bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis Kelch Repeat F-Box Proteins Regulate Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis via Controlling the Turnover of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase
Authors: Zhang Xuebin , Gou Mingyue , Liu Chang-Jun 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) catalyzes the first rate-limiting step in the phenylpropanoid pathway, which controls carbon flux to a variety of bioactive small-molecule aromatic compounds, and to lignin, the structural component of the cell wall. PAL is regulated at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Our knowledge about the transcriptional regulation of PAL is relatively comprehensive, but our knowledge of the molecular basis of the posttranslational regulation of PAL remains limited. Here, we demonstrate that the Arabidopsis thaliana Kelch repeat F-box (KFB) proteins KFB01, KFB20, and KFB50 physically interact with four PAL isozymes and mediate their proteolytic turnover via the ubiquitination-26S proteasome pathway. The KFB genes are differentially expressed in Arabidopsis tissues and respond to developmental and environmental cues. Up- or downregulation of their expression reciprocally affects the stability of the PAL enzymes, consequently altering the levels of phenylpropanoids. These data suggest that the KFB-mediated protein ubiquitination and degradation regulates the proteolysis of PALs, thus posttranslationally regulating phenylpropanoid metabolism. Characterizing the KFB-mediated proteolysis of PAL enzymes may inform future strategies for manipulating the synthesis of bioactive phenolics.
How effective are agri‐environment schemes for protecting and improving herpetofaunal diversity in Australian endangered woodland ecosystems?
Authors: Michael Damian R. , Wood Jeffrey T. , Crane Mason , Montague‐Drake Rebecca , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Agricultural intensification is a major cause of reptile and amphibian decline world‐wide, prompting concern on how to best protect biodiversity in commodity production landscapes and meet global food demands. Agri‐environment schemes (AES) attempt to integrate biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes but are often compromised by a lack of baseline data, monitoring and evaluation. Few studies have examined the benefits of AES in protecting biodiversity relative to the wider farming landscape, and no studies have explicitly quantified the effectiveness of AES to increase herpetofaunal diversity.

To examine whether AES protect and increase herpetofauna, we established a landscape‐wide biodiversity monitoring programme in threatened semi‐arid and temperate woodland communities in south‐eastern Australia.

With 31 species recorded, regional herpetofaunal diversity was relatively high, whereas local diversity was low. Herpetofaunal richness and reptile assemblage structure did not differ significantly between sites under AES and sites managed for livestock production. A gradient in species richness as a function of time‐since‐management intervention was not evident, although the abundance of one lizard species increased under vegetation management. Reptile richness and frog abundance differed significantly among vegetation types.

Herpetofaunal richness was positively related to native plant richness and bare ground cover, whereas Boulenger's skink Morethia boulengeri was negatively affected by bare ground cover. The ragged snake‐eyed skink Cryptoblepharus pannosus was positively related to the amount of woody debris.

Synthesis and applications. In this system, strong habitat specificity implies local‐scale management interventions under agri‐environment schemes (AES) may not significantly increase herpetofaunal diversity in the short term. Vegetation management is likely to increase the abundance of common lizard species rather than increase local species richness due to barrier effects. Future incentive schemes should focus on improving habitat connectivity, enhancing pasture condition and increasing woody debris in the agricultural matrix to dissolve dispersal barriers and mitigate the legacy of historical land‐use practices. We propose that AES, which manage mosaics of intergrading vegetation types at multiple spatial scales, will protect maximum herpetofaunal diversity. These recommendations have implications for AES world‐wide, many of which currently do not adequately address the habitat requirements of herpetofauna.
Effects of experimental warming on nitrogen concentration and biomass of forage plants for an arctic herbivore
Authors: Doiron Madeleine , Gauthier Gilles , Lévesque Esther 
Published: December 2013

Summary

In many arctic herbivores, the growth of young depends upon a synchrony between hatching date and seasonal change in plant nutritive quality. If plants respond more quickly than herbivores to climate warming, this may cause a mismatch between the availability of high‐quality food and the hatching of young. This study examines the impact of experimental warming on the main food plants of an arctic herbivore, the greater snow goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticaL.) breeding on Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada.

During summers 2007–2009, we increased the temperature using small glasshouses (open‐top chambers, OTC) in two habitats, wetlands and mesic tundra. Every 10 days, we measured above‐ground plant biomass and a proxy of nutritive quality, nitrogen concentration, of graminoid plants in warmed and control plots from snowmelt in June until late July.

Open‐top chambers increased mean maximum temperature by up to 2.0 °C in wetlands and 4.6 °C in mesic tundra. Annual warming significantly increased biomass of graminoids by up to 29% in wetlands and 20% in mesic tundra. There was no difference in nitrogen concentration of the four plant species sampled (Dupontia fisheri, Eriophorum scheuchzeri, Arctagrostis latifolia and Luzula spp.) early in the season, but the seasonal decline in nitrogen occurred more rapidly in warmed than in control plots (10% to 14% less nitrogen in warmed plots in July). This effect was consistent across the 3 years of the experiment and independent of annual variation in plant phenology. There was either a weak positive effect or no effect of the warming treatment on the nitrogen biomass of plants depending on species or period of the season.

Synthesis. Our results show that warming speeds up plant phenology and the seasonal decline in nutritive quality for arctic herbivores. Because young herbivores like geese are highly sensitive to the nitrogen concentration of their food, a warmer climate will likely reduce their growth. Climate warming may therefore have a negative impact on the population dynamic of arctic herbivores by reducing the quality of their summer forage.
The Impact of Electronic Health Records on Workflow and Financial Measures in Primary Care Practices
Authors: Fleming Neil S. , Becker Edmund R. , Culler Steven D. , Cheng Dunlei , McCorkle Russell , Graca Briget da , Ballard David J. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo estimate a commercially available ambulatory electronic health record's (EHR's) impact on workflow and financial measures.Data Sources/Study SettingAdministrative, payroll, and billing data were collected for 26 primary care practices in a fee‐for‐service network that rolled out an EHR on a staggered schedule from June 2006 through December 2008.Study DesignAn interrupted time series design was used. Staffing, visit intensity, productivity, volume, practice expense, payments received, and net income data were collected monthly for 2004–2009. Changes were evaluated 1–6, 7–12, and >12 months postimplementation.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsData were accessed through a SQLserver database, transformed into SAS®, and aggregated by practice. Practice‐level data were divided by full‐time physician equivalents for comparisons across practices by month.Principal FindingsStaffing and practice expenses increased following EHR implementation (3 and 6 percent after 12 months). Productivity, volume, and net income decreased initially but recovered to/close to preimplementation levels after 12 months. Visit intensity did not change significantly, and a secular trend offset the decrease in payments received.ConclusionsExpenses increased and productivity decreased following EHR implementation, but not as much or as persistently as might be expected. Longer term effects still need to be examined.
The Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program: Provider Performance on Core and Menu Measures
Authors: Wright Adam , Feblowitz Joshua , Samal Lipika , McCoy Allison B. , Sittig Dean F. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo measure performance by eligible health care providers on CMS's meaningful use measures.Data SourceMedicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Eligible Professionals Public Use File (PUF), which contains data on meaningful use attestations by 237,267 eligible providers through May 31, 2013.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis of the 15 core and 10 menu measures pertaining to use of EHR functions reported in the PUF.Principal FindingsProviders in the dataset performed strongly on all core measures, with the most frequent response for each of the 15 measures being 90–100 percent compliance, even when the threshold for a particular measure was lower (e.g., 30 percent). PCPs had higher scores than specialists for computerized order entry, maintaining an active medication list, and documenting vital signs, while specialists had higher scores for maintaining a problem list, recording patient demographics and smoking status, and for providing patients with an after‐visit summary. In fact, 90.2 percent of eligible providers claimed at least one exclusion, and half claimed two or more.ConclusionsProviders are successfully attesting to CMS's requirements, and often exceeding the thresholds required by CMS; however, some troubling patterns in exclusions are present. CMS should raise program requirements in future years.
Clinical Benefits of Electronic Health Record Use: National Findings
Authors: King Jennifer , Patel Vaishali , Jamoom Eric W. , Furukawa Michael F. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo assess whether physicians' reported electronic health record (EHR) use provides clinical benefits and whether benefits depend on using an EHR meeting Meaningful Use criteria or length of EHR experience.Data SourceThe 2011 Physician Workflow study, representative of U.S. office‐based physicians.Study DesignCross‐sectional data were used to examine the association of EHR use with enhanced patient care overall and nine specific clinical benefits.Principal FindingsMost physicians with EHRs reported EHR use enhanced patient care overall (78 percent), helped them access a patient's chart remotely (81 percent), and alerted them to a potential medication error (65 percent) and critical lab values (62 percent). Between 30 and 50 percent of physicians reported that EHR use was associated with clinical benefits related to providing recommended care, ordering appropriate tests, and facilitating patient communication. Using EHRs that met Meaningful Use criteria and having 2 or more years of EHR experience were independently associated with reported benefits. Physicians with EHRs meeting Meaningful Use criteria and longer EHR experience were most likely to report benefits across all 10 measures.ConclusionsPhysicians reported EHR use enhanced patient care overall. Clinical benefits were most likely to be reported by physicians using EHRs meeting Meaningful Use criteria and longer EHR experience.
The Association between EHRs and Care Coordination Varies by Team Cohesion
Authors: Graetz Ilana , Reed Mary , Shortell Stephen M. , Rundall Thomas G. , Bellows Jim , Hsu John 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo examine whether primary care team cohesion changes the association between using an integrated outpatient‐inpatient electronic health record (EHR) and clinician‐rated care coordination across delivery sites.Study DesignSelf‐administered surveys of primary care clinicians in a large integrated delivery system, collected in 2005 (N = 565), 2006 (N = 678), and 2008 (N = 626) during the staggered implementation of an integrated EHR (2005–2010), including validated questions on team cohesion. Using multivariable regression, we examined the combined effect of EHR use and team cohesion on three dimensions of care coordination across delivery sites: access to timely and complete information, treatment agreement, and responsibility agreement.Principal FindingsAmong clinicians working in teams with higher cohesion, EHR use was associated with significant improvements in reported access to timely and complete information (53.5 percent with EHR vs. 37.6 percent without integrated‐EHR), agreement on treatment goals (64.3 percent vs. 50.6 percent), and agreement on responsibilities (63.9 percent vs. 55.2 percent, all p < .05). We found no statistically significant association between use of the integrated‐EHR and reported care coordination in less cohesive teams.ConclusionThe association between EHR use and reported care coordination varied by level of team cohesion. EHRs may not improve care coordination in less cohesive teams.
A Statewide Assessment of Electronic Health Record Adoption and Health Information Exchange among Nursing Homes
Authors: Abramson Erika L. , McGinnis Sandra , Moore Jean , Kaushal Rainu ,   HITEC investigators
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo determine rates of electronic health record (EHR) adoption and health information exchange (HIE) among New York State (NYS) nursing homes.Data Sources/Study SettingPrimary data collected from a novel survey administered between November 2011 and March 2012 to all NYS nursing homes.Study DesignWe used a cross‐sectional study design to assess level of EHR implementation, automation of key functionalities, participation in HIE, and barriers to adoption.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe used descriptive statistics to characterize rates of EHR adoption and participation in HIE and logistic regression to identify nursing home characteristics associated with EHR adoption and HIE.Principal FindingsWe received responses from 375 of 632 nursing homes (59.3 percent). Of respondents, almost one in five (n = 66, 18.0 percent) reported having a fully implemented and operational EHR and a majority (n = 192, 54.4 percent) reported electronically exchanging information. Nursing homes with 100–159 beds were significantly less likely than other facilities to have implemented or be in the process of implementing an EHR (p = .011).ConclusionsOur findings present an important systematic look at EHR adoption and HIE by NYS nursing homes. Although the nursing home sector has been reported to lag in health information technology adoption, our results are encouraging. However, they suggest much room for growth and highlight the need for targeted initiatives to achieve more widespread adoption in this important health care sector.
Where Are We on the Diffusion Curve? Trends and Drivers of Primary Care Physicians' Use of Health Information Technology
Authors: Audet Anne‐Marie , Squires David , Doty Michelle M. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo describe trends in primary care physicians' use of health information technology (HIT) between 2009 and 2012, examine practice characteristics associated with greater HIT capacity in 2012, and explore factors such as delivery system and payment reforms that may affect adoption and functionality.DataWe used data from the 2012 and 2009 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Surveys of Primary Care Physicians. The data were collected in both years by postal mail between March and July among a nationally representative sample of primary care physicians in the United States.Study DesignWe compared primary care physicians' HIT capacity in 2009 and 2012. We employed multivariable logistic regression to analyze whether participating in an integrated delivery system, sharing resources and support with other practices, and being eligible for financial incentives were associated with greater HIT capacity in 2012.Principal FindingsPrimary care physicians' HIT capacity has significantly expanded since 2009, although solo practices continue to lag. Practices that are part of an integrated delivery system or share resources with other practices have higher rates of electronic medical record (EMR) adoption, multifunctional HIT, electronic information exchange, and electronic access for patients. Receiving or being eligible for financial incentives is associated with greater adoption of EMRs and information exchange.ConclusionsFederal efforts to increase adoption have coincided with a rapid increase in HIT capacity. Delivery system and payment reforms and federally funded extension programs could offer promising pathways for further diffusion.
The Health IT Regional Extension Center Program: Evolution and Lessons for Health Care Transformation
Authors: Lynch Kimberly , Kendall Mat , Shanks Katherine , Haque Ahmed , Jones Emily , Wanis Maggie G. , Furukawa Michael , Mostashari Farzad 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveAssess the Regional Extension Center (REC) program's progress toward its goal of supporting over 100,000 providers in small, rural, and underserved practices to achieve meaningful use (MU) of an electronic health record (EHR).Data Sources/Study SettingData collected January 2010 through June 2013 via monitoring and evaluation of the 4‐year REC program.Study DesignDescriptive study of 62 REC programs.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsPrimary data collected from RECs were merged with nine other datasets, and descriptive statistics of progress by practice setting and penetration of targeted providers were calculated.Principal FindingsRECs recruited almost 134,000 primary care providers (PCPs), or 44 percent of the nation's PCPs; 86 percent of these were using an EHR with advanced functionality and almost half (48 percent) have demonstrated MU. Eighty‐three percent of Federally Qualified Health Centers and 78 percent of the nation's Critical Access Hospitals were participating with an REC.ConclusionsRECs have made substantial progress in assisting PCPs with adoption and MU of EHRs. This infrastructure supports small practices, community health centers, and rural and public hospitals to use technology for care delivery transformation and improvement.
Reliability of a standardized test in Swedish for evaluation of reading performance in healthy eyes. Interchart and test–retest analyses
Authors: Thaung Jörgen , Olseke Kjell , Ahl Johan , Sjöstrand Johan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of our study was to establish a practical and quick test for assessing reading performance and to statistically analyse interchart and test–retest reliability of a new standardized Swedish reading chart system consisting of three charts constructed according to the principles available in the literature.MethodsTwenty‐four subjects with healthy eyes, mean age 65 ± 10 years, were tested binocularly and the reading performance evaluated as reading acuity, critical print size and maximum reading speed. The test charts all consist of 12 short text sentences with a print size ranging from 0.9 to −0.2 logMAR in approximate steps of 0.1 logMAR. Two testing sessions, in two different groups (C1 and C2), were under strict control of luminance and lighting environment. Reading performance tests with chart T1, T2 and T3 were used for evaluation of interchart reliability and test data from a second session 1 month or more apart for the test–retest analysis.ResultsThe testing of reading performance in adult observers with short sentences of continuous text was quick and practical. The agreement between the tests obtained with the three different test charts was high both within the same test session and at retest.ConclusionThis new Swedish variant of a standardized reading system based on short sentences and logarithmic progression of print size provides reliable measurements of reading performance and preliminary norms in an age group around 65 years. The reading test with three independent reading charts can be useful for clinical studies of reading ability before and after treatment.
Deep sclerectomy in normal‐tension glaucoma with and without mitomycin‐c
Authors: Suominen Sakari , Harju Mika , Kurvinen Leena , Vesti Eija 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPurposeTo compare the outcome of deep sclerectomy (DS) with and without mitomycin‐C (MMC) in patients with normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG).MethodsWe prospectively analysed the results of 37 eyes of 37 consecutive patients with NTG (age; mean ± SD; 64 ± 7 years) who underwent DS with a collagen implant. Patients were randomized to the MMC and non‐MMC groups. Subconjunctival MMC (0.4 mg/ml for 3 min) was used intraoperatively in 15 of 37 eyes. We defined total success as 25% reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) without medication. Follow‐up time was 12 months.ResultsThe mean preoperative IOP was significantly reduced from 15.2 ± 2.8 mmHg to 9.3 ± 2.7 (p < 0.001) in the MMC group after 12‐month follow‐up and from 15.1 ± 2.9 mmHg to 11.8 ± 2.0 (p < 0.001) in the non‐MMC group. At 12 months, the mean IOP was significantly lower in the MMC group (p = 0.003) compared with the non‐MMC group. Total success was achieved in 10 of 15 eyes (67%) in MMC group and in nine of 22 eyes (41%) in non‐MMC group (p = 0.12). The number of glaucoma medications was decreased from 2.2 ± 0.8 to 0.5 ± 1.2 in MMC group (p = 0.001) and from 2.6 ± 1.0 to 0.5 ± 0.7 in non‐MMC group (p < 0.001). Goniopuncture was performed in seven eyes (47%) in the MMC group, compared with 16 eyes (73%) in the non‐MMC group (p = 0.13). IOP < 10 mmHg was achieved in seven of 15 eyes in the MMC group and in two of 22 in the non‐MMC group (p = 0.009). Complication rate was low, and no difference between groups was evident.ConclusionDeep sclerectomy seems to be effective and safe in reducing IOP in patients with NTG. Intraoperative use of MMC results in lower postoperative IOP 12‐month postoperatively without increased rate of complications.
Analysis of HER2 status in breast carcinoma by fully automated HER2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): comparison of two immunohistochemical tests and manual FISH
Authors: Yoon Nara , Do In‐Gu , Cho Eun Yoon 
Published: December 2013

Easy and accurate HER2 testing is essential when considering the prognostic and predictive significance of HER2 in breast cancer. The use of a fully automated, quantitative FISH assay would be helpful to detect HER2 amplification in breast cancer tissue specimens with reduced inter‐laboratory variability. We compared the concordance of HER2 status as assessed by an automated FISH staining system to manual FISH testing. Using 60 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded breast carcinoma specimens, we assessed HER2 immunoexpression with two antibodies (DAKO HercepTest and CB11). In addition, HER2 status was evaluated with automated FISH using the Leica FISH System for BOND and a manual FISH using the Abbott PathVysion DNA Probe Kit. All but one specimen were successfully stained using both FISH methods. When the data were divided into two groups according to HER2/CEP17 ratio, positive and negative, the results from both the automated and manual FISH techniques were identical for all 59 evaluable specimens. The HER2 and CEP17 copy numbers and HER2/CEP17 ratio showed great agreement between both FISH methods. The automated FISH technique was interpretable with signal intensity similar to those of the manual FISH technique. In contrast with manual FISH, the automated FISH technique showed well‐preserved architecture due to low membrane digestion. HER2 immunohistochemistry and FISH results showed substantial significant agreement (κ = 1.0, p < 0.001). HER2 status can be reliably determined using a fully automated HER2 FISH system with high concordance to the well‐established manual FISH method. Because of stable signal intensity and high staining quality, the automated FISH technique may be more appropriate than manual FISH for routine applications.