bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catheter Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Previous Amiodarone‐Induced Hyperthyroidism: A Case–Control Study
Authors: MIKHAYLOV EVGENY N. , ORSHANSKAYA VIKTORYA S. , LEBEDEV ALEXANDER D. , SZILI‐TOROK TAMAS , LEBEDEV DMITRY S. 
Published: March 2013

Hyperthyroidism and AF AblationIntroductionMany patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receive amiodarone. Amiodarone‐induced hyperthyroidism (AIH) may develop as a complication. We hypothesized that pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in patients with paroxysmal AF and history of AIH may yield a lower success rate.Methods and ResultsAmong 704 patients who underwent AF ablation in our center between 2007 and 2010, we identified 20 patients (mean age 58.3 ± 5.0 years; 11 males) with paroxysmal AF and overt AIH in the past. The control group consisted of 40 patients with amiodarone‐refractory AF and no thyroid dysfunction. All patients underwent circumferential PV isolation. During redo procedures all tachycardias were targeted for ablation. During a 12‐month follow‐up, in the AIH group 6 (30%) patients were arrhythmia free after a single procedure, in comparison to 25 (62.5%) controls (P = 0.01). Atrial tachycardia (AT) was registered in 7 (35%) AIH patients and in 1 (2.5%) control patient (P = 0.001). AF recurred in 10 (50%) AIH versus 15 (37.5%) control patients (P = 0.2). Redo ablation was performed in 7 (35%) AIH patients and in 3 (7.5%) non‐AIH patients (P = 0.01). During a redo procedure a PV‐unrelated tachycardia was diagnosed in 5 (25%) AIH patients (vs 0 in the controls, P = 0.003). After the last performed ablation, 12 (60%) AIH patients and 28 (70%) controls had no recurrence, P = 0.56. AIH was an independent predictor of ATs.ConclusionPV isolation alone has a lower efficacy for preventing recurrence in paroxysmal AF in AIH patients. After repeat ablations, overall freedom from tachyarrhythmias is similar to patients with no history of thyroid dysfunction.
HDAC4/5‐HMGB1 signalling mediated by NADPH oxidase activity contributes to cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: He Min , Zhang Bin , Wei Xinbing , Wang Ziying , Fan Baoxia , Du Pengchao , Zhang Yan , Jian Wencheng , Chen Lin , Wang Linlin , Fang Hao , Li Xiang , Wang Ping‐An , Yi Fan 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHistone deacetylases (HDACs)‐mediated epigenetic mechanisms play critical roles in the homeostasis of histone acetylation and gene transcription. HDAC inhibitors have displayed neuroprotective properties in animal models for various neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease and ischaemic stroke. However, some studies have also reported that HDAC enzymes exert protective effects in several pathological conditions including ischaemic stress. The mixed results indicate the specific roles of each HDAC protein in different diseased states. However, the subtypes of HDACs associated with ischaemic stroke keep unclear. Therefore, in this study, we used an in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model and in vitro cell cultures by the model of oxygen glucose deprivation to investigate the expression patterns of HDACs and explore the roles of individual HDACs in ischaemic stroke. Our results showed that inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity ameliorated cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and among Zn2+‐dependent HDACs, HDAC4 and HDAC5 were significantly decreased both in vivo and in vitro, which can be reversed by NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. We further found that both HDAC4 and HDAC5 increased cell viability through inhibition of HMGB1, a central mediator of tissue damage following acute injury, expression and release in PC12 cells. Our results for the first time provide evidence that NADPH oxidase‐mediated HDAC4 and HDAC5 expression contributes to cerebral ischaemia injury via HMGB1 signalling pathway, suggesting that it is important to elucidate the role of individual HDACs within the brain, and the development of HDAC inhibitors with improved specificity is required to develop effective therapeutic strategies to treat stroke.
Clinical and functional characterization of the Pro1198Leu ABCC8 gene mutation associated with permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus
Authors: Takagi Tomoyuki , Furuta Hiroto , Miyawaki Masakazu , Nagashima Kazuaki , Shimada Takeshi , Doi Asako , Matsuno Shohei , Tanaka Daisuke , Nishi Masahiro , Sasaki Hideyuki , Inagaki Nobuya , Yoshikawa Norishige , Nanjo Kishio , Akamizu Takashi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel is a key component of insulin secretion in pancreatic β‐cells. Activating mutations in ABCC8 encoding for the sulfonylurea receptor subunit of the KATP channel have been associated with the development of neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM). The aim was to investigate clinical and functional characterization of the Pro1198Leu ABCC8 gene mutation associated with permanent NDM (PNDM).Materials and MethodsThe coding regions and conserved splice sites of KCNJ11, ABCC8 and INS were screened for mutations in a 12‐year‐old girl diagnosed with PNDM. The functional property of the mutant channel identified was examined with patch‐clamp experiments in COS‐1 cells. We also investigated the difference of effectiveness between two groups of oral sulfonylureas in vitro and in the patient.ResultsWe identified a heterozygous missense mutation (c.3593 C>T, Pro1198Leu) in ABCC8. The mutated residue (P1198) is located within a putative binding site of sulfonylureas, such as tolbutamide or gliclazide. In patch‐clamp experiments, the mutant channel was less ATP sensitive than the wild type. Furthermore, the sensitivity to tolbutamide was also reduced in the mutant channel. In addition to the tolbutamide/gliclazide binding site, glibenclamide is thought to also bind to another site. Glibenclamide was more effective than other sulfonylureas in vitro and in the patient. The treatment of the patient was finally able to be switched from insulin injection to oral glibenclamide.ConclusionsWe identified the Pro1198Leu ABCC8 mutation in a PNDM patient, and clarified the functional and clinical characterization. The present findings provide new information for understanding PNDM.
Photosynthetic and Molecular Markers of CO2‐mediated Photosynthetic Downregulation in Nodulated Alfalfa
Authors: Sanz‐Sáez Álvaro , Erice Gorka , Aranjuelo Iker , Aroca Ricardo , RuÍz‐Lozano Juan Manuel , Aguirreolea Jone , Irigoyen Juan JosÉ , Sanchez‐Diaz Manuel 
Published: March 2013

AbstractElevated CO2 leads to a decrease in potential net photosynthesis in long‐term experiments and thus to a reduction in potential growth. This process is known as photosynthetic downregulation. There is no agreement on the definition of which parameters are the most sensitive for detecting CO2 acclimation. In order to investigate the most sensitive photosynthetic and molecular markers of CO2 acclimation, the effects of elevated CO2, and associated elevated temperature were analyzed in alfalfa plants inoculated with different Sinorhizobium meliloti strains. Plants (Medicago sativa L. cv. AragÓn) were grown in summer or autumn in temperature gradient greenhouses (TGG). At the end of the experiment, all plants showed acclimation in both seasons, especially under elevated summer temperatures. This was probably due to the lower nitrogen (N) availability caused by decreased N2‐fixation under higher temperatures. Photosynthesis measured at growth CO2 concentration, rubisco in vitro activity and maximum rate of carboxylation were the most sensitive parameters for detecting downregulation. Severe acclimation was also related with decreases in leaf nitrogen content associated with declines in rubisco content (large and small subunits) and activity that resulted in a drop in photosynthesis. Despite the sensitivity of rubisco content as a marker of acclimation, it was not coordinated with gene expression, possibly due to a lag between gene transcription and protein translation.
The analysis of challenging relations: influences on interactive behaviour of staff towards clients with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Willems A. P. A. M. , Embregts P. J. C. M. , Bosman A. M. T. , Hendriks A. H. C. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundRelationships between support staff and clients with intellectual disability (ID) are important for quality of care, especially when dealing with challenging behaviour. Building upon an interpersonal model, this study investigates the influence of client challenging behaviour, staff attitude and staff emotional intelligence on interactive behaviour of one of these relationship partners, being support staff.MethodA total of 158 support staff members completed a questionnaire on staff interactive behaviour for 158 clients with ID and challenging behaviour, as well as two questionnaires on staff interpersonal attitude and emotional intelligence.ResultsConfronted with challenging behaviour as opposed to no challenging behaviour, staff reported less friendly, more assertive control and less support‐seeking interpersonal behaviour. Also, staff used more proactive thinking and more self‐reflection in dealing with challenging behaviour. Staff interpersonal attitude in general, mainly a harsh‐dominant‐resentful attitude, had a significant influence on most staff interactive behaviours towards an individual client with challenging behaviour. The influence of staff emotional intelligence, specifically intrapersonal abilities, on staff interactive behaviour towards an individual client with challenging behaviour was somewhat limited.ConclusionsThis research supports the necessity for training staff in general interpersonal attitudes towards clients as well as training in intrapersonal emotional intelligence, when confronted with challenging behaviour. Future research should focus more on the bidirectional dynamics of staff and client interactions.
Quality of life, fatigue, and activity in Australians with chronic kidney disease: A longitudinal study
Authors: Bonner Ann , Caltabiano Marie , Berlund Lois 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this study we investigated the relationship between health‐related quality of life, fatigue, and activity levels of people with anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease over a 12 month period following the introduction of an erythropoietin‐stimulating agent. Using a longitudinal repeated‐measure design, 28 people with chronic kidney disease completed theShortForm‐36HealthSurvey,HumanActivityProfile andFatigueSeverityScale at the commencement of an erythropoietin‐stimulating agent, and then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Over a 12 month period, a significant change was found for health‐related quality of life in relation to role–physical, vitality, mental health/emotional well‐being, and overall mental health. However, activity levels did not significantly improve during that time. Renal nurses in dialysis units and chronic kidney disease outpatient clinics have repeated and frequent contact with people with chronic kidney disease over long periods of time, and are in an ideal position to routinely assess fatigue and activity levels and to institute timely interventions to optimize health‐related quality of life and independent activity.
Measurement properties of a peer‐teaching scale for nursing education
Authors: Williams Brett , McKenna Lisa , French Jill , Dousek Simon 
Published: March 2013

AbstractTeaching is a key role for nurses in contemporary clinical practice. Consequently, peer‐assisted learning continues to gather momentum in nursing education in tertiary and professional education settings. In this study, we investigated the factor structure of the Peer Teaching Experience Questionnaire when completed by a group of nursing undergraduates from a large Australian university. Data from the 14‐item Peer Teaching Experience Questionnaire completed by third year undergraduate nursing students were analyzed using factor analysis. A total of 257 final (third)‐year undergraduate nursing students participated in the study. Factor analysis of the 14 items revealed three factors with eigenvalues above 1, accounting for 47.3% of the total variance. Items with loadings greater than ± 0.40, with the factor in question, were used to characterize the factor solutions. Findings from the exploratory factor analysis provide preliminary results that the Peer Teaching Experience Questionnaire has adequate dimensionality and reliability.
Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Vaismoradi Mojtaba , Turunen Hannele , Bondas Terese 
Published: March 2013

AbstractQualitative content analysis and thematic analysis are two commonly used approaches in data analysis of nursing research, but boundaries between the two have not been clearly specified. In other words, they are being used interchangeably and it seems difficult for the researcher to choose between them. In this respect, this paper describes and discusses the boundaries between qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis and presents implications to improve the consistency between the purpose of related studies and the method of data analyses. This is a discussion paper, comprising an analytical overview and discussion of the definitions, aims, philosophical background, data gathering, and analysis of content analysis and thematic analysis, and addressing their methodological subtleties. It is concluded that in spite of many similarities between the approaches, including cutting across data and searching for patterns and themes, their main difference lies in the opportunity for quantification of data. It means that measuring the frequency of different categories and themes is possible in content analysis with caution as a proxy for significance.
ICPH 2671 – the world's first commercial food legume hybrid
Authors: Saxena Kul Bhushan , Kumar Ravikoti Vijaya , Tikle Ashok Narayanrao , Saxena Mukesh Kumar , Gautam Virendra Singh , Rao Surapaneni Koteshwar , Khare Dhirendra Kumar , Chauhan Yashvir Singh , Saxena Rachit Kumar , Reddy Belum Venkata Subba , Sharma Devendra , Reddy Linga Janardhan , Green John Melvin , Faris Donald George , Nene Yashwant Laxman , Mula Myer , Sultana Rafat , Srivastava Rakesh Kumar , Gowda Cholenahalli Lakkegowda Laxmipathi , Sawargaonkar Shrikant Laxmikantrao , Varshney Rajeev Kumar 
Published: March 2013

AbstractICRISAT scientists, working with Indian programme counterparts, developed the world's first cytoplasmic‐nuclear male sterility (CMS)‐based commercial hybrid in a food legume, the pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. The CMS, in combination with natural outcrossing of the crop, was used to develop viable hybrid breeding technology. Hybrid ICPH 2671 recorded 47% superiority for grain yield over the control variety ‘Maruti’ in multilocation on‐station testing for 4 years. In the on‐farm trials conducted in five Indian states, mean yield of this hybrid (1396 kg/ha) was 46.5% greater than that of the popular cv. ‘Maruti’ (953 kg/ha). Hybrid ICPH 2671 also exhibited high levels of resistance to Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic diseases. The outstanding performance of this hybrid has led to its release for cultivation in India by both a private seed company (as ‘Pushkal’) and a public sector university (as ‘RV ICPH 2671’). Recent developments in hybrid breeding technology and high yield advantages realized in farmers' fields have given hope for a breakthrough in pigeonpea productivity.
Differential expression and tumor necrosis factor‐mediated regulation of TNFRSF11b/osteoprotegerin production by human melanomas
Authors: Oliver Janine L. , Alexander Matthew P. , Norrod Allison G. , Mullins Irene M. , Mullins David W. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryTumors escape host immune responses, in part, through the release of immunomodulatory factors and decoy receptors into their microenvironment. Several cancers express surface‐bound and soluble members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, including TNFRSF11b/osteoprotegerin (OPG). In its physiologic role, OPG regulates bone remodeling through competition for osteoclast‐activating cytokines and protects newly forming bone from T cell‐mediated apoptosis. In multiple tumor types, OPG production is associated with an aggressive phenotype and increased metastasis to bone, but no study has examined OPG production in human metastatic melanoma. We demonstrate that a significant proportion of human metastatic melanomas constitutively produces OPG through a mechanism governed by membrane‐bound TNF‐α signaling through TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). These observations both define a specific mechanism that regulates melanoma production of OPG and establish a new molecular target for the therapeutic regulation of OPG.
Photohydrate‐Mediated Reactions of Uridine, 2′‐Deoxyuridine and 2′‐Deoxycytidine with Amines at Near Neutral pH
Authors: Shetlar Martin D. , Hom Kellie , Venditto Vincent J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPhotohydrates are formed in high yield when uridine (Urd), 2′‐deoxyuridine (dUrd), cytidine (Cyd) and 2′‐deoxycytidine (dCyd) are irradiated with UVC in aqueous solution. The thermal reactions of the photohydrates of Urd with amines at pH values near pH 7.5 have been studied using UV spectroscopy, HPLC, mass spectrometry and, in some cases, NMR. It has been found that a number of amines (i.e. ethylenediamine, N,N′‐dimethylethylenediamine, glycine, glycinamide, glycylglycine, glycylgylcylglycine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine) react thermally with such hydrates to form products with UV spectra characteristic of opened ring uridine‐amine adducts. In general, these products display a strong absorption peak with λmax in the range between 288 and 310 nm. Mass spectral studies of a number of the products indicate that they contain one molecule of parent nucleoside and one molecule of reactant amine. Upon standing in water these products revert to parent hydrate, while heating produces parent nucleoside. Less comprehensive studies indicate that photohydrates of dUrd and dCyd undergo analogous thermal reactions. Preliminary results suggest that UV‐irradiated polyuridylic acid and polycytidylic acid undergo similar reactions. These results may have relevance for obtaining a complete understanding of the biological effects of producing Urd and dCyd photohydrates in a cellular environment.
Enhanced Singlet Oxygen Generation from a Porphyrin–Rhodamine B Dyad by Two‐Photon Excitation through Resonance Energy Transfer
Authors: Ngen Ethel J. , Xiao Lixin , Rajaputra Pallavi , Yan Xingzhong , You Youngjae 
Published: March 2013

AbstractMitochondrial‐targeting photosensitizers have been associated with effective photodynamic responses. However, most photosensitizers absorb light between 400 and 700 nm, where light penetration through tissues is limited. Two‐photon excitation is a rational approach to improve light penetration through tissues. In this report, the two‐photon photophysical properties of a porphyrin–rhodamine B conjugate (TPP‐Rh), previously demonstrated to target the mitochondria, were evaluated. The properties studied included: two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross sections (σ2); resonance energy transfer (RET) kinetics and dynamics; and singlet oxygen generation. The conjugation of Rh B to TPP‐OH approximately doubled the σ2 of TPP‐Rh at 800 nm (40 ± 4 GM) compared with the parent porphyrin, TPP‐OH (16 ± 4 GM). Furthermore, the rate of DPBF oxidation by singlet oxygen generated from TPP‐Rh was twice as fast compared with that from TPP‐OH (73 % versus 33% in 10 min) following two‐photon excitation at 800 nm. In addition, a significantly stronger luminescence signal was detected from TPP‐Rh, than from TPP‐OH at 1270 nm, following two‐photon excitation. This study indicates that conjugating photosensitizers to Rh B could provide greater TPA at the near‐infrared range in addition to preferential mitochondrial accumulation for improved photodynamic responses.
Parenting stress and external stressors as predictors of maternal ratings of child adjustment
Authors: Östberg Monica , Hagekull Berit 
Published: March 2013

This study sought to disentangle the effects of different kinds of stress on maternal ratings of child externalizing and internalizing problems, social inhibition, and social competence, with a primary focus on parenting stress. The relations were explored in a sample consisting of mothers of 436 children (Mage = 7 years) in Sweden. Half the sample had had early clinical contacts during infancy due to child regulation problems, and the rest were mothers without known such early contacts. Demographic factors, family stressors, and parenting stress were examined in stress – adjustment models. Family stressors were clinical contact during infancy, current child and parent health problems, recent negative life events, and insufficient social support. Parenting stress as a mediator of the effect of other stressors on rated child adjustment was tested as was social support as a moderator of the effect of parenting stress on adjustment. The results showed that a higher parenting stress level was associated with maternal ratings of more externalizing and internalizing behaviors, more social inhibition, and lower social competence. Other family stressors and background variables were also found to be of importance, mainly for externalizing and internalizing problems and to some extent for social competence. Social inhibition had a unique relation to parenting stress only. Parenting stress mediated effects of other stressors in twelve models, whereas social support had no moderating effect on the link between parenting stress and child adjustment. Thus, parenting stress seems to be an important overarching construct. Clinical implications are proposed.
Association of age and packed red blood cell transfusion to 1‐year survival – an observational study of ICU patients
Authors: Mudumbai S. C. , Cronkite R. , Hu K. Unger , Heidenreich P. A. , Gonzalez C. , Bertaccini E. , Stafford R. S. , Cason B. A. , Mariano E. R. , Wagner T. 
Published: March 2013

SUMMARYObjectivesTo compare the 1‐year survival for different age strata of intensive care unit (ICU) patients after receipt of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions.BackgroundDespite guidelines documenting risks of PRBC transfusion and data showing that increasing age is associated with ICU mortality, little data exist on whether age alters the transfusion‐related risk of decreased survival.MethodsWe retrospectively examined data on 2393 consecutive male ICU patients admitted to a tertiary‐care hospital from 2003 to 2009 in age strata: 21–50, 51–60, 61–70, 71–80 and >80 years. We calculated Cox regression models to determine the modifying effect of age on the impact of PRBC transfusion on 1‐year survival by using interaction terms between receipt of transfusion and age strata, controlling for type of admission and Charlson co‐morbidity indices. We also examined the distribution of admission haematocrit and whether transfusion rates differed by age strata.ResultsAll age strata experienced statistically similar risks of decreased 1‐year survival after receipt of PRBC transfusions. However, patients age >80 were more likely than younger cohorts to have haematocrits of 25–30% at admission and were transfused at approximately twice the rate of each of the younger age strata.DiscussionWe found no significant interaction between receipt of red cell transfusion and age, as variables, and survival at 1 year as an outcome.