bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of atrioventricular optimization on circulating N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide following cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Shanmugam Nesan , Campos Ana Garcia , Prada‐Delgado Oscar , Bizrah Mukhtar , Valencia Oswaldo , Jones Sue , Collinson Paul , Anderson Lisa 
Published: February 2013

AimsFollowing CRT, atrioventricular (AV) optimization is not routinely practised. To evaluate its clinical utility, we examined the effect of AV delay optimization on the prognostic biomarker NT‐proBNP.Methods and resultsWe prospectively studied 72 patients (mean age 73 ± 12.5 years, 70.8% male, 55.6% ischaemic) undergoing iterative AV optimization. Patients were divided into those whose nominal setting appeared ideal and not changed (Group 1, n = 22) and those whose AV delay was optimized (Group 2, n = 50). All patients underwent NT‐proBNP assessment prior to CRT, and pre‐ and a median 5 days post‐optimization. Compared with Group 1, NT‐proBNP fell significantly in Group 2 patients (median 474 pg/mL) following optimization (P = 0.00001). A significant change in filling pattern (defined as a change in AV delay >50 ms) was required in 30% of patients, and it was this subgroup that derived the greater reduction in NT‐proBNP levels [–1407 pg/mL, interquartile range (IQR) –3042 to –346 pg/mL] compared with those requiring <50 ms AV delay change (–125 pg/mL, IQR –1038 to 6 pg/mL), P = 0.0011. The benefit of AV optimization was principally observed in reverse remodelling non‐responders (median –2167 pg/mL, IQR –3042 to –305 pg/mL) and in patients with a pseudonormal or restrictive filling pattern (median –1407 pg/mL, IQR –2809 to –342 pg/mL), compared with those with more benign diastolic filling (median – 264 pg/mL, IQR –1038 to –21 pg/mL), P = 0.033.ConclusionsIn one‐third of patients, major filling pattern changes are achieved with AV optimization, associated with subsequent rapid falls in NT‐proBNP. The greater the AV delay change, the larger the NT‐proBNP fall, and non‐responders and those with restrictive or pseudonormal filling despite CRT are most likely to benefit.
Plasma microRNAs serve as biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy and disease progression in hypertension‐induced heart failure
Authors: Dickinson Brent A. , Semus Hillary M. , Montgomery Rusty L. , Stack Christianna , Latimer Paul A. , Lewton Steven M. , Lynch Joshua M. , Hullinger Thomas G. , Seto Anita G. , van Rooij Eva 
Published: February 2013

AimsRecent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs), besides being potent regulators of gene expression, can additionally serve as circulating biomarkers of disease. The aim of this study is to determine if plasma miRNAs can be used as indicators of disease progression or therapeutic efficacy in hypertension‐induced heart disease.Methods and resultsIn order to define circulating miRNAs that change during hypertension‐induced heart failure and that respond to therapeutic treatment, we performed miRNA arrays on plasma RNA from hypertensive rats that show signs of heart failure. Array analysis indicated that approximately one‐third of the miRNAs on the array are detectable in plasma. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for a selected panel of miRNAs indicated that circulating levels of miR‐16, miR‐20b, miR‐93, miR‐106b, miR‐223, and miR‐423‐5p were significantly increased in response to hypertension‐induced heart failure, while this effect was blunted in response to treatment with antimiR‐208a as well as an ACE inhibitor. Moreover, treatment with antimiR‐208a resulted in a dramatic increase in one miRNA, miR‐19b. A time course study indicated that several of these miRNA changes track with disease progression.ConclusionsCirculating levels of miRNAs are responsive to therapeutic interventions and change during the progression of hypertension‐induced heart disease.
The relation of evidence-based medicine and tacit knowledge in clinical judgement
Authors: Thornton Tim 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe presence of evidence-based medicine in psychiatryHume’s challenge to inductionResponses to HumeHume’s own responseMill’s methodsThe consequences of Hume’s problem and Mill’s methods for RCTs and EBMThe role of individual judgement in inductionA Wittgensteinian response to Hume’s challenge to inductionConclusions
Understanding data, information, and knowledge
Authors: Tennison Barry 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe aim of this chapter is to help the public health practitioner to appreciate the subtleties of the varied forms of information about the health of a population and related matters, develop a toolkit for thinking about the complexity of information and its uses, and orientate themselves positively towards the decisions and actions needed, applying wisely and with good judgement the information and knowledge available. The classification (taxonomy) of types of information given in this chapter should help the public health practitioner toassess the relevance, timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of available information, decide which types of information are most appropriate for a particular public health task, and make optimal use of information that is not ideal, and assess the effects of its departure from perfection.
Engaging communities in participatory research and action
Authors: Minkler Meredith , Chang Charlotte 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAfter reading this chapter you will be able to define participatory research and its core principles, describe how engaging communities in participatory research and action can add value to research, while building community capacity and helping achieve action to promote community health, identify some of the challenges that arise in such work and how they may be addressed, and describe a case study that started with an important issue in the community and demonstrates core principles of CBPR, challenges faced in such work, and subsequent community action for change.
Evaluating health care systems
Authors: McKee Martin , Khoshaba Bernadette , Karanikolos Marina 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis chapter aims to help the reader understand the importance of defining the boundaries of a health system in a given country, explain the functions of a health system and how these relate to one another, describe the goals of a health system and how to evaluate progress towards them, be aware of the major contemporary initiatives to assess health system performance internationally, and recognize the limitations, including the scope for abuse, of health systems comparisons.
Working with the media
Authors: Maryon-Davis Alan 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis chapter addresses the basics of working with the print and broadcast media. After reading this chapter you should be able to develop a strategy for working with the media, both as an individual practitioner and as a representative of your team or organization, review and strengthen your strategy, if you already have one in place, undertake simple media tasks, such as writing a press release or being interviewed by a journalist, with more confidence.
Knowledge transfer
Authors: Ward Jeanette , Grimshaw Jeremy , Eccles Martin 
Published: February 2013

AbstractEffective research transfer will ensure patients and populations benefit from evidence-based best practice. While there is an increasing rigor with which to approach research transfer in health care settings, greater demand among those responsible for research transfer for a more scientifically sound knowledge base will accelerate development of the discipline. There is greater recognition that research transfer requires sophisticated, theoretically informed and phased designs. Practitioners who seek to transfer evidence into practice must work with these epistemological deficits as best they can. Reading this chapter will help you to identify and respond to situations that require research transfer, apply a systematic approach to research transfer, learning from the work of others and planning locally in context, and contribute to a growing body of evidence about research transfer itself.
AGP: A Multimethods Web Server for Alignment-Free Genome Phylogeny
Authors: Cheng Jinkui , Cao Fuliang , Liu Zhihua 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Phylogenetic analysis based on alignment method meets huge challenges when dealing with whole-genome sequences, for example, recombination, shuffling, and rearrangement of sequences. Thus, various alignment-free methods for phylogeny construction have been proposed. However, most of these methods have not been implemented as tools or web servers. Researchers cannot use these methods easily with their data sets. To facilitate the usage of various alignment-free methods, we implemented most of the popular alignment-free methods and constructed a user-friendly web server for alignment-free genome phylogeny (AGP). AGP integrated the phylogenetic tree construction, visualization, and comparison functions together. Both AGP and all source code of the methods are available at http://www.herbbol.org:8000/agp (last accessed February 26, 2013). AGP will facilitate research in the field of whole-genome phylogeny and comparison.
First Report of Diplodia seriata Causing Loquat Fruit Rot in Spain
Authors: Palou L. , Taberner V. , Montesinos-Herrero C. 
Published: February 2013

Spain is the second largest loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) producer in the world, with about 40,000 t per year. ‘Algerie’ is the main cultivar planted in Alicante province (SE of Spain; Lat. 38.40° N, Long. 0.08° W), where more than 80% of Spanish commercial loquat plantations are located. In a survey of fruit losses at harvest, irregular brownish superficial dry spots (5 to 15 mm) located mainly near the stem end were observed on fruits from different orchards. After incubation at 20°C for 14 days, the spots on fruit expanded rapidly and turned to dark brown or black, producing black, unilocular, ostiolate, and thick-walled pycnidia. Isolation was performed by disinfecting the surface of symptomatic fruits with alcohol and aseptically cutting pieces of infected peel tissue and plating them in potato dextrose agar (PDA) dishes. The potential causal agent (isolate IVIA GCA-5) was identified in the Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain). The fungus grew rapidly on both PDA and malt extract agar (MEA) at 26°C, covering the entire plate surface with dark gray mycelium within 4 days. The plate reverse was dark gray to black. The conidia were brown and aseptate, with the apex broadly rounded and the base rounded or truncate, and 23 × 11 μm (n = 50). The identification of Diplodia seriata De Not. was molecularly confirmed with the amplification with the primers ITS1 and ITS4 and subsequent sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the rDNA extracted from the isolate IVIA GCA-5 (GenBank Accession No. JX987099). Furthermore, the region D1/D2 in the 5′ end of the 28S rDNA gene was amplified with the primers NL1 and NL4 and sequenced (JX997743). A nucleotide BLAST analysis showed in both cases 100% identity with D. seriata [EF127892 (3) and AY928050, respectively]. To fulfill Koch's postulates, 5-mm diameter mycelial plugs from 7-day-old colonies of isolate IVIA GCA-5 grown on PDA at 25°C were aseptically transferred to skin wounds on superficially disinfected ‘Algerie’ loquats (one plug per fruit; n = 9). Wounded but not inoculated fruit were used as controls. The experiment was repeated three times. Inoculated fruit developed lesions of 18 to 100 mm after 7 to 21 days of incubation at 20°C. No lesion was observed on controls. The fungus was consistently reisolated from inoculated fruit. D. seriata is a broadly spread pathogen causing cankers, blight, dieback, and fruit rots in vines and many fruit trees. In Spain, it has been reported to cause fruit rot of olive (1) and branch dieback in olive (2) and grapevine (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report worldwide of D. seriata causing loquat fruit rot. References: (1) J. Moral et al. Plant Dis. 92:311, 2008. (2) J. Moral et al. Phytopathology 100:1340, 2010. (3) A. J. L. Phillips et al. Fungal Divers. 25:141, 2007. (4) J. R. Úrbez-Torres et al. Plant Dis. 90:835, 2006.
The Epiphytic Fungus Pseudozyma aphidis Induces Jasmonic Acid- and Salicylic Acid/Nonexpressor of PR1-Independent Local and Systemic Resistance
Authors: Buxdorf Kobi , Rahat Ido , Gafni Aviva , Levy Maggie 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Pseudozyma spp. are yeast-like fungi, classified in the Ustilaginales, which are mostly epiphytic or saprophytic and are not pathogenic to plants. Several Pseudozyma species have been reported to exhibit biological activity against powdery mildews. However, previous studies have reported that Pseudozyma aphidis, which can colonize plant surfaces, is not associated with the ‎‎collapse of powdery ‎mildew colonies. In this report, we describe a novel P. aphidis strain and study its interactions with its plant host and the plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea. This isolate was found to secrete extracellular metabolites that inhibit various fungal pathogens in vitro and significantly reduce B. cinerea infection in vivo. Moreover, P. aphidis sensitized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants’ defense machinery via local and systemic induction of PATHOGENESIS-RELATED1 (PR1) and PLANT DEFENSIN1.2 (PDF1.2) expression. P. aphidis also reduced B. cinerea infection, locally and systemically, in Arabidopsis mutants impaired in jasmonic acid (JA) or salicylic acid (SA) signaling. Thus, in addition to direct inhibition, P. aphidis may inhibit B. cinerea infection via induced resistance in a manner independent of SA, JA, and Nonexpressor of PR1 (NPR1). P. aphidis primed the plant defense machinery and induced stronger activation of PDF1.2 after B. cinerea infection. Finally, P. aphidis fully or partially reconstituted PR1 and PDF1.2 expression in npr1-1 mutant and in plants with the SA hydroxylase NahG transgene, but not in a jasmonate resistant1-1 mutant, after B. cinerea infection, suggesting that P. aphidis can bypass the SA/NPR1, but not JA, pathway to activate PR genes. Thus, either partial gene activation is sufficient to induce resistance, or the resistance is not directed solely through PR1 and PDF1.2 but probably through other pathogen-resistance genes or pathways as well.
Time‐lag in extinction dynamics in experimental populations: evidence for a genetic Allee effect?
Authors: Vercken Elodie , Vincent Flora , Mailleret Ludovic , Ris Nicolas , Tabone Elisabeth , Fauvergue Xavier 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Propagule pressure, i.e. the number of individuals introduced, is thought to be a major predictor of the establishment success of introduced populations in the field. Its influence in laboratory experimental systems has however been questioned. In fact, other factors involved in long‐term population persistence, like habitat size, were usually found to explain most of the dynamics of experimental populations.

To better understand the respective influence of short‐ and long‐term factors and their potential interaction on extinction dynamics in experimental systems, we investigated the influence of propagule pressure, habitat size and genetic background on the early dynamics of laboratory‐based populations of a hymenopteran parasitoid.

The amount of demographic variance differed between establishment and persistence phase and was influenced by habitat size and genetic background (geographic strain), but independent of propagule pressure. In contrast, the probability of extinction within five generations depended on the genetic background and on the interaction between propagule pressure and habitat size. Vulnerability to extinction in small size habitats was increased when populations were founded with a small number of individuals, but this effect was delayed until the third to fifth generations.

These results indicate that demographic stochasticity is influential during population establishment, but is not affected by the genetic variability of propagules. On the other hand, extinction might be influenced by a genetic Allee effect triggered by the combination of low propagule pressure and genetic drift. Finally, we documented consistent differences between genetic backgrounds in both deterministic and stochastic population dynamics patterns, with major consequences on extinction risk and ultimately population establishment.
Routine early versus deferred provisional tirofiban treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zhang You , Gao Chuanyu , Liu Hongzhi , Wang Xianpei , Yang Honghui , Li Muwei , Wang Xianqing , Zhu Zhongyu , Hu Dayi 
Published: February 2013

Summary
The present study examined the optimal timing of tirofiban administration in moderate‐ or high‐risk non‐ST segment elevated acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Eligible patients were randomized into two groups. Tirofiban was administered routinely at ≥ 4 h before angiography (routine early group; n = 141 patients) or provisionally only for bailout after angiography (deferred provisional group; n = 145 patients). The parameters analysed were: creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK‐MB), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow, thrombotic complications during PCI, efficacy end‐points (death, myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization) at 7, 30 and 180 days and safety end‐points (bleeding or thrombocytopenia).
In the deferred provisional group, 48 patients (33.1%) required bailout tirofiban. Tirofiban was administered 5.8 h earlier in the routine early compared with the deferred provisional group. The routine early group showed a lower percentage increase in CK‐MB (in U/L) 12–24 h after PCI compared with the deferred provisional group (0 (−4.0, 3.0) vs 0.4 (−3.0, 5.0), respectively; P = 0.045), as well as higher pre‐PCI TIMI 3 (i.e. normal) flow (78.7% vs 64.8%, respectively; P = 0.042) and a lower incidence of thrombotic events (5.0% vs 33.1%, respectively; P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in efficacy and safety end‐points.
In patients with moderate‐ or high‐risk NSTE‐ACS, early tirofiban combined with dual antiplatelet therapy was associated with better patency before PCI, attenuated minor myocardial damage and a lower prevalence of thrombotic complications during PCI, but had no significant benefit on the post‐PCI TIMI 3 flow or short‐term prognosis.
A short note on extractive foraging behavior in gray snub‐nosed monkeys
Authors: XIANG Zuofu , LIANG Wenbin , NIE Shuaiguo , LI Ming 
Published: February 2013

AbstractExtractive foraging (EF) involves the exploitation of hidden or embedded foods, generally any food that is not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, EF is particularly important for survival in marginal habitats as it provides seasonal fallback foods in low food availability seasons. Although many studies consider primates’ EF behavior and category, colobine species are usually categorized as non‐extractive foragers and few studies quantitatively examine their EF behavior. In this study, we examined the EF behavior of one colobine species, the gray snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi), at Yangaoping in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou. We recorded 6 categories of EF behaviors. The most frequently sought‐out foods were seeds, young bamboo and invertebrates. Extracted foods accounted for an average of 26.02% of feeding records. As the monkey engages in little EF behavior in the winter when the food availability is low, these results seem to do not support the hypothesis that EF serves to secure additional resources during lean times in marginal or seasonal habitats. According to these findings, we suggestR. brelichshould be considered as an extractive forager. Our study also highlights the need for increased representation of colobines in the EF literature to better inform the discussion concerning its link to primate brain evolution.
Helminth parasites of freshwater fishes from Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico: inventory and biogeographical implications
Authors: AGUILAR‐AGUILAR Rogelio , MARTÍNEZ‐AQUINO Andrés , ESPINOSA‐PÉREZ Héctor , PÉREZ‐PONCE DE LEÓN Gerardo 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAs part of an ongoing inventory of the helminth parasites of freshwater fishes in Mexico, 570 individual fish were collected between Apr 2008 and Oct 2011 in 26 localities along the Cuatro Ciénegas region in Coahuila State, northern Mexico. Seventeen species of hosts, mostly corresponding to Nearctic freshwater elements, were studied. A total of 8324 individual worms were collected during this survey, representing 25 species of helminths, of which 9 were digeneans, 3 monogeneans, 3 acanthocephalans, 9 nematodes and 1 cestode. Most of the records in this checklist represent new host or locality records. The information provided in this checklist may be helpful for our understanding of the biodiversity and historical biogeography of this host–parasite system, because in the Cuatro Ciénegas region occur a Nearctic freshwater fish fauna, along with Neotropical and endemic elements, and from a biogeographical point of view, this may represent a transitional area.
Analysis of differently expressed proteins involved in metastatic niche of lung
Authors: Zheng Yan , Lin Yongbin , Situ Dongrong , Jiang Long , Su Xiaodong , Long Hao 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe “seed and soil” hypothesis for metastasis was a pivotal milestone in the study of malignant disease. Recently, growing studies have focused on the tumor secretory factors that may mediate preparation of the “metastatic soil.” A suitable environment for the metastatic lesions was created by many inflammatory cytokines in the lung, whichwas verified by in vivo experimental models. In 2005, a pre‐metastatic niche and metastatic niche modelwere suggested by David Lyden and Bethan Psaila, to delineate the interactions between malignant cells and their microenvironment at the metastatic site, whichsoon became the most importanthypothesis. However, the evidence is limited to animal models. More clinical evidence is needed to support this hypothesis.MethodsHuman lung specimens were taken from different regions within metastatic lung tissue and normal lung tissue. Differently expressed proteins were analyzed by using the two dimensional fluorescent difference gel electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) technology: about 0.5–1 cm (Tissue 1) of lung tissue was taken adjacent to the metastatic tumor; about 1 cm (Tissue 2) of lung tissue was taken far away from the metastatic tumor; and normal lung tissue of the inflammatory pseudotumor (Tissue 3) was taken at least 3 cm away from the pseudotumor. We usedmatrix‐assisted laser desorption/ ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/TOFMS) analysis to identify differently expressed proteins in T1, T2, andT3 samples.ResultsT1 samples were different from T2 samples in the expression of 27 proteins. T2 samples had different expressions in 24 proteins, compared to T3 samples.Nine proteins were expressed differently between T1 and T3 samples. These proteins are mainly involved inenergy metabolism, protect the tumor cell from immunologic engraftment of metastatic tumor cells, and migration. Some of thesehave been reported to be related to the tumor metastatic niche hypothesis: Type VI collagen, heat shock protein 90, and Fibrinogen.ConclusionThe type VI collagen, heat shock protein 90, and Fibrinogen were selected aspotential niche proteins. These findings support the metastatic niche hypothesis and encourage further studies.