bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost and affordability of a nutritionally balanced gluten‐free diet: Is following a gluten‐free diet affordable?
Authors: Lambert Kelly , Ficken Caitlin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo determine the cost and affordability of a gluten‐free healthy food basket for four reference families in Australia. A secondary aim was to determine the price differential between commonly available gluten‐free and gluten‐containing food staples.MethodsExploratory study using an amalgamation of two commonly used food basket costing methods. Two food basket types were constructed for four common Australian family types. These were designated the Healthy Food Basket and modified (gluten‐free) Healthy Food Basket. Baskets were priced at five locations and costs as a proportion of the Equivalised Household Disposable Income and average weekly earnings for welfare recipients were calculated. The price differential for four common bread and cereal staples were also calculated per 100 g.ResultsThe gluten‐free healthy food basket was significantly more expensive compared to a gluten‐containing healthy food basket for all family types. The gluten‐free basket was considered unaffordable for three of the four common family types. Gluten‐free staples are significantly more expensive than their gluten‐containing counterparts.ConclusionsCompliance to a gluten‐free diet may be more difficult for some families due to the significant price discrepancy of gluten‐free items. Families on welfare with people who require a gluten‐free diet are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. Consideration should be given to the creation of a national subsidised medical foods program to enable equitable access to affordable gluten‐free staple foods via prescription.
Soy milk consumption, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomised cross‐over clinical trial
Authors: Mohammad‐Shahi Majid , Mowla Karim , Haidari Fatemeh , Zarei Mehdi , Choghakhori Razieh 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimThe purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of soy milk consumption compared with cow's milk on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers among women with rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsThis randomised, cross‐over clinical trial was conducted on 25 patients (mean age: 45.72 years) with rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups and were asked to follow a diet containing cow's milk or soy milk for four weeks. After the interventional period, a washout period was conducted for two weeks. Then groups followed the alternate treatment for four weeks.ResultsSoy milk consumption compared with cow's milk resulted in a significant difference in percent changes regarding serum levels of hs‐CRP (−13.81 ± 5.39 vs 9.21 ± 6.33%; P = 0.008) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) (−15.35 ± 4.30 vs 8.11 ± 8.80%; P = 0.020). The results were not changed even after adjustment for weight. Soy milk consumption also reduced adiponectin levels significantly (baseline: 38.39 ± 2.04, end: 30.71 ± 1.93; P < 0.001). However, this reduction was not significant compared with cow's milk (P = 0.065). Soy milk consumption had no significant effects on other inflammatory factors and malondialdehyde levels.ConclusionsSoy milk consumption for four weeks resulted in a significant improvement in some inflammatory markers (TNF‐α and hs‐CRP). However, further investigations are needed to confirm these effects.
Knowledge, use and perceptions of probiotics and prebiotics in hospitalised patients
Authors: Betz Melanie , Uzueta Anne , Rasmussen Heather , Gregoire Mary , Vanderwall Cassandra , Witowich Gretchen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimLittle is known about inpatient probiotic and prebiotic consumption or beliefs, despite their increase in availability. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess inpatient knowledge, use and perceptions of probiotics and prebiotics.MethodsAll subjects were inpatients at two urban medical centres on general medical/surgical floors. Patients were randomly selected to complete a verbally administered questionnaire inquiring about probiotic and prebiotic knowledge, use and perceptions. Patient responses were recorded directly into Survey Monkey (Palo Alto, CA, USA) on a computer.ResultsPatients (n = 200) were 58% were women and 56% were Caucasian with a mean age of 56 years. More patients were familiar with the term ‘probiotic’ (43%) compared with ‘prebiotic’ (11%); however, only 20% and 7% could correctly define probiotics and prebiotics, respectively, from a list of responses. More patients were consuming probiotics (53%) than prebiotics (38%). The most common probiotic and prebiotic products consumed were yogurts (72%) and cereals/granola bars (55%), respectively. Patients believed probiotics and prebiotics most beneficial for ‘digestion or gut health’, but the most common reason to consume these products was ‘to taste or try’ (36% and 43%, respectively). Overall, patients believed probiotics and prebiotics to be safe; however, they also believed that health claims could only somewhat be trusted.ConclusionsThis research found that many patients are consuming probiotic and prebiotic products despite limited awareness of the true meaning of these terms. As probiotic and prebiotic use is more common, it is important that clinicians are aware of increased use and provide patients with recommendations based on recent research.
Clinically Significant Differences in Acute Pain Measured on Self‐report Pain Scales in Children
Authors: Tsze Daniel S. , Hirschfeld Gerrit , von Baeyer Carl L. , Bulloch Blake , Dayan Peter S. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to determine the minimum and ideal clinically significant differences (MCSD, ICSD) in pain intensity in children for the Faces Pain Scale–Revised (FPS‐R) and the Color Analog Scale (CAS) and to identify any differences in these estimates based on patient characteristics.MethodsThis was a prospective study of children aged 4 to 17 years with acute pain presenting to two urban pediatric emergency departments. Participants self‐reported their pain intensity using the FPS−R and CAS and qualitatively described their changes in pain. Changes in pain score reported using the FPS‐R and CAS that were associated with “a little less” and “much less” pain (MCSD and ICSD, respectively) were identified using a receiver operating characteristic–based method and expressed as raw change score and percent reductions. Estimates of MCSD and ICSD were determined for each category of initial pain intensity (mild, moderate, and severe) and patient characteristics (age, sex, and ethnicity). Post hoc exploratory analyses evaluated categories of race, primary language, and etiology of pain.ResultsA total of 314 children with acute pain were enrolled; mean (±SD) age was 9.8 (±3.8) years. The FPS‐R raw change score and percent reduction MCSD estimates were 2/10 and 25%, with ICSD estimates of 3/10 and 60%. For the CAS, raw change score and percent reduction MCSD estimates were 1/10 and 15%, with ICSD estimates of 2.75/10 and 52%. For both scales, raw change score and percent reduction estimates of the MCSD remained unchanged in children with either moderate or severe pain. For both scales, estimates of ICSD were not stable across categories of initial pain intensity. There was no difference in MCSD or ICSD based on age, sex, ethnicity, race, primary language, or etiology of pain.ConclusionsThe MCSD estimates can be expressed as raw change score and percent reductions for the FPS‐R and CAS. These estimates appear stable for children with moderate to severe pain, irrespective of age, sex, and ethnicity. Estimates of ICSD were not stable across different categories of initial pain intensity, therefore limiting their potential generalizability.
Parental allergic disease before and after child birth poses similar risk for childhood allergies
Authors: Fuertes E. , Standl M. , von Berg A. , Lehmann I. , Hoffmann B. , Bauer C.‐P. , Koletzko S. , Berdel D. , Heinrich J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWhether the strength of associations between parental and child allergic diseases differs by whether the first onset of the parental disease is before or after a child's birth has never been examined and is the aim of this study. Yearly childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema diagnoses were longitudinally regressed against the effect of a parental disease (pre‐vspost‐child birth) of the same type separately for each parent using generalized estimation equations. Both a maternal and paternal history of asthma were associated with childhood asthma prevalence up to 15 years of age. Effect estimates were similar for parental asthma with first onset before and after the birth of the child. The results for allergic rhinitis and eczema were less consistent. Parental allergic diseases with first onsets before and after the birth of a child both pose risks to childhood allergic disease in the offspring, especially for asthma.
A Simulator for Twenty20 Cricket
Authors: Davis Jack , Perera Harsha , Swartz Tim B. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThis paper develops a Twenty20 cricket simulator for matches between sides belonging to the International Cricket Council. As input, the simulator requires the probabilities of batting outcomes which are dependent on the batsman, the bowler, the number of overs consumed and the number of wickets lost. The determination of batting probabilities is based on an amalgam of standard classical estimation techniques and a hierarchical empirical Bayes approach where the probabilities of batting outcomes borrow information from related scenarios. Initially, the probabilities of batting outcomes are obtained for the first innings. In the second innings, the target score obtained from the first innings affects the aggressiveness of batting during the second innings. We use the target score to modify batting probabilities in the second innings simulation. This gives rise to the suggestion that teams may not be adjusting their second innings batting aggressiveness in an optimal way. The adequacy of the simulator is addressed through various goodness‐of‐fit diagnostics.
The effects of counseling on fear of childbirth
Authors: Larsson Birgitta , Karlström Annika , Rubertsson Christine , Hildingsson Ingegerd 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate women's experiences of attending existing counseling programs for childbirth‐related fear and the effect of this counseling over time.DesignA longitudinal survey.SettingThree hospitals in the central north of Sweden.SampleA selected sample of 936 women. Of these, 70 received counseling due to fear of childbirth (study‐group).MethodsData were collected with questionnaires 2 months and 1 year after giving birth with background data collected during midpregnancy. Comparisons were made between women with or without counseling. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated.Main outcome measuresSelf‐reported childbirth fear, experience of counseling, birth experience and preferred mode of birth.ResultsWomen in the counseling group reported higher childbirth fear 1 year after giving birth (OR 5.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.6–9.3), they had a more negative birth experience that did not change over time (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.9) and they preferred cesarean section to a greater extent (OR 12.0, 95% CI 5.1–28.1) in the case of another birth. Also, they were more often delivered by planned cesarean section (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.4–9.1). However, 80% were satisfied with the given support.ConclusionAlthough women were satisfied with the treatment, this study shows that counseling had a minor effect on fear of childbirth, birth experiences or cesarean section rates. To help women with their fear of childbirth, more effective methods of treatment are needed.
Psychological functioning of people living with chronic pain: A meta‐analytic review
Authors: Burke Anne L. J. , Mathias Jane L. , Denson Linley A. 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesChronic pain (CP; >3 months) is a common condition that is associated with significant psychological problems. Many people with CP do not fit into discrete diagnostic categories, limiting the applicability of research that is specific to a particular pain diagnosis. This meta‐analysis synthesized the large extant literature from a general CP, rather than diagnosis‐specific, perspective to systematically identify and compare the psychological problems most commonly associated with CP.MethodsFour databases were searched from inception to December 2013 (PsychINFO, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed) for studies comparing the psychological functioning of adults with CP to healthy controls. Data from 110 studies were meta‐analysed and Cohen's d effect sizes calculated.ResultsThe CP group reported experiencing significant problems in a range of psychological domains (depression, anxiety, somatization, anger/hostility, self‐efficacy, self‐esteem and general emotional functioning), with the largest effects observed for pain anxiety/concern and somatization; followed by anxiety and self‐efficacy; and then depression, anger/hostility, self‐esteem and general emotional functioning.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates, for the first time, that individuals with CP are more likely to experience physically focussed psychological problems than other psychological problems and that, unlike self‐efficacy, fear of pain is intrinsically tied to the CP experience. This challenges the prevailing view that, for individuals with CP, problems with depression are either equal to, or greater than, problems with anxiety, thereby providing important information to guide therapeutic targets.Practitioner pointsPositive clinical implications

This is the first time that the CP literature has been synthesized from a general perspective to examine psychological functioning in the presence of CP and provide practical recommendations for assessment and therapy.

Individuals with CP were most likely to experience psychological problems in physically focussed areas – namely pain anxiety/concern and somatization.

Although fear of pain was intrinsically tied to the CP experience, self‐efficacy was not.

CP was more strongly associated with anxiety than with depression.

Limitations

The study focuses on the general CP literature, adults and research‐utilizing self‐report measures.

Meta‐analyses are limited by the empirical literature on which they are based.
Atenolol offers better protection than clonidine against cardiac injury in kainic acid‐induced status epilepticus
Authors: Read M I , Harrison J C , Kerr D S , Sammut I A 
Published: March 2015

Background and PurposeStatus epilepticus is increasingly associated with cardiac injury in both clinical and animal studies. The current study examined ECG activity for up to 48 h following kainic acid (KA) seizure induction and compared the potential of atenolol and clonidine to attenuate this cardiac pathology.Experimental ApproachSprague‐Dawley rats (male, 300–350 g) were implanted with ECG and electrocorticogram electrodes to allow simultaneous telemetric recordings of cardiac and cortical responses during and after KA‐induced seizures. Animals were randomized into saline controls, and saline vehicle‐, clonidine‐ or atenolol‐pretreated KA groups.Key ResultsKA administration in the saline‐pretreated group produced an immediate bradycardic response (maximal decrease of 28 ± 6%), coinciding with low‐level seizure activity. As high‐level seizure behaviours and EEG spiking increased, tachycardia also developed, with a maximum heart rate increase of 38 ± 7% coinciding with QTc prolongation and T wave elevation. Both clonidine and atenolol pretreatment attenuated seizure activity and reduced KA‐induced changes in heart rate, QTc interval and T wave amplitude observed during both bradycardic and tachycardic phases in saline‐pretreated KA animals. Clonidine, however, failed to reduce the power of EEG frequencies. Atenolol and to a lesser extent clonidine attenuated the cardiac hypercontraction band necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and oedema at 48 h after KA, relative to the saline‐KA group.Conclusions and ImplicationsSevere seizure activity in this model was clearly associated with altered ECG activity and cardiac pathology. We suggest that modulation of sympathetic activity by atenolol provides a promising cardioprotective approach in status epilepticus.
A metabolite of Danshen formulae attenuates cardiac fibrosis induced by isoprenaline, via a NOX2/ROS/p38 pathway
Authors: Yin Qian , Lu Haiyan , Bai Yajun , Tian Aiju , Yang Qiuxiang , Wu Jimin , Yang Chengzhi , Fan Tai‐Ping , Zhang Youyi , Zheng Xiaohui , Zheng Xiaopu , Li Zijian 
Published: March 2015

Background and PurposeCardiac fibrosis is a common feature of advanced coronary heart disease and is characteristic of heart disease. However, currently available drugs against cardiac fibrosis are still very limited. Here, we have assessed the role of isopropyl 3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐2‐hydroxylpropanoate (IDHP), a new metabolite of Danshen Dripping Pills, in cardiac fibrosis mediated by the β‐adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline, and its underlying mechanisms.Experimental ApproachIdentification of IDHP was identified by mass spectrometry, and proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Myocardial collagen was quantitatively assessed with Picrosirius Red staining. Expression of mRNA for collagen was evaluated with real‐time PCR. Phosphorylated and total p38 MAPK, NADPH oxidase (NOX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analysed by Western blot. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescent staining. NOX2 was knocked down using specific siRNA.Key ResultsIDHP attenuated β‐adrenoceptor mediated cardiac fibrosis in vivo and inhibited isoprenaline‐induced proliferation of neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs) and collagen I synthesis in vitro. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, which is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of isoprenaline‐induced cardiac fibrosis, was inhibited by IDHP. This inhibition of phospho‐p38 by IDHP was dependent on decreased generation of ROS. These effects of IDHP were abolished in NRCFs treated with siRNA for NOX2.Conclusions and ImplicationsIDHP attenuated the cardiac fibrosis induced by isoprenaline through a NOX2/ROS/p38 pathway. These novel findings suggest that IDHP is a potential pharmacological candidate for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis, induced by β‐adrenoceptor agonists.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Chinese Innovation in Cardiovascular Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-23
cAMP‐dependent activation of protein kinase A as a therapeutic target of skin hyperpigmentation by diphenylmethylene hydrazinecarbothioamide
Authors: Shin Hyoeun , Hong Seung Deok , Roh Eunmiri , Jung Sang‐Hun , Cho Won‐Jea , Hong Park Sun , Yoon Da Young , Ko Seon Mi , Hwang Bang Yeon , Hong Jin Tae , Heo Tae‐Young , Han Sang‐Bae , Kim Youngsoo 
Published: March 2015

Background and PurposecAMP as a second messenger stimulates expression of microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) or the tyrosinase gene in UVB‐induced skin pigmentation. Diphenylmethylene hydrazinecarbothioamide (QNT 3‐80) inhibits α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH)‐induced melanin production in B16 murine melanoma cells but its molecular basis remains to be defined. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the amelioration of skin hyperpigmentation by QNT 3‐80.Experimental ApproachWe used melanocyte cultures with raised levels of cAMP and UVB‐irradiated dorsal skin of guinea pigs for pigmentation assays. Immunoprecipitation, kemptide phosphorylation, fluorescence analysis and docking simulation were applied to elucidate a molecular mechanism of QNT 3‐80.Key ResultsQNT 3‐80 inhibited melanin production in melanocyte cultures with elevated levels of cAMP, including those from human foreskin. This compound also ameliorated hyperpigmentation in vivo in UVB‐irradiated dorsal skin of guinea pigs. As a mechanism, QNT 3‐80 directly antagonized cAMP binding to the regulatory subunit of PKA, nullified the dissociation and activation of inactive PKA holoenzyme in melanocytes and fitted into the cAMP‐binding site on the crystal structure of human PKA under the most energetically favourable simulation. QNT 3‐80 consequently inhibited cAMP‐ or UVB‐induced phosphorylation (activation) of cAMP‐responsive element‐binding protein in vitro and in vivo, thus down‐regulating expression of genes for MITF or tyrosinase in the melanogenic process.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur data suggested that QNT 3‐80 could contribute significantly to the treatment of skin disorders with hyperpigmented patches with the cAMP‐binding site of PKA as its molecular target.
Hunt for the origin of allergy – comparing the Finnish and Russian Karelia
Authors: Haahtela T. , Laatikainen T. , Alenius H. , Auvinen P. , Fyhrquist N. , Hanski I. , von Hertzen L. , Jousilahti P. , Kosunen T. U. , Markelova O. , Mäkelä M. J. , Pantelejev V. , Uhanov M. , Zilber E. , Vartiainen E. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThe Finnish and Russian Karelia are adjacent areas in northern Europe, socio‐economically distinct but geoclimatically similar. The Karelia Allergy Study was commenced in 1998 to characterize the allergy profiles in the two areas. Allergy prevalence had increased in Finland since the early 1960s, but the situation in Russia was unknown. The key finding was that allergic symptoms and diseases were systematically more common in Finnish children and adults than in their Russian counterparts. For example, in the early 2000s, hay fever in school children was almost non‐existent in Russian Karelia, and only 2% were sensitized to birch pollen compared with 27% in Finnish Karelia. Adult birth cohorts showed that among those born in the 1940s, the sensitization to pollens and pets was at the same low level in both countries, but among younger generation born in the late 1970s, the difference was already manifold. Seropositivity to some pathogens, microbial content in house dust and drinking water seemed to confer allergy protection in Russia. In subsequent studies, it became apparent that on the Finnish side, healthy children had a more biodiverse living environment as well as greater diversity of certain bacterial classes on their skin than atopic children. Abundance of skin commensals, especially Acinetobacter (gammaproteobacteria), associated with anti‐inflammatory gene expression in blood leucocytes. In vivo experiments with the mouse model demonstrated that intradermally applied Acinetobacter protected against atopic sensitization and lung inflammation. These observations support the notion that the epidemic of allergy and asthma results from reduced exposure to natural environments with rich microbiota, changed diet and sedentary lifestyle. Genetic studies have confirmed strong influence of lifestyle and environment. With our results from the Karelia study, a 10‐year National Allergy Programme was started in 2008 to combat the epidemic in Finland.