bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Educational inequalities in hospitalization attributable to alcohol: a population‐based longitudinal study of changes during the period 2000–07
Authors: Herttua Kimmo , Mäkelä Pia , Martikainen Pekka 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimsTo estimate the relative risk of hospitalization from alcohol‐related causes among men and women in Finland across different educational categories, and to determine whether these differentials changed following a large reduction in alcohol prices in 2004.Design and measurementsA register‐based longitudinal study of hospitalizations. We used repeated‐measures analysis to estimate alcohol‐attributable hospitalization rates and assessed effects of the reduction in alcohol prices by comparing two 4‐year periods (2000–03 and 2004–07).SettingFinland.ParticipantsA representative sample of the residents of Finland aged 30–79 years in the period 2000‐07 (n = 470,627).FindingsThere was a clear gradient across educational levels in alcohol‐attributable hospitalizations: the incidence rate ratios among men and women with basic education were 1.70 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32, 2.20] and 1.96 (95% CI = 1.36, 2.84), respectively, compared with those with upper‐tertiary education. After allowing for the long‐term trend, there were no significant changes between the two follow‐up periods either among men with an upper tertiary education or among women in any educational level, whereas the rate increased by 21% (95% CI = 5, 41), 16% (95% CI = 6, 27) and 10% (95% CI = 2, 18), respectively, among men with a lower tertiary, secondary and basic education. However, these differences in changes were not statistically significant.ConclusionsLower‐level education is associated with a substantially increased risk of alcohol‐related hospitalization among men and women in Finland, even when adjusted for age, economic activity and income. The results do not provide strong evidence that the 2004 price reduction had differential effects by education.
Consequences of habitat disturbance on seed fate of a Brazilian tropical dry forest tree Cavanillesia arborea (Malvaceae)
Authors: Souza‐Silva Herbert , Machado Larissa F. , Silva Jhonathan O. , Espírito‐Santo Mário M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe compared seed fate (survival, mortality by rodent predators, desiccation and other causes) of the tree Cavanillesia arborea (Malvaceae) in preserved old‐growth tropical dry forests and in nearby abandoned pasturelands in Brazil. For this purpose, we performed an experiment where 15 seeds were placed in the surroundings of 15 parental individuals in each habitat. These 450 seeds were monitored over four months. At the end of the experiment, seed predation by rodents was higher in forest (56.5%) than in pasture (8.9%) areas, but seed desiccation showed the opposite pattern (8.9% vs. 80.4%). Mortality by desiccation was also faster in pasture than in forest areas, probably reducing their attractiveness to predators in these areas. None of the seeds placed in the pasture survived, whereas 26.2% of seeds became seedlings in forest areas. The absence of seedling recruitment of Cavanillesia arborea in pastures is likely a consequence of their incapacity to tolerate the harsh abiotic conditions in this habitat. Thus, forest conversion imposes a strong limitation to the long‐term population viability of this species. However, restoration and natural regeneration of abandoned pastures can recreate the forest structure and microclimatic conditions favourable to seed germination and seedling establishment. Remnant individuals of Cavanillesia arborea in agricultural landscapes may have a negligible contribution to current recruitment, but they can attract potential dispersers of pioneer species, with positive feedbacks to future recruitment during secondary succession.
Remaining root dentin thickness in mesiobuccal canals of maxillary first molars after attempted removal of broken instrument fragments
Authors: Gao Yuan , Shen Ya , Zhou Xuedong , Haapasalo Markus 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe aim was to measure the minimal thickness of the remaining canal wall dentine in the mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first molars using a virtual model to simulate the attempt to remove fractured instruments. Thirty‐seven molars were scanned by micro‐computed tomography. The application framework for the simulation of the attempt to remove a broken instrument was constructed. The staging platform was created and followed by the use of ultrasonic tips to trephine dentine around the fragment to reveal the coronal 1.5 mm. The minimum canal wall thickness in the mesiobuccal roots was then measured. The concavity groove was found on all the distal aspects of the mesiobuccal root. The minimum thickness of the remaining canal wall distally to the canal was significantly thinner than mesially to the canals when sizes 25/0.06 and 25/0.02 instruments were broken at 3 and 5 mm away from the canal orifice. When the sizes 20/0.02 and 25/0.06 instruments were broken at 5 mm away from the canal orifice, the minimum thickness of the distal dentine wall was only 300–400 μm which was significantly less than when the instrument was broken at 3 mm.
Schizophrenia and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder: A clinical investigation
Authors: Lev‐Ran Shaul , Feingold Daniel , Rudinski Dmitri , Katz Stefan , Arturo Lerner G. 
Published: March 2015

Background and ObjectivesWe compared characteristics of schizophrenia patients with prior LSD use who developed hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (SCH+HPPD) with those who did not (SCH−HPPD).MethodsData were collected for 37 subjects in the SCH+HPPD group and 43 subjects in the SCH−HPPD group.ResultsSocio‐demographics and positive symptom scores were similar between groups. Individuals in the SCHIZO+HPPD group scored lower on general psychopathology and negative symptoms scores.Discussion and ConclusionsIndividuals with schizophrenia and HPPD present with less severe psychopathology, despite persistent perceptual disturbances.Scientific SignificanceOur findings highlight the importance of further research into this subset of patients. (Am J Addict 2015;24:197–199)
A randomised controlled comparison between stimulating and standard catheters for lumbar plexus block
Authors: Cappelleri G. , Ghisi D. , Ceravola E. , Guzzetti L. , Ambrosoli A. L. , Gemma M. , Cornaggia G. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThe aim of this randomised, prospective, blinded study was to evaluate if stimulating catheters can decrease the minimum effective anaesthetic volume in 50% of patients during lumbar plexus block using mepivacaine 1.5% compared with standard catheters. Fifty‐eight patients of ASA physical status 1–3 were randomly allocated to receive a lumbar plexus block via a stimulating or standard catheter, with 29 in each group. The first dose was 30 ml and subsequent doses were determined using the up‐and‐down staircase method. The minimum effective anaesthetic volume50 was 12.2 ml (95% CI 7.3–17.1 ml) using the stimulating catheter and 24.8 ml (95% CI 23.2–27.5 ml) with the standard catheter (p < 0.0001). Complete lumbar plexus block was achieved with the initial dose of mepivacaine in 29 (100%) patients in the stimulating catheter group and 20 (69%) patients in the standard catheter group (p = 0.002). This study showed that use of a stimulating catheter halves the minimum effective anaesthetic volume50 of mepivacaine 1.5% while increasing the success rate in patients receiving continuous lumbar plexus block.
Quantification of Shear‐Induced Platelet Activation: High Shear Stresses for Short Exposure Time
Authors: Ding Jun , Chen Zengsheng , Niu Shuqiong , Zhang Jiafeng , Mondal Nandan K. , Griffith Bartley P. , Wu Zhongjun J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThrombosis and thromboembolism are the life‐threatening clinical complications for patients supported or treated with prosthetic cardiovascular devices. The high mechanical shear stress within these devices is believed to be the major contributing factor to cause platelet activation (PA) and function alteration, leading to thrombotic events. There have been limited quantitative data on how the high mechanical shear stress causes platelet activation. In this study, shear‐induced PA in the ranges of well‐defined shear stress and exposure time relevant to cardiovascular devices was quantitatively characterized for human blood using two novel flow‐through Couette‐type blood shearing devices. Four markers of platelet activation—surface P‐selectin (CD62p), platelet‐derived microparticles (PMPs), platelet‐monocyte aggregation (PMA), and soluble P‐selectin—were measured by flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The results indicated that PA induced by high shear stresses with short exposure time could be reliably detected with surface P‐selectin, and, to a lesser extent, PMPs rather than soluble P‐selectin. It was also verified that PMA can be a highly sensitive indirect marker of platelet activation. The quantitative relationship between percentage of activated platelets indicated by surface P‐selectin expression and shear stress/exposure time follows well the power law functional form. The coefficients of the power law models of PA based on surface P‐selectin expression were derived.
β3‐AR and the vertebrate heart: a comparative view
Authors: Imbrogno S. , Gattuso A. , Mazza R. , Angelone T. , Cerra M. C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRecent cardiovascular research showed that, together with β1‐ and β2‐adrenergic receptors (ARs), β3‐ARs contribute to the catecholamine (CA)‐dependent control of the heart. β3‐ARs structure, function and ligands were investigated in mammals because of their applicative potential in human cardiovascular diseases. Only recently, the concept of a β3‐AR‐dependent cardiac modulation was extended to non‐mammalian vertebrates, although information is still scarce and fragmentary. β3‐ARs were structurally described in fish, showing a closer relationship to mammalian β1‐AR than β2‐AR. Functional β3‐ARs are present in the cardiac tissue of teleosts and amphibians. As in mammals, activation of these receptors elicits a negative modulation of the inotropic performance through the involvement of the endothelium endocardium (EE), Gi/0 proteins and the nitric oxide (NO) signalling. This review aims to comparatively analyse data from literature on β3‐ARs in mammals, with those on teleosts and amphibians. The purpose is to highlight aspects of uniformity and diversity of β3‐ARs structure, ligands activity, function and signalling cascades throughout vertebrates. This may provide new perspectives aimed to clarify the biological relevance of β3‐ARs in the context of the nervous and humoral control of the heart and its functional plasticity.
Association involving serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region and bipolar disorder type 1 in Iranian population
Authors: Ghadiri Mohammad , Nourmohammadi Issa , Fasihi Ramandi Mahdi , Moazen Zadeh Ehsan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIntroductionSerotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region, also called 5HTTLPR, is a candidate in the genetics of bipolar disorder; however, the results of previous association studies are inconsistent. Several explanations have been proposed for that inconsistency; among them are the existing differences both in the genetic basis of bipolar disorder subtypes and the genetic backgrounds of the studied populations. We aimed to investigate the association of 5HTTLPR with bipolar disorder type I (BP‐1) in Iranian population.MethodsIn this case–control study, 146 patients with BP‐1 and 165 controls were recruited. The patients were selected through the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. It was required that the patients do not have any present history of general medical conditions, substance abuse, and concurrent major psychiatric disorders. The polymorphism was evaluated by blood sampling and subsequent DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Chi‐square test was used for analyzing allelic and genotype frequencies and two‐tailed P values were obtained.ResultsThe S allele was significantly more frequent in the BP‐1 patients compared with the controls (P = 0.02, S allele odds ratio = 1.5, confidence interval 95% = 1.06–2.11).DiscussionOur statistically significant results suggest that the role of 5HTTLPR in the pathogenesis of BP‐1 needs to be clarified by further scrutiny in Iranian population and other populations of Near East.
Growing well‐beings: The positive experience of care farms
Authors: Leck Chris , Upton Dominic , Evans Nick 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesCare farms enable people who are in some way vulnerable to engage with agricultural places and farming activities. This study investigates how this impacts on the health and well‐being of service users and explores associated processes and outcomes.DesignA mixed methods design was adopted that allowed for the integration of quantitative measurements of change with qualitative descriptions of this change. A pragmatic approach provided sufficient flexibility to support the investigation of complex contexts.MethodsA total of 216 service users completed an initial questionnaire, and 137 (63%) of this number provided comparative data in a follow‐up questionnaire. Questionnaires contained multiple choice and open‐ended questions alongside standardized health and well‐being measures requiring Likert‐format responses. Semi‐structured interviews with 33 service users allowed personal experiences to be detailed.ResultsStatistical analysis of well‐being measure scores identified significant positive relationships with the length of time people had been attending the care farm. Questionnaire and interview data presented health benefits as being enabled by the farm environment, the positive experience as supporting personal development, and associated social interactions as becoming increasingly influential as time progressed.ConclusionsThe health and well‐being outcomes that result from participating at a care farm influence multiple elements of the human condition and apply amongst vulnerable people with a wide range of personal needs. Care farms have access to a potentially unique range of resources that can support many service users in becoming happier and healthier individuals.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Care farming is increasingly practised and is suggested to support the health and well‐being of people who are in some way vulnerable. Care farms utilize agricultural spaces and activities to provide benefits that are presented as having relevance to public health and social inclusion agendas.

What does this study add?

This is the first longitudinal study to include participants with such differing personal needs.

Associated outcomes are explored to provide an understanding of how they impact on health.

People and place are found to be mutually supportive in facilitating positive change.
DaPeCa‐1: diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in 222 patients with penile cancer at four tertiary referral centres – a national study from Denmark
Authors: Jakobsen Jakob K. , Krarup Kim P. , Sommer Peter , Nerstrøm Henrik , Bakholdt Vivi , Sørensen Jens A. , Olsen Kasper Ø. , Kromann‐Andersen Bjarne , Toft Birgitte G. , Høyer Søren , Bouchelouche Kirsten , Jensen Jørgen B. 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesTo estimate the diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) in patients with penile cancer and assess SNB complications in a national multicentre setting.Patients and methodsRetrospectively data were collected from records in four university centres by one medical doctor covering all SNBs performed in Denmark between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2010. Patients had either impalpable lymph nodes (LNs) in one or both groins, or had a palpable inguinal mass from which aspiration cytology failed to reveal malignancy. Patients were injected with nanocolloid technetium and had a scintigram recorded before the SNB. The primary endpoint was LN recurrence on follow‐up. The secondary endpoint was complications after SNB. Diagnostic accuracy was computed.ResultsIn all, 409 groins in 222 patients were examined by SNB. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up of patients who survived was 6.6 (5–10) years. Of 343 negative groins, eight were false negatives. The sensitivity was 89.2% (95% confidence interval 79.8–95.2%) per groin. Interestingly, four of 67 T1G1 patients had a positive SNB. In all, 28 of 222 (13%) patients had complications of Clavien‐Dindo grade I–IIIa.ConclusionPenile cancer SNB with a close follow‐up stages LN involvement reliably and has few complications in a national multicentre setting. Inguinal LN dissection was avoided in 76% of patients.
Radical treatment of localised prostate cancer in the elderly
Authors: Everaerts Wouter , Van Rij Simon , Reeves Fairleigh , Costello Anthony 
Published: March 2015

Elderly men are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive cancer, but are often inappropriately denied curative treatment. Biological rather than chronological age should be used to decide if a patient will profit from radical treatment. Therefore, every man aged >70 years should undergo a health assessment using a validated tool before making treatment decisions. Fit elderly men with intermediate‐ or high‐risk disease should be offered standard curative local treatment in keeping with guidelines for younger men. Vulnerable and frail elderly men warrant geriatric intervention before treatment. In the case of vulnerable patients, this intervention may render them suitable for standard care. When considering radical prostatectomy outcomes a ‘bifecta’ of oncological control and continence is appropriate, as erectile dysfunction (although prevalent) has a much smaller impact on quality of life than in younger patients. Radiotherapy is an alternative to radical prostatectomy in men with a life expectancy of <10 years. Primary androgen‐deprivation therapy is not associated with improved survival in localised prostate cancer and should only be used for symptom palliation. Further elderly‐specific research is needed to guide prostate cancer care.
Clinical significance of peripheral zone thickness in men with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Kwon Jong Kyou , Han Jang Hee , Choi Ho Chul , Kang Dong Hyuk , Lee Joo Yong , Kim Jae Heon , Oh Cheol Kyu , Choi Young Deuk , Cho Kang Su 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical impact of prostate peripheral zone thickness (PZT), based on presumed circle area ratio (PCAR) theory, on urinary symptoms in men with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) as a novel prostate parameter.Patients and methodsMedical records were obtained from a prospective database of first‐visit men with LUTS/BPH. Age, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and post‐void residual urine volume (PVR) were assessed. Total prostate volume (TPV), transition zone volume (TZV), transition zone index (TZI), and PZT were measured by transrectal ultrasonography. Reliability analysis was also performed.ResultsIn all, 1009 patients were enrolled for the analysis. The mean (sd) PZT was 11.10 (2.50) mm, and patients were classified into three groups PZT thickness groups; PZT <9.5 mm, ≥9.5 to <13 mm, and ≥13 mm. As the PZT became smaller, all urinary symptom scores including IPSS, quality of life (QoL), and OABSS significantly increased. Uroflowmetry variables, such as Qmax and PVR, also showed significant differences. PZT showed a high intra‐class correlation coefficient (0.896). Multivariate analysis revealed that the PZT was independently associated with IPSS (P < 0.001), QoL (P = 0.003), OABSS (P = 0.001), and PVR (P = 0.001), but PZT influence on Qmax was only of borderline significance (P = 0.055).ConclusionPZT is a novel, easy‐to‐measure prostate parameter that is significantly associated with urinary symptoms. Our present findings suggest that clinical usefulness of PZT should be further validated for managing men with LUTS/BPH.
Specific Preferences in Lineage Choice and Phenotypic Plasticity of Glioma Stem Cells Under BMP4 and Noggin Influence
Authors: Videla Richardson Guillermo Agustín , Garcia Carolina Paola , Roisman Alejandro , Slavutsky Irma , Fernandez Espinosa Damián Darío , Romorini Leonardo , Miriuka Santiago Gabriel , Arakaki Naomi , Martinetto Horacio , Scassa María Elida , Sevlever Gustavo Emilio 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAlthough BMP4‐induced differentiation of glioma stem cells (GSCs) is well recognized, details of the cellular responses triggered by this morphogen are still poorly defined. In this study, we established several GSC‐enriched cell lines (GSC‐ECLs) from high‐grade gliomas. The expansion of these cells as adherent monolayers, and not as floating neurospheres, enabled a thorough study of the phenotypic changes that occurred during their differentiation. Herein, we evaluated GSC‐ECLs’ behavior toward differentiating conditions by depriving them of growth factors and/or by adding BMP4 at different concentrations. After analyzing cellular morphology, proliferation and lineage marker expression, we determined that GSC‐ECLs have distinct preferences in lineage choice, where some of them showed an astrocyte fate commitment and others a neuronal one. We found that this election seems to be dictated by the expression pattern of BMP signaling components present in each GSC‐ECL. Additionally, treatment of GSC‐ECLs with the BMP antagonist, Noggin, also led to evident phenotypic changes. Interestingly, under certain conditions, some GSC‐ECLs adopted an unexpected smooth muscle‐like phenotype. As a whole, our findings illustrate the wide differentiation potential of GSCs, highlighting their molecular complexity and paving a way to facilitate personalized differentiating therapies.
Growth hormone deficiency after childhood bone marrow transplantation with total body irradiation: interaction with adiposity and age
Authors: Davis N.L. , Stewart C.E. , Moss A.D. , Woltersdorf W.W.W. , Hunt L.P. , Elson R.A. , Cornish J.M. , Stevens M.C.G. , Crowne E.C. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryObjectiveBone marrow transplantation with total body irradiation (BMT/TBI) has adverse effects on growth, growth hormone status and adiposity. We investigated the GH–IGF‐I axis in relation to adiposity.DesignCross‐sectional case control study.PatientsBMT/TBI survivors (n = 22) and short stature control participants (n = 19), all GH‐naïve or off GH treatment >3 months.MeasurementsAuxology, DEXA scans and GH–IGF‐I axis investigation: (i) 12‐h overnight GH profiles; (ii) insulin tolerance test (ITT); and (iii) IGF‐I generation test. Analysis: auto‐deconvolution of GH profile data and comparison of quantitative parameters using anova.ResultsEighty‐two percent of BMT/TBI survivors had growth hormone deficiency (GHD) using ITT. GH profile area‐under‐the‐curve (GH‐AUC) was reduced in BMT/TBI survivors vs short stature control participants [geometric mean (range) 209 (21–825) vs 428 (64–1400) mcg/l/12 h, respectively, P = 0·007]. GHD was more marked in those who had additional cranial irradiation (CRT) [ITT peak 1·4 (0·2–3·0) vs TBI only 4·1 (1·1–14·8) mcg/l, P = 0·036]. GHD was more marked at the end of growth in BMT/TBI survivors vs short stature control participants (GH‐AUC 551 (64–2474) vs 1369 (192–4197) mcg/l/12 h, respectively, P = 0·011) and more prevalent (9/11 vs 1/9, respectively, P = 0·005). GH profile data were consistent with ITT results in 80% of participants. IGF‐I generation tests were normal. BMT/TBI survivors still demonstrated lower GH levels after adjustment for adiposity (fat‐adjusted mean difference for GH‐AUC 90·9 mcg/l/12 h, P = 0·025).ConclusionsGHD was more prevalent in BMT/TBI survivors than expected for the CRT dose in TBI, worsened with time and persisted into adulthood. GHD could not be explained by adiposity. There was no evidence of GH neurosecretory dysfunction or resistance after BMT/TBI.