal ganglia (P < 0·05, corrected for multiple comparisons). However, activation of each brain region did not differ significantly between two tooth‐clenching tasks. Based on these preliminary findings, we propose that the novel biting device may be useful in further fMRI studies on controlled jaw muscle activation patterns in different craniofacial pain conditions. In addition, our fMRI result suggests that there are no significant differences in brain activity within low levels of tooth clenching with controlled force.
Detection of sleep bruxism: comparison between an electromyographic and electrocardiographic portable holter and polysomnography
Authors: Castroflorio T. , Deregibus A. , Bargellini A. , Debernardi C. , Manfredini D. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryRecent polysomnographic (PSG) studies showed that the sleep bruxism (SB) event is preceded by a sudden shift in autonomic cardiac activity. Therefore, heart rate could be the simplest‐to‐record parameter for use in addition to portable home EMG monitoring to improve the accuracy in automatic detection of SB events. The aim of the study was to compare the detection of SB episodes by combined surface electromyography and heart rate (HR) recorded by a compact portable device (Bruxoff®), with the scoring of SB episodes by a PSG recording. Twenty‐five subjects (14 ‘probable’ bruxers and 11 non‐bruxers) were selected for the study. Each subject underwent the Bruxoff and the PSG recordings during the same night. Rhythmic masseter muscle activities (RMMAs) were scored according to published criteria. Correlation coefficients and the Bland–Altman plots were calculated to measure the correlation and agreement between the two methods. Results showed a high correlation (Pearson's r = 0·95, P < 0·0001) and a high agreement (bias = 0·05) between Bruxoff and the PSG. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a high sensitivity and specificity of the portable device (92·3% and 91·6%, respectively) when the cut‐off was set at 4 SB episodes per hour according to published criteria. The Bruxoff device showed a good diagnostic accuracy to differentiate RMMA from other oromotor activities. These findings are important in the light of the need for simple and reliable portable devices for the diagnosis of SB both in the clinical and research settings.
To Renew and Act Anew: Approaching Forgiveness in The Long Nineteenth Century
Authors: Hewitt Andrea L. C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis essay seeks to survey recent scholarship exploring the topic of forgiveness within nineteenth‐century British literature. Though historically rooted in Judeo‐Christian religious tradition, forgiveness has now emerged as a secularized theory for communal and psychological renewal. Recent global efforts to promote reconciliation and healing in communities ravaged by genocide and crimes against humanity have inspired a new wave of intellectual inquiry into the nature of forgiveness. Julia Kristeva and Jacques Derrida are two of the most prominent contributors to this discourse within the last decade. Even as forgiveness has emerged on a globally popular level in its secularized form, literary criticism has also witnessed a shift in scholarship that seeks to reengage the dialogue between theology and literature, paving the way for theory and theology to meld in the pursuit of a more nuanced theory of forgiveness. Though literary forgiveness remains a relatively unexplored topic in nineteenth‐century scholarship, recent articles by Richard Hughes Gibson, Emma Mason, Karen Pagani, and Jan‐Melissa Schramm demonstrate that conceptions of forgiveness in the Romantic and Victorian imagination exist at the intersection of sacred and secular, much like our modern theories also suggest. As critics pay closer attention to the role of forgiveness, and its multiple complexities within the fiction, drama, and poetry of the nineteenth century, they will turn their attention to the creative power of forgiveness, ultimately viewed as formative, possessing the power to shape narratives, individual lives and psyches, and social history.
Pilot study evaluating the impact of dialogic reading and shared reading at transition to primary school: early literacy skills and parental attitudes
Authors: Pillinger Claire , Wood Clare 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated the positive impact of shared reading (SR) and dialogic reading (DR) on young children's language and literacy development. This exploratory study compared the relative impact of parental DR and shared reading interventions on 4‐year‐old children's early literacy skills and parental attitudes to reading prior to and following school entry. Parents were trained using a self‐instruction training DVD. The children's rhyme awareness, word reading, concepts about print and writing vocabulary were assessed before and after 6 weeks over the summer period and again after one term in school. Four illustrative case studies are presented, which reveal the differential impact of the interventions on the families who participated. Findings indicated that DR had a positive impact on children's enjoyment of reading, concepts about print, parent–child reading behaviours and parental attitudes to joint storybook reading. The children who experienced shared‐book reading during the intervention also demonstrated improvements in word reading. There were no changes in rhyme awareness or writing vocabulary for either group. Changes in print concept awareness were not maintained at follow‐up, but improvements in writing vocabulary and word reading scores were noted. The reasons for this are discussed with reference to the formal literacy instruction the children received during their first academic term.
Local and regional founder effects in lake zooplankton persist after thousands of years despite high dispersal potential
Authors: Ventura M. , Petrusek A. , Miró A. , Hamrová E. , Buñay D. , De Meester L. , Mergeay J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe reconstructed the genetic structure of a planktonic crustacean Daphnia longispina living in high mountain lakes and ponds in the Pyrenees to investigate whether it was shaped by persistent founder effects originating shortly after the last glacial maximum or by ongoing dispersal and effective migration (gene flow). We found that the genetic structure can largely be explained by a single colonization event following gradual deglaciation of the Pyrenees ~10 000–15 000 years ago. Nuclear genetic diversity declined steeply from southeast to northwest, suggestive of serial colonization of available habitats with advancing deglaciation. The spatial genetic structure suggests that founder effects were major determinants of the present‐day diversity, both at the catchment level and at the level of individual water bodies, further supporting extremely low effective migration rates. This study reveals a prime example of a founder effect that is both long lasting and maintained at small spatial scales. Our data suggest a process of isolation by colonization as a result of strong priority effects and monopolization. We found evidence for the spread of haplotypes with Pyrenean ancestry across the Palaearctic over distances up to 5500 km, although the local genetic structure after colonization was hardly influenced by contemporary dispersal. Finally, our data also suggest that mitochondrial mutation rates in the studied populations were seven times higher than typically assumed. Overall, we show that founder effects can persist for centuries even at small spatial scales at which the potential for dispersal is high.
Use of IgE and IgG4 epitope binding to predict the outcome of oral immunotherapy in cow's milk allergy
Authors: Savilahti Emma M. , Kuitunen Mikael , Valori Miko , Rantanen Ville , Bardina Ludmilla , Gimenez Gustavo , Mäkelä Mika J. , Hautaniemi Sampsa , Savilahti Erkki , Sampson Hugh A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundOral immunotherapy (OIT) with cow's milk (CM) has been reported to induce a number of specific antibody responses, but these remain to be fully characterized. Our objective was to explore whether IgE and IgG4 epitope binding profiles could predict the risk of side effects during CM OIT.MethodsThe study population consisted of 32 children (6–17 yr of age) with CM allergy: 26 children who successfully completed OIT and six children who discontinued therapy due to adverse reactions. We investigated sera drawn before and after OIT. We analyzed specific IgE and IgG4 binding to CM protein‐derived peptides with a microarray‐based immunoassay. Antibody binding affinity was analyzed with a competition assay where CM proteins in solution competed with peptides printed on the microarray.ResultsIgE binding to CM peptides decreased and IgG4 binding increased following the OIT in children who attained desensitization. Compared with children who successfully completed OIT, those who discontinued OIT due to adverse reactions developed increased quantities and affinity of epitope‐specific IgE antibodies and a broader diversity of IgE and IgG4 binding, but less overlap in IgE and IgG4 binding to CM peptides.ConclusionsDetailed analysis of IgE and IgG4 binding to CM peptides may help in predicting whether CM OIT will be tolerated successfully. It may thus improve the safety of the therapy.